Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-2001 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting May 16, 2001 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., May 16, 2001. _______________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Hegland, Stevenson, Miller, Johnson, Kaden, Zwirn, and Scotch. Members Absent: Commissioner Cerny. Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson. ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Planning Case No. ZC01-001 2 Applicant: Ernie Gustafson Location: 2525 County Road I Staff Reports/Items of Information 5 Chairperson and Planning Commission Reports 6 _______________________________________________________________________ 3. Approval of Minutes a. April 18, 2001 MOTION/SECOND: Kaden/Miller. To Approve the April 18, 2001, Meeting Minutes as Presented. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission May 16, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 2 ____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda There were no resident comments on items not on the agenda. ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Case No. ZC01-001 Community Development Director Ericson explained that Mr. Gustafson has requested a rezoning of his property located along Long Lake Road and County Road I. Mr. Gustafson is proposing to rezone the property to R-2 to allow for twin homes or duplexes. Mr. Gustafson would also like to subdivide the lots in conjunction with the rezoning. Director Ericson indicated that, in order to recommend approval of the rezoning, the Planning Commission must find that the request meets the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan, is not detrimental to the neighborhood, and does not adversely affect the adjoining properties. Director Ericson then indicated that Staff feels Lots 2, 3, and 4 meet the requirements for R-2 zoning. He further indicated that as there are only single family homes north of County Road I that Staff feels R-2 zoning would be inappropriate. Director Ericson referred to an exhibit he had provided showing another layout for the lots. He then indicated that Staff’s recommendation for the layout of the lots limits the R-2 rezoning to those lots fronting on County Road I which is consistent with existing uses. Mr. Ernie Gustafson of 2525 County Road I reviewed for the Commission the plan he had proposed for the configuration of the lots and the rezoning. He then indicated that he would prefer that the Planning Commission approve the layout he had proposed rather than the one drafted by Staff. Commissioner Johnson inquired as to the depth of the lots as proposed by Staff. Director Ericson indicated that the lots would remain at the current depth of 296 feet. Director Ericson clarified that Staff is not indicating Mr. Gustafson’s plan is unacceptable but felt that another scenario may work better. Commissioner Johnson noted that Staff’s proposal is more consistent with the existing lots along Long Lake Road. Commissioner Hegland questioned whether Lot 3 would need to be as wide as is indicated or if some property from Lot 3 could be used to make Lot 4 larger. Director Ericson agreed that the lot line for Lot 4 could be moved over slightly but stated that Mr. Gustafson’s house and garage are located on Lot 3, so it could only shift 10 feet or so. Mounds View Planning Commission May 16, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 3 ____________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Hegland inquired as to whether Mr. Gustafson intended to change the dimensions of Lot 3. Director Ericson indicated that Mr. Gustafson would like to stay in his home for the time being but stated at some point he would like to be able to redevelop the lot into a duplex lot. Commissioner Kaden stated he was against rezoning any of the property to R-2. He then stated that, personally, he does not want to see any more R-2, R-3, or R-4 zoning in Mounds View as he feels the City has its fair share of that type of housing. Commissioner Johnson indicated he did not have a problem recommending approval of a rezone for the lots on County Road I but stated he felt the lots on Long Lake Road should be left with R- 1 zoning. Commissioner Miller stated that she did not feel leaving some land open would be a waste of land as open space is important. She then stated she could support a recommendation to rezone the lots on County Road I but would prefer to leave the lots along Long Lake Road as R-1 zoning. Chair Stevenson indicated he felt the lots along County Road I should be rezoned to R-2 but stated he felt it would be inappropriate to rezone the lots along Long Lake Road. Commissioner Johnson clarified that R-2 zoning allows for twin homes or duplexes not the higher density rental buildings that the City tends to have issues with. He then noted he preferred Staff’s proposal for the layout of the lots over the one Mr. Gustafson had proposed. Mr. Gustafson indicated that the reason he drew the plan the way he did is to maximize the number of duplex lots he could get out of the property. He then indicated that developers would prefer to build multi-family housing than single family houses as they make more money. He further indicated that he feels with his scenario he will get the most money for his property. Commissioner Johnson stated that he agreed with Mr. Gustafson that the land is valuable but disagreed that there would be much of a price difference from R-1 zoned lots to R-2 zoned lots. Commissioner Hegland stated that he felt the large single family lots on Long Lake Road would be more valuable than duplex lots. He then noted the lots are large and he would like to see that continue as he feels it is an asset to the community. Mr. Gustafson stated he did not feel any developer would give him as much money for a single- family lot as they would for a duplex lot. He further stated that the economics are against the builder when you consider the cost of putting up a single-family house versus a multi-family building. Commissioner Johnson stated he has seen developers purchase homes in Mounds View, tear them down, and build a new larger house on the lot. He then indicated he did not feel residents want to see duplex lots on Long Lake Road. Mounds View Planning