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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 03-06-2002 MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN IIILLS, MINNESOTA . PLANNING COMMISSION WFDNFSDA Y, MARCH 6, 2002 7:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chair Sand called the meeting to order at 7:34 p,m. ROLL CALL Present were Chair David Sand, Commissioners Tcrri Duehenes, Therese Galatowitsch, and Clayton Zimmcrman. Absent: None, Also present were Councilmember Beverly Aplikowski, Councilmember Lois Rem, City Plamler Aaron Parrish, and Recording Secretary Kathlecn Altman. OATH OF OFFICE Councilmember Aplikowski administered the Oath for Chair Sand and Commissioners . Duchenes, Galatowitsch, and Zimmerman APPROVAL OF MINUTES FRO:\l PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 9, 2002. Commissioner Zimmennan requested the following changes/revisions: Page 2, 4th paragraph, second scntence, change she to he. Page 3, number 1 delete parking spaces aftcr the word seven. Page 8, third paragraph from the bottom, revise to read: "Also, Representative McCulhlm has been,.." Commissioncr Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Galatowitsch to approve the January 9, 2002 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (4-0), CASE #02-02 - 3159 SHORFWOOD DRIVE, MINDY SCHULKE. SETBACK VARIAI\TE - PUBLIC HEARING Chair Salld opened the public hearing at 7:37 p,m. Staffrcviewed their report dated February 27,2002. Staff reviewed the five findings ncccssary for a variance. Staffrecommended approval ofthc rcquest based on the findings therein. Commissioner Zimmcrman questioned why staffs report did not corrcspond with the . recommendations. Mr. Parrish cxplained the inconsistencies and revised the recommendation number threc to read: "the property in question can be put to reasonable use as a single-family bome", --------- -------- ARDEN HILLS PLANNIKG COMMISSION - MARCH 6, 2002 2 . Chair Sand pointed out the Commission did not need to find all five recommendations in order to approve this variance Chair Sand stated recommendation number three should be changed to Mr. PalTish's suggestion. Chair Sand asked wbat the eurrcnt depth of the existing deck was, Mr. Parrish replied it was approximately 5 feet, 8 inches. Commissioner Duchenes asked if the existing deck was alrcady non-confolTIling. Mr. Parrish indicated that was correct. Chair Sand stated the decision for the Commission to make was ifthey were going to allow an already non-confornling structure to be expandcd. Mr. Pan'ish stated at the time the deck was built, it was probably confornling. He did not belicve this was an issue the Commission needed to address in order to approve the variance. Commissioner Duchcnes askcd ifthc canopy addition would be under thc same setback rcquirements_ Mr. Parrish stated that was correct. Commissioner Galatowitsch asked what the deck materials would be made from. Ms.Shulke replied they were looking at ironwood, which was similar to teak in aesthetic looks. . Commissioner Zimmennan asked if the applicant wanted to replace the existing dcck, would they be required to have a variance, Mr. Parrish stated that was conecl, He indicated maintenance in general was not necessary for a variance, but a replacement v\iould be. Mr. Parrish noted that most of the development in that area was done in the 1960's and most of the structures were non-COnf0TI11ing, so he assumed the setback was lcss at that time, Chair Sand inquired if there were any letters received from neighbors approving or not approving this proposal. Mr. Parrish responded proper notice had been given and the City had not received any corrcspondcnee either in favor or not in favor of thc proposal. 'vlindy Schulke, 3159 Sborewood Drive, stated they had lived in the house for lour years and they wish to make improvements to the homc. She stated the reason for the expansion was because when they had deck fumiturc on the deck, they could not move around the deck. She indicated the deck was 1l0tlarge enough for their use. She explaincd how the canopy would tie into the deck. Chair Sand asked what type of railing thcy were proposing on the deck. Ms. Schulke rcplicd they had not planned thc railings yet. . Commissioner Galatowitsch asked iftherc would be supports undemeath the ncw deck. Ms, Schulke replied there wOltld be supports added. ARDE:'-J HILLS PLANNING COMMISSIO:'-J - MARCH 6, 2002 3 . Commissioner Zimmemlan asked if Ms. Schulke had spoken with her neighbors regarding this proposal. Ms, Schulke replied thcy had not received any negative feedback from their neighbors regarding their proposal. There were no comments against the proposal. Chair Sand closcd the public hearing at 7:54 p.m. Commissioner Zimmenl1an stated he would be more comfortable replacing an existing deck, rather than encroaching onto the setback another two feet as this proposal was asking. Hc indicated he understood the desire to move around the deck, but he did not like the aesthetics ofthc angle look to the deck by bringing the comer out. He stated he would like to see a two-foot extension all of the way across, instead of having the angle, He indicated he did not see it made any difference if the two-loot was on tbe comer or all of the way across the deck. Commissioner Duchenes stated sbe believed this was a nominal request and she understood why applicant would want to