HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-00 PZM4
CITY OF
LAKE
44ELMO
4
City of Lake Elmo
777-5510
3800 Laverne Avenue North / Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042
The Lake Elmo Planning Commission will meet Monday, September 25, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, 3800 Laverne Avenue North, Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
AGENDA
1. Agenda
2. Minutes: August 28, 2000 & September 11, 2000
3. PUBLIC HEARING: Archnet (Architectural Network)
39th Street
Variances to setback requirements; Site Plan
4. Other
5. Adjourn
t: printed on recycled paper
Lake Elmo
Planning Commission
'0
Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 25, 2000
Chairman Armstrong called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall,
3800 Laverne Avenue North, Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Present: Commissioners Berg, Brass, Deziel,
Mandel, Ptacek, Sedro, Sessing and Taylor. Absent: Commissioners Herber and Helwig. Also
present: Planner Dillerud.
1. Agenda
M/S/P Sessing/Sedro - to approve the agenda, as presented.
(Motion Passed 9-0).
2. Minutes
M/S/P Taylor/Deziel - to approve the Minutes from the August 28, 2000 meeting, as
presented.
(Motion Passed 8-0-1). Abstain: Deziel
M/S/P Sedro/Sessing - to approve the Minutes from the September 11, 2000 meeting, as
presented.
(Motion Passed 8-0-1). Abstain: Brass
3. PUBLIC HEARING: Site Plan & Zoning Variances
Architectural Network
39th Street (North of Lake Elmo Bank)
Planner Dillerud said the proposed site is a 1.5 acre portion of the 6.60 acre Lot 2, Block 3
Brookman Third Addition, platted 15 years ago, including City water service. He noted the fee
owner had not applied for a minor subdivision of this parcel. He explained that the Village
Commission had informally reviewed the proposal at its April 26' 2000 meeting, with comments
forwarded to the applicant. He noted that the applicant has applied for variances relating to; a) City
Code specifies that there shall be no more than one principal building on any one parcel. Two
principal structures are proposed, and, b) City Code requires a minimum rear yard setback of 50 feet.
A rear yard setback of 25 feet is proposed.
He explained that the applicant has not applied for, but City Staff has detected on plans submitted
by the applicant variances relating to; a) City Code specifies that all off street parking, except
"Handicap" spaces shall be at least 10 feet wide and 20 feet long. The applicant proposes all parking
spaces (including handicap) to be 9 feet wide and 18 feet long, b) City Code provides that not less
than 10% of the interior of a parking lot shall be landscaped. The landscape plan submitted
proposes a single landscaped parking lot island of 600 square feet. By the formula found in the
Code, at least 1,500 square feet of landscaped islands is required for the proposed 50-car parking lot,
c) City Code requires that the exteriors of all structures in the General Business Zoning District shall
be faced with brick, stone, glass, or equivalent. The majority of the exterior facing is proposed to be
wood lap siding, d) City Code requires a 100-foot buffer where a site abuts residential districts. The
land abutting this site to the North is zoned RR (Rural Residential), but is not developed. A
variance from this requirement may not be required, and a determination by the Planning
Commission is requested, and, e) the applicant proposes a Master Sign Plan for a multi -tenant
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 25, 2000 page 1
building. The proposed sign is non -compliant with the standards set forth in Section 535.07 of City
Code.
Mike Hoefler
Mike Diem
Architectural Network (applicants)
The applicants explained that they are an architectural design firm, employing 10, and a growing
business doing much of their work in the area. They want to be a part of the Lake Elmo community.
They explained that the 1.5-acre parcel is the only property in Lake Elmo, which fits their needs.
They said they would change their plans in order to comply with the sign ordinance and the buffer
issue. They noted the reason for requesting the variance from the setback requirement was the
snowmobile traffic, and the creation of two buildings was more practical for the site. They said they
felt the "Prairie School" design was more applicable to the site, and presented graphics, which
illustrated stone in the corners and other areas at different elevations.
Commissioner Deziel asked the applicants if they had considered an "L" shaped design. The
applicants said they had explored that idea, but found it to create "dead areas" within the site, and
did not lend itself to efficient parking lot design.
Commission Mandel asked if a 2-story design was considered. The applicants said that was not
economically feasible.
Chairman Armstrong opened the comment portion of the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m.
Peter Schiltgen
10888 Stillwater Blvd.
Mr. Schiltgen urgal the Planning Commissioners to uphold the current setback requirements for this site by limiting
the setback from the North property line to 100
Chairman Armstrong closed the comment portion of the Public Hearing at 7:46 p.m.
M/S/P Sessing Berg - to adopt Resolution No. PZ 2048-A denying zoning variances to
Architectural Network based on the following findings:
1. There are no exceptional or extraordinary circumstances. The
applicant has not demonstrated that a structure of the same floor area
could not fit the site within the standards of the General Business
District. The applicant could expand the site without conflict with
existing structures.
2. The special conditions or circumstances claimed by the applicant are
the direct result of other proposed actions of the applicant himself.
Both the size of the proposed site and the site design are the
applicant's; and not dictated by physical characteristics of the site or
the City. The claimed hardship is self-imposed.
(Motion Passed 9-0).
M/S/P Armstrong/Sessing - the Planning Commission determines the setback from RR
Zoning to the North of this parcel is 100', as found in the Municipal Code.
(Motion Passed 7-2). Opposed: Berg, Deziel.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 25, 2000 page 2
M/S/P Mandel/Sessing - to recommend the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2048-B,
denying Sign Code Variances to Architectural Network.
(Motion Passed 9-0).
M/S/P Armstrong/Sessing - to recommend the City Council deny the proposed site plan
for Architectural Network, based on non-compliance with the Municipal Code.
(Motion Passed 9-0).
Chairman Armstrong complimented the applicant on their proposal, and said the Planning
Commission is not in a position to negotiate site plans, which would result in the reduction of
requirements found in the code. He said the applicant might choose to appeal the Planning
Commission decision to the City Council.
Commissioner Deziel requested the Planner look into the provision in the code that limits property
owners to re -build on non -conforming lots.
Planner Dillerud said he would make every effort to expedite the on -going review of the issue by
staff.
M/S/P Deziel/Mandel - to request staff review the restoration of non -conforming building
or structure provision of the Municipal Code.
(Motion Passed 9-0).
Chairman Armstrong adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Young -Planning Secretary
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 25, 2000 page 3