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Home My Public Portal About2016-11-17 minutesMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE JEFFERSON CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION November 17,2016 12:15 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT ATTENDANCE RECORD Bunnie Trickey Cotten Jack Deeken Dean Dutoi Bob George Chris Jordan,Chairman Michael Lester David Nunn Dale Vaughan Chris Yarnell,Vice Chairman Ron Fitzwater,Alternate Matthew Hall,Alternate COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT Blake Markus,Alternate 2 of 4 COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT Ken Hussey (Alternate Council Liaison) GUESTS Cynthia Quetsch,Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Jefferson Jack Pletz,General Counsel,Housing Authority of the Cityof Jefferson STAFF PRESENT Janice McMillan, Director,Department of Planning and Protective Services Eric Barron,Senior Planner Ryan Moehlman,City Counselor Jayme Abbott,Neighborhood Services Coordinator Diane Cary,Administrative Technician 1.Call to Order and Introduction of Members,Ex-officio Members and Staff The Chairman and 8 regular members and two alternates were present.A quorum was present. Designation of Voting The Chairman announced that all regular members are eligible to vote. 2.Procedural Matters and Procedures Explained Mr.Barron explained the procedures for the special meeting.The following documents were entered as exhibits.Mr. Barron advised that copies of the exhibits are available through the City Clerk or the Department of Planning and Protective Services: The City Code of the City of Jefferson,as amended Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Map Copies of applications under consideration Affidavit of publication of the public notice in the newspaper Rules of Procedure,Planning &Zoning Commission 3.Adoption of Agenda Mr.Yarnell moved and Ms.Cotten seconded to adopt the agenda as printed.The motion passed 8-0 with the following votes: Aye:Cotten,Deeken,Dutoi,George,Lester,Nunn,Vaughan,Yarnell 4.Communications Received Written comments on Case P16021 were received from Mayor Tergin. Page 1 3 of 4 3 of 4 4 of 4 2 of 4 4 of 4 4 of 4 4 of 4 2 of 4 4 of 4 3 of 4 4 of 4 ATTENDANCE RECORD Minutes of Special Meeting/Jefferson City Planning &Zoning Commission November 17,2016 5.New Business/Public Hearings Case No.P16021 -East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan.Request filed by the Housing Authority of the City of Jefferson,Missouri, to review conformity of the proposed East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan with the City's general plan and provide recommendations to the Land Clearance Authority and City Council. The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners adopted the proposed East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan at their meeting on October 25,2016 (Cynthia Quetsch,Executive Director;John S (Jack)Pletz,General Counsel). Mr.Barronstated that the purpose of this meeting was two-fold:to reviewthe conformity of the proposed East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan with the City's general plan and to provide recommendations on the plan to the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA)and CityCouncil. Ms.McMillan explained that the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Area is located within Jefferson City,and is generally bordered by East State Street to the north, Adams Street to the west, properties fronting on East High Street on the south, and LafayetteStreet on the east. The Area is located along the eastern and southern portion of the City's Downtown area.The Area consists of 116 parcels. Ms.McMillan explained that the Jefferson City Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) commissioned a blightstudy for the area,which found that many of the parcels withinthe area have one or more blighted qualifications which include defective street layout,unsafe conditions, deterioration of site improvements,improper subdivision platting,and the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and other causes. Ms.McMillan described the area as a mix of land uses that includes single and multi-family residential, public/semi-public,commercial,and even industrial land uses.Many of the original single-family homes withinthe area have been converted to commercial or multi-family uses.In most instances,the outward appearance of the structures have not been significantly altered, but for many properties the property conditions are rapidly deteriorating. Manybuildingsare vacant and a number of properties were deemed abandoned under Cityordinance,forcing the Cityto board up those buildings. Cynthia Quetsch,Executive Director of the Housing Authority spoke regarding the Blight Study that was conducted. The study located properties that had unsanitary problems and properties that had deterioration ofsite improvements. She stated that the map of parcels exhibiting blight factors were taken intoconsideration,as well as including