Minutes: Traditional Neighborhood Design, May 2007

(Ed. Note: There is audio of this meeting on the blog.)

City of Evansville

Tradition Neighborhood / Residential Design Committee

Subcommittee of Evansville Plan Commission

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 6:00 pm

City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm by Bill Hammann. Present: Bill Hammann, Gil Skinner, Tony Wyse, and Mason Braunschweig (left 7:00). Absent: Carolyn Uren, Sharel Surles, and Gwen Walker. Also present: Tim Schwecke, Dan Wietecha, Dick Woulfe, and Ayn Steilein.

Approve Agenda. Mason Braunschweig asked that further discussion of the Article XI Design Standards be included on the agenda. Gil Skinner made a motion, seconded by Tony Wyse to approve the agenda with amendment; approved unanimously.
Approve Minutes. The committee noted several changes needed to the minutes o the April 24 meeting: Tom Petterson should read Dan Wietecha, correct spelling of Carolyn Uren, and listing Carolyn Uren and Mason Braunschweig as members of the committee. Mason Brauscheig made a motion, seconded by Gil Skinner to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2007 meeting with amendments; approved unanimously.
Review of Design Standards. The committee discussed concerns about the minimum designs standards being required when an existing house is remodeled. Mason Braunschweig said it would be an unrealistic requirement for hundreds of homeowners wanting to finish their basements. Tim Schwecke indicated the intent was for changes affecting the exterior of a house. The committee agreed that the language needed to be more specific about additions and remodeling that involve the perimeter foundation structure of a house.

Bill Hammann raised a question about a sliding point scale depending on the house size to address housing diversity without overburdening the typical starter home. For example, a small house might be required to achieve 50 points, a medium sized house 100 points, and a large house 150 points. Tim Schwecke noted that the starter homes are the ones that most need additional diversity. The committee agreed that it should hear comments from the Plan Commission and the public before second guessing the 100 point requirement.

Review of Accessible Housing Ordinance.

Tim Schwecke distributed an updated draft of the Accessible Housing Ordinance. In answer to a question, Schwecke noted that there is no state or federal mandate for the ordinance. Dan Wietecha questioned the 5-foot turning radius in bathrooms. Bill Hammann noted that the ordinance was a good idea but questioned requiring 20% of new housing units meet the standard. The committee agreed that it should hear comments from the public about the ordinance and 20% requirement. Bill Hammann made a motion, seconded by Mason Braunschweig, to send the ordinance to Plan Commission as a discussion draft; approved unanimously.
Review of Draft Section 130-321 Ordinance. Tim Schwecke distributed a draft ordinance amending Section 130-321 of the Municipal Code regarding residential land uses. Schwecke noted that this addresses some concerns about single family residences such as short-term rental property and RV parking.
Review of Draft TND Code. Tim Schwecke distributed an updated draft of the Traditional Neighborhood District (TND) Ordinance. He noted several changes that would make it more conducive to the Plan Commission later adopting a Unified Development Code. It also has greater emphasis on requiring a fiscal impact analysis for larger TND developments. Schwecke also distributed a draft ordinance to streamline the existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) process, noting that TND applications would follow the same procedures.

Dick Woulfe said that a town of 5000 people does not need 100 different zoning districts. He noted the committee may be discussing some worthy goals but that this is overkill. He further questioned the trend toward requiring mixed-use developments. Ayn Steinlein agreed that her residential neighborhood on East Main Street should not be forced to include commercial development. The committee noted that the mixed-use requirements of the TND Ordinance would not apply to any residential neighborhoods other than new developments specifically interested in developing under the TND standards.

Update on Allen Creek Master Plan. Tabled to next meeting.
Meeting Reminder. The next meeting is Tuesday, April 26, at 6:00 pm.
Adjournment. Bill Hammann made a motion, seconded by Tony Wyse, to adjourn the meeting; approved unanimously at 7:45.