HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-2003
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
July 16, 2003 -- 7:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approve Minutes: June 18, 2003 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
CITIZENS: BEFORE SPEAKING, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM,
AND GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE MINUTES
5. Planning Case VR03-005
Consideration of Resolution No. 733-03 Approving a Variance to Allow a Reduced
Front Yard Setback to Construct an Addition
Location: 2229 County Road H2
Applicant: Joan Bosard
6. Planning Case MI03-002
Consideration of Resolution No.734-03 Recommending Approval of a Minor
Subdivision
Location: 8430 Knollwood Drive
Applicant: George R. Grone
7. Special Planning Case SP-114-03
Discuss proposed modifications to Proposed Ordinance 711, an Ordinance Relating to the
Zoning of Pawnshops
APPLICANTS: YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING IS REQUESTED.
PLEASE NOTIFY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AT
763-717-4020 IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND.
8. Next Planning Commission Meeting: August 6, 2003
9. Adjournment to Agenda Session
AGENDA SESSION
1. Review Minutes: July 2, 2003
2. Staff Reports
3. Chairperson and Planning Commissioners’ Reports
N:\Data\Groups\Comdev\Planning Commission\PC Agendas\2003\07-16-03 PC Agenda.doc
Item No: 5
Meeting Date: July 16, 2003
Type of Business: Public Hearing
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Mounds View Planning Commission
From: James Ericson, Interim City Administrator
Item Title/Subject: Public Hearing and Consideration of a Variance to Allow a
Reduced Front Yard Setback for a Building Addition 2229
County Road H2.
Introduction:
Joan Bosard, property owner of 2229 County Road H2, has requested a variance to
construct an expansion to her home which would be six feet closer to the street than the
existing building. All of the homes fronting County Road H2 on this block are set back the
same distance—approximately 75 feet from the curb or approximately 50 feet from the
property line.
Discussion:
Setback requirements are addressed in Section 1104.01 of the Zoning Code. Each zoning
district is listed with the corresponding front, side and rear setbacks. In an R-1, Single
Family Residential district, the typical setbacks are as follows: Front, 30 feet; Side, 10 feet;
and Rear, 30 feet. It is footnoted in the Code that sheds and garages, attached or detached,
can have side and rear setbacks of 5 feet. (No accessory building can be located in a front
yard unless it is attached to the principal structure, and even then the minimum set back is
thirty feet.) The front yard setback is further footnoted to address the issue of “prevailing
setbacks”, articulated as follows:
“Where principal buildings in existence on lots within the same block on the
same side of the street have front yard setbacks different from those required,
the minimum front yard setback for any new principal buildings shall be the
minimum front yard setback in existence for any one lot. In no case shall the
front yard setback be less than thirty feet (30').”
The home at 2229 County Road H2 is set back approximately 50 feet from the front property
line, as are all the other homes on this block, which means the prevailing setback is 50 feet.
No home or part thereof shall encroach into the prevailing setback except by variance.
Variance Considerations:
For a variance to be approved, the applicant needs to demonstrate a hardship or practical
difficulty associated with the property that makes a literal interpretation of the Code overly
burdensome or restrictive. Minnesota statutes require that the governing body (the Planning
Commission, in this case) review a set of specified criteria for each application and make its
decision in accordance with these criteria. These criteria are set forth in Section 1125.02,
Subdivision 2, of the City Code. The Code clearly states that a hardship exists when all of
the criteria are met. The criteria are as follows:
Setback Variance Report
2229 County Road H2
July 16, 2003
Page 2
a. Exceptional or extraordinary circumstances apply to the property which do not apply
generally to other properties in the same zone or vicinity and result from lot size or shape,
topography or other circumstances over which the owners of the property since the effective
date hereof have had no control.
The property is zoned R-1 and the property owner is seeking a building permit to
expand the first level of the home by about 300 square feet and construct an upper
level expansion of about 1,100 square feet. The lot is not irregularly shaped and at
23,520 square feet is more than double the size of a standard lot. Other than the deep
front setback, there is nothing extraordinary about this property.
b. The literal interpretation of the provisions of this Title would deprive the applicant of rights
commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this Title.
