Meeting twice in one week, Planning Commission members addressed several subjects, including approving variance requests, hearing from developers about two 50-acre plots being considered for development and expressed concern about the city's infrastructure being able to handle the growth. Two developers presented their proposed plans at a tech review meeting Thursday, May 5.
During the regular meeting Tuesday, May 3, planners approved requests from Michael McCartan for a home occupation request and from both Jack Perdew and RLP Investments for variances on front setbacks.
McCartan, 2522 N. Harvey Wakefield, told planners he runs a beard product company and expects no traffic to his home.
Perdew, 855 Washburn Drive, told developers that he poured concrete for an outbuilding but apparently misunderstood a note from the city building official concerning setbacks and didn't realize it included the front and not just sides. The lot is a corner lot.
Perdew said he can't move any further back because of a pool and retaining wall.
Planners Donnie Ewald and Dr. Karen Sherman voted against the approval expressing concern about setting a precedent in town.
Planner Jerry Burton broached two subjects not on the agenda.
He expressed concern about property at 750 Slack St. being used after the owner was denied a conditional use permit on Aug. 6, 2013, when the Planning Commission denied a request from Jim Erwin for the lot adjacent to his current business property.
Three years ago, planners questioned Erwin about drainage problems as well as ingress and egress to the property. Erwin told planners he wanted to increase the space where he parks and sells cars.
"I want to know the same thing," Sherman said. "Bottom line, he was told 'no' and he went ahead and did it anyway."
City building official Tony Townsend said Erwin told him Carroll Electric requested vehicles be moved because two power poles are being moved.
"I'd suggest we call Carroll Electric," Burton said. "If not, it's a $500 a day fine. He's flaunting it in our faces."
Secondly, Burton said, he was concerned about the city's wastewater treatment plant being able to handle the additional wastewater that will be generated with the new developments. He said he just learned that the city's wastewater treatment plant is at capacity.
"I personally asked if the sewer was capable of handling it," Burton said. "I was personally assured it was fine. Now, I learn that it's at 100 percent capacity?"
Townsend said: "If you remember, for the last four years Ken (Hayes, water/wastewater superintendent) has been saying we need to upgrade the sewer plant."
Townsend said the city plans to build a new sewer plant and it will take 18 months to 2 years.
"Well, it should have been brought up before we approved the Miller addition," Burton said. "Why weren't we told that before we approved?"
"What are we telling these developers?" planner Chris Johnson asked.
"We're not telling them anything because it's not getting to us," Sherman responded.
"Please mention our concerns to the mayor," Zach Hoyt, chairman, told Townsend, the city's liaison to the Planning Commission. "Infrastructure is a big deal."
"I was on the (City) council and requested a moratorium and we got it all squared away," Burton said, referring to a 2006 moratorium on construction in the city.
Hoyt also requested Townsend speak to Erwin and voice the concerns of the Planning Commission.
"We're trying to do our due diligence," Hoyt said. "We want to have the city's best interest in mind -- city, streets, water, all concerns -- when we sit down looking at several new houses."
Hoyt advised fellow planners to attend City Council meetings.
General News on 05/11/2016