HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 08031993 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 19
Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1993
Document: PL MINUTES 08031993
f ,
CITY OF ST . ANTHONY
3 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
4
5 AUGUST 3 , 1993
6
7
8 1 . CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
; 0 The meeting was called to order at 7 : 00 p.m. and the Pledge of
11 Allegiance was led by Chair Faust .
12
13
14 2 . ROLL CALL
15
16 Commissioners Present : Thompson , Franzese, Werenicz and Faust .
17
18 Commissioners Absent : Gondorchin , Madden and Bergstrom
19
20 Staff Present : Management Assistant Urbia
21
22
23 3 . APPROVAL OF JUNE 15, 1993 MEETING MINUTES
24
25 Motion by Franzese, second by Werenicz to approve the minutes
of the June 15, 1993 Planning Commission Meeting as presented
and there were no corrections .
29 Motion carried unanimously
30
31 4 . DESIGNATION OF COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO THE AUGUST 10 ,
32 1993 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
33
34 Chair Faust will represent the Planning Commission at the
35 August 10 , 1993 Council Meeting.
36
37 5 . PUBLIC HEARINGS
38
39 A. Request for Conditional Use Permit - St . Anthony-New
40 Brighton Independent School District #282 , 3303 33rd Avenue
41 Northeast
42
43 The Public Hearing was opened at 7 : 05 p.m. by Chair Faust . He
44 read the Notice of Public Hearing which appeared in the July
45 21 , 1993 edition of the St . Anthony Bulletin.
46
47 Commissioner Franzese inquired if the stated time for a public
48 hearing could be different than 7 : 05 p.m. She felt this could
49 leave residents who are attending a public hearing regarding
50 their property inconvenienced by having to wait .
•
1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
PAGE 2
4
5
6 Management Assistant Urbi.a responded this had been discussed
7 with the City Manager . The City Manager ' s position was to
8 commence the first public hearing of the meeting at 7 : 05 p.m.
9 as is presently the practice .
10
11 Urbia advised this conditional use permit request was the
12 primary reason for this special Planning Commission Meeting.
13
14 Approval is being sought before school starts . If this matter
15 were not considered before the regularly-scheduled Planning
16 Commission Meeting, it would be too late to locate the
17 portable classroom on school property with Council approval .
18
19 The Council indicated it chose to have this matter brought
20 before the Planning Commission for its review process and not
21 to have this process circumvented.
22
23 Urbia explained that this portable classroom will be used to
24 alleviate space needs for special work projects and will not
25 be used for actual classes . It will be located on the Wilshire
26 Elementary School property in an area which is not readily
27 visible from other areas of the neighborhood.
is The trailer is 12 ' x 56 ' with a 4 ' hitch on the north end. It
30 will have two doors and the proposed location is twenty feet
31 from the building. State law requires it be located at least
32 ten feet from the building.
33
34 David Abrahamson,. principal of Wilshire Elementary School , was
35 present to respond to any questions members of the Planning
36 Commission may have.
37
38 Commissioner Werenicz observed that currently a Task Force is
39 meeting to consider permanent solutions for overcrowding in
40 the schools . He questioned why there is a plan to place this
41 trailer in this location for two years . He recalled another
42 temporary trailer issue was for a period of one year.
43
44 Urbia responded that there appears there will be a space need
45 for two years for this type of portable classroom.
46
47 Mr. Abrahamson noted there is much better lease cost for two
48 years than one. He also advised there will be no plumbing in
49 the trailer but there will be electricty and electric heat .
50
1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
• 2 AUGUST 3 , 1993
3 PAGE 3
4
5
6 Commissioner Franzese inquired if there will be any security
7 measures taken regarding this trailer. She observed that it
8 will be located in a relatively unseen place and could be
9 vulnerable to vandalism.
10
11 Mr . Abrahamson responded that the location was chosen so the
12 unit would be less visible to the neighborhood. He also noted
13 that the lack of vandalism in the area is remarkable and he
14 credited the parents and the children . There are no concerns
15 regarding potential vandalism.
16
17 Commissioner Werenicz was concerned with the safety of the
18 electrical installation . Mr . Abrahamson stated that the
19 General Electric Company is doing the installation and he has
20 been assured that it will meet code and any outside apparatus
21 will be safe and concealed.
22
23 The unit is only one and one half years old and is coming from
24 the St . Peter School District . It will have all new skirting.
