DeKalb – The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission met Monday to discuss a petition by James Hartwig, as well as a final plat of subdivision for a gas station and convenience store planned for the southeast corner of South Fourth Street and Taylor Street.
Seventeen residents near or on South Second Street have submitted emails, letters, petitions and have spoken at public hearings with concerns over a petition for a proposed 6-foot-high privacy fence along a part of the yard of 129 Wendell Place.
The petition was submitted by DeKalb resident James Hartwig with the intention of improving safety and privacy for his children and dog.
On Sept. 15, the Planning and Zoning Commission tabled the matter after hearing numerous testimonies from both the applicant and neighbors.
Opposition included safety concerns affecting cars driving on South Second Street and children walking down Wendell Place, as well as lower property values due to the fence being an abnormality in the neighborhood.
Planning Director Dan Olson addressed neighbors’ concerns about the potential impact of the fence in his Sept. 11 staff report.
“The proposed fence will not alter the character and scale of the structures in the neighborhood nor impact the visibility of any adjoining home or traffic along South Second Street,” Olson said.
Olson added that after an analysis with the city engineer, the fence would not obstruct views from Wendell Place onto South Second Street.
Hartwig noted in the petition that the west side of the lot has three large trees and will be location of a future deck, which limits the usable area of the rear yard.
City Manager Bill Nicklas suggested a compromise through the city’s tree planting program.
“While the City has had a 50/50 tree planting program for the last few years to replace old trees, those funds could potentially be used for tree removal as well, subject to City Council approval.”
The committee also reviewed a final plat of resubdivision for a proposed gas station and convenience store planned for the southeast corner of South Fourth Street and Taylor Street.
According to the staff report, the item involved approval of a resubdivision.
“There will be three fuel islands (six gas pumps) west of the convenience store, which will be about 4,000 square feet. The Final Plat will resubdivide the current Gahagan’s Subdivision and Profit Subdivision into one lot called the DeKalb Gas Resubdivision. The approval of the plat will allow for the sale of the property to the new owner,” the report stated.
A final plat will be submitted and reviewed by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
