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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-2020 PCAPPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 4, 2020 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m. for November 4, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, French, Monn, Nelson, Rundle, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: None. Also Present: Community Development Director Jon Sevald, City Administrator Nyle Zikmund, Public Works Director Don Peterson, and Council Member Gary Meehlhause. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Resolution 1122-20; Variance to Reduce the Front (Side) Yard Setback 2 For an Attached Garage Resolution 1123-20; Recommending Approval of Ordinance 973, 4 Amending Chapter 1130 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Adopting Certain Rules of the Rice Creek Watershed District Regarding Stormwater Management Resolution 1124-20; Recommending Appointments to the Mounds 5 View Planning Commission Approval of Minutes 7 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business None. Mounds View Planning Commission November 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution 1122-20; Variance to Reduce the Front (Side) Yard Setback for an Attached Garage at 2512 County Road H2 Community Development Director Sevald stated Bill and Tiffany O’Malley propose to expand their two-car garage into a four-car garage, towards the backyard. The lot is a corner lot (e.g. two front yards). The existing garage has a non-conforming setback. The proposed addition will be no closer to the front (side) yard than the current garage. Within the R-1 district, the minimum front yard setback is 30’. The setback of the existing attached garage is not known, but is believed to be 26’ – 27’, based on Ramsey County aerial photos. There is no known survey. It is the City’s policy to require a survey for proposed buildings if within 1’ of setbacks, or other critical boundaries (e.g. wetlands). The applicants are opposed to the expense of a survey, unless the Variance is approved. Staff is agreeable to make a survey conditional upon approval of the Variance. A similar Variance was approved in 2019 without a survey. Staff recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and approve the Variance as requested. Commissioner Monn explained she drove by the property earlier today. She questioned if the new garage would have a driveway or curb cut. She asked how the new garage would be accessed. Tiffany O’Malley, 2512 County Road H2, stated the new garage would not have a new driveway. She reported the new garage would be accessed through the current garage door. Bill O’Malley, 2512 County Road H2, indicated the new garage would be added onto the existing garage and would be accessed by driving through the existing garage. Commissioner Monn inquired if this property had too many buildings on it. Community Development Director Sevald explained City Code allows 20% of the back yard to be covered by accessory buildings. He reported this has only been a concern for corner properties. He noted once the new garage was constructed, this property would be at 20%. Commissioner Rundle asked if the new garage would have a door in the back. Mr. O’Malley reported the rear side would have a garage door for access purposes. He noted the garage could also be accessed by a service door. Commissioner Nelson stated he did not believe the homeowners today should be penalized for a bad measurement that was taken years ago. He indicated he supported the requested variance. Commissioner Monn questioned if vehicles had to be parked on pavement or gravel. Community Development Director Sevald reported this was the case. Mr. O’Malley explained Mounds View Planning Commission November 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ he received a permit to put class-five along the side of his garage in order to allow him to park his truck in this location. Commissioner Monn inquired if the parking pad was too close to the street. Community Development Director Sevald reviewed the setback requirements for corner lots. Chair Stevenson asked if the Commission had a problem with the fact the existing house had a setback of 26 or 27 feet, when 30 feet was required. The Commission did not object to this concern. Commissioner Farmer questioned if the lot survey changes the lot dimensions significantly, if this request would have to be reviewed by the Planning Commission at a future meeting. Community Development Director Sevald reported this was not staff’s intent. He then read the last paragraph of the Resolution in full for the record. He noted the Resolution would allow the new garage to have the same setback as the existing garage. He indicated the garage would be limited to the requested size and could not be any larger. Council Member Meehlhause inquired what would happen if the survey came back and found the structure was at 30 feet. Community Development Director Sevald reported the variance would still remain in place, but it would be nullified. Commissioner Monn asked if the Resolution should address the 20% rear yard accessory structure requirements. Community Development Director Sevald stated the Commission could make this addition to the Resolution. Mr. O’Malley reported he was aware of the 20% requirement from the City. Chair Stevenson explained the applicant was not requesting a variance from the 20% rear yard requirement. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Hearing no comments from the public, Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Farmer. To approve Resolution 1122-20, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Variance to Reduce the Front (Side) Yard Setback for an Attached Garage at 2512 County Road H2. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission November 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ B. Resolution 1123-20; Recommending Approval of Ordinance 973, Amending Chapter 1130 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Adopting Certain Rules of the Rice Creek Watershed District Regarding Stormwater Management City Administrator Zikmund reported storm water management is administered by the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). Construction projects meeting a certain threshold must obtain a permit from RCWD. In recent years, the City has experienced some frustrations with RCWD’s administration and inspections of projects. The City is proposing to take this responsibility over from RCWD. If approved, the City’s regulations would mirror that of RCWD. The primary difference would be in inspections and enforcement, including streamlining application, review, and inspections processes. Currently, there is some duplication between RCWD and the City. City Administrator Zikmund stated the Minnesota Legislature adopted the Watershed Act in 1955 to protect, control, and improve waterways and water supplies. Watershed districts were formed according to hydrological boundaries, as opposed to political boundaries. The Rice Creek Watershed District was formed in 1972 across portions of Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties, including 28 cities and townships. RCWD is governed by a five-member Board of Managers, appointed by the counties. Mounds View has been fortunate in that it has had a resident on the Board for