HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 09201994 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 19
Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1994
Document: PL MINUTES 09201994
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
02 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
3 SEPTEMBER 20, 1994
4 I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
5 The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair
6 Gondorchin at 7:00 P.M.
7 II. ROLL CALL.
8 Commissioners present: Bergstrom, Makowske, Gondorchin, Horst, Faust, Franzese,
9 and Thompson.
10 Commissioners absent: None
11 Also present: Michael Mornson, City Manager
12 III. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 16, 1994 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES.
13 Motion by Bergstrom, second by Horst, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of
14 August 16, 1994 with the following changes:
15 Page 3, line 3: Remove "7 feet" and replace with "8 feet"
06 Page 3, line 18: Remove "neighbors" and replace with "owners"
7 Page 4, line 19: Remove "looking at" and replace with "approval of
18 Page 5, line 22: Remove "Berg" and replace with "Bergstrom"
19 Motion carried unanimously.
20 IV. DESIGNATION OF COMMISSIONER TO THE SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 COUNCIL
21 MEETING.
22 Chair Gondorchin will represent the Planning Commission at the September 27, 1994
23 Council Meeting.
24 V. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
25 A. Ordinance amendment relating to the definition of corner lots and fences on
26 corner lots.
27 At 7:07 P.M., Chair Gondorchin opened the public hearing for an ordinance amendment
28 that defines the exterior and interior side yards on corner lots. Also, this ordinance
29 amendment would allow construction of six foot fences on an interior side yard where it
30 abuts a back yard on a corner lot.
401 In his staff report, City Manager Mornson agreed with the verbiage from last meeting
2 regarding the ordinance. He stated that the building inspector felt this wording was
33 sufficient to cover most situations.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• September 20, 1994
Page 2
1
2 Chair Gondorchin asked the Commissioners if they had any questions of staff.
3 Commissioner Franzese noted that she was not comfortable with the wording of the
4 ordinance as written. She suggested the ordinance would be clearer if the exception to
5 the 6 foot fence was listed at the end of the first sentence of Section 2, Subd. 3.
6 Commissioner Makowske asked if there were other cases that may not be covered under
7 this ordinance that should be incorporated. City Manager Morrison stated that this
8 ordinance should cover most cases and suggested new issues be addressed as they arise.
9 Dr. David M. Ferguson, 3101 Bell Lane, expressed concern on how this ordinance would
10 affect other residents living on corner lots and that it not remove anyone's ability to have
11 privacy. Commissioner Makowske reviewed situations that this ordinance will address.
12 Commissioner Franzese read the Ordinance section which addresses the height of deck
13 fences and raised deck fences. Dr. Ferguson stated he hopes the Planning Commission
14 will consider variance requests for corner lots with steep grades to assure privacy fences
15 provide privacy.
406 Chair Gondorchin closed the public hearing at 7:16 P.M.
17 Motion by Franzese,.second by Horst-to recommend.Council-approval of an
18 amendment to the City's current ordinance relating to--comer lots, amending Section
19 1605.01 by adding Subd. 80 and Subd. 82; and relating to fences, amending section
20 1320.03, Subd. 3 as presented.
21 Commissioner Franzese requested that the City Attorney review the language and
22 placement of the final sentence in Section 2, Subd. 3.
23 Motion carried unanimously.
24 B. Ordinance amendment relating to ground signs.
25 At 7:20 P.M., Chair Gondorchin opened the Public Hearing for an ordinance amendment
26 which would change the definition of ground signs to assure landscaping. The height of
27 ground signs would be increased from 5 feet to 8 feet; the surface area of signs having
28 one surface is increased from 20 to 34 square feet: the surface area of signs having two
29 copy surfaces is increased from 32 to 68 square feet; and, buildings with two or more
30 businesses are allowed 2 or more copy surfaces to total 80 square feet. The provisions of
31 the sign ordinance relating to bonuses will be removed.
12 Cindy Schulte, Imaginality, Inc. expressed her approval of the proposed ordinance
3 amendment and shared a photograph of a proposed sign for a St. Anthony business that
34 complies with the ordinance amendment.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• September 20, 1994
Page 3
1 Dr. David M. Ferguson, 3101 Bell Lane, stated that while he wants to welcome business to St.
2 Anthony, he is concerned that approval of this ordinance amendment would encourage
3 businesses to desire even larger signs,possibly billboards. He asked why this amendment is
4 being considered.
5 Commissioner Franzese reported that an in depth study of existing ground signs had been done
6 and that all existing ground signs will be in compliance with this ordinance amendment. She
7 pointed out that St. Anthony's ordinance is still more restrictive than most other communities and
8 this ordinance amendment should eliminate the need for as many variance requests. She felt that
9 these amendments would not affront anyone's good taste.
10 Chair Gondorchin expressed that the Commission's main motivation for changing the ordinance
11 was to alleviate the need for so many variance requests. Dr. Ferguson noted that variances are
12 available to ensure compliance and it may be better to consider the signs one by one. He felt
13 with the new ordinance in place, there will be no control. Chair Gondorchin noted that new signs
14 will not be any larger than current ones.
15 Commissioner Faust assured that the Ordinance will fulfill the need for standardization and solid
guidelines. He stated it accommodates the sensibility of city and business, and pointed out that
granting variances can bring inconsistencies.
18 Commissioner Franzese explained that it has also become more difficult for City Council to
19 grant variances because the legislation has changed and become more strict in it's policies.
20 Chair Gondorchin closed the public hearing at 7:36 P.M.
21 To assure the use of landscaping, Commissioner Franzese asked that the last sentence in Section
22 1400.04, Subd. 11 be revised to state, ". . . and landscaped to enhance the appearance of the
23 signage." Consensus was reached to make this revision.
24 Motion by Makowske, second by Horst to recommend Council approval an amendment to the
25 City's ordinance relating to signs, amending Section 1400.04 and 1400.10 of Ordinance 1994-
26 003, as presented and with the following revision:
27 1. Section 1400.04, Subd. 11 to read as follows:
28 Any sign which is freestanding by virtue of being structurally independent of any
29 structure or object, and is affixed to the ground by means of a base with no visibility
30 between the bottom of the sign and the base on which it is attached, and landscaped to
4 enhance the appearance of the signage.
32 Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
September 20, 1994
Page 4
1 VI. MISCELLANEOUS.
2 A. Variances
3 City Manager Mornson explained that he had included this section of the code to furnish the
4 members with a basis upon which to guide them in their decisions regarding granting of
5 variances. He stated that the items under Subd. 3. in the code are the most important to establish
6 and he will include this page of the code in the Planning Commission's packet each time there is
7 a variance public hearing to assure the four criteria established by State Statute are properly
8 addressed.
9 B. Redevelopment Plan- 3111 Silver Lake Road.
10 In his staff report, City Manager Mornson explained that the goal of the HRA is to improve the
11 housing stock and increase housing evaluation. He noted that Minnesota State Statute 469.028
12 requires an application by the HRA with a redevelopment plan. The process for the
13 redevelopment of 3111 Silver Lake Road has been as follows:
1. HRA applies and receives authorization to proceed from the City Council - August 23rd.
2. Planning Commission receives Redevelopment Plan for its study and approval. A written
16 opinion from the Planning Commission is necessary within 30 days - September 20th.
17 3. Need copy of Redevelopment Plan for Council and Planning Commission. A statement
18 of proposed financing in Plan with a written opinion of a Planning agency.
19 4. Before approving any Redevelopment Plan,the Council must hold a public hearing on
20 the Redevelopment Plan- October 11th.
21 5. Close on the property any time after October 11th.
22 6. After closing, request proposals from developers to acquire property from City with
23 conditions to demolish and then to construct a house valued at$125,000 (includes lot) -
24 November 30, 1994, 10:00 A.M.
25 City Manager Mornson explained the financing for redevelopment and introduced photographs
26 of the property for the Planning Commission's review.
27 Commissioner Faust questioned the stated "years to pay back" figure in the financial statement
28 provided by City Manager Mornson. He believes that it will take more time to reimburse the
29 City for funding of the Redevelopment project since only about 18%of the total tax bill goes to
30 the City.
31 City Manager Mornson explained that the pay back figure includes the total tax bill. He stated
32 that he will check the figure in question to determine the City's pay back date. He reiterated that
0the main objective of the Redevelopment program is to upgrade the city house stock, control
34 redevelopment and increase valuation of the community.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
September 20, 1994
Page 5
1 In response to Faust's question, City Manager Mornson explained that in this case the
2 property owner contacted the City indicating interest. He indicated the Council has
3 requested a report from the Building Inspector to determine whether additional variances
4 will be needed. Also, the property owner will be required to obtain an updated survey.
5 Motion by Horst, second by Franzese to approve the St. Anthony Housing and
6 Redevelopment Authority Redevelopment Plan for 3111 Silver Lake Road and
7 Authorizing the Use of H.R.A. Funding with the following condition:
8 1. City Manager Morrison will recompute the "years to pay back" figure to reflect the
9 true value for City reimbursement.
10 Motion carried unanimously.
11 C. Work meeting to review CUB Foods/Knox Lumber project
12 Commissioner Bergstrom asked City Manager Morrison if it would be possible to
13 schedule a Concept Review regarding the upcoming issues with CUB Foods and Knox
14 Lumber prior to the scheduled October Planning Commission meeting. He expressed
15 concern that there may=be-many-questions`-regarding variances,-conditional use permits, --
406 and site approval, that.-need--to=be.-researched=before the public hearing.
17 City Manager Morrison explained-that concept review,is.not_required-by the Cityblithe
18 would communicate with CUB Foods and Knox Lumber-to_see T-this could be-arranged. -
19 Chair Gondorchin suggested that attendance-of a Council_..representative would also be
20 helpful. He requested that staff provide the Planning Commission with a detailed
21 package containing whatever may accompany the CUB/Knox project.
22 Commissioner Thompson inquired about the progress of the development of Apache
23 Plaza. City Manager Morrison stated that things are moving forward but an agreement
24 on TIF is needed so the Planning Commission and Council has time for review. He felt
25 there should be definite progress by November.
26 D. Community Center
27 Commissioner Franzese expressed interest in regards to the Community Center progress.
28 She also commended the City for holding the tax levy increase to 2.8% and the school
29 tax to a maximum level of 4.5%. She also commented favorably regarding the reduction
30 of abatements.
31 E. Planning Commission meeting packet
162 There was discussion concerning the Planning Commission's desire to receive necessary
3 information regarding meeting issues prior to meeting. It was suggested to contact staff
34 and request required information prior to meeting to aide in the decision making
35 process.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
September 20, 1994
Page 6
1 Commissioner Faust noted that it is inappropriate for non-elected officials to discuss
2 details directly with businesses. They are limited to inspect the site on their own and
3 obtain technical data from staff.
4 VII. ADJOURNMENT.
5 Motion by Horst, second by Thompson to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 P.M.
6 Motion carried unanimously.
7 Respectfully submitted,
8 Lorri Kopischke
9 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial
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