Planning Commission 11.18.2021

Detailed briefing

Planning Commission — Nov. 18, 2021 ATTENDEES: Rick Tarczynski, Vanessa Warren, Emily Dubay, Jack Deegan, Bill Mulder (by Zoom), Mark Boudet, and Al Daika. George Peet and Andy Bowman were absent. • The commission corrected the Oct. 21 minutes to replace Beth Rahaly with Vanessa Warren in the attendance/motion records and to correct Dan Gorman’s spelling, then approved the minutes as corrected. No public comments were offered outside the scheduled hearing. • Following a public hearing, the commission approved an amendment to the Harbor Cottages Condos special land use approval. The project has nine lots, with two homes already built. The amendment is intended to clarify garage and building-envelope rules, especially for sloped Second Street lots. Discussion included attached or tucked-under garages, living space above garages, setbacks, open space, architectural character, access from Cottage Lane, and concerns submitted in correspondence. • The Harbor Cottages approval incorporated staff/consultant language changes. Members said attached garages must follow applicable principal-building provisions, and living space above an attached garage counts toward the development’s stated living-space limit. A detached garage could have a second story/living space under the amended language, but guest quarters would still require separate special land use approval. Bill Mulder participated in discussion but did not vote remotely. • The commission approved a site plan at 300 W. Lake St. for the IGA to enclose the space between the IGA and former Pet Pantry buildings, creating a hallway/storage connection and adding a rear delivery door. The owner said the former Pet Pantry building is now being used as warehouse space and that the work would help move deliveries indoors. • The site-plan approval was limited to the building connection. A future proposal to enclose the store’s portico/entry area was discussed but was not part of this request. Staff also noted that employee parking in the nearby right-of-way is not permitted; a possible future petition to pave that area for parking was suggested. • The commission approved the capital improvements plan for City Council review. Staff said the plan includes substantial electric-system spending over six years, including a possible new substation. The boardwalk remains closed for safety reasons; funding efforts include grant discussions, while alternative designs such as stairs or partial reconstruction are also being considered. Worth watching: • Harbor Cottages must submit a clean final amendment document reflecting the approved changes. • Any IGA portico enclosure or right-of-way parking change would require further process. • Boardwalk repair timing depends on funding and grant outcomes. Upcoming: Master plan meeting scheduled for Dec. 2; staff said a draft packet would be sent for review. Why it matters: The actions shape how a small residential cluster develops, support operational changes at the city’s grocery store, and guide future infrastructure spending.

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