Colby-Thomas County Metropolitan
Area Planning Commission

July 15, 2010


The Colby-Thomas County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission of the City of Colby, Kansas, met in regular session on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 9:30 A.M. in the Council Chambers.  Chairman Charles Schwanke called the meeting to order.


ATTENDANCE:

PRESENT:   Chairman Charles Schwanke.  Members Rod Williams, Al Gerstner, Doug Lewis, Wayne Sulzman, Ivan Lee.  

ABSENT:   Members Paul Bailey, Tylon Mengel, Rob Stithem.

ALSO PRESENT:  Joni Ketchum - City Clerk; Robert McLemore – Fire Chief; Ken Bieber - Mayor; Rick Dickman - Building Official; Delin Thompson, Peter Stephens.


APPROVAL OF JUNE 10, 2010, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:

MOTION BY Rod Williams seconded by Wayne Sulzman, to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2010, regular meeting.  VOTING AYES:  Charles Schwanke, Rod Williams, Al Gerstner, Doug Lewis, Wayne Sulzman, Ivan Lee. NOES: None. ABSENT: Paul Bailey, Tylon Mengel, Rob Stithem.  Chairman Schwanke declared the motion carried.


OLD BUSINESS:

A.   None.


NEW BUSINESS:

A.     RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ON APPROVAL OF DAYCARE HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT RENEWAL FOR SUSIE’S CIRCUS – SUSAN BROGAN, 590 S. CLEVELAND FOR JULY 1, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2011- MOTION BY Doug Lewis, seconded by Al Gerstner to recommend the approval of the Daycare Home Occupation Permit renewal for Susie’s Circus to the Council for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. VOTING AYES: Charles Schwanke, Rod Williams, Al Gerstner, Doug Lewis, Wayne Sulzman, Ivan Lee. NOES: None. ABSENT: Paul Bailey, Tylon Mengel, Rob Stithem. Chairman Schwanke declared the motion carried.

D.   RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ON NEW DAYCARE HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT FOR PEACE OF MIND SUNSHINE TOTS – COLLEEN LOPEZ, 1111 S. COURT AVENUE- MOTION BY Doug Lewis, seconded by Wayne Sulzman to recommend the approval of the new Daycare Home Occupation Permit for Peace of Mind Sunshine Tots to the Council. VOTING AYES: Charles Schwanke, Rod Williams, Al Gerstner, Doug Lewis, Wayne Sulzman, Ivan Lee. NOES: None. ABSENT: Paul Bailey; Tylon Mengel, Rob Stithem. Chairman Schwanke declared the motion carried.

Tylon Mengel arrived at 9:50 A.M.

B.   DISCUSSION ON ZONING REGULATIONS FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS- Charles Schwanke said in comparison to Hays and Salina, Colby has a smaller area for the light industrial districts but there are multiple areas. He also stated that the regulations should be different for the districts bordering downtown Colby than they are in other areas of town. Al Gerstner thinks that they need to make their own zoning regulations and move forward with them. Rick Dickman said that the current regulations are limited and vague on their descriptors and he is looking for direction on the expansion of these regulations. Doug Lewis agreed that the regulations need to be easier to interpret. Pete Stephens told the commission that he just wants clarification on the regulations so he knows how to proceed with his business. Charles told Pete that if changes were made to the existing ordinance it would contain a grandfather clause and the commission tries to work with people to get each situation in hand. Ivan Lee said that he thought the City should just enforce what is already in the regulations for the Light Industrial District and that they need to remember that there is also a Nuisance Ordinance to consider which covers everything within the city limits. Rod Williams thinks that there needs to be better clarification for Rick’s benefit. Mayor Bieber told the commission that the City Council wants the Planning Commission to have clarification and enforcement on their zoning regulations. Charles said that they might need some study sessions and Wayne Sulzman suggested getting a committee together to look over the regulations in depth. Charles asked for volunteers for the committee. Rod, Tylon, Ivan and Wayne volunteered and Rick said he would sit in on the meetings. Doug Lewis said that he will try to make it to the meetings if he is in town. Rick asked what day and time would be good for everyone and it was decided to meet for the next few weeks on Thursday nights at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers starting July 22nd.

C.   UPDATE ON CURRENT PROJECTS-

        The Hampton Inn opened on June 10th.

        The Sleep Inn is scheduled to open August 15th.

Rick brought to the Planning Commission’s attention that the Thomas County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, July 19th at 11:00 AM in reference to the asphalt plant that is interested in coming to Colby.

Citizens Medical Center’s project is moving along. Rod Williams said that they are still planning on being finished around the first of September.

Rick received a call from an interested party for a lot out by Walmart, but said he has been playing phone tag with the individual.

Rick said he hasn’t heard anything more on the company that is interested in building a tire recycling facility in Colby.

The sidewalk project is progressing.

The pool project has been started and the sewer line is in.  

ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION BY Rod Williams, seconded by Doug Lewis, to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 A.M. VOTING AYES: Charles Schwanke, Rod Williams, Tylon Mengel, Al Gerstner, Doug Lewis, Wayne Sulzman, Ivan Lee. NOES: NONE.  ABSENT:  Paul Bailey, Rob Stithem.  Chairman Schwanke declared the motion carried.

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Joni L. Ketchum, City Clerk