HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 05211991 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 19
Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1991
Document: PL MINUTES 05211991
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
• 3
4 MAY 21 , 1991
5
6 I CALL TO ORDER
7 The meeting was called to order at 8 :00 p. m. with the
8 Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Madden.
9
10 II ROLL CALL
11 Present: Madden, Brownell, Faust, Gondorchin ,
12 Murphy, Werenicz and Franzese (8:02 p.m. )
13
14 Also present: Thomas Burt, City Manager
15 Clarence Ranallo, Mayor
16
17 COMMISSION TO HELP ON FUTURE CITY PROJECTS
18 Mayor Ranallo said the purpose of his visit -that evening was
19 to extend the Council ' s thanks to the Commissioners as a
20 group for all the hard work they have done for the City and
21 to seek further help from them on several projects and goals
22 developed during the Council ' s planning sessions this spring.
23
24 Better Prospects for Apache
25 The major goal developed during the planning session was
26 to affect some improvements in this rapidly deteriorating
27 area . The Mayor reported Mr. Burt had been requested to do
28 further research and Councilmember Wagner to work closely
• 29 with Apache merchants on changes facing the shopping center.
30
31 Mr. Burt reported learning that the center had been up for
32 sale for some time. He said he also ascertained that Dennis
33 Cavanaugh would be the only member of the limited partnership
34 who owns the center, who would have any authority over its
35 disposal . Mr. Cavanaugh is also the son-in-law of C. G. Rein
36 head of the company which manages Apache.
37
38 Mayor Ranallo indicated the Council would be looking to the
39 Planning Commission for recommendations related to possible
40 change of usage of the property or types of merchants which
41 might evolve from a change in ownership. A return of major
42 stores like Herberger ' s or Country Club to the center was
43 considered imperative if the usage of the site remained the
44 same, he said . Anything the Commission could do to bring
45 about a change would be appreciated by the Council.
46
47 Proposed Residential Lake Shore Ordinance
48 The Mayor noted that the Commission agenda that evening
49 included a draft of an ordinance dealing with St. Anthony
50 residential property as well as lake water quality. He
51 said the Council .would also be looking for Commission
52 guidance in that area . One of the issues which .would
53 have to be addressed would have to be the effect DNR and
54 Rice Creek Watershed District restrictions have on rebuilding
• 55 around the lake. The proposed ordinance was written to apply
r'
PLANNING COMMISSION - MAY 21 , 1991
2 Page 2
• 1 to only St. Anthony property for which the City would now be
5 able to allow construction of homes better suited to the
6 increasing value of land around the lake. Which of course,
7 in turn , would raise the City ' s tax base from those properties.
8 _
9 Comprehensive Plan to be Updated
10 The need to revise the City ' s Comprehensive Plan to better
11 reflect the existing uses was the next project on which the
12 Mayor perceived a need for Planning Commission expertise and
13 recommendations . He said the Council realized these revisions
14 were long overdue and had staff research past City minutes to
15 find out why the ball had been dropped on a similar project
16 years ago when the need for revision had first been evident.
17 The minutes demonstrated that there had been 'a strong interest
18 in revising the Plan as far back as 1978 when the Council had
19 given the go ahead to match the zoning to existing uses which
20 were not in conformance with the zoning in the Plan. The Mayor
21. asked the Commissioners to reinstate the study of the Comprehen-
22 sive Plan and to work with the City Manager on recommendations
23 to the Council regarding necessary changes in the Plan.
24
25 Commissioner Franzese asked the Mayor why, in view of the
26 dreary outlook previously held for changes at Apache, he seemed
27 . so hopeful now. Mayor Ranallo recalled that at one time the
28 Apache Shopping Center had been .considered the second best
• 29 shopping center in the Twin Cities . He recalled all the
30 reasons including Rosedale with a Daytons for an anchor for
31 Apache ' s decline but pointed to similar centers like Signal
32 Hills which have been completely turned around after years
33 of deterioration .
34
35 Mr. Burt reported that since: the center had been- put-on the
36 market, he had been contacted by several out of state firms
37 who had shown an interest in developing the area with a
38 different marketing strategy than the regional marketing focus
39 the present owners insist on following. The Manager envisioned
40 a different developer even proposing to level the existing center
41 and putting something entirely different on the site. He said
42 he thought the Commission might want to rethink what would be
43 the best use of that site, maybe even a Planned Unit Development
44 with a mix of housing with commercial . In planning for the
45 the future Mr. Burt suggested the Commissioners might even want
46 to change the focus to a more neighborhood marketing strategy
47 which might prove more successful and generate more tax dollars
48 for the City.
49
50 Mayor Ranallo pointed to the example set by the re-development
51 of the smaller St. Anthony Shopping Center on the other side
52 of town . He said that center had recently experienced a
53 complete turnaround to about 90 percent occupancy and a much
54 happier tenancy. Joe DiSanto who handles the center for its
• 55 Portugese owners had been in town the previous week and had
1 PLANNING COl-lISSION - MAY 21 ,991
2 Page 3
• 3
q expressed his pleasure with the progress the center is
5 making . The Mayor suggested a similar change might take
6 place on the Apache site with new ownership and direction .
7
8 III APPROVAL OF APRIL 16, 1991 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
10 Page 3 , line 18 : Insert "to" after "opposed" .
11 Page 4 , line 9': Substitute "obtained" for "let" .
12 Page 13 , line 39 : Correct spelling of "Rein"
13 Page 13 , line 50: Delete entire line which is repeated
14 on Page 14.
15 Motion carried unanimously.
16
17 IV DESIGNATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO. THE
18 MAY 28 COUNCIL MEETING
19
20 Commissioner Gondorchin will report the May 21st agenda items
21 to the Council at their May 28th meeting. Commissioner
22 Franzese will take the next—rotation.
23
24 V PUBLIC HEARINGS
25
26 A. ADVANCED DESIGN REQUEST FOR 3108 32nd AVENUE N. E.
27 LOT SPLIT- AND SETBACK VARIANCE
• 28
29 Request for Subdivision Without Platting for 3108 32nd Ave.
28 Chairman Madden reported the request from Janice L. Khan of
29 Advanced Design Inc. for approval of subdivision without
30 platting for -the 68 foot X 268 . 3 foot parcel -which extends
31 from the 3100 block of 32nd Avenue N. -E. to Townview Avenue
32 N. E. The proposal was to split the parcel evenly into two
33 single family lots of, approximately 68 feet X 134 feet in :,
34 size. No one present reported failure to receive the Notice
35 of Hearing which had gone out to the- property owners of record
36 of adjoining properties or objected to its content.
37
38 Staff Report
39 Mr. Burt explained the applicants were proposing a simple
40 lot split of the remaining parcel in Bonnie View Heights
41 which extended the full lenghth between two streets and
42 had an existing structure sited a little above the center.
43 The Manager said Advanced Design. was purchasing or had already
44 purchased , that parcel with the intent of constructing two
45 single family homes on the resultant lots which would face
46 32nd Avenue and Townview Avenue. The proposed lots would
47 then match the other developed lots in tht addition all of
48 which are 68 feet wide. -
49 Copies of the Carley-Torgersen, Inc. survey as well as the
50 grading pian for the parcel had been included in the agenda
51 packet with a drawing of a structure on the lot facing
• 52 Townview. The Manager said he had since been advised that
53 the people who planned to build that home had changed those
54 plans since the grading plans had been submitted .
V
1 PLANNING COI-NISSIONI - MAY 21 , 1991
• 2 Page 4
3
4 Based on the information the applicants had submitted , Mr.
5 Burt said staff perceived no problem with either the proposed
6 lot split or requested sideyard setback variance from the
7 minimum lot width requirement of the zoning ordinance. Staff
8 also perceived Advanced Design' s_proposal met all conditions
9 for a variance and should not adversely affect the neighbor-
10 hood in any way. The Manager assured Commissioner Franzese
11 that if there was any change in the existing drainage/ it would
12 have to take place on the common property to avoid any adverse
13 impact on adjacent properties . The applicant had indicated
14 compliance with the existing drainage in the area in those
15 plans . Although the final plans for homes to be built on the
16 two lots have not yet been submitted, no building permits will
17 be issued until the drainage plans have been okayed by both
18 City and State Inspectors . Mr. Burt added that because the
19 developers own both lots there should be no problem with
20 keeping runoff confined to the common property as opposed to
21 letting it all go into the street.
22 Although several neighbors had called for further information
23 regarding what was happening on the site, staff had received
24 no calls in opposition to the planned development of the lots,
25 the Manager reported.
26
27 There was no one present from Advanced Design so the Chairman
• 28 opened the public hearing at 8: 19 P.M. .
29
30 Elie J. Dubay, 3012 32nd Avenue N. E. , the neighbor to the east,
31 reported he had utility lines running across his windows
32 which he had been trying for a long time to get removed. He
33 explained that these were temporary accomodations for the
34 existing structure on the parcel which is now empty and he
35 wanted to know just what utility easements there might be on
36 the property. Mr. Burt said he was not aware of easements
37 the utility companies might have in that area since the only
38 easement which had shown up on the survey was the one indi-
39 cated -in t-he ..32nd . Avenue N. E. right-of-way.
40
41 Gary Carlson, 3104 Tovnviev Avenue N. E. ,west of the subject
42 property, said it appeared to him that the surveyors might
43 have driven stakes for the front lot line seven inches into
44 his property. He pointed out that this stake did not seem
45 to line up with that indicating the rear property line. The
46 property owner based his assumptions on the fact that his
47 father who lived there before he did , had always said he under
46 stood the property line for his and the adjoining parcel
49 came right in the middle of the existing telephone pole.
SO According to the way the stakes are now positioned, that
51 pole would now be located entirely on the new lot. The
52 Manager promised to review the original survey to determine
53 where the lot line should be and to let Mr. Carlson knot:
54 whether that document answered his concerns .
55
1 PLANNING COMMISSION - MAY 21 , 1991
2 Page 5
3
4 Glen Puncochar, 3104 Tovnviev Avenue N. E, stated that he
5 believed he spoke for all his neighbors when he urged the
6 City to approve the proposed development of that vacant
7 parcel for two more homes . He said he could see no reason
8 for maintaining a 75 foot sideyard setback' on either lot
9 when all the rest of the lots in that addition are only
10 68 foot wide:.-.Mr-. Puncochar concluded by saying he could
11 see nothing but benefit to the neighborhood from such
12 development.
13
14 Mr. Burt affirmed that the new lots would now be Tract A
15 and B rather than described in metes and bounds as would
16 have been necessary had platting been required.
17
18 There were no further comments from neighbors and the Chair-
19 closed the public hearing at 8 : 28 p.m.
20 n
21 Before a motion to recommend approval was offered, Chairman
22 Madden thanked the Commissioners for their attendance that
23 evening on such short notice, in view of the fact that no
24 meeting had been anticipated in May.
25
26 Commission Recommendation
27 Motion by Brownell, seconded by Franzese . to recommend Council
28 approval of the request from Advanced Design Inc. to subdivide
• 29 without platting Lot 12, Block 1 , Bonnie view Heights Addition,
30 a 68 foot X 293 . 33 foot parcel, into 2 lots of 68 X 134 . 15
31 feet each, contingent on approval of a variance from the
32 required 75 foot minimum lot width and subject to the removal
33 of the existing home on the property and- provision of drain-
34 age which will not adversely impact the adjacent properties.