25
26 Commissioner Franzese inquired if there is a covered walkway
27 being included in the project . She felt this would be an asset
�28 in poor weather .
29
i 30 Mr . Abrahamson noted it will be located a maximum of twenty-
31 five feet from the school building doors . There will be coat
32 racks in the unit to accommodate outer clothing for the
33 children if the weather is cold or wet .
34
35 Chair Faust advised he had been contacted by Commissioner
36 Madden regarding two of his concerns . The first is that he did
37 not receive a public hearing notice for this matter . He
38 questioned if any were sent .
39
40 Management Assistant Urbia responded that notices of the
41 public hearing were sent to residents within three hundred and
42 fifty feet of the affected property. He noted that Mr . Madden
43 should have received a notice.
44
45 Commissioner Franzese recalled that Commissioner Madden ' s
46 address had changed, although his location had not , and
47 perhaps this could account for why he did not receive the
48 notice. Urbia will follow up on this .
49
50
1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
PAGE 4
4
5
6 Commissioner Madden ' s second concern dealt with the proximity
7 of the trailer to the soccer fields near the school . He was
8 interested in whether the trailer would interfere with soccer
9 activities as this is a very busy field . Urbia assured him
10 there would be no conflict .
11
12 The Public Hearing was closed at 7 : 15 p.m.
13
14 Commissioner Franzese commented that this project is exciting
15 in that it reflects the school district is growing.
16
17 Motion by Franzese, sescond by Thompson to recommend approval
18 of the conditional use permit as requested by Independent
19 School District #282 noting there was no opposition expressed
20 to its approval , all three conditions for approval were met
21 and with the following conditions : 1 ) the portable unit may
22 remain in place for a period of 24 months from the date the
23 unit is placed on site; 2 ) the electrical wiring for the
24 portable unit must be encased in a safe manner ; and, 3 ) the
25 bottom skirting area and hitch must be concealed with
26 appropriate material and there will be no plumbing.
27
0 Motion carried unanimously
30
31
32 Chair Faust advised Mr. Abrahamson this item will be on the
33- August 10th Council Meeting agenda . He recommended there be a
34 representative of the School District in attendance.
35
36
37 B. Petition for Variance - Mary McCrossan, 3019 31st Avenue
38 Northeast
39
40 The Public Hearing was opened at 7 : 16 p.m.
41
42 Chair Faust read the Notice of Public Hearing which was
43 published in the July 21 , 1993 edition of the St . Anthony
44 Bulletin .
45
46 The house construction on this property was begun in 1992 when
47 the City had no ordinance requirements regarding lot coverage.
48 During the 1993 recodification process, this issue was
49 addressed and a thirty percent lot coverage policy was
50 adopted .
I PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
PAGE 5
4
5
6 Initially, the builder and owner planned to raze the existing
7 garage along with the fire damaged home. At a later date, it
8 was decided to leave the garage for use as a playhouse and for
9 storage. This resulted in the newly-constructed home and other
10 impervious surfaces having a lot coverage of approximately
11 31 . 6% .
12
13 The variance would be for an additional 9. 7% lot coverage over
14 the existing 31 . 6% lot coverage resulting in total lot
15 coverage of 41 . 3% . These figures are estimates only because
16 the exact sidewalk measurements are not known. The hardship -i-s
17 that the ordinance requirements changed during the
18 construction of this home and the consideration for the future
19 of the garage.
20
21 Commissioner Franzese noted that in a letter received from a
22 neighbor the request was made that the garage be re-roofed as
23 well as the exterior be upgraded . She inquired if re-roofing
24 is part of the project .
25
26 The Building Inspector will review this . The contractor
advised that the present roof on the garage matches that on
41 the house .
29
30 Commissioner Werenicz suggested that lot coverage had been
31 addressed in the ordinances before recodification . Urbia
32 mentioned that there was nothing specific regarding lot
33 coverage but rather floor area ratio to the structure.
34
35 Commissioner Werenicz noticed that a deck is planned to be
36 built in the very near future. He was concerned with how this
37 would impact on the ground underneath it and how it would
38 contribute to water flow direction .
39
40 Urbia advised that this deck will be off of the ground and
41 will have rocks underneath it . There will be no impact as this
42 does not constitute an impervious surface.
43
44 Mr. Bob O'Connell , 3101 Silver Lake Road, lives next door to
45 this home . He is of the opinion that the garage looks just
46 fine and has no problem with its appearance.
