Submitted by Pat Kriesel, LWV Observer
The Action item for the meeting was a Public Hearing for the Liberty Park 4th Addition. Betsy Buckheit was honored as she is retiring as Planning Commission Chair.
Dan Olson, Senior Planner, explained staff's recommendation of approval to City Council for the Preliminary Plat of Liberty Park 4th Addition, in the far north part of the city. There are 23 single, 1700 square foot family detached townhomes on 44 by 90 foot lots in the 7.28 acre site. Streets are 28 feet wide. Density is 3.2 units/ acre, while the entire Liberty Park Addition is 2.4 units/ acre. A Zoning change from Agricultural on the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Conceptual Development Plan is suggested.A pre-treatment pond basin for storm water is included in the plan. There will be a waiver to the solar lot requirement and a street name change. Buckheit requested a side walk on the right side of Quie Lane.
Thye Court residents who live next to the proposed development spoke about excess runoff and sediment from the new area running into Hauberg Woods pond, to the east, behind Thye Court. They pointed out the natural beauty, birds and other wild life living near the pond.
There were questions to Randy Peterson, who spoke for the applicant, College City Homes, and discussion followed. A motion to recommend the Liberty Park 4th Addition to City Council with the following conditions passed:
1. A waiver to the solar lot requirement.
2. Quie Way Street renamed to Patriot Road.
3. A sidewalk placed on Quie Lane.
4. A drainage development agreement including a pre-treatment pond basin and a wear-course, asphalt covering for the streets to be done soon.
5. Dredging the Thye Court pond when appropriate.Lee Lansing, Mayor, led the ceremony for Betsy Buckheit, retiring Chair of the Planning Commission, who is moving to England for 5 months. Two City Council members and DeBoer of the Planning Commission spoke of her dedication and "wicked sense of humor."
Next meeting, Tuesday, August 9, 2005.
