PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF JUNE 13, 2007
PRESENT:
Randy Hagerty, Chairman
Glen Novinger, Jr.
John Buckwalter
Dean West
Carolyn Chrisman
Jill McCord, Councilmember
Paul Frazier, Code Administrator
Brad Selby, Code Staff
Mari Macomber, City Manager
ABSENT:
Charles Giovannini
Doug Kollar
Danny McDowell
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Hagerty called the meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission in the City Council Chambers to order at 7:00 p.m.
INTRODUCTION OF CAROLYN CHRISMAN
Chairman Hagerty introduced newly appointed Carolyn Chrisman who replaces John Witt on the Commission. Ms. Chrisman is a graduate of Truman State University and currently teaches in the Kirksville School District. The City Council had also reappointed Glen Novinger and Randy Hagerty to another four- year term.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There being no changes to the agenda, Chairman Hagerty declared the agenda adopted.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hagerty asked for changes to the minutes of March 14, 2007, and April 11, 2007. With no changes either, Chairman Hagerty declared the minutes adopted as published.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Hearing. Rezoning request for 901 S. Baltimore from R-1Residential to Low Density Corridor Zoning. Chairman Hagerty opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.
Mr. Selby reported this was a rezoning request from Laci Cook, owner of Pawsitive Animalworks. It would change the zoning from R-1 Single Family Residential to Low Density Corridor Zoning which would allow for a dog grooming business. All the dogs would be housed inside and no more than five dogs, not weighing more than 30 pounds, would be kept overnight. The required plans submitted call for a proposed fence to be built along the south side of the house and new concrete parking to the north of the property. The proposed sign and lighting would meet code guidelines for low profile signage and lighting. Mr. Selby stated all legal requirements have been met. Thirty-six property owners had been contacted, but staff had received no comments against, and one comment for the proposed rezoning from Linda Harden, owner of Mug Shotz. The plan exceeds the necessary 250 points for low density zoning with 75 points for a corner lot; sight screening, 100 points; low profile sign and lighting, 50 points; and restrictive use of property as a dog grooming business, 100 points. The parking meets code requirements.
Mr. Buckwalter asked what zone classification this would fall under if it had not been in the corridor overlay? Mr. Frazier responded it would mostly be C-1, Light Industrial.
PROPONENTS
Laci Cook, 923 Sundown, Kirksville, MO – Ms. Cook stated her business had been successfully operating out of the old Bogie’s building for two years. Overnight stays would be limited to dogs under 30 pounds, two nights and current customers of Pawsitive Animalworks. Everything would be contained inside. Ms. Cook acknowledged she is one of four pet massage practitioners in the whole state. Most people drop off their pets for grooming and then return later to pick up their animals so parking should not be a problem. City ordinance 10811 allows families to have up to five dogs.
Mr. Novinger asked if there would be outdoor kennels or if the dogs would stay inside? Ms. Cook responded that all the dogs would be kept in the grooming room overnight, with the proposed fence area allowing for bathroom use and one hour of playtime. Chairman Hagerty asked if there was an ordinance regulating barking dogs. Mr. Selby thought there was an ordinance against pet noise. Ms. Chrisman asked if the parking would be adequate for events and, if the business grew, would the space still be adequate? Ms. Cook responded most owners would walk their dogs because there were not a lot of winter events. The business size would be adequate because they would only schedule appointments based on what they could handle. The emphasis was quality, not quantity. Councilmember McCord asked if anyone would be staying overnight with the dogs? Ms. Cook responded no. Mr. Frazier asked if more parking could be added if needed. Ms. Cook confirmed more parking could be added if required. She also provided 15 letters and 75 signatures from supporters.
Jason White, 2103 N. New St., Kirksville, MO – Mr. White stated that his business as a dog trainer in Kirksville existed because of Ms. Cook and her support of positive dog ownership. Mr. White stated that her business would not be a dog kennel.
OPPONENTS
Julie Relford, 1101 E. Park Ave., Kirksville, MO – Ms. Relford stated that her property was directly across from Ms. Cook’s proposed business location and she expressed her concerns regarding the amount of parking and the traffic congestion it would bring to the area. She was also concerned about property values.
Louise Dean 1107 Park Ave., Kirksville, MO – Ms. Dean expressed her concern over parking for the business and the increased traffic it would bring to the area. She also expressed her concern of another business moving in there if the dog grooming business would move in the future.
Leon Bowers, 1116 E. Alexander, Kirksville, MO – Mr. Bowers stated his concern regarding traffic becoming bottlenecked at peak work hours. There is not enough room for future growth of the business.
Joann Sutton, 1110 Park Ave., Kirksville, MO – Ms. Sutton stated that Park Avenue was a narrow street, with mostly retired residents, and expressed concern for parking problems.
Ms. Cook responded that with the existing drive and parking that would be added there would be enough room for five parking spaces plus two for staff, with more that could be added by decreasing green space. Ms. Cook stated that in going through the area to invite people to the hearing, she heard many barking dogs in the neighborhood, but reinforced that the dogs in her care would be kept inside. She also stated that her business hours were Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. which would miss most high traffic times.
Mr. Frazier stated that corridor zoning was a theoretical zoning and this property was in the High Density Corridor Zone overlay which extends 250 feet on each side of Baltimore which was determined to be more suited for business. Ms. Chrisman asked staff if there was another way onto Park Avenue or did it dead end. Mr. Buckwalter responded that Park Avenue did not dead end, but goes to Ely where you can only go north.
Brigitte Bailey, 20713 State Hwy. 156, LaPlata, MO – Ms. Bailey commented there was an alternate route customers could take coming or going from the business. She also stated that the last appointment of the day was at 3:00 p.m. and the dogs were usually picked up by 4:30 p.m. Ms. Bailey stated that 5 to 10 people came to the parties.
With no further input, Chairman Hagerty closed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m.
Realtor Ron Davis stated the closing date was set for June 29, 2007. Councilmember McCord made a motion to table the motion until a study on parking could be done and a special meeting could be arranged. Mr. Novinger seconded the motion. The motion was approved with the following vote: Chrisman, aye; West, aye; Novinger, aye; McCord, aye. Hagerty, nay; Buckwalter, nay. Absent: Kollar, Giovannini, McDowell.
Mr. Frazier asked Ms. Cook to notify him if the closing date could not be moved to a later date.
B. Update on the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Selby reported that the comprehensive plan was drafted in 2003 and contained proposed plans and goals for the city for ten years. The plan consisted of seven areas assigned to the City Manager and Department Heads. Each year, Department Heads are to update each section with any progress made on their projects. Because of the length of the report, commission members were encouraged to review it individually. Commission questions can be answered at the next meeting. Mr. Frazier encouraged the commission to call before the meeting with any questions they may have so they could gather the answers for them.
The Commission thanked staff for the update.
C. Appointment of election committee to appoint Vice-Chairman and Chairman.
Councilmember McCord, Mr. Novinger and Mr. West volunteered to serve on the election committee. The committee will give a report at the next Commission meeting.
COMMISSION INPUT
Councilmember McCord welcomed newly appointed Carolyn Chrisman.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further input, Chairman Hagerty declared the meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Teresa Dorris
Recording Secretary