add the corner to the deck. She believed this proposal was a good improvcment to this property. Commissioner Galatowitsch indicated thc plan did not substantially change the existing structure, and she also believed the proposal would improve the gencrallooks of the . home. She indicated she did not have a problem granting this variance. Chair Sand stated be did agrcc that this was a minimal request, and he believed it would improve the prope11y substantially. Hc stated when all orthc factors were weighed, this proposal was still keeping with the zoning code, He indicated he was inclined to approve thc rcq ucst. Chair Sand moved, seconded by Commissioner Duchenes, to approve Case #02-02, 3159 Shorewood Drive, Mindy Schulke, Setback Variance for a 33-foot front yard setback where a 37-foot setback is required in conformance with the design that was submittcd dated Fcbruary 5, 2002, subject to review by the building inspector, for the following reasons: 1. The circumstances for which the variance is requested are uniquc to the property. 2. Granting the variance would bc in keeping with the spirit and intent ofthe City's Zoning Code. 3. The hardship was not created by the property owner. 4_ Granting the variancc will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). . ARDEN H1LLS PLAN:'--JlNG COM:\1ISSION - MARCH 6, 2002 4 . CASE #02-01 - AT&T WIRELESS, SPECIAL USE PERMIT AMENDME~T - PUBLIC HEARING Staff reviewed their report Febmary 27,2002 and rccommended approval for the reasons contained therein. Chair Sand opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m, Chair Sand inquired about the overall issue of antennas on water towers. He asked if the City in the past had a moratorium on the antelmas on water towers. Mr. Parrish replied hc believcd the City had decided until some specific guidelines had been established, there would be no more antennas on water towcrs allowed. However, the gnidelines had now been established and this antenna would meet those guidelines. He did not believe the City had officially adoptcd a moratorium, Dave Trost, Site Acquisition Consultants, 12675 Gennanc Avenue #2, Apple Valley, explained this was an overallupgradc AT&T Wireless was doing. He indicated this was an upgrade from a second-generation wirclcss to a third-generation wireless. He stated one advantage to this proposal was it was not nccessary to add an additional structure and tbe City would also benefit trom this antenna with thc ncw lease agreement. Commissioner Galatowitsch asked if the antemla would be painted to match thc water . tower. :\1r. Trost stated he believed this was a requirement ofthc lease agreement. Chair Sand closcd the public healing at 8:09 p.m. Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Galatowitch, to approve Plmming Case #02-01, AT&T Wireless, Special Use Permit Amendment to add three additional antennas to the three existing antenna anays, The motion canied unanimously (4-0). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS CASE # 02-04 - SUBDIVISIO~ ORDINANCE MODIFICATIONS StatI revicwcd their report dated February 28, 2002 and asked for comments relative to the proposed subdivision Ordinance modifications, Chair Sand inquired about various strccts being tumed back to the City and asked how they would be designated. Mr. Parrish stated more than likely it would be a community street. but this would need to be lookcd by the City Engineer and they would makc recommendations, Chair Sand expressed concem regarding Lake Johanna and New Brighton Park being . community streets, Mr. Panish stated at this point Lake Johanna Boulevard right-of-way was fixcd and this proposed subdivision ordinance would not apply. He indicated this was for new strect construction alld new developmcnts. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2002 5 . Chair Sand asked what would they do with issues of tree planting and sizes of trees. He asked if this ordinance would address those concerns. Mr. Parrish replied thc subdivision ordinance did not address it. Chair Sand suggested "greenscapmg" (i.c. trees, open space) be addressed in this ordinanec. Commissioner Zimme1l11an suggestcd this ordinance address lighting also. Chair Sand pointed out the following typographical errors: Page 11-8, paragraph E, correct the second providc to provides. Page 11-8, paragraph E, last sentence change to: "A large proportion of trips havc neither an origin nor destination on that street". Commissioner Galatowitsch asked that the references to collector streets be changed to community streets and that the new street classifications also be applied to the ordinance. Chair Sand asked for clarification regarding the curb and gutter section of the ordinance. Councilmember Aplikowski explained the type of curb and gutter system would depend on the type of neighborbood as well as if the neighborhood had sidewalks or not. She stated this had been discussed at length and it was decided the curb and gutter would be lookcd at on an individual basis. . Chair Sand suggestcd hiring a consultant to design the TCAAP area to bring unity and confonnity to this area, and requested the City look at funding this request in their budget. Commissioners Galatowitseh and Zimme1l11an agreed. Commissioner Duchenes asked if the County had any design plans, or had hired an architect for the public works building. Mr. Parrish replied they had hired an architect, but