December 19, 2006 CCP - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROVED: 12/11/06 City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of November 27, 2006 Chairman Helwig called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Van Zandt, Deziel, Ptacek, Roth, Lyzenga, Schneider, McGinnis, Armstrong, and Commissioner Fliflet, COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnston and Councilmember Johnson, STAFF PRESENT: Finance Director Bouthilet, Assistant Planner Matzek and Recording Secretary Anez. Pledge of Allegiance Agenda M/S/P, Ptacek/Van Zandt to accept the Agenda as presented. Vote: 9:0. Minutes M/S/P, Roth/Flifltet to accept the Minutes of November 6, 2006 as presented. Vote: 8:0:1, Abstain: Ptacek-Absence. M/S/P, Ptacelc/Roth to accept the Minutes of October 30, 2006 as presented. Vote: 9:0. Public Hearing: Variances on Bennett Avenue for Neil and Elizabeth Miller The Assistant Planner introduced the application for the variances for The Miller's property on unimproved Bennett Avenue. She explained the past vacations of two roads and the unimproved dedicated roads that remain. The road frontage requirements in the R-1 Zoning District are 125 feet, and the applicants only have sixty feet on the unimproved Bennett Avenue. The Assistant Planner reported that the Fire Chief said he would prefer 14 feet in width and height for safety vehicle access. He also said he has concerns with the curves and corners in the proposed driveway as well. Assistant Planner Matzek said that the driveway would be created on a neighboring parcel then crossing the city's right-of-way. An agreement would have to be drafted to protect the city from liability for the crossing of the right of way. She pointed out that shared driveways also sometimes present problems for maintenance issues. The Assistant Planner said the address files for two neighbors had drainage reports and a history of flooding on those parcels is well documented. Valley Branch Watershed District added requirements for lowest floor elevation as well as the requirement that a watershed district permit would be necessary for any work at or below 932.5 feet in elevation. The Assistant Planner pointed out that the northern parcel was assessed as a Recreational Lot when the roadway was improved in the past. The Assistant Planner recommended denial of the application for variances due to the safety concerns and the impact on adjacent properties based upon flooding history. She said that if the Planning Commission recommends approval, an easement agreement for the driveway would be a requirement of approval. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from November 27, 2006