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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-2005 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting August 17, 2005 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. August 17, 2005. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Miller, Zwirn, Hegland, Hull, Scotch, and Stevenson Absent and Excused: Commissioner Meelhause Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Planning Case CU2005-006. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to Construct an Oversize Garage Consistent with City Code Requirements. 02 Planning Case VR2005-010. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Variance Request for Reduced Parking Lot and Driveway Setback at the PAK Building. 02 ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approve Minutes None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission August 17, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Case CU2005-006. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to Construct an Oversize Garage Consistent with City Code Requirements. Community Development Director Ericson reviewed the staff report indicating the applicant, Tom Hansen, 7069 Pleasant View Drive, is proposing to construct an oversized garage associated with the new home. This new home, with a footprint of 2,000 square feet, would replace a home that was recently demolished. The proposed garage is 1,082 square feet of which about 140 feet is a designated workshop considered “accessory space”. Anything beyond 952 square feet must go through a conditional use permit application process. Director Ericson stated the zoning code requires that the Planning Commission review and address any potential adverse effects. Each of these potential adverse effects has been satisfied. Director Ericson noted the Planning Commission has received one positive inquiry from a nearby property owner. He recommended the Planning Commission consider the request favorably and approve the resolution. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Commissioner Zwirn asked if the shop would be partitioned. He also asked what the shop would be used for and would there be any painting or bodywork done. Lisa Hansen, 7069 Pleasant View Drive, stated there would be a partition wall between the garage and shop. She indicated the shop would be for personal use such as carpentry projects but no painting or bodywork. Chair Stevenson stated he had concerns, too, about the nature of work in the shop. Commissioner Miller asked about the start date. Mrs. Hansen stated they are waiting for the permit, and if it is received this week, the project will begin this Monday. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Zwirn/Miller. To approve Resolution 809-05, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to Construct an Oversize Garage Consistent with City Code Requirements; Planning Case No. CU2005-006. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Planning Case VR2005-010. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Variance Request for Reduced Parking Lot and Driveway Setback at the PAK Building. Community Development Director Ericson reviewed the staff report indicating the subject property is a small commercial lot improved with a one-story concrete block building (the “PAK” Building). A variance is being requested for a reduced parking lot and driveway setback Mounds View Planning Commission August 17, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ around the periphery of the lot to promote positive drainage. The variance is being requested to maintain maximum flexibility as the owner’s plans move forward to repave their drive aisle and parking lot. Director Ericson stated for approval of the request there needs to be a demonstrated hardship or practical difficulty associated with the property. The lot has very little change of elevation over the property which causes difficulties with stormwater runoff. The site has flooded in the past. Staff is unsure whether or not there is sufficient hardship associated with this property to warrant approval of this variance request. Director Ericson noted this is the first time the Commission will consider a variance based on drainage. He recommended the Planning Commission open the public hearing and consider the testimony of staff, residents, and the applicants. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. Chair Stevenson questioned the east side curb which is parallel on the drawing but not on the site plan. He asked if it was a consistent 37 feet. Director Ericson stated the site plan is old; it is dated November 2004. He added the curb may be offset by a foot or less because it does start to narrow towards the southeast corner. Commissioner Hegland asked if the property line is 5 feet from the curb and where the new line is proposed. Director Ericson stated the property line is 5 feet from the curb and the new line has not yet been established. He added the owners are asking for maximum flexibility. Surveyors are going to the property tomorrow and will advise how much setback is necessary. There is an issue with the north south drainage. If a variance is granted, it will not necessarily improve drainage on the site but will help so water does not back up against the building. Commissioner Hegland stated if the lot is blacktopped drainage will be worse because there would be no seepage. He asked if the lot is pitching to the south. Director Ericson stated with a little pitch stormwater would flow instead of sitting in dirt. The Amoco site sits higher and historically water has flowed southeast to northwest. The request is to provide maximum setback on the east side so stormwater does not collect adjacent to the building. Rick Perrozzi, Building Manager, 2832 County Road 10, indicated this is the way CVS developers (Velmeir) have left the building. He stated, initially, there was going to be a common parking lot. A variance is being requested due to flexibility, not necessarily for drainage issues. One representative of Velmeir had been previously dealt with, but now there are legal issues such as document forgery, and talks have begun with the owners. The watershed district had approved a plan that allowed Velmeir to run through the property because they thought Velmeir owned it. The retention pond was supposed to be built to catch all of the water but the pond turned into a lake and now there is standing water on the property. The November 2004 site plan was received on June 14, 2005. The