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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-2012PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 18, 2012 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m. for January 18, 2012. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Cramblit, Meehlhause, Miller, Rundle, Schiltgen, Stevenson and Smith. Absent and Excused: None. Also Present: Planning Associate Heidi Heller. Index to Minutes Page Special Order of Business Election of Officers Approval of Minutes Discussion on a City Code Amendment to Allow Massage Therapy As a Home Based Business Discuss Updated Language for Chapter 1121.08 Code Amendment 4. Special Order of Business A. Oath of Office for Re -Appointed Commissioners Planning Associate Heller administered the Oath of Office to reappoint Planning Commissioners Gary Meehlhause, Gary Stevenson and Jean Miller. B. Election of Officers — Chair and Vice -Chair Commissioner Meehlhause nominated Gary Stevenson as the Chair of the Planning Commission. Chair Stevenson accepted this nomination. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting January 18, 2012 Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Meehlhause/Commissioner Smith. To elect Gary Stevenson as the Chair of the Planning Commission for 2012. Ayes — 7 Nays — 0 Motion carried. Commissioner Cramblit nominated Gary Meehlhause as the Vice Chair of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Meehlhause accepted this nomination. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Rundle. To elect Gary Meehlhause as the Vice -Chair of the Planning Commission for 2012. Ayes — 7 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 4. Approval of Minutes November 16, 2011. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Schiltgen. To approve the Minutes of the November 16, 2011 regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended. Ayes — 7 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 5. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. 6. Planning Cases None. Other Planning Activity A. Continue Discussion on a City Code Amendment to Allow Massage Therapy as a Home Based Business Planning Associate Heller informed the Commission that at a previous meeting the Commission discussed a Code Amendment that would allow massage therapy as a home based business. She explained that at this time, City Code requires massage therapy to take place in a B-2 or higher zoning district. The Council received a request from a Mounds View resident who is a massage therapist to allow this as a home business. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting January 18, 2012 Page 3 Associate Heller indicated the Planning Commission was not comfortable with allowing this use in residential zoning districts without a public hearing and notification to neighboring properties. She reviewed how the City of White Bear Lake handles massage therapy in residential homes through a Special Home Occupation Permit that uses the conditional use permit process. She stated a similar Special Home Occupation Permit process could be created by the City, but the approval would not be recorded with Ramsey County or run with the land like a typical conditional use permit does. She recommended that the Special Home Occupation Permits be reviewed on a regular basis. She indicated the proposed permit process would require a public hearing as desired by the Planning Commission. Chair Stevenson questioned if the changes needed for City Code Chapter 514 regarding massage therapy would require an amendment. Associate Heller indicated that several sections of the City Code would likely need to be amended to add this new permit process. Chair Stevenson was in favor of the massage therapy use with notification to the neighbors, but without holding a formal public hearing. He indicated this would make neighbors aware of the home occupation. Associate Heller stated a 10 -day comment period could be allowed to give neighbors a chance to object or provide comments to City Staff. She indicated any issues could be brought to the Council's attention prior to approval. Chair Stevenson asked if massage therapy would be allowed in all residential properties. Associate Heller explained the Commission would have to decide if massage therapy should be allowed in single-family homes, duplexes, manufactured homes, rental properties, apartments, townhomes, etc. She was comfortable with allowing massage therapy in all residential zoning districts so long as the applicant receives approval from the property owner, if the applicant is not the owner. Commissioner Cramblit did not want to limit residents who live in rental property. Chair Stevenson questioned if the hours of operation should be limited. Commissioner Meehlhause did not feel the hours of operation for this service needed to be limited. Associate Heller agreed stating it would be difficult to enforce hours of operation limitations. Chair Stevenson directed Staff make the necessary revisions to the proposed City Code amendment and bring the information back to the Commission for further discussion. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting January 18, 2012 Page 4 B. Discuss updated language for Chapter 1121.08 Code Amendment Planning Associate Heller discussed the Chapter 1121.09 proposed code amendments with the Commission. She indicated parking areas that are detached from the driveway were becoming a concern. City Staff was recommending that if the detached parking area is being utilized on a regular basis, it should be serviced by an improved driveway that connects to the original driveway, and is only accessed by the original driveway curb cut. This code amendment is to assure that residents were not driving over curbs to access separate parking areas. Chair Stevenson questioned why the existing code language was limiting parking areas to five or more vehicles. Associate Heller indicated the code was actually stating that if a property owner was planning to install a parking lot with marked parking stalls, then a City review of the plans must be done. It was not limiting typical residential driveway parking. She noted this was more applicable for four-plexes or other larger rental housing buildings. Chair Stevenson asked if the Commission had to take action on the Resolution this evening. Associate Heller stated the information could be reviewed and discussed, and action could take place at a future meeting if the Commission chooses. Chair Stevenson suggested the section addressing surfacing and drainage be made a separate paragraph and further clarified. The Commission agreed with this recommendation. Chair Stevenson requested staff make the discussed changes and bring the Resolution back at a future meeting for action. 8. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. February 1, 2012 B. February 15, 2012 9. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission January 18, 2012 Regular Meeting Page 5 (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, Q 1)L C U, '(� Heidi Heller Planning Associate Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.