47
48 Janice Cohn, the contractor, stated that a new roof will be
49 needed on the garage eventually but there are no plans
5v presently to re-roof . Siding will be put on soon.
1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
PAGE 6
4
5
6 The Public Hearing was closed at 7 : 29 p.m.
7
8 Commissioner Franzese observed that all of the hardships
9 related to this request appear to be based on the
10 recodification process whereby some of ordinance requirements
11 were changed.
12
13 She also expressed .some concern regarding the proximity of the
14 deck to the garage. She was advised that it will be five feet
15 between the house and the garage which is acceptable.
16
17 Motion by Franzese, second by Werenicz to recommend approval
18 of the variance petition by the City Council in that no one
19 appeared to speak against the request , the three conditions
20 for granting a variance are fulfilled, and that the following
21 conditions be met : 1 ) the garage exterior must be upgraded to
22 match the newly-built house ; and , 2 ) the garage must be
23 upgraded structurally if the Building Inspector finds any
24 deficiencies .
25
26 Motion carried unanimously
27
Chair Faust advised this item will be on the Council Meeting
30 agenda on August 10th . He recommended the interested parties
31 attend that meeting.
32
33
34 C. Petition for Variance - Michael and Kay Baker, 3044 Croft
35 Drive
36
37
38 The Public Hearing was opened at 7 : 36 p.m.
39
40 Chair Faust read the Notice of Public Hearing which appeared
41 in the July 21 , 1993 edition of the St . Anthony Bulletin .
42
43 This variance is for sixteen feet from the thirty foot setback
44 requirement . This is a two story house with a single tuck
45 under garage. The owners intend to expand their garage into a
46 two car garage. They plan to add living space over the added
47 garage space. This would not be permitted under the garage
48 setback permit process so they are pursuing the variance
49 process .
50
•
I PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
0 PAGE 7
4
5
6 This type of living space is not addressed under the City' s
7 ordinances . The property owners feel the hardship is in that
8 this type of request could not be considered under a garage
9 permit process .
10
11 Other advantages to this addition is that the appearance of
12 the home would be improved with an added living level on the
13 garage to coincide with the height of the house. There is also
14 consideration being given to adding on to the back of the home
15 in the future .
16 _ _
17 Commissioner Franzese requested staff to place directional
18 symbols on drawings to accommodate the ease of reading them.
19 She felt this would more accurately identify lot lines and
20 proximity of other houses and structures .
21
22 Urbia advised this is a corner lot . Corner lots require a
23 thirty foot setback unlike other lots which require only a
24 fifteen foot setback .
25
26 Commissioner Werenicz expressed his concern with the sight
lines at the corner of the block. He feels there are some
shrubs located on this property which interfere with traffic
29 sight lines . He suggested these be pruned back or removed.
30
31 Mr . Baker stated that these bushes had been pruned recently
32 and he is planning on installing a fence in this area..
33
34 The Public Hearing was closed at 7 : 58 p.m.
35
36 Commissioner Franzese inquired what' a garage permit is not
37 being requested . Urbia explained staff would prefer to keep a
38 narrow definition of a garage permit .
39
40 Chair Faust also noted that if staff had interpreted this to
4.1 be a garage permit request it would not have met the three
42 conditions as required. He preferred staff ' s interpretation.
43 He also felt the required setback for a corner lot could be
44 considered as a hardship.
45
46 Commissioner Franzese stated she would have preferred the
47 garage permit process thereby not needing to satisfy
48 conditions nor hardships . She felt anything is open for
49 interpretation .
50
1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
PAGE 8
4
5
6 Motion by Faust , second by Franzese to recommend approval of
7 a variance of sixteen feet of the 30 foot sideyard setback
8 requirement to allow the addition of seven feet at 3044 Croft
9 Drive with the following conditions : 1 ) the existing stucco
10 would be done entirely throughout the home for uniformity;
11 and, 2 ) the existing gravel driveway would be upgraded to
12 asphalt or cement ; no one appeared to speak against the
13 request ; the three conditions required by Minnesota Statutes
14 were met ; this is an end lot and there is a thirty foot
15 setback instead of a fifteen foot setback required ; and the
16 style of the house with a tuck-under garage constitutes
17 extraordinary circumstances .
18
19 Commissioner Thompson is of the opinion that this work will be
20 a big improvement .
21
22 Commissioner Werenicz again stated his concern regarding the
23 sight lines at the corner of the lot . He felt the property
24 owners should perhaps consider removing the shrubs and bushes .
25
26 Urbia advised that the property owner can be requested to
27 remove these shrubs if they are in the right-of-way or
interfere with traffic sight lines . He did feel the bushes may
look closer to the corner than they actually *are because of
30 the construction in the area .
31
32 Chair Faust advised there should be a letter sent to the
33 property owners if it is found these shrubs do pose a problem
34 for visibility.
35
36 Motion carried unanimously
37
38 Chair Faust advised this item will be on the agenda for the
39 August 10th Council meeting and the property owners were
40 encouraged to attend.
41
4.2
43 6 . MISCELLANEOUS
44
45 A. Lot Coverac;e
46
47 Chair Faust observed that the weather this year has been very
48 convincing that no more impervious surfaces are needed.
49
50
I PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
PAGE 9
4
5
6 Management Assitant Urbia advised that thirty five percent Iot
7 coverage has been discussed by staff . Members of the Planning
8 Commission are being asked for their opinion .
9
10 Chair Faust finds the current thirty percent acceptable and
11 feels there is no need to proceed with discussion at this
12 time. Urbia suggested that a future discussion be kept in
13 mind .
14
15 Commissioner Franzese inquired what could be included in the
16 ordinance to accommodate exceptions which were over thirty
17 percent . Urbia responded this would become very subjective.
18
19 Chair Faust , noting there were only four Commission members
20 present , expressed his reluctance to make any changes .
2I Commissioner Werenicz was in agreement with this position .
22
23 The Planning Commission membership roster was included with
24 agenda materials . Two corrections were made to it .
25
26 Management Assistant Urbia directed the commissioners '
27 attention to that section of City Code which addressed
abandoned motor vehicles . He advised that after the public
hearing was concluded, Mr . Bona , owner of Unocal on Kenzie,
30 stated this time prohibition would not work for his business .
31 He noted that there are situations with vehicles on his
32 property where they remain for longer periods of time waiting
33 for parts or repairs . The City Council approved fourteen days
34 in- place of the 48 hours for this particular situation .
35
36 Commissioner Franzese observed what appears to be a typo with
37 regard to required distance of a garage to house. The copy
38 stated thirty inches and she felt it should be thirty-six
39 inches . Urbia will check this out .
40
41 Chair Faust recommended that "revised" be added to the bottom
42 of any page in the City Code which has revisions . This will
43 help future Planning Commission. members as well as be a good
44 reference. Commissioner Werenicz noted it could also be
45 helpful in avoiding legal problems .
46
47 Commissioner Franzese observed that pumps appear to have been
48 moved at the gas station on 33rd Avenue and Stinson Boulevard .
49 She also inquired as to the status of the CUB Store at Apache.
50
1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 3 , 1993
PAGE 10
4
5
6 Urbia responded that the City is still waiting for some
7 documents , the signed development agreements and the landscape
8 plans . There are still some details being worked out regarding
9 the lease for the City ' s liquor store. He is hopeful all of
10 this will .be finalized in the very near future.
lI
12 Commissioner Thompson inquired as to " the progress of the
13 dental building scheduled to be built on 39th Avenue and
14 Silver Lake Road.
15
16 Urbia advised that the development agreements have all been
17 signed and received in City Hall . It is expected this project
18 will move quickly now.
19
20 Chair Faust explained that tonight ' s meeting is in lieu of the
21 regularly scheduled meeting. He inquired if there are any
22 agenda items which would necessitate holding a meeting on the
23 third Tuesday of August . Urbia stated there are no items .
24
25 Commissioner Franzese inquired about the newly-appointed
26 Planning Commission member . Urbia explained he is employed in
)7 the environmental field. Chair Faust has contacted him to
welcome him to the Commission. He is absent from tonight ' s
9 meeting as he is on vacation .
30
31 Commissioner Franzese inquired if the Chair is a member of the
32 MPA yet . Urbia will get this information .
33
34 7 . ADJOURNMENT
35
36 Motion by Faust , second by Werenicz to adjourn the meeting at
. 37 8 : 35 p.m.
38
39 Motion carried unanimously
40
41
42 Respectfully submitted,
43
44
45 Jo-Anne Student , Planning Commission Secretary
46
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50