HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 08151995 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 19
Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1995
Document: PL MINUTES 08151995
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
3 August 15, 1995
4 I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
5 The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Bergstrom at
6 7:00 P.M.
7 II. ROLL CALL.
8 Commissioners present: Bergstrom, Makowske, Gondorchin, Horst, Faust, Thompson, and
9 Franzese.
10 Commissioners absent: None
11 Also present: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant.
12 III. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 15, 1995 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
13 Chair Bergstrom asked if there were any additions or changes to the August 15, 1995 Planning
14 Commission agenda. There were none.
Motion by Makowske, second by Horst, to approve the Planning Commission Agenda for
16 August 15, 1995.
17 Motion carried unanimously.
18 IV. APPROVAL OF JULY 18, 1995 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES.
19 Motion by Faust, second by Makowske to approve the Planning Commission minutes of July 18,
20 1995 as presented.
21 Motion carried unanimously.
22 V. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
23 A. Leslie Formell, for Salvation Army Silver Lake Camp, 2990 West County Road E;
24 Lakeshore setback variance request.
25 Chair Bergstrom declared the Public Hearing opened at 7:03 p.m.
26 Management Assistant Moore-Sykes briefly presented the staff report. She reported Mr. Leslie
27 E. Formell, CEO for Formell & Associates Architects has submitted a Petition for Variance to
the City for a shoreline variance on Kiwanis Island in Silver Lake.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
August 15, 1995
Page 2
1 Moore-Sykes noted the Salvation Army Camp, is requesting to be allowed to construct an open-
2 sided picnic shelter on Kiwanis Island.
3 Moore-Sykes indicated the Salvation Army Camp is proposing to construct the picnic shelter in
4 the middle of the island. This proposed site will require a 125 foot variance from the southeast
5 corner of the structure to the shoreline and a 100 foot variance from the northwest and northeast
6 corners of the structure tot he shoreline.
7 Moore-Sykes reported the proposed structure otherwise meets the permitted uses restriction of
8 the ordinance in that it will be an outdoor recreational facility_that is operated by a nonprofit
9 service organization. She noted the Department of Natural Resources regulations require a 75
10 foot lakeshore setback for structures on shoreline property and St. Anthony currently requires a
11 200 foot setback for a recreational/open space district.
12 Moore-Sykes indicated staff recommends approval of the petitioner's request for setback
13 variances. This recommendation is based on the hardships addressed in the Petition for Variance
14 submitted to the City in order to construct an open-sided picnic shelter. Conditions that exist to
15 create hardships are the following:
The shape of the island prevents the construction and placement of the picnic shelter
17 within the City's requirement for a 200 foot setback for lakeshore structures.
18 The City's Zoning Ordinance requires that a structure in the recreation/open district be
19 setback 200 feet from the.lakeshore; the Department of Natural Resources requires only a
20 75 foot setback for lakeshore structures. If the shelter is constructed, it would meet the
21 DNR's 75 foot setback requirement for lakeshore structures. The City's ordinance is a
22 cause of hardship in this situation.
23 Commissioner Faust felt the DNR requirement was a mute point.
24 Chair Bergstrom asked if there are any requirements set forth by the Rice Creek Watershed
25 District. Moore-Sykes indicated she had been unable to contact them as of yet, but if this
26 petition was recommended to the City Council it would be contingent upon review and approval
27 of the Rice Creek Watershed District.
28 Dr. Bill Carr, representative for the Salvation Army Camp, indicated the purpose for the request
29 was so the Camp would be able to use the island during inclement weather and programs would
30 not have to be canceled. He also noted the Kiwanis Club is providing for the funding of the
31 construction of the shelter.
Dr. Carr noted the structure is designed to provide the least amount of visual impact. He noted
OP3 there has been no objections from the neighbors at this point.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
August 15, 1995
Page 3
1 Mr. Leslie Formell, architect for the project indicated the shelter would not destroy any trees, but
2 would be surrounded by trees, therefore reducing the visual impact.
3 Commissioner Faust inquired as to any form of security the Camp had planned. Dr. Carr
4 indicated the Camp has not yet approached any specific plan for security, they did not feel it
5 would be a problem.
6 Commissioner Faust asked how the Camp is currently policed. Dr. Carr noted there is a 24 hour
7 Camp staff and there are gates that are closed and one policed gate.
8 Commissioner Franzese indicated she had visited the property and found there to be quite
9 adequate security. She felt there would not be any additional attraction than what was already
10 there.