While the literal interpretation of the provisions of the Zoning Code would not deprive
the applicant of rights enjoyed by other properties in the same zone, because the home
(and all others on the block) is set back where it is, expansion and reinvestment is
perhaps more difficult.
c. That the special conditions or circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant.
The special conditions do not result from the actions of the applicant.
d. That granting the variance requested would not confer on the applicant any special privilege
that is denied by this Title to owners of other lands, structures or buildings in the same district.
Granting the variance would not confer upon the property owner a special privilege in
that every property owner has the right to apply for a variance to improve the function
and livability of their home. Many improvements benefit the neighborhood in a broad
sense in that the reinvestment often triggers similar reinvestment in adjacent properties
and at the minimum motivates property owners to take a greater sense of pride in
property ownership.
e. That the variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the hardship.
Economic conditions alone shall not be considered a hardship.
The property owner asserts in her letter dated June 19, 2003 that the six foot expansion
into the front setback is the minimum variance to alleviate the hardship. Anything less
than six feet would be impractical and would not add enough space to the living room to
justify the expense. Anything more than a six foot expansion, while perhaps desired,
would be in excess of the minimum space needed by Ms. Bosard.
Setback Variance Report
2229 County Road H2
July 16, 2003
Page 3
f. The variance would not be materially detrimental to the purpose of this Title or to other
property in the same zone.
Granting a variance to allow the expansion to encroach six feet into the front setback
would not be materially detrimental to the purpose and intent of the zoning code given
the large front setback. There have been no objections raised up to this point and the
six-foot encroachment would not be noticeable from the street and would not appear
inconsistent with the adjoining homes.
g. The proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property
or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets or increase the danger of fire or
endanger the public safety or substantially diminish or impair property values within the
neighborhood.
The proposed variance would not result in any of the above-cited adverse effects.
Summary:
All of the criteria, as indicated above, need to be satisfied to justify the granting the variance.
In addition to Staff’s review of the criteria, Ms. Bosard has provided the Planning
Commission with a detailed letter addressing the hardship criteria along with a set of building
plans that would be submitted if the variance were approved.
Recommendation:
After holding the public hearing and taking testimony from staff, the property owner and
affected neighbors, the Commission can take one of the following actions related to the
request:
1. Approve the variance as requested. Resolution 733-03 is attached for the Commission’s
approval if that is the chosen course of action.
2. Deny the requested variance. To move forward with this option, the Commission should
move to direct staff to draft a resolution of denial with findings of fact appropriate to
support the denial.
3. Table the request. If additional information is needed before a decision can be rendered
or if more discussion is needed, the Commission can simply move to table the request
until such information has been provided. Because of the 60-day rule, the Commission
would need to act upon the request as soon as reasonably possible however to avoid an
inadvertent approval.
_____________________________________
James Ericson
Interim City Clerk/Administrator
Zoning Map
Mounds View Business Park
Site Plan
Shaded area
represents proposed
expansion
6-foot expansion
necessitating the
variance request
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 733-03
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE FROM THE MINIMUM FRONT SETBACK
FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING AT 2229 COUNTY ROAD H2;
PLANNING CASE NO. VR03-005
WHEREAS, the applicant, Joan Bosard, has applied for a variance from the
minimum front yard building setback for a single-family dwelling at 2229 County Road H2;
and,
WHEREAS, Section 1104.02 of the Mounds View Zoning Code indicates that the
minimum front setback for a principal building is 30 feet unless the prevailing setback for
existing structures exceeds 30 feet, in which case the prevailing set back IS the minimum
setback; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Bosard is requesting to expand her home by 300 square feet on
the first floor and 1,100 square feet on the upper story with an addition that encroaches six
feet into the front setback; and,
WHEREAS, the applicant has applied for a building permit for the expansion; and,
WHEREAS, according to Section 1125.02, Subdivision 2 of the Mounds View
Municipal Code, the Planning Commission is to review a standard set of criteria, of which
all must be satisfied, in order to grant a variance to the Zoning Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mounds View Planning Commission
makes the following finding of facts related to this request:
1. The exceptional or extraordinary conditions relating to the variance request is
that the homes on this block are set back in excess of 50 feet from the front
property line.
