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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCAgenda_07Jan23;~ City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission City Hall 2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:00 p.m. AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Long Lukermann Mercer-Taylor Noble Rodich Salzberg Watkins Council Liaison Kuettel City Administrator Miller Staff Liaison Jones City Attorney C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 28, 2006 D. AGENDA ITEM: Election of Planning Commission Chair for 2007 E. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS l . Training opportunities 2. Recodification update F. ADJOURN • CITY OF FALCON H E I 2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue G H TS Falcon Hei hts M - g N 55113 5594 email: mail@ci.falcon-heights.mn.us website: www.ci.falcon-heights.mn.us Phone - (651) 792-7600 Fax - (651) 792-7610 MEMORANDUM To: Members of the Planning Commission CC: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Laura Kuettel, Council Liaison From: Deb Jones, Staff Liaison Subject: Planning Commission Meeting on January 23, 2007 Date: January 19, 2007 • Happy New Year! Welcome to the four new Commissioners will be joining us this month: Chuck Long, Wendy Noble, Ken Salzberg and Eric Watkins. Welcome back to our returning Commissioners: Barbara Lukermann, Beth Mercer-Taylor and Richard Rodich. The only formal agenda item at this meeting, besides approval of the November minutes, is the annual task of electing a chair. A quorum is required for this vote. An acting chair will be appointed by consensus to conduct the meeting up to the election. The main responsibility of the commission chair is to run the monthly meeting. If you have any questions about this role, please contact me or Justin. There will be several orientation-type items to cover during the "Information and Announcement" portion of the meeting. We will be distributing some documents to you, including the new zoning chapter (scheduled for approval the following evening) and the current comprehensive plan. Since these are large documents and they are not needed for Tuesday's meeting, we are not including them in your pre-meeting packet. We will also discuss training opportunities. Please review the information included in this packet. The GTS courses are highly recommended, and the City covers some training costs for new commissioners. For your convenience a roster of the 2007 Planning Commission is enclosed. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please notify Staff. Thank you! {~ HOME OF THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR AND THE U OF M INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE ~~~ PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER • MEMORANDUM To: Members of the Planning Commission CC: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Laura Kuettel, Council Liaison From: Deb Jones, Staff Liaison Subject: Planning Commission Meeting on January 23, 2007 Date: January 19, 2007 Happy New Year! Welcome to the four new Commissioners will be joining us this month: Chuck Long, Wendy Noble, Ken Salzberg and Eric Watkins. Welcome back to our returning Commissioners: Barbara Lukermann, Beth Mercer-Taylor and Richard Rodich. The only formal agenda item at this meeting, besides approval of the November minutes, is the annual task of electing a chair. A quorum is required for this vote. An acting chair will be appointed by consensus to conduct the meeting up to the election. The main responsibility of the commission chair is to run the monthly meeting. If you have any questions about this role, please contact me or Justin. There will be several orientation-type items to cover during the "Information and Announcement" portion of the meeting. We will be distributing some documents to you, including the new zoning chapter (scheduled for approval the following evening) and the current comprehensive plan. Since these are large documents and they are not needed for Tuesday's meeting, we are not including them in your pre-meeting packet. We will also discuss training opportunities. Please review the information included in this packet. The GTS courses are highly recommended, and the City covers some training costs for new commissioners. For your convenience a roster of the 2007 Planning Commission is enclosed. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please notify Staff. Thank you! • City of Falcon Heights . Planning Commission Minutes November 28, 2006 PRESENT: Commissioners De Leo, Lageson, Lukermann, Mercer-Taylor, Rodich, and Ryan. Also present was Staff Liaison Deb Jones. ABSENT: Tracy, City Council Liaison Kuettel The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ryan at 7:05 p.m. The minutes of the September 26, 2006 meeting were approved with one correction. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed new ordinance on mobile storage structures Staff Liaison Jones presented background information on this issue. During the past year several residents have expressed concern to the staff about the presence of portable storage units in residential neighborhoods. Concerns have focused on the appearance of these structures, location and the length of time they are present. The worry is that these units may tend to become, in effect, permanent and, when located on rights of way, they may block sight lines and create a traffic hazard. At present the City does not have any regulation that applies to these structures. The City Council discussed the issue in workshop and concluded that some regulation of • portable storage units is in order. The Council has submitted a proposed ordinance for Planning Commission consideration. The proposed ordinance would create a definition of mobile storage structures and add a section to the code that limits the location and size of the structures, limits their duration of use and defines some obligations of property owners regarding safety and security. Commission Chair Patrick Ryan opened the public hearing. There were no persons who wished to speak. The hearing was closed. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Proposed new ordinance on mobile storage structures Commissioner Lageson asked how many complaints had been received. Ms. Jones said she personally knew of three or four regarding two properties, but it was possible there were others that had not been passed on to her. Commissioner Rodich said that 72 hours might be more reasonable than the suggested 48, as it would allow people to keep containers over a weekend. He also asked for more discussion on the impervious surface requirement. Commissioner Ryan asked about the 10 foot dimensional restriction in the definition, and Commissioner Lukermann pointed out that the definition and the ordinance are not consistent regarding dimension. Mr. Ryan said his research found that ordinances in other cities do not use a minimum dimension in their definition of portable storage structure. Ms. Jones said that the Commission can certainly amend the ordinance in its recommendation to Council. • In response to a question from Commissioner Lukermann, Commissioners discussed the kinds of uses to which people put these structures and circumstances under which property owners would rent them. They made some careful distinctions between the containers defined in the City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of November 28, 2006 -Page 1 of 3 ordinance and trailers (with wheels) that might be used temporarily for storage under some circumstances. The needs of large construction projects were also discussed, including non- residential properties such as Falcon Heights Town Square. Commissioner Lukermann said it might be appropriate to make allowance or exception for projects where there is an active building permit. This initiated a discussion of reasonable uses in general, including time limits. Commissioner Lageson said he would prefer that the structures not be allowed on the public streets at all. Other commissioners pointed out circumstances under which the property owner would have no other choice. A general consensus was that people would probably prefer not to put them on the street if they had any other choice, and that the City should not create requirements that impose unusual expenses on property owners by going against the usual rental agreements offered in the market. In response to commissioners' questions, Ms. Jones said the City has been treating storage containers on the street similarly to dumpsters. There has been no regulation on private property. Speaking in practical terms, she said staff would like to know where these structures are, when they arrived and who is the responsible person. This led to a discussion of permitting and notification requirements in other cities, which several Commissioners had researched. Mr. Ryan found that other cities have permitting requirements and fees and make allowances for containers on private property during major remodeling projects. In response to a question from Mr. Lageson, Ms. Jones said having the information submitted in a permit enables staff to enforce the code in a timely manner. Cities are empowered to regulate structures. • Commissioner Rodich raised the issue of impervious surface again. Why restrict location to paved surfaces. Commissioner DeLeo said he saw it as an issue of community character, similar to parking cars on the lawn, which Falcon Heights does not allow. Mr. Lageson pointed out that the rental companies will only deliver to a paved surface. Mr. Lageson also pointed out that because storage structures are expensive and that property owners would have an incentive to have the structures as short a time as possible. He asked why neighbors can't talk to each other instead of running to the City with complaints all the time. How far can we go toward restricting people's use of their property? Mr. DeLeo responded that the issue is really community character and whether storage structures are even appropriate or desirable, so the purpose of the storage is irrelevant. To him, the purpose of the ordinance is to maintain community quality