NEW WHITELAND PLAN COMMISSION
APRIL 24, 2007
7:00 pm
Chairman, Terry Spencer began the April meeting at 7:06 pm. Members present were Rudy Reading, Ray Rodgers, Scott Alspach, Terry Spencer and Tom Hause. Jim Lasiter was absent. Lee Robbins and Tim Guyer were in attendance.
MINUTES:
Rudy motioned to accept the minutes to the previous meeting as presented. Ray seconded the motion. Vote was 4 affirmative. Terry abstained from voting.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Five building permits were issued, total of $510,440.00.
OLD BUSINESS:
U-HAUL RENTALS AT FOUR STAR VIDEO:
Public Hearing is postponed until the May Plan Commission meeting.
WILLIAM SCALES 285 BITTERSWEET
Lee Robbins received a letter from Mr. Scales attorney, Mike Bullington. Lee wrote him back and stated that Mr. Scales has to pay the $500.0 fine and $10.00 a day fine for 10 days, in order to avoid a court filing fee. Lee is waiting to hear back from Mr. Bullington.
RESIDENTIAL PARKING:
Lee passed out sections on the current parking rules. He asked the members to look at what is required now and see how far we are from what we want.
Lee referenced talked about accessory use requirements and referenced 7-203(c)......”Shall be subordinate in area, extent, and purpose to the principal use of building served”. Can’t have more parking area than you have house.
7-203(f) “The entire floor area of carports, portable carports...etc... shall be of concrete or other permanent hard surface material.”
7-1106 Surface of Parking Area (b) All open off-street parking areas shall be paved with concrete or improved with a compacted macadam base.”
7-1504 (a) All residential driveways shall be designed with sufficient width and length to provide off street parking space for a minimum of two (2) motor vehicles.
7-1504 (e) Only one (1) driveway shall be permitted for each Single Family Dwelling......with a maximum width not to exceed twenty feet (20') at the point of intersection with the street right-of-way line.
Plan Commission
April 24, 2007
Page Two
RESIDENTIAL PARKING (continued)
There was a lot of discussion about residential parking. The problem of people parking cars in their yard causing ruts was discussed, which causes mud to be washed down into the streets.
These problems are increasing and are truly an eyesore.
Maribeth was in the audience and talked about extending concrete driveways with gravel. The gravel could accommodate 2 vehicles adjacent to the existing driveway. The area closest to the street should be paved to eliminate gravel in the streets. Have the ordinance say something like.....gravel cannot extend to the sidewalk or in the Right-Of-Way. There was discussion about set back requirement for a driveway. Lee did some research and stated that a driveway can go up to the property line.
Maribeth also mentioned printing a Newsletter to be mailed or handed out to the town residents.
Lee stated he will try to come up with something in writing, spend some time on it and then the Town can notify people well in advance. There would be a Public Hearing when a new ordinance is adopted.
NEW SHELTER HOUSE AT TRACY COMMONS:
Recently a Shelter House was constructed at Tracy Commons, as a Boy Scout project. Tom Hause stated that several residents are complaining about people parking in front of the houses in Tracy Commons, parking in front of fire hydrants, etc...in order to go to the common area.
Parents are dropping their children off by the retention pond. Litter is accumulating. 8-9 year old kids are being left alone. The other day, Tom rescued a little boy who was in 3' of water and stuck in the mud. Tom has a huge concern for children being left unattended near a retention pond, children are automatically attracted to water.
It was mentioned that playground equipment may eventually be installed. The residents that Tom has spoke with, would prefer that area be left alone. Playground equipment, a body of water plus Tracy Road and the speed limit being what it is, it’s a recipe for disaster, in his opinion.
The retention pond is in the 10 acres that was given to the Town. The police department may be able to address some of these concerns. Lee stated there is no longer a Park Board. If the Town needs to impose some rules that can be enforced, it is the Town Council who would have to do that.
Terry mentioned that a new drive is going to be installed coming off of Tracy Road into the common area. Terry’s company is donating the pipe to put in that ditch. There will be a parking lot installed. A walking trail has been talked about.
Plan Commission
April 24, 2007
Page Three
Rudy motioned to adjourn the meeting. Scott seconded the motion. Vote was 5 affirmative. Meeting adjourned at 8:19 pm
Respectfully submitted:
Cindy Yates
Recording Secretary
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Approved By: