Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission held January 22, 2019, 5:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Members present were: Mike Cook – Chairman
Kevin Asker – Vice Chair
Dan Gautney
Jeff Kutner
Don Kissinger
Brian Perry
Members absent were: Yolanda Stout
City Staff: City Administrator Kennedy
Public Works Director Mager
The meeting was called to order by Mike Cook at 5:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Don Kissinger, second by Kevin Asker to accept the minutes of April 24, 2018 as presented. Motion carried.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Kevin Asker stated he had a conflict of interest with one if not both issues on the agenda. He would like to participate in the discussion but excuse himself from the vote. On motion by Dan Gautney, second by Don Kissinger to accept Kevin’s conflict. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT TO ALLOW COMMERCIAL ZONING FROM COURT STREET TO HIGHWAY 95: The public hearing was called to order at 5:33 p.m.
STAFF PRESENTATION: City Administrator Kennedy reported all notices of hearing were delivered and published as required. Kennedy explained the commission needed to look at the comprehensive plan amendment to determine if the request is what is in the best interest of the City. One of the questions the commission needs to ask themselves is if expanding the commercial zone to encompass that area from Court Street to Highway 95 is the future expansion of the City or if it should remain residential. The existing commercial zone is a narrow strip along Highway 95.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: none
SUPPORTERS: Hunter Edwards was available to answer questions on Raj Chahal’s behalf. Kevin asked what the state right of way was. Hunter said a lot in this area is 100’ but he wasn’t positive along the frontage of the property. He felt this is a good area to go for commercial. There is more depth needed in the proposed commercial area south of Highway 95.
NEUTRALS: Jerry Arnzen questioned the current right of way width at Court Street. Public Works Director Mager stated it is currently 60’. The City’s plan is to contain commercial within the commercial area. The City would most likely want Court Street to be a commercial width within the new subdivision. Jerry asked what would happen with truck traffic? His concern is commercial traffic coming across Court to D Street. He felt the highway could be dangerous with a new store, as it will create new traffic. He felt it’s hard to make a decision when we don’t know traffic counts. He wants to make sure any work is done to city standards and that no temporary roads are put in.
Jeff Kutner stated this request is only for a zone change. Technically there is no plat and no plan on what is happening. Kevin Asker stated one thing Buell Williams discovered when looking at doing residential, was there would be significant runoff that would need to be contained.
OPPONENTS: none
APPLICANT REBUTTAL
The hearing was closed at 5:47 pm.
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Kevin Asker stated he was wearing two hats: he has a conflict of interest since he owns a current retail business in town and the other hat is his interest in Grangeville’s future. This proposal would put another successful business on the tax rolls and the city would continue to grow. That’s positive. If the property behind the proposed area stays residential, he questioned what effect it has on residential. It will have no view and they will look at the back of a building. He understands that as he currently owns a building with no view behind it. There is already significant traffic not coming by Grangeville, using the Johnston cutoff. Who’s to say what a progressive, modern store could do to generate traffic to Grangeville. He felt that’s a positive. There are many things the commission will need to be involved in for the future. Larry Allen had an excavator ready to start road work which was later rescinded. The commission and city council have the burden to make sure it’s done right.
Jeff Kutner questioned where do you expand commercial for the City? There is ground to the east of the City but it’s not for sale and not being developed. South of town is potentially residential. It seems logical to extend commercial up to Court Street as there is no access in the middle of the block. Future growth may pull people off the Johnston cutoff and back to town.
Dan Gautney felt it would be an exceptional thing for the city.
Brian Perry strongly supported commercial in this area. He felt it is one of the few ways to grow without having a highway intersect the City. When people visit or pass through the City, they will see vibrant industry.
Kevin Asker stated if you think about potential growth for residential, he doubted the ground south of town will sell. North is industrial and on the east side of town is residential. The City needs to be conscious that residential growth is restricted. This commercial property doesn’t keep residential from developing.
On motion by Dan Gautney, second by Jeff Kutner to recommend to the city council that the commission strongly urges them to amend the comprehensive plan to allow commercial zone from Court Street to Highway 95. Motion carried. Kevin Asker abstained.
PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE REQUESTS TO REZONE THE PROPERTY FROM COURT STREET TO HIGHWAY 95 TO THE CITY LIMIT LINE FROM RESIDENTIAL ZONE A TO COMMERCIAL: The public hearing was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
APPLICANT: No presentation.
STAFF PRESENTATION: Clerk Kennedy reported all notices of hearing were delivered and published as required.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: none
SUPPORTERS: none
NEUTRALS: none
OPPONENTS: none
The hearing was closed at 6:03 pm.
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Kevin Asker encouraged the property owners to work closely with the City. A plat will need to be filed and they need to try to follow the rules, so it goes in smoothly. Don’t get the cart before the horse.
On motion by Jeff Kutner, second by Don Kissinger to recommend to the Council to rezone the property from Court Street to Highway 95, out to the city limit line, from residential to commercial. Motion carried. Kevin Asker abstained.
OFFICERS: On motion by Jeff Kutner, second by Brian Perry to elect the same slate of officers. Motion carried. Officers are Chairman Cook, Vice-Chair Asker and Secretary Gautney.
WATER AND SEWER UPDATE: Bob Mager wanted to provide an update on water and sewer, so the commission is aware of some of the issues the City will be facing with the submittal of subdivision plats. The City worked on a water model with J-U-B Engineers in 2018 and we are starting on a sewer model in 2019.
Water: Grangeville as existing is adequate but with expansion there are weaknesses that need to be met. On the future Kaschmitter subdivision on the east side, the City can only provide water for Phase 1. At this time, we can’t provide water for Phase 2 and 3. To do Kaschmitter’s Phase 2 and 3, the City will have to expand the high zone to get fire flow and pressure. The Fire Chief sets fire flow; the State sets pressure regulations. On the west side, if a plat is submitted, the City can handle it. Fire redundancy is a big issue in the high zone. Developers will have to help with costs. For commercial, we are planning for future growth. Right now, the City can supply that area toward Fish Hatchery Road. The City will need a new deep well at least 1,000’ to 1,500’ deep to alleviate problems in the low pressure zones and to help the fire redundancy. Geological studies on preexisting wells say to go north; east is not a good option. All the expansion is meaningless if water cannot be brought to the surface. Mager is planning for future growth of 15 years out.
Sewer: Mager explained the City is just starting on the sewer study so we don’t know anything yet. The west side has one outgoing line. We need the model completed so we can see what the line can hold. On the east side we are in the same boat. On the collection system, the City has been working on trouble areas, but we still have some others to fix too. We hope to have a working model in November or December.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is February 26th.
Motion to adjourn by Mike Cook at 6:24 p.m.
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk