The
Ellettsville, Indiana Plan Commission met in regular session on
Roll Call: Members
present were Frank Buczolich, President;
Terry Baker, Don Calvert and Dan Swafford.
Frank Nierzwicki, Director of Planning Services was also present. Dianna Bastin, Ed Bitner and Sandra Hash were
absent.
Approval of the Minutes
Terry
Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the
Old Business
Parking Report
Frank Nierzwicki, Director of Planning Services was asked by the Plan Commission
to put together an ordinance on parking.
The ordinance is not finished at this time due to some other items that
have come up with Planning and Redevelopment.
He will have the ordinance by the next meeting.
New Business
Request for Voluntary Annexation of
approximately 3 acres at
Mike Carmin, representing Don Cowden the petitioner and landowner,
explained where the property is located; corner of Smith Pike and State Road 46
along the frontage by Arby’s and Member’s Choice Credit Union. The vacant land immediately north and west of
that extending back a little, the undeveloped portion of the commercial center
not the existing buildings. They do have
a committed buyer for a portion of the frontage, another banking institution,
waiting for action to close. There are
no other current plans for the remaining 1.18 acres. All utilities are available.
Frank Nierzwicki read the Staff Report recommending approval of the
Voluntary Annexation with a C-3 designation.
The land use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Corridor
Plan along this area. The land on the
north side of State Road 46, adjacent to this property, was annexed last year. There will be no cost to the Town. The approximate assessed valuation of this parcel
is $300,000. The staff recommends
annexation.
Edith Tate, adjacent property owner asked what the voluntary
annexation will do for Cowden Enterprises and at what expense to the adjacent
property owners. Frank Nierzwicki
explained Mr. Cowden approached the Plan Commission requesting voluntary annexation. He is eligible because the property is
adjacent to the Town. Regarding Ms.
Tate’s question, that would be something Mr. Cowden would have to answer
himself. The Town is looking for growth
areas and there is capacity in the sewer system. The assessed valuation is $300,000
undeveloped and will go much higher with development. Ms. Tate asked Mike Carmin to answer her
question “how will we benefit or not benefit from this”? Mike Carmin reiterated the area being
submitted for annexation does not include the existing buildings; it is the
vacant ground. He went on to talk about
the tax rates, annexing into the Town versus staying in Monroe County, Monroe
County ordinances regarding commercial zonings and how this will not impact the
neighbors. Ms. Tate spoke about Mr.
Cowden’s past developments and how landscaping was not done properly. Frank Nierzwicki clarified when a development
plan is submitted it requires a grading permit.
He stated when there are two different zoning areas, there is a double
set back area and buffering is required.
The Plan Department works with the neighbors and adjacent property
owners on Code Enforcement issues and will continue the work as this project
moves ahead.
Request for a Golf Driving Range located
on Love Lane
Michael George would like to put a golf driving range onto his
property that is zoned C-3.
Frank
Nierzwicki explained this property is approximately 30 acres and within the
Town limits with a C-3 commercial zoning.
The property is properly zoned to have a golf driving range and has
enough open space for this use. There is
no issue with the water and sewer. The
petitioner is also requesting a small concession stand/pro shop at this
location. The petitioner would be
required to have 15 hard surfaced parking spaces for the 15 driving pads and 15
hard surfaced parking spaces for the pro shop.
Frank Nierzwicki pointed out the area on an aerial photo. This property is located north of Autumn
Ridge Subdivision and south of Union Valley Farms Subdivision. Love Lane is paved up to the George’s property. The Planning Department is recommending hard
surface areas around the commercial use.
There will need to be a signage plan before this is approved and the
petitioner will do this before construction can begin. Lighting is in question for the
neighbors. The petitioner is not
requesting lighting for night time use at this time. The Plan Department does request the
petitioner have set hours of operation.
The Plan Commission would have to grant permission for any operations at
night. The Planning Department recommends
approval with stipulations.
Don
Calvert questioned the Comprehensive Thoroughfare Plan has a proposed minor
collector that will run from Lost Man Lane to Lakeview Drive; it looks as
though it runs through the George’s property.
Frank Nierzwicki stated the exact location of the street proposed in the
Thoroughfare Plan would be developed at a later date. He will work with Mr. George in the future on
this plan. A driving range is a low
intensity use on the area with very few permanent structures. Mr. George has looked at the map, with the
future Thoroughfare Plans, and the road in question seems to be quite a ways
north of the driving range.
Dan
Swafford asked if the road will be black topped or graveled. Frank Nierzwicki said the
John
Hayes asked why lights were decided against.
Mr. George wants to see how the business goes and stated we are in
daylight savings time. Mr. Hayes
questioned how the driving range was going to be laid out. Mr. George explained how it will be laid out;
the grass will be taken off for the parking lot and building. Frank Nierzwicki added that when the ground
is disturbed, there will need to be a grading permit. There are some retention ponds in the Autumn
Ridge Subdivision that will be involved in this project. He wants to make sure construction stays out
of that area. Mr. Hayes explained there
is three feet of wash on the south end of the creek making it a quick sand area
during the rains. Mr. George explained
the grass will be mowed and the creek will not be bothered. The only area that will be bothered is where
the building will be located. Frank
Nierzwicki stated this type of use is as minimal as you can get on that
property and still have use on it. An
open field will stay an open field. Don
Calvert clarified the creek bank Mr. Hayes talked about was not under the Town’s
control. The Town looks into annexations
to have the control over what goes into areas and have a voice on what
happens.
There
was more conversation and discussion on where the tee box will be and in what
direction the balls will be hit.
