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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPRIL 26 2016 r MINUTES OF THE JEFFERSONVILLE PLAN COMMISSION April 26, 2016 1. Call to Order A meeting of the Jeffersonville Plan Commission was held on April 26, 2016 at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers, First Floor, Jeffersonville City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Chairperson Brent Roberts called the meeting to order. 2. Roll Call The roll was called and those members present were: Duard Avery, Kathy Bupp, Rita Fleming, Lisa Gill, Scott Hawkins, and Brent Roberts. Those members not present: Steve Webb. Also present were Linda Mills, Secretary,Nathan Pruitt, Planning & Zoning Director, Les Merkley, Planning & Zoning Attorney. (SECRETARY'S NOTE: ALL PLAT MAPS, PHOTOS, ETC. PRESENTED BEFORE THE PLAN COMMISSION ON THIS DATE CAN BE FOUND IN THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.) 3. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the March 22, 2016 meeting were approved as written on a motion made by Lisa Gill and seconded by Rita Fleming. Motion passed on a vote of 5-0. 4. Old Business 1) PC-16-16 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by Joel Villasenor requesting development plan approval for property located at 1537 E. 10th Street. The proposed development is a restaurant. The property is zoned C2 (Medium to Large Scale General Commercial) and is in the Commercial Corridor Overlay District. Joel Villasenor appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Turned in a sketch to the staff of what the inside of the building will look like and the landscaping that we was missing last time; • Thirty feet out from the store we are planning on installing an landscape island approximately 8' wide and 30' long; • Will be planting 5 to 6 trees; and r • After the work on 10th Street is completed we would like to install a LED " sign. Page 1 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 Lisa Gill stated that she is started to get a little frustrated that we don't have a complete application. No signage was presented and the landscaping plan does not have all the information that is needed. Lisa Gill asked if the applicant knows what is needed for the application. Kathy Bupp came into the meeting. Nathan Pruitt stated that we have communicated with him and the applicant is responsible to provide the information. Rita Fleming suggested that they provide him with a similar complete application so that he can use it as an example. Joel Villasenor stated that before the last meeting he was told that everything was turned in and when I was denied the last time because of the landscaping I met with Kenneth and Nathan the next day and they told me what I needed. Nathan Pruitt stated that he will be happy to give the applicant examples of other similar applications. Joel Villasenor stated that he will remove the roof signs that were recently installed on the building. Therefore, upon a motion made by Rita Fleming and seconded by Lisa Gill to table this application. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 5. New Business 2) PC-16-31 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by ARC requesting development plan approval for property located at the southeast corner of Veterans Parkway and Hamburg Pike. The proposed development is a gas station. The development requires Board of Zoning Appeals approval of multiple variances. Jason Sams appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Requesting approval for a development plan for a Circle K Gas Station; • The property is located on Veterans Parkway and Hamburg Pike; • In 2011 this was approved for a Circle K Gas Station with six waivers, however this plan has expired; • Now that this area is starting to grow Circle K would like to pursue this application; a Page 2 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 • Staff analysis came back positive, it is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, the intent of the Commercial Corridor Overlay District and the development requirements of the commercial district; • Proposing a 3,820 square foot building with 15 parking spaces; • The building is 21' tall and the lot coverage is about 68%; • Plan to enhance the landscaping along Veterans Parkway, Hamburg Pike and along the access drive; • The proposed building is all brick with stacked stone skirt that goes around the building; • The signage will be in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance; and • The lighting plan is also in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. Lisa Gill asked if the Veterans access will be exit only. Jason Sams stated that there is an access road around the site; all activity will be on the access road. Les Merkley stated that the applicant Speedway across the street required variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals also and a representative for this applicant stated that since they are requiring variances this application in not ministerial. Lisa Gill stated that the Speedway property did not have all the legal documentation regarding access and safety concerns about 100' from the intersection and this project does not have those concerns. Therefore,upon a motion made by Scott Hawkins and seconded by Rita Fleming to approve the development plan as presented. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 3) PC-16-32 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by America Place requesting development plan approval for property located at Salem and Trey Streets. The proposed development is the expansion of existing industrial space. The applicant is requesting a waiver from the landscape standards. The development also requires Board of Zoning Appeals approval of multiple variances. Scott Hannah appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • This is a existing facility which is currently Tenneco Manufacturing; • Tenneco is a supplier for Ford; • Looking at expanding the parking lot; • They have seen growth in their employment and would like to add 144 new parking spaces; j • We have also shown on the plans future expansion but the main goal is to be E able to add additional parking spaces; and • This property is located in River Ridge. Page 3 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 Rita Fleming stated that on the landscaping requirements they are proposing fewer trees and more shrubs. Scott Hannah stated that there are foundation plantings and we do have an extensive buffer. We are building some parking spaces in the existing landscaping so we are re- doing the landscape along Trey Street. Scott Hannah also stated that the plan was approved by River Ridge. Therefore, upon a motion made by Lisa Gill and seconded by Kathy Bupp to approve the development plan with the requested waiver. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 4) PC-16-33 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by David Blankenbeker requesting approval of a final plat for the Wathen 3 subdivision. The property would be divided into 4 lots and a public street. David Blankenbeker appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Last fall I received preliminary plat approval; • At that time I made mentioned that this is my personal property; • We did not want to own and maintained 2.6 acres so we decided to break it into four lots; • I will be building my personal house on Lot 301probably starting in July; and • Have already started the road and laying sewer lines. Therefore, upon a motion made by Lisa Gill and seconded by Scott Hawkins to approve the Final Plat presented. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 5) PC-16-34 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by Jacobi, Tombs & Lanz requesting development plan approval for property located at 5140 Loop Road. The proposed development is an industrial facility. The development requires Board of Zoning Appeals approval of multiple variances. Josh Hillman representing Pasco AAPC appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • The project is located at the corner of Utica Pike and Loop Road on the river side of Utica Pike; • This is about a 10 acre site; • Roughly a 130,000 square foot building; 3 • The property owner is the Port of Indiana; • The development plan is in compliance with the Plan Commission but we �—' requesting a few variances with the Board of Zoning Appeals; and Page 4 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 • Have not submitted a signage request but is aware that they have to do that separately before getting approval to build. Therefore, upon a motion made by Lisa Gill and seconded by Rita Fleming to approve the development plan contingent that they will work with staff on signage. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 6) PC-16-34 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by ESTO 2 LLC requesting a zoning change for property located at Maple and Walnut Streets. The property is currently zoned NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and the requesting zoning is R3 (Old City Residential). Wayne Estopinal appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • My son and I are contemplating a little development in downtown Jeffersonville; • My son Andrew has meet with Nathan a couple of time regarding this project; • Requesting to re-zone this site to R3; • Currently there is an old beauty shop and at the rear near the alley is a single- family house; • Our intentions are to demolish both of those structures and then build four new single family residents; • The structures will be fronting Walnut Street; • We will have two lots that would be a little larger than the ones in the middle; • The one on the corner of Maple and Walnut Streets will be a three bedroom, double garage,the one on the alley will also be the same three bedroom, double garage; • The two in the middle will be two bedroom single garage, all access from the alley; • This is an odd shape lot it has a small projection that goes east so we are going to install a visitor parking section in this area; and • There will be a homeowners association that would maintain the property. Duard Avery stated that this was a very impressive project. Therefore, upon a motion made by Lisa Gill and seconded by Duard Avery to send a favorable recommendation to City Council for the change in zoning to R3 (Old City Residential) from NC (Neighborhood Commercial) for the property located at Maple and Walnut Street. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 7) PC-16-36 s The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by ESTO 2 LLC requesting a preliminary Plat approval for property located at Maple and Walnut Page 5 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 Streets. The property is currently zoned NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and R3 (Old City Residential)the requested zoning is R3 (Old City Residential). Lot dimensions are code compliant but lot sizes are not. I Wayne Estopinal appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • David Blankenbeker prepared the plat; • We are comfortable with the lot size; and • We will come back with coverage of each lot was the plan has been finalized. Scott Sheehan, 410 E Maple Street appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • This development will be right next to my home; • The parking lot will be in my backyard; • Currently just invested $20,000 in my home and now when I walk out my house all that I will see is the back of someone house; • Proposing to install a driveway right next to my home; • Worked hard on the property to get it where it is now and would like to enjoy being outside; • There is a graveyard in the back of the property from the 1600; and • Was going to put in access from the back alley to my backyard for my camper, own an easement from the alley to my backyard and concerned about being able to make access for my camper. Mayor Mike Moore appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Respect Mr. Sheehan opinion for the last couple of years we have fought some big battles trying to save Maple Elementary • This is exactly the type of project that helps us keep our schools open; • This is a improvement to the community; and • I think it is exiting that we have a local developer who would like to invest in our downtown. Donna Spence, 531 E Maple Street appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • I think this will be a tremendous project for the neighborhood and community; and • The plan looks good and we are thrill with the in-fill. Mark Boyd, 407 E Maple Street appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • My home will be facing the lot; Page 6 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 • I have concerns about the design of the homes; • 3-story homes are a higher end but it doesn't really fit in; • It looks almost like some housing complex; • There is only one window on each side with brick; • The alley way is a concern on how close it will be to Mr. Sheehan home; • We spent so much time and money with the project on moving houses that would fit in the downtown area and I can't find one home in the downtown area that would look like these homes; and • I wouldn't necessary be opposed to having homes there but the design is what I'm most worry about with the alley way in the back. Wayne Estopinal stated the following: • On the issue regarding the cemetery from the 1600, 1 will go back to the current owner and ask for some definition; • The issue of the access to the rear of Mr. Sheehan property, it is my understanding that they have been granted a 12' easement from the alley; • Having the ideal of having a common area makes all the sense in the world, it keeps parking off the street; • The traffic coming through the alley will be minimal; • Will be more than happy to put up signage that states private drive do not use; • As far as looking at the rear of the homes it has to be better than looking at the old beauty shop; 1 • The building is in a dilapidated state; • The other issue of the design,the reason why downtown Jeffersonville is what it is, it has variety; • Would like to build something that would attract young people; • Drive to any big City and you will see a lot of infill projects that are not relevant in form to historic structure but they are relevant in scale; and • There are a lot of elements here that while are different look very compatible. Duard Avery stated that he is very impressive project and is what exactly what we need to rejuvenate downtown Jeffersonville. This type of project blends in very well. Rita Fleming stated that this fits in well with the Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, upon a motion made by Rita Fleming and seconded by Lisa Gill to approve the minor plat as presented. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 8) PC-16-37 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by Storage Express requesting a zoning change for property located at Allison Lane and Middle Road. The property is currently zoned C 1 (Small to Medium Scale General Li Commercial and requesting zoning is C2 (Medium to Large Scale General Page 7of13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 Commercial). Nathan Grimes with Renaissance Design Build Inc. appeared before the Board introduces Tom Clark with Storage Express to the Commission. Tom Clark appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • The business began in 1989; • We have facilities all over the region, we are specifically in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky; • We have top notch customer service; • The site is located at the intersection of Allison Lane and Middle Road; • We have three different facilities on IOth Street; • Our headquarters is located in Bloomington; • Our owner and president graduated from Silver Creek; • We are the largest self storage company headquarters in Indiana; • We have 90 locations in five states; • We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; • We work hard to keep up the appearance and maintenance of all our properties; • We have 24 hour security, most of our facilities have 20 to 