parking lot is torn up on the backside and the east side has a bottleneck with a setback. Possible renters of the building are waiting and wondering when the parking lot will be complete. Mounds View Planning Commission August 17, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Chair Stevenson asked about a previous request of running the driveway around to the backside, on the east side. He also asked how the drop from their parking lot to the building pavement would be engineered. Mr. Perrozzi stated they do want a driveway all the way around the building. This was supposed to be completed some time ago according to the Velmeir plan; however, the plan was forged and presented at closing. He stated pavement difference was done without consulting them and when they were caught doing it wrong according to plans, they said they already spent lots of money. He indicated on the west side of the catch basin it would be torn out and blended to the parking lot. Commissioner Scotch asked if the catch basin was supposed to be for both properties. She added she is surprised at the size of the pond. She also asked about granting a variance tonight. Mr. Perrozzi stated yes, the watershed wanted both properties to go into the pond. He indicated he is not asking for a variance tonight; he just wanted to get the paperwork going on the process. Chair Stevenson asked about the sidewalk on the east side of the building being removed because it will not work with the grades. Mr. Perrozzi stated the sidewalk was supposed to be put in with the needed elevation. When a company came to do the blacktop they noticed the sidewalk had differences in inches from one side to another. The sidewalk will be removed. Commissioner Hegland asked what the end goal is. Mr. Perrozzi stated the goal is to have a nice looking, functional parking lot. Commissioner Hegland asked if the driveway could be put alongside the east side of the building with a 5-foot setback from the property line, provided water from the CVS lot does not enter the lot. He indicated the driveway must be lower than the sidewalk. He added if each property adds 5 feet to the property line there will be an angle whereby each property could control its own watershed. Mr. Perrozzi asked for suggestions in tying in the high curb. He stated the sidewalk was supposed to run parallel to the curb, but he is not sure how. He indicated the suggested angle would not fix the grade problem. He added the approximate one foot trench should never have been put in because it does not work in the winter; all the yards behind the building flooded last year. Commissioner Scotch asked about putting in an underground drain. Mr. Perrozzi stated it is a possibility that is being considered. Commissioner Miller stated the whole thing sounds sticky. Mr. Perrozzi stated it is a mess. He added they supplied Velmeir with storage and electricity, among other items. Commissioner Hegland asked how much room is needed for a parking lot on the east side. Mr. Perrozzi stated he would like about 2 feet but he is not sure how it would look from a design point. He added the east side could be made a one way so cars are not too close to each other. Mounds View Planning Commission August 17, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Scotch stated not much could be done until a plan is submitted. She asked if there are pictures from last year. Mr. Perrozzi stated if a plan is submitted within the next week how long would it take to approve. He added he has several pictures. Chair Stevenson stated Staff and Mr. Perrozzi need direction. Director Ericson stated rather than a setback number, if there is a consensus of hardship or if the Commission is leaning towards granting a variance, Staff could work with Mr. Perrozzi and present multiple resolutions at the next meeting. Commissioner Hegland stated if water is not dumped on the property there is no issue; however, if water is dumped then it is their responsibility to fix. Mr. Perrozzi replied wait until winter. Commissioner Hegland asked if the concrete trench was in place when the property flooded in spring because if not, a variance may not work. Mr. Perrozzi stated the trench was not in place. He added if the catch basin is torn out and a swell is put in like originally designed the stormwater would go into the pond. Commissioner Scotch asked if there is any trouble inside the building. She also asked if the building is currently vacant. Mr. Perrozzi stated there is no trouble inside the building but the water has come up over the sidewalk. He indicated the building is vacant at this time because they cannot rent it until the parking lot is done. Chair Stevenson asked what is the variance request. Director Ericson stated the applicant does not indicate; however, it would be between zero and 5 feet with the maximum being 5 feet. Commissioner Hegland stated on the west side, since the property owners are relatives, 5 feet of their property could be purchased to meet the requirements. Mr. Perrozzi replied this seems drastic. He added a zero lot line was already there and the property was grandfathered. He questioned if someone ruins it is it not considered hardship. Commissioner Hegland stated he believes grandfathered in means if no improvements. Director Ericson stated he is not sure if the case is moving forward. Chair Stevenson stated he does not see how the Commission can direct Staff to produce a resolution; there is not enough information. Director Ericson requested the Commission wait until the results of the meeting tomorrow and Staff will bring back something to the next meeting. Mr. Perrozzi asked if the blacktop is put back to the way it was would that be fine. Commissioner Scotch stated if it is put back to the way it was the Commission has no say on it. Commissioner Zwirn stated it sounds like they were coerced into agreeing with terms that ultimately did not pan out. He added additional information is needed. Mounds View Planning Commission August 17, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Miller asked what was the building’s original use. Mr. Perrozzi stated it was offices and a coin operated laundry. He added the property issue has been discussed with the surrounding neighbors and all have agreed they want something quiet such as retail. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________ 7. Next Planning Commission Meeting: September 7, 2005. ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Cheryl Felix TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.