parcels that were adjoining multiple dilapidated properties, when developing the map of parcels that may be acquired as part of the Urban Renewal Plan. Several questions were asked by Planning and Zoning Commission members regarding the details of when a property might be acquired, howthe boundaries of the area were developed, and what the goals of the plan are. Jack Pletz stated that the program would first encourage rehabilitation of these homes by the current owners. They would enter into a contract with LCRA in bringing their property up to certain standards.If the Housing Authority came into ownership of such properties, they would be held to the same standards. He stated that the CityCouncil and the LCRA would work together withthis project. Testimony was opened for anyone in favor of the request. Mayor Tergin's written statement was read. Testimony was opened for anyone in opposition. Gary Buettner, 606 E.State Street,was concerned that this project might become a land grab project - where the owners might lose their homes because they may not be able to afford the changes that would be required. Testimony was opened for anyone else who wished to speak. Cathy Bordner, 718 E Capitol Avenue,expressed appreciation to the Mayor,City Council and Housing Authority for putting this plan together.First,she would like to see the Mission Statement of the Central Eastside Neighborhood Plan inserted into the body of the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan. Second,because of the blight of this area,many of the buildings may be torn down and she wanted to Page 2 Minutes ofSpecial Meeting/Jefferson City Planning&Zoning Commission November 17,2016 ensure that someone cannot come in and combine lots and then build a large multi-unit buildings that do not fit the area.New construction should conform to the Central Eastside Neighborhood Plan. Finally, she wanted to address the problem of feral cats in the area.Many cats are living in the vacant homes and could cause public health problems.Ms.Bordner also wanted to make sure thatthe public would be kept informed with the project. Linda Buettner, 606 E State Street, testified about the number offeral cats inthe area. Jenny Smith,1211 Elmerine,said she was happy that this is being worked on.Ms.Smith wanted to make sure the proposed overlay district would be in place before this project takes off,which would provide design guidelines for the homes that will be rehabbed.Second,she stated that she knew properties will be appraised at some point and she would like to see restrictions on demolition until all avenues of rehabilitation have been looked into.Many properties mighthave investors that would love to buy them and fix them up. Jane Beetem,1612 Payne Dr,wanted to make sure that the plan would meet the needs of the community.She stated that the plan should identify how success is reached and how would the community retain the old and match the new as close as possible.She would like to see more termsto tweak the document in that regard.She statedthatshe would submit her written comments electronically after the meeting. With no other parties wishing to speak,publictestimony was closed. Ms.McMillan completed the staff report and recommendations.She stated that the City of Jefferson will undertake an infrastructure improvement project on Capitol Avenue in 2017,thus addressing many ofthe blighting influences due to condition of public infrastructure,such as sidewalks,curbs,gutters,and lack of street lighting.She stated that the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan represents the most significant tool,to date,to promote and induce revitalization for the privately owned site and building conditions within the area. She state that the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan does conform with the City's general plans.Planning Division staff suggested that Parcels #31 and #33 be added to Exhibit 1,Land Acquisition Map,so that the entirety of the block that those properties are contained in would be included. Mr.Lester moved and Mr.Yarnell seconded that parcels #31 and #33 be added to Exhibit I,Land Acquisition Map,to promote revitalization ofthe entire block.The motion passed 8-0 with the following votes: Aye:Cotten,Deeken,Dutoi,George,Lester,Nunn,Vaughan,Yarnell Mr.Lester moved and Ms. Cotten seconded that the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan does conform with the City's general plans with the insertion of the Mission Statement from the Central Eastside Neighborhood Plan,insertion of language that new multi-family uses established as part ofthe Urban Renewal Plan would comply with recommendations from the Central Eastside Neighborhood Plan, and thatthe animal problem in the area would be addressed.The motion passed 8-0 with the following votes: Aye:Cotton,Deeken,Dutoi,George,Lester,Nunn,Vaughan,Yarnell 6.Other Business There was none. 7.Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:25p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Eric Barron,Assistant Secretary Page 3