Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-03 P & ZCITY OF CENTERVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DECEMBER 3, 2002 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning and Zoning Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on December 3, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Ray DeVine Tom Wilharber Brian Hanson David Kilian John McLean ABSENT: Mary Jo Helmbrecht COUNCIL: Council Member Travis STAFF: Ms. Moore-Sykes I. CALL TO ORDER 1.Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. II. PUBLIC HEARING(S) 1. Mr. & Mrs. John Buckbee III, 7381 Peltier Lake Circle, PUD/Special Use Permit Request. Chair Hanson opened the public hearing at 6:35 p.m. Mrs. Buckbee indicated she had filed for a PUD as there is some confusion as to whether or not a PUD is required. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that Staff feels that a PUD is required in this case as the 15,000 square foot is a small lot as opposed to the bigger lot that the townhomes sit on. She then said that developer feels the lot is the whole lot that the two buildings sit on and, in that case, he would meet the requirements, but it is her understanding that each townhome sits on its own lot not two townhomes on one lot. Mrs. Buckbee asked whether the townhome owner or the Association would own the lot. Commissioner McLean indicated that two units together with a zero lot line would be two lots. Page 1 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission Commissioner DeVine indicated he needed information from the developer as to whether the homeowner or the Association would own the lot. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated the plat would be recorded with each individual townhome owner and for recording purposes that would be defined as the lot. Commissioner McLean commented that, by definition, if the units share a zero lot line that divides them into two lots. Commissioner Wilharber commented that the Association is usually in charge of the maintenance and the land is owned by the individual homeowner. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated a public hearing is scheduled for December 9, 2002 at the Council meeting. Mrs. Buckbee indicated the developer has reduced the number of twin homes but noted the twinhomes along the channel would stay due to the soil conditions in the area. Ms. Moore-Sykes recommended continuing the public hearing and recommend that Council continue that public hearing to January as there is not enough information from the developer to act on this. Motion by Commissioner DeVine, seconded by Commissioner Kilian to continue this public hearing to the end of the meeting. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Vacation of Goiffon Road Chair Hanson opened the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Ms. Moore-Sykes explained that several months ago the church had requested that Goiffon Road be vacated. She then said that the church is planning a renovation or expansion of the church and vacating the street would allow the church more property to expand. The other reason is that during church activities it creates a traffic hazard because people park along that street. Commissioner Kilian indicated he was notified as he lives on Sorrel Street and will abstain from the vote. Mr. Kilian asked why the Council reinitiated the discussion. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated there were some discussions earlier and as part of Anoka County’s proposed plans for County Road 14 it shows that the road is vacated. Mr. Kilian what happens to traffic patterns on Sorrel and Heritage with that street closed. He then said that Goiffon seems to be a good road and closing it would move the traffic Page 2 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission over to Sorel Street. He further commented that the church has a big parking lot that belongs to the City but they do not use it. He also suggested putting up no parking signs on one side of the street and adding a crosswalk to alleviate the traffic issues. Chair Hanson asked if the street would be used as a parking lot or if it would be a dead end if vacated. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated she was not sure of the church’s plans. She then read a letter submitted by Tim Rehbein asking the City to reconsider the vacation as it has potential impacts on the future of the downtown revitalization project. Julie Lindsey of 1687 Sorel Street indicated she would like to know more about what the church has planned for the street and what kind of construction is planned. She then said she is also concerned with the future plans for downtown and how closing this street would affect those plans. Chair Hanson asked when the County intends to come through with widening CSAH 14. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated it would be 2005 to 2006 before that happened. Mrs. Sanna Buckbee of 7381 Peltier Circle asked if there were homes on the other side of the street or if the church owns that block. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated it was her understanding the vacation is for that part that abuts the church property. Commissioner Wilharber indicated he is on the administrative council for the church and the biggest issue is traffic and safety. He then said that since his retirement he has been doing more work for the church and it is not uncommon that people come flying through there as they do not realize that Main Street goes to the east. Commissioner Wilharber indicated that vacating the street would eliminate cost to the City for maintenance. He then said that the traffic pattern would need to change for those residents that live by LaMotte Park and the other side of Sorrel. He further indicated he had spoken to the Police Department and the Fire Department and both feel that vacating the street would improve traffic and safety in the area. Commissioner Wilharber indicated the main issue for the church is traffic and safety and the church is not sure what it intends to do with renovating and/or expanding. A resident asked if the City had considered speed bumps. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated there is an issue with clearing the streets where speed bumps are used. Mr. Kilian suggested adding bigger 30 mph signs to slow traffic down. Commissioner Wilharber indicated the police department has officers that sit on that stretch of road quite often and it is a very good revenue for the police department because people do not slow down and adding signs would not help. Chair Hanson indicated he would like to have Staff assess the road conditions on Sorrel and Heritage since this would add extra traffic to them. Page 3 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission Mr. Kilian indicated he has trouble getting out during rush hour times and that would become even more difficult with additional traffic. Commissioner DeVine indicated he was not ready to vote on the vacation as he feels there is more to consider with how this would affect the downtown revitalization. He then said he would like to recommend forming an active committee to discuss the vision of the City for downtown. Commissioner McLean indicated he would like to have some traffic pattern information. Council Liaison Travis indicated the road could be closed without being vacated. A resident asked if the road could be barricade on Sundays. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that it could. Commissioner Wilharber indicated he was not sure if the City wants to put itself into the liability situation of closing the street and having something happen. Commissioner DeVine indicated that would be a temporary fix. He then said the City owns half a block and may need the use of the street for redevelopment. He then said he would recommend forming a downtown revitalization committee that is active to discuss the matter. Motion by Commissioner DeVine, seconded by Commissioner McLean to close the public hearing. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Hanson closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Chair Hanson indicated he did not think this was the right time to close the road and suggested further research into the ramifications of doing so. Commissioner McLean indicated it would seem premature at this point and would like more research into the redevelopment of downtown. Commissioner Wilharber commented that the City may not have the answers until Main Street is done. He then said that the County does not want to do anything to impede the flow of traffic and stop signs and stoplights impede traffic. He further indicated that the church cannot look at expanding to the west if the street is not vacated. Mr. Kilian indicated the church does not have enough parking to expand in its current location. Commissioner Wilharber indicated that taking out the rectory would make more room for parking on the hill. Mr. Kilian indicated that most businesses that outgrow an area move and expand to where it is suitable and do not just expand to the limits of the property and push their overflow onto other people. Page 4 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission Commissioner DeVine indicated that having the church expand to the west would make sense but he would still like to have a committee research and discuss the best options for the roadway in relation to the overall plan for downtown. Commissioner Wilharber indicated that the letter concerning vacating the street was sent to 45 residents and only two are here. He then said as a member of the administrative council of the church he is representing them. Chair Hanson indicated he would like more information on what the church is planning on doing before he could say go ahead. He then said that Commissioner Kilian raised a good concern with parking and he would like more information to make sure that the City is doing the right thing for the residents that live in that area. Chair Hanson asked Commissioner Wilharber to provide basic information on the church’s expansion plans. Commissioner DeVine suggested that a parking solution may be in the old public works area if that is developed. He then commented that former City Administrator Jim March had a proposal to knock down the buildings in the area and build a two-story office building and a public parking facility that would help out the City in terms of taxes. Motion by Chair Hanson, seconded by Commissioner DeVine to recommend denial of the vacation of Goiffon Road. Ayes – 3, Nays – 1 (Wilharber), Abstain – 1(Kilian). Motion carried. Commissioner Kilian questioned whether Commissioner Wilharber should abstain from voting on this matter. Commissioner Wilharber indicated he receives no personal gain and there is no need for him to abstain. th 3. Gerald Rehbein – 20 Avenue South, Lot Split/Variance Request Chair Hanson opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated this property is the piece that the people want to construct a dog kennel on and Mr. Rehbein is proposing splitting the lot to two parcels one that is 434 by 321 and one that is 155.85 by 350 feet. She then indicated that this would create a nonconforming lot so a variance is required. Commissioner Wilharber asked how Parcel A would be serviced. Mr. Rehbein indicated he owns the land around it. Commissioner Wilharber asked if Mr. Rehbein would you an easement to fulfill the proper street requirement. Mr. Rehbein indicated that he would. Page 5 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission Mr. Rehbein indicated the City approved a lot split and he failed to have it recorded and then the code was changed to require wider lots. He then indicated he has added 30 feet of property to make the lot wider but he has no more to add. Commissioner Wilharber commented that adding a road further narrows the lot and if there is no road then Parcel A is landlocked and that cannot be done. Mr. Rehbein indicated that Parcel A will go into wetland or buffer area as he has no intention of developing back there. Mrs. Buckbee asked why it needed to be split off. Mr. Rehbein indicated the dog kennel needs a small piece and cannot afford the whole piece property. Chair Hanson asked the square footage of the building. Mr. Rehbein indicated that Mr. Palzer checked the setbacks and all were met. Chair Hanson commented that based on some of the issues raised by Mr. Rehbein this does qualify for a variance. Commissioner Kilian asked whose fault it was that the lot split was not recorded when it was supposed to be. Mr. Rehbein indicated it was his fault but said that when the City stamped the deeds for the other two lots the City created this problem. Chair Hanson asked whether the sale of the property was contingent upon the variance and the lot split. Mr. Rehbein indicated the sale is contingent upon approval and noted the developer wanted to start building in December. Motion by Commissioner DeVine, seconded by Commissioner Wilharber to close the public hearing. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Hanson closed the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Commissioner Wilharber indicated he had no problem recommending a variance with regard to Parcel B and the only concern he has is that the City should require a full easement for a road if it would come to be so that Parcel A is not landlocked. Commissioner Kilian indicated the other property owner would need to approve that. Motion by Commissioner Wilharber, seconded by Commissioner DeVine to approve the lot split and variance as requested including a 30 foot easement and contingent upon a signed agreement from the property owner to the south to provide a 30 foot easement. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Chair Hanson, seconded by Commissioner DeVine to open the Buckbee public hearing. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Hanson opened the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. Page 6 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission Ms. Moore-Sykes copied the PUD requirements and handed them out. Mrs. Buckbee indicated she has discussed this matter at length with the developer and he feels he meets the minimum lot requirements and a PUD is not required. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that the lots would not be recorded and platted as one big one, it would be two smaller lots. She then said that another reason staff supports the PUD is that it would help preserve the natural amenities of the land. Mrs. Buckbee requested a letter from the City indicating why the developer is required to have a PUD approval. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that she and the realtor have discussed the matter. Mrs. Buckbee indicated she applied for the special use permit on her own rather than waiting another month. Ms. Moore-Sykes suggested continuing this until after the preliminary plat approval and include the PUD as part of the final plat process. Ms. Moore-Sykes recommended continuing this to the January meeting. Ms. Moore-Sykes asked if the transaction could be finalized with preliminary plat approval. Mrs. Buckbee commented that she would not stay now after hearing all the issues and would continue to search for other property if the current deal does not work out. Mr. Bill Svetin of 1687 Peltier Lake Drive indicated that residents had said at the last Council meeting that they were not interested in having twin homes on the property. He then indicated that if the multi-family housing were eliminated it would not be necessary to have a PUD. Mr. Svetin indicated that residents did not object to single family housing but everybody said that the multi family housing did not fit into the area. Mrs. Buckbee questioned why residents had issues with multifamily housing. Mr. Svetin indicated that he and the other residents would fight hard to keep multifamily housing out of the development. Mrs. Buckbee indicated she could not foresee the developer backing off of on the twinhomes as they are an allowed use under the comprehensive plan. Commissioner DeVine indicated that one of the requirements for the PUD approval is that the use would not be detrimental. Page 7 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission Mr. Svetin indicated the PUD would allow for a reduction in setbacks and increased density and he finds that to be detrimental to the neighborhood. He then said that multifamily housing does not fit into the surrounding neighborhood. Mrs. Buckbee asked how this would be detrimental. Mr. Svetin indicated that multifamily housing is not desirable next door to single family housing. Mrs. Buckbee indicated that not liking twin homes was not a valid reason. She then said that the existing homes are actually a detriment to the proposed development as a number of them are rundown and have junk lying in the yards. She then said that this is a very nice development with homes that are $250,000 plus per side. Mr. Svetin indicated that multifamily housing is not best for the City. Mrs. Buckbee indicated that the City would receive twice the taxes on twinhomes as it would on a single family home. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that Staff would feel more comfortable continuing at this time as Staff does not have enough information from the developer at this time. Mrs. Buckbee noted she is meeting with Park and Recreation and has heard that the neighborhood is opposed to a park. Motion by Commissioner Kilian, seconded by Commissioner Wilharber to continue the hearing to the January Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. A resident asked if it would be possible to provide a map of the proposed development or site plan for every public hearing so that residents in attendance are privy to the information being discussed. He then suggested using the easel to display a large map for the audience. Council Liaison Travis indicated that all of the information is available to the public. Mrs. Buckbee indicated she would ask the developer to bring a large drawing. Commissioner Wilharber indicated it would be helpful to have Staff put up a drawing prior to the discussion. III. AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS/APPEARANCES 1. Mr. Henry Votel & Thomas Keller – Sketch Plans Mr. Votel addressed the Commission and asked if there were any more concerns or suggestions prior to moving forward with their plans. Mr. Votel provided drawings of the proposed buildings. Page 8 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission The Commission indicated the proposal looked appropriate. IV. OLD BUSINESS 1.Ordinance #48 – Mailboxes (Repeal) Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that this item is on the agenda for discussion as there was some concern about mailboxes and in talking with Staff there seems to be two thoughts. In the past, the City was putting up the boxes and charging back now the City requires that the developer install the boxes and the question is if there should be single or gang mail boxes. Motion by Commissioner DeVine, seconded by Commissioner Wilharber to repeal Ordinance #48. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. V. NEW BUSINESS None. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS Chair Hanson indicated he would like to recommend that Council appoint a special committee to discuss downtown revitalization and all the issues surrounding it. Commissioner Wilharber agreed but said that EDC has had a lack of a quorum for several months and this Commission cannot get a seventh member. He then said that residents are busy and do not feel a commitment to serve the City. Chair Hanson indicated this would be a temporary commitment to meet and discuss downtown revitalization. Commissioner DeVine indicated there is not a lot of activity right now but that may change. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that with the widening of 14 and the historic district may generate renewed interest in serving on the committee. Chair Hanson recommended that Council form an active committee. Commissioner Kilian indicated he would like signed copies of the ordinances when they are finished. Chair Hanson indicated there was talk of putting together new books. Page 9 of 10 City of Centerville December 3, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated she had passed along the request to the City Clerk and said they would be coming but slowly. Commissioner Wilharber indicated that the Commission receives the ordinances and the only thing they need is a rubber stamp from the Mayor. He then said that members need to be more responsible with the paperwork they receive from the City and add the ordinances to their book when they are received. Commissioner McLean agreed but said he had multiple copies of Ordinance #4 and was not sure which was right. Chair Hanson indicated he never received a copy of the Comprehensive Plan. Mrs. Buckbee indicated that she was concerned with the comments of Mr. Svetin concerning Park and Recreation already having made up its mind on the park for the development and she is concerned that a serial meeting is taking place. She then asked if this is the opinion of the Committee or of Mr. LeBlanc. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that Mr. Leblanc circulated that petition on his own. Mrs. Buckbee indicated that Mr. LeBlanc had given the impression that it was the opinion of the Park and Recreation Committee but signed his own name. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated that the information was provided in Council Packet’s and Staff discussed the appropriateness of using the status of being a Park and Recreation Committee Member. Mrs. Buckbee indicated that the park is within the scope of the Park and Recreation Committee but including the multifamily housing was not appropriate. VII. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. November 12, 2002 Planning and Zoning Meeting Minutes Motion by Commissioner DeVine, seconded by Commissioner Wilharber to approve the November 12, 2002 meeting minutes as presented. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Wilharber, seconded by Commissioner DeVine to adjourn the December 3, 2002 Planning Commission meeting at 8:28 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc Page 10 of 10