Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/1976 P&Z Minutes- Page One - February 18, 1976 The regular meeting of the Lino Lakes Planning and Zoning Board was called to order at 8:02 P.M. on February 18, 1976 by Chairman Gourley. Members present; Houle, Karth, Nadeau, Shearen. Absent; Hill, Kelling. Mr. McLean, Council liaison, was present. Mr. Nadeau suggested eliminating the fourth suggestion on the last page of the January minutes. He felt the /»Ailing of the agenda and the items to be considered is enough of a reminder. Mr. Nadeau moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried. Mr. Baber, representating the Huber property, had called to say he would not appear at this meeting as scheduled. Mr. Gene Mobley, Building Inspector, was next on the agenda. Mr. Mobley was introduced to the members of the Planning and Zoning Board. Mr. Mobley had several items he would like this Board to consider. The first was the suggestion that all contractors be required to be licensed in.order to operate within the City limits. He felt since you must have a State License in order to operate as a plumber or electrician, these firms should only have to be registered. Contractors should present proof of insurance and be bonded in order to obtain a certificate to work within this City. There was discussion on this with some members feeling this is one more cost that would be passed on to the home owner. There was the suggestion this requirement is premature for this community Sincethie is only a recommendation fvom the Building Inspector, it will be discussed further. Mr. Mobley had drawn up a form for the rgquirements of obtaining a building permit and the inspections required. Mr. Shearen had some questions on the new addition to the building code that deals with the energy factor. Mr. Robley answered his questions. Mr. Mobley presented a proposed form to be used for the issuance of a 'Certificate of Occupancy'. He said there is approximately eleven homes in the area that have permits dating. back to 1974 and are not completed as of this date. People are living in these structures with various reasons for the state of incompletion. The discussion returned to the licensening of the contractors. Mr. Houle felt the requirements of insurance, bonding and licensening would price the consumer out of the market. Mr. Shearen felt that most legimate builders are licensed and bond- ed and in the area of the farming community, building permits are not required. Mr. Mobley said he was only interested in protecting the consumer. If the work contracted for is not done according to specifications, there would be some recourse for them. - Page Two - February 18, 1976 Mr. Nadeau felt that licensening would not create competition but would tend to freeze out the small builders. He thought maybe this is the coming thing but this community should move slowly in this area. Mr. Karth said that Arden Hills had gone through this process a few years ago and by the time the requirements were met by the consumer, the oosts added to•the price of a home in the form of permits wes over $250.00. Mr. Mobley said licensening for identity purposes for the protection of the consumer was his objective, if it's a matter of controversy, he doesn't want any part of it. He thought if people knew they had to have a certificate of occupancy before they could occupy their homes, they will make more of an effort to get the home completed. These forms would be submitted with the applications. Mr. Karth asked how long people were given to complete a home and Mr. Mobley said 120 days. The general consensus of the Board was a home could not be completed in that short a time. Mr. McLean said that another Ordinance says one year for completion. He cited the allowance of the narking of a mobile home while con- struction is in process. Thi, permit for the parking of the mobile is renewable for a period of one year. Mr. Nadeau said the limit between the issuance of a building permit and time when occupancy is allowed must be a reasonable time. Mr. Mobley restated this is just a proposal for establishing occupancy for this Board's consideration. Mr. Nadeau said this is an interesting discussion and he would like to pursue it further, but he felt the Board should move on to the other items on the agenda. Mr. Wickett, who owns property along County Road 'J' appeared be- fore the Board with a suggestion that a warehouse and office space building be constructed on his property. He said the land is now zoned as R1 or for a double house but since this property has only approximately 200' frontage on County Road 'J' and is over 1300' deep, this is a waste of land. He is looking for the highest and best use for the property. Mr. Wickett said he had never been involved in this process before and had appeared here for information as to the process he plVS7— fcll,ow.. He also thought the course of the interceptor would govern his actions to a certain degree. Mr. McLean said he