and character. There are other storage options people can use. There was additional discussion on this philosophical aspect of the issue. Commissioners decided to go through the draft ordinance and modify it in accordance with all their discussions. With much additional discussion, the following changes were made: • Eliminate the 10 foot dimension from the definition • Change the 48 hour time limit to 72 hours on the right of way • Change the 3 week time limit on private property to a longer time, at least 4 weeks. • Allow structures no more than twice in any 90 day period (increased from 60 days) • Include a permit or registration requirement, but let the details be determined as • administrative policy. • Correct some typographical errors noted on the chairman's copy. City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of November 28, 2006 -Page 2 of 3 Commissioners had some additional questions and concerns to be passed on to the Council. • • Is a separate ordinance needed for commercial properties? • Does the ordinance under consideration allow for large construction projects? • Is the language on security too vague? • Is the size limit in Section 2 reasonable by industry standards, for both residential and non-residential property? In the discussion Commissioners gave careful consideration to the amount of regulation that would be in the best interests of both the city and residents and how specific that should be in the ordinance. Careful thought was also given to safety and security considerations and to possible unforeseen circumstances that might complicate enforcement of the ordinance. Commissioner Lukermann moved, Mercer-Taylor seconded, that the Commission recommend approval of the proposed ordinance as amended above, provided the City Attorney and Council address the concerns and questions posed by the Commission. The motion passed with 5 in favor and 1 opposed. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Lageson asked for an update on recodification. Ms. Jones said Dtaff is putting the finishing touches on the master copy to be sent to the recodification company. The draft has been reviewed by "many eyes" and marked up by "many hands." It willl be sent off within days, and the final copy should be delivered by the end of the year. She reminded the • Commission that the new code is, as always, a "work in progress" and subject to change. Ms. Mercer-Taylor reminded the Commission of the invitation to join the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee at its meeting on December 11. In response to a question from Mr. Rodich, Ms. Jones reviewed the formal role in the approval of the new comprehensive plan. This is different from the steering committee's information gathering role. Mr. Lageson asked what happens if the University sells some of its land in the City. Jones replied that underlying zoning is already in place on University and State Fair land. Presently that zoning is R-1. One of the things that might happen in the new comprehensive plan is that the City might reassess that underlying zoning, but at this time the University has no plans to sell that land. On behalf of the City staff, Ms. Jones expressed thanks to the members of the Planning Commission for their hard work in the past year, especially the members who are leaving the Commission after serving two terms: Jim DeLeo, Tom Lageson, Pat Ryan and Michael Tracy. On behalf of the remaining Commissioners, Ms. Lukermann expressed appreciation to the members whose terms are expiring. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, • Deborah Jones, Staff Liaison City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of November 28, 2006 -Page 3 of 3 PLANNING COMMISSION - 2007 ame Term Expires Address Chuck Long 12/31 /2009 1717 Albert Street N Falcon Heights 55113 Barbara Lukermann 12/31 /2008 2211 Folwell Avenue Falcon Heights 55108 Beth Mercer-Taylor 12/31/2007 2231 Folwell Avenue Falcon Heights 55108 Wendy Noble 12/31/2009 1539 Crawford Avenue Falcon Heights 55113 Richard Rodich 12/31/2007 1341 Idaho Avenue W Falcon Heights 55108 ~en Salzberg 12/31/2009 1759 Lindig Street Falcon Heights 55113 Eric Watkins 12/31 /2009 1860 Snelling Ave. N Falcon Heights 55113 Phone/EMail H-651-917-7178 W-612-337-9306 eelabl@comcast.net H-651-645-2625 W-612-625-4310 blukermann@hhh.u mn. edu H-651-646-2925 W-612-604-6548 beth@mercer-taylorlow.com H-651-643-0776 swnoble@usfamily.net H-651-646-2884 W-612-677-7388 richrodich@mac.com H-651-644-0007 W-651-523-2354 ksalzberg@hamline.edu H-612-392-2586 W-612-624-7496 ewatkins@umn.edu Council Liaison Laura Kuettel 1879 Simpson H-651-646-7009 Falcon Heights 55113 laurakuettel@gmail.com Staff Liaison Deb Jones, Zoning & Planning Director (01/16/07) W-651-792-7613 deb. j ones@falconheights.org 2007 PLANNING COMM DIR.doc 07 LAND USE PLANNING WORKSHOPS d and Staff 20 ointed, Ele FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS -APP ment Training Services (GTS) Sponsored by Govern The Initiative Foundation, League of Co-sponsored by Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), tonal Development C Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Asnd Minnesota Regsota Townships (MA'17, Minnesota Cities (LM ), Minnesota Chapter of American P~ ~ ganizations (MRDO) resents a series of Land Use Planning workshops in various Minnesota Each spring, GTS p lications. Faculty esi ned especially for citizen planners, ~ to ?~ and'hands on appt~oM Sessions of locations d 9 of Curren p provide opportunities for in-depth study The following is a summary have extensive backgrounn w workshop of land use planning. our regular offerings and and posted Brochures with complete details and registration for c I GTS at 651 2212 7409 ext 205 (from metro mngts.or To receive a copy or a-mail us at ~tsC~mnats•ora• on our website ~- area) or 800-569-6880 ext. 205 (from Greater Minnesota , CORE PROGRAMS YOUR ROLE AS PLANNING COMMISS IONaMEMBER (habedaYn relarrs condu9t productive For those interested in practic P important position. Learn how to create and implement an annual work prog meetings work as an effective team with o ~ ~ commission members, facilitate public participation in t e in a model planning report and Endings of face primer on p/arming process. Obtain effective too/s m 9 Little Falls par/iamentary procedures. MuchomApril 19 (eve) - St. Paul O May 23 (aft) - • O March 24 (morn) THE BASICS OF PLANNING AND ZONING Desi ned for those new to land use planning or interested in a review of the fundamentals, this works op 9 rovides participants with an understanding o inhe& zoning p toces~l how o max mize the~i Impact & hotw to P Participants learn where they fit into the p ann g conduct pOublApril 5 or Tune 6S St tPaulasOs/April 14 -Little Falls tannin tools to deal with a wide variety of development BEYOND THE BASICS OF PLANNING AND ZONIN rocess--from proper legal notice to development of Participants learn about preparing and using p 9 , rocess or who problems, plus obtain an in-depth review of the planning p sophisticated findings of fact. It is intended for those with general knowledge of the planning p have attended the "The Basics': O May 2 -Little Falls O April 25 - St. Paul ADVANCED ZONING APPLICATIONS /armed use development This workshop fol%ws the "The Basics" and ' Benond Condit oval use pef rmits, pore in depth exploration of Ian use issues. Participants learn more about vana ordinances and performance zoning. EmPnasusesalso given to discussion of recent court cases and their imp/ications as we16s res uPaiu cha//eng 90 dune 13 -Little Falls O May SPECIAL FOCUS PROGRAMS SHORELAND MANAGEMENT-THE NEXT STEP Discover the benefits of Minnesota ~A~ Learn about the f/exrba7ity of this approach and become fami~artw th • principles in Shoreland managemen NEW! sample ordinance language. need for low imp ~ t d p9n Pe~uPlesecatse stud'es and emerg'ngn~ ues. Offered conservation easements, the l Resources. in cooperation with the MN Department of Natura p March 16 -Little Falls O March 22 -Mankato O March 28 -Duluth O April 13 -Alexandria NALS fiance R NON-DESIGN PROpESSIO inions about their comp site plans & render op rovides fundamentals SICS FO on to review round. This course p ore! SnE PLANNING BA called up design backg Sta ordinances; site plan review, insights into unintended results, an ff and citizen planners are oft often with little if any with local codes and of site analysis, checklistspaul d /vision & ~ April 11- ALAN tan and our land use p ro ram oR do y COMPREHENSIVE ~ This Special p 9 THE MOST OUT OF YOUR the Metropolitan Council. oats of your community etting started, the step- NG the 2008 deadline set by tional elements, 9 then offers GETTI Is yourjurisdiction facing including required and op in tools, and nces no longer match the curre omingties and future research and mapp g Conservation ord~na h the basics in them es- n Implementing takes you throug meaningful community inC mmunity D g A Compelling Vision and overcoming tanning process, Choose from & Implementing by-step p s ,n the afternoon. Pfeparing how-to worksho ~ en Space Preservation, Development & P ment. Challenges in Redevelop St. Paul ~ April 18 - morning) review and approval of subdivisions, t e half-day-- . N SUBDIVISIONS Landing of the issues su ation~l erms, the elements included t i t~ ubdivision SPOTLIGHT O rovide a basic untie subdivision re9 , into account street rights of way, Designed top and enforcing ns taking wetlands, and more. program will cover creating ads, lot access, roposaL Case studian~ dl a~!n ge tbuilfdin9 p des-g P rad~ng easement N1aY 3 _ St. Paul afternoon) Become familiar with THE BASKS ~ha~f-day-~ leaves off. to creating sustainable ISIONS: BEYOND be ins where the morning lus how to use that SUBDIV and the elem X ~i~ ty needed, p oats. Added by popular demand, this workshop g of the regulatory our community g examples of new subdivi°sle dd ailed understanding untry ~ munities. Galn a m oura a private developers to be creative and sensitive to y NE~N• coin knowledge t M y 3 a5t Paul local AWNING IN LAKESHORE DEVELOPMENT ual~t Presenters discuss the DR e/ articipants understand h% kland use decisions made b be HOW TO AVOID