PLANNING COMMISSION

GLADSTONE, MISSOURI

 

September 19, 2005

7:30 pm

 

Present:                                                          Council & Staff Present:

                        Ms. Newsom                           Scott Wingerson, Assist. City Manager

                        Ms. Alexander                          Melinda Mehaffy, Econ. Dev. Admin.

Mr. Stanley                              David Ramsay, City Counselor

                        Mr. Shevling                             Mayor Carol Rudi

                        Mr. Whitton                             Councilman Wayne Beer

                        Mr. Revenaugh             Councilman Les Smith

                        Ms. Abbott                              Becky Jarrett, Admin. Assist.

Mr. Steffens

Chairman Hill

 

Absent:           Ms. Lowe

                        Mr. Boor

                        Mr. Reynolds

                       

 

Item 2 on the Agenda:  Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Chairman Hill led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Item 3 on the Agenda:  Approval of the September 6, 2005 minutes.

 

Chairman Hill thanked Mr. Revenaugh for filling in for him as Chairman at the last meeting.  Motion by Ms. Alexander, second by Ms. Newsom to approve the September 6, 2005 minutes as submitted.    The minutes were approved as submitted.

 

Item 4 on the Agenda:  Communications from the Audience.

 

 None.

 

Item 5 on the Agenda:  FINAL PLAT:  Consideration of a Final Plat, Northaven Village 8th Plat.  Applicant/Owner:  Neil Rose/Northaven Village Condominiums, LLC.  (#1261)   

 

Mr. Wingerson reported this is the eighth plat of Northaven Village Condominiums.  The purpose of this plat is to allow subdivision of the building that has already been constructed into eighteen separate units to sell.  The restrictive covenants are lengthy and were not included in the Commission’s packets, but are on file in the Community Development Department should anyone like to view them.  Staff is recommending approval and is available to answer any questions.

 

Ms. Abbott asked if these buildings were approved as a unit when they were first proposed.

 

Mr. Wingerson answered that the property is currently zoned R-3, so it is not planned zoning.  Because it is straight zoning, the developer has the right to construct buildings that continue to comply with code.  Therefore, every building that is constructed further reduces the flexibility on the remaining land.  The first few buildings were easy because there was a lot of acreage to balance out them out.  As the project comes toward full development, the flexibility becomes more reduced.  Mr. Wingerson explained that the developer comes in and requests a building permit and as long as the building fits on the land and complies with the building codes, the permit is issued.  Once the permit is issued, the building is constructed.  After construction, the foundation is surveyed and it results in a plat.

 

Ms. Abbott asked if there is any way to control the quality and appearance.  She has heard of several complaints from residents around there. 

 

Mr. Wingerson said that the straight zoning really limits the ability to control the architectural standard.  It does comply with the basic site and design standards that have to do with percentage openings, roof slopes and other basic functions. 

 

Ms. Newsom recalled that when the plan first came forward she was on the Council and she remembers the architectural drawings and samples of materials had a very clean, fresh look to them; however, she does not know how they have weathered over time.

 

Mr. Wingerson agreed and explained that the units have white, vinyl siding, asphalt composite roof with green tint and most have screened in porches. Together, those samples are very attractive.  The development company has held consistent with that materials approval of seven years ago.

 

MOTION:  By Ms. Newsom, second by Mr. Whitton to approve a Final Plat, Northaven Village 8th Plat. 

 

Mr. Stanley said because he is an owner of a unit of Northaven Village and is on the Board he will recuse himself from the vote.

 

Ms. Newsom              Yes                 

                        Ms. Alexander           Yes     

Mr. Stanley                Recuse           

                        Mr. Shevling              Yes

                        Mr. Whitton               Yes     

                        Mr. Revenaugh          Yes                 

                        Ms. Abbott                 Yes     

Mr. Steffens               Yes

Chairman Hill Yes

 

The motion passed.  (8-Yes, 1-Recuse)

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6 on the Agenda: 

 

A.  Village Center/Community Center/Gladstone Plaza Update.  

 

Gladstone Plaza-  Mr. Wingerson announced that the City has filed a TIF application on Gladstone Plaza.  The TIF Commission will hold a public meeting(s) and their recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council in October/November.  Once that happens there will be negotiations of development agreements and after than the real planning will start in the spring. 

 

Village Center-  Mr. Wingerson reported that Gale Communities has been selected to do some planning work for the village center.  The Advisory Committee, which Ms. Newsom is a member of, has already met once and the first public meeting was last Thursday night.  There were approximately 105 people in attendance, who were not thrilled with the plan of the village center; however, at the end of the meeting there was a round of applause for the developer. 

 

Community Center-  Mr. Wingerson said at the last school board meeting the board voted to accept, in concept, the terms of the agreement.  At the next board meeting, Tuesday, September 27, 2005, they will vote on the specifics of the agreement.  The Commission is welcome to attend that meeting.  Mr. Wingerson said that many Commission members have spoken to either the school board or have supported the project out in public and staff appreciates that support.

 

Mr. Wingerson also announced that the public hearing for adopting the zoning map is scheduled for October 17, 2005.  He asked if anyone had any questions for him.

 

Ms. Alexander said she didn’t have a question, but rather a comment and that is she wishes she could run a meeting like David Gale.  He is a master. 

 

Item 7 on the Agenda:  Communications from the City Council and the City Staff.

 

Mayor Rudi reminded everyone that Gladfest is coming up shortly and volunteers are still needed.  On October 10, 2005 there will be a ribbon cutting for Happy Rock West and Oak Park’s marching band will be there.  Also, another date to remember is November 22, which is the Mayor’s Christmas tree lighting. 

 

Item 8 on the Agenda:  Communications from the Planning Commission Members.

 

Ms. Abbott thanked Mr. Wingerson for the letter he sent to Mr. Scharhag.

 

Ms. Newsom said that as everyone signs up to sit on Boards and Commissions, they express their interest in becoming more involved in the community.  These volunteer positions with Gladfest are great opportunities to get to know more about the community and are a good way to give back. 

 

Ms. Alexander said that in the Wednesday, July 13, 2005 Northland section of the Kansas City Star there was an article on the SMART program for Stormy Acres/Walnut and Evanston Place neighborhoods in Gladstone.  She asked for more information about this.

 

Mr. Wingerson explained that Northland Neighborhoods is doing the program along with the Federal Government and Kansas City, Missouri.  It is a grant program where homeowners in targeted neighborhoods are eligible for, on average, about $4,500 for home improvements.  Staff researched the City’s ability to participate in that program and selected Stormy Acres (61st & Main) and Evanston Place (57th & Antioch) as the two neighborhoods.  There was a public meeting where about eight property owners attended and the City hopes people will participate. 

 

Ms. Abbott added that when she moved to Gladstone in 1953, Stormy Acres was north of her neighborhood and at that time they were just basement houses that people built and lived in.  Some of those basements still remain today.

 

Ms. Alexander said that Commissioner Brenda Lowe served on a committee for the Kansas City Star history section, which was featured in the paper on Sunday.

 

Item 9 on the Agenda:  Adjournment.

 

Chairman Hill adjourned the meeting at 7:55 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

______________________________________    Approved as submitted _____

Becky Jarrett, Recording Secretary

 

______________________________________    Approved as corrected   _____

Brian Hill, Chairman