City of Sterling Planning Commission
City of Sterling Planning Commission met Thursday, Feb. 16.
Immediately following their appointment the members of the Plan Commission shall meet, organize, elect such officers as it may deem necessary, and adopt and later change or alter, rules and regulations of organization and procedure consistent with City ordinances and state laws. The Commission shall keep written records of its proceedings, which shall be open at all times to public inspection. The Commission shall also file an annual report with the City Council setting forth its transactions and recommendations.
On Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., a regular meeting of the Plan Commission was called to order. Roll Call. Present: Chair Rick Andersen, Karen Chevalier, Doug Freed, Eric Larson. Absent: Aurelio Gallardo, Rene Morris and Steve Munson.
Also present were: Planner Dustin Wolff, Building and Zoning Superintendent Amanda Schmidt, City Attorney Tim Zollinger, City Manager Scott Shumard, Alderman Retha Elston, and City Clerk Marie Rombouts.
Karen Chevalier made a motion to approve the minutes of October 20, 2016, as presented; Seconded by Doug Freed. Voting - Ayes: Chair Andersen, Chevalier, Freed, and Larson. Nayes: None, Motion Carried.
Superintendent Schmidt reported the Commission last met to hear the petition from Hospice of the Rock River Valley. The Ordinance was approved by Council and Construction is underway.
Chair Andersen opened a public hearing at 7:03 pm for the petition from Kunes Sterling L-M, LLC and GrainComm III, LLC requesting to expand the existing Special Use at 2811 LOCust to include an additional shelter and equipment on the ground with the Cell phone tower/antenna, Shawna Johnson Was present representing Verizon, GrainComm, and Kunes.
Planner Wolff explained the zoning was B-3 Special Use and now classified as RB Special Use for the Cell tower and CO-location for Cabinetry. The Special Use needs to be expanded for the equipment shelter. This use is Compatible with the Comprehensive Plan.
Superintendent Schmidt explained that an additional antenna Could be added but the shelter forces the Special Use expansion.
Chair Andersen stated that publication in the Daily Gazette was made, fees were paid, property Owners within 150' of the property were notified, a sign was placed on the property for two weeks prior to the hearing, and no written Comments were received from the public.
Planner Wolff's recommendations and findings of fact are attached.
Doug Freed asked about a generator. Planner Wolff stated the generator is 100' from the property lines and has limited hours for testing.
Doug Freed made a motion to recommend to the City Council to expand the Special Use Permit at 2811 Locust to accommodate a shelter and equipment on the ground near the Cellphone tower/antenna; Seconded by Eric LarSon. Voting: Ayes - Chair Andersen, Chevalier, Freed, and Larson. Nayes - None. Motion Carried.
Chair Andersen introduced the petition for Whiteside County from Pete Harkness and Busy Properties, LLC of property located West of 3705 EmmerSon Road to rezone property from County R-2 and A-1 to B-2 for storage units,
Todd Ewers explained that he is trying to purchase 3.5 acres from Pete Harkness to expand his ministorage units to the West, Ewers stated that he purchased property from the Youngs in 2005 and built the first unit and others followed. Ewers understands the residences are of Concern and he plans to build in the Spring or Summer
Planner Wolff stated the Comprehensive Plan does not designate this area So the City is not opposed to the rezoning but is Concerned about the residential area with no landscaping or buffering. If this was in the City, we would not allow the property to be so dense. It could be incompatible with residential.
Attorney Zollinger informed the Commission that a letter of no objection Could be sent and encourage the County to Consider the City's Concerns pertaining to the residential area.
Planner Wolff stated the incompatibility Could be softened with buffering, landscaping, noise reduction, and Water drainage.
Superintendent Schmidt stated that the County Would probably have a hearing where the neighbors Could have input.
Karen Chevalier made a motion to recommend to the City Council to send a letter of no objection to Whiteside County regarding the rezoning of property West of 3705 EmmerSon Road from County R-2 and A-1 to B-2 to Construct mini-storage units and encourage the County to ask for the property to provide buffering, landscaping, noise reduction, and Water drainage protecting the residential area. The motion was Seconded by Eric Larson. Voting: Ayes - Chair Andersen, Chevalier, Freed, and Larson. Nayes - None. Motion Carried.
Superintendent Schmidt reported there will be a meeting next month and we waiting on two more possible items. She stated the City has received no actual information from Coventry. There will also be a few tweaks to the Zoning Code regarding fences.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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