Bill
Schneider lives in the condo closest to the area in question. His biggest concerns are the parking lots,
paved road and flood plain. When he
purchased his property he was told by his realtor and contractor the discussed
property is a flood plain. Since there
is already erosion, what is going to happen when more concrete, cement and asphalt
are put in? There is going to be more
drainage and the gravity will pull it towards the creek. Mr. Schneider clarified the driving tee will
be 250 feet from the creek. From the
creek, the flood plain takes up 30 yards north (90 feet of the 250) which now
gives them 160 feet from the flood plain and a “slice” would end up on his
porch. This driving range will affect
about 20 homes. He is concerned about
lights, noise from a speaker and music.
Rick
Coppock drew a map on the board showing the area being discussed. There was more discussion and
conversation.
Dan
Swafford suggested this being tabled until next month due to all the
confusion. Frank Nierzwicki agreed. Frank Buczolich asked if this was the desire
of the commission to be tabled until next month.
Bruce
Frye, resident of Autumn Ridge asked what kind of sounds are going to come out
of this area; loud speakers, music or sounds?
Frank Nierzwicki explained the Town Noise Ordinance. Don Calvert walked the area in question and
saw the erosion on the back side of the condos.
The residents of Autumn Ridge need to consider what is going in there. It could be a junk yard. This will also be the buffer between them and
a potential road.
Frank
Nierzwicki went on to talk about the Thoroughfare Plan and laying out potential
areas where new streets will be located.
The Town Code has developers pay for the roads and streets.
Myron
Lewis agreed with Don Calvert that a driving range would be more attractive than
some other things. He asked about:
Mike
George clarified his property does not have a hill like Autumn Ridge.
Connie
Schneider recently moved from
Roger
Havronek, resident Autumn Ridge stated the developer never told him the
property was zoned commercial but did say it was in a flood plain. He was
also told the hills would have an upscale subdivision. Commercial zoning in his backyard never
crossed his mind.
Willis
Ziece, resident Autumn Ridge questioned where the driving tees would be located. Dan Swafford answered they were not clear at
this time where the tees will be placed.
Frank
Nierzwicki announced all this information will be available at the next meeting
Don
Calvert made a motion we table this until the next meeting. Dan Swafford seconded. Motion carried.
Mark
Ryan asked when the zoning was applied for and when was it granted? Frank Nierzwicki answered 2001 and it is
public record. Frank Nierzwicki went on
to add you can not build in a flood plain.
Janet
Hochstetler, resident Autumn Ridge requested feedback of the meeting Frank
Nierzwicki had with the developer regarding the lights and holes in the ground. Frank Nierzwicki discussed with the
developer:
Frank
Buczolich reiterated the request for the driving range has been tabled until
next month.
Ellettsville Comprehensive
Plan/Thoroughfare Update
Frank
Nierzwicki went over a map, produced by the Town Engineer, of new streets in
the Ellettsville area showing typical cross-sections and locations. There will be a meeting with a work group
before the Comprehensive Plan is taken to the Town Council. There is also a list with the descriptions of
the street, classification and whether it is new or existing.
Russ
Ryle, citizen member of the Thoroughfare Plan Committee handed out some
information to the Plan Commission. He
has been looking for a computer display of a map of the area, aerial display or
GIS. There have been other meetings held
in the conference room and the people were using the computer equipment and he
wants to know why the Plan Commission is still drawing pictures on the
board. He questioned Dan Swafford about
getting this done. Dan Swafford apologized
and explained there is a laptop available for Power Point presentations. Russ Ryle went on to explain the information
he handed out. He has been doing some
research and this is a summary:
Russ
Ryle requests a formal memo or resolution be passed for major improvements be
planned now to make land available for future primary and secondary
thoroughfares. He would like to see a
four lane divided highway starting at Highway 37/46 interchange south of
Frank
Nierzwicki explained the Thoroughfare Plan is to map the future roads and
streets. The issue they are having is
trying to predict where the growth is going to be. Once there are streets and roads lined up, a
Capital Improvement Program will look at and prioritize the improvements
needing to be done. He went on to add he
has been working with INDOT, concerning I-69, a potential interchange north of
Highway 37/46/69. There needs to be another
entrance into Ellettsville. When
Privilege of the Floor – non Agenda
Items
Myron Lewis inquired about the sidewalks going in Autumn Ridge and
feels this is a waste of resources both of concrete and the work. Where is the best economic investment? Is this where we want community dollars
going? Frank Nierzwicki commented the
sidewalks on State Road 46 are used quite often. The Town prefers to have two routes in and
out of all subdivisions for traffic and safety.
The developer pays for the road.
Mr. Lewis said “safety is key” and we need to look for a better balance
and sustainability in usage of resources and not requiring things that do not
add significant value.
Don Calvert had a few items to go over:
Don
Calvert went on to comment about the Thoroughfare Plan reiterating there were
two commercial businesses that were spoken against this evening. As a Commission they are trying to move on
these items. He summarized other plans
that were brought to the commission that the residents fought against. Don then remarked about trying to annex in
Autumn Grove and they fought the Plan Commission but the Town Police and Fire
Departments protect them, our ambulances help out but they do not pay taxes in
our city. He is not criticizing anyone
but wants everyone to realize what the Commission deals with as a group. He would like the public to continue bringing
ideas to the Plan Commission and don’t get discouraged.
Russ
Ryle thanked Don Calvert for his comments and encouraged everyone to come out,
get educated and get involved. The Town
has many needs and few resources.
Terry Baker asked about Eagles Landing being in compliance? Frank Nierzwicki was asked to drive by and
see the sign lights; he will check on it.
Adjournment
Terry
Baker made a motion for the meeting to be adjourned. Dan Swafford seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned