HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_94Jan24MINUTES
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
. JANUARY 24, 1994
7 P.M.
PRESENT
Kay Andrews
Lee Barry
Wendy Treadwell
Lisa Lampi
Ken Salzberg
ABSENT
Tom Brace
Paul Kuettel
ALSO PRESENT
Susan Hoyt, Administrator
Peter Bachman
Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Lee Barry, Chair.
Minutes of the November 22, 1993 meeting were approved as written.
Welcome was extended to the new planning commissioner, Wendy
Treadwell.
• REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE IN CHAPTER 9 § 13.02 SUBD.2(e) IN THE
REQUIRED TEN FOOT SETBACK FOR A SIGN FOR THE HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY AT 1755 PRIOR AVENUE.
Administrator Hoyt briefly explained that the Minnesota State Horticultural
Society has requested a variance in the front yard setback requirement in
order to erect a permanent sign for their property located at 1755 Prior
Avenue. According to the zoning code, a sign may be erected that is ten
feet from the front property line as long as it meets the height and area
requirements. Ms. Johnson, representing Don Holmquist, director of the
Minnesota State Horticultural Society, requested that the sign be erected two
feet from the eastside property line to allow it to remain visible from the
street and not take up valuable parking space by having to place the sign in
the parking lot. If granted the variance, the sign would be located in the
grassy area in front of the parking lot halfway between the side lot lines.
Hoyt said neighbors had been notified and none have responded.
After some discussion on sign size, Commissioner Salzberg moved to
recommend granting a variance of eight feet in the eastside property line
with the proposed sign being no larger than stated in the original proposal of
• 16 square feet and complying with all other requirements of the code.
Seconded by Andrews and unanimously approved.
LJ
PUBLIC HEARING ON A REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
OPERATE A VETERINARY HOSPITAL AT 1546 W. LARPENTEUR IN A B-3
ZONE
Administrator Hoyt said Dr. William E. Graham is proposing to operate a
small elective surgery veterinary hospital (primarily spay and neuter services)
at 1546 W. Larpenteur in the Northome Center. This requires a conditional
use permit. A conditional use permit goes with the property, not the owner
and must be approved by the planning commission and city council. She
stated the proposed use is within an existing shopping center so will not
generate excessive noise or traffic. Ample parking is available because of
the low volume of customers per day combined with a quick turnover rate in
parking. She said all property owners within 350 feet of the proposed
business were notified by mail of the public hearing and a legal notice was
published in the local paper. No calls or letters of complaint have been
received.
Chair Lee Barry opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.
• Dr. Graham spoke briefly about the planned hospital. He said it would
primarily be a spay/neuter hospital staffed with two to four employees. The
hours would be 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday
mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. There should be no more than two to four
(short term) client cars at the hospital at one time. He also said that because
of the low number of animals and the routine use of pre-anesthetic
tranquilizers, noise would be at a minimum and the kennel area would have
soundproofing in the interior walls.
A neighbor, Ms. Nancy Wickhem, spoke in favor of Dr. Graham being
granted the conditional use permit saying that an animal hospital with lower
cost elective surgery for animals is needed in this area.
The public hearing closed at 7:27.
Commissioner Salzberg moved to grant the conditional use permit with the
following conditions attached:
1. Operate a veterinary hospital with a maximum of four employees.
• 2. Adhere to all animal welfare laws in chapter 343 of the Minnesota
state statutes.
3. Maintain a clean environment inside and outside the business with
sanitary disposal of all wastes, cleaning up after clients on the walk
and in the parking lot as necessary.
4. Keep the business within the building except for the coming and going
of clientele. No outside cages, kennels, or exercising of animals.
5. Soundproof the kennel area and restrict sound to the business without
of#ecting neighbor businesses.
6. Control odors in the kennel with exhaust fans.
7. Limit hospital stays to recovering animals with a maximum of eight
pets to stay at one time -two large, three medium, and three small.
(Most animals come and go on the same day as their surgery.)
8. Dispose of hazardous waste as regulated by the county and state.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Treadwell and unanimously
approved.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN, ZONING CODE, LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM RELATED TO THE MORATORIUM USES.
Administrator Hoyt walked the commissioners through all proposed
amendments relating to the moratorium uses. After some discussion, it was
determined to schedule a public hearing to be held February 28 and for the
planning commission to meet with the city council for a workshop regarding
the amendments on either March 14 or March 21.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55.
Susan Hoyt, Administrator
Dee Swenson, Recording Secretary