2. The literal interpretation of the Zoning Code would restrict the property
owner’s ability to expand and improve upon the layout and functionality of the
home.
3. The applicant has not caused the condition which prompted the variance
request.
4. Granting the variance would not confer upon the applicant a special privilege.
5. The variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the
hardship.
6. The variance would not be materially detrimental to the purpose of this Title
or to other property in the same zone.
7. The variance would not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent
property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets or
increase the danger of fire or endanger the public safety or substantially
diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mounds View
Planning Commission, based upon the above identified finding of facts, does hereby
approve the variance requested for a 44-foot front yard building setback to allow for a
building expansion at 2229 County Road H2.
Adopted this 16th day of July 2003.
____________________________________
Gary Stevenson, Chairperson
ATTEST:
____________________________________
James Ericson, Interim City Administrator
(SEAL)
Item No: 6
Meeting Date: July 16, 2003
Type of Business: Business
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Mounds View Planning Commission
From: James Ericson, Acting City Administrator
Item Title/Subject: Consideration of a Minor Subdivision of 8430 Knollwood
Drive; Planning Case MI03-002
Introduction:
George and Patricia Grone, property owners of the 1.28-acre lot located at 8430 Groveland
Road, have requested a minor subdivision of their property. The subdivision would create one
large lot immediately south of their existing home. A minor subdivision is a division of land less
than two acres in area in which only one additional lot is created. The lot is zoned R-1, Single
Family residential and the minimum lot size is 11,000. The Comprehensive Plan designates
this area for low density residential.
The property owners have submitted an outdated Registered Land Survey (RLS) which had
been created for an earlier subdivision that never took place. The RLS is provided to the
Planning Commission for reference purposes only—a new RLS or Certificate of Survey will
need to be provided to approve the subdivision.
Discussion:
The Grone property is 55,700 square feet, or, 1.28 acres. There is 276.25 feet of frontage on
Knollwood Drive and the lot could potentially be split into three lots. The proposed subdivision
however would create only one large lot south of the Grone’s home. The new lot would be
37,125 square feet, leaving 18,575 square feet for the improved lot. The area south of the
Grone’s home is not maintained and is covered with dense growth and mature trees. The
proposed lot would satisfy all minimum zoning requirements for a single-family residential lot.
Once the RLS or Certificate of Survey is received, staff will forward copies to the engineering
technician, public works director and City Attorney for their review. The City Attorney will also
need to do a title commitment to ensure all parties having an interest in the property are
represented on the subdivision documents.
Park Dedication Requirements.
Every subdivision of land is subject to park dedication requirements. Because the subdivision
is less than 2 acres in area, the fee is 5% of the land’s market value, less the value of the land
where the house sits. Rather than require an appraisal for every subdivision, staff typically
uses the assessment valuations available through Ramsey County. Unfortunately, Staff was
unable to verify through the Ramsey County Assessment Office what the land value is for the
whole parcel. The value, once known, will be divided by the total number of square feet to
arrive at a per-square-foot value which would then be multiplied by 37,125. Staff anticipates a
value in excess of $50,000 which would translate into a park dedication fee of at least $2,500.
This fee would need to be paid prior to the City stamping the new deeds for recordation.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Commission approve resolution 734-03, a resolution
recommending approval of a minor subdivision of 8430 Knollwood Drive , with stipulations.
