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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-2002PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 20, 2002 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., November 20, 2002. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Stevenson, Song, Zwirn, Miller, Scotch, Hegland, and Johnson Members Absent: None. Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Planning Case DE01-005 2 Location: 5100 Edgewood Drive Applicant: John Gannon, ATS&R Planning Case VR02-012 3 Location: 2256 Lois Drive Applicant: Steve Paparella ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approve Minutes a. October 2, 2002 MOTION/SECOND: Miller/Zwirn. To Approve the Minutes of the Planning Commission for October 2, 2002 as Presented. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. __________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Case DE01-005 Community Development Director Ericson indicated that Edgewood Middle School was before the Commission seeking approval of a development review for the previously approved expansion due to changes in the approved plan. He then indicated that the school had been required to scale back the expansion due to budget constraints. Director Ericson indicated the three areas of expansion focus mainly on the entry way and front of the building. He then indicated that Staff had reviewed the request and all the setbacks and parking requirements are met with the plan. Director Ericson indicated Staff had provided a resolution recommending approval and said the representatives from ATS&R were present to answer any questions the Commission may have. Ms. Peltsman, ATS&R, provided color drawings of the proposed expansion. She then reviewed what was previously approved and compared it to the current request. Ms. Peltsman indicated the expansion of the front of the building would be built tall enough to screen the mechanicals from view as well as acoustically. Ms. Peltsman provided a drawing and explanation of the outside elevation of the building. She then indicated there would be a new media center but the industrial technology area and cafeteria had been eliminated from the plan and incorporated into the existing space. The rest of the expansion is to be used for administration. Commissioner Miller said she thought Ms. Peltsman provided a good presentation but asked for clarification on the original plan because it had specified two classrooms, a media center, an industrial technology area as well as a cafeteria. She then asked if any of those were incorporated into the new expansion. Ms. Peltsman explained that the district functions had moved out of the building so that industrial technology could utilize that space. She then indicated that the school had reconfigured and consolidated spaces in order to accommodate all of the proposed changes within the existing space. She further explained that the cafeteria is being improved rather than reconstructed by adding large widows, a finished ceiling and new lighting. Director Ericson indicated the resolution should state that the expansion is approximately 12,000 square feet. He then explained there are three stipulations attached to the resolution. The first is a Rice Creek Watershed District permit, the second is that all disturbed pervious areas be Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ restored with sod or landscape, and the third is that the resolution of approval be recorded with Ramsey County. MOTION/SECOND: Johnson/Song. To Approve Resolution 715-02, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Development Review for an Expansion to Edgewood Middle School. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Director Ericson indicated that this matter would be before Council on December 9, 2002. Commissioner Miller suggested adding language indicating the resolution should be forwarded to Council prior to the adoption of the minutes. Director Ericson added the language to the resolution. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Planning Case VR02-012 Community Development Director Ericson indicated this matter was set for a public hearing and discussion of a variance from the minimum setback to allow a previously constructed driveway located at 2256 Lois drive. He then explained that Staff became aware of the issue by driving around the City and finding that the driveway was being reconstructed right to the property line. Director Ericson indicated that the contractor had faxed the driveway permit application to the City although the application did not include the fee or note the distance between the driveway and the property line. Staff sent a letter to the contractor who did not respond. An inspection later revealed that the driveway had been completed between the time the permit was requested and before the permit was issued. He then indicated he had attached correspondence from the property owner to his contractor as well as correspondence from the City to the property owner. Director Ericson indicated he had received input from the neighbor who abuts this property and that property owner does not have an issue with the driveway. He then indicated he had received another comment from an additional neighbor who also does not have an issue with the driveway. Director Ericson indicated that Staff noticed four or five other driveways that were constructed in a similar manner in that area. He then asked the Commission to discuss the matter and provide direction to Staff as to how to proceed. Director Ericson indicated that the applicant was not able to attend this meeting as he is out of town. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Johnson asked if a permit was pulled by the contractor. Director Ericson indicated the permit was applied for but the work was begun and completed before the permit was issued. Commissioner Johnson indicated he was surprised that a resident would have a driveway constructed right to the property line. He also commented that he is concerned that the contractor would begin work prior to the issuance of the permit. Director Ericson referred to the letter from City Staff indicating that further information would be needed prior to the issuance of the permit. He then indicated that it appears that the application was submitted and the work begun prior to the permit being approved by the City. Commissioner Hegland asked if anyone is sure whether the driveway is right up to the property line as the drawing indicates a one-foot space. Director Ericson answered that both property owners maintain that the fence is the property line and without a survey to show otherwise, that was what had to be assumed. Commissioner Johnson indicated he did not like that construction went forward without a permit. Chair Stevenson asked whether the contractor is doing business in Mounds View. Director Ericson indicated the contractor does not do a lot of work in the City. Chair Stevenson indicated he did not want this to happen again. Commissioner Johnson indicated that the time to correct issues such as these is when a permit is pulled. That gives the City the chance to bring these types of driveways into compliance with the City’s Code. Commissioner Miller commented that the driveway looks better in its current location than it would one foot off the property line. Director Ericson indicated that the adjoining property owner was concerned that if the driveway would be cut back a foot; it would be messy and unkempt and used as a driveway anyway. Commissioner Johnson said he feels that the contractor got away with something. Director Ericson indicated City Staff would remember this when the contractor applies for a license within the City. Director Ericson indicated he feels a case can be made for a hardship and, if that is the direction of the Planning Commission, Staff could draft a resolution for approval at the next meeting. Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Scotch suggested providing homeowners with correspondence concerning the rules for driveways. Commissioner Hegland indicated this was a replaced driveway not an expansion of the driveway and, even though the request is after the fact, he feels it is an appropriate request. Commissioner Johnson indicated the contractor took away the City’s opportunity to bring this driveway into compliance. Director Ericson indicated that Staff could let the contractor know that they either would not be licensed in the City or would be fined on the next violation as well as notifying the Department of Commerce. Commissioner Hegland emphasized that the City has a problem with the contractor not the homeowner on this matter. Commissioner Hegland suggested putting information in the newsletter indicating that permits are required. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Next Planning Commission Meeting: December 4, 2002 ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.