HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_Planning & Zoning Meeting_12112019PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
December 11, 2019 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairman James West, Member Ray Hart, Member Dee Johnson and City Clerk
Keri West.
ABSENT: Member Gary Elliott and Member John Lott.
VISITORS: Scott Kelly, Tim Kelly, Deb Sorenson and Betty McKinley.
Chairman West welcomed everyone and led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes: Chairman West entertained a motion. Member Johnson moved to
approve the minutes for November 13, 2019 as written. Member Hart seconded the motion. All
in favor. Motion carried.
Items of Business:
a. Public Hearing- Conditional Use Permit Application, Scott Kelly, New Self -Storage
Facility on Main Street- Tim Kelly approached the podium representing the applicant.
Mr. Kelly stated they would like to build new self -storage units on their commercial
property on Main Street. Mr. Kelly stated there will be no power available to any of the
storage units. He did state there would be a small office with power and a bathroom on
site. He also stated there will be some outside lights, but they will be shining down and
not outward. Chairman West asked what material the buildings would be made. Mr.
Kelly stated the buildings would be metal structures. Chairman West stated the
Commercial Code requires any commercial structures that abut a residential property to
have a buffer of landscaping or fencing. He continued and stated this has not been
displayed in the submitted drawings. Mr. Kelly stated they planned to have landscaping
in the back of the property with a slope for the storm water, but can add fencing to the
other sides if necessary. Chairman West also asked how the business would protect
residents from hazardous material being stored. Mr. Kelly stated they do not allow
hazardous material to be stored. Chairman West asked how they would control that. Mr.
Kelly admitted anyone could sneak it in, but they would have that included in the
contract the renter signs upon rental. Member Johnson asked how many entrances the
facility would have. Mr. Kelly said they are not sure how many entrances they would
have, but they would like an entrance on Main Street. He stated they have not decided
because they were not sure what the City would allow. Member Hart asked if there
would be a metal or privacy fence in the front and Mr. Kelly stated they have not
determined that yet. Mr. Kelly said they would work with the Building Officials with the
City to have all the requirements included in their engineered drawings. Council Member
Johnson asked how large the individual units would be. Mr. Kelly stated they will have
units that are 10'x10' and 10'x20'. Clerk West asked what the available hours will be.
Mr. Kelly confirmed the facility would have 24 hour access and they will not have an
entry gate. Mr. Kelly also stated they currently have a storage unit facility on 1st Street
and Ammon Road to the west side of Country Corner, on the south side of 1st Street.
Chairman West asked if anyone in attendance is in support of this project. No response.
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Chairman West read two written correspondence in opposition to the application.
Chairman West asked if anyone in the audience is in opposition. Deb Sorenson, 5276 E.
Hansen Avenue, approached the podium and stated his strong opposition to the proposal
of a new self -storage facility to be built on Main Street. Mr. Sorenson stated he does not
think the applicants have planned appropriately and believes there are too many
unanswered questions regarding the application. Mr. Sorenson voiced his frustration that
the applicants have not decided whether they would have privacy fences, a gate at the
entrance and whether they would have more than one entrance. Mr. Sorenson stated he
served on the City Council for nine years under Mayor Craig Rockwood. He stated at
that time, the City put a lot of time and money into beautifying this community and
specifically Iona's historic Main Street. Mr. Sorenson stated his disapproval of allowing
a metal building and undoing so much hard work that has been done to beautify Main
Street. Mr. Sorenson also stated he would demand a privacy fence between the storage
units and his property to the east. He continued and stated this facility would cause a
drop in all nearby property values. Mr. Sorenson urged the Planning & Zoning
Commission to consider statements made by longtime residents that are trying to
preserve our town. Mr. Sorenson reiterated that if a business wants to come into a small
town like Iona, they need to be prepared and have all the plans and decisions ready,
understanding how many people it would affect.
Mr. Kelly approached the podium to rebut the previous testimony and stated they are still
flexible with the design and wanted to obtain the Conditional Use Permit approval before
spending money on engineered drawings. He continued and stated if Mr. Sorenson wants
a privacy fence between the two properties, they would do that. Mr. Kelly stated
whatever the requirements are from the City, they will abide by. He also clarified the
parking lot will be paved and there will be an employee there as needed. Mr. Kelly also
stated they have not decided on a gate because they are very expensive and hard to
maintain. He also stated their other facility has no weeds and is kept very clean. Mr.
Kelly also stated the property was on the market for a few months and no one else
bought it to build something different. They have purchased the property with the intent
to put in a storage facility.
Chairman West closed the Public Hearing portion of the meeting and began deliberations
amongst the Commission. Chairman West read from the Iona City Code § 11-6-3(A)
pertaining to Conditional Uses in the Commercial Zone:
"The City may, after notice and public hearing pursuant to Chapter 8 of this Title,
permit the uses specified below, where such uses are deemed essential or desirable to the
public convenience or welfare. On all conditional use permit applications, the City shall
have the discretion to require an impact statement to assess the impact of the proposed
conditional use upon surrounding properties and upon City services and infrastructure.
The City may impose such conditions and safeguards, as it deems necessary to protect
the best interests of the surrounding property or neighborhood and City services or
infrastructure from damage, hazard, nuisance or other detriment."
Chairman West stated his biggest hesitation for this project is that it is a metal structure
and does not fit in on Main Street. Clerk West stated she has received a handful of phone
calls in opposition of this application from residents throughout the City, also concerned
with a storage facility on Main Street. Chairman West stated he acknowledges this
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business would increase tax revenue. He continued and stated the Conditional Use
Permit application also requires that it fits in the Iona Comprehensive Plan. He doesn't
believe this structure would fit in that plan for the City. Member Johnson stated this
proposal is unlike previously accepted applications. He continued and stated he does not
believe storage units would be appropriate in the heart of the City on Main Street.
Chairman West entertained a motion. Member Hart made a motion to not approve the
Conditional Use Permit. Member Johnson seconded the motion. A11 in favor. Motion
carried.
Chairman West informed the applicants this is not approved at this time. He continued
and stated if they would like to reassess their design and drawings, they can resubmit
their application. He encouraged them to rethink the metal buildings and consider eye
appeal from Main Street.
b. Public Hearing- Amendments to Iona City Code § 10-1-17(B), pertaining to Public
Way Requirements in the Iona Subdivision Ordinance- Chairman West stated he
attended the November City Council Meeting and discussed the Planning & Zoning
Commission's desire to require secondary access to each new subdivision. He read the
current code and the proposed code from the City Attorney.
Chairman West opened the Public Hearing portion of the meeting. No public comment in
favor of or opposed to this proposal. Chairman West closed the Public Hearing portion of
the meeting. The Commission began their deliberations. Chairman West stated he does
not believe the amended wording accomplishes what they wanted it to do. Member Hart
agreed and stated the amendment is not what they had intended.
Chairman West entertained a motion. Member Hart made a motion to deny Amendments
to Iona City Code § 10-1-17(B) and send back to the City Attorney to rewrite it. Member
Johnson seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
c. Discussion of Iona Comprehensive Plan- Clerk West stated the Mayor and City
Council have approved the Planning & Zoning Commission to move forward with
editing and updating the current Iona Comprehensive Plan. However, they cannot
undergo a complete overhaul of the Plan due to cost restraints. She continued and
recommended the Commission to discuss 2-3 sections at each meeting. Member Hart
agreed and recommended the Commission reviews the first three chapters for the
January Meeting. Chairman West agreed.
Member Hart made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Member Johnson seconded the motion. All
in favor, motion carried.
Meeting Adjourned 7:22 p.m.
P&Z APPROVED: January 08, 2020
James West, Chairman
ATTEST:
Keri West, City Clerk
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