_____________________________________
James Ericson
Interim City Clerk/Administrator
Attachments:
1. Planning Application
2. Zoning Map
3. Location Map
4. Proposed Subdivision Map
5. Unrecorded RLS
6. Resolution 734-03
Zoning Map
New
Lot
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 734-03
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A MINOR SUBDIVISION
OF 8340 KNOLLWOOD DRIVE REQUESTED BY GEORGE AND PATRICIA GRONE;
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING CASE NO. MI03-002
WHEREAS, George and Patricia Grone have requested approval of a minor
subdivision of 8340 Knollwood Drive, property zoned R-1, Single Family Residential, and
legally-described as follows:
Lot 38, Auditor's Subdivision No. 89, Ramsey County, Minnesota, except a 184 foot strip along
the northern-most line; also except that part described as follows: Commencing at the North west
corner of said Lot 38; thence Southerly along the West line of said Lot 38 a distance of 184 feet to
the point of beginning of the description; thence Easterly along a line parallel to the North line of
said Lot 38 a distance of 234.1 feet; thence Southerly along a line parallel to the West line of said
Lot 38 a distance of 191 feet; thence Westerly along a line parallel to the North line of said Lot 38
a distance of 234.1 feet to the West line of said Lot 38; thence Northerly along the said West line
of Lot 38 to the point of beginning; and also except that part described as follows: Commencing at
the Northwest corner of said Lot 38: thence Southerly along the West line of said Lot 38 a
distance of 375 feet to the point of beginning; thence Easterly along a line parallel to the North
line of said Lot 38 a distance of 211 feet; thence Southerly along a -line parallel to the West line of
said Lot 38 to the South line of said Lot 38; thence Westerly along the Southerly line of Lot 38 a
distance of 211 feet to the West line of Lot 38; thence Northerly along the West line of Lot 38 to
the point of beginning. Subject to a 5 foot strip easement along the rear line for public utility use,
such as setting of poles, stringing of wires, trimming or removing trees if necessary for line
clearance and laying of underground conduits.
WHEREAS, the applicants propose to subdivide the 180.75 feet of their lot to create a
buildable lot fronting Knollwood Drive; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the applicants’ request for a minor
subdivision and has determined that it is in conformance with Chapters 1104, 1201, and 1202
of the Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission finds that the applicant’s request for a minor
subdivision is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan; and,
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 1204.04, Subd. 4, a park dedication fee
equivalent to 5% of the market value of the new lot is applicable; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mounds View Planning Commission
recommends approval of the minor subdivision of 8430 Knollwood Drive subject to the
following stipulations:
Resolution 734-03
Page 2
1. The applicants shall submit a Certificate of Survey or a Registered Land Survey
Prior to the City Council approving this subdivision.
2. The applicants shall arrange to have a Title Commitment drafted and submitted
prior to the approval of the subdivision by the City Council.
3. The applicants shall submit the required park dedication fee prior to the City
approving the deeds for recordation.
4. The certificate of survey or RLS shall indicate all easements present dedicated in
addition to those easements that are necessary, which are as follows: Front and
rear lot lines: 10 feet; side lot lines, 5 feet. The Certificate of survey or RLS shall
have text which states, “Separate drainage and utility easement documents over
the proposed easement areas have been executed and recorded with Ramsey
County.”
5. The Certificate of Survey or the RLS shall indicate the footprint of the existing
home on 8430 Knollwood Drive so as to ensure proper setbacks are to be
maintained with the new subdivision.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mounds View Planning Commission directs
staff to forward this resolution to the City Council prior to approval of the minutes.
Adopted this 16th day of July, 2003.
__________________________________________
Gary Stevenson, Chairperson
ATTEST:
______________________________________
James Ericson, Interim City Administrator
(SEAL)
Item No: 7
Meeting Date: July 16, 2003
Type of Business: Discussion
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: James Ericson, Acting City Administrator
Item Title/Subject: Discuss Modifications to Proposed Ordinance 711, an
Ordinance Relating to the Zoning of Pawnshops
Introduction:
The City Council adopted an Interim ordinance on February 27, 2003, which directed the
Planning Commission to review the licensing and zoning implications related to pawnshops
and to recommend applicable provisions. The Planning Commission discussed this issue at
meetings in March, April and May of this year, reviewing State statues, ordinances from
adjoining communities and ordinances from communities where pawnshops currently
operate. The Commission also heard testimony from representatives of the Mounds View
Police Department who did research on their own, discussing the potential impacts of a
pawnshop with other police departments. After significant discussion and input from
interested parties including residents and tenants from Moundsview Square, the Commission
adopted a resolution forwarding two ordinances on to the City Council for their consideration.
