CCP 09-27-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . . ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION! COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2004 3 Mayor Aplikowski started the discussion by stating her view on variances, Commissioners Ricke and Zimmerman both indicated that sometimes it is difficult to tell if what the applicants are representing as their only option for development is in fact their only option, The Commissioners and Councilmembers asked to receive their Planning Commission packets at least one week prior to the Planning Commission meeting, Chair Sand asked staff to be more stringent with potential variance applicants, Commissioners Larson and Rickc indicated that often the hardship criteria stating "whether the hardship was caused by the property owner" is almost always listed as no in the staff report, The Commissioners indicated they think that even ifit is the second or third owner, the current owner is still responsible for conditions created by prior property owners, Researching these conditions is part of the due diligence in purchasing a property. Commissioner Sand said that if an application doesn't meet the criteria for a variance it is staffs role to make a recommendation to deny and then thc Planning Commission (and Council) can agree or disagree, Commissioner Larson recommended that staff track variances to detennine if there's a problem with a particular part of the Zoning Ordinance and if so, staff and the Planning Commission will know what needs to be fixed. Mayor Ap1ikowski indicated that some variances deserve a little more leniency; i,e, constructing two'car garages that are 4,5 feet fyom propcrty lines, workshop spaces for garages, decks to be closer to property lines. Commissioners and Councilmembers discussed whether staff should include recommendations on staff reports or just analyze the information and not include a recommendation, Community Development Director Clark stated that applicants routinely ask staff what their chances are for getting an item approved, so whether or not staff makes a recommendation there is an expectation by the applicant that staff will communicate precedents of the reviewing bodies. Councilmember Holdcn asked staff what percentage of potential variance cases go before the Planning Commission and Council. City Planner Hellegers stated that he did not know the exact percentage but many cases never reach a fonnal application after staff informs the applicant of the Ordinance language and the likelihood of the application receiving denial. 3. Buildi"!! Materials