Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND PLAN COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of June 20, 2007 The Highland Plan Commission met in regular session on June 20, 2007 in the meeting room of the Municipal Building, 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The meeting opened at 7:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Building Commissioner Ken Mika. ROLL CALL: Present on roll call: Commissioners Joseph Wszolek, Richard Underkofler, Mario Martini, Tom Agler, Judith Mayer, and Daniel Buksa. Absent: David Jones. Also present: Attorney David Westland, Plan Commission Attorney; John Phipps, Plan Commission Engineer; and Barbara Knight, Recording Secretary. MINUTES: Commissioner Buksa asked if there were any no deletions, additions or corrections to the minutes of the May 16, 2007 meeting. Hearing none they were approved as posted. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commissioner Buksa announced that the next Plan Commissioner Study Session would be held on July 4th which is a holiday and asked the Members of the Board if would consider moving the study session to the following week, Commissioner Martini moved to move the July 4 study session to the July 11, 2007, at 6: 30 P.M. Motion seconded by Commissioner Agler and unanimously carried by roll call vote 6-0. The next business meeting will be held on June 20, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. COMMUNICATION: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. Commissioner Buksa indicated that he was going to deviate from the agenda and go to the Public Hearing for Docket #2007-03, Northwest Indiana Clinics, Inc. 1630 – 45th Street, Munster, In 46321. Preliminary hearing to rezone property located at 2424 Ridge Road from R-1, Single Family Residential and R-3 Multi-Family Residential to PB- Professional Business District. Attorney Wyllie, stated that he was present to represent Northwest Indiana Clinics, Inc. and requested that the public hearing be continued to the July 18th meeting. Commissioner Buksa indicated that there were remonstrator present and asked Mr. Wyllie if he had any objections to having them speak if they so desired. Mr. Wyllie stated that he did not have any objects if they wanted to speak. Commissioner Buksa then asked if the legal notices for the public hearing were in order. Attorney Westland indicated that the legal notices were in order and the notice signs were placed on the property as requires. Mr. Buksa then asked those present if they would like to be heard now or wait until the July meeting. Mr. Rogers, 2418 Ridge Road stated that he lives next door to the West of the property and his family has owned this property for about 75 years., he went on to say that he was against the rezoning, he felt that if they rezone it and expand the Clinic that is on Indianapolis Blvd and put in a drive that would open onto Ridgewood they would have a lot of traffic using this drive to exit onto Ridge Road which would become a safety factor for the children. Dr. Vo, 2426 Ridge Road stated that he lives next door to the East and he also was concerned with the added traffic from Ridgewood and also was concerned about a sanitary sewer line that is under the driveway that is shared by both the house at 2424 Ridge Road and him. Mr. Erb, 2430 Ridge Road also was against the rezoning. There being no further comments from the Floor, Commissioner Buksa asked if there were any questions or comments from the members of the Board. With no questions, Commissioner Wszolek moved to continue the public hearing to the July 18th meeting and place them on the July 11th Study session. Motion seconded by Commissioner Martini and unanimously carried by roll call vote 6-0. NEW BUSINESS: Preliminary hearing for Petar & Miroslava Kostur & Sundi & Kabita Bibakar, (K & S Testing) 9715 Kennedy Avenue, Highland. Attorney Mike Muenich was present to represent the petitioners and stated that they were before the Board to request a public hearing to rezone property located at 9715 Kennedy Avenue from R2 single and Two Family Residential to B1 local Business. He stated that the property owners are planning to install a 6 foot solid PVC fence and also will be installing an enclosure for the dumpster, Commissioner Wszolek moved to grant K & S Testing a public hearing to be held on July 18, 2007 and to place them on the July 11th study session. Motion seconded by Commissioner Agler and unanimously carried by roll call vote 6-0. Preliminary hearing for BB & S Partners, LLC, 9004 Indpls. Blvd. Mr. Schuyler was present and stated that they were before the Board to request a public hearing for a 3 lot subdivision to be located at 2340 – 41st Street to construct three (3) six (6) unit condominiums and also to request to rezone the property from R2 Single and Two Family Residential to R3 Multi-Family Residential. Commissioner Underkofler moved to grant BB & S Partners, LLC a public hearing to be held on July 18, 2007 and to place them on the July 11th study session. Motion seconded by Commissioner Wszolek and unanimously carried by roll call vote 6-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Public hearing for Timothy & Holly Colby, 2704 – 45th Street. Dr. Colby was present and stated that they were before the board to request primary approval for a 1 lot subdivision to be located at 2704 – 45th St. He went on to say that they are proposing to construct a commercial building on the property with 4 suites. They will have a dental office in the front suite and the remaining 3 will be rented to other businesses. Commissioner Buksa indicated that this is a public hearing and asked if the legal notices were in order. Attorney Westland stated that the legal notices were in order and the notice sign was placed on the property as required. Commissioner Buksa asked if there were any remonstrators present for or against the petitioner. Elizabeth Gill, 2704 – 45th Street stated that she rents the house that is currently on the property and she felt that they did not give her enough notice that she would have to move. Dr. Colby replied that she had a one year lease which ran from July 1st 2006 to June 30, 2007 and they notified her the first of June that they would not be renewing her lease. There being no further comments from the floor, Commissioner Buksa closed the public hearing to the floor and indicated to Ms. Gill that the Plan Commission does not have any control of her lease with her landlord. He then asked Mr. Phipps if the engineering drawings were in order, Mr. Phipps indicated that they were and there is a letter from him in the file. Commissioner Buksa asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. There being no questions or comments, Commissioner Wszolek moved to grant primary subdivision approval for the one lot subdivision, motion seconded by Commissioner Mayer and unanimously carried by roll call vote 6-0. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Mr. Underkofler stated that he was working on the 2007 Strategic Plan and Capital Improvement Program for the Town of Highland and needed the input from the members of the Plan Commission. Commissioner Buksa stated that #6, update the Zoning code to deal with issues pertaining to screening, landscaping, lighting, building materials and standards is one of his goals in the upcoming year. Also supports #10, initiate a study of street intersections to identify where fences have been constructed beyond the building setback line. Commissioner Buksa also stated that under the Potential Budget Reduction Strategies section #32 he felt that more information would be needed before the Town Council considers hiring a full-time engineer. Commissioner Agler questioned #2, Mr. Underkofler stated that this was already accomplished, 3 vehicles have already been delivered for use by the Building Department for Code Enforcement. Commissioner Agler indicated that he too supports #6 and #10. Commissioner Wszolek stated that it is important that the Plan Commission work more closely with the Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Underkofler thanked the members of the Commissioner for the input. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Commissioner Martini moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Commissioner Wszolek and unanimously carried by voice vote 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M. [BACK]