no plans had been submitted yet. Chair Sand requested the Commissioners be provided a copy of the needs assessment prepared last year, and the January, 2002 letter sent to the County. He requested the Commission be copied on all sueh future correspondence regarding planning. Commissioner Zimmerman suggested this was the time to solve the problem with all of the "street fighting" that has occurred in the past with respect to maintenance and assessments for street improvcmcnts. Councilmcmber Aplikowski indicated five or six years ago there was ajoint meeting with the pLlblic safety group and there was a task force set up to look at this issue. It was decided by the groups at that time that they did not want to take all of the money out of the budget to Ex roads. She pointed out, however, that things had changed since that time and maybe it was time to look at this issue again. She stated it had been the City policy to pay for half of the roads. She indicated it was the City Council's opinion to leave this policy as it was, but if the Commissioners did not agree with this policy, they . might want to bring this up to thc Council again. Chair Sand asked what half streets and reserve strips were. Mr. Parrish replied this was more applicable to rural areas. In some instances, the development may not occur for width. With respect to rescrve strip, he replied he did not know what that was. ----.-- ARDEN HILLS PLAN"lTNG Cm1MISSION - MARCH 6, 2002 6 . Chair Sand inquired about the residential alley provision and asked if the City wantcd to excludc allcys as a possible development idea. Mr. Parrish pointcd out that the platting rcgulations wcrc flexible and as long as the plattings went through the preliminary plat and final platting proecss, an alley could be requestcd as a variance. Chair Sand asked where the vision triangle elements would fit into this ordinancc. Mr. Parrish stated hc would check the zoning ordinance to see if this was addressed in that ordinance. He also stat cd the building code would apply to the vision triangle. Chair Sand requested if the vision triangle was not addresscd in the zoning ordinance, it be addressed in this ordinance. Commissioner Duchenes pointed out a typographical enor on Pagc 11-35, subd. 9, comer should read corner. Chair Sand moved, seconded by Conuuissioner Zimmerman, to table the subdivision ordinance modifications discussion for further inforn1ation. Motion adopted unanimously (4-0). REPORTS . A. Planning Commissioners Commissioncr Galatowitsch suggested the City philosophy be looked at again and possibly be updated. Councilmember Aplikowski replied staff was also asking the City Council look at the City philosophy. She stated shc agreed that this should be looked at again, or at least it should be more Ji.tlly explained. Chair Sand expressed concem that there was no design uniformity in the City and again requested a eonsultant be hired to design the TCAAP area. He indicated if thc City wanted a quality development, it would be nccessary to spend money to design this arca. Councilmember Aplikowski pointed out that the Army at this time still has the right to decide what development goes on thc TCAAP site, and the Anny was also cntertaining development idcas for this area. She statcd this was a very complicated issLle, but the Mayor was working vcry hard on it. Councilmember Rem stated thc Army had shown no signs of wanting to turn over any of the land to anybody, but at this point, there might be 500 acres left that may be available to the City. She indicated what needed to bc balanced was trying to make a realistic assessment of the timeframe and how much moncy should be spent now when it was not clear as to what was going to be available. . Chair Sand suggested locating a PR pcrsonJcompany who has dealt with thc Federal Govell1ment rcgarding turn over of land. Councilmember Rem replied all of the developers that have approached the City havc indicated they could get the Federal Government to tum over this land. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - MARCH 6, 2002 7 . Chair Sand stated he believed a PR person/company would be a better route than going with a developer in dealing with the Federal Govennnent. Chair Sand requested that the Commissioners be kept informed of all future meetings, presentations, cOlTespondence, etc. regarding City developmcnt and especially the TCAAP area. B. Staff Mr. Parrish stated there was a Guidant neighborhood meeting schcduled for tomorrow night. He indicatcd they had limited infonnation at this point, but Guidant wanted to present thc ncighborhood with a conccpt and get their opinions before they got too far along in the process. C. Councilmember Councilmember Aplikowski stated the Conncil was going to hold two interviews next Monday for further members for the Planning Commission. Councilmember Aplikowski stated the building dedication would be April 20, 2002. She stated on June 22, 2002, there would be another Day in the Park celebratioll. She indicated there \vould be fireworks and possibly a parade. She indicated they were . looking for corporate sponsors at this time. SUPPLEME1\T ARY MATERIALS There were no comments made on the supplementary materials. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Zimmerman movcd, scconded by Chair Sand to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. The motion cauied unanimously (4-0). .