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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_80Nov3MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 3, 1980 • The Regular Planning Commission Meeting for the month of November was called to order by Chairman Les Larsen at 7:30 p.m. November 3, 1980. Present were Al Stefanson, Erma Olson, Jerry Wallin, Mike Heffron, Bob Blomberg, Harold Nilsen and Jim Bourquin. Also present was Council Liaison Sandy Larson. Absent was Elving Anderson. The first item of business was the application of W. Pipkorn, 1757 N. Hamline, for a permit to construct a 20' by 20' garage on pre-existing foundations on his property. The garage was previously destroyed by fire leaving the footings intact. Bob Blomberg had visited the site and was of the opinion that the foot- ings appeared to be in good shape. Upon a motion by Mike Heffron and seconded by Erma Olson it was recommended that the Council grant the building and use permit upon the condition that a permission letter from the affected neighbor be obtained and presented. The motion was unanimously carried. The next item of business was regarding the pool ordinance. All swimming pool owners in the City had been notified of the meeting. Sandy Larson advised the Commission that the ordinance that was passed already contained the language which might have a retroactive effect. Erma Olson spoke on the ordinance in the capacity of a pool owner. She would be highly upset if the fencing height were changed and made applicable to existing pools by virtue of the new ordi- nance so as to require a 6 foot high fence. At the time she built her pool several years ago she fought with the City for over a year to get approval for a 5 foot fence when 22 feet was the height limit. City Attorney Kenefick indicated that the intent of the pool ordinance was to require 6 foot fences on prospective new pools and similarly on existing pools with no fences at all. • Jim Bourquin was generally in support of the fencing requirement. Carl Dale was of the opinion that 5 feet was adequate, but it should be around the pool rather than around the property line. Al Stefanson was of the opinion that all pools should conform to the ordinance. Suggestions were made that the pool fence height requirement be established at 5 feet. Sandy Larson said she would take the Commission's comments to the next Council Meeting. Sandy Larson advised the Commission of certain decisions recently made by the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding the intersection of Crawford and Snelling. Apparently that intersection has more vehicular accidents than the Snelling - Larpenteur intersection. The State will barricade the median to prevent crossing Snelling at Crawford. Access from the east side of Snelling on to Crawford will remain so that vehicles may turn right and go north on Snelling from Crawford. She also advised that the State is planning to barricade the Larpenteur entrance to the Flower City parking area. This is expected to be done by 1982 and it is anticipated that the State will pick up at least 75% of the cost. Sandy also advised that the Board of County Commissioners has approved the establishment of stop signs at Cleveland and Roselawn as well as Hamline and Roselawn so as to make those intersections four way stops from the present two way stop. This is for the purpose of conducting a two year trial period. Sandy further advised that the current effort to vacate the walk way that was discussed at recent Council Meetings has met with a problem. There is some • reference in the abstracts of title so as to create problems if the vacating goes as originally planned. John Kenefick is looking into this problem. Carl Dale discussed the comments contained in the University of Minnesota's letter dated October 16, 1980 concerning our Comprehensive Plan. He felt that MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 3, 1980 PAGE 2 • it was an over all good commentary on the Plana The letter shows an interest on the part of the University to reestablish communications and otherwise good working relationship between them and the City. John Kenefick discussed his current efforts directed towards codification of existing and new City ordinances. He advised that the Planning Commission had never been established officially by ordinance and felt that it should be done. He presented a proposed ordinance to effectuate that goal providing for staggered terms on the initial appointment. Upon a motion made by Jim Bourquin, seconded by Al Stefanson, it was unanimously carried that the proposed ordinance be recom- mended to the Council for passage. Kenefick went on to relate that Ordinance ~~64 in the existing Subdivision Ordinance, in his opinion, needs to be completely redrafted. He suggested scrapping the existing Subdivision Ordinance in favor of something along the lines of the Washington County Model Ordinance. Carl Dale agreed, having been the person who drafted the Washington County Model. Carl Dale advised that he is preparing an entirely new text for a Zoning Ordinance. Chairman Les Larsen asked both Kenefick and Dale for copies of both proposed ordinances to be dis- tributed before the next Planning Commission Meeting, scheduled for December 1, 1980. Both Kenefick and Dale felt there should be no problems getting those proposals in to the members' hands before the next meeting. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry Wallin, Secretary i ANNUP.L REPORT--PLANNING COMMISSION At the first meeting, when I met with the PLarming Commission as liaison froLn the council, I expressed some of my hopes for the work of ti,e Coa~,ission--such as Comprehensive Plan, up- dating ordinances. Looking at cur efforts as a Commission and what has been accomplished, r,os~~ of these goals have been achieved or soon will be. At.tr,e first meeting, I also stated my feelings about my position as Council liaison--I would offer my views, but they shouldn't be considered to be "written in concrete." I was not going to lead the Commission members to a predetermined conclusion, as had been done sometimes in the past. There was some difficulty in this regard--freedom of choice sometimes is overwhelming, when you have not had that much freedom in the past. I couldn't be more proud of the members of this commission and the tremendous amount of work they have done this year. We have met at least once each mo~hth, and on some occasions, working on the Comprehensive Plan, melt twice a month. The members of the Planning Commission have given freely of their time and concern for the City, and I feel they, working with Carl Dale, have come up with a very high quality, workable plan. I believe that it will be a good guideline for the City to follow during the next five years, if it is used. Although the work has been arduous and time-consuming, the members have come through with . flying colors. The members have done some soul-searching on the Swimming Pool. Ordinance and had good give-and-take, both with input from two members of the Commission who have swimming pools, as well as the other members. The Billboard Ordinance caused careful deliberation, but they were in accord as to "flashing" signs and theproblems the ordinance might cause to Embers and the dry cleaners who already have what is termed "flashing" signs. They felt it necessary to get rid of all outdoor advertising, yet to maintain the business advertising that is so necessary to the City. The latest project, which they began to touch on at their November meeting and which will probably carryover to the first of the year, is the rewriting and revamping of the Zoning Ordinance-- Ordinance 64. With appreciated help from the city attorney and Carl Dale, we will end up with some statements which are concise, easily understood, and, I trust, not ambiguous, which will aid the City in enforcing this ordinance. The Commission has also recommended to the Council the acceptance and passage of an ordinance which will establish the Planning Commission, since previously it was established by a council resolution and legally cannot be considered a Commission, until this new ordinance is enacted. to summation, I cannot speak too hi and cooperation and concern of the membe They have accomplished a great deal this firmer foundation on which to build for Heights. I know they will meet each new same concern, devotion and diligence the I feel they have an accomplishment, this they can take .justifiable pride. ghly of the hard work rs of this committee. year which gives a the future of Falcon challenge with the y have in the past. past year, in which ~I •