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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-72 PZMVILLAGE OF LAKE ELMO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1972 The meeting was called t* order at 7:45 P.M. Those present were Chairman Lundquist, M. Eder, B.Folz, F. Pstt, L. Raleigh and J. Sovereign. There was a brief discussion of apace requirements for adequate septic systema. It was pointed out that the County Bldg. Inspector can provide information en performing percolation tests and can also train the Village Sewer Inspector is conduct these tests. Also, the U. of M. will conduct n three day seminar en septic systems in January or February. B. Felz will advise Village Council of exact dates. A motion was made and seconded to reaffirm to the Village Council the motion (PZC 72-8) of August 28th., regarding enforcement of the Sanitary Sewer Ordinance (copy attached. Carried unanimously. A motion to accept the minutes of the last meeting as published, was seconded and carried. Dorothy Iyene arrived at 8:25 P.M. Mx'. Lightbody appeared to discuss the conversion of a residence (5055 Highway 12) to an antique shop. This house, located west sf the Vali-Hi theatre and east of County 17, is presently owned by Mr. & Mrs. Donald Stockwell. Mr. Lightbody stated that he would like is be able to convert the antique sh.p back to a residence and sell the property if the venture was unsuccessful. He was advised is present de- tailed plans to the Tillage Council at their next meeting stating a time limit on the reconversion of the antique ship back to a residence. Maynard Eder will send a memo to the VillageCsuncil giving details •f two instances where old cars are being stored and/or dismantled in the Tillage. It was stated that the MPCA is currently paying 327.50 for the removal of any junk cars. Also, Washington County has recently conducted a $3,000 survey of junk cars in the County. Both of these matters may be of interest in deciding a course of actien for the Village. Advertising signs were discussed.. It was noted that two or three signs have been erected illegally along Highway 36 in the past year. A metier: was made and second- ed that the PZC recommends to the Village Council that they adopt a policy permitt- ing only one advertising sign (211. sq.ft.maxi,) per parcel of land in agricultural and residential areas. This policy would be consistent with the Zoning Regulations ( Page 77 ). Mr. Richard Lehner appeared regarding an advertising sign en the NSP property on Highway 36. He presented a permit which he had obtained from Mr. Adel Howe at the District Office of the State Highway Department. He was advised that the maximum sign size was 24 square feet and there is only one advertising sign permitted per parcel of land. A motion was made and seconded that the PZC recommends to the Village Council that the Village Attorney be instructed to send letters to record land owners of all non -conforming signs giving them sixty days to remove the signs. The letter should identify the zoning of the owners lend and cite Sec. 8.07-D of the Ordinance which restricts advertising signs to one per parcel with a maximum of 24 square feet per sign. The motion was seconded and carried. It was suggested that the letters to owners in Agricultural end Residential Zones be sent according to the following priorities* lst.--Highway 36, 2nd.--Highway 212, 3rd.--Highway 12, 4th.--County St-'te Aid Highways, and 5th.--County Roads. Mr. Dahmer was advised to request a time en the Village Council agenda of Neve. 8th., if he wished to persue this matter with the Council. continued-- Planning & ZoningCommission Minutes of October 23, 1972 page 2. A motion was made and seconded that the-PZC recommends to the Village Council that Mr. Lohmer's request be denied because a variance would be required. This variance is not appropriate because: 1.) the proposed sign is a non -conforming use. 2.) The PZC is currently recommending that all non -conforming signs in that area be removed, Fnd 3.) the land is presently agricultural in n^ture and the future use planned to be agricultural The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. is Councilman Watson was asked about the new Bike Trail and the progress en the sidewalk for the Luke Elmo Elementary walking line. He advised tt_d.t on a recent Saturday afternoon, 927 bicycles passed his house between 1:00 P.M. and 5:30 P.M. There was no indication of discourteous or inappropriate activities by any of the riders. The Village Council is working on a solution to the sidewalk problem for the walking line. It is possible that the children can be directed across the highway and down a private driveway to 56th. St. N., thereby avoiding the walk along Highway 212, and the crossing of the highway at the intersection of 212 end County 17. The details hEve not yet been resolved with the owner of the private drive. Mr. Watson advised that the Village Council will meet beginning at 4:30 P.M. on the 3rd. Tuesday of each month to discuss the matters which could not be handled at the regular meetings in the past. He suggested that the PZC reorganize their agendas to give more attention to detailed planning and one of the goals for 1973 should be to review all ordinances pertaining to development, recommending changes which are necessary to eliminate inconsistencies and duplications. Several members requested that the Village Attorney be asked to assist in this matter. Councilman Watson bill bring this request before the Council. Fran Pitt reminded the member' that they should appoint a new Secretary and a representatis fir the 1-94 Corridor Planning Group. Councilman Watson recommended that the part-time secretary for the Village be hired to record the minutes of the PZC meetings. Chairman Lundquist asked if there were any volunteers for the position if Secretary. There being no volunteers the Chairman asked Councilman Watson to request the Village Council to provide a Recording Secretary for the PZC. The possibility of a County Park on Mrs. Crombie's property in the NW corner of the Village was discussed. It was stated that she would like the County to buy the property but there were two developers interested in the property also. Councilman Watson stated that he thought he Village Council would be receptive to an 80-acre plat in that area. High density use would not be appropriate since Lake DeMontreville could net support the associated recreational uae. The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 P.M. Respectfully submitted F. J. Patti Recording Secretary Resolutions PZC-72-8 In view of recent problems with drain fields, we wish to urge the Lake Elmo Village Council to enforce Ordinance 104, as it is written. This ordinance requires that percolation tests be run before a drain field is installed. In order to put first things first, the Sanitary permit should be issued following percolation tests before a building uermit is issued. Washington County is now following this procedure in all unincor- porated areas. (See the excerpt from the current County Ordinance.) If it is desired, help can be obtained from the Washington County Building Inspector for running percolation tests or f'or training Lake Elmo personnel in running these tests. In cases where no satisfactory percolation is possible, in accordance with Ordinance 104, no drain field should be permitted. In any situation where drain field effluent is discharged to the ground surface etc., as in section lc page 10 of the State Code, rectification should be required within 90 days following written notice, and all of the Ordinance procedures including new percolation tests by a responsible person should be followed.