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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, July 02, 2008 Page 9 property owners to go through, while supporting their logical and viable improvements legally outside the variance criteria process. Further discussion included property aesthetics; intent of state law regarding hardship criteria in granting variances; commission support for setback deviations, but not impervious issues; more mandates from watershed districts and water quality requirements; and whether they were usually presented in combination of as stand alone issues. Commissioner Boerigter, now that he more fully understood staff’s intent, offered his support of the proposal for administrative review of minor deviations from City Code requirements, opining that based on water quality concerns, such an approval process for minor improvement projects made sense. Commissioner Doherty expressed disappointment that the Variance Board served as an impediment, based on state law hardship criteria; and opined his lack of support for moving away from a more public, transparent public hearing and approval process. Commissioner Boerigter clarified that the hardship requirement of the state statue was the impediment, not the Variance Board. Various options were discussed regarding this requested text amendment and options. Commissioners Wozniak and Martinson offered their general support of the text amendments, with some reservations as previously discussed regarding the transparency of the public process. Commissioner Best opined his support of the concept and the expertise of staff in determining criteria; and supported making it easier for property owners to make improvements to their property, and for overall improvement in water quality. Staff advised that, if the Planning Commission made a recommendation, their goal would be to have this case heard before the City Council at its July 28, 2008 meeting. Chair Bakeman closed the Public Hearing, with no one appearing to speak. MOTION Member Boerigter moved, seconded by Member Best to RECOMMEND APPROVAL of the proposed ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT, based on the comments and findings of Sections 5 and 6, and the recommendations of Section 8 of the project report dated July 2, 2008; amended to exclude Ordinance language, Section C (Necessary Criteria for Approval), Item 3, (Impervious Coverage Deviation), numbers “a” (The intended use of the proposed improvements) and “e” (The aesthetic impact of the proposed project). Ayes: 5 Nays: 1 (Doherty) Motion carried. 7. Adjourn Chair Bakeman adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:10 p.m. Page 9 of 9