The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About7-28-15 PC Agenda City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission City Hall 2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue Tuesday, July 28, 2015 7:00 p.m. A G E N D A A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Chair Schafer____ Alexander ____ Murphy ____ Wartick ____ Williams ____ Fite ____ Tinetti ____ Larkin ____ Council Liaison Harris ____ Staff Liaison Moretto ____ C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES for June 23, 2015 D. AGENDA 1. Introduction of new Commissioners a. John Larkin b. David Tinetti 2. Discussion of Interim Ordinance – Height Limitations E. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS F. ADJOURN If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help. City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission Minutes June 23, 2015 PRESENT: Commissioners Alexander, Murphy, Wartick, Williams, Schafer, Council Member Harris, City Administrator Thongvanh, Staff Liaison Moretto, WSB Consultants Breanne Brothstein and Addison Lewis ABSENT: Commissioners Fite The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Chair Schafer. The minutes of the March 26, 2015 meeting of the Planning Commission were approved. Election of Vice-Chair Commissioner Williams elected as Vice-Chair – Unanimous Presentation: Planning 101 – WSB Planners – Breanne Brothstein and Addison Lewis Breanne and Addison presented basic principles of planning and commission duties through lecture and PowerPoint presentation. A mock variance was presented for their consideration and deliberation. The presentation was concluded with a brief summary and a question and answer session. Information and Announcements: No information or announcements were made. Community Forum: ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ ______________________________ Paul Moretto Emily Schafer Community Development Coordinator Chair – Planning Commission General Staff Report Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Description The consideration of amending the City of Falcon Heights Zoning Code Part 2 Chapter 113 section 243 – Height Limitations and any of its references. Background This City of Falcon Heights established Part 2 Chapter 113 section 243 - Height Limitations as a part of the new classification system of zoning. Through this process the zoning code established new height requirements for zones R3-R4 and new zones B1-B3, and R-5M. Each of these new zoning districts establishes height restrictions but allow for the clause “Except as provided in section 113-243”. Section 113-243 allows for an undefined height restriction in the form of a conditional use permit, “Conditional use permit. Any structural height that exceeds this chapter must have a conditional use permit.” Other Analysis  Section 113-243 provides flexibility in the code while also presenting difficulties in maintaining community character and good design.  This section provides a process through which buildings that are at or near their height maximums a way to conditionally install structures such as solar panels.  Adversely, the vagueness of this section also provides for unlimited heights of any structure in the chapter such as a fence, shed, or other building.  The lack of provisional conditions for the conditional use permit makes any restriction on height seem arbitrary. Budget Impact N/A Date 7/24/2015 Agenda Item 2 Title Interim Ordinance – Height limitations 113-243 Submitted By Paul Moretto, Community Development Coordinator Attachment(s)  Sec._113_243.___Height_limitations.  Interim Ordinance Height Limitations  PC Minutes June 28, 1993  Council Agenda July 26, 1993 Actions Requested  Consider text changes to the code in order to clarify ambiguity and develop consistency with regard to structure heights. Page 1 Sec. 113-243. - Height limitations. (a) Conditional use permit. Any structural height that exceeds this chapter must have a conditional use permit. (b) Exemptions. (1) Height limitations shall not apply to belfries, cupolas and domes, monuments, public and public utility facilities, silos, barns, church spires, chimneys, smokestacks, flagpoles, and parapet walls extending not more than four feet above the limiting height of the building. (2) Height limitations shall not apply to rooftop structures such as mechanical equipment, elevator shaft and equipment enclosures and similar structures, provided said exceptions do not exceed ten feet in height above the roofline and the area does not exceed 15 percent of the roof area. (3) Height limitations shall not apply to private T.V. or radio reception antennae extending more than ten feet above the limiting height of the building except if any portion of the structure exceeds four feet in diameter and is more than 20 percent opaque, a conditional use permit shall be required. Any T.V. or radio transmission or reception device or structure not attached to the principal building shall require a conditional use permit. (c) Airport. In all cases, however, no structure shall violate the limits and provisions of the airport plan of the Metropolitan Development Guide. (Code 1993, § 9-2.07(1); Ord. No. 0-93-07, § 5, 7-28-1993) REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION The City That Soars! Item Interim Ordinance Temporarily Prohibiting the Issuance of Conditional Use Permits to Exceed Height Limitations Description City staff has received a number of requests to exceed height limitations that would conflict with current City Code. Budget Impact N/A Attachment(s) • Ordinance 15-02 Establishing an Interim Ordinance Temporary Prohibiting the Issuance of Conditional Use Permits to Exceed Height Limitations Action(s) Requested Staff would recommend approval of Ordinance 15-02 Establishing an Interim Ordinance Temporary Prohibiting the Issuance of Conditional Use Permits to Exceed Height Limitations. Meeting Date June 24, 2015 Agenda Item Policy G3 Attachment Ordinance 15-02 Submitted By Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ 103 of 110 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. 15-02 ESTABLISHNG AN INTERIM ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING THE ISSUANCE OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS TO EXCEED HEIGHT LIMITATIONS THE CITY COUNCIL OF FALCON HEIGHTS ORDAINS: SECTION 1. INTENT: It is the intent of this ordinance to allow the City of Falcon Heights time to complete an in-depth study concerning changes in official controls for height limitations, and in the interim to protect the planning process and the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the community. SECTION 2. TEMPORARY PROHIBITION: Pending the completion of the above referenced study and the adoption of appropriate official controls, no conditional use permits shall be processed or approved and no application for such approvals shall be accepted for conditional use permits to exceed the height limitations set forth in Chapter 113. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage and shall remain in effect until the date of the adoption of the official controls contemplated hereunder or for one year from the date of the enactment of this ordinance whichever occurs first. Adopted by the City Council of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, this 24th day of June, 2015. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Peter Lindstrom Mayor LINDSTROM ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________ BROWN THUNDER Sack Thongvanh HARRIS ____ Against City Administrator LONG MERCER-TAYLOR 182214v1 104 of 110