07-26-2005 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 July 26, 2005 --------------------------- Chair Anderson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Ropp stated he found it troubling that they were already considering an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan which was recently adopted. Also, he felt the golf course was an amenity to the City and he needed to know more about potential uses for the property. He concurred with Commissioner Offerman to table the issues. Commissioner Scott concurred with Commissioners Offerman and Ropp. He felt there were significant questions to be answered, and that he would like to explore the issue further. Commissioner Lemke stated he was in favor of approving the land use amendment. He stated that it was his understanding that the Comprehensive Plan was not a document that could not be changed, once it was adopted. He stated that if another business wanted to close and redevelop the property for another use, the City could not tell then they couldn’t do it, if they met the ordinance. He stated that it appears this project meets all the requirements of the ordinance. However, he stated that he would also be in favor of tabling the request to discuss the issues further. Chair Anderson stated that he would have preferred to discuss the proposal in a workshop meeting first, but that a developer is not required to request a concept discussion. He stated that the golf course operation is a business and that the City cannot dictate whether or not they can sell their property. He felt the Commission needs to act on the issues by either denying or approving the requests. The Commission is here to look at whether or not the application meets the City’s ordinances, and that the land use amendment simply brings the property into compliance with the zoning. Chair Anderson stated that the Commission does not have the option to say whether or not the City should purchase the golf course. He asked City Attorney Peter Beck if the issues could be tabled. City Attorney Peter Beck stated that the Commission could table the requests, and if necessary, extend the time to act by an additional 60 days. Commissioner Lemke asked if the applicant was present to ask if they were willing to have the items tabled. Mr. Beck stated that the Commission does not need the applicant’s permission to extend the 60-day time frame. Director of Planning McPherson stated that if the Commission wished to table the items to the August 9, 2005 workshop, a special meeting would need to be called, and that an extension would be necessary only if the Commission did not act upon the issues until the next regular (August) Planning Commission meeting. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STEVENS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY L & M BY L & M DEVELOPMENT FOR A LAND USE AMENDMENT FROM OS (OPEN SPACE) TO UR (URBAN RESIDENTIAL), CASE NO. LU 05- 04 BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS: 1.THE PROPOSED LAND USE DESIGNATION IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT ZONING OF THE PROPERTY. 2.CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED TO WARRANT A CHANGE IN THE USE; IT IS NOT ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE TO CONTINUE TO USE THE LAND AS A PRIVATE GOLF COURSE.