HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ MINUTES 08-22-22/
City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting
City Council Chambers – 3800 Laverne Avenue North
Minutes of Regular Meeting of August 22, 2022
CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Steil called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Steil, Mueller, Vrieze
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Risner, Rehkamp
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Just, City Planner Hetzel
Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 PM
Approve Agenda:
M/S/P: Mueller / Vrieze made a motion to approve the agenda. Vote: 3-0, motion carried unanimously. (Risner, Rehkamp absent)
Approve Minutes:
M/S/P: Steil / Mueller made a motion to approve the 7-25-22 and 8-8-22 meeting minutes. Vote: 3-0, motion carried unanimously. (Risner, Rehkamp absent)
Public Hearings:
Impervious Surface Text Amendments. A City initiated text amendment to change the impervious surfaces definition and increase the maximum impervious lot coverage in the Shoreland Management
Overlay Districts.
City Planner Hetzel gave presentation and answered questions:
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: IMPERVIOUS DEFINITION
Section 1.08.010 defines impervious surface as any structure or surface which interferes to any degree with the direct absorption of water into the ground, including, but not limited
to, building footprints, sidewalks, paved or gravel driveways and parking areas, patios, sports courts, or any other similar surface. Decks, pervious landscape fabric, and retaining
walls shall not be included as impervious surface.
The current definition aligns with the MN DNR shoreland model ordinance definition and a majority of other local governments.
Staff found that many other communities do not list specific examples of impervious surfaces. The City Council feels examples in the current definition are not necessary and may be
confusing.
PROPOSED DEFINITION CHANGES:
Impervious surface means any structure or surface which interferes to any degree with the direct absorption of water into the ground., including, but not limited to, building footprints,
sidewalks, paved or gravel driveways and parking areas, patios, sport courts, or any other similar surface. Decks, pervious landscaping fabric, the surface water of pools and retaining
walls shall not be included as impervious surface.
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS LOT COVERAGE
Section 105.12.1260(c)(3) Table 17-3: Shoreland Standards currently restricts unsewered lots to a maximum of 15 percent, while sewered lots are allowed a maximum of 30 percent. This
results in a high number of variance requests being submitted to exceed to the maximum 15 percent. The intent of this amendment is to reduce the number of variance requests, while
not exceeding the maximum 25 percent allowable per MN Statute 6120.3300 and the DNR Model Ordinance. It is appropriate when a community receives many variance requests from the same
standard for that community to review whether the standard should be changed.
There was one email in opposition to this change from resident Ann Bucheck. Her reasoning was that this may have a negative impact on the environment
Public hearing opened at 7:15 PM.
Susan Dunn (11018 Upper 33rd St N Lake Elmo) thanked the Commissioners for their service to the community, and reiterated that the Planning Commission’s job is the health, safety and
welfare of the residents in the community.
Public hearing closed at 7:16 PM
M/S/P: Vrieze /Mueller moved to recommend to table the adoption of the proposed text amendment while staff works with the Minnesota DNR to review the proposed changes. Vote: 3-0, motion
carried unanimously. (Risner, Rehkamp absent) Vrieze and Mueller both stated that this text amendment needed more work and appreciate that the city staff will be working with the Minnesota
DNR.
b) 40-Foot Residential Setback from a Public Street Text Amendment. A City initiated text amendment to incorporate a 40-foot setback for any new residential development abutting a public
street in the area south of 10th Street.
Director Just gave presentation and answered questions:
Public hearing opened at 7:25 PM.
No public comments.
Public hearing closed at 7:25 PM.
M/S/P: Mueller / Steil moved to recommend adoption of the proposed amendment as presented, amending Section 105.12.930 Commercial Lot Dimensions and Building Bulk Requirements to incorporate
a 40-foot setback for all new residential development abutting a public street. Vote: 2-1, (Steil , Mueller: Aye, Vrieze: Nay) motion carried. (Risner, Rehkamp absent) Mueller stated
that the 40 foot setback is reasonable for safety reasons. Steil is also in agreement. Vrieze does not agree with this and believes a homeowner shouldn’t be limited in what they can
do with their property.
M/S/P: Mueller /Steil moved to recommend adoption of the proposed amendment as presented, amending Section 105.12.720 Lot Dimensions and Building Bulk Requirements to incorporate a 40-foot
setback for all new residential development abutting a public street. Vote: 2-1, (Steil , Mueller: Aye, Vrieze: Nay) motion carried. (Risner, Rehkamp absent) Mueller stated that the
40 foot setback is reasonable for safety reasons. Steil is also in agreement. Vrieze does not agree with this and believes a homeowner shouldn’t be limited in what they can do with
their property.
M/S/P: Steil /Mueller moved to recommend adoption of the proposed amendment as presented, amending Section 105.12.880 Mixed-Use Commercial and Mixed-Use Business Park Districts Lot Dimensions
and Building Bulk Requirements to incorporate a 40-foot setback for all new residential development abutting a public street. Vote: 2-1, (Steil , Mueller: Aye, Vrieze: Nay) motion carried.
(Risner, Rehkamp absent) Mueller stated that the 40 foot setback is reasonable for safety reasons. Steil is also in agreement. Vrieze does not agree with this and believes a homeowner
shouldn’t be limited in what they can do with their property.
Communications/Updates - City Council Updates
Upcoming Meetings
September 12th, 2022
September 26th, 2022
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Wendt
Permit Technician