many years; (Barbara Haake; 1994-2019, and Marcie Weinandt; 2020-2023). Rice Creek Watershed District has adopted a set of rules (Rules A thru L), similar to ordinances. The City intends to adopt Rules C, D, E, and F by reference in the City Code. The City will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RCWD, for the City to administer these Rules, including permit review, inspections, and enforcement. Staff commented further on the frustrations the City and contractors have had with the watershed districts and recommended approval of the Ordinance amendment. Public Works Director Peterson discussed how the proposed changes would improve the timeline for plan reviews. He noted the City would be working with Stantec and all requirements would still be met with respect to stormwater management. Commissioner Monn asked if the City would be hiring a person to take on this additional work. City Administrator Zikmund explained the City would not be hiring additional staff. He noted the majority of the work would be completed by contract staff members. He indicated the permit itself was a very straight forward administrative task. He believed the proposed changes would greatly benefit the City of Mounds View and its future projects/contractors. Commissioner Monn questioned if this was too much for the City to take on. She noted she has a rain garden in her yard and has not had any problems working with the watershed district in the past. City Administrator Zikmund explained the Rice Creek Watershed District would still be a resource to the City and its residents. He indicated the only change would be that the City would be doing its own permitting. Public Works Director Peterson reported grants would still be available through the Rice Creek Watershed District. He stated the City would still be able to connect residents to these grant opportunities. He commented further on how future inspections will be more closely monitored by the City. Mounds View Planning Commission November 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Monn asked if the City should hire staff from Lino Lakes to assist with watershed permitting. City Administrator Zikmund commented the City may not have statutory authority to use outside staff for this work. He explained it was his job to manage City staff and he reported he did not have a concern with taking on this work as it would be less of a burden than working with the watershed district. Public Works Director Peterson reported Stantec would work with the City as the civil engineering consultant and noted Stantec was very familiar with the City’s stormwater management system. Chair Stevenson stated for efficiency purposes this appears to be the best route for the City to pursue. Community Development Director Sevald reviewed the approval timeline for the proposed Ordinance. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Nelson. To recommend approval of Ordinance 973, Amending Chapter 1130 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Adopting Certain Rules of the Rice Creek Watershed District Regarding Stormwater Management. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. Other Planning Activity A. Resolution 1124-20; Recommending Appointments to the Mounds View Planning Commission Community Development Director Sevald informed the Commission that the Mounds View Planning Commission consists of seven city residents who are not elected officials. Commission members are appointed by the City Council based upon recommendations made by the Commission, to three-year terms. The Commission currently has three members whose terms expire on December 31, 2020 (Farmer, Klander, and Stevenson). The City solicited applications from the public to serve on advisory commissions, including the Planning Commission. The City received four applications for the Commission by the October 28th deadline. Council Member Meehlhause reported one of the applicants (Kris Lillemo) had not checked the Planning Commission box. Commissioner Nelson recommended Gary Stevenson, Maranda Munson and Dennis Farmer be appointed to the Planning Commission for terms 2021 through 2023. The Commission supported this recommendation. MOTION/SECOND: Chair Stevenson/Commissioner Monn. To approve Resolution 1124-20, a Resolution Recommending Appointments to the Mounds View Planning Commission. Mounds View Planning Commission November 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Chair Stevenson reported Pam Stark had expressed interest in serving on the Planning Commission, but had not submitted an application in time. Commissioner French stated it would be valuable in the future to have the candidates attend the Planning Commission meetings in order to be able to introduce themselves to the Commission and explain why they wanted to serve. Community Development Director Sevald stated he would invite the three candidates to attend the City Council meeting on Monday, November 9th. 7. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Community Development Director Sevald stated he had no Planning Cases at this time. He reported the New Vision Movie Theater would be requesting an amendment to their PUD in December. B. Staff Updates Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. He discussed the minor changes that have to be made to the Comprehensive Plan in order for it to be finalized. He reported that Filipino Market opened last Monday in the old Snap Market building. He stated Gray Stone Flats was moving forward. He commented the Popeye’s property had been secured and demolition work was being done to the inside of the building. C. Council Updates Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He reported the Council approved the Caliber Drywall and Donnelly Stucco CUP. He stated the Comprehensive Plan has been submitted. He explained the contract with the YMCA has been discontinued and the City would be creating its own Parks and Recreation Department. He stated Andy Thomas has been hired as the Parks and Recreation Superintendent and noted Darrell and Leah would be brought on in January of 2021. He indicated Steve Markuson, the Executive Director from the Twin Cities Gateway Bureau would be retiring at the end of the year and the Council approved a Resolution of Appreciation for his efforts. He noted the Council approved a Police Officer posting after receiving a letter of resignation from Kirsten Heineman. He discussed the work that was being doing on the City’s water treatment plants. Public Works Director Peterson commented further on the radium testing that was being done on the water treatment plants. He explained a green sand media was being used to take out the radium. Mounds View Planning Commission November 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 7 ________________________________________________________________________ D. Planning Commissioner Reports Commissioner Rundle congratulated Council Member Meehlhause for being reelected to the City Council. 8. Approval of Minutes October 7, 2020. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner French. To approve the Minutes of the October 7, 2020 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, November 18, 2020 B. Wednesday, December 2, 2020 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald Community Development Director Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial