HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ Packet; 10-23-17
3800 Laverne Avenue North
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
(651) 747-3900
www.lakeelmo.org
NOTICE OF MEETING
The City of Lake Elmo
Planning Commission will conduct a meeting on
Monday October 23, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Approve Agenda
3. Approve Minutes
a. October 11, 2017
4. Public Hearings
a. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT AND ZONING TEXT
AMENDMENT. A request from Landucci Homes, Inc., 13230 20th St. Ct. N,
Stillwater, MN 55082, to amend language regarding allowable density for Open
Space Preservation developments within the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning
Code.
b. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS, ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT,
AND ZONING MAP AMENDMENT. Requests by the City of Lake Elmo to
amend the City’s Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan, creating a new Closed
Landfill Restricted Land Use Category and re-guiding portions of PID #’s
10.029.21.33.0001, 10.029.21.34.0001, 15.292.12.10.003, 15.292.12.20.0001,
from Public/Semi Public to Closed Landfill Restricted Land Use; to amend the
City’s Zoning Code, creating a new zoning district corresponding to the new
Closed Landfill Restricted Land Use Category; and to re-zone portions of PID #’s
10.029.21.33.0001, 10.029.21.34.0001, 15.292.12.10.0003, 15.292.12.20.0001
from Public Facilities to Closed Landfill Restricted Land Use or similar zoning
district title.
5. Business Items
a.
6. Updates
a. City Council Updates – 10/17/17 Meeting
a. CUP for Increased Accessory Structures 11459 60th St - passed
b. ZTA, ZMA and CUP to allow Commercial Boarding Facility - failed
c. CPA and Concept Plan Continental Properties – sent back to PC
d. Variance for 8130 Hill Trail - passed
Staff Updates
e. Upcoming Meetings:
November 13, 2017
December 11, 2017
f. MAC CEP Report-none
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g. Comprehensive Plan Update
b. Commission Concerns
7. Adjourn
***Note: Every effort will be made to accommodate person or persons that need special considerations to attend this
meeting due to a health condition or disability. Please contact the Lake Elmo City Clerk if you are in need of special
accommodations.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-11-17
City of Lake Elmo
Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of October 11, 2017
Chairman Williams called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at
7:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Williams, Lundquist, Dodson, Emerson, Johnson,
Dorschner & Hartley (joined at 7:06)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Kreimer & Larson
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Becker and City Planner Prchal
Approve Agenda:
M/S/P: Dorschner/Dodson, move to accept the agenda as presented, Vote: 5-0, motion
carried unanimously.
Approve Minutes: September 25, 2017
M/S/P: Dorschner/Lundquist, move to approve the September 25, 2017 minutes as
amended, Vote: 5-0, motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing Item – Conditional Use Permit 11459 60th Street
Becker started her presentation regarding the Conditional Use Permit application from
Chad and Eileen Bergmann to allow an additional accessory structure to the maximum
number and size permitted in the Rural Residential zoning district for the property
located at 11459 60th Street. This parcel is located just south of Hwy 36.
The applicant has applied for a lot line adjustment to change the existing lot from 4.58
acres to 6.86 acres, making it more conforming. It will include the barn with the existing
homestead which has the same well and electricity source.
There currently are 4 structures on the existing parcel including small sheds that are
under 160 square feet. Those are not included in the amount of accessory structures
allowed, but it all totals 3640 square feet which is already non-conforming. The number
of structures that would exist on the resultant parcel after the lot line adjustment would
be 8 totaling 6392 square feet. The zoning code states that additional accessory
structures are allowed in AG & RR by Conditional Use Permit. Becker went through the
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Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-11-17
findings that must be met in order to approve the Conditional Use Permit and how the
application met the findings.
Staff is recommending one condition of approval that the lot line adjustment be
approved by staff and recorded with the County, with proof of recording submitted to
the City within 60 days of approval.
Eileen Bergmann, 5500 Lake Elmo Ave, the barn and house at one time was together. At
some point in the ‘60’s, the barn was separated from the home. They would like to put
it back with the house as the water, electricity, etc. comes from the home.
Public Hearing opened at 7:17 pm
There was one inquiry asking if any new structures were being proposed, which there is
not.
Public Hearing closed at 7:17 pm
LUNDQUIST is familiar with the property and feels this makes perfect sense.
M/S/P: Hartley/Lundquist, move to recommend approval of the request from Richard,
Eileen and Chad Bergmann for a conditional use permit to allow an excess of the
permitted two accessory structures and accessory structure size requirements in the
Rural Residential zoning district for the property located at 11459 60th Street North
subject to recommended condition of approval and findings in the staff report, Vote: 6-
0, motion carried unanimously.
Business Item – Wind Power Ordinance Discussion
Prchal started his presentation regarding the Wind Power Ordinance. Currently the
Wind Generator Ordinance is not clearly referenced . It is in Chapter 150 and is an
ordinance and is allowed in AG & RR.
