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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2007 P&Z Minutes CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES DATE : November 14, 2007 TIME STARTED : 6:31 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:42 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Michael Hyde n, Perry Laden, Robert Nelson, Brian Pogalz (Vice Chair), Michael Root, Paul Tralle (Chair), Rob Rafferty MEMBERS ABSENT : None STAFF PRESENT : Paul Bengtson, Michael Grochala I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Chair Tralle called the Lino Lakes Planning a nd Zoning Board meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. on November 14, 2007. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Tralle requested the addi tion of a discussion item to update the board on the status of Legacy at Woods Edge. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 10, 2007 The approval of the October 10, 2007 minutes was tabled to the December meeting. IV. OPEN MIKE Chair Tralle declared Op en Mike at 6:33 p.m. Lloyd Chalupsky and Sally Bachmeier of 2215 Reiling Rd spoke regarding a dispute with a neighboring property owner, Kenneth Muehlste dt of 2221 Reiling Road, that they stated has been ongoing since 2004. Ms. Bachmeier e xplained that Mr. Mueh lstedt applied for a variance, was asked to submit a survey, a nd has yet to do so. They are wondering how long the city is going to allow Mr. Muehlste dt to submit the necessary documentation. Staff explained a history of the issues betw een the property owners for the board. Mr. Bengtson clarified that Mr. Mueh lstedt’s application for a variance to the setback for an existing garage was complete, however sta ff requested that an updated survey be APPROVED MINUTES Planning & Zoning Board November 14, 2007 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES submitted for review. Therefore, staff explai ned that the variance application will be placed on the December meeting agenda. Staff explained that the applicant’s garage was built with a permit and was inspected. However it was since discovered that setback re quirements were not properly met. The applicant brought a variance request for the setback before the P&Z Board a few years past, the P&Z recommended denial and the app licant chose to withdraw the application. Staff explained that the applicant then remove d what he believed to be the encroachment. Ms. Bachmeier stated that Mr. Muehlstedt’s existing garage, driveway and fence do not meet setback requirements. Mr. Grochala explained that there have been a nu mber of issues with this site. He stated that the matters in question recently went befo re the city council and have been turned over to the City Attorney for review. Mr. Gr ochala added that both property owners need to be heard by the board. Ms. Bachmeier noted that the structural engi neer who gave his opi nion to Pete Kluegel (city building official), rega rding the addition to the att ached garage, did so without visiting the property. She stated th is addition does not meet code. Mr. Tralle stated that he unde rstands the property owners’ fr ustration, but the issue will be discussed at next month’s meeting. He as ked for their patience with this issue. Mr. Tralle requested that staff speak with th e city’s attorney a nd move things along. Mr. Pogalz made a MOTION to close Open Mike at 6:44 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Hyden. Motion carried 6 - 0. V. ACTION ITEMS A. PUBLIC HEARING for an Amendment to the City of Lino Lakes Zoning Ordinance, Section 3, Subd. 3.B. relate d to the subdivision of unsewered lots Michael Grochala, Community Development Di rector, presented the staff report. He noted that the city council reviewed the la nguage and requested that it be brought to the P&Z Board for a recommendation. Mr. Grochala explained that limiting the lot si ze is typically an unde rwriting issue to aid in the sale of property. The reason appears to be that in the case of a foreclosure, the lender would have an easier time selling a sma ller property rather than a larger one. He explained that although a propert y owner would be required to combine the split parcels prior to a sale, a foreclos ure would allow the removed parcel to be sold alone. Board Members were concerned that the city’s in tent is to control growth and not be left with small lots, and this c ould potentially be a huge exception. They noted that foreclosures are common and it seems that the city would be opening itself up to opportunities for smaller parcels. They we re concerned about th e number of potential Planning & Zoning Board November 14, 2007 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES lots this could affect. Mr. Grochala stated that staff began to an alyze this number and estimated that 300 to 400 lots or mo re could potentially be affected. Board members were also concerned about the possible interpretations of a “lending institution.” Mr. Tralle stated that he unde rstands that the city council is looking to keep people in their homes. He is note sure there are many pr operty owners that w ould even do this, but it would provide an opportunity for those who need it. The majority of board members agreed that they do not think this should be a city ordinance. They pointed out that the city would be making an exception for a number of individuals and there would be consequences to go with it. They do not think the city is in a position to change a policy based on a fi nancial institution. Board Members pointed out that the city is not the one telling indi viduals they cannot have a reverse mortgage. Mr. Tralle opened the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m. Nobody was present to speak. Mr. Rafferty made a MOTION to close the Public Hearing at 7:08 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Hyden. Motion carried 6-0 Mr. Nelson made a MOTION to recommend deni al of the Amendment to the Lino Lakes Zoning Ordinance, Section 3, Subd. 3.B. related to the subdivision of unsewered lots. Motion was supported by Mr. Hyden. Motion carried 6 - 0. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Comp Plan Process – Update Mr. Grochala stated that there was a positiv e discussion on a number of issues at the last Advisory Panel meeting. He reminded the board that there will be an open house for the public on December 4. He noted th at the open house will include a formal presentation as well as the opportunity to ad dress specific questions. He added that a flyer will be included in the city’s newslett er this month to invite citizens to attend. B. Legacy at Woods Edge – Update Mr. Grochala updated the board on the pr ogress of the Legacy at Woods Edge development. He informed board member s that Hartford Group attended the last Work Session to discuss the next phase, wh ich is a senior housi ng facility to span independent living, modified care and assist ed care living. There will be 140 -160 potential units on site. Hartford intends to submit plans in January in anticipation of building in spring or summer. Mr. Grochala explained that Hartford is propos ing to rotate the site from the original master plan in order to ma ximize commercial visibility to Lake Drive, which will Planning & Zoning Board November 14, 2007 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES require amending the Legacy Land Use Pla n. He summarized that the Lakewood Apartments should be leased by the end of year, the townhome project is on hold due to the decreased market, and commercial inte rest has been slow due to the market as well as the Lake Drive improvements. Hartford approached the council with a potential change to th e residential housing agreement. They proposed increasing the amount of rental units and decreasing the owner occupied units, as there is a viable market for rental units. Board Members were concerned about the pote ntial loss of restaurants. Mr. Grochala remarked that the proposed changes in clude maximizing the opportunity for the proposed restaurant pads a nd the best potential use of the development. Board members did not want to lose the urban feel of the development. C. Transportation – Update Mr. Grochala updated the board on the st atus of road construction projects. He stated the east side of the Lake Dr./35W bridge is open. He added that in preparation of demolition of the old bridge, Lake Drive will be closed from Apollo Dr. to Town Center Pkwy for the weekend. Exit ramps will be used as the mainline for 35W and there will be no access to Lake Drive. Drivers will need to take the Lexington exit. He said overall the proj ect is about one week behind schedule and that signalization is now planned for January. He attended the open house for the 35E/Main St. interchange. A park & ride is being considered for the NW quadrant of the inte rchange. The city has been working with Metro Transit regarding bus r outes and park and ride locat ions. The city needs to consider what the local bus service will be like in the future as part of the Comprehensive Plan. D. 2008 Meeting Dates Mr. Grochala noted that st aff distributed a 2008 Meeting Schedule and there were no changes to the regularaly sche duled P&Z Board Meeting dates. VII. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Rafferty made a MOTION to adjourn th e meeting at 7:42 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Pogalz. Motion carried 6-0. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Bugge Community Development Assistant