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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-2013PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting March 20, 2013 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 20, 2013. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Carvelli-Yu, Elofson, Rundle, Stevenson and Smith. Absent and Excused: Commissioners Miller and Schiltgen. Also Present: Index to Minutes Approval of Minutes Planning Associate Heidi Heller. VR2013-001. Consideration of a Variance for a Second Driveway and Curb Cut City Code Amendment for Cargo Containers County Road 10 Corridor Discussion 3. Approval of Minutes January 2, 2013 Page 1 2 3 3 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Smith. To approve the Minutes of the January 2, 2013 regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting 4. None. March 20, 2013 Page 2 Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda 5. Planning Cases A. VR2013-001 Variance for a Second Driveway and Curb Cut Applicant: Colvert & Theresa People Address: 7900 Greenfield Avenue Planning Associate Heller requested the Commission consider a variance for a second driveway and curb cut for the property at 7900 Greenfield Avenue. She explained a variance was approved for the second driveway in 1994 with the condition that it could remain in place only for 10 years or until the property was sold. She described the case in further detail, stating the second driveway was requested by the previous property owners because the detached garage is quite a distance from the house. Associate Heller indicated the property was sold in 2002 to the applicants, and they were not made aware of the driveway conditions and would like the second driveways to remain in place due to Mrs. People's mobility difficulties. She noted the City Code limits driveway curb cuts for single family residential lots to one without a variance. This property has had two driveways in place for 19 years, and a temporary variance was approved to install the second driveway. Chair Stevenson recalled this case from 19 years ago, stating originally the property owners were parking in the yard to be near the house and had created a dirt driveway from the repeated driving on the grass. The owners wanted to install a concrete driveway in this location and were told by City Staff that they needed to apply for a variance for the second curb cut. The Commission was split on whether to approve the variance, so they compromised and added the time limit for the driveway. He stated in most cases he opposed second driveways, however with this case, the situation was unique and he recommended the variance be approved. Commissioner Rundle did not oppose the second driveway either. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu questioned what additional expense the City would incur for the second curb cut. Associate Heller explained that the expense for the second curb cut and apron would be paid by the property owner during the street reconstruction project. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission March 20, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 3 Theresa People, 7900 Greenfield Avenue, reiterated that she was not made aware of the fact that the second access would be negated upon the sale of the home. She stated she was not requesting to change anything on the property, but just that both driveways be allowed to remain as is. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Smith/Commissioner Rundle. To approve Resolution 975- 13, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Variance for a Second Driveway and Curb Cut; Planning Case No. VR2013-001. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 6. Other Planning Activity A. City Code Amendment for Cargo Containers Planning Associate Heller presented the Commission with a Code Amendment for Accessory Buildings addressing the use of shipping containers. She noted this amendment was discussed with the City Council earlier this month. The Council supported the proposed amendment and requested that only one container be allowed on a residential lot at a time. She then requested the Commission review the proposed ordinance language and direct Staff how to proceed. Chair Stevenson questioned how the City would address temporary cargo containers that were sided and roofed to resemble a shed. Associate Heller stated this had been discussed with the City Council who felt that by putting a roof and siding around the cargo container, it was now a cargo container inside of a shed, and the City does not regulate what is inside sheds. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu suggested this issue be further addressed and defined, as "prepping" or remodeling cargo containers by adding roofs, windows or doors, was becoming more and more popular. She did not want to see a large number of "eyesore" sheds creeping up throughout the City. She did not feel cargo containers belonged in residential neighborhoods in any way. Chair Stevenson asked who would determine if the encased cargo containers had become sheds. Associate Heller commented this would have to be determined by Staff. Commissioner Smith recommended that the surrounding shed should match the principle structure. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting March 20, 2013 Page 4 Commissioner Carvelli-Yu recommended additional language be written into the proposed amendment to assure that remodeled or altered cargo containers do not become an issue in the future. She stated she was willing to work on drafting a statement to add into the ordinance regarding this prior to the next meeting. Commissioner Smith questioned if the cargo container has to be placed on a specified improved surface. Associate Heller indicated that the ordinance had language requiring the containers be placed on a hard surface. Chair Stevenson recommended this item be tabled to the next Planning Commission meeting. B. County Road 10 Corridor Discussion Planning Associate Heller informed the Commission that the City Council was working to improve the County Road 10 corridor. This involved landscaping the streetscape, in addition to renaming the corridor. The improvement of this corridor would assist with redevelopment efforts. She explained some TIF funds were available as well. Associate Heller explained an overlay district was suggested for the County Road 10 corridor to assist with the discussed improvements. An overlay district would allow for specific design guidelines for all future redevelopment. Associate Heller then discussed the recent redevelopment study for the Premium Stop lot and the surrounding properties. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu questioned if the City has contacted neighboring cities to discuss their redevelopment strategies. Associate Heller was not aware of any conversations, but understood that the use of TIF may assist with spurring redevelopment. Associate Heller noted a joint meeting between the Planning Commission and City Council has been scheduled for the April 1, 2013 City Council Worksession, to discuss this matter in further detail. She encouraged each of the Commissioners to attend. She reported she would forward the agenda to the Commissioners when completed. Mounds View Planning Commission March 20, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 5 7. Next Planning Commission Meetings: A. April 1, 2013 — Joint Meeting with the City Council at the Council Worksession B. April 3, 2013 C. April 17, 2013 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, Heidi Heller Planning Associate Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.