The
Ellettsville, Indiana Plan Commission met in regular session on
Roll Call: Members
present were Frank Buczolich, President;
Ed Bitner, Vice-President, Dianna Bastin, Don Calvert and Dan Swafford. Sandra Hash, Secretary and Frank Nierzwicki,
Director of Planning Services was also present.
Terry Baker was absent.
Approval of the Minutes
Dan
Swafford made a motion to approve the minutes for
Old Business
Request for development plan approval of
a golf driving range located on
Frank Nierzwicki presented petitioners’, Mike and Mary George, request
to construct a driving range on their
Mary George set hours of operations from
Dan Swafford asked about the bridge and what will be done with
it? Frank Nierzwicki stated parking will
be north of the bridge culvert. The Town
Engineer will need to approve the widening of the road for two lane
traffic.
Bill Schneider, resident of Autumn Ridge closet to the tee box, met
with Mr. George. Mr. Schneider’s
concerns are the misdirected balls. He
originally thought he was 120 yards from the tee boxes but according to the
range finder, his back porch is 525 feet from a misdirected ball. He also asked about noise, noise levels, loud
speakers, music and lights. Frank
Nierzwicki said any lighting would need approval by the Plan Commission and
currently there is no lighting plan submitted.
There will be no music or alcohol permitted. They will maintain this as a “family
operation” and people will be asked to leave if they use vulgar language.
Dan
Swafford asked how far the tee box will be from the four foot wall. Rick Branham, contractor on this project
explained the wall will extend five feet past the end of the tee box and this
will increase the angle of a misdirected ball.
He also stated if someone hit a house it would be deliberate.
Bill Schneider has been hit in the head twice by golf balls and had a
windshield busted so he is leery of them.
Frank Nierzwicki clarified the golf range will have full insurance and all
the trees standing along the creek, to the right of the range, will be
staying.
There
was a suggestion from the audience to add some bars and an eight foot net above
the wall. Frank Nierzwicki said the
petitioner would be willing to add this to the proposal.
Frank
Nierzwicki clarified for the Commission the proposal will be the original
proposal in addition to extension of netting from the wall to an area twelve
feet above the ground and the length of the wall. The Planning Department will work with the
adjacent neighborhood if there is a problem with the golf balls.
New Business
Request
for development plan approval at
Rick Coppock, Bynum Fanyo and Associates explained this property is
the former 7-11 site owned by Realco. He
presented a proposed parking lot, striping plan, landscaping and curbing along
Don
Calvert asked if there will be any exterior renovation to the building.
Ted Najam, Partner in Realco gave the history of this building
and explained his company has entered into negotiations with Smithville
Telephone to use this building as a “server farm”. Realco conducted a phase II investigation
and a site characterization with an Environmental Engineer and they also have a
corrective action plan. By the end of
June they will be excavating a large part of this site, under IDEM supervision,
to remove the underground storage tanks and over excavate any contaminated soil
and put the site back into a clean condition.
After all this work is completed they will rebuild the parking lot and
add the curbing indicated on the plot plan.
His understanding is that Smithville will be making some changes on the
front; solid brick façade and steel doors with no glass facing the parking
lot.
Ed Richardson further explained no structural changes will be made
other than the door. They will leave the glass in place, add an insulation
barrier and brick the exterior of the windows.
He outlined further changes to be
made inside of the building. This
facility will be used for communication equipment, broadband servers and some
on site storage. There will be no walk
in traffic other than personnel; it is a restricted area. The gas canopy will be removed.
Don
Calvert read there is no signage package.
Ed Richardson stated they are not considering signage, it will not be
needed. Don Calvert pointed out the
petitioner has not submitted a plan for lighting. Frank Nierzwicki does not see a need for
lighting. Ed Richardson said this
building will be used 24/7 and the request for outside lighting would be made by
Rick or Ted Najam. Rick Coppock said
there is no need for lights other than in the parking lot. There is no requirement in the Town Code to
light parking lots. Ed Richardson stated
their current structure is lighted around the perimeter and on the
backside. Their Safety Director would
have adequate entry lighting after dark with full electronic security.
Don
Calvert clarified the written request for this development needs to be in order
before he votes. The signage and
lighting is not complete on the written memorandum that was presented to the
Commission this evening. There was
discussion about the lighting and the memorandum. A request for an “Employee Only” sign on the
door will be allowed.
Ted
Najam made clear “Realco” is the name of the owner of this property. The memorandum and plat lists Sandelson
Properties Inc.; this should be changed to Realco. Realco is happy to be partnering with
Smithville Telephone. The use of this
building will be great and the lighting will be greatly reduced since there
will no longer be a canopy or gasoline island.