30 security cameras and we have 24 hour security in Bloomington that watches and monitor our facilities; f • The company has 55 employees and 5 full time employees in Clark County; I • We lost a lot of space in Jeffersonville, in 2013 we lost our facility on 7th Street and the one also on 6th Street and Michigan Avenue; • Collectively we lost 365 units; • Proposing to replace that space with another 400 units; • The property is an odd shape parcel and over a third of the property is located in a flood zone; • There is limited visibility on Middle Road, there will not be much of a footprint of Middle Road we are actually behind the businesses; and • This would be a 2 million dollar investment. Mayor Mike Moore appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Oppose to the Storage Express; • Don't see positive growth from this application; • Don't believe storage units are a way to attract new people; • Please consider this very seriously we spent a lot of money on developing the park across the street; and • People of Oak Park deserve better. Kathy Bupp stated that anywhere the storage facilities want to go there is always a problem this however seems like a good spot for them. Page 8 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 Lisa Gill stated that she has spoken with some of the neighbors around the area and in Oak Park and they were hoping for some residential properties and a similar application came before us some time ago for the same use and was denied. Nathan Pruitt stated the following: • There was a request to up zone this property from C1 to C2 in 2013; • It was not affirmed by City Council so that re-zoning did not happen; • If you look at the future land use plan which comes from the Comprehensive Plan, it designates this as residential; • It is currently zoned C1 and the character of the area is all C1; • C2 is a high intensity; and • You should take the district intent into consideration with this project. Nathan Grimes stated that this is a restrictive site and that 1/3 of the site is not buildable due to the floodplain. Therefore, upon a motion made by Scott Hawkins and seconded by Brent Roberts to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council for the change in zoning to C2 (Medium to Large Scale General Commercial) from C 1 (Small to Medium Scale General Commercial) for the property located at Allison Lane and Middle Road. A roll call vote was requested. Duard Avery—yes to support motion Kathy Bupp—no to support motion Lisa Gill—no to support motion Rita Fleming—no to support motion Vote was tied 3-3 no recommendation will be sent to City Council. 9) PC-16-38 The next item to come before the Commission is an application filed by Brandon Denton requesting a zoning change for properties located on Peach Blossom Drive. The properties are currently zoned M2 and C2 and the requested zoning is M3. Brandon Denton appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Requesting the zoning change for three parcels on Peach Blossom Drive; • This will be a class A apartments, we like to call them communities; • Our communities will have a lot of amenities such as green space; • We attract a higher demographic tenant; • This fits well with the Comprehensive Plan of Jeffersonville and River Ridge; • This will attract your upper management; • The facade of the building will be stone with brick features; Page 9 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 • The amenities will include a club house,pool, lot of green space, and dog trails; • There are a few houses south of the development and a landscaping buffer will be installed; • We feel that this is the highest and best use for the space; • It has been zoned commercial for some time and has sat vacant; • This is a very high quality project; and • We never let go of the property, we manage and maintain the property. David Nachand 426 E Court Avenue appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Look at the difference of the current zoning and the M3 that they have requested; • The use in the C2 zone is a list of retail businesses; • The maximum height in a C2 District is 22' and in the M2 zoning the maximum density is 8 units per acre; • The maximum height in a M2 zone is two-stories; • The M3 zoning that they are requesting to go to is a multi family use, nursing homes and assisted living is also permitted in that zone; • The maximum density in a M3 zone is 16 per acre; • The maximum height in a M3 zone is tree-stories or 55'; • What you are doing if you choose to approve the zone is doubling the density and allowing the project to go to a three-story use; • The statistic by the US Department of Transportation, the daily person trips is identified as 9.5 trips per day; • There is 16.544 acres involved in this project at a 16 per unit density that is 265 units; • That equals to 2,517 vehicle trips per day; • There is three ways out and into this project, Peach Blossom to Holmans Lane with no traffic light, Peach Blossom south to Thompson Lane where they are now installing a traffic light or through Northaven Subdivision; • This project will cause a lot of traffic in an already congested area; • Retail use or low density housing you will not have all those people in an apartment heading out at the same time; • Apartments deteriorate very quickly and have a more transient resident; • The applicant only property in Clark County is