Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_90Aug27• MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 27, 1990 7:00 P.M. Meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M. by Chairperson Boche. PRESENT• Barry, Boche, Finegan, Nestingen, Daykin, Duncan City Planner Susan Hoyt ABSENT: Gibson Talbot City Councilmember Pau]_ Ciernia APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the July 23,1990 meeting were unanimously approved. . A REQUEST FROM MR. DONALD SWANSON FOR A PERMITTED ACCESSORY USE PERMIT FOR A UTILITY SHED AT 1824 ASBURY IN AN R-I. ZONE. City Planner Hoyt indicated to the commission that Mr. Swanson proposes to construct a utility shed, 8 ft. x 8 ft. x 7 ft. tall in his rear yard. The shed will be 5 ft. from the side lot line, 12 ft. from the rear of his dwelling and approximately 29 ft. from the rear ]..ot _li.ne. It will be painted cream color with a dark roof to match the house. The structure meets al]_ the requirements in Section 9-2.04(1)(c) and (i) of the Zoning Code. It does not require a building permit. The Commission voted unanimously to grant the permitted accessory use permit. A REQUEST BY LOWELL ANDERSON FOR A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 9-13.02(3)(c)(4) OF THE ZONING CODE REGARDING THE MAXIMUM AREA OF A BUSINESS SIGN IN A B-2 ZONE, FOR FALCON HEIGHTS PHARMACY AT ]_707 SNELLING AVENUE. Mr. Anderson proposed to replace his existing business sign with a sign of similar square footage, 123.75 square feet. The new sign exceeds the 75 square foot maximum business sign allowed in a B-2 zone under Section 9-13.02(3)(c)(4) of the Zoning Code. Mr. Anderson requested this variance due to the unique circumstances described briefly as: • - 1 - • (1) conformity with the adjacent sign of Design Modern Interiors (2) necessity of capturing the attention of motorists on Snel_iing to the regional medical supply nature of the business (3) necessity of competing with the large AMOCO sign in the corner of the shopping center (4) necessity of replacing the outmoded current sign to eliminate the inefficient energy use of neon and to eliminate the large word, "DRUGS". The Commission voted unanimously to grant the variance based on the unique circumstances governing Mr. Anderson's-sign selection in order to promote his business. REQUEST BY MS. PAULINE BOSS AND MR. DUDLEY RIGGS FOR A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 9-2.04 (2 d OF THE ZONING CODE,. REGARDING THE REAR YARD SETBACK ON A THROUGH LOT, AND 9-13.04(6 a , REGARDING DRIVEWAY ACCESS, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DOUBLE GARAGE AT 1586 BURTON STREET IN AN R-]_ ZONE . City P]_anner Hoyt briefed the Commission on this request which involves a portion of a home remodeling making the existing sing ]_e car garage into a study/guest room and creating a new double car garage. The • house is situated on a through lat. A variance from .the 30 foot rear yard requirement on a through lot is necessary for the project. The current structure is 17 feet from the property line; the proposed garage wi]_1 be 5 feet from the line. The unique characteristics governing this site are: (1) The buildings along Burton are situated to conform to the angle of the sideyard of 2190 Folwell to the north of their property and, therefore, a sideyard setback is really what exists. (2) The proposed setback is in close conformance with. adjacent properties of 10 ft. or less to the north and 9 ft. to the south. (3) The unique topography, a hillside and several pines, plus the location of neighboring homes make this plan the least intrusive one. After some discussion and presentation of the plans as drawn by the architect, the Commission unanimously approved the variance from Section 9-2.04(2)(d) regarding the rear yard setback on a through lot, and also 9-].3.04(6)(a), regarding driveway access. The approval was given based on the unique topography and site characteristics criteria as stated in Chapter 9-15.03 (Subd. 4) of the Municipal • Code, "Standards for Granting a Variance". - 2 - • PLANNER°S REPORT Susan Hoyt, City P]_anner, delivered a brief overview of planning activities she has been involved in over the past year. They are as follows: 1. Making procedures thorough, consistent, understandable and we]1 documented. 2. Providing information on planning issues. 3. Becoming familiar with the Zoning Code, identifying problems and amending those that need immediate attention. 4. Creating a workable Parking Policy. 5. Addressing the City's future through Comprehensive Planning. Commissioner Boche thanked Susan for her work over the past year. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE The City Planner introduced Mr. Fred Hoisington, the consultant with whom she has been working on the City's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Hoisington presented some of his preliminary planning information and analysis to the Commission. He spoke of the upcoming "Community Forums'° to be held on September 17 and 24 in which the residents' input will be received. Invitations will be mailed to approximately 200-300 residents on September 6th. There will be small group discussions and open forum/reports. Dis- cussion topics will include assets & opportunities, problems and needs, issues and vision for the future. The objective of these meetings is to obtain the community's goals and incorporate those .into the city's plan. Commissioners .brought up the impact of the State Fair and the University of Mi_nnesota's policy toward its agricultural land on the future of the city. Mr. Hoisington stressed the importance of the Planning Commission attending both meetings, if at all possible. PARKING POLICY Planner Hoyt reviewed the draft of the Falcon Heights Parking Policy. Some minor changes were made on page 5 under No. 2, "Procedures for Designating Residential Permit Parking Areas°'. • - 3 - C Commissioner Boche suggested the policy be given to the City Attorney for a general opinion that it complies with the law and also whether the policy is "defendable". Planner Hoyt agreed to do this and suggested the draft policy be placed on the October agenda for action. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Patricia Phillips Acting Recording Secretary Susan Hoyt, Ci 1 ner - 4 -