Don
Calvert asked about the removal of the tanks.
Ted Najam explained the steel tanks were installed in 1979 and there has
been some leakage. The site has been
completely evaluated and they have done all their reports. A corrective action plan has been approved by
IDEM and will go forward by the end of the month. The lot will be “over excavated”; excavating
down to bedrock, the area will be fenced and insured. The bad soil will be removed and samples sent
for analysis. Ted went on to say all
necessary State of
Don
Calvert stated the Town is having a Fall Festival and asked when this project
will be finished. Ted Najam replied the
excavation should start the end of June but the whole project should be
complete before the Fall Festival starts.
Ed
Bitner made a motion that this panel approve the development plan by Realco for
Smithville Telephone with said amendments of no signage and no lighting at the
7-11 location at 214 W. Temperance. Don
Calvert seconded. Roll call vote: Frank Buczolich – yes; Ed Bitner – yes; Don
Calvert – yes; Dianna Bastin – yes; Dan Swafford – yes; Sandra Hash – yes. Motion carried.
Request for development plan approval at
Frank Nierzwicki presented a development for a new IU Credit Union
located at
Don
Calvert stated the plan does not include signage or lighting. He understands what is being “told” but wants
this information on paper. The
Development Plan Memorandum lists “Signage
and Lighting: The petitioner has not
submitted a plan and a package must be submitted and approved before
construction begins on this location” and Don believes since it is listed
on the Plan then it should be submitted at this time or taken off. Sandra clarified signage does not go before
the Plan Commission, they seek a permit from Frank Nierzwicki who will approve
it, if it meets Town Code.
Ed
Bitner agrees with Don and would vote “no” based on the lack of a sign or lighting
plan. There have been too many problems
in the past with signage and lighting.
Don is trying to bring some consistency to this process. Frank Nierzwicki explained the Plan
Commission has handled it both ways and does not feel it would be fair to this
petitioner to change it now. Signage
can not go up without Frank’s approval and a stipulation can be made during the
approval this evening. For future plans,
Frank Nierzwicki will make sure signage and lighting plans are included in the
Development Plans when presented to the Commission.
Frank
Buczolich reiterated out future development plan packages need to be complete
with signage and lighting before approval.
Russ
Ryle,
Russ
Ryle informed the Commission to have an enforceable action it must be in the
code and approved in the development plan.
Enforcement is the weakest “link” in Ellettsville’s process today. Why have codes, laws and regulations if you
can’t enforce them?
Art
Hayes asked if there was a light code.
Don Calvert said there are two things presently being addressed. Art Hayes stated the Planner does not have
the authority to make decisions and answers to the Planning Board. If information is supposed to be on a document
and it is not then it should not be passed.
He pointed out no one was representing the IU Credit Union. Sandra stated Rick Coppock was representing
and working for IU on this project. Art
Hayes announced this is a conflict of interest and it needs to stop.
Rick Coppock stated he is representing IU Credit Union this evening and he also represents the Town. He does not receive any special accommodations or favors because he represents the Town in issues. He presents everything in accordance with ordinances. There are no requirements for lighting and no requirement for the Development Plan to include sign permits. What was presented is what the code requires. He has never asked for a variance on any project he has done for the Town. He does not ask for special favors because he does represent the Town. They follow the code and develop plans that way.
Frank
Nierzwicki added Ellettsville is growing and a lot is happening. We are adding to the code and trying to keep
up with what is going on around us.
Frank Nierzwicki had the signage and lighting sections in the packet
more for his organization to track what he has or has not received. This has not been a problem in the past. The Plan Commission can decide what petitioners
are required to have when submitting plan packages.
Sandra
Hash again suggested a review of the lighting restrictions and regulations be
added in the code as needed. Frank
Nierzwicki added the enforcement of the code would not be a problem.
Dianna
Bastin stated the lighting and signage section should not have been on the
memorandum; it makes the plan look incomplete.
The meeting took a side track to lighting and signage issues. The topic on the floor is IU Credit Union
wanting to build in the Town. Is it
possible to approve the plan “pending approval on signage and lighting”? This is a reputable business.
Rick
Coppock explained this will be in a commercial center. Sandra asked Rick if he could explain the IU
Credit Union plan. Rick outlined the
development plan and stated it will look almost like the Member’s Choice Credit
Union located in the same area. The
building is 3,600 square feet and will have 27 surface parking spaces.
Russ
Ryle questioned the code not requiring a lighting or signage component to a plan
submitted. Sandra said signage has never
been tied to the development itself.
