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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 07-09 PC MINUTESGem Lake Planning Commission David K. Gardner, Chairman 1399 E. County Road "El' Gem Lake, Mn 55110-5231 (612)429-9288 FAX 429-5034 July 9, 1996 Paul R. Emeott, Mayor 3960 Scheuneman Rd. Gem Lake, Mn 55110 Dear Paul: The Gem Lake Planning Commission held its regular monthly meeting on July 8, 1996, 7:00 PM, at Tousley Ford. Present were Emeott, Gardner, Nielsen, Titcomb, and Turner. Also in attendance were Mr. Lanny Boyer and his associate Mr. Rick Johnson, and Mr. Michael Gerner. Pam Docken has written the Commission stating her desire to resign from her position due to the demands of home and work. Mrs. Docken has served well and her counsel has been valuable. She will be missed. Mr. Emeott has agreed to find a replacement from her general neighbor- hood. Mr. Gerner presented a revised plan for his property at 3630 Scheuneman Rd. (south of his homestead) in which he would turn the building to face south, running east -west along the north side of the lot, reduce its size, and increase the parking area. He intends to lease some additional land from the railroad to add some parking. The discussion focused on the use intended for the building, and the requirements for off-street parking. At this time, he intends to lease space to an upholstery shop, a welder, and a car assembler, none of which would require more than three parking spaces per thousand square feet of building (16.3(17)), or 20 spaces in the revised configuration. However, he has considered leasing to a retail type of business, which requires seven spaces per thousand s.f. The area is short of parking space currently and the Commission is concerned that we exacerbate the problem by approving a plan based on the assumptions of use which could change in the future. Mr. Gerner previously received a variance from the Council for the setback of the building, and the current plan maintains that reduced setback. The Commission voted preliminary approval of the revised plan on the condition that Mr. Gerner will: 1. reinstate the 10-foot landscaped setback along the south line, 2. complete the site plan process as described in 14.1, particu- larly as to drainage, 3. limit retail use to only one of the three units, and, 4. provide a minimum of 23 off-street parking spaces if there is a retail use on -site. Mr. Gerner further agreed that the fencing along the east side of the parking area on the railroad property would be a solid wood screen. No council action is required at this time. other than notice of any objections. Mr. Gerner then described his second project, a proposed cabinet shop to be located at 3642(?) Scheuneman Road, the lot immediately north of his homestead. Parking is also an issue here, as the tenant requires maximum building space. Allowing for a variance from the rear yard setback requirement, it appears that only eight parking spaces could be provided. The Commission feels that since the tenant would be purchasing the building under a ten-year lease arrangement and his use is limited to manufacturing, with only 5 employees, and no retail use, we could approve the project with limited -use stipulations. Mr. Gerner will proceed with the site plan process and submit an application for a rear -yard setback variance along with the completed site plan. He also has agreed to thoroughly consider the installation of fire sprinkling eqipment in anticipation of city water being introduced to the area in the near future. No Council action required at this time other than notice of any objections. Mr. Lanny Boyer, dba Continental Motors, resubmitted his appli- cation for a special use permit to operate open storage lots for used automobiles on Scheuneman Road. This application is essentially the same as that denied last month, with the exception that Mr. Boyer withdrew the attachment of conditions as a part of this application. The discussion was lengthy, and occassionally heated, as the Commission focused on the history of violation and lack of cooperation on the part of the applicant and his landlord, and on the appropriate use of this property in the City's long-term plan. Mr. Gerner complained that the use was unsightly in a generally improving neighborhood, and that the lots seem to attract an unsavory clientele as well as vandals; he also made the valid point that the operation was not being subjected to the same setback and landscaping requirements as he. Mr. Boyer indicated that Mr. Johnson has been permanently assigned the responsibility for keeping the lots clean and in compliance, and that he (Boyer) is now anxious to comply with the City's requirements and make a real effort to be a good citizen and improve the physical and functional nature of the operation. While the Commission seemed hostile to the idea, we do recognize that our attorneys, Clerk, and Planning Commissioner have negotiated the proposed settlement over the past year, and that there is a point of honor involved in abiding by the terms of the profferred settlement now that Boyer has agreed to comply. Under the circumstances, and particularly in view of the City's limited ability to police the situation, the Commission felt that Mr. Boyer should not be allowed any leeway in his compliance, and that any violation of the agreement should result in termination of the permit. Also, any installation of lighting must be pre -approved by the Zoning Administrator. The Commission voted to recommend the Council approve the special use permit under the following conditions: 1. operation of the lots be subject to the Special Use Permit Application Attachment previously submitted, with the following sections removed: I.B (allowing for the limited storage of "junked vehicles"), IV.B (allowing limited customer visitations), and V.B (allowing 14 days to correct violations), and, 2. that Boyer construct a landscape border along the Scheuneman Road side of the south, fenced lot. Concil action is required, and Mr Boyer needs notification of the date and time of that meeting. The balance of the meeting was devoted to further discussion of the Comprehensive Plan, which is now progressing nicely toward comple- tion. In light of that fact, and the fleet of summer, we agreed to set a deadline of September 1 for completion and continued the meeting to 7.00 PM Tuesday, July 15 to continue our discussion. Respectfully submitted, David K. Gardner, Chairman cc: Planning Commission Magnuson Gerner Boyer Meslow GEM LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION DAVID K. GARDNER, CHM. 1399 E. COUNTY ROAD "E" GEM LAKE, MN 55110-5231 (612)429-9288 FAX 429-5034 JULY 3, 1996 PLANNING COMMISSION: IMPORTANT MEETING: JULY 8, 7:00 PM, TOUSLEY FORD CONFERENCE ROOM REGULAR MEETING IN ADDITION TO THE IMPORTANT WORK ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DETAILED IN MY PREVIOUS MEMO, THE AGENDA NOW INCLUDES A RE -APPLICATION FROM LANNY BOYER TO OPERATE AN OPEN STORAGE LOT ON SCHEUNEMAN ROAD. MR. BOYER WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AND INDICATES THAT HE IS ANXIOUS TO ABIDE BY OUR REQUIREMENTS, HENCE THE REMOVAL OF THE "ATTACHED CONDITIONS" TO THE APPLICATION. ALSO, MR. GERNER WILL BE THERE TO REVIEW HIS REVISED SITUATION ON THE LOT NORTH OF HIS HOME. PLEASE SEE MY LETTER TO MIKE. THANKS!