Buffalo Wyoming Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 11/27/2007
Jan 28, 2008
Recorder: AB

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

November 27, 2007

Present from the Planning Commission (PC) were Steve Reimann, Craig Cope, Randy Dyess, Bill Cooley and Dick Branaman.

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Minutes from October 23rd, 2007
3. Lot Line Adjustment—Lot 85 of the Shiloh Addition to the City of Buffalo by Ridgeway Builders LLC (Tabled at October 23rd meeting)
4. Lot Split—Lots 26-34 Block 17 of the Original City. Trudy Schoonover, located adjacent to the Bighorn Motel and behind (East) of Wahoo Liquors.
5. Final Plat—Greenleaf Subdivision Phase 3 Plat layout review and discussion
6. History of the Buffalo Commerce Center Development—Developer Ken Reid
7. December Meeting Date
8. Adjourn



Chairman Steve Reimann called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.

Mr. Dyess made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.
Mr. Branaman seconded the motion.
The motion carried, with all present voting aye.

The third item on the agenda was: Lot Line Adjustment of Lot 85 of the Shiloh Addition to the City of Buffalo by Ridgeway Builders LLC (Tabled at the October 23rd meeting).

The City Planner offered an update on this issue. The applicant has since submitted an application to City Council to vacate a portion of Open Space, Lot 84 to achieve a land exchange of Open Space, Lot 85 based on the opinion of the City Attorney, October 23, 2007. There will be a Public Hearing at the January 2nd City Council meeting. If the City Council approves the Open Space vacation, the item would come back to the Planning Commission as a Boundary Line Adjustment request.

Therefore, the City Planner recommended a motion to reject the motion on grounds that the applicant’s request has changed.

Mr. Cope made a motion to reject the original application request by Ridgeway Builders for a Lot Line Adjustment of Lot 85 of the Shiloh Addition.
Mr. Dyess seconded the motion.
There was no further discussion.
All voted aye, the motion carried.

The fourth item on the agenda was: Lot Split—Lots 26-34 Block 17 of the Original City by Trudy Schoonover, located adjacent to the Bighorn Motel and behind (East) of Wahoo Liquors.

Representing the applicant: Brent Bennett with Grizzly Engineering

Mr. Bennett asked if there were any questions.

The City Planner offered background information on the issue. The applicant has been working with the Planning Department for 7-8 months. The applicant first came to the Planning Office requesting to build higher-density units on the property. There were two main issues with the property, including a large storm sewer line that runs across a portion of the property. The second issue is the odd shape of the property limits certain types of development, with parking being the primary issue. It is believed the applicant is pursuing to sell the property as a parking area.

The City Planner highlighted the city’s concern of the existing firewall. There is currently a block wall functioning as a 2 hour firewall.

Mr. Dyess thought that a true firewall on a commercial building would need to cover 2 feet above the roof of the building.

The City Planner emphasized that the Building Inspector requests a 2 hour firewall and any change to the current firewall would have to comply with the Building Inspector.

Mr. Dyess asked if there was an easement for the storm drain.

The City Planner stated that there is not an easement for the storm drain and it is an active storm drain.

There was discussion among the Planning Commission members to require an easement before considering the Lot Split request.

Mr. Branaman questioned if requiring an easement would penalize the seller.

Chairman Reimann questioned if a condition could be placed on the affidavit.

The City Planner thought that it would be unfair to prohibit any development on the property by placing conditions on the affidavit and if a buyer were to purchase additional parcels there is potential to build.

Mr. Dyess stated that the easement is already there and requiring an easement would protect future buyers and would also protect the city by preventing someone from blocking the storm sewer.

Mr. Dyess suggested that we locate and identify the easement.

Mr. Dyess made a motion to approve the Lot Split with a condition to locate and place an easement.

Mr. Branaman stated his concern that an easement would be a penalty to the seller, and an easement would allow the city to tear up the property if there were a problem on the sewer line.

The City Planner informed the Commission that there is always the risk to the buyer if there is an easement on the property.

Mr. Cope seconded Mr. Dyess’ motion to approve the Lot Split with the condition to locate and add an easement to reflect the city’s storm sewer line.

There was no further discussion.

Mr. Branaman voted no, all others voted aye.
The motion carried.

The fifth item on the agenda was: the Final Plat—Greenleaf Subdivision Phase 3.

This item was removed by request of the developer from the agenda.

The sixth item on the agenda was: History of the Buffalo Commerce Center

Representing the project: Developer, Ken Reid and Jerry Landry

Mr. Reid wished to provide the Planning Commission with the background and history of the Buffalo Commerce Center given that the project was last presented to the Buffalo Planning Commission 12 years ago.

Mr. Reid chose to address several issues with the project.

One such issue with the project was flooding from the irrigation ditch in the preliminary plat phase. A culvert was built when the road was constructed; at some point the culvert was changed. Mr. Reid admitted that this needs correction. Mr. Reid prefers natural drainage. A Stormwater Mitigation Plan was hinted at, in order to direct water into the green area and off of the roads. Planner strips/buffers were also mentioned.

Mr. Reid addressed the street width. The road is currently 28 feet wide with a curve to minimize traffic speed in the area.

Chairman Reimann asked how the road was functioning given the industrial traffic.

Mr. Reid stated that there have been no accidents.

Mr. Cope questioned the access points for emergencies.

Mr. Dyess thought the road width was fine and mentioned the need for additional accesses with the potential development in the surrounding area.

Developer Reid mentioned there are plans for future access points, the preliminary plat does include these spurs.


Mr. Reid commented on a previous Lot Split, Lots 31-32. The City approached Mr. Reid to make the Lot Split for the benefit of Mine Right. Mr. Reid was agreeable with the condition to finish the streets. Mr. Reid later requested a Lot Split, Lot 28 and the City required a paved street. The Subdivision Agreement stated such. Mr. Reid stated that many promises were made by Doug Thompson, Economic Development Group/Joint Powers Commerce Park as a well as by former Planning Director, Jeremy Grimm that they would immediately pursue funding to complete the street if Mr. Reid agreed to the Lot Split. Mr. Reid was not in favor of supporting the Lot Split unless some funding was provided. The Subdivision Agreement stated such.

Mr. Reid emphasized that to date no monies have been pursued to complete the street.

The City Planner defended the Commerce Park Joint Powers Board and mentioned that several grant opportunities have been pursued. In addition, the purchase of the Urrey building has become the top priority of the Commerce Park JP Board given the availability of state funds.

Mr. Reid stated that Mr. Betzler highlighted the issue, that funds are going to new projects rather than funding previous commitments.

The City Planner suggested that if the Sunset Business Park expands to the north then the project may take a higher priority in the near future.

Mr. Reid stated that his project made the other such projects possible.

Mr. Reid stated his purpose of addressing these topics was to brief the new members of the Planning Commission.

Mr. Reid stated that he hopes it all works out and that promises are not forgotten.

The City Planner stated that he believes that a 28 foot road is too narrow for a commercial road.

Mr. Reid asked the City Planner to explain his opinion.

The City Planner stated that the park is a commerce park and is designed to attract large-scale businesses operations, predominant users of semi-trucking. The City Planner suggested a 32 or 34 foot road, with no parking, in order to add travel ease and safety.

There was discussion on the water rights in conjunction with the ditch.

Mr. Reid thanked the Planning Commission for their time.

The seventh item on the agenda identified December 19th as the next Planning Commission meeting date, and the Planning Commission was presented with a schedule of future workshops.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.