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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-2016- APPROVED - PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting May 18, 2016 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 May 18, 2016. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners French, Klebsch, Love, Rundle, Schiltgen, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioner Klander Also Present: Planner Jon Sevald, City Administrator Jim Ericson, and Council Member Gary Meehlhause. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page CU2016-002 Conditional Use Permit for a Dynamic Display Sign 2 VR2016-002 Variance for a ground sign encroaching within the 30’ 2 sight triangle, and less than 15’ setback from a property line VR2016-003 Variance for use of non-amber colors on a Ground Sign 3 with a Dynamic Display VR2011-002 Variance Extension for Reduced Driveway Setback 5 Approval of Minutes 7 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business None. Mounds View Planning Commission May 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. Resolution 1048-16, Recommending Approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a Dynamic Display Sign at 2848 County Road H2; Planning Case MU2016-001 (CU2016-002) Planner Sevald stated Messiah Lutheran Church would like to replace their existing 8’ X 4’ ground sign at the corner of Co Rd H2 and Knollwood Dr. with an 8’ X 5’ multi-colored Dynamic Display sign at the same location. The existing sign encroaches into the 30’ sight triangle, and is therefore a non-conforming structure. The Church has applied for three permits; a CUP for the Dynamic Display Sign; a Variance to setbacks; and a Variance to use non-amber colored lights on the sign. Each request requires a separate action. Staff reviewed the request in further detail and recommended the Planning Commission approve the Conditional Use Permit as requested. Commissioner French questioned if staff had received any inquiries from the public regarding the sign request. Planner Sevald indicated he had received a call and the resident requested information on how the church would be changing its sign. Commissioner Love supported the Planning Commission taking action on the Conditional Use Permit and setback variance this evening. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Love/Commissioner Rundle. To approve Resolution 1048- 16, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a Dynamic Display Sign at 2848 County Road H2; Planning Case No. MU2016-001 (CU2016-002). Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ B. PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Resolution 1049-16, a Resolution approving a Variance for a ground sign encroaching within the 30’ sight triangle, and less than 15’ setback from a property line, to be located at 2848 County Road H2; Planning Case MU2016-001 (VR2016-002) Planner Sevald stated Messiah Lutheran Church would like to replace their existing 8’ X 4’ ground sign at the corner of Co Rd H2 and Knollwood Drive with an 8’ X 5’ multi-colored Dynamic Display sign at the same location. The existing sign encroaches into the 30’ sight triangle, and is less than 15’ setback from a property line (approximately 14’ from Knollwood Mounds View Planning Commission May 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Drive ROW), and is therefore a non-conforming structure. Staff recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and approve the variance as requested. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Schiltgen. To approve Resolution 1049-16, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Variance for a ground sign encroaching within the 30’ sight triangle, and less than 15’ setback from a property line at 2848 County Road H2; Planning Case No. MU2016-001 (VR2016-002). Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ C. PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Resolution 1050-16, a Resolution denying a Variance for use of non-amber colors on a Ground Sign with a Dynamic Display, to be located at 2848 County Road H2; Planning Case MU2016-001 (VR2016-003) Planner Sevald stated Messiah Lutheran Church would like to replace their existing 8’ X 4’ ground sign at the corner of Co Rd H2 and Knollwood Dr. with an 8’ X 5’ multi-colored Dynamic Display sign at the same location. Dynamic Display signs in residential zoned districts must utilize amber colored lights as per City Code. Staff reviewed the request in detail with the Commission noting all current dynamic display signs were for businesses along County Road 10. He recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and deny the variance as the request lacked hardship. Another option available to the Planning Commission would be to amend the City Ordinance. Chair Stevenson asked what colors would be allowed within the dynamic display sign. Planner Sevald explained Messiah Lutheran Church was requesting a full color sign within a residential zoning district. Staff reviewed an example of an amber only display sign. He explained how dynamic display signs were required to have an ambient light monitor to adjust for proper day and night lighting. Commissioner Klebsch questioned why the City would want to limit the church to an amber sign. She believed that these signs have come a long way and wanted to see the church be able to maximize their investment in a dynamic display sign. Planner Sevald reported the intention of City Code was to allow only amber colored lights on a dynamic display sign in residential areas as this was less intrusive. Commissioner Klebsch inquired if dynamic display signs could be placed on a residential lot. Planner Sevald explained dynamic display signs were only allowed for businesses, churches and schools. Mounds View Planning Commission May 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Klebsch believed the proposed sign was a major improvement over the existing sign. Chair Stevenson feared that approving this request could lead to additional dynamic display signs within residential neighborhoods. Planner Sevald commented that if the City Code was amended, future full-color dynamic display requests would have to be reviewed by the Planning Commission as a Conditional Use Permit on a case by case basis. Chair Stevenson stated he would support a full-color sign at this location. Commissioner Rundle agreed. Commissioner French believed the sign would be distracting and should not be allowed in a residential neighborhood. Commissioner Klebsch also supported the sign at this location given the fact it was not an extremely busy street. Planner Sevald recommended the Planning Commission not approve a variance for Messiah Lutheran Church regarding the non-amber colors, but rather that the City Code be amended. He suggested the matter be tabled in order to allow the City to draft an Ordinance amendment. He provided further comment on the 60-day approval time limit. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. Kirk Klaus, Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church, thanked the Commission for their consideration and noted he was present to take comments or questions. Chair Stevenson appreciated all of the effort from the applicant that had gone into this request. Commissioner Love questioned if an amber sign had the same technology as a colored sign. Pastor Klaus discussed how the technology differed between the two signs. Chair Stevenson asked if the sign would have a concrete base. Pastor Klaus indicated the sign would have two yards of concrete as its base. Commissioner Schiltgen inquired why the church was requesting a full color sign. Pastor Klaus indicated the existing sign was of poor quality and believed the new sign would be a huge improvement. The new sign would allow for better communication with the public and all banners for special events could be eliminated. City Administrator Ericson commented on how the full-color dynamic display sign would complement the full-color static sign. For this reason, he recommended the Planning Commission direct staff to draft an amendment to the City Code in order to allow the full-color sign. Chair Stevenson was in favor of tabling action on this item versus denying the variance request. Mounds View Planning Commission May 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Klebsch agreed and asked how this would impact the church. Pastor Klaus stated this would simply delay the churches order of the sign. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:41 p.m. Chair Stevenson requested further information on how long it would take to amend City Code in order to allow for a full-color sign at the church. Planner Sevald reviewed the timeline noting if all goes accordingly, the project could be approved by the end of June. Further discussion ensued regarding the criteria that must be met in order to approve a variance. City Administrator Ericson recommended that the item not be tabled but that staff be directed to draft a City Code amendment. Chair Stevenson still supported tabling action on the request in order to receive feedback from the City Council. Commissioner Klebsch was in agreement. Planner Sevald reported if the Commission were to direct staff to prepare a code amendment, this would come back to the Planning Commission on June 1st. MOTION/SECOND: Chair Stevenson/Commissioner Klebsch. To table action on the Variance for the use of non-amber colors on a Dynamic Display Sign at 2848 County Road H2 to the June 1, 2016 Planning Commission meeting; Planning Case No. MU2016-001 (VR2016-003). Ayes – 5 Nay – 1 (Schiltgen opposed) Motion carried. Chair Stevenson recommended the Planning Commission direct staff to draft an Ordinance amendment to allow non-amber signs on church property within a residential neighborhood. MOTION/SECOND: Chair Stevenson/Commissioner Rundle. To direct staff to draft an Ordinance amendment to allow non-amber signs on church property within a residential neighborhood. Ayes – 5 Nay – 1 (French opposed) Motion carried. ____________________________________________________________________________ D. Consider Resolution 1051-16, a Resolution approving an extension of a Variance for reduced driveway setbacks at 5338-5340 Raymond Avenue; Planning Case VR2011-002 Planner Sevald stated in 2011, the applicant, Michael Kinyon was granted a variance for a 1’ side yard setback for two driveways at a duplex. A condition of the variance is that the driveways be completed within one year. The applicant received a one-year extension in 2012, 2013, 2014, and Mounds View Planning Commission May 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ 2015. The applicant is requesting an additional one-year extension to the variance. He reported the applicant owns a number of duplexes on Raymond Avenue that included gravel driveways. During a 2011 street reconstruction project, the property owner had the driveways widened, requiring variances to the side yard setbacks. These properties include: 5330 & 5332 Raymond Avenue (Res. 938-11) 5338 & 5340 Raymond Avenue (Res. 939-11) 5344 & 5346 Raymond Avenue (Res. 940-11) 5372 & 5374 Raymond Avenue (Res. 941-11) 5380 & 5382 Raymond Avenue (Res. 942-11) Planner Sevald explained these properties are narrow and had no garages. The owner has made improvements to each property (except the subject property), including constructing attached single car garages, and two-car wide driveways. The subject property; 5338 & 5340 Raymond Ave., received a variance for 1’ side yard setbacks for both driveways. Staff reviewed the request in further detail and recommended the Planning Commission approve the variance extension as requested. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Schiltgen/Chair Stevenson. To approve Resolution 1051- 16, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a One-Year Extension for the reduced driveway setback Variance at 5338-5340 Raymond Avenue; Planning Case No. VR2011-002. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Planner Sevald discussed upcoming planning cases, noting the Commission would be discussing brew pubs, micro-distilleries and micro-breweries. B. Staff Updates Planner Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. C. Council Updates Mounds View Planning Commission May 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 7 ________________________________________________________________________ Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He discussed the number of beekeeping licenses that had been approved by the Council. He commented on the City’s 2015 audit and explained the Council approved the 2017 budget timeline. He noted he was able to attend Fire Chief Nyle Zikmund’s retirement party and noted Chief Zikmund would be running for Anoka County Commissioner. He reviewed the plans for the new public works facility and the grant received from Twin Cities Gateway. D. Planning Commissioner Reports Commissioner Love suggested the Commission discuss the City’s population at their next meeting. 8. Approval of Minutes April 20, 2016. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Love. To approve the Minutes of the April 20, 2016 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, June 1, 2016 B. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald Planner Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.