Buffalo Wyoming Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Buffalo Wyoming Planning Commission Meeting Minutes4 /24 /2007
May 3, 2007
Author: CLB

RECORD OF THE MINUTES OF CITY OF BUFFALO, WYOMING
PLANNING COMMISSION

April 24th, 5:00 pm

Present from the Planning Commission were Steve Reimann, Bill Cooley, Don Kraen, and Randy Dyess. Absent from the planning commission was Dick Branaman. Applicants to the Planning Commission were also in attendance, as well as several unidentified members of the public.

Agenda

1. Call to order.
2. Approval of the minutes of the March 27th, 2007 meeting.
3. Adoption of 2007 Comprehensive Plan
4. White Buffalo Annexation
5. Sketch Plan – Garland Addition
6. Sketch Plan – Hatch Addition
7. Madsen Property Discussion on Annexation
8. May Meeting Date
9. Adjourn

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Mr. Kraen called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.

First on the agenda was the Approval of Minutes from April 24th, 2007.
Mr. Dyess made a motion to approve the minutes as recorded
Mr. Reimann seconded the motion.
The motion carried, with all present voting aye.

City Planner Colin Betzler gave a brief background as to the process and timeline of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan, and suggested to the Planning Commission that they recommend the new Comprehensive Plan to the City Council so that the Planning Dept. could start using it as a legal document when looking at future development, codebook work and other planning issues.
A brief discussion ensued regarding the review of the Comp Plan, and it was decided that the PC members would receive a copy of the Comp Plan (if they had not received one already) and would review it before the City Council convened.
A motion was made to recommend the 2007 Comprehensive Plan to the City Council barring any issues discovered by PC members during the coming week before the Council meeting.
The motion was seconded and carried by all present voting aye.

The next item on the agenda was a petition for annexation by Tower West Holdings LLC concerning the White Buffalo property along Hwy 16 E. A representative from the general contractor was present, and shared that the plan for the property was a 68 unit Holiday Inn Express. The issues discussed with this annexation were easements that should be required before the property is allowed to annex. It was also advised that the develop speak with WYDOT before building an approach to the proposed property.
A motion was made to approve the White Buffalo Annexation on the condition that a 20ft easement be required for the southern boundary of the property, as well as an 8 foot easement on the western boundary of the property.
The motion was seconded and carried by all members present.

Next on the agenda was the sketch plan feedback concerning the proposed Garland Subdivision. The sketch plan showed 30 lots on the 24 acre parcel. The City Planner informed the representatives for the developer that in the last few days the issue of requiring a ROW for a proposed Western Corridor road had come up and warranted placing an indefinite hold on the development of this property.
The sketch plan was discussed and the concerns of the Planning Commission were heard. These included, drifting snow potential, gradient of access roads, open space dedication, inclusion of city easements, infrastructure for Hilltop Road, and the potential for development on the neighboring parcel to the west.
No formal action was necessary on this item.

The sketch plan for the Hatch addition was presented next with Josh Johnson representing the developer. The plan shows 23 commercial lots, 51 residential lots, as well as a few multifamily lots situated on the 42 acre property. There was quite a bit of discussion on this sketch plan, but without the presence of the developer nothing concrete was decided upon. The Planning Commission recommended that the developer rethink the design of this subdivision, and expressed their view that a PUD would be more time intensive for all parties involved. Some of the specific issues passed along to the developer were the street widths in the residential pod areas, cul-d-sac turn radius figures, fire hydrant requirements, concern over the proposed road locations, concern over frontage road locations, and storm water issues. Josh Johnson addressed several of these issues, but needed to confer with the developer himself before being able to officially answer many of the Planning Commission concerns. He assured that all the discussion regarding the sketch plan would be discussed in detail with the developer.
No formal action was necessary on this agenda item.

The final agenda item was a discussion concerning Carl Madsen’s 1.9 acre property located just north of McKinney Street. The City Planner gave a background of the issue, detailing how the County Planner had come in requesting the city’s opinion on granting an access point on the North Bypass road. He was also wanting to know what the city would require if the Madsen’s wanted to complete a lot split or subdivision.
Mr. and Mrs. Madsen were present at the Planning Commission meeting and clarified that they were not interested in subdividing or splitting their property at this time, but only interested in gaining an access point onto the North Bypass road from the northern portion of their property. After a general discussion by the Planning Commission, it was decided to let the County make a determination regarding this access point. The Planning Commission would make a recommendation on the access only in the event that the County granted access pending the City’s opinion.
No formal action was taken on this agenda item.

The Planning Commission identified May 22nd as the next meeting date.

Mr. Don Kraen adjourned the Planning Commission for his last time as Chairman. The city is grateful for his service on the Planning Commission during his long tenure as Chairman.