HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_Planning & Zoning Meeting_01112017PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
JANUARY 11, 2017 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairman Melanie Keyes, Member Michael Thompson, Member Jake Lindsay,
Member Shane Harrigfeld, Member John Lott, and City Clerk Shara Roberts.
ABSENT: Member Dee Johnson.
VISITORS: Kevin Murray, Bob & Gene Koepplin, Jolyn Louk, Angela Fransen, and Austin
Catlin.
Chairman Melanie Keyes welcomed everyone led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes: Member Lott moved to approve the minutes for November 9th, 2016.
Member Thompson seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried. Member Lindsay moved
to approve the minutes for December 14th, 2016. Member Harrigfeld seconded the motion. All in
favor, motion carried.
Items of Business:
Rezone Request — Northwest Corner of Rockwood Avenue and Dayton Street — Scott Steele
— Public Hearing: Chairman Keyes explained the public hearing process and asked Kevin
Murray to present the application for the rezone of the property in question, "Exhibit A".
Kevin Murray explained he is a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams located at 3525 Merlin
Dr. in Idaho Falls, ID and he is representing the Steele Family in this matter. He explained the
Steele Family owns a corner parcel located at the Northwest corner of Rockwood Avenue and
Dayton Street. He explained the lot is already annexed into the City, and has access to utilities
they are simply requesting a rezone of the parcel from Single Family Residential (R-1) to
Residential Townhouse (R-T) with the purpose of constructing twin homes as it is an oversized
lot and they would like to maximize its capacity.
Member Harrigfeld inquired how many twin homes they were planning on building. Mr. Murray
expressed they were planning for two or three sets of twin homes.
Member Lott asked if they would consider having (2) 1 /3 acre lots and leaving the zoning as is.
Mr. Murray expressed from their perspective it would be more desirable for twin homes since
there is a small amount of those types of homes within the City, and the demand is out there.
Chairman Keyes opened the public portion of the hearing; those in favor, none; neutral, none;
opposed five.
Chairman Keyes entered into record a written comment submitted by Craig Rockwood located at
4813 E. 41 N. expressing opposition, "Exhibit B".
Gene Koepplin residing at 5284 E. Rockwood Avenue expressed opposition towards the
application. She explained their lot size is approximately 1.25 acres, and they made an
investment in this community 32 years ago. She further expressed they would like to preserve the
1
historical part of Iona. They have already experienced an increase in activities and traffic around
their residence. She expressed she is not against twin homes on the outskirts of Iona, but in her
opinion this is not a good location.
Bob Koepplin residing at 5284 E. Rockwood Avenue expressed opposition towards the
application. He expressed from his perspective the City leaders makes decision they think are
going to improve the quality of life, but lack the willingness to own the problems which are a
result. Mr. Koepplin listed the following examples: expanding the baseball league, putting in a
museum, and allowing the use of the Stanger Building to be more of a community center which
has caused more noise, traffic, garbage, and trespassing. From his perspective, he feels the City
keeps adding more and more to their postage size park and they aren't thinking about the quality
of life for the people which invested in this community a long time ago. In closing, he expressed
it's time to start cherishing and protecting that.
Jolyn Louk residing at 5428 E. Rockwood Avenue expressed opposition towards the application.
She explained historical Iona needs to be preserved and the reason why lots are oversized in this
area of town is because they were developed that way for a reason. She expressed from her
perspective this is not what Ralph Steele would have wanted done with his property, and she is
tired of people who do not live in this community coming in and developing smaller lots with
smaller homes that increase both crime and traffic. She discussed concerns with the City's water
system already not being able to keep up with the increased growth, and the older water lines in
historical Iona which need replaced. In closing, she stated dense housing is not right for
historical Iona and asked the Commission to please think of the surrounding residents and their
feelings.
Angela Fransen residing at 3625 N. 55th E. expressed opposition towards the application. She
explained they have lived in the community for over 20 years, and originally lived on Rockwood
Avenue. She expressed when they built their new home on 55th they abided by all the residential
building and zoning requirements according to City Code which required the 1/3 acre lot. She
expressed she owns rental properties so she is not against them, but she shared concerns that twin
homes often become investing and rental properties and shouldn't be part of historical Iona.
Mr. Murray expressed appreciation for the comments. He explained he has served on Planning
and Zoning Commissions for the City of Ammon, City of Idaho Falls, and Bonneville County
and it has always bothered him that residents come to these meetings once in 5 years when
something is in their front yard and beat up the people that have to make these decisions.
In regards to the development, Mr. Murray expressed from his perspective he believes there are a
couple of reasons why this would be a positive addition to historical Iona. He explained he is
currently doing some rezone requests in the City of Ammon to encourage more developments in
which residents are in walking distance to public places. Additionally, twin homes are more
affordable than a house for starter families and/or for empty nesters who don't want as large of a
home to care for so they are very desirable across the board. Furthermore, he expressed from his
knowledge older homes are going to become rentals three times quicker than a newer twin home
because first time home owners can't afford to do the updates an older home requires, rooms are
built too small, and they do not have open floor plans which new development addresses. In
closing, he expressed development is happening all around the City, but they are not receiving
any taxes to help with those services that are being utilized. From his perspective, development
brings cash which can help with needed infrastructure upgrades. He expressed he doesn't agree
2
this proposal will be detrimental to this neighborhood.