There was more discussion on what should be needed for development plans
in the future. Rick Coppock will bring a
lighting plan to the Commission as soon as it is available.
Dianna
Bastin made a motion that we approve the request for the development plan at
Sandra
Hash stated Bynum Fanyo developed a lot of additions in Ellettsville and all
those roads are wide. They have stubbed
accesses for additional growth. Bynum
Fanyo did not develop the last two additions that have gone in and they have
narrow roads. They were not the
engineers on the
Ellettsville Comprehensive Plan/Throughfare
Update
There
will be few stop lights on State Road 46; INDOT prefers traffic to move through
Town. Connectivity gives people more
options to drive out and helps with congestion.
A Comprehensive Plan/Thoroughfare Plan, in place, gives future developments
guidelines with minor collectors and cross sections.
Sandra
pointed out the widths and plans of all the streets were listed in the
Thoroughfare Plan. When the
Comprehensive Plan is adopted, all developers will have to comply with it.
Frank
Nierzwicki explained “typical cross sections” have conditions. These are for new street construction carried
out by developers. Existing streets and
roads may not have the right of way required to meet the cross section
requirements. Each existing street and
road has its own set of obstacles and restraints concerning expansion. The Town will consider these restraints when
street expansions are considered.
The
first reading of the Comprehensive Plan will be at the Town Council June 11
meeting and second reading June 25. The
town will get reimbursement from the Bloomington MPO on the Thoroughfare Plan
and it needs to be complete by the end of June.
Sandra
announced this is a big step in the right direction.
Ed
Bitner asked if any houses will be lost on with the
Russ
Ryle applauded Frank and everyone who had input with this project. He requested changing the
Art
Hayes stated “this is an example of bad planning”.
Art
Hayes suggested the fences, extended to the streets, be removed. Frank Nierzwicki explained items in the
existing cross sections will not be ripped out for street expansions. Don Calvert added there was a gentleman at
the last meeting who does not want sidewalks.
There are people who do and there are people who don’t. Art Hayes said, by law, there has to be an
area next to the property line for walking not necessarily a sidewalk or concrete
area.
Frank
Nierzwicki explained the Plan Commission will decide if they want to endorse
the Comprehensive Plan or not. There
will be two public readings; the first June 11 with the final agreement on June
25 before it is finalized.
There
were discussions concerning the major and minor collectors. Russ Ryle questioned the turn lanes and how
there were no provisions shown on the map with the major and minor collector
street sections. Rick Coppock said turn
lanes are based on traffic flow. There
was continued discussion on turn lanes and street widths.
Frank
Nierzwicki summarized all the classification changes to be upgraded from minor
to major collector streets:
Art
Hayes stated in the current Town Code there has to be a 6 foot grass strip and
a 5 foot sidewalk; all sidewalks will adjoin the property line. Rick Coppock said too much time is being
spent on the details. The reason for the
schematics is to require new developers to accommodate this plan. The ordinances will need to be looked at
later.
Frank
Buczolich entertained a motion to approve the Thoroughfare Plan as presented
and amended with Frank Nierzwicki’s stipulations (above). Don Calvert so moved. Ed Bitner seconded. Roll call vote: Frank Buczolich – yes; Ed Bitner – yes; Don
Calvert – yes; Dianna Bastin – yes; Dan Swafford – yes; Sandra Hash – yes. Motion carried.
Redevelopment Update/ Special Plan
Commission Meeting
Frank Nierzwicki pointed out on a map an area the Redevelopment
Commission has designated for redevelopment.
The Plan Commission needs to review the area and see if this will be
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and with the future development of the
area. Any rezoning will need to be done
at this time with a public hearing.
Notices will need to be sent to each parcel owner affected by the rezone. This will take time. The first opportunity for a hearing would be
Privilege of the Floor – non Agenda
Items
Sandra Hash has received quotes for flowers in the Gateways. It is expensive and is not in the budget. She asked if anyone knows a flower or service
club. The watering and weeding alone was
quoted at $60 a week. Frank Buczolich
suggested contacting the 4-H Extension office about their “Master Gardener”
program.
Frank Nierzwicki complimented the flags on the Town Hall
building.
Art Hayes thanked Stuart York for his coverage in The
Journal. He requested the Plan
Commission make a suggestion to the Town Council to have the Plan Commission
and Redevelopment Commission meetings televised. Ed Bitner agreed. Sandra replied money was an issue.
Adjournment
Ed
Bitner made a motion for the meeting to be adjourned. Dianna Bastin seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned