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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-2011PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 21, 2011 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 September 21, 2011. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Cramblit, Meehlhause, Rundle, Schiltgen, Stevenson and Smith. Absent and Excused: Commissioner Miller. Also Present: Planning Associate Heidi Heller. Index to Minutes Page Approval of Minutes 1 VR2011-007. Consideration of a Variance Request to Allow a Second 2 Curb Cut and Driveway in an R-1, Single Family Residential District 3. Approval of Minutes July 6, 2011. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Schiltgen. To approve the Minutes of the July 6, 2011 regular Planning Commission meetings as slightly amended. Ayes — 6 Nays — 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission September 21, 2011 Regular Meeting Page 2 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. 5. Planning Cases A. VR2011-007 Consideration of a Variance Request to Allow a Second Curb Cut and Driveway in an R-1, Single Family Residential District at 6939 Pleasant View Drive Associate Planner Heller indicated the Planning Commission is being asked to consider a variance request to allow a second curb cut and driveway at 6939 Pleasant View Drive. Staff indicated the lot was 100 feet wide and 450 feet deep. The existing home was built in 1940, and was placed approximately 15 feet from the south property line. City Code allows one curb cut on each R-1, Single Family Residential zoned property without a variance. Associate Heller explained the property has had two driveways since 1993 when the old garage was removed and a new two -car garage was built on the other side of the house, ten feet from the north property line. A second driveway leading to the new garage was added. The street had no curbs at the time, so the Lestinas continued to use both driveways until 2010 when Pleasant View Drive was reconstructed and curbs were added. Associate Heller stated in early 2010, in preparation for the street project, the Public Works Department mailed Ms. Lestina a letter stating that her property had two driveways, and that she must contact the City if she wants to keep the second curb cut. Ms. Lestina did not contact the City before the street was reconstructed, and as a result, only one curb cut was installed on the driveway that leads to the garage, and access to the south driveway was lost. Associate Heller noted Ms. Lestina has now applied for a variance because she wants to be able to use the south driveway again. This driveway leads right up to the house, and she has physical limitations that make it difficult for her to get around. City Staff has informed Ms. Lestina that if the Planning Commission were to approve a variance for a second curb cut, she would have one- year to install a hard surface driveway and new curb cut that meets the required five-foot setback. Staff was available for comments from the Commission. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Commissioner Schiltgen asked what action the applicant took in 2010 to keep the second curb cut. Mr. Bill Lestina indicated he attended the City street project meeting in the spring of 2010. He filled out an application to keep the second curb cut and it was not accepted. His family got busy Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting September 21, 2011 Page 3 with other things and before long, the curb was completed across his south driveway. Mr. Lestina noted the south driveway has been used for the past 35 years and should be grandfathered in. He said that they still use this driveway and requested that the Commission approve the second curb cut to assist with access to his home. Commissioner Cramblit indicated the Mounds View City Code only allows for one curb cut. Mr. Lestina understood this to be City Code, but felt because the south driveway had been in use for 35 years, they should be allowed to keep it. Commissioner Cramblit encouraged the applicant to cease driving over the city curb as this could cause damage and it would be the property owner's expense to fix it. He explained that when the new garage and driveway was built in 1993, the south driveway was forfeited. He encouraged the homeowner to instead expand the northern driveway to bring it closer to the home, with an asphalt walking path or parking area. Ms. Lois Lestina described her health concerns over the past year and indicated that closer access to the home was crucial at this time. Chair Stevenson stated an improved "T" section off the north driveway would be an option which would offer closer access to the home. Associate Heller showed a drawing as to how this could be done on the site. Mr. Lestina questioned if the southern driveway could be grandfathered in, according to City Code. Commissioner Cramblit explained that once the old garage was demolished, the homeowner forfeited the driveway in this location. A new garage was built, and a driveway now serviced the garage on the north side. Mr. Lestina indicated the driveway to the south offered access directly to the house, while the north driveway accessed the garage. Chair Stevenson stated according to City Code, the relocation of the garage relocated the driveway. In addition, the south driveway was too close to the property line and needed to be at least five feet from the line. Ms. Lestina reviewed a land survey with the Commission. She indicated there were two feet of property in question. Ms. Lestina was upset with the discrepancy as the neighboring property placed a planter along the presumed property line. Chair Stevenson encouraged the property owner to resolve this issue with City Staff, as it was not what was being discussed at this time. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting September 21, 2011 Page 4 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Smith. To Approve Resolution 948-11, a Resolution Denying a Variance to Allow a Second Curb Cut and Driveway in an R-1 Single Family Residential District at 6939 Pleasant View Drive; Planning Case No. VR2011- 007. Ayes — 6 6. Other Planning Activity None. Nays — 0 Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. October 5, 2011 B. October 19, 2011 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session Motion carried. There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:30 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.