CITY OF EAU CLAIRE
PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES

Meeting of August 15, 2011

City Hall, Council Chambers,7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Messrs. Klinkhammer, Hibbard, FitzGerald, Larson, Kayser, Strobel, Duax, Pearson

Staff Present:  Messrs. Reiter, Amundson, Genskow, Fieber, Noel

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Kayser.

1. REZONING (Z-1474-10) – Amend R-3P Concord Trail Condominium Project; and
 FINAL PLAT (P-5-11) – Concord Trail

Mr. Reiter presented the request to amend the General Development Plan for a R-3P district for the Concord Trail Condominium project and to approve the final condo plat.  The location is at the south side of LaSalle Street and west of Providence Court.  The plat shows 17 lots for single-family development.  The condo plat will allow a condo association with by-laws.  The private drive would connect to the existing east/west private drive and north to LaSalle Street. A sidewalk will be provided along the west side of the drive.  Newly created environmental corridors (slopes) will be protected.

There was discussion over the Department of Natural Resources’ environmental corridors approval process and how it pertained to the subject site/development project.  Newly created slope contours will shed less runoff towards the west.

Neil Haselwander, of Haselwander Real Estate, spoke in support of the project and addressed lot width questions.

Ardelle Brown, of 1957 Declaration Drive, had concerns about slope erosion, site maintenance, a bright city street light, and lot size arrangements not matching with existing lots.

Joanne Stange, of 2029 Declaration Drive, had safety concerns about children playing on the newly created hill and about the type of single-family homes behind her house.  She asked if along the development’s west lot line scrub could be removed.

Richard Karl Merkel, of 2005 Declaration Drive, was concerned about his property value, parking along the east/west private drive, and if single-family homes will be built.

Mr. FitzGerald moved to recommend approval of the rezoning and final plat subject to staff report conditions.  The commission added that the City Attorney shall approve the condo association bylaws and that the by-laws require park-like maintenance of landscaping within the west environmental corridor.  Mr. Pearson seconded and the motion carried.  Mr. Hibbard voted nay.

2. REZONING (Z-1491-11) – Temporary I-1 to I-1, 2245 Prairie Lane

Mr. Reiter presented the request to rezone property from Temporary I-1 to I-1 at 2245 Prairie Lane in order to obtain two building permits for two carports.

Mr. FitzGerald moved to recommend approval of the rezoning.  Mr. Duax seconded and the motion carried.

3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CZ-1114) – Dwelling Unit in C-1A District, 2131 Altoona Avenue

Mr. Reiter presented the request to allow a dwelling unit in a C-1A district at 2131 Altoona Avenue. The home was used for an office business but has sat vacant for three years now.

Applicant, Roger Biesterveld of 2141 Altoona Avenue, stated he would rather have the house be occupied instead of being vacant commercial.  He said the long-term plan is to tear down the structure and built another office building.

Mr. FitzGerald moved to approve the conditional use permit.  Mr. Hibbard seconded and the motion carried.

Mr. Strobel left the meeting at 8:26 p.m.

4. GENERAL SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PZ-1103) – Additions to Robbins School

Mr. Reiter presented the request to approve the General Site Development Plan for additions to Robbins School at 3832 E. Hamilton Avenue.  A portion of the existing building will be torn down to allow for the new addition.  A new front parking lot for 66 spaces is shown on the plan, along with enough parking along the west side to meet the required 104 parking stalls. Drainage plans and the two 32’ driveway widths must be approved.

Applicant, Jeff Bahling with Rettler Corporation, stated the underground irrigation is due to the sandy soils and that the school district is going after LEED accreditation.

Charlie Kramer, Director of Buildings and Grounds with the Eau Claire Area School District, addressed the building’s facade questions.

Mr. FitzGerald moved to recommend approval of the General Site Development Plan with the conditions listed in the staff report.  Mr. Duax seconded and the motion carried.

5.  GENERAL SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PZ-1104) – Additions to Putnam Heights School
 
Mr. Reiter presented the request to approve the General Site Development Plan for Putnam Heights School at 633 W. MacArthur Avenue.  A new addition will be located on the south side of the building.  The main entrance will be moved to the west side of the building. A bus drop-off will be provided in the front of the school and additional parking and parent drop-off lanes will be provided to the west.

Charlie Kramer, Director of Buildings and Grounds with the Eau Claire Area School District, stated that the handicapped accessible playground to the south will provide for more security. They have found parking was not adequate in the front of the school, so more spaces were added to the west side of the building. 

Mr. FitzGerald moved to recommend approval of the General Site Development Plan with the conditions in the staff report.  Mr. Duax seconded and the motion carried.

Mr. FitzGerald left the meeting at 8:45 p.m.

6. GENERAL SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PZ-1105) – Lighting Plan, Fairfax Park

Phil Fieber presented a request to approve a lighting plan for a baseball field at Fairfax Park.  The City received a request from the American Little League to light the field. Four poles 60’ in height with 200’ foot candle illumination are proposed.  Lights would go out at 10 p.m. The lights are shielded to reduce light spill and direct light away from nearby homes. The Waterways and Parks Commission approved the plan.  They have also met with residents across Fairfax Street to the east.  The American Little League leases the fields from the City. They will pay for the lighting of one field before the City installs more lighting in a few years.

 Tom Berg, of 1817 Taft Avenue, with the American Little League, stated the lighting will open up more practice time.   It will allow for more youth development programs and more game time for the league and South Middle School programs by extending the usable hours.

Mr. Klinkhammer moved to recommend approval of the General Site Development Plan.  Mr. Larson seconded and the motion carried.

7. ACQUISITION OF LAND – Bellevue Avenue Reconstruction

 Mr. Genskow presented the City’s request to approve the acquisition of 2.97 acres of land for the reconstruction of Bellevue Avenue on the south side of Bellevue Avenue to Wagner Avenue.

 Brian Amundson stated there are storm water utilities and slope issues where the City should purchase the extra land.

Mr. Klinkhammer moved to recommend approval of the land acquisition.  Mr. Larson seconded and the motion carried.

8. EASEMENT - Transit Bus Shelter on Kenney Avenue

Mr. Genskow presented the request to accept a permanent easement from Midelfort Clinic Building Partnership for a transit bus shelter on Kenny Avenue.  The change of location reduces congestion on Stein Blvd. and provides a safer location on Kenney Avenue.  Eau Claire Transit Commission and Midelfort Clinic Building Partnership are in favor of the change.

Mr. Klinkhammer moved to recommend approval of the easement.  Mr. Hibbard seconded and the motion carried.

9. STREET VACATION – Valmont Avenue

Mr. Amundson stated there was some public sentiment that came out of the South Hastings Way reconstruction process to vacate a portion of Valmont Avenue for more parking. The City developed a plan that allows for 20 plus additional parking stalls.  However, it is unclear now, since that part of the street is rebuilt, that all commercial property owners agree there is a need for more parking and to vacate the road.

Dan Donnellan, with Donnellan Real Estate, stated there has never been any parking or access issues in the area.  He is opposed to the vacation.

Mr. Klinkhammer moved to recommend approval of the Valmont Avenue street vacation.  Mr. Hibbard seconded and the motion failed unanimously.

10. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of August 1, 2011, were approved.

_________________________________
Thomas Pearson
Secretary