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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-2006 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting October 18, 2006 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order Chair Stevenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. October 18, 2006. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Stevenson; Commissioners Hegland, Hull, Meehlhause, Miller, Scotch, and Zwirn Absent and Excused: None Also Present: Community Development Director Jim Ericson Index to Minutes Page MI2006-001: Consideration of a Minor Subdivision at 8409 Groveland Road 2 Applicant: Tony & Cherie Hoffman Address: 8409 Groveland Road Continuation: Accessory Building Codes & Requirements Discussion 3 Chair Stevenson asked for any additional items for the agenda. No changes were proposed. 3. Approve Minutes A. September 20, 2006 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Zwirn /Commissioner Miller, to approve the Minutes of the September 20, 2006 regular Planning Commission meetings as slightly amended. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission October 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. MI2006-001: Consideration of a Minor Subdivision at 8409 Groveland Road Applicant: Tony & Cherie Hoffman Address: 8409 Groveland Road Community Development Director Jim Ericson summarized the application for consideration of a minor subdivision at 8409 Groveland Road. He explained the proposed subdivision is essentially a lot line adjustment shifting the common lot line between 8409 and 8413 Groveland Road five feet further south onto 8409 Groveland. Director Ericson clarified the Hoffmans own lots A and B. He pointed out lot C is no longer owned by the Hoffmans and is not affected by this subdivision request. Director Ericson explained the purpose for the request is because the Hoffmans would like to build a new home on the vacant lot and the proposed floor plan necessitates an additional five feet of space to satisfy setback requirements. Community Development Director Jim Ericson informed the Planning Commission all requirements are satisfied. He explained the two lots would be switching frontages and the only impact would be the requirement for a new five-foot drainage and utility easement. Director Ericson indicated subdivisions are usually subject to park dedication requirements; however, the Hoffmans paid this fee in 2003 as a condition of a minor subdivision approval. He explained requests such as this would not require a public hearing, as the only properties affected would be the Hoffman property. Community Development Director Ericson expressed this is a straightforward request and Staff recommends approval of the resolution. Chair Stevenson asked Community Development Director Ericson what the timeline for removal of the existing garage and whether it was required in the original approval. Community Development Director Ericson stated the garage was supposed to have been removed within a year. He reported Mr. Hoffman stated it would be torn down in November 2006 to make room for the new home. Commissioner Miller asked about the shed and whether it needed to be in the resolution. Community Development Director Ericson replied the shed would need to be removed from the survey but would stay in the resolution. He stated the resolution is correct as written. Commissioner Miller stated it looked like the majority of the shed was on parcel C. Mounds View Planning Commission October 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Community Development Director Ericson reiterated the shed is no longer there. He explained the resolution stated it is to be taken off the survey, as it is no longer there. Commissioner Zwirn asked if the five-foot easement would be adjusted along with the lot line. Community Development Director Ericson said that was correct. Chair Stevenson asked if the Commissioners felt there should be other changes. No additional changes were voiced. Commissioner Zwirn asked when the applicant planned to begin building the new home. Mrs. Cherie Hoffman, 8409 Groveland Road, replied next spring. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Hegland/Commissioner Meehlhause, to approve Resolution 852-06, a resolution approving a minor subdivision between 8409 and 8413 Groveland Road, with stipulations. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity A. Continuation Accessory Building Codes and Requirements Discussion. Community Development Director Ericson stated this topic is a continuation of a discussion started at the last Planning Commission meeting on building codes and requirements for accessory buildings. He stated a number of concerns were expressed from one neighborhood asking the Commission to review the code to consider changes or if the code is sufficient as is. Community Development Director Ericson reported the present requirements have been in place for four years. He stated since 2000 only 14 Conditional Use Permits had been approved for over size accessory buildings. Director Ericson stated most accessory buildings constructed in Mounds View are under 952 square feet. Community Development Director Ericson referred to the codes addressing accessory buildings, attached in the Planning Commission packets. He reviewed the regulations for the Commission. Community Development Director Ericson stated in recognition that people have more cars, RVs and boats, both the City Council and the Planning Commission feel it is better to have these items inside a garage or accessory building rather than outside. He informed the Commissioners if they require additional information, he would provide it. Mounds View Planning Commission October 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Community Development Director Ericson reviewed the three questions, which were: is there a need to re-examine the allowances and perhaps adopt more stringent controls regarding the size, height and number of such accessory buildings; if so, should the City Council establish a committee of residents, appointed and elected individuals to determine the most appropriate changes; and should the City adopt design guidelines for all accessory buildings rather than just those in excess of 952 square feet. Community Development Director Ericson stated Staff is hopeful some of the questions could be addressed via a recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Hegland asked Community Development Director Ericson to clarify the complaints received by the City Council. Community Development Director Ericson replied the concerns expressed to him were from one area and neighborhood in Mounds View. Commissioner Miller asked what could be considered when discussing design guidelines. Community Development Director Ericson replied the only current guidelines are that garages over 952 square feet match the basic design of the house. He stated it was up to the Planning Commission whether it wanted to be more stringent or apply this requirement to accessory buildings less than 952 square feet. Chair Stevenson asked Community Development Director Ericson to read the requirements for accessory buildings. Community Development Director Ericson stated the specific requirement is that the accessory building have a weather resistant treated or finished exterior; it shall not be constructed of tubular metal, canvas, particleboard, plywood, or other similar materials. He continued stating that the accessory building shall be designed and maintained to provide a uniform appearance with the dwelling. Chair Stevenson asked the Planning Commission to look at Community Development Director Ericson’s questions. He asked if any Commissioner felt the