Buffalo Wyoming Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 1/7/09
Jan 30, 2009
Recorder: Alicia

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

January 7, 2009

Present from the Planning Commission (PC) were Chairman Steve Reimann, Craig Cope, Jim Martin, and Kate Harness.
Absent: Bill Cooley

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda for 1-7-09
3. Approval of the Minutes from 11-24-08
4. Dube Minor Subdivision Sketch Plat
5. Oral/Written Comments
6. January Meeting Date is Tuesday, January 27th, 5 p.m. @ City Hall
7. Adjourn



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

Mr. Martin made a motion to approve the Agenda.
Mr. Cope seconded the motion.
Chairman Reimann called for further discussion.
There was none.
The motion carried, with all present voting aye.

Mr. Cope made a motion to approve the Minutes from 11-24-08.
Ms. Harness seconded the motion.
Chairman Reimann called for further discussion.
There was none.
The motion carried, with all present voting aye.

The fourth item on the agenda was: Dube Minor Subdivision Sketch Plat

The City Planner provided the introduction. The property is located east of the City’s water plant. The property falls within the one-mile joint jurisdiction area. The Plat has been reviewed by the County Planning Commission. The Final Plat will be reviewed by the City and County Planning Commissions and will need approval from the City Council and the County Commissioners.

The property is 5.93 acres and the request is for a split into 2 lots. The larger lot is the NE portion, 4.5 acres and the SW portion is approximately 1.5 acres. The SW portion is currently used as a bunkhouse and business, the house on lot 1 is a residence.

The City Planner noted the Sketch Plat includes a 30 ft easement on the west. The access is from Highway 16W.

The City Planner noted that the applicant was in attendance, Pete Dube as well as the applicant’s engineers.

The City Planner noted that no formal action was required however a motion was recommended for any conditions determined at the meeting to be present on the Final Plat.

The Applicant presented his request. The Applicant explained his request to sell the NE portion of the lot.

Chairman Reimann asked if the easement was satisfactory to the City.

The City Planner added that the Public Works Director and Fire Chief were satisfied with the easement. The easement is on private property.

Chairman Reimann asked the purpose of the existing road.

The City Planner replied that the road is an access to the City’s water treatment plant. The City allows the road to be used for emergency access only and is not open to developing the road any further or opening the road to the public at this time.

Mr. Martin asked if the easement provided access to lot 2.

The applicant replied yes, the Department of Transportation would not allow a second access off Highway 16 at this time.

Mr. Martin asked if the applicant was anticipating a joint use access.

The applicant replied he was anticipating a joint use access which is the current use. The applicant reported that the County did not have a problem with the joint access.

Chairman Reimann asked if the City was satisfied with a joint use access/easement.

The City Planner noted that the City is not recommending forcing a dedicated right of way at this time. Although the area displays higher density development potential, development occurring in the near future is not anticipated. A cul de sac off a state highway is not encouraged. The current easement (200 ft on the south and 400 on the north) does not lend itself well to become a public road at this time.

Mr. Cope asked what the current density allows.

The City Planner noted the property was located in the County and the County currently does not have zoning. The property owners could not legally hook onto City water at this time due to a City ordinance. DEQ would restrict the number of single wells that would be allowed. If the City allowed water, City multi-densities would be possible.

Mr. Cope asked what the likelihood of City densities was.

The City Planner answered City densities were not likely.

Mr. Martin asked if there was a problem with creating a flag lot.

The City Planner noted the City Fire Chief’s comments. The Fire Chief recommended a 50’ turning radius for emergency vehicles. The City typically requires a 24’ all-weather graveled road in similar cases. County fire would be responding first to this area since it is currently in the County.

The City Planner noted the turning radius is a recommendation of the City Planner and the City Fire Chief for inclusion on the Final Plat.

The City Planner discussed the mitigating circumstances of the request. The easement is wide and there is a second emergency access road at the south end of the property.

Chairman Reimann asked if future subdivision requests would require additional review.

The City Planner noted that future subdivision requests would require additional review.

The City Planner added that the City is concerned with flag lots when the access is narrow (15 feet or less) and the access is shared by multiple properties.

Chairman Reimann asked about the water and sewer agreement.

The City Planner noted that City would be responsible for drafting a water and sewer agreement. Water agreements are contingent on the City revising the current City ordinance. Sewer would be available at any time.

Chairman Reimann asked what would trigger connectivity in such an agreement.

The City Planner noted the options. The options include further development, modifications to existing septic or well, or a timeline. The applicant would be consulted when drafting an agreement. In this case, the agreement will likely be contingent on the revision of City code and a water main being in certain proximity to the property. A service line would be required if those conditions were met. The shared water well on the property was a concern of the County Planning Commission.

The applicant prefers not to drill second water well since connectivity to the City water service is thought to be in the near future.

Chairman Reimann asked if the request was consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

The City Planner noted that the request was in the joint jurisdictional zone and has not been identified with a future land use designation. The area would be reviewed with the County when the County implements zoning.

Ms. Harness asked for explanation of the access gate.

The City Planner noted that access gate was an effort to formalize access to the property from the City road. The property owners and emergency services would have access. A gate would protect access to City property. A gate would not likely create a barrier to emergency services.

Chairman Reimann asked if there were any further considerations.

The City Planner noted that they had been addressed.

The City Planner repeated the recommendation that the 50’ turning radius be required for inclusion on the Final Plat.

Mr. Cope asked is a 16 ft easement was sufficient.

The City Planner noted that the Fire Chief did not address this point and the City could wait for the County Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Chairman Reimann asked for further comment.

Mr. Martin asked if the water and sewer agreement should be requirement.

The City Planner noted the agreement would be drafted by the City and presented during the Final Plat submittal.

Mr. Martin made a motion to require inclusion of a water and sewer agreement and a sufficient turning radius in the NW quadrant of lot 2 for Final Plat submittal.
Mr. Cope seconded the motion.
Chairman Reimann called for further discussion.
There was none.
The motion carried, with all present voting aye.

The fifth item on the agenda was: Oral/Written Comments

Chairman Reimann asked for public oral or written comments.

Chairman Reimann asked for the status of the revised Subdivision Code.

The City Planner noted the final Open House for public review of the revised Subdivision Code was planned for January 22nd; 5 p.m. at City Hall. If there are no public concerns at the Open House the Planning Commission will likely vote to recommend the new requirements at the January Planning Commission meeting.

A Planning Commission retreat is planned for late winter. The City Planner asked for available dates from Commission members.

January 27th is the next meeting date.

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.