Background:
The City Council has reviewed the proposed ordinances (the ordinance to regulate the
zoning and the ordinance regulating the licensing) and they would like to explore the overlay
concept further and have asked for feedback toward that end. Additionally, the Council
would consider opening the overlay district up to other uses beyond Pawnshops, uses such
as “Adult” uses, tattoo shops, piercing establishments, gun shops, check cashing facilities,
etc.
Discussion:
The City Council held a public hearing on May 12, 2003 at which time public comment was
accepted. The Council chose to delay action until they had an opportunity to discuss the
proposed ordinances further at the next worksession, June 2, 2003. At the worksession, the
Council discussed the possibility of creating an overlay zoning district that would allow for a
pawnshop outside of the central business district of the City. Two potential overlays were
identified—either north of Highway 10 or south of County Road H in the Mustang Drive/Circle
industrial area. To establish an overlay district, all that would be needed is to revise
proposed Ordinance 711 to reflect the creation of the new “Pawn Overlay District” with
associated supporting language.
Because there was not a clear consensus on which of the two overlay areas would be
more appropriate and because the Council would like to include other uses in the overlay,
the Planning Commission should review the possibilities and provide a recommendation
to the City Council
Recommendation:
Review and discuss the two potential overlay districts and consider the types of uses that
might be appropriate (if any) to include with Pawnshops.
_____________________________________
James Ericson
Interim City Clerk/Administrator
Attachments:
1. List of adult uses, per City Code
2. Map of proposed Overlay Districts
Attachment 1. Adult Use Definitions (Chapter 513)
Subd. 2. Adult Establishment. A business engaged in any of the following activities or which
utilizes any of the following business procedures or practices:
a. A business that is conducted exclusively for the patronage of adults and as to which
minors are specifically excluded from patronage, either by operation of law or by the
owners of such business, except any business licensed under Chapters 501, 502, 503,
and 514 of the Mounds View City Code;
b. Any business that has (1) at least thirty percent (30%) of its inventory, stock and
trade or publicly displayed merchandise, or (2) at least thirty percent (30%) of the floor
area of the business (not including storerooms, stock areas, bathrooms, basements or
any portion of the business not open to the public) devoted to items, merchandise or
other materials distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on material depicting,
exposing, describing, discussing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas; or
c. Any adult use as defined in subdivision 3 of this Section.
Subd. 3. Adult Use. An adult use is any of the activities and businesses described below:
a. Adult Body Painting Studio: An establishment or business which provides the
service of applying paint or other substance, whether transparent or non-transparent, to
the body of a patron when such person is nude.
b. Adult Bookstore: An establishment or business used for the barter, rental or sale of
items consisting of printed matter, pictures, slides, records, audio tape, videotape, or
motion picture film if such business is not open to the public generally but only to one or
more classes of the public, excluding any minor by reason of age, or if (1) at least thirty
percent (30%) of the inventory, stock and trade or publicly displayed merchandise, or
(2) at least thirty percent (30%) of the floor area of the business (not including
storerooms, stock areas, bathrooms, basements or any portion of the business not
open to the public) is devoted to items, merchandise or other material distinguished or
characterized by an emphasis on the depiction or description of "specified sexual
activities" or " specified anatomical areas."
c. Adult Cabaret: A business or establishment that provides dancing or other live
entertainment to patrons if the dancing and live entertainment is distinguished or
characterized by an emphasis on the presentation, display, depiction of matter that
seeks to evoke, arouse or excite the patrons' sexual or erotic feelings or desire.
d. Adult Companionship Establishment: A business or establishment that excludes
minors by reason of age, and which provides the service of engaging in or listening to
conversation, talk or discussion between an employee of the establishment and a
customer, if such service is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on
"specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
e. Adult Conversation/Rap Parlor: A business or establishment that excludes minors
by reason of age, and which provides the services of engaging in or listening to
conversation, talk, or discussion, if such service is distinguished or characterized by an
emphasis on "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
f. Adult Health/Sport Club: A health/sport club which excludes minors by reason of
age, if such club is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on "specified sexual
activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
g. Adult Hotel or Motel: A hotel or motel from which minors are specifically excluded
from patronage and where material is presented which is distinguished or characterized
by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual
activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
h. Adult Massage Parlor, Health Club: A massage parlor or health club which restricts
minors by reason of age, and which provides the services of massage, if such service
is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on "specified sexual activities" or
"specified anatomical areas."