Commission should recommend a task force. Commissioner Scotch replied Mounds View is very liberal compared to other communities regarding the amount of square footage allowed. She stated it never hurts for it to go before the City Council if they have issues. She stated it is something the Planning Commission should keep an eye on. Community Development Director Ericson indicated one of the issues expressed by Council members was the height of the accessory building or garage in relationship to the house. Mounds View Planning Commission October 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Chair Stevenson asked Community Development Director Ericson to explain the 15-foot height limitation in the code. Community Development Director Ericson explained the height is measured from the top of the side wall to the midpoint of the truss, which does allow the garage to exceed 15 feet to the peak. He stated the intent was to allow for matching the roof pitch of the home and carry it to the garage. Chair Stevenson asked how many detached garages in Mounds View are higher than the house. Community Development Director Ericson replied there might be a dozen or more but that it is not commonplace. Commissioner Hegland stated the ones he has seen try to match the pitch on the house roof. He stated many houses in Mounds View have a steep roof pitch. Chair Stevenson asked if limiting the height of detached garages to the height of house would be a limiting factor or problematic. Community Development Director Ericson replied it could be a problem if the home is a rambler, as it might not give taller vehicles suitable clearance. He stated many of the older homes with the higher peaks are generally the ones requesting the garages. Chair Stevenson asked if the problem is when the garage is higher than the house. Commissioner Scotch remarked she thinks it is the size more than the height. She clarified the unknown is often what the accessory building would be used for. She indicated many of the garages have been for sizes larger than the house. Commissioner Hegland stated there have not been many complaints nor has the Planning Commission granted many variances. He stated he does not see a problem. Chair Stevenson stated most of the complaints have been that the structure of the accessory building looks out of place from the house. Community Development Director Ericson reiterated there have not been very many complaints outside from the one neighborhood. Commissioner Scotch commented she did not think there was a problem. Commissioner Hegland remarked the current code is in line with adjoining communities and it serves the needs of Mounds View. He stated Mounds View has an established set of codes that are simple to enforce and meet the needs of the community. Commissioner Hegland stated he is afraid the more the Planning Commission restricts people, the more difficult it becomes for residents to improve their property. Mounds View Planning Commission October 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ Chair Stevenson stated the Commission knows there are too many lots in Mounds View with too many accessory buildings. Commissioner Scotch asked what the size of the accessory building the resident was referring to at the previous meeting. Community Development Director Ericson replied the accessory building was about 980 square feet. He told the Commission he is not recommending it delve into something that does not need to be changed. He stated the recommendation to the Council could be that the Commission is happy with the code the way it is and not suggesting a task force be established to fix something that is not broken. Commissioner Miller stated some years ago a driveway could not go to an accessory building. Community Development Director Ericson replied that in 2002 a change was made stating an offshoot of the primary driveway could continue to the back garage. He mentioned the City did not have an impervious surface maximum or ratio beyond which one could not exceed other than the maximum width of a driveway. Commissioner Zwirn asked if gazebos were counted as accessory buildings. Community Development Director Ericson stated it is the storage component of a building that is counted; a gazebo or hot tub enclosure did not count. Chair Stevenson asked what the size of the largest building applied for has been. Community Development Director Ericson replied he thought is was for about 1600 square feet. He stated for the most part they are in the 1100 to 1200 square foot range. Chair Stevenson stated the detached structure should be below 952 as most accessory buildings used for vehicles are less than 952. He stated that perhaps the Planning Commission is a bit too generous in not requiring the accessory buildings have a uniform appearance with the house. Commissioner Hegland stated a two-car garage is just over 400, anything under that is probably not a garage. Chair Stevenson stated he would not be opposed to recommending design guidelines for all accessory buildings in excess of 400 square feet. Commissioner Meehlhause asked if Staff receives any requests for single car garages. Community Development Director Ericson replied they did not. Mounds View Planning Commission October 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 7 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Zwirn emphasized he had three serious reservations dictating how people should build. He stated the code is fine the way it is. He stated he would like to see more flexibility relative to the lot size since they are paying taxes on the lots. He stated young people are buying up houses that meet their needs now with plans to expand to meet their needs in the future. Commissioner Miller asked if that meant the accessory building could be larger than the house. Commissioner Zwirn replied it could be with the older homes, as residents build larger garages for storage with the intent of building a larger home later. Commissioner Scotch stated the code allows up to 1800 square feet. Chair Stevenson commented a limit of 20 percent of rear yard could be covered with accessory buildings. He stated he is inclined to agree as far as the appearance; there are too many garages less than 952 square feet that look so out of place and the City has no control over what they look like. Commissioner Hull stated if it is not broke do not fix it. He commented the few complaints do not warrant changes. Chair Stevenson asked the Commissioners to consider expanding the reach of the current design guidelines so that it does not negatively affect the neighborhood. He would like the code to read exactly as it currently does, the only change being to apply to all accessory buildings exceeding 400 square feet. MOTION/SECOND: Chair Stevenson /Commissioner Miller to recommend changing the code to reflect design guidelines for any accessory building in excess of 400 square feet such that they must be in uniform appearance with the dwelling unit. Commissioner Hegland asked to add to the motion that the other suggestions brought forward, such as establishing a citizen task force, were deemed unnecessary and the rest of code to remain unchanged. Ayes – 6 Nays – 1 (Zwirn) Motion carried. Chair Stevenson stated this would be presented to the City Council. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. November 1, 2006. B. November 15, 2006. ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session Mounds View Planning Commission October 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 8 ________________________________________________________________________ There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Dianna Wise TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.