35 In recommending approval , the Commission finds that;
36 (a) there were no objections from the neighbors; and
37 (b) the proposal represents the highest and best use of that
38 property.
39
40 Motion carried unanimously.
. 41
42 Request for Sideyard Setback Variance
43 Advanced Design Inc. had also requested a seven foot variance
44 from the 75 foot sideyard setback required by the zoning
45 ordinance for newly created lots at _3109 Townview Avenue
46 N. E, and 3108 32nd Avenue N. E.
47
48 Staff Report
49 Mr. Burt affirmed that there was no land to be given in this
50 instance - and granting the variance would just be a formality
51 to bring the new lots into conformity with all the rest in
52 that addition. He said the homes to be constructed on these
53 lots would have to maintain all the other setbacks required
• 54 by the zoning ordinance. The Manager told Commissioner Faust
55 although there might be a potential for other variance requests,
1 PLANNING C0?,2MIS5ION - hAY 21 , 1991
2 Page 6
• 3
4 it Mould be very difficult to justify another variance
5 unless the lots were regraded .
6 The public hearing was opened at 8 : 35 p. n. When no one
7 rose to offer further input , the hearing was closed at 8 : 36
8 P. m.
9 Commission Recommendation
10 Motion by Madden, Seconded by Franzese to recommend the Council
11 grant Janice L. Kahn of Advanced Design Inc. a seven foot
12 variance from the 75 foot sideyard setback required by the
13 zoning ordinance for two 68 foot wide lots at 3109 Town-
14 view Avenue N. E . and 3108 32nd Avenue N. E, contingent on
15 construction on either lot meeting all the setback require-
16 ments for single home residences . The Commission also recom-
17 mends that the variance be subject to the removal of the
18 existing structure on the property and the provision of drain-
19 age which will not adversely impact on adjacent property.
20 In recommending the variance be granted, the Commissions finds
21 that:
22 (a) there was 'no neighbor opposition; and
23 (b) the three statutory conditions which must be satisfied
24 before a variance can be granted have been met with this
25 proposal .
26
27 Motion carried unanimously.
28
29 Commissioner werenicz indicated for the record his "extreme
30 displeasure that no one from Advanced Design had found time
31 to appear before the Commission to answer questions the
32 Commissioners had regarding their proposal. " The Commis-
33 sioner added that he certainly hoped someone from the company
34 would make a point of attending the May 28th meeting to present
35 their proposal to the Council.
36
37 VI NEW BUSINESS
38
39 A. PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL LAKE SHORE ORDINANCE
40
41 Staff Report
42 As the Mayor had commented earlier in the evening, Mr. Burt
43 reiterated that the proposed ordinance was anticipating
44 problems the City would surely have to face as Silver Lake
45 properties changed hands or the owners wanted to make
46 extensive improvements to match the value of their lots
47 which in most cases average 4100 , 000. These valuations
48 would inevitably call for larger and more expensive homes
49 which probably couldn' t be built without variances from the
50 existing . ordinance setback requirements from the lake. He
51 indicated that 75 foot setback had been based on only sug-
52 gested recommendations from the Department of Natural
53 Resources and the Rice Creek Watershed District through their
54 reviewal process . The Manager reported that after viewing
• 55 the area , the City Attorney had concurred the topographical
l PLANNING COI:MISSION - Myr 21 , 1991
2 Page 7
• 3
4 characteristics of land around the lake were certainly
5 unique when cocr,pared to other residential areas in the City .
6 He was also in agreement that development of a special zoning
7 district for St . Anthony lake property would be appropriate.
8 A draft ' of the proposed zoning district fo'r property on the
9 north side of Silver Lane had been attached to Mr. Burt ' s
10 May 14th memorandum in the Commissioners ' agenda packets .
11 The Manager urged them to visit the area and then share their
12 observations and recommendations on the proposed ordinance
13 with staff before the public hearing before the Commission,
14 June 18 .
15 Mr. Burt said he anticipated serious consideration would have
16 to be given to a future ordinance which would address how
17much nonpervious surface should be allowed on a lot anywhere
18 in the City. He speculated it might be necessary, in anticipation
19 - of requests for larger and more expensive homes throughout
20 the City, to consider driveways , patios, and swimming pools
21 along with homes as structures coverering up more ground and
22 leaving less and less room for water runoff .
23 The Manager agreed with Commissioner Faust that there would
24 be some areas around the lake where variances would be neces-
25 sary but indicated the proposed ordinance would be looking at
26 the majority of those lots . Mr. Burt said further he thought
27 an ordinance which allowed no variances would pretty much
• 28 give the message that a property owner could build anywhere
29 on that property.
BO The Lakeshore ordinance would be written to allow more
31 valuable homes around the lake where such a transition has
32 already begun. It would also be written to address the
33 perception already held by lakeshore residents that the front
34 of their homes are on the lake side. The ordinance would
35 also be designed to control whatever might impact on water in
36 Silver Lake. The Silver Lake Homeowners Association has been
37 asked to review the proposed ordinance. A committee comprised
38 of Ccmmissioner Faust , Sally Haik, Doug Jones , Bill Carr and
39 .will be contacting the residents for their reactions.
40 In addition to the a`.cvz issues related to tris new cr,:inance,
41 the Manager touched briefly on proposed changes in frontyard
42 setbacks , "grandfather" policies related to utility buildings
43 such as boathouses, etc . He also explored suggested treat-
44 ment of patios and swimming pools as structures for lakeshore
45 property.
47 The rise in lakeshore valuations led to a brief discussion of
48 the rate of increase in valuations throughout the City.
49
50 VIII MISCELLANEOUS
51
52 The Manager then touched on several pending City issues,
53
54 ROBBINSDALE LAWN AND GARDEN CENTER AT APACHE
55 He reported the outdoor greenhouse the Commission had asked
1 PLANNING COMMISSION - MAY 21 , 1991
2 Page 8
3
4 about during their April meeting, would be down at the latest
5 by July 5th. He added that the accessory building belonged
6 to the pet store in the mall and they were also selling. plants
7 in that store to comply with ordinance requirements . The Town
8 and Country in the St . Anthony Shopping Center had already
9 erected the greenhouse in their parking lot before they con-
10 tacted him, the Manager said . He indicated he had learned
11 this was the first year they had even bothered to ask per-
12 mission. The grocery store managers will be submitting a
13 written statement of how long the structure will be open this
14 year. However, Mr. Burt * p6rceived all types of accessory build-
15 ings would have to be addressed in the zoning ordinance.
16 The presence of a mobile home: parked near the Apache green-
17 house had generated a rumor that the City was going to allow
18 a flea market outside the mall , Mr . Burt said. An investi-
19 gation indicated there were people associated with the antique
20 show at Apache living in the Winnebago in question. Apache
21 management had been reminded that habitation in mobile vehicles
22 was forbidden in St. Anthony, the Manager reported.
23
24 NEW WALGREEN BUILDING
25 Mr. Burt reported just receiving the pians for the proposed
26 building which had been discussed with the Mayor earlier in
27 the evening. He anticipated those plans would appear in the
• 28 Commission ' s June 18th agenda .
29
-30 MOMUMENT SIGN FOR FOSS STREET MINI STORAGE FACILITY
31 The existing signage on that building including the window
32 sign which had recently been covered up, would be eliminated
33 with the erection of the proposed monument sign on that
34 building, the Manager assured the Chairman. Chairman
35 Madden ' s concern had been with the unsightly appearance
36 of the boards the building owners had nailed up to cover the
37 nonconforming sign they had erected in the window.
38
39 FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOPED FOR CHANGES AT APACHE
40 Problems with water runoff on the site would certainly have
41 to be addressed if a buyer could be interested in establishing
42 a Planned Unit Development for that whole area , Mr. Burt
43 assured Commissioner Franzese. Hopefully, there would be
44 a basis for more discussion of that eventuality by the next
45 Commission meeting, he said, pointing to the necessity for
46 confidentiality of any ongoing discussions with prospective
47 buyers at this point. The Manager foresaw the need for
48 a brainstorming session with the Commissioners during some
49 future Commission meeting with a short agenda related to
50 possible changes for the Apache site. He told Commissioner
51 Werenicz he hoped the focus of that session would be away
52 from the regional marketing strategy followed by the present
53 owners to a more neighborhood service concept which may be
54 more appropriate for the site. Mr. Burt speculated the
55 Commissioners might even perceive a change in zoning for a
l PLANNING COMMISSION - MAY 21 , 1991
2 Page 9 .
3
4 different use of the property would be better for that 58
5 acre site, since the Apache owners themselves have admitted
6 the income from the existing mall to only be $900, 000. 00.
7
8 POPHAM HAIK SEMINAR MAY 29
9 Commissioner Faust reported receiving an invitation to the
10 workshop and asked how many Commissioners had received the
11 notice. Only Commissioner Franzese indicated an ability to
12 attend what would be a workday event.
13
14
ZJ
•16 ' HALF CENT SALES TAX ENACTED BY STATE LEGISLATURE
17 The Manager commented that he thought the only reason the
18 additional tax was passed was to transfer taxing respon-
19 sibility onto the local governments . He said neither
20 Hennepin nor Ramsey County could afford not to adopt the
21 raise. However, with a zero budget planned for St, Anthony
22 next year, Mr. Burt said he anticipated. the impact on the
23 City would probably not be too severe,
14 INTERN HIRED TO REPLACE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
25 David Urbia who is just finishing his graduate studies will
26 be assuming some of Sue VanderHeyden' s duties especially those
27 dealing with recycling at first. Once he has become more
• 28 familiar with that job, Mr . Burt indicated he was anticipating
29 Mr. Urbia would be able to take on some of the managerial
30 duties such as developing the storm sewer utility charges, etc.
31 The Manager added that, hopefully, if the City isn' t hurt any
32 worse than it appears it was hurt by the Legislature this time,
33 the position of Assistant City Manager could be refilled later
34 on.
35
36 MIDBLOCK LIGHTING ON SKYCROFT
37 Commissioner Franzese reported the residents on her block on
38 36th Avenue N. E. are taking steps to get similar midblock
39 lighting as a security measure for their street . Mr. Burt
40 + attributed the co:iperative effort on Skycroft to a very
4.1 aggressive drive by Mr. Smith who lives on that street
42 to get 99 perce:it signage of a petition for that lighting.
43 The Manager assured the Comnissioners that the Skycroft
44 homeowners are paying the entire forty dollar cost of
45 installinU the decorative pole they selected as as well
46 as additional usage costs for the lighting which will run
47 about twelve dollars a month to be paid with the resident ' s
48 water bills . He added that he anticipated the extra lighting
49 on Skycroft rrculd be the impetus for more midblock lighting
50 of other long carp; Mocks in =t . Anthony whose residents
51 would be willing to pay for the added security.
52 Mr. Burt indicated he wanted to congratulate=_ t_ie Skycroft
53 residents and particularly Mr. Smith for following through
54 on the desire for more lighting expressed during a
55 Crime Watch meeting. Connission<<r Franzese said th-_ interest
1 PLANNING COMMISSION - May 21 , 1991
2 Page 10_
3
4 in midbiock lighting for -her block had also originated with the
5 the institution of a Crime Watch program.
6
7 VIII ADJOURNMENT
8
9 Motion by Brownell, seconded by Murphy to adjourn the meeting
10 at 9:25 p. m:
12Notion carried unanimously.
12
13
14
15 Respectfully submitted,
16 =
17
18
19 Helen Crowe, Acting Secretary