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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-2016- APPROVED - 1 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting June 1, 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 June 1, 2016. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners French, Klander, Love, Rundle, Schiltgen, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioner Klebsch. Also Present: Planner Jon Sevald and Council Member Gary Meehlhause. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Consider a Resolution recommending approval of an amendment of City 2 Code, Section 1008.10, Subd 9(c)(2)(b), relating to colored lights in Dynamic Display Signs Consider a Resolution approving/denying a Variance for use of non-amber 2 colors on a Ground Sign with a Dynamic Display at 2848 County Road H2 Presentation; Craig Swalchick, Housing & Code Enforcement Inspector 3 Discussion; Accessory Dwelling Units 4 Discussion; Brew Pubs 6 Discussion; Demographics 7 Approval of Minutes 8 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business None. - APPROVED - 2 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. 5. Planning Cases A. Consider Resolution 1052-16, a Resolution recommending approval of an amendment of City Code, Section 1008.10, Subd 9(c)(2)(b), relating to colored lights in Dynamic Display Signs Planner Sevald explained the Commission reviewed a request for a full-color dynamic display sign for Messiah Lutheran Church at their last meeting. Rather than denying the request or approving a variance, direction was given to staff to draft a City Code amendment to allow full- color dynamic display signs for schools, churches and institutions in the R-1 zoning district through the conditional use permit process. Staff recommended the Planning Commission approve the amendment to City Code as requested. Chair Stevenson asked if a public hearing was required for this request. Planner Sevald reported this portion of the City Code did not require a public hearing. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Schiltgen/Commissioner Rundle. To approve Resolution 1052-16, a Resolution Recommending Approval of an Amendment to City Code, Section 1008.10, Subd 9(c)(2)(b), relating to colored lights in Dynamic Display Signs. Ayes – 5 Nays – 1 (French) Motion carried. B. PUBLIC HEARING (continued) Consider Resolution 1050-16, a Resolution approving/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 requested the Planning Commission consider a variance for a non-amber colored ground sign with dynamic display at 2848 County Road H2 for the Messiah Lutheran Church. He discussed the Ordinance process that would be followed for the Code amendment regarding dynamic display signs in the R-1 zoning district noting the Ordinance would not be in effect until the end of July. Staff recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and deny the variance request due to the fact the applicant had no practical difficulty. He understood that the denial would delay the sign installation, but supported this action as it would allow the Code amendment to be enacted prior to the sign being constructed. Commissioner Schiltgen requested further information on how staff defines practical difficulty. Planner Sevald defined practical difficulty for the Commission. - APPROVED - 3 Commissioner Klander understood the application was received on April 15th. He asked how much the applicant paid for their request. Planner Sevald reported this was the case and noted that the applicant paid $200 for each conditional use permit and each of the variance requests. Commissioner Love believed the new sign would improve the aesthetics of the property and would eliminate the need for banners. She wondered if this spoke to the practicality of the issue. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. Commissioner Schiltgen asked if a 30-day delay would make a difference in the sign construction. Kurt Klaus, Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, reported the sign vendor has been very patient with the church and has locked in a price. He stated the only hardship was that his parishioners were very excited for it to be completed. Commissioner Schiltgen supported staff’s recommendation to deny the variance request. He was in favor of the church waiting for 30 days to construct the sign after the City Code amendment was in place. Commissioner Klander wanted to see the $200 variance fee refunded to the church given the fact the City Code amendment nullified the variance request. Commissioner Rundle supported the variance as requested. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Klander. To approve Resolution 1050-16, a Resolution Approving of 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 No. VR2016- 003. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. Other Planning Activity A. Presentation; Craig Swalchick, Housing & Code Enforcement Inspector Planner Sevald explained the Commission had requested an update from staff on how the City manages code enforcement issues. He reported he invited Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Craig Swalchick to the meeting in order to provide the Commission with further information on this topic. Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Swalchick introduced himself to the Commission and discussed the work he does on behalf of the City of Mounds View noting he began his work with the City in 2010. He commented on the positive impacts that were being made over the past six - APPROVED - 4 years. He indicated the City has 1,776 rental units which he oversaw along with housing and code enforcement issues. Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Swalchick reported he spent three days a week conducting rental inspections and the other two days of each week addressing code enforcement issues. He indicated the City h ad both a proactive and reactive code enforcement policy, which assisted in keeping properties in compliance with City Code while reducing neighborhood tensions. He further discussion the benefits of proactive code enforcement. Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Swalchick reviewed the steps followed by staff for code enforcements issues. He provided further comment on the process for conducting City Code nuisance and abatements. He stated staff would rather work with the community and its residents on code enforcement issues rather than writing an administrative citation. He thanked the Commission for their time and asked if they had any comments or questions. Chair Stevenson thanked Mr. Swalchick for his thorough report. B. Discussion; Accessory Dwelling Units Planner Sevald stated in May the Council discussed a request to allow a resident to have an accessory dwelling unit/apartment above their garage. He noted the Zoning Code currently does not allow for accessory dwelling units in the R-1 zoning district. He reviewed zoning information from neighboring communities and noted this issue was growing in popularity. He requested the Commission discuss this topic and provide feedback to staff on how to proceed. Chair Stevenson thanked staff for all of the supplementary information regarding accessory dwelling units. He questioned what a temporary variance was, as was allowed in the City of Chanhassen. Planner Sevald was uncertain and guessed this was something specific to Chanhassen City Code. He anticipated that a temporary variance was similar to an interim use permit. Chair Stevenson questioned where the City of Mounds View fit into all of this. Planner Sevald reported Mounds View does not allow accessory dwelling units, but the City Council was requesting the Planning Commission to consider it. Chair Stevenson suggested the Commission discuss if these types of living units should be allowed, and if they could have a full kitchen. He understood there was a concern with these units having a separate entrance as well. He believed both of these issues should be further discussed by the Commission. Planner Sevald believed it was fairly common for a home to have something that resembled a second kitchen, perhaps in a basement. He discussed how separate entrances and limited access to the entire building created concerns. - APPROVED - 5 Commissioner Schiltgen asked what cities did not allow accessory dwelling units. Planner Sevald stated Fridley, Blaine, Coon Rapids, and Spring Lake Park do not allow ADU’s. Commissioner Schiltgen questioned the cost difference between a CUP and a temporary CUP. Planner Sevald reported the cost for a permit was based on the amount of staff time needed to administer the permit. Commissioner Schiltgen inquired if ADU’s would be permitted more readily by communities in the metro area in the future given the fact the population was aging. Planner Sevald anticipated this could change, however, he was uncertain as to how many communities would jump on board. Chair Stevenson asked if ADU’s were mother-in-law units or were they separate units for rent. Planner Sevald explained that ADU’s would be considered both. Further discussion ensued regarding ADU’s versus mother-in-law suites, along with how entrance was gained to each of these units. Commissioner Rundle requested further information on how the City would enforce ADU’s. Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Swalchick stated there were issues with duplexes and single family units with renting to non-familial members. He explained another concern with these units was that fire and police had to be able to respond to these units and needed to have a proper address. Chair Stevenson asked if it would be easier to allow ADU’s versus people renting out their basements/garage space to non-familial members. Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Swalchick believed that owner-occupied properties were better maintained than rental units. He was not against ADU’s but believed the main issue came down to who was maintaining and looking after the property. He was in favor of the ADU’s needing a license and inspection. Commissioner Klander questioned if the tiny homes would fall within the ADU requirements. Planner Sevald provided further comment on the new legislation that would allow tiny homes/ health care dwellings for six months to one year on a residential property. He reported the City Council would be opting out of this legislation and was not interested in allowing tiny houses. Planner Sevald requested direction from the Planning Commission on how to proceed. Chair Stevenson was in favor of the ADU’s being owner occupied. He believed that Mounds View lots sizes were sufficient to allow for an ADU. Commissioner Schiltgen supported the ADU language from Minnetonka and White Bear Lake, requiring the units to be owner occupied. Chair Stevenson requested staff draft an ADU code amendment and bring this back to the Planning Commission at a future meeting. - APPROVED - 6 C. Discussion; Brew Pubs Planner Sevald explained this topic was discussed by the Commission a year ago. He commented on the Surley bill noting microbreweries now were allowed to sell beer onsite. He indicated if the Commission was interested in allowing brew pubs in Mounds View, a zoning code and licensing procedure would have to be approved by the City. He requested feedback from the Commission on brew pubs and if this use should be allowed in Mounds View. Commissioner Love stated she recently visited her son in San Diego where she had the pleasure to visit Liberty Station. She did not believe it would be necessary to limit brew pubs to the Highway 10 corridor. Chair Stevenson questioned where other communities were allowing brew pubs. Planner Sevald stated this varies from community to community. He reported they were commonly allowed in small downtown areas and industrial parks. He explained that brew pubs were mostly viewed to be retail, but also had some manufacturing. Chair Stevenson asked if brew pubs most closely aligned with the B-2, B-3 and B-4 zoning districts. Planner Sevald commented smaller restaurants (24 seats) were allowed in the B-2 zoning district as a conditional use, but were a permitted use in the B-3 and B-4 zoning districts. Further discussion ensued regarding the amount of beer that a microbrewery could brew on a monthly basis. Chair Stevenson believed that a brewery would want to be located in a space that would allow for success and not be too restrictive on the number of seats or parking. Commissioner Love questioned if food would be allowed for the brew pubs. She supported the City allowing food at brew pubs. Planner Sevald stated this could be allowed if the brew pub had a commercial kitchen and proper licensing through the State. Commissioner Klander was in favor of allowing brew pubs in the B-2, B-3 and B-4 zoning districts. He inquired if the City would have to require microbreweries to have food. Planner Sevald indicated there were numerous types of brew pubs and microbrewery licenses with the State, some allowed for food, while others did not. He recommended that the City of Mounds View not require food, but that this decision be made by the license holder. Commissioner Klander agreed with staff’s recommendation and wanted the Zoning Code language to be broad enough that food would be allowed, but not required by the City. Commissioner Rundle supported brew pubs being located in the B-3 and B-4 zoning districts. Commissioner French agreed with this suggestion. Chair Stevenson requested the Commission review a City zoning map. Planner Sevald reviewed the City zoning map with the Commission noting the B-2, B-3 and B-4 zoning districts. - APPROVED - 7 Chair Stevenson was in favor of allowing brew pubs in the B-3 and B-4 zoning districts. The Planning Commission recommended staff draft a zoning text amendment that would allow brew pubs in the B-3 and B-4 zoning districts. D. Discussion; Demographics Planner Sevald discussed the changing demographics within the City of Mounds View. He reviewed several tables of migration information with the Commission from the State of Minnesota. Chair Stevenson thanked Planner Sevald for bringing this information forward to the Commission. He was pleased that the State of Minnesota was still growing as a State and was investigating its demographic future. Commissioner Love was intrigued by the conclusion from the report and wondered how Mounds View could work to attract young adults and young families. Chair Stevenson believed this could be accomplished by offering more amenities to residents, along with having a great school system. Commissioner Love agreed that the City’s school district had a good reputation for drawing families to the community. 7. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Planner Sevald discussed upcoming planning cases. B. Staff Updates Planner Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. He reported the County Road H bridge would be demolished this weekend, which would lead to the closure of I-35W. He then provided the Commission with a legislative update regarding temporary healthcare dwellings and the fence law. C. Council Updates Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He noted the Council approved a liquor license for the site formerly known as Sam’s Market. He provided further comment on the City’s moratorium on new liquor licenses. He noted the Council recently dissolved the Streets and Utility Commission. He thanked all of the - APPROVED - 8 City residents that served with this group. He briefly described the contract that was signed with Xcel Energy for the solar panels on City Hall and the Community Center. Lastly, he was pleased to report that the Council adopted the first reading of an Ordinance that would rename County Highway 10 to Mounds View Boulevard. D. Planning Commissioner Reports None. 8. Approval of Minutes May 18, 2016. Chair Stevenson requested a change on Page 5, noting Commissioner Schiltgen opposed the motion and not Commissioner French. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Love. To approve the Minutes of the May 18, 2016 regular Planning Commission meetings as slightly amended. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 B. Wednesday, July 6, 2016 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald, Planner Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.