City of Fremont

Planning Commission

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Fremont City Hall

A regular meeting of the City of Fremont Planning Commission was held in the Council Chambers at the Fremont City Hall on Tuesday, September 25, 2007.  The meeting was called to order at 3:19 p.m.

Present: Chair Dale Hansen and Commissioners Dennis Caplis, David Crosley, Jane Drake, Don Henry, Peg May, and Lon Vredeveld

Absent:  Jack Butterick

City Officials Present:     Michele Ribant, Fremont Zoning Administrator

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Jane Drake, seconded by Peg May and carried to approve the minutes from the August 28, 2007 Fremont Planning Commission meeting.   

Site Plan Review – Fremont Cooperative Produce Co. (Storage Building) – 540 W. Main Street

Chair Hansen explained that the Fremont Cooperative Produce Co. is proposing to build a 6,000 sq. ft. building with a 2,400 sq. ft. concrete approach for the storage of dry, bulk fertilizers.  He went on to indicate that the subject property is located in the I-1 Industrial District and that the plan satisfies the zoning ordinance requirements as outlined in the staff report.  Mr. Zeldenrust, the petitioner, commented that in the next year the Cooperative plans to demolish three buildings on its complex.

A motion was made by Jane Drake, seconded by Dennis Caplis and carried to approve the construction of a new 6,000 sq. ft. building with a 2,400 sq. ft. concrete approach as depicted on the site plan dated September 2007 for retail storage on the Fremont Cooperative Produce Co. site with the following condition:

• That the petitioner sign an agreement stating that the use of the property will meet the performance standards as required by the Fremont Zoning Ordinance.

Lon Vredeveld joined the Commission after the site plan review for the Fremont Cooperative Produce Co. was voted on.

Site Plan Review – (28 E. Elm Street)

Chair Hansen outlined that the petitioner wants to convert a six unit house to a five unit house, and he is coming before the Planning Commission to request parking accommodations.  The house is located at 28 E. Elm Street, and it is in the B-H Business Highway District.  Dwellings are not a permitted use in the District.  The petitioner, Gerry Rich, explained that he would like to add a driveway opening on the east side of the subject property to establish a parking area in the rear yard to accommodate four (4) cars.  Staff’s recommendation was to deny the request to add a driveway opening to accommodate the parking; this recommendation was based on rationale as outlined in the staff report.  Staff’s recommendation was to encourage the petitioner to contact the church officials of the church that is located directly west of the subject site to request a parking agreement that would allow the people who will live in the dwelling units to park in the church parking lot during non-peak hours.

After much discussion, a motion was made by Jane Drake, seconded by Lon Vredeveld to table the vote until the next meeting so that staff could review the petitioner’s request under the new hybrid form-based zoning ordinance.

Site Plan Review – Gerber Memorial Health Services (Mechanical Equipment – New Chiller)

Chair Hansen outlined that Gerber Memorial Health Services would like to upgrade its mechanical equipment to add another chiller which will enhance the Hospital’s current and future air conditioning needs.  He went on to say that the petitioner is also proposing to install a six (6) foot fence around the chiller to protect it.  The subject property is located at 212 S. Sullivan Avenue in the R-A Apartment District. 

A motion was made by Jane Drake, seconded by David Crosley and carried to approve the site plan dated September 2007 that depicts the placement of the new chiller and the six (6) foot fence on the Gerber Memorial Health Services site.  Don Henry abstained from the vote on the chiller for Gerber Memorial Health Services because he serves on the Gerber Hospital Board.

Concept Plan – Senior Housing along Ramshorn on the Lake and Office/Retail on Main St.

Chair Hansen explained that Ryan Smith is proposing to develop a 23 acre site for senior housing with a community center along the Ramshorn on the Lake Golf Course as depicted in the site plan.  Mr. Hansen indicated that the site will include a walking/fitness trail, an outdoor gathering space, ponds/water features and gardens and that it is zoned Multi-Family under the new hybrid form-based zoning ordinance. 

Mr. Smith, the petitioner, explained that the plan includes the following:

• 27,600 sq. ft. assisted living facility (approximately 48 beds)
• 57 – 1,500 sq. ft. independent living condos
• 24 – 1,500 sq. ft. independent living villas
• A future community center (tennis, fitness, pool and spa)

Mr. Smith went on to explain that he also plans to develop 24, 200 sq. ft. of office and/or retail space on a parcel located on Main Street that is zoned Mixed Use.  This parcel is located directly south of the proposed senior housing site.  Mr. Smith explained that before he starts marketing the project, he wanted some feedback from the Commission on the concept plan.

 The Commission asked a few questions such as when he would build the complex, and he responded when he obtains funding, and they asked about having two entrances into the complex, and he responded that he was working on possibly obtaining more land and then providing more than one point of entry.  Then one of the commissioners wished him well with his plan and said they would like to see the plan once it has been refined and reviewed to ensure compliance with the zoning ordinance.

Update on the New Hybrid Form-Based Zoning Ordinance

Michele Ribant reported that the City Council voted to approve the new hybrid form-based zoning ordinance at their September 17, 2007 City Council meeting as presented to them by the Fremont Planning Commission.  She went on to say that the new Ordinance will become effective on October 8, 2007.

Election of Planning Commission Officers

Ms. Ribant indicated that the Commission tabled the vote to elect new planning commission officers until this meeting.  She went on to say that the Mayor had spoken with the Chair, Dale Hansen, and it was being recommended that Mr. Hansen continue to serve as chair of the Fremont Planning Commission until his 30 year anniversary, which will be in March of 2008. 

A motion was made by Lon Vredeveld, seconded by Dennis Caplis and carried to post-pone the election of Planning Commission officers until the March, 2008 Fremont Planning Commission meeting.

Training of New Planning Commissioners

Michele Ribant reported that either she will provide training to the new Planning Commission members, or she will recommend a place locally where the Commissioners can obtain training on planning commission issues.

New Business

Michele Ribant reported that she will be following up with the developers of the new Goodwill store in Fremont because she has some concerns that they did not develop the site in accordance with the approved site plan.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m.

                                                                          ____________________________________

                                                                          Dale Hansen, Planning Commission Chair

                                                                          ____________________________________

                                                                          Michele Ribant

                                                                          Fremont Zoning Administrator