07-09-14 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 9, 2014 10 Chair Larson opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Chair Larson reported that the planned garage was the same size as the existing garage. He believed that the tabling of this request at the June Planning Commission meeting was successful. Commissioner Bartel agreed stating the new plan would greatly improve the site. He supported the Planning Case but believed only one variance was being requested. He suggested the language of the variance be reworded regarding the rotation of the structure. Commissioner Bartel moved and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 14-017 for a Variance at 3441 Lake Johanna Boulevard based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the ten (10) conditions in the July 9, 2014, report to the Planning Commission with rewording of the variance. The motion carried unanimously 4-1 (Holewa opposed). B. Planning Case 14-019; Zoning Code Amendment – Lighting Regulations – Not a Public Hearing Associate Planner Bachler stated that at the meeting on June 4, 2014, the Planning Commission reviewed the City’s regulations on exterior lighting and discussed several areas where revisions could be made. Specifically, the discussion focused on how best to address the higher levels of luminosity associated with LED lights. Staff has since begun working on a draft of Ordinance 2014-006 that would update the exterior lighting requirements in Section 1325.05 of the Zoning Code. Section 1320 also includes detailed requirements on exterior lighting for specific districts within the City. With the proposed revisions to Section 1325.05, some of the district-specific regulations will become duplicative. The final draft of Ordinance 2014-006 will include updates to Section 1320 to ensure consistency on lighting standards throughout the Zoning Code. Associate Planner Bachler explained that the Commissioners were generally in agreement that the regulations should be written to limit light trespass and establish prescriptive design requirements to reduce light pollution. Additionally, it was recommended that a maximum lumen level be set to limit the intensity of individual light fixtures. The Commissioners also discussed having height limits for exterior lights, with more restrictive requirements for lights within a certain distance of adjoining properties. Associate Planner Bachler reported that the applicability of the lighting regulations was discussed as well. In order to evaluate compliance with many of the standards, a detailed lighting plan would be required. The Planning Commission concluded that only commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties should have to submit these plans. However, residential properties would still be required to follow the established standards. Finally, staff was instructed to look into whether certain types of lighting, such as holiday lights and illumination of flagpoles, should be exempted from these regulations. Lighting Plan Associate Planner Bachler stated that the first section of Ordinance 2014-006 addresses in what situations the City would require a lighting plan and the details that would need to be included in these plans. Staff believes that an appropriate time to require a lighting plan would be when a