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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-2007 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting March 21, 2007 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. March 21, 2007 ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Stevenson, Commissioners Cramblit, Gunn, Meehlhause, and Walsh-Kaczmarek Absent and Excused: Commissioners Miller and Lang Also Present: Planning Associate Heller ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Planning Cases MA2007-001; Consideration of a Major Subdivision for 2 8360 Long Lake Road _______________________________________________________________________ 3. Approve Minutes A. January 24, 2007 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Gunn/Commissioner Cramblit to approve the Minutes of the January 24, 2007 regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission March 21, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. MA2007-001; Consideration of a Major Subdivision for 8360 Long Lake Road Planning Associate Heller reported this planning case is for a major subdivision at 8360 Long Lake Road. She stated the proposed 1.55 acre subdivision would create three buildable lots from one existing lot. She commented that even though the property is less than two acres in size, this is a major subdivision due to the fact that more than one additional lot is being created. Planning Associate Heller explained that in July 2006, a different applicant who had a purchase agreement with the current applicant went through the subdivision process, with the final plat approved by City Council in August 2006. She reported that as a condition of the approval, the applicant was given 120 days after the date of approval to complete the process by recording the documents with Ramsey County and paying the park dedication fee to the City. Planning Associate Heller explained the applicant did not follow through, thus the approval was voided in December 2006. She stated the property owner has now chosen to complete the subdivision herself. Planning Associate Heller stated the property is zoned R-1, Single Family Residential and the proposed subdivision would be consistent with the existing zoning of the property. She stated the proposal plans to keep the existing home, which means the three lots would be slightly different in size, but all lots would far exceed the minimum lot size requirements. She pointed out that even with the slight jog in the property line; lot three would still have a 75 foot width at the front and back of the lot since the south property line slopes slightly to the southwest. Planning Associate Heller reported the proposed plan would be consistent with the R-1 designation and consistent with the residential goals and policies as articulated in the Land Use section of the Comprehensive Plan. She stated the proposal would also be consistent with specific housing goals and policies articulated in the Comp Plan. Planning Associate Heller commented the City’s Surface Water Management Plan guides the City in regards to drainage and storm water management. She stated the property is located in a minor water shed area (AA-1 and AA-5 sub-watersheds) with the boundary between the two sub- watershed appears to run through the middle lot. Planning Associate Heller reported the City’s Subdivision Code requires plats to dedicate perimeter drainage and utility easements for each lot in the subdivision. She explained this plat did dedicate the necessary perimeter easements. She reported a 45 foot drainage and utility easement along the west property line would remain. Planning Associate Heller commented there are no wetlands on the property. Planning Associate Heller reported the three new lots would have access onto Long Lake Road, which is county owned. She commented the street is adequate to handle the small amount of added traffic that two additional homes would create. She explained that any work to the Mounds View Planning Commission March 21, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ boulevard would require a permit from the county and alterations to the existing sidewalk would require a permit from the city. Planning Associate Heller indicated the subdivision is subject to a park dedication fee. She stated the fee would be assessed at equal to ten percent of the market value of the land. She explained that to establish market value, staff uses Ramsey County assessed values as the basis for dedication computation. She commented that since there is already one existing home on the property, the park dedication fee would be based on 2/3 of the land value. She stated the dedication fee would be $10,640 and has been communicated to the applicant. Planning Associate Heller stated all utilities on the site would be installed underground, per Section 1203.10 of the Code. She commented the water and sanitary sewer lines are easily accessible. Planning Associate Heller mentioned the amount of traffic generated by an average single-family home is about ten vehicle trips per day, thus, one could expect an additional 20 movements along Long Lake Road as a result of the subdivision. Planning Associate Heller reported the 1.55 acre site is mostly tree covered. She stated the City Forester visited the site last summer and determined there are four or five large red oak trees near the current house that would be worth saving when the new homes are built. She indicated staff recommends that upon each lot’s completion and the house has been constructed, the yard areas be sodded and a minimum of two trees exist in the front yard. She explained the trees could be existing trees or newly planted ones if trees are removed. She stated new trees would be chosen from an approved list by the City Forester. Planning Associate Heller pointed out there are no wetlands identified on the property on the National Wetlands Inventory Map or the City’s official Wetland Zoning Map. She explained that since the property is over one acre in size, the applicant would need to apply for a general storm water permit from the MPCA and contact Rice Creek Watershed District to check on permit requirements. Planning Associate Heller informed the Commission that while a public hearing is not required for its action, staff sent notices to property owners within 350 feet of the project area. She indicated no feedback was received. Planning Associate Heller stated staff recommends the Commission review the plans and discuss the proposed preliminary plat. She reported staff review revealed no deficiencies and is recommending approval of the preliminary plat. Chair Stevenson remarked the information packet is laid out well with the photos and graphic details of the lots. Commissioner Meehlhause asked what size homes could be built on the lots. Mounds View Planning Commission March 21, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Planning Associate Heller replied the lots are large enough to handle a fairly good size house. Commissioner Meehlhause asked if the subdivision would be impacted by the tree ordinance being considered. Planning Associate Heller replied the timing would depend on when the tree ordinance is passed and permits are received on the homes. Chair Stevenson asked if residents in the audience had questions. The applicant, Char Moschkau, asked for clarification on the proposed tree ordinance. Planning Associate Heller briefly explained a proposed tree preservation ordinance is being considered to save trees in Mounds View. Chair Stevenson clarified the purpose of the proposed ordinance is to discourage clear-cutting and to save some of the larger trees in Mounds View. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Meehlhause/Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek to approve Resolution 862-07, a Resolution Recommending Approval of the Preliminary Plat for a Major Subdivision Located at 8360 Long Lake Road, Planning Case MA2007-001. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity A. Proposed Amendments to Mounds View Zoning Code Chapters 1102 and 1113; Pertaining to a “Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station.” Planning Associate Heller reported staff has been working on a solution to allow The Station at 2280 County Road I to become a conforming use without having to rezone the property or do a comprehensive plan amendment. She stated the Planning Commission indicated they were supportive of The Station’s desire to become conforming and to add two additional fuel pumps, but were hesitant to change the property to a higher intensity designation because of what it could open up the site to in the future should the owners decide to sell the property. Planning Associate Heller stated staff proposes the Mounds View Zoning Code be amended to add the definition of a “Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station” and allow this smaller gas station in a B-2 zoning district as a conditional use. She indicated staff drafted a definition for a Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station and the proposed addition to the B-2 zoning code, Chapter 1113. She stated the City Attorney reviewed the proposal and indicated it could be a satisfactory option rather than rezoning and a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to a higher intensity use. Planning Associate Heller reported staff researched five other cities’ zoning codes relating to gas station definitions and the zoning districts allowing gas station operations. She indicated the Mounds View Planning Commission March 21, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ cities included Maplewood, Arden Hills, Vadnais Heights, Blaine, and Fridley. She reported some had two gas station distinctions: convenience food store with accessory gas pumps and a service station that may have auto services. She explained the cities defining a service station only allowed them in at least a B-3 or comparable zoning district, whereas, the convenience food store with gas pumps was allowed, depending on the city, in B-1 or B-2 districts. She stated all cities, except Maplewood, allowed gas stations in lower zoned business districts than a B-3 (or comparable), and all five cities only allowed a gas station as a conditional use. Planning Associate Heller stated staff drew up a proposal for an amendment to the zoning code. She commented staff recommends the Planning Commission discuss the proposal and determine the direction that it would like to go. Chair Stevenson stated he saw proposals were allowing gas stations by conditional use only. There would be no automotive service or repair, nor would it have more than the smaller number of pumping stations allowed. He commented he agreed with the proposed B-2 allowance for a motor fuel station. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked if the language was significant enough to prevent the proliferation of other stations trying to do more. Chair Stevenson replied the amendment has the exact type of language to deter additional gas stations from coming in. He stressed he did not foresee a problem from additional gas stations. Commissioner Gunn sited the existing definition, “including minor accessories …” and asked if the new 'item c’ should be included in the definition rather than where it is in the new proposal. Planning Associate Heller replied the definition did not need to include what you are not allowing. Commissioner Meehlhause asked if the ordinance should make reference to the convenience store as they are part of most gas stations. Planning Associate Heller stated convenience stores are listed separately in the ordinance. A discussion ensued on convenience stores among the Commissioners. Planning Associate Heller reported sending the staff report to the City Attorney for review. She commented he stated it looked reasonable. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked about the provisions to reduce noise under letters ‘p’ and ‘r’ in the Existing Chapter 1114.04, B-3 District, Subd. 3. Planning Associate Heller replied it refers to when the station is next to a residential area and then a buffer would be required. She stated it is not applicable in this case. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting March 21, 2007 Page 6 Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked if letter `r' restricts the gas station's option for a pay at the pump. Commissioner Cramblit explained it refers more to another company having an outside type sale here, such as a tow truck, food cart, or art work for sale. Planning Associate Heller stated the amendment, along with the minor subdivision and conditional use permit requests, would be brought back to the next Planning Commission meeting and presented as a formal resolution for a vote. 7. Next Planning Commission Meetings: A. April 4, 2007 B. April 18, 2007 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, "fim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Dianna Wise TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.