Commission May 16, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 4 ____________________________________________________________________________ Chair Stevenson inquired as to the typical depth of duplex lots on County Road I. Director Ericson indicated that duplex lots are typically 110 feet deep. He then indicated there is not a lot of room on the duplex lots but indicated the lots meet the minimum requirements and would allow for the larger lots on Long Lake Road. Chair Stevenson indicated he had concerns with creating more 75-foot single-family lots and stated he would like to see Lots 1 and 2 a little larger. Director Ericson indicated the lot lines could be changed slightly but stated the widest the lots would be is 80 feet, which would leave the R-2 lots 125 feet deep. Commissioner Hegland suggested that Lots 3 and 4 be looked at to see if the layout could be changed slightly. Director Ericson indicated that the dividing line of Lots 3 and 4 could be determined at a later point. Chair Stevenson asked Director Ericson how far the Planning Commission needed to take this matter at this meeting. Director Ericson indicated the purpose of this meeting was to discuss the request and stated Staff is not looking for specific direction at this time. He then indicated the public hearing will be noticed for the next meeting. Commissioner Zwirn indicated the general direction for Mr. Gustafson should be to work out whatever he can on County Road I as that will be the only property the Planning Commission would consider rezoning to R-2. Commissioner Scotch told Mr. Gustafson she felt developers would be willing to pay him the same amount of money with the City’s proposal versus the proposal he had submitted. Mr. Gustafson indicated he did not think people would want to build big, fancy houses next to little houses on little lots. Commissioner Scotch stated that it is virtually impossible to find a single-family lot in Ramsey County. She further stated that she feels Mounds View is lucky to have lots available. Mr. Gustafson indicated that his property is in a prime location, which should add to the value of the land. Chair Stevenson told Mr. Gustafson he need not worry about putting new large houses next to smaller homes as there are instances of that taking place throughout the City. Mounds View Planning Commission May 16, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 5 ____________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Hegland indicated that a lot of residents are adding onto their homes to enlarge them as well. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Staff Reports a. Previous Council Action Community Development Director Ericson reported Council had heard the first reading of the Sign Code Ordinance. He further indicated that the final reading would be May 29, 2001. Director Ericson reported that Council approved the Redfield minor subdivision and approved the vacation ordinance. Director Ericson indicated the EDA had approved the purchase of a home located at 3016 County Road H2. He indicated that the property is located in an area of very large lots and the property is one and a half (1 ½) acres. He further indicated the City owns two adjacent lots and the long-term plan has always been to redevelop the area into a new subdivision. Director Ericson updated the Planning Commission on the Pinewood Elementary School expansion and stated that there was a safety meeting to discuss the issues residents have with the school. He indicated that there was a lot of discussion concerning the loss of trees. He then explained that those trees were proposed to be taken out but the representative from Perkins & Will misspoke and indicated the reconfiguration of the parking lot would mean that only one tree would be lost. He also noted that Council had requested a representative from Perkins & Will attend the next Council meeting to explain the error and a representative from Perkins & Will has agreed to attend the next Council meeting. b. Upcoming Planning Cases Community Development Director Ericson indicated that the Planning Commission will be reviewing a rezoning request for 2625 Highway 10 as the Mounds View Animal Hospital has purchased the property to build a freestanding animal hospital. He then indicated it was always the intention of the City to rezone the property to commercial but it has not been done. He also indicated that a conditional use permit will be needed. Director Ericson indicated the Planning Commission will be reviewing an application for a major subdivision called Longview Estates which is a piece of land owned by the Harstads. He noted the developer is holding a meeting to discuss the development with area residents on May 22, 2001. He also stated he planned on attending the meeting and asked Commissioners to notify him if they planned on attending, because if five or more Commissioners attended, there would be a quorum and he would have to post a notice. Commissioner Kaden indicated that on the plans it looked like there are some lots almost all the way in the wetland. Mounds View Planning Commission May 16, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 6 ____________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson indicated the map shows the wetlands as determined in the 1970s. He then indicated that Rice Creek Watershed District would be determining what needs to be done concerning the wetlands on the site. Commissioner Hegland questioned where the developer intended to mitigate land for the wetland to be filled in. Director Ericson indicated that, according to the delineation, there is sufficient space on the other side of the property where the outlot would be. He then indicated that Rice Creek Watershed District would control how the wetlands are handled. Commissioner Kaden expressed concern that Woodcrest Park and the area along Silver Lake Road where there is frequently high water be looked at to make sure they are not flooded. ________________________________________________________________________ 7. Chairperson and Planning Commissioners’ Reports None. _______________________________________________________________________ 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:55 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.