i. Adult Mini-Motion Picture Theater: A business or establishment with a capacity for
less than 50 persons used for presenting material if such material is distinguished or
characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified
sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
j. Adult Modeling Studio: A business or establishment that provides customers figure
models who are so provided with the intent of providing sexual stimulation or sexual
gratification to such customers and who engage in "specified sexual activities" or
display "specified anatomical areas" while being observed, painted, painted upon,
sketched, drawn, sculptured, photographed, or otherwise depicted by such customers.
k. Adult Motion Picture Arcade: Any place to which the public is permitted or invited
where coin or slug-operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled or
operated still or motion picture machines, projectors or other image-producing devices
are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time,
and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis
on depicting or describing "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
l. Adult Motion Picture Theater: A motion picture theater with a capacity of fifty (50) or
more persons used for presenting material if such theater as a prevailing practice
excludes minors by reason of age or if such material is distinguished or characterized
by an emphasis on "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" for
observation by patrons.
m. Adult Novelty Business: A business which has (1) at least thirty percent (30%) of its
inventory, stock and trade or publicly displayed merchandise, or (2) at least thirty
percent (30%) of the floor area of the business (not including, storerooms, stock areas,
bathrooms, basement or any portion of the business not open to the public) devoted to
items, merchandise or other material or devices which stimulate human genitals or
devices which are designed for sexual stimulation.
n. Adult Sauna: A sauna which excludes minors by reason of age, and which provides
a steam bath or heat bathing room used for the purpose of bathing, relaxation, or
reducing, utilizing steam or hot air as a cleaning, relaxing or reducing agent, if the
service provided by the sauna is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on
"specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
o. Adult Steam Room/Bathhouse Facility: A building or portion of a building used for
providing a steam bath or heat bathing room used for the purpose of pleasure, bathing,
relaxation, or reducing, utilizing steam or hot air as a cleaning, relaxing or reducing
agent if such building or portion of a building restricts minors by reason of age and if the
service provided by the steam room/bathhouse facility is distinguished or characterized
by an emphasis on "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
Proposed Overlay Districts
Overlay 1: North of Highway 10
Overlay 2: Mustang Drive / Mustang Circle
Overlay 2
Overlay 1
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
July 2, 2003
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., July 2, 2003.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Commissioners Song, Miller, Stevenson, Zwirn, Scotch, Hegland and
Johnson
Members Absent: None.
Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson
________________________________________________________________________
Index to Minutes Page
Planning Case VR03-004 2
Location: 2402 County Road I
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Approve Minutes
a. June 4, 2003
MOTION/SECOND: Johhson/Miller. To Approve the Planning Commission Minutes for June
4, 2003 as Presented.
Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
Mr. Grone of 8430 Knollwood Drive indicated he had been told that the next planning meeting
was tonight and that he should bring his paperwork filled out to the meeting.
Mounds View Planning Commission July 2, 2003
Regular Meeting Page 2
________________________________________________________________________
Community Development Director Ericson indicated that an application for a subdivision to be
heard by the Planning Commission needs to be turned in to Staff for processing before it is
placed on the agenda. He then said that there is usually a three week lead time between when the
application is turned in and when it is heard by the Commission.
Mr. Grone indicated that he was not aware of the requirements and was told to come to this
meeting.
Community Development Coordinator Ericson indicated he would meet with Mr. and Mrs.
Grone after the meeting to discuss the application and explain the process.
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Consideration of a Variance Request for a Reduced Parking Lot Setback at 2402
County Road I.
Community Development Director Ericson reviewed the request with the Commission and
provided a brief history of the property in question. He then indicated that Mr. Farrell had
indicated that he would attend the meeting but is not present.
There was no public comment concerning the matter.
Commissioner Johnson asked whether the garbage issue would be dealt with in this Resolution.
Director Ericson indicated that Mr. Farrell had made an application to Council to amend the
approval Resolution that required the garbage to be kept inside. He then said that the
Commission could make a recommendation to Council if it felt that the garbage should remain
inside.
Commissioner Johnson commented that the garbage being outside is an enforcement issue and
asked whether it has been enforced.
Director Ericson indicated that Mr. Farrell has been talked to about the garbage and said a ticket
had been issued for the fence.
Commissioner Zwirn indicated that Staff has written letters and contacted Mr. Farrell and he has
created an acrimonious relationship by denying and ignoring letters and discussions and not
coming to meetings and he just puts it off to I did not know. He then said that Mr. Farrell is in
the business of reading contracts but he throws his hands up and says he is innocent because he
did not know.
Commissioner Zwirn asked for an update on the enforcement of the timelines provided in Mr.
Ericson’s letter to Mr. Farrell.
Director Ericson indicated a ticket was issued to Mr. Farrell.
Mounds View Planning Commission July 2, 2003
Regular Meeting Page 3
________________________________________________________________________
Commissioner Zwirn asked when.
Director Ericson indicated that the ticket was issued over the weekend and was sent over in
Monday’s mail.
Commissioner Zwirn asked what happens next.
Director Ericson indicated that Mr. Farrell does not feel he should put up the other end fence
and, if the City Council does not amend the previous Resolution of approval the matter will end
up in the court system.
Commissioner Zwirn commented that he did not appreciate someone coming into the City and
telling the City that they are not going to comply and forcing the City to go to court.
Director Ericson agreed Mr. Farrell is not being cooperative.
Commissioner Zwirn indicated that by not listening to the conditions and abiding by them he is
telling the City he will not comply and making the City go to court. He then asked if the City
has to go to court or if he does as the neighbor to the south.
Director Ericson indicated that when someone chooses not to comply with an enforcement issue
then City is forced to go to court.
Commissioner Zwirn asked if it was the City’s intent to pursue this.
Director Ericson indicated that the City is required to pursue it.
Commissioner Zwirn commented that approving this variance would mean there would only be a
two-foot boulevard on Greenfield.
Director Ericson clarified that there would be a two-foot setback but there is still 17 feet of
greenspace prior to the pavement
Commissioner Zwirn indicated there is not that much space and suggested someone go out there
with a tape and measure it.
Commissioner Miller commented that Mr. Farrell indicates he wants to work with the City but
did not show up at this meeting and asked why.
Commissioner Zwirn indicated that he says he wants to be a good neighbor but his actions do not
show that to be true.
Mounds View Planning Commission July 2, 2003
Regular Meeting Page 4
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Commissioner Hegland indicated he did not think the Commission should consider this request
when he is in violation on other issues and he does not think this variance would help the parking
situation.
Commissioner Johnson asked whether Mr. Farrell has the right to apply for something else if he
is in violation on the fence and the trash.
Director Ericson indicated that he has the right to apply.
Commissioner Hegland commented that the issue is whether Mr. Farrell created this situation
and he thinks he did.
Commissioner Johnson indicated that he felt that before granting anything Mr. Farrell should
come into compliance with the other items.
Chair Stevenson indicated the Commission has the right to not issue the variance with the reason
being that he is not complying with the City. He then said he would consider the variance if Mr.
Farrell was in compliance with the other issues.
Commissioner Scotch indicated that Mr. Farrell applied for the permit so he is addressing this
portion of the issue.
Director Ericson indicated that Mr. Farrell has requested modification to the resolution regarding
the garbage issue as he wants to build a garbage enclosure to store garbage at the rear of the
property.
MOTION/SECOND: Zwirn/Hegland. To Deny Approval of Resolution 732-03, a Resolution
Approving a Variance for a Reduced Front-Yard Parking Setback of 2-Feet at 2402 County Road
I.
Ayes – 6 Nays – 1(Scotch) Motion carried.
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6. Next Planning Commission Meeting: July 16, 2003
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Mounds View Planning Commission July 2, 2003
Regular Meeting Page 5
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7. Adjournment to Agenda Session
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the
meeting at 7:20 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.