would have to follow the requirements as set forth in Ordinance #56 - present a proposal for the land and make application for rezoning the property. The Clerk was instructed to mail a copy of Ordinance #56 along with the necessary application forms to Mr. Mickett. Also any - Page Three - February 18, 1976 any other information Mr. Nickett might require. Mr. Floyd Linnell had applied for a variance to keep bees on a parcel of land of less than. five acres. Mr. Linnell said he was unaware of the necessity of having a variance and he had acquired a hive of bees last year. Mr. Nadeau asked if there had been any complaints from any of the neighbors, and Mr. Linnell said, No, in fact one of the neighbors has five hives of bees. Mr. Karth asked if he has them registered with the State and Mr. Linnell said, Yes. Mr. Karth asked if he had insurance to cover doctor and hospital bills in the event someone was stung by his bees.. Mr. Linnell wasn't sure. He said he would have to check his policy. Mr. Houle asked if he sold honey and Mr. Linnell said, No, not yet and if he did it would only be to his friends. Mr. Houle said if honey is sold, the bees are excluded from his insurance. Mr. Nadeau felt that Mr. Linnell should have the consent of his neighbors. He couldnot foresee any problems with the keeping of the bees, but thought Mr. Linnell should apply for a special use permit instead of the variance. This would give the City more control in case some problem does develop. Mr. Shearen agreed. Mr. Gourley asked Mr. Linnell to pick up the forms at the Clerk's office for a Special Use Permit. This requires the consent of all property owners within 300' of Mr. Linnell's property. Mr. Gourley said the fee would be transferred to the special use application. Mr. Karth agreed. He felt a special use permit can be reviewed and if the operation is not controlled, the permit can be withdrawn. Mr. Nadeau said a variance is a more permanent thing - special use permits can be controlled. He didnot think there was any problem with the keeping of the bees at that location. He felt the area could handle them. Mr. Shearen moved to table this application for a variance and reconsider as a special use permit. This matter to be on the March agenda. Seconded by Mr. Houle. Motion carried. Mr. Gourley said that he had discussed the work that needs to be done by this Board with Mr. McLean and he would like to suggest the Board be split into committees, with each committee assigned to work on a specific project. The special use permits need to be reviewed, the sign ordinance needs to be looked over for possi- ble revision, the zoning ordinance needs some work and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan must be reviewed this year. Mr. Karth asked if there had been any complaints in reference to the special use permits and was told, No. He thought they should be left alone. Mr. McLean said there had been discussion at a Council meeting that possibly the inspection of these special use permits could - Page Four - February 18, 1976 be done by the Building Inspector. There has been no precedure set up for payment for these inspections and this would have to be done. Mr. Karth asked if the zoning ordinance is revised, can the City afford the reprinting of the books? Mr. McLean said this would have to become the responsibility of the Council. This Board's responsibility is to present suggested changes for Council con- sideration. These revisions, if there are any, could be as an addendum to the ordinance and would not require the reprinting of the entire book. Mr. Gourley asked if the members had a preference as to which ordinance they would like to work with. Mr. Shearen and Mr. Karth said they would prefer to work with the zoning ordinance. Mr. Houle suggested that each member go through the ordinances that are up for review and bring their ideas for discussion by ehe entire Board. Mr. Nadeau agreed. He suggested during this next month each member go through the ordinances and mark the problem areas they are aware of or they felt needed discussion. Bring this to the March meeting and turn over to the committee members for sol- ution and revisions. Mr. Houle said he would be glad to work on any of the Otdinances but thought he needed more experience in order to understand the problems that exist. Mr. McLean said he would work with Mr. Houle on the sign ordinance. Mr. Nadeau will also work on this Ordinance. Mr. Gourley asked all members to go through all the ordinances in question and bring their suggestions to the March meetin§ for discussion. Mr. McLean suggested Mr. Gourley go through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This will provide valuable information for him. He should also get information on the planned interceptor. This will give him an insight as to the possible changes that will result in the Southeast corner of the City. Mr. Shearen moved to adjourn at 10:05 P.M. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Aye.