The Planning Commission wrestled with a commercial expansion request before eventually granting approval at the June 10 meeting.
An application to extend a deck at 3094 E. Van Buren, the site of Mei Li Cuisine. Andy Yang explained that he had received approval earlier this year for a deck, and he asked to extend that deck. Yang said the deck would only be used after the restaurant closed. The space would feature light music, which he described as “different from the downtown atmosphere.” He said he would also use the deck as event space.
In response to a question about parking, Yang said he had met with Building Inspector Paul Sutherland and Cassie Dishman, director of Planning and Community Development. Sutherland explained that he had initial reservations about the number of parking spaces and bathrooms. He said the permit will stipulate that the deck only be used when the restaurant is closed. In addition, he noted that the total deck space will remain the same, because an existing deck will be converted to a stage area.
Dishman said if Yang ever wanted to use the deck area while the restaurant was open, he would have to return to the commission. His deck extension was approved with that restriction in place.
In a discussion about metal buildings, Sutherland asked about clarifying city codes. He agreed with restrictions in the historic district, but a variance is currently required for a metal building, even in commercial zones. Dishman acknowledged the presence of many metal buildings in commercial zones, and agreed that city codes should reflect that reality.
Revised codes may consider the exposure of a metal building, with standards relaxed for structures not visible from the road. In other cases, a metal building might need a facade of wood or other material.
Dishman said she has also received inquiries about using a shipping container as a house, but those are strictly prohibited.
In other business:
- Recent meetings have touched upon the possibility of reducing minimum lot size in R-1 zoning. The commissioners agreed on a recommendation to city council to reduce the lot size from 4,000 square feet to 3,200. Side setbacks would also be reduced from 10 to eight feet.
- New commissioner Scott Price asked about a recently passed state law that changes the relationship between cities and their surrounding areas. Dishman explained that cities can still annex additional property, but they can no longer impose jurisdiction in areas outside the city limits.
- In response to a question from a previous meeting, Dishman explained that RV parks do not accept mobile homes, because state codes define RV parks as sites for transient users. The commissioners had discussed re-zoning land for an RV park.
- Commission Chair Fergie Stewart said he attended a recent meeting of the City Advertising and Promotion Commission, where he thanked them for their work. He said he also plans to attend an upcoming meeting of the Historic District Commission.
- A workshop on fences preceded the regular meeting.
- No one attended the meeting to represent a request to remove six trees at 28 Prospect Ave. Commissioner Mike Welch said he had dropped by the site and agreed with removing four of the trees. He said the other two listed trees “look fine to me.” The item was postponed.
- Commissioner Tom Buford received approval from the other commissioners to remove a tree hanging over the top of his house at 32 Dogwood Ridge. Buford said the tree limbs lie on top of his house, and his gutters are affected.
- At 16 Pine Crest Ln., Jeff Gay received approval to remove 10 trees to make space for new construction.
- The agenda for the July 8 commission meeting will include further discussion on metal buildings. Commissioners will also continue discussion of ensuring that tourist lodging establishments are paying taxes to the CAPC. Welch suggested a deeper exploration of the relaxed version of Robert’s Rules which govern commission meetings.