HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ Minutes; 10.24.11DRAFT
City of Lake Elmo
Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of October 24, 2011
Chairman Van Zandt called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission
at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Fliflet, Hall, Van Zandt, Williams and
Ziertman. Absent: Bidon, Haggard, Obermueller and Pelletier. STAFF PRESENT:
Planning Director Klatt and Planner Matzek.
Agenda
Minutes —None.
Public Hearing — Kupferschmidt Variance
Planner Matzek stated that the applicants at 2769 Legion Avenue North are requesting a
10 foot variance to allow a larger screen porch to be built on the site up to 15 feet from
the southern property line where a 25 foot setback is required. The southern property line
is adjacent to a dedicated road right-of-way, although City Staff confirms that a road is
unlikely to be built in that location. Because of the two publicly dedicated right-of-ways,
the property is considered a corner lot and is therefore subject to a side (corner) setback
of 25 feet. The applicant's home is conforming to the south property line, but the screen
porch is not, making it non -conforming. The applicants are interested in rebuilding a
screen porch 3 feet longer then what previously existed. This would be an expansion of a
non -conforming structure, which therefore needs a variance.
Commissioner Williams asked what the distance is to the nearest neighbor to the south.
Planner Matzek replied that there is at least 50 feet between the edge of the plat and the
southerly neighbor's house.
Commissioner Millet questioned whether or not a variance would be needed if it was not
considered a corner lot.
Planner Matzek said that it would only be a 10 foot setback and a variance would not be
needed.
Alan Kupferschmidt, applicant
Mr. Kupferschmidt said there is a secondary access that the city uses as the primary
entrance to the draintield. The right-of-way was only used to install the system.
THE CHAIRMAN OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:14 P.M.
No one spoke.
Planner Matzek summarized a letter from Mark Deziel in support of the variance.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-11
DRAFT
THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:15 P.M.
M/S/P, Williams/ Ziertman, move to recommend approval of the variance based on the
staff report. Vote: 5:0.
City Council Updates
Planning Director Klatt said the City Council discussed the Special Event Ordinance and
suggested two changes. The first is that all permits go to the City Council for approval
instead of an administrative approval. The second is that a Special Event be defined as
having over 100 people at an event. He said the City Council discussed the No Wake
ordinance at the October 18a' meeting.
Staff Updates
Planning Director Klatt said this is Kelli Matzek's last meeting as she will be starting a
job with Washington County.
Commissioner Concerns
Chairman Van Zandt said he is concerned that with the absence of a City Administrator
and as Planner Matzek is leaving, Planning Director Klatt will be very busy and the
commission must be thoughtful in using his time.
Planning Director Klatt said a special meeting for November 7th is set to allow the
commission the ability to review applications for Interim Use Permits for businesses who
i
want to sell Christmas trees.
Adjournment
Adjourned at 7:26 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelli Matzek
Planner
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-11