title
Minutes for the Land Use Advisory Committee meeting on June 19, 2014
body
Members present: Terry Bare, Darren May, Dr. Jim Sanders, Councilman Todd Burton, Bill Hall (chair), Pam Alexander, Kevan Inboden and Carroll Caldwell
Members absent: James Dunivan, Mark Enos, Steve Smith, Eric Scarbrough, Jerry Halsey, Jr., Nadine Straitt, Shawnie Carrier and Wixson Huffstetler
Councilman Burton motioned, seconded by Mr. Bare, to approve the minutes. All voted aye.
City Planner Otis Spriggs provided the committee with a draft of the bylaws for the committee. He noted the only thing he saw that was may need to be added is some language concerning voting procedures. Ms. Alexander asked if proxy voting would be allowed. Mr. Spriggs stated that language is not in the bylaws, but can be added if the committee wants to allow it. Mr. Bare spoke in favor of proxy voting. Mr. Bare motioned, seconded by Mr. Caldwell, to allow for proxy voting. All voted aye. Mr. Spriggs noted the proxy votes will be taken by email with a narrative explaining the committee member’s position on an item.
Mr. Spriggs then asked how many votes would qualify as a majority vote. He noted the committee has already established that a minimum of five members need to be present to make a quorum. Mr. Inboden stated that he feels a majority of the total number of members should be needed to pass a vote. He added that more members need to start attending the meetings in order to be included in business. Mr. Spriggs explained the proxy votes will help with items the committee knows beforehand that they will vote on. Further discussion was held concerning the minimum number. Mr. Caldwell motioned, seconded by Mr. Bare, that the majority vote of the members present would be needed to pass a measure. All voted aye. It was also noted that Chairman Hall would be included in voting.
Mr. Inboden expressed concern about how the proxy voting would be handled. Mr. Spriggs stated that he will let the committee know ahead of the meeting what items they anticipate voting on so members who aren’t able to attend a meeting can send their proxy votes to him.
Mr. Spriggs stated he will make the amendments to the bylaws and present them at the next meeting.
Dr. Sanders questioned whether there was any language in the bylaws regarding how many meetings a member is allowed to miss in a row before they are removed from the committee. Mr. Spriggs explained that is not currently in the bylaws. Some members expressed concern about removing committee members if they had good reason to miss meetings. Chairman Hall suggested if attendance becomes a problem, then Mayor Perrin could handle it. Mr. Spriggs agreed, adding that if they notice members consistently miss meetings then he will speak with the Mayor about removing them or replacing them.
Chairman Hall then questioned what comments Mr. Spriggs received from the committee members concerning the proposed growth sector map (see “Proposed revisions of growth sector map” attached). Discussion was first held concerning the area north of Highland Drive in the Industrial Park. Mr. Inboden indicated City Water & Light (CWL) will be building a large sewer line in that area, so they may want to think about changing the rural designation. Mr. Spriggs noted the previous Land Use Map showed mixed use in that area. It was decided to change the area around Commerce Drive to Industrial and have it go past the Rees housing area. It was also decided to make it at least 300 feet along Highland due to other restrictions for that area.
Discussion was then held regarding the area south of Highway 63 near Ingels Road. Mr. Inboden stated CWL will be building a sewer line to service that area. Mr. Bare also noted the new Love’s Travel Stop will be constructed in that area and could spur growth. It was decided to make that area High Intensity.
Discussion was held regarding extending the high intensity designation along Highway 63 on the south past Washington Avenue. It was indicated that major arteries in the city should have swaths around them to allow for growth. Mr. Spriggs questioned how deep the swaths should go. It was decided they should be at least 660 feet to prevent strip development. Mr. Bare also noted they should make the area north of Mahon, south of Highway 63 High Intensity due to projects that are ongoing in that area.
Councilman Burton asked about connecting the greenway spaces in the city, especially on North Johnson and in the southwest part of the city. Mr. Spriggs asked the committee members to keep that in mind because that is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Discussion was held concerning the land along Johnson near the Prospect and Aggie area. Councilman Burton suggested making that a Low Intensity designation instead of Moderate due to the mixed development in the area with stores, residences and apartments. He recommended making that are Low Intensity for vacant land. Mr. Caldwell stated he agrees, but would like to see the Commercial Node for that area extended. Mr. Bare explained he thinks that area is already Moderate Intensity because of the smaller lots. Further discussion was held concerning this area.
Mr. Spriggs provided the committee with information that Mr. Enos has put together concerning growth sectors (see attached). He asked the committee members to review the information so it can be discussed at the next meeting.
Mr. Spriggs added that he will make the changes as suggested by the committee and provided an updated map at the next meeting. He also questioned whether the committee would like to start meeting at 3 p.m. in order to have more time to work. The committee members indicated they would be okay with the change in meeting times. Mr. Spriggs stated he will check with the members who are not present and ask them about the meeting time change. If they are okay with the change, then the committee will start meeting at 3 p.m.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.