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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2017APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 4, 2017 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m. for January 4, 2017. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners French, Klander, Klebsch, Love, Rundle, Schiltgen, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: None. Also Present: Planner Jon Sevald, Police Chief Nate Harder, and Council Member Gary Meehlhause. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Oath of Office 1 Resolution Recommending Appointment of a Chair and Vice-Chair 2 Consideration of a Variance to Exceed the 48” maximum fence height 2 in a front yard for the Mounds View Police Department Approval of Minutes 5 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business A. Oath of Office for Commissioner Gary Rundle Planner Sevald administered the Oath of Office for Commissioner Gary Rundle. Mounds View Planning Commission January 4, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ B. Resolution 1066-17, a Resolution Recommending Appointment of a Chairperson and Appointment of Vice-Chairperson Planner Sevald requested the Commission appoint a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to serve the Planning Commission in 2017. Commissioner Schiltgen nominated Gary Stevenson to serve as the Chairperson for the Planning Commission. Commissioner Love seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, Gary Stevenson was recommended to serve as Chairperson. Commissioner Rundle nominated Julianne Love serve as the Vice Chairperson for the Planning Commission. Commissioner Schiltgen seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, Julianne Love was recommended to serve as Vice-Chairperson. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Schiltgen. To approve Resolution 1066-17, a Resolution Recommending Appointment of a Chairperson (Gary Stevenson) and Vice-Chairperson (Julianne Love). Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. Resolution 1065-17, Consideration of a Variance to Exceed the 48” Maximum Fence Height in a Front Yard at 2401 Mounds View Boulevard (Mounds View Police Department) Planner Sevald stated the applicant, the City of Mounds View, is requesting a Variance to the front yard fence height to allow for a 72” chain link fence around the Police Department’s parking lot. It was noted forty-eight inches was the maximum height for a fence in the front yard of a non-corner lot. Staff recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and approve the variance as requested. Chair Stevenson requested comment from Police Chief Harder. Police Chief Harder explained the proposed fencing would assist in improving safety for both officers and the public. Chair Stevenson questioned what color the fence was at the Community Center. Police Chief Harder reported the Community Center fence was black. He indicated he was proposing to have a black fence. Mounds View Planning Commission January 4, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Rundle questioned if a steel fence should be installed. Police Chief Harder did not believe this would be necessary. He explained the new fence would be gated and would have a keypad entry point. Commissioner Love expressed concern with the aesthetics of the proposed chain link fence. She suggested arborvitae be planted around the fencing to improve the aesthetics of the site. Police Chief Harder stated he was open to the plantings except for areas where pedestrian safety would be compromised. Chair Stevenson questioned the expense of the arborvitae plantings. Commissioner Love estimated the trees would cost approximately $25 for 3’ tall arborvitae, and $100 - $125 for 5’ – 6’ tall arborvitae. Planner Sevald displayed a photograph of an arborvitae. Commissioner Klebsch suggested the fencing be green in color in order to better blend in with the proposed arborvitae plantings. Chair Stevenson requested the Commission’s recommendation for approval include a certain number of plantings to assist with screening the new fencing. Commissioner Klander questioned if any individuals have escaped the sally port while in police custody. Police Chief Harder discussed one event in which an individual escaped the sally port. Commissioner Klander asked if it was common for a police department to have some sort of barrier surrounding the facility. Police Chief Harder stated the majority of police facilities have a barrier or fence. Commissioner Love inquired when the fence would be installed. Police Chief Harder commented the fence would be installed in the spring of 2017. Commissioner Schiltgen questioned if a color recommendation should be made regarding the fence. The Commission supported the fence being green in color. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Klebsch. To approve Resolution 1065-17, a Resolution Approving of a Variance to Exceed the 48” Maximum Fence Height in a Front Yard at 2401 Mounds View Boulevard. The Commission recommends that the fence be screened where appropriate, and that the fence include a green coating. Mounds View Planning Commission January 4, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Planner Sevald discussed upcoming planning cases. He reported the Commission would be reviewing the Planning Commission Bylaws in February. B. Staff Updates Planner Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. He showed the Commission an old sign that was found at the Public Works building and noted staff was interested in posting a similar updated sign on properties when Public Hearings were going to be held. Commissioner Klebsch supported the use of the signs and believed this would improve transparency. Commissioner Schiltgen feared how residents would respond to having a large sign posted in their front yard. Commissioner Klebsch recommended the sign be modernized in order to become less obtrusive to neighborhoods. C. Council Updates Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He was happy to report the Council held a swearing in ceremony at their most recent meeting and noted Mayor Mueller, Councilmember Gunn, and himself were sworn in. He discussed the appointments made by the Council for the coming year. He commented on the new employees that were recently hired and noted the positions that were still open at City Hall. He encouraged those individuals that were interested in serving as a City Councilmember to file with the City for the upcoming special election. D. Planning Commissioner Reports None. Mounds View Planning Commission January 4, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ 8. Approval of Minutes December 21, 2016. Commissioner Love noted a change on Page 3 stating she did not state she would like to see another individual serve as Vice-Chair. She requested this comment be stricken from the minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Klander/Commissioner Rundle. To approve the Minutes of the December 21, 2016 regular Planning Commission meetings as amended. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, January 18, 2017 B. Wednesday, February 1, 2017 ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald Planner Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.