HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/22/2003Lauderdale City Council
Meeting Minutes
April 22, 2003
1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 P.M.
2. ROLL
Council present: Christensen, Giannetti, McCloskey, Gill -Gerbig and
Mayor Dains
Staff present: Administrator Getschow and Assistant to the City
Administrator Bownik
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
A. Approval of Agenda. Motion by Christensen, second by Giannetti to
approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
4. APPROVAL
A. Approval of Minutes. Motion by McCloskey, second by Gill -Gerbig to
approve the minutes of the April 8, 2003 City Council meeting. Motion carried
unanimously.
B. Approval of Claims totaling $39,889.67. Motion by Gill -Gerbig, second
by Giannetti to approve the claims totaling $39,889.67. Motion carried
unanimously.
5. OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS ITEMS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
6. CONSENT
7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS/RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
8. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Lauderdale City Council
Meeting Minutes, April 22, 2003
Page 2
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Front -Yard Setback Variance for the house addition at 1847 Eustis Street.
Assistant to the City Administrator Bownik stated that Glen Grindahl, 1847 Eustis
Street, is applying for a variance to the front yard setback requirement to go from
30 feet to 24 feet for the purpose of converting the current open porch on the front
of the house to living space. The open porch on the front of the house is currently
24 feet from the property line and the conversion to living area would not
encroach further into the front yard setback.
Bownik stated that a variance is required in this case due to the change of use that
would be taking place. A variance may have been previously granted to encroach
6 feet into the front yard setback for an open porch, but since living space is a
different use and would have a different visual impact, this variance is needed.
Also, a small addition to the south of the house will be part of this project, but that
part of the project does not require variances for the side yard or lot coverage.
Bownik stated that the Planning Commission did not meet to discuss the variance
request due to the lack of a quorum. Therefore, this action item was placed
directly on the council agenda pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance, The
Commission received the information packet and was encouraged to provide input
to the Council.
Council member Gill -Gerbig pointed out an error on the application regarding the
measurement of lot depth. If one were to assume those numbers to be correct, the
applicant would have exceeded the lot coverage requirements. Bownik verified
the error and stated the correct depth of the lot which does not exceed lot
coverage regulations.
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.
The Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m.
No one present wished to address the Council.
Lauderdale City Council
Meeting Minutes, April 22, 2003
Page 3
10. ACTION
A. Consideration of a Front -Yard Setback Variance for the house addition at
1847 Eustis Street. Motion by McCloskey, second by Christensen to approve a
6 -foot front -yard variance to go from 30 feet to 24 feet for the house addition at
1847 Eustis Street. Roll: Yes: all. Motion carried.
B. Sign Variance for Boyer Ford at 2500 Broadway. Bownik stated that
Boyer Ford Trucks is requesting a variance to allow an additional 150 square feet
of signage for a total of 400 square feet. The Zoning Ordinance currently allows
250 square feet of aggregate surface. Bownik described the current sign plan,
which includes two free-standing signs that are designed to sit atop a two -pier
system at a height of 25 feet with the words "Sterling/Western Star". One of the
signs would be placed along Highway 280 and the other sign would sit along
Broadway. The third sign is a corner monument sign that would consist of letters
attached to landscaping rock. The sign as proposed would say "Boyer Trucks
Central". Boyer Ford Trucks has indicated that they would be willing to change
this sign to say "Boyer Trucks Lauderdale". This is a result of Skip Maas of
Boyer Ford stating that at a previous council meeting where a Council member
suggested a city gateway sign.
Bownik then recommended that a setback distance be considered since it is
necessary to keep sight lines open for traffic. The zoning ordinance does not
regulate setback distances for signs, but a five-foot or ten -foot setback distance
could be made a condition of approving the variance. It may also be to the
owner's benefit to set the signs back a distance from the property line due to
possible future right-of-way acquisition when Highway 280 is reconstructed.
Bownik stated that the Planning Commission did not meet to discuss the variance
request due to the lack of a quorum. Therefore, this action item was placed
directly on the council agenda pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance. The
Commission received the information packet and was encouraged to provide input
to the Council. Wayne Sisel, Planning Commission Chair, stated to Bownik that
he supported the application but wanted assurances that the height of the signs did
not exceed the height of the building.
Lauderdale City Council
Meeting Minutes, April 22, 2003
Page 4
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
Steve Martinson, 1943 Walnut Street, asked specifically where the signs would be
placed. He questioned the hardship that exists for this variance and opposed this
variance application. He felt that the lighting from these signs from Highway 280
could be a nuisance.
Skip Maas, 2500 Broadway, stated that to minimize potential nuisance he opted
for or two smaller pier signs as opposed to one large pier sign. He also stated that
he was willing to work with the City and the residents to reduce glare and
alleviate lighting concerns.
The Mayor stated that Boyer seems to be willing to adjust their lighting and work
with the homeowners on any concerns.
The Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
10. ACTION
B. Consideration of a Sign Variance for Boyer Ford at 2500 Broadway.
Council member Gill -Gerbig stated that the cooperation of Boyer Ford has been
positive, and thus far, they have been willing to work well with city staff and the
residents.
Council member Christensen requested clarification on the gateway sign.
Motion by Christensen, second by Giannetti to approve the 150 -square foot sign
variance for Boyer Ford to go to 400 square feet of surface area with the condition
that the corner monument read "Boyer Ford -Lauderdale" and there be a five-foot
setback for the signs. Roll: Yes: all. Motion carried.
11. REPORTS
A. 2003 Improvements. The City Administrator updated the City Council on
the status and schedule of the 2003 Improvement project. An item of importance
was that the contractor would be reconstructing most of Malvern Street before
undertaking the reconstruction of Walnut Street.
Lauderdale City Council
Meeting Minutes, April 22, 2003
Page 5
12. DISCUSSION
13. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
14. ADDITIONAL ITEMS
15. SET AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
1. 2003 Improvements Update and Pay Request
2. Resolution of Intent to Bond
3. 2003 1" Quarter Financial and Investment Report
16. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Giannetti, second by McCloskey to adjourn at 7:50 P.M. Ayes: All.