Planning Commission Meeting - 2020-06-18

Detailed briefing

Planning Commission Meeting — June 18, 2020 ATTENDEES: The transcript records a quorum and the swearing-in of four new Planning Commission members. • The commission elected Andrew Bowman as chair. It also elected a vice chair, but the transcript does not clearly identify the person elected. Members approved corrected minutes for the June 4 special meeting; corrections included the meeting date, an attendance error, and the spelling of Lee Kramer's name. • Members voted to continue with Larry Nix as consultant for the master-plan update rather than seek a new consultant. Discussion focused on Nix's long experience with the city, potential cost and timing of bringing in someone new, and the need for stronger public input during this comprehensive update. Nix said the work could extend into 2021. • The commission approved an amateur-radio antenna at 442 W. Fourth St. The approval requires construction consistent with the submitted plans and specifications and in a workmanlike manner. Staff said the applicant still must submit a zoning application and complete a footing inspection. • Yummy's proposed walk-up service window could not be approved under the existing zoning language. The commission instead recommended a temporary, staff-reviewed process for businesses to use walk-up windows for ordering and pickup. The recommendation was broadened from restaurants to businesses generally, while excluding drive-up service. • On temporary COVID-19 changes, the commission supported allowing restaurants to use an adjacent business frontage with the adjoining owner's agreement and required legal compliance. It also supported temporary retail displays in private parking spaces, curbside pickup spaces distributed through the central business district, temporary freestanding signs, and outdoor merchandise displays that preserve a six-foot pedestrian path. • The commission did not recommend outdoor dining in on-street public parking spaces or closing a public street. Instead, it recommended that City Council consider public parks as designated dining areas. It also supported temporary shade structures where designated dining or concentrated picnic-table areas are located, and supported allowing alcohol to be taken to and consumed in a designated dining area if compliant with applicable liquor-control rules and law. • Members recommended replacing the Zorn Park Beach hedge with a three-foot white fence, allowing city staff to address COVID-delayed permitted construction projects, and setting a temporary three-hour parking limit on East Main Street east of Gardner Street. Worth watching: • City Council will decide whether to adopt the commission's temporary COVID-related zoning and city-code recommendations. • Staff review will determine whether individual walk-up pickup windows and outdoor displays can operate safely without obstructing pedestrians. • The city must identify and manage any designated public dining area, including shade, boundaries, alcohol rules, cleanup, and traffic considerations. Upcoming: The next master-plan special meeting was set for July 9. Why it matters: The recommendations seek to help local businesses operate during COVID restrictions while preserving pedestrian access, parking, downtown character, and public safety.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.