HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-2012PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
April 18, 2012
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 April 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
Approval of Minutes 1
VR2012-001. Consideration of a Variance Request to Allow an 2
Accessory Building to Exceed the Allowed Height of 15 feet
Discuss Code Amendment for Dynamic Display Signs 3
3. Approval of Minutes
March 7, 2012.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Rundle. To approve the Minutes
of the March 7, 2012 regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended.
Ayes — 7 Nays — 0 Motion carried.
Mounds View Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
None.
5. Planning Cases
April 18, 2012
Page 2
A. VR2012-001 Consideration of a Variance Request to Allow an Accessory
Building to Exceed the Allowed Height of 15 feet as Measured at the
Midpoint of the Roof (Pre -November 2009 Zoning Code)
Planning Associate Heller indicated the Planning Commission was being asked to reconsider a
variance to allow an accessory building to exceed the allowed height of 15 feet at 8027
Woodlawn Drive. The Planning Commission and City Council both denied this variance. The
City Council has rescinded their denial and decided that the applicant should adhere to the
zoning code that was in effect in 2007 when the building permit was issued. She explained the
applicant built a garage slightly different than the plans submitted to the City. The applicant
took several years to complete the building and therefore following under a previous City Code.
Associate Heller commented the applicant did add dormers to the garage which would be
addressed by the building official and a modified permit would have to be issued and paid for.
However, this was not the issue being discussed this evening.
Associate Heller stated the applicant was requesting a 9 inch variance which differed greatly
from the previously requested 5 foot variance. She explained that the several comments received
from the neighbors generally supported the garage.
Commissioner Cramblit noted the 12:12 pitch of the garage does not match the house.
Tim Downing, 8027 Woodlawn Drive, explained that the older portion of the home does match
the 12:12 pitch, but the newer portion does not.
Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
Tom Carlson, 8051 Woodlawn Drive, supported the Downing's and their detached garage. He
did not object to the height or size of the garage.
Dan Larson, 8046 Woodlawn Drive, did not object to the garage. He felt it blended in fairly well
given its location and the size of the Downing's lot.
Commissioner Cramblit asked if the applicant said at the previous Planning Commission meeting
that the old garage would be torn down.
Mr. Downing stated this was not the case. His long term plan was to build a new attached garage
in the place of the old front garage.
Mounds View Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
April 18, 2012
Page 3
Commissioner Meehlhause asked if the new garage would be used to store vehicles, and if so,
how is it going to be accessed.
Mr. Downing stated the front garage has a door on the front and back and he is able to drive
through his current garage into the backyard for vehicle storage. The new front garage would be
moved over so there was room to drive around the side of the garage to reach the backyard.
Commissioner Meehlhause stated driving through the yard on a regular basis to the rear garage
would require an improved driving surface.
Commissioner Meehlhause questioned if the applicant was aware of the conditions for approval
within the Resolution.
Mr. Downing stated he did not have the exact dates, but was aware staff had created conditions
for approval. Associate Heller reviewed the conditions and deadline dates with Mr. Downing.
Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Meehlhause/Commissioner Schiltgen. To approve
Resolution 959-12, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Nine (9) Inch Height Variance
for a Detached Accessory Building at 8027 Woodlawn Drive; Planning Case No. VR2012-001.
Chair Stevenson requested the three conditions for approval be read aloud for the record.
Associate Heller read the conditions.
1. The applicant must receive approval from the Building Official for anew building permit for
the garage as it is actually built by July 1, 2012.
2. The applicant must pay the additional permit fees for the new building permit by July 1,
2012.
3. The applicant must complete the exterior of the garage by October 1, 2012.
Ayes — 6 Nays —1 (Cramblit) Motion carried.
6. Other Planning Activity
A. Discuss Code Amendment to Dynamic Display Signs
Planning Associate Heller informed the Commission that in 2009 the City added a section for
dynamic display signs into the sign code. She explained that the code was again in need of an
amendment. She noted a business in Mounds View wants a dynamic display wall sign since they
do not have a ground sign. The current sign code specifically states that dynamic display signs
Mounds View Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
April 18, 2012
Page 4
can be located on ground and freestanding signs. The intent of the City Council when adopting
the current code was not to disallow dynamic display signs on buildings.
Associate Heller reviewed the language changes with the Commission and recommended
approval of Resolution 960-12 if the Commission was comfortable with what staff proposed.
Chair Stevenson questioned if the code was inconsistent since there were two different sign time
lengths, four or eight seconds.
Associate Heller stated billboards had to be eight seconds and all other signs were four seconds.
She indicated the building sign would have a four second time limit.
Chair Stevenson did not object to any of the changes presented by staff.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Rundle. To approve Resolution
960-12, a Resolution Recommending Approval of Amendments to Chapter 1008 of the Mounds
View City Code about Dynamic Display Signs; Special Planning Case No. 185-12.
Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
7. Next Planning Commission Meeting:
A. May 2, 2012
B. May 16, 2012
8. Adjournment to Agenda Session
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the
meeting at 7:32 p.m.
(The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session)
Respectfully submitted,
kc —
Heidi Heller
Planning Associate
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.