Currently there is an application process. The application needs to be filled out and
engineer plans need to be submitted with the application. A site plan also needs to be
provided of the applicant’s property showing where the wind generator will be located
and identifying all existing structures. They also need to include a statement of
compliance with all applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Agency.
The application is reviewed by the Building Official and there is a public hearing
conducted by the City Council. There are 2 conditions of approval 1) Expires upon sa le
or subdivision of the land and are reviewed annually 2) May be revoked if not compliant
with conditions of permit.
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Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-11-17
There are a number of other conditions that must be met. These include 1) minimum
lot size of 40 acres 2) cannot exceed 125 feet in height 3) minimum setback for wind
generator and guy wires from property line is 150 feet 4) fencing may be required 5) no
lighting 6) not allowed in Lake Emo Airport Safety Zones 7) 1000 feet between wind
generators 8) if property subdivided to less than 40 acres, the wind generator will be
removed 9) permit is not transferable.
Dodson is wondering about Commercial Wind Generators and how would those be
restricted. How does that City restrict them from going in places we do not want them.
Becker stated that currently it is not in the zoning code. Staff wants feedback from the
Planning Commission to see if it should be moved to zoning code. There is currently
nothing that prohibits them from going in the AG & RR zones. It doesn’t require a CUP
so if they meet the conditions, they would be allowed.
Hartley would argue that because the excess energy produced is sold back, that any of
these could be considered commercial to some aspect. Hartley feels these should be
regulated through size and height. Dodson thinks that they could possibly be regulated
based on blade length. Hartley researched the size of the wind generator in North St.
Paul for reference and found that it is 115 feet from the base to the tip of the rotor. The
shaft is 80 feet to the hub.
Dodson has 2 concerns with the larger ones 1) the aesthetics 2) they take a toll on birds.
He feels that solar is a lot less impactful on the City. Dodson feels that this should be
located in the code where the solar ordinance is and perhaps there are some common
elements. Dodson felt most of the safety standards seemed pertinent.
Dodson asked what the difference is of having the Wind Generator ordinance in the
municipal code vs. in the Zoning code. Becker stated that ordinances outside of the
zoning code does not require a public hearing. Also, from a customer service
standpoint, it is easier to look in the zoning code to figure out what is allowed in each
zone. Becker feels that it might make sense to put all of the alternative energy opti ons
together with standards.
Dodson feels that there should be a wind generator section, but the technical aspects
could be dealt with administratively through the application process.
Hartley asked if there should be a setback from a waterbody or park.
Williams asked what topics should be discussed. The Commission felt that there should
be a safety section. Hartley stated that there should be a requirement that there be
instructions on how to shut down the wind generator in case of emergency.
Dodson wants something included about abandonment that it needs to be torn down at
their expense.
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Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-11-17
Hartley stated that “horizontal shaft” needs to be deleted from the definition as not all
wind generators have a horizontal shaft.
Dodson asked if the City would allow attached antenna on the wind generator. The
Commission seemed in favor of allowing this. Hartley thinks there should be no
advertising.
Becker asked if the Planning Commission wanted to leave the allowed zones to only AG
& RR and if they wanted to limit it to lots of 40 acres or more. Becker also wanted to
know if the Commission wanted leave the existing text that limits the location to no
closer than 1000 feet apart.
Williams thinks that the minimum lot size should be lowered and the space between
should also be lowered. Emerson feels that if you have 10 acres, you should be able to
put one up and they should also be allowed in commercial areas. Emerson stated that
there are also wind generators that can be mounted on the top of a building. Dorschner
is wondering if there could be a standard for roof mounted in residential. Becker stated
the North St. Paul had standards for roof mounted wind generators. Williams is thinking
they might want to allow in all districts, but would need different standards for each
zone. Williams is wondering if they would want all of them subject to Conditional Use
Permits, or would some of the small roof mount ones just be allowed.
Dodson thinks if it is roof mounted, it should h ave the same height restriction as the
home. If it is free standing it should have a different height restriction. Emerson thinks
in a residential district, the free standing should still have a 35 foot restriction, which
might preclude them from even being there.
Williams asked if City Staff could provide some language to provide for wind generators
in all districts with the start of the proper size limits in the different zoning districts.
Dorschner is wondering if it could be structure mounted instead of roof mount as that
limits where the wind generator can go. Hartley would like the height restrictions to
somehow be related to the property size.
Williams thinks that the setback should relate to the size of the structure. Williams is
wondering if these should be CUP’s in all districts or should they be allowed uses in
some zoning districts. Becker is wondering if they should all be accessory uses or would
it be allowed as a primary use.
City Council Updates – October 3, 2017 Meeting
i) Lakewood Crossing 2nd Addition Developer Agreement – passed
ii) ZTA, ZMA and CUP for a Commercial Boarding Facility – tabled
iii) Variance 8323 Deer Pond Trail - passed
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Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-11-17
Staff Updates
1. Upcoming Meetings
a. October 23, 2017
b. November 13, 2017
2. MAC CEP Report
Commission Concerns
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Ziertman
Planning Program Assistant