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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-2015 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting March 18, 2015 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m. for March 18, 2015. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Birken, Carvelli-Yu, Elofson, Rundle, Schiltgen, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioner Love. Also Present: Planning Associate Heidi Heller. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Approval of Minutes 1 VR2015-001 Variance Request to Exceed Allowed Ground Sign Height 2 Planning Commission Public Service Announcement Volunteer (Oral Report) 3 Discuss a Code Amendment to Allow Columbaria 3 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approval of Minutes February 4, 2015. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Carvelli-Yu/Commissioner Elofson. To approve the Minutes of the February 4, 2015 regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission March 18, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. VR2015-001 Variance Request to Exceed Allowed Ground Sign Height Applicant: George Winiecki, WIN Insurance Agency Address: 2704 County Road 10 Planning Associate Heller indicated the applicant, George Winiecki, owner of 2704 County Road 10, is requesting a variance to allow the existing ground sign to be expanded 4.5 feet, to 20.5 feet tall. The Zoning Code indicates that no ground sign in a business district may exceed 16 feet in height. She stated according to the Municipal Code, Section 1008.09, Subdivision 3, ground signs are limited to a height of no more than 16 feet without a variance. The applicant owns the building at 2704 County Road 10 and operates his insurance agency here. He also rents some of the building to a few different tenants who have their business information on the sign. Associate Heller reported that Mr. Winiecki has an existing ground sign that is 16.5 feet tall with a brick base. He wants to reconfigure the sign panels and possibly add an electronic sign. Since his ground sign meets the current sign code in regards to it already having masonry on it, Mr. Winiecki can change more than just the panels on his sign. He intends to keep the existing brick base and expand the sign frame taller, and just change the sizes of the individual businesses sign panels. He feels that in order to best meet his and his tenant’s sign needs, the ground sign should be four feet taller. The applicant’s sign is currently 104 square feet, within the allowed 200 square feet. The sign could instead be widened and then would not need a variance. The cost to change the sign base and frame in order to support a wider sign is high, and the applicant has chosen to apply for a height variance instead. It was noted staff does not support the request. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. George Winiecki, the applicant, read a statement to the Commission noting it was his choice to request a sign change. He provided comment on the importance of company logos and brand recognition. He discussed the benefit of working with a local insurance agent along with the numerous products he provided. He advised how small businesses were under attack and then reviewed a mock-up of the new ground sign. He respectfully requested that the Commission consider approving his sign request in order for him to further his business and the businesses within his building. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu asked if the current ground sign was lit. Mr. Winiecki reported that the sign was lit, but that several bulbs were in need of replacement. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission March 18, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Associate Heller reviewed the options available to the Commission. Commissioner Elofson supported the sign variance request based on the fact Mr. Winiecki has been in the community for the past 30 years. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Elofson/Commissioner Schiltgen. To approve Resolution 1021-15, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Variance to Exceed Allowed Ground Sign Height; Planning Case No. VR2015-001. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity A. Planning Commission Public Service Announcement Volunteer (Oral Report) Assistant City Administrator Crane provided the Commission with information on the City’s newly established volunteer program. She noted the City received a $2,000 grant for this program, which would assist staff in reaching out to the community. She was now in need of assistance in creating a script for a public service announcement and asked if any Commissioners were interested in helping her. Commissioner Schiltgen explained he would be willing to assist with the script but was not interested in being on camera. Chair Stevenson indicated he would be willing to be on camera so long as his schedule allowed. Commissioner Elofson and Commissioner Birken were also interested in assisting with the script. ______________________________________________________________________________ B. Discuss a Code Amendment to Allow Columbaria Planning Associate Heller explained a Mounds View church member recently contacted the City to inquire if a columbarium would be allowed on the church property. Due to the large increase in cremations rather than burials, it is understandable that more places are needed to store urns. Mounds View does not currently have any cemeteries, nor does the City Code address cemeteries or columbaria. Associate Heller noted the Planning Commission discussed columbaria on church properties, and the Commission was supportive of adding language to the zoning code to allow columbaria. The Commission decided to consider a columbarium an allowed accessory use to a church and base the regulations from the accessory building requirements. Staff recommends also adding a definition of a columbarium to the zoning code. The Planning Commission requested that a Mounds View Planning Commission March 18, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ permit be required for the installation of columbaria in order for staff to review the proposal and site plan. Staff will amend the fee schedule to add the zoning permit fee. Staff recommended approval of the proposed Code amendment to allow Columbaria. Commissioner Rundle was in favor of having the columbaria located close to the principle structure. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu asked if the code language should include further specifications on the preferred building materials. She wanted to insure that the structure was weather proof. Further discussion ensued regarding columbaria building materials. The Commission did not want to see columbaria built out of brick if under 200 square feet. Commissioner Birken discussed the term “closing” and suggested this word be changed. Associate Heller suggested this language be amended to read: within three months of the institution vacating the property. The Commission supported the recommendation. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Birken. To approve Resolution 1022-15, a Resolution Recommending Approval of an Amendment to Title 1100, Chapters 1102 and 1106 of the Mounds View Zoning Code to Allow Columbaria at Religious Institutions; Special Planning Case 193-15. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Review Minutes: A. February 18, 2015 The Commission discussed the February 18, 2015 meeting minutes. No changes were suggested. 8. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases Planning Associate Heller explained she did not have any upcoming planning cases. B. Staff Updates Planning Associate Heller noted the Town Hall Meeting would be held on Monday, March 30th at City Hall at 6:00 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission March 18, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ C. Council Updates Councilmember Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He discussed the City Council’s goals for the coming year and noted the Council wanted to enhance the relationship between the Police and Fire Departments and the general public. He congratulated Theresa Cermak on being selected the Mounds View Citizen of the Year. D. Planning Commissioner Reports None. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, April 1, 2015 B. Wednesday, April 15, 2015 ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Heidi Heller Planning Associate Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.