Chairman Keyes closed the public portion of the hearing.
Chairman Keyes expressed if this was approved it could set a precedence and open the door for
more requests to rezone from Single Family Residential (R-1) to Residential Townhouse (R-T)
in historical Iona.
Member Lott commented the goal of the City's Comprehensive Plan is for 1/3 acre lots, and he
thinks it's important to recognize that. He expressed he can see the public's concern with traffic
especially during the months when baseball season is in session.
Member Thompson suggested the parcel be subdivided into (2) 1/3 acre lots and left zoned as R-
1.
Chairman Keyes read page 46 and page 47 of the Comprehensive Plan which states "encourage
developments which offer protection from noise and congestion."
Member Lindsay expressed he was having a hard time justifying making a recommendation to
the City Council to approve this based on the discussion around the goal of the Comprehensive
Plan, and what is stated on the application. Member Lindsay read from , "Exhibit A" which
states "the purpose is to have higher density of residences on the lot and also smaller yards than
most homes in this area of the City." Member Lindsay expressed that goes directly against the
Comprehensive Plan.
Member Lott inquired if the City has looked into buying that parcel. Chairman Keyes explained
they did but were unable to negotiate.
Chairman Keyes entertained a motion. Member Lott moved to recommend to City Council to
deny the application to rezone the parcel in question from R-1 to R-T, and suggested the
applicant consider subdividing the parcel into (2) 1/3 acre lots. Member Lindsay seconded the
motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Amending Title 11, Chapter 4A — Residential Townhouse (R-T) Zoning — Public Hearing:
Chairman Keyes explained the public hearing process, and asked Citizen Austin Catlin to explain
the verbiage changes being requested to the Residential Townhouse (R-T) Zoning.
Austin Catlin located at 5211 Nelson Dr. explained he approached the City Council and the
Planning and Zoning Commission about amending the City Code to allow for accessory
buildings and the storage of Recreational Vehicles a couple months ago. Overall, the feedback he
received was supportive for allowing for small accessory buildings. However, the City Council is
not supportive of RV(s) being stored in (R-T) Zoning long term. He explained they are
increasing the loading and unloading time for residents from 2 hours to 24 hours.
Mr. Catlin reported during November's Planning and Zoning Meeting the Commission requested
he follow up on surrounding lot sizes in the Country Haven Subdivision. From his research he
found most lots in that area to be between 6,500 and 7,000 square feet. Mr. Catlin reported his lot
size is approximately 10,800 square feet.
3
Member Lindsay asked for clarification on 11-4A-4, Section (B) as the verbiage didn't appear to
be correct. He suggested before this is approved by City Council it needs to be revised for
clarification.
Member Lott inquired why the City Council decreased the loading and unloading time from 24
hours to 3 hours. Mr. Catlin expressed it should be the other way around to his knowledge.
Member Thompson referenced the current version of 11-4A-4, which does allow for a loading
and unloading time frame of 24 hours. Clerk Roberts agreed it was current, as it was approved
and passed by both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council within the last
year. After further discussion, it appeared clarification was needed on the verbiage and the
loading and unloading time frame for RV(s).
Chairman Keyes opened the public portion of the hearing; those in favor, none; neutral, none;
opposed none.
Chairman Keyes closed the public portion of the hearing.
Chairman Keyes entertained a motion. Member Lindsay moved to recommend to City Council to
allow for accessory buildings in the R-T Zoning, however the current time frame of 24 hours for
unloading and loading RV(s) should remain as currently written. Member Lott seconded the
motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Clerk Roberts will take action to follow up with Council Member Geray on some of the
confusion with the verbiage in 11-4A-4, Section (B) and the loading and unloading time frame of
RV(s).
Variance Request — Storage of Recreational Vehicle in R-T Zoning — Austin Catlin — Public
Hearing: Chairman Keyes explained the public hearing process, and asked applicant to present
the variance request at the property in question, "Exhibit C.
Austin Catlin located at 5211 Nelson Dr. expressed the main reason he is requesting a variance
to store his RV because he has looked into storage fees around town and they are quite
expensive. He expressed it would be cheaper for his family to sell it. He further expressed when
they started building their home they specifically chose the corner lot, as it was larger, and had
adequate space for storing an RV. As part of the contract with Rockwell Homes, they asked for
an RV Pad. However, after further research Mr. Catlin learned it was against the Zoning
Ordinance to store RV(s) and so the pad is not currently being utilized. From Mr. Catlin's
perspective his lot is unique to the other lots in that subdivision and has adequate space. He
reported he has 26 feet of space from the side of his house to the neighboring property line,
which would allow for 14 feet of space between the RV and the neighbor's property.
Chairman Keyes opened the public portion of the hearing; those in favor, none; neutral none;
opposed none.
Chairman Keyes closed the public portion of the hearing.
Chairman Keyes entertained a motion. Member Harrigfeld moved to recommend to City Council
to approve the variance request for the storage of an RV for Austin Catlin based on individual
4
circumstances, and due to his larger lot size, which will allow for at least 6 feet from the edge of
the RV Pad to the edge of the neighboring property line. Member Thompson seconded the
motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Reports: None.
Meeting Adjourned 7:59 p.m.
P&Z APPROVED: March 8, 2017
ATTES
fiN
Shara Roberts, City Clerk
Melanie Keyes,
hairman
5