ro ram is designed to h P P articularly q etc. and descr This highly-rated p 9 , acts on our water resources P variance abuse, • officials have far-reaching i d mographic trends, conversion of resorts, issues created by Chang 9 ive tools for addressing the mangy 5 a"5 is & environmental chat enge effect C $eptember 20 - perg ~ ' `~ - a ~ 43 F `_ 1• ffi ~ ~ ~, A CUSTOMIZED T ~ZNZNG409 x205 Ca// Caro/ Schoeneck at 6 an of these workshops can be brought to your site. You choose the date and location; GTS M y provides the faculty and materials. Benefits inclu e • Program is held exclusively for y°endinmthem to the openf enrollment presentations. at a lower per-person cost than s g • You are guaranteed a date convenient to your participants. L^„ ^^~,_:~..:_ . _ SITE PLANNING BASICS FOR NON-DESIGN PROFESSIONALS Staff and citizen p/anners are often ca//ed upon to review site plans & render opinions about their compliance with /oca/ codes and ordinances,• often with /itt/e ifany design background. This course provides fundamenta/s of site analysis, checklists for subdivision & site plan review, insights into unintended resu/ts, and more! O April 11- St. Paul GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN /s yourjurisdiction facing the 2008 dead/ine set by the Metropolitan Counci/? OR do your /and use p/an and ordinances no longer match the current realities and future goa/s ofyour community? This special program takes you through the basics in the morning inc/uding required and optional a%ments, getting started, the step- by-step p/arming process, meaningful community involvement, research and mapping too/s, and then offers how-to workshops in the afternoon. Choose from Community Design, /mp/ementing Conservation Deve%pment & Open Space Preservation, Preparing & /mplementing A Compelling I/ision and Overcoming Cha//enges in Redeve%pment. O April 18 - St. Paul SPOTLIGHT ON SUBDIVISIONS (half-day--morning) Designed to provide a basic understanding of the issues surrounding review and approval of subdivisions, the program wi// cover creating and enforcing subdivision regu/ations, terms, the e%ments included in a subdivision proposa/. Case studies wi// it/ustrate effective designs taking into account street rights of way, utility easements, grading and drainage, bui/ding pads, lot access, wet/ands, and more. O May 3 - St. Paul SUBDIVISIONS: BEYOND THE BASICS (half-day--afternoon) Added by popular demand, this workshop begins where the morning /eaves off. Become familiar with examples of new subdivision designs around the country and the a%ments that are key to creating sustainab/e NEW! communities. Gain a more detailed understanding of the regu/atory flexibility needed, p/us how to use that knowledge to review and encourage private deve%pers to be creative and sensitive to your community goals. O May 3 - St. Paul HOW TO AVOID DROWNING IN LAKESHORE DEVELOPMENT • This high/y-rated program is designed to he/p participants understand how /and use decisions made by /oca/ off/c/a/s have far-reaching impacts on our water resources particularly lake quality. Presenters discuss the issues created by changing demographic trends, conversion of resorts, variance abuse, etc. and describe effective too/s for addressing the many economic & environmental challenges. O September 20 -Fergus Falls a d H ~ ~ CUSTOMIZED TRAINING Ca// Caro/ Schoeneck at 651-222-7409 x205 Many of these workshops can be brought to your site. You choose the date and location; GTS provides the faculty and materials. Benefits include: • Program is held exclusively for your community (or area of the state) at a lower per-person cost than sending them to the open enrollment presentations. • You are guaranteed a date convenient to your participants. • Workshop topics can be tailored to ensure that your current key community issues are covered. YOUR LINK TO COMPLETE INFORMATION ON GTS SERVICES AND PROGRAM SCHEDULES: www.mn ts,ora Complete Workshops Brochure Available Late ]anuary! PLANNING COMMISSION - 2007 Name Term Ezpires Address Chuck Long 12/31/2009 1717 Albert Street N Falcon Heights 55113 Barbara Lukermann 12/31/2008 2211 Folwell Avenue Falcon Heights 55108 Beth Mercer-Taylor 12/31 /2007 2231 Folwell Avenue Falcon Heights 55108 Wendy Noble 12/31/2009 1539 Crawford Avenue Falcon Heights 55113 Richard Rodich 12/31/2007 1341 Idaho Avenue W Falcon Heights 55108 Ken Salzberg 12/31/2009 1759 Lindig Street • Falcon Heights 55113 Eric Watkins 12/31/2009 1860 Snelling Ave. N Falcon Heights 55113 Phone/EMail H-651-917-7178 W-612-337-9306 eelabl@comcast.net H-651-645-2625 W-612-625-4310 blukermann@hhh.umn.edu H-651-646-2925 W-612-604-6548 beth@mercer-taylorlow.com H-651-643-0776 swnoble@usfamily.net H-651-646-2884 W-612-677-7388 richrodich@mac.com H-651-644-0007 W-651-523-23 54 ksalzberg@hamline.edu H-612-392-2586 W-612-624-7496 ewatkins@umn.edu Council Liaison Laura Kuettel 1879 Simpson H-651-646-7009 y Falcon Heights 55113 laurakuettel@gmail.com Staff Liaison Deb Jones, Zoning & Planning Director (01 / 16/07) • W-651-792-7613 deb. j ones @falconheights.org 2007 PLANNING COMM DIR.doc