01-17-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View Planning Commission January 17, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 4 Mr. Zwirn explained from the back of his house to the property line is all windows looking onto what will be the parking lot. He would like some type of shrubbery to look at rather than the parking lot. Mr. Zwirn noted the building is now ten feet away from the property line instead of 15 feet but by using fencing and shrubbery he believes it should be able to be worked out. Commissioner Hegland inquired as to whether Mr. Zwirn had a fence. Mr. Zwirn indicated he currently has a four-foot chain link fence. Commissioner Hegland clarified there would be a space between Mr. Zwirn’s fence and the proposed privacy fence with limited visibility that may pose a loitering or vandalism issue. Commissioner Johnson stated the issue is really the Tom Thumb side where Staff has proposed a split rail fence to keep people from going around the back of the building. Vice Chairperson Stevenson suggested closing off the area with a ten-foot long section of fence from the corner of the building to the south property to eliminate travel between the back of the building and the property to the south. Vice Chairperson Stevenson noted the Planning Commission always has concerns when there are two fences back to back as it provides an area of limited visibility where vandals could hide. Mr. Zwirn stated he currently has a problem with a group of juveniles loitering behind the fence on the Tom Thumb property. Vice Chairperson Stevenson indicated due to the fact this is an office building there will not be employees after 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. He further indicated that the site plan did not indicate if there were doors or windows on the side of the building facing the property to the south. Commissioner Hegland noted that building elevations, other than the front elevation, were not provided, so it was not known if there would be windows on the south-facing elevation. Vice Chairperson Stevenson indicated an eight-foot privacy fence lends itself to hiding behind it whereas shrubbery and the use of berms in the landscaping do not. There are shrubs that are prickly to discourage people from being near them. Commissioner Cerny indicated a chain link fence is not suitable for privacy so it may be more practical to remove the chain link fence and install an eight-foot privacy fence.