Bridgepoint Crossing that is the apartment complex that use to be known as French Quarter; • The apartment has deteriorated but I do think that the applicant and put a lot of money into it lately and upgraded it; • Ask a detective for a police report for Bridgepoint Crossing for 2015 and the first couple of months in 2016 during that time there was 25 domestic and non- domestic disturbance calls, 3 civil disputes, 1 harassment, 12 theft, 2 criminal mischief, 8 suspicious activity, 2 intimidations, 2 drug investigations, 1 1 battery, and criminal investigations with a total of 57 occurrences; Page 10 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 • I'm not telling you that this record is worst, best or average for apartment j complexes,just pointing out to you what has happen at this complex; • In your zoning ordinance under M3 District that this district should be within close proximity to parks, open space, I don't think that is the right location; • I think it is a high density use in an very congested area; and • Please send to City Council with an unfavorable recommendation. Mayor Mike Moore appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Respect Mr. Nachand opinion but would ask that you consider Jeffersonville in the year 2016 and not in the year 1980; • We have changed a lot, the developers on what they build has change; • We need high end apartments, we need high density we need all that along l Otn Street; • We are in the mist of the l 8million revitalization of 10`n Street; • We are about to do addition to 18 million going out to the east end; • We have all the jobs that are coming in to River Ridge and to the Port; • I want those employees living in Jeffersonville; • We have a Kroger that is about to become an empty building, we need a good argument for someone to see that big empty store and the need with all of the residents there; • The history of French Quarter is not good,the applicant has bought that property about a year and a half ago,they have put 4 million dollars into that project,please don't judge these guys for the history of French Quarter; • Appreciate that someone is willing to buy a piece of property and fix it up in Jeffersonville give us a quality of life; • I have not heard one single complaint from Orchard Hills, people seem to be very happy with Orchard Hills; • This apartment will be a higher end with walking trails and a swimming pool; • We are trying to create a strong tax base; • This is a new Jeffersonville we have new people coming in, people are recognizing all the bold things we are doing; • Let's not forget the heart of l Otn Street that is what built Jeffersonville; and • This will be extremely high end. Richard Barings, residents of Orchard Hills Apartments appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • Move to Orchard Hills about a year ago and when I first heard about this project this first thing that I thought about was traffic; • Trying to go north on Holmans Lane is suicidal; and • It not just during rush hour in the morning and in the evening, its Saturday and Sundays. Page 11 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 Chris Fox, Real Estate Broker appeared before the Commission and stated the following: • We are face with a challenge right now where we have buyers you cannot qualify for loans; • We need high quality apartment complexes for this people while they build their credit and while they get established; • Come 2017 we are going to be in a bad shape we will have to have housing for people; • If we don't have housing we are not going to bring back an anchor store; • Looking for something high end and this is the project that will bring back money to 10th Street; and • There is a lot of openings to the complex and with widen of Holmans Lane will eliminate the traffic problem. Brandon Denton stated the following to the Commission: • The reason we are asking for M3 is that we need that density that will allow up to 265 units, it won't be quite that many otherwise the project would not work financially; • We did put a lot of money into Bridgepoint Crossings we are not only new construction but we go into dilapidated properties and revamp them; • We have raised the rents and made the interior of the units like new; i • We stabilized the property and get it back to its original glory; • You would be amazed on what we have done with that property; • We strongly feel that this is the highest and best use for this property; • The job growth is going to tremendous over the next couple of years; • These folks will go to Louisville to live if there is not high quality housing here; • Single family homes is not going to provide the density that Jeffersonville needs; and • We have a traffic expert here to ask any questions. Therefore, upon a motion made by Lisa Gill and seconded by Kathy Bupp to send a favorable recommendation to City Council for the change in zoning from M2 and C2 to M3 for property located at Peach Blossom Drive. Motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 6. Reports from Officers Committees and Staff None. 7. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Plan Commission the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. I Page 12 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016 Brent Roberts, Chairperson Submitted by m a ills, e retary i Page 13 of 13 Jeffersonville Plan Commission Meeting—April 26, 2016