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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2003;'~~~ CITY OF REXBURG PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES September 18, 2003 7:00 p.m. Chairman: Winston Dyer Members: Robert Schwartz Mike Ricks Steve McGary -Excused Doug Smith -Excused Jerry Hastings Mary Haley David Stein -Excused Joseph Laird Randall Porter Public Works Director John Millar Finance Officer Richard Horner -Excused P & Z Administrator Kurt Hibbert • City Attorney Stephen Zollinger -Excused City Clerk Blair D. Kay -Excused Consent Agenda: The consent agenda includes items which require formal Planning Commission action, however they are typically routine or not of great controversy. Individual Commission members may ask that any specific item be removed from the consent agenda for discussion in greater detail. Explanatory information is included in the Planning Commission's agenda packet regarding these items. a) Minutes from the September 4, 2003 meeting Jerry Hastings moved to approve the minutes for September 4, 2003; Randall Porter seconded the motion; all voted aye, Mary Haley abstained because she was not at the meeting. The motion carried. Zoning Compliance Kurt Hibbert is concerned with Developments that were approved with Conditional Use Permits that still have conditions pending on them. There are over 450 apartment units in the City that exist within single family residences. The City receives reports of illegal basement apartments each week. Some weeks there are two to three illegal apartments. ` • ,reported to the City that needs Conditional Use Permits or they need to have a Health and Safety inspection for compliance. There are residents paving front yards or illegally parking on their lawns without the City's approval. Kurt mentioned that Health and Safety issues are not an optional requirement. Kurt would like to see the Zoning Ordinance rewritten to require owner occupancy of some of the illegal apartments. There is a need to rewrite the Sign Ordinance to clear up some ambiguity. Winston Dyer understands that the Sunrise Apartments need to come into compliance with parking regulations. Tenants at Sunrise Apartments are parking on the grass and there is hardly any grass left. Mary Haley asked what our Ordinance says about metal signs. Kurt Hibbert indicated that the size of the lot will determined the size of the sign. Discussion on Comprehensive Plan update. Kurt Hibbert presented a draft review of the Table of Contents for the Comprehensive Plan update and went over the outline with the Commission. Kurt reviewed private property rights with the Commissioners. Winston Dyer talked about included rights. Kurt Hibbert talked about economic value. City land use issues are the City's responsibility to keep the City safe. • Kurt Hibbert mentioned that there is an area in the City that should be classified as open space on the Comprehensive Plan to eliminate the possible development of additional subdivision for apartments. Also, there is some open space on the Plan that is wetland and cannot be developed. Kurt indicated a need to add open space where the rivers are and where the hills are on the Comprehensive Map. This will help people understand what can and can not be developed. Jerry Hastings commented on the Commission's need to put together a handbook for new commissioner. There are issues that a new commissioner should be aware when they begin their service on the Commission. Mike Ricks joined the meeting. Discussion on the location of Schools in the City of Rexburg. On the Comprehensive Plan survey that was completed this summer there was a split opinion on the location to keep the School inside the city limits or move the School outside of the City limits. 8:00 p.m. Madison Hospital "Strategic Plan" presentation- Hospital Administration Keith Steiner, Hospital Administrator, reviewed the Madison Memorial Hospital's Strategic Plan for a non profit Hospital. Neighbors have met with the Hospital Board last ~ ~ night to go over the Strategic Plan. The original Hospital was occupied for thirty years 2 ~' before expansion was required to meet capacity codes. The new Hospital was built to meet the codes. If the Hospital is not remodel, there will be problems with the functionality of the Hospital. They interviewed over 60 individuals about facility related issues. There is strong growth but not explosive growth. The biggest challenge for the Hospital is concerning its facility and the campus. There is financing available for expansion with careful planning and phasing. The campus problems can be resolved; however, there will be a need for a major building project. The Hospital's service area includes Madison County, Fremont County, and Jefferson County. The service area is projected to grow approximately 17% between 2001 and 2012. Projected growth is going to decline with people over 65 years old. Overall growth in the 15-44 year old female population will be low; however, the College changing into a University will cause the female population to grow. There was discussion on the opportunities for the Hospital to grow in medicine and surgery. The ability for the facility to handle all of the babies that are predicted to be born was discussed. The new baby trend is going to grow tremendously. The space projections going to 2012 for overall bed capacity appears to be adequate. Impatient room sizes are typically below recommended planning/operating standards. AMU, MSU, and Critical Care nursing units are significantly undersized. Construction cost estimates are based on a per square foot estimate and adjusted to the level of ,, • construction. Costs have been calculated on the 75th percent. The Hospital Board has looked at the pros and cons of a new facility. Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C were discussed. Anew site for the Hospital would cost about $46 Million including the land. It was decided at the March 25th meeting that the Facility would like to pursue Option B and C in greater detail. Plan A was rejected because that is why they got the planners involved. Keith showed a projected plan for Plan C including the location of new facilities. They showed a second story on the Hospital. There will be problems with moving out of the first level during the construction of the second level. A family donated the land for the current Hospital. The recommended acreage for the new proposed changes is about 3.4 acres. Questions from Commissioners: Randall Porter asked about 40 acres that was talked about. Keith Steiner told him it was if the new hospital was at a new site. Jerry Hastings asked about the critical area where there are about five issues. He would like to hear from neighbors and how it will work out. Winston Dyer reviewed the information that was presented by Keith. • Joseph Laird inquired about the location or outline of the impact areas. Discussion on the meaning of the Hospital Zone. Kurt Hibbert and John Millar indicated that there is not a Hospital Zone. A lady from the Hospital told the citizens that the reason why they had told them last night that there was a Hospital. Zone is because they thought that there was one. Plan C has 50% more square footage. Discussion on having a multiple story Hospital to have more square footage. The Building Department only allows three story buildings because they do not have the fire truck to reach more than three stories in case of a fire. Discussion on the reasons to have additional parking and buffer zone issues. If the Hospital expands, they want to maintain parking in the front of the building to allow more access for the public. If the Zoning for the Hospital is changed, the residential areas in the area would be limited. Winston Dyer talked about. the Comprehensive Plan that the Commission is working on and talked about the Zoning issues. The Commission wants to go over the Hospital's • ~ Plan. They came before the Planning and Zoning Commission to see if their proposal is a good idea. The Planning and Zoning Commission just gives recommendations to the City Council and then the City Council votes on the issue. The Commission deliberated on these issues. Mary Haley is wondering about the residents and their property rights. She discussed the property values of residents in that area that would be impacted by the Hospital expansion. If it is in the best interest of the Hospital, then the adjoining property owners should get equal compensation for relocation expense. This would include finding a different home. Mike Ricks commented on the problems of vacating the Hospital facility to construct a new facility at a new location. He mentioned that the old hospital would have a hard time selling and it would be a good idea to stay in the current location. Randall Porter talked about the other medical offices in the City. Keith Steiner talked about limiting the discussion to issues that were talked about tonight. Robert Schwartz asked if it was designed fora 20 year life. Keith said it would be designed for 25-30 years into the future. , 4 • Mary Haley talked about increased traffic on 1St South since the new location of the entrance of the Hospital. She asked if the traffic would be use Main Street with this new proposal. Jerry Hastings talked about 10 residents that would be affected by the Zone change. Winston Dyer reviewed a petition presented to the Commission concerning Hospital growth and the impact on home values on surrounding streets including Morgan, Reed, and Millhollow. He discussed the property issues and financial circumstances that would impact the residents. The public expressed opposition to the proposed Zone changes for the Hospital Plan unless the issues were addressed to their satisfaction. They were concerned with home values decreasing if the Plan is implemented. The Planning Commission's job is to research the issues and come to a consensus before making a recommendation. Winston Dyer would like to go over some of the comments from the petition. The Commission should be concerned with Hospital issues concerning property values and buffering issues. The height of the building should be considered. A site plan would need to be proposed before the Planning Commission could make any recommendations. ,; • Randall Porter reviewed possible Zones with a Conditional Use Permit that would be applied for a Hospital Zone. If the Commission goes on just a Conditional Use Permit, there is a potential to over look some critical issues. Design standards should be part of the discussion. The Hospital Board is proposing a master plan to the Commission. Mary Haley talked about the need to have a Master Plan. Kurt Hibbert commented on the new Design Standards that were just implemented on public buildings. The public has concerns on unanswered questions concerning the Hospital Plan. Jerry Hastings talked about the Hospital proposal and the need for the Commission to gather their thoughts and concerns with issues that might be coming to the Planning Commission. Robert Schwartz mentioned that the Hospital should have been located in a different area in the first place. Joseph Laird talked about a Hospital buffer that should be included in the Conditional Use Permit. Randall Porter talked about the need to know more about public concerns with the proposed expansion of the Hospital. Discussion on how to move forward with this proposal. Winston Dyer read the petition to the Commission. A request for a Conditional Use Permit would need to come before the Commission for Hospital expansion. If approved by the Planning Commission, the request would be forwarded to City Council for approval. This would require a Public Hearing for public input. Mary Haley has concerns with our current Ordinances. She requested that if they recommend a proposal for expansion of the Hospital to City Council, that it be done by following the Ordinance. Keith Steiner commented on the Zoning that was talked about last night in a meeting and apologized for the confusion. The Hospital Board has not discussed a time frame for moving forward with the proposal to expand the Hospital. Mary Haley discussed financing the expansion and if it would be done with a revenue bond. Keith could not answer that question because it had not been discussed by the Hospital Board. Jerry Hastings indicated that it made sense to leave the Hospital at the end of Main Street. He indicated that the Hospital came first to that location and the homes around it were built later. Mary Haley talked about how to make a motion to go to City Council. . Jerry Hastings moved to recommend to City Council an opinion that the Hospital expansion proposal should be at the current location with the following considerations: 1) Consider the issues that will impact the neighboring community 2) Require a Public Hearing process before any decisions are made Mary Haley Seconded the motion; Question: All voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Keith Steiner commented on the Hospital Boards appreciation to the Planning Commission and the City for allowing the proposal to be presented. Unfinished/ Old Business: Comprehensive Plan Draft update- Kurt Hibbert Kurt Hibbert handed out a new map that was produced by the County showing all the new subdivisions, rivers, and the buttes. • 6 Jerry Hastings commented on the cost of development, the lack of residential areas for ` • new development, and impact fees (taxes) that are keeping people from coming into the City limits. He requested that more videos be made available to show the City Council and the County Planning and Zoning Board concerning City Planning. More people could see the video in a shorter time frame. Discussion on the Comprehensive Plan Map and where to cut down on the Light Industrial and Open Space Zones. Discussion on the north side of town having Light Industrial for manufacturing buildings to come into the City. Winston Dyer commented on leaving it in an Agricultural Zone until property owners request another Zone. Discussion on where medical and professional offices should be built. Discussion on the Zoning around the Hospital. Discussion on South Rexburg Arterial. Discussion on the Comprehensive Plan proposals that are being prepared for Public Hearings. ~~ Adjourned at 11:30 p.m. • 7 September 18, 2003 To the Rexburg City Planning and Zoning Committee: We, the undersigned, are residents of the city of Rexburg, living in close. proximity to the current hospital facility. By signing this petition we are expressing our disagreement with the current proposal for new zoning changes, made by the Madison Memorial Hospital Board to change current residential zoning to hospital zoning. The current proposal takes nothing into consideration for the potential impact on home values of those directly affected by the proposed changes who live on Morgan Drive, Reed Street or Mill Hollow Road. Unless this is addressed further to the satisfaction of those residents, we strongly oppose any changes in the zoning of the area around our neighborhood and contiguous to the current hospital property. This is a major issue in the lives and financial circumstance of each of these residents and we feel that it should be addressed accordingly. If the proposal is accepted, the hospital has complete ,control over all facets of the acquisition of this property in question and we, the residents, are at their mercy as to their time frame and financial dealings with us. These questions need to be addressed and resolved before we can even • • i ~.. ~~ September 18, 20Q3 f To the Rexburg City Planning and Zoning Committee: ~ • We, the undersigned, are residents of the city of Rexburg, living in close proximity to the current hospital facility. By signing this petition we are expressing our disagreement with. the current proposal for new zoning changes, made by the Madison Memorial Hospital Board to change current residential zoning to hospital zoning. The current proposal takes nothing into consideration for the potential impact on home values of those directly affected by the proposed changes who live on Morgan Drive, Reed Street or Mill Hollow Road. Unless this is addressed further to the satisfaction of those residents, we strongly oppose any changes in the zoning of the area around our neighborhood and contiguous to the current hospital property. This is a major issue in the lives and financial circumstance of each of these residents and we feel that it should be addressed accordingly. If the proposal is accepted, the hospital has complete control aver all facets of the acquisition of this property in question and we, the residents, are at their mercy as to their time frame and financial dealings with us. These questions need to be addressed and resolved before we can even consider supporting such a zoning change.