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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-2003 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 5, 2003 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Miller at 7:00 p.m., February 5, 2003. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Scotch, Zwirn, Miller, Johnson and Song. Members Absent: Hegland (excused), Stevenson (excused) Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Planning Case VR03-001 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approve Minutes a. January 8, 2003 MOTION/SECOND: Zwirn/Johnson. To Approve the Minutes of the Planning Commission for January 8, 2003 as Presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. __________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Case VR03-001 Community Development Director Ericson indicated the applicant had requested a variance from the parking requirements as the applicant plans to expand the four-plex by constructing two additional units in the basement. The property is zoned R-3 and a six-unit building would be allowed in an R-3 zoning district, however, there is not enough parking on-site to satisfy the zoning code requirements. Director Ericson explained that the City Code requires 2.5 parking stalls per dwelling unit and one of those stalls needs to be a garage stall. He then indicated that this property does have two garage stalls and 10 surface stalls and noted that to meet the City’s Code requirements the applicant would need to have 6 garage stalls and 9 surface stalls. Director Ericson indicated that many of the other four-plexes in the area have no garage stalls and in looking at the property there appears to be sufficient room to expand the parking lot along the east side of the building. Acting Chair Miller asked if there were three garage stalls. Director Ericson indicated that one stall is being used for the garbage dumpster as an enclosed dumpster is required. Director Ericson reminded the Commission that there are seven criteria that need to be considered and noted that all criteria must be satisfied in order to justify the approval of a variance. He then briefly reviewed those criteria with the Commission. Director Ericson indicated that Staff had reviewed all the criteria and made the determination that hardship could not be met and the variance should be denied. He then indicated that, if the property owner were to come to the City with a plan to provide additional parking, it may then be appropriate to consider granting a variance from the garage stall requirements. Director Ericson indicated this meeting had been noticed as a public hearing and residents were notified. He then indicated he had received two calls, one from Colonial Village and the representative indicated that they would not be in favor of the expansion if the parking requirements could not be met and the other call was from a neighbor calling for further information who did not provide Staff with an opinion on the matter. Director Ericson indicated one of the property owners was in attendance at the meeting to answer any questions. He then indicated that the Commission could either deny based on the fact that the hardship requirements had not been met or postpone action and allow time for the applicants to consider further parking accommodations. The public hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Jamey Viger of 2955 Bunker Lake Boulevard, Ham Lake, indicated he would be amenable to looking into adding further parking to the site. He then said there are only four cars in the building but that does not mean there could not be more so he has no issue with doing a survey and working on more parking. Commissioner Johnson asked if residents pay extra rent to have a garage stall. Mr. Viger indicated that one of the garage stalls was being used as storage and one had a vehicle inside. Acting Chair Miller asked if there was any way at all of adding garage space. Mr. Viger indicated the back of the property slopes a lot and indicated he was not sure if it would be possible. Commissioner Zwirn asked what would happen to the trees if parking were added in front of the building. Mr. Viger indicated that at least one tree would be lost. Commissioner Johnson asked if it would be possible to remove the existing garage and construct the six stall garage farther back on the property. Mr. Viger indicated the slope begins right behind the garage. Commissioner Zwirn asked for the distance between the corner of the building and the corner of the garage. Mr. Viger estimated the distance to be about 10 feet. Mr. Viger asked if he could remove trees to accommodate parking. Director Ericson indicated the property owner was allowed to cut trees down but the City would like to keep them if at all possible. Mr. Viger indicated he would plant a new tree if it is necessary to remove a tree for the parking. Warren Hertenstein, 2102 Hillview Road, indicated he has lived across the street for 52 years and for many years the apartments were unsightly with junk accumulating and police and ambulance vehicles visiting regularly. He then said that, in recent years, the place has been cleaned up and he appreciates that. He further commented that he is concerned with adding more density to the area because there are parking issues already. He also commented that he is concerned that there would be no lawn or landscaping if parking were allowed in front of the building. Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Paul Hertenstein, 2102 Hillview Road, indicated he is concerned about the traffic up and down the street. He then commented that there have been instances of vehicles traveling at speeds of up to 50 m.p.h. down their street. He also commented that the previous owner, Jeff Johnson, had made nice improvements to the buildings but there have been issues in the past and he does not want to see the potential issues intensified by adding two more units. He further commented that allowing this expansion sets the stage for requests from the other four-plexes in the area and he does not think the area can handle the added density. Mr. Hertenstein indicated there is a problem with parking when the lots are plowed and two days ago he could not get his mail because there was a car parked right in front of his mailbox. He then commented that there used to be 2-hour parking signs along the street but those were removed. Brent Bedbury of 2096 Hillview indicated he has issues with not being able to mow his lawn or get his mail due to parking related problems. Lou Bedbury of 2084 Hillview indicated people are parking out in the street already and she does not see how the City could allow further density, more people, and more cars in the area. Ms. Bedbury indicated they have been putting up with junk for years from the apartments and she does not want the density increased. She then said that she does not want to look out her window and see parking in front of the building. Commissioner Scotch recommended residents bring the parking issues to the City for assistance with resolving the matter. Ms. Bedbury indicated she has been to City Hall concerning the deterioration of some of the units and they have fixed this one up but she does not want additional units and does not want to look out her window and see cars when they were promised years ago that the building would be landscaped. Commissioner Scotch indicated that allowing additional parking on site would assist with reducing the parking on the street. Mr. Viger indicated that his building only has four cars and he has 12 parking spaces. He then indicated that he was not aware of any parking issues but offered to post a sign and speak to his tenants. Darlene Hertenstein, 2102 Hillview Road, indicated she has never seen a vehicle use the garages at the apartments and she thinks they are just used for storage. She also commented that she thinks you have to pay extra to have a garage. Acting Chair Miller indicated she was concerned that approving a variance for less parking would cause the other four-plexes in the area to come to the City asking for the same accommodation. Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Johnson indicated that the previous property owner had checked into the number of units he could have and that is why the building was remodeled as it was. He then said he does not think a variance would be appropriate in this case. Commissioner Zwirn indicated he understood why the applicant wished to expand the building but indicated from an aesthetic standpoint he would side with the residents that it would be unsightly to look out your window and see vehicles parking in front of the building. He also indicated he was concerned that approval of this parking variance would mean the City would be obligated to grant parking variances to the other four-plexes and the area cannot accommodate that type of density and traffic. He further commented that allowing this would detract from the property value of the neighboring properties due to congestion, aesthetics, and increased traffic and he cannot see how this would blend in well with the existing community. Mr. Viger asked if his project could proceed if he were able to provide the garage stalls. Commissioner Johnson indicated he would need to provide 6 garage stalls and 9 surface stalls. Mr. Viger indicated his intent was to provide handicapped accessible units as the building lends itself to that due to the walkout. Director Ericson indicated the options would be to either direct Staff to draft a resolution of denial, approval, or hold off on action to allow time to explore the parking options. Commissioner Johnson recommended a resolution for denial with the main reason being that there is no hardship and if this one is allowed then all eight will want the same accommodation. The Commission directed Staff to draft a resolution to deny the variance. Director Ericson indicated the next meeting would be February 19, 2003 and the Commission would consider a resolution denying the variance request. He then clarified that the project could move forward if the applicant is able to provide enough parking to satisfy the parking requirements of the City’s Code. Ms. Bedbury indicated there are little kids on that street and she cannot see where they can meet the parking. She also said she does not want the increased traffic in the area. Director Ericson indicated Staff could inform residents as to whether the project is proceeding and asked that interested residents provide their name and address. Ms. Bedbury asked if residents could bring a petition to stop the project. Director Ericson indicated that the residents would be within their rights to protest the project by petition but explained that, if the project meets the requirements of the City’s Code, it would be difficult to prohibit the expansion. Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ Ms. Bedbury asked why they could put parking in front of a building and a resident could not park in front of their house. Director Ericson explained that parking is allowed in front of a building in an R-3 zoning district. He then indicated Staff would research whether there were landscaping promises made when the buildings were originally constructed. Commissioner Scotch recommended that the neighbors discuss the parking issues with the property owner. The public hearing was closed at 7:45 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Consideration of a Request to Restrict Parking Along the East Side of Greenfield Avenue South of County Road I. Community Development Director Ericson provided a brief history and update on the parking situation along Greenfield Avenue. He then asked the Commission to consider four no parking scenarios, one for no parking from 150 feet to corner (Option A), one for no parking from 300 feet to corner (Option B), one for no parking 350 feet to corner (Option C), and one for no parking 500 feet to corner (Option D). Acting Chair Miller indicated that at noon she had driven down Greenfield and could not believe all the cars parked along it all the way down to Bronson Drive. She then asked if it would be possible to add a time limit to the no parking sign. Director Ericson indicated that the Commission has the option of listing a time for the no parking. Acting Chair Miller indicated she does not like Option D as she does not want to punish residents in the apartment buildings. Director Ericson recommended Option B and asked whether no parking from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. would alleviate the parking situation. Commissioner Zwirn indicated he would like to see the restriction until 6:00 p.m. as that is when there is a dramatic drop off in traffic. He then indicated that he has discussed the matter with the neighbors and no one likes Option A. He further commented that he would like to see either Option B or Option C because he feels that the property owner needs to be sent a message and be forced to come to the City with an alternative to the parking problem. Commissioner Zwirn provided the Commission with pictures of the parking and traffic problems along Greenfield during the recent snowstorm. He then said that getting the no parking signs back far enough will force the property owner to act. Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 7 ________________________________________________________________________ Acting Chair Miller suggested limiting the no parking from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Zwirn indicated that Option C would be ideal as it is south of 7656 Greenfield’s driveway. He then asked if signs could be posted along the length of the no parking area rather than just at the corner. Commissioner Johnson indicated he would like to see the restriction be from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. so that residents are not punished. Commissioner Zwirn indicated that there have been some issues with traffic on Saturday mornings but the property owner has not been there long enough to determine whether weekends will be an ongoing issue. Commissioner Song indicated she felt the residents should have the right to determine what time the parking is restricted. There was consent to recommend restricting parking 350 feet back from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. MOTION/SECOND: Zwirn/Johnson. To Approve Resolution 718-03, a Resolution Recommending Installation of a “No Parking from Here to Corner, Monday – Saturday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm” Sign on the East Side of Greenfield Avenue for Public Safety Purposes. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Review and Discussion of Planning Commission Bylaws MOTION/SECOND: Johnson/Zwirn. To Reapprove the Planning Commission Bylaws Without any Changes. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. Next Planning Commission Meeting: February 19, 2003 ______________________________________________________________________________ 9. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Acting Chair Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 8 ________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.