Laserfiche WebLink
Planning & Zoning Board <br />April 8, 2009 <br />Page 3 <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />neighborhoods in the area. They are concerned abou t the proposed mixed use area west <br />of Hodgson Road, specifically the lack of buffer ar ea shown between residential and <br />commercial development. They would like the city t o consider rezoning the mixed use <br />area to neighborhood business. They questioned why the housing projections are so high <br />in this area. They wondered why a larger number of employees was proposed for the <br />commercial area west of Hodgson versus the projecti on east of Hodgson. They asked <br />that the city remember that this proposed gateway a rea includes a number of existing <br />residential areas. <br /> <br />Jeff Joyer, 8174 Lake Drive, Waldoch Farm, commente d on Ms. Weinkauf’s property, <br />stating that he was an agent involved in that land transaction and that Ms. Weinkauf <br />relied on the fact that the property was zoned comm ercial at the time of purchase. He <br />added that he does not consider her gravel driveway to serve much as a buffer. He <br />appreciated staff’s recommendation to include his p roperty in the staging area. He <br />commented on his 39 acre parcel of land immediately north of the smaller parcel. He <br />stated that the draft comp plan guides his 39-acre property as urban reserve, with no <br />available sewer until 2030. He stated for the reco rd that he will return someday to a P&Z <br />Meeting regarding development of this property as h e is accepting of accommodations by <br />staff that there is room in the future for developm ent. He commended staff for their work <br />throughout this process. <br /> <br />Mr. Smyser responded to resident concerns. He expl ained that the 2002 Comprehensive <br />Plan guided the Weinkauf property as residential, h owever the property is zoned <br />commercial. Staff is not sure why discrepancies su ch as this exist, but they need to be <br />corrected. According to MN State Statute, the comp rehensive plan is the guiding <br />document for a city and changes should be made so t hat parcels conform. The <br />Comprehensive Plan Advisory Panel determined that t his property should be residential. <br />The property to the east will be zoned mixed use, w hich may include residential areas in <br />addition to commercial uses. Staff does consider t he driveway to be a physical buffer. <br />Staff’s continued recommendation is that the proper ty be zoned residential. Staff does <br />not feel that the size of the property is compatibl e with a commercial use. <br /> <br />Board member comments included that the greater goo d of the neighborhood should be <br />considered rather than an individual good, and that a driveway that would potentially run <br />between two commercial areas may not be compatible with a residential access. <br /> <br />Ms. Weinkauf explained that her husband currently r uns a part time computer repair <br />business, but it is possible that someday she may w ant to relocate her existing tax service <br />business to this location. <br /> <br />Staff’s suggestion was to review the current home o ccupations ordinance to consider <br />expanding the allowances in order to accommodate th e type of business the Weinkaufs <br />are considering. Staff did not feel it necessary t o guide the property for commercial in <br />order to allow for the requested home occupation. <br /> <br />Ms. Brady made a MOTION to recommend that the prope rty at 797 Main Street be <br />guided as Low Density Residential as proposed in th e Draft 2030 Comprehensive Plan. <br />Motion was supported by Mr. Laden.