01/12/2005 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • Planning & Zoning Board December 8, 2004 Page 3 Mr. Pogalz asked if a church as appropriate in this residential area. Mr. Bengtson replied a church was an appropriate use, but it would be up to the Council and this Board to determine if it was appropriate in a residential area. William Loss, 6956 Lake Drive, stated he would rather see some homes built on those lots because of traffic concerns and no connections to water and sewer. He stated he was not in favor of this development. Carol Stanek, 6970 Lake Drive, stated previously the owner had wanted to get those lots split and the City would not allow that so that was the reason this was being sold as one lot. She stated it was her understanding that the City did not want to run utilities to the residential homes. She wondered why it would be okay to put sewer and water in for a small church, where it would not be okay to do this for two residential homes. She expressed concern about the safety in the parking lot and the lights being on all of the time if there was a safety incident. Mr. Smyser replied there were many areas in the City where utility extensions could be put in, but the assessment that would be put on a residential area was very expensive and many residents did not want to pay for the assessment and the City could not make a resident put in utilities. He stated that was the reason that they did not allow a lot split. He noted the Church would be charged an assessment for utilities and they were a larger user so they were more able to afford the assessment cost. He stated a church was allowed in this area with a Conditional Use Permit. Ms. Stanek noted if utilities were unaffordable as one lot, they would be unaffordable as two lots. Mr. Smyser replied there were two lots out there now and one of those lots were being sold to the church. He noted there was no subdivision. Ms. Stanek asked why was the subdivision not allowed. Mr. Smyser replied it was very difficult to bring utilities to the residential area. Mr. Pogalz asked if the plan was for the Church to put in a septic system and well. Mr. Smyser replied that was correct. Dave Knutson, 38 West Golden Lake Road, Circle Pines, stated he represented the congregation that was purchasing the lot. He stated they were still waiting on the County's review and approval, but he would be getting everything into them in the next few days. He stated he had left a message for the Stanek's, but they have not been able to connect yet. He stated they wanted to be as good of a neighbor as they could and the light issue was a concern. He stated the lights would be on a motion sensor and they would not be on all night. Mr. Laden stated one of the concerns was the size of the parking lot. He asked if the parking lot could be reduced. Mr. Knutson replied he understood they had one excess parking space. Mr. Bengtson replied in his report he talked about how the setbacks were not in the ordinance, but the actual parking requirements had to be met whether it was in a DRAFT MINUTES