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City Council Minutes Page 2 <br />April 26, 2021 <br />----------------------------- <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner explained she would like to look at landscape design <br />requirements as she believes our landscaping ordinance creates situations where <br />planting trees and shrubs does not make sense once they are full grown and impact <br />site lines. One example Councilmember Wagner provided was the former Jiffy Lube <br />location on the corner of Main Street and Line Avenue where landscaping was <br />required at one time but has since been removed due to visibility issues. She <br />suggested having the landscaping planted elsewhere like a park or somewhere that <br />makes more sense if it does not make sense on the property being considered. Mr. <br />Carlton indicated he will add this to a future agenda for discussion. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer questioned how often all ordinances are reviewed. Mr. <br />Carlton indicated ordinances are generally reviewed as issues come up but we could <br />be more proactive in the review if the Council desires. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton indicated staff is encouraging Council concept review to developers <br />because it potentially saves the applicant from spending time and money only to find <br />out the Council is not interested in the project. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton stated Code Enforcement Officer Tim Trebesch is following up on <br />Conditional Use Permits to make sure conditions are still being adhered to. He then <br />notifies the applicant of any issues by an in-person meeting and/or a follow-up <br />letter. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz questioned if Mr. Trebesch looks at other properties in a neighborhood <br />if he is in the area for a complaint. Mr. Carlton indicated he does. He explained Mr. <br />Trebesch prefers to knock on doors and have personal conversations about code <br />concerns; however, he has been reluctant to do that because of COVID but is <br />hoping to begin in-person meetings again soon. He added staff will continue to <br />follow-up with a letter even after an in-person meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton questioned if the Council is interested in getting rid of the second <br />planning public hearing at Council for less controversial items helping to expedite <br />the process. He noted this could be achieved by putting non-controversial items on <br />consent. <br /> <br />The Council discussed and they are not in favor of eliminating the Council public <br />hearing at this time for a variety of reasons including the following: <br /> Perceived favoritism with which items are put on consent. <br /> Planning Commission hearing more detailed, and bugs worked out <br />between hearings. <br /> Items that come up at Planning Commission can be addressed at the <br />City Council public hearing. <br /> Reduced transparency. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz questioned if staff notifies the applicant and the public that the <br />Planning Commission is an advisory commission and Council makes the decisions, <br /> <br />