11 Commissioner Franzese expressed her desire to have more public access to the Camp. Dr. Carr
12 indicated the Camp was declared open space approximately 20 years ago and for policing
13 reasons, the Camp was kept private.
14 Chair Bergstrom closed the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m.
15 Commissioner Franzese inquired as to the setback requirement. Moore-Sykes indicated the
16 setback requirement is different for lakeshore homes than structures in a recreation/open district
17 with lakeshore.
18 Commissioner Faust expressed concern that conditions for the variance do not exist. He felt this
19 would be done for mere convenience, which the ordinance addresses as not a condition for a
20 variance.
21 Commissioner Horst inquired if the 200 foot setback was established as an arbitrary number, he
22 wondered at the reasoning behind the 200 foot requirement.
23 Commissioner Horst felt the topography of the island was a hardship.
24 Chair Bergstrom in response to the 200 foot setback requirement, he felt this was established on
25 the basis of visual impact. Commissioner Horst felt there was not a problem with visual impact.
26 Commissioner Franzese also commented that you would be able to see through the structure, so
27 there would not be a great deal of visual impact even in the winter.
28 Commissioner Faust expressed concern that the structure would be a draw during inclement
weather and security would once again be an issue. He noted he would have to return to the
W50 statute.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
August 15, 1995
Page 4
1 Chair Bergstrom also noting the State statute that requires the Commission to find conditions
2 regarding the variance, he felt this would be a mere convenience.
3 Commissioner Gondorchin questioned if the Commission was saying they could not put their
4 land to reasonable use because of the ordinance.
5 Dr. Carr noted he realized the hardship would be the call of the Commission, but he indicated not
6 having a shelter is a hardship to the counselor and programs have to be canceled.
7 Commissioner Thompson,indicated he felt they are not taking an unused island and changing it,
8 he believed this to be a good use of the island.
9 Motion by Makowske, second by Horst,to recommend to the City Council approval for the
10 request a shoreline variance on Kiwanis Island in Silver Lake based on the following conditions:
11
12 1. The shape and size of the island, creating extraordinary circumstances for building
13 any structures,
14 2. the structure will not be used to provide revenue,
15 3. the ordinance is the cause of the hardship.
lei
16 and contingent and subject to any other requirements set forth by the Rice Creek Watershed
17 District.
18 Commissioner Faust expressed concern for setting a precedent. Commissioner Franzese felt
i 9 there is no other island where this situation exists.
20 Motion carried 5-2 (Commissioners Bergstrom and Faust opposed)
21 Chair Bergstrom indicated this item will be before the CityCouncil at their August 22nd regular
22 meeting.
23 Chair Bergstrom indicated Commissioner Gondorchin will be representing the Planning
24 Commission at the next City Council meeting.
25
26 VI. MISCELLANEOUS.
27 A. Representative of Columbia Heights Planning Commission to discuss their
28 Comprehensive Plan update experience.
29 Chair Bergstrom introduced Marlaine Szurek, Chair for the Columbia Heights Planning
0 Commission.
31 Ms. Szurek indicated Columbia Heights updated their Comprehensive Plan in 1992.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
August 15, 1995
Page 5
1 Ms. Szurek indicated their Commission first directed the staff to provide a list of consultants.
2 They provided a'list and sent letters stating their need for a consulting firm to help with updating
3 their Comprehensive Plan.
4 Ms.Szurek noted they received six letters back and from those chose three consulting firms to
5 present proposals.
6 Ms. Szurek reported they requested the participates to attend Planning Commission meetings to
7 understand the direction of the City.
8
9 Ms.Szurek noted the firm that was eventually chosen.was a firm that was actually second from
10 the lowest bid. She indicated the lowest bid did not provide a readable Comprehensive Plan.
11 The goal of the Planning Commission was to have a document anyone would be able to read.
12 Ms.Szurek noted in 1992 they paid their consultant $24,820 for their Comprehensive Plan and
13 $18,000 for their Water Resource Management Plan. She indicated the firm they worked with
14 was very good and worked through all the revisions very graciously.
15 Ms. Szurek described many various issues Columbia Heights faced during the update of their
Comprehensive Plan. She also indicated results because of the Comprehensive Plan update in
17 their Zoning Ordinances helped to redevelop parts of Columbia Heights.
18 Commissioner Gondorchin asked what changes Ms. Szurek saw in regard to the 1982
19 Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Szurek indicated the.City's direction had changed, and the attitude of
20 maintenance and not development was a detriment to the life of the City.
21 Ms. Szurek indicated the Comprehensive Plan is the vision of the City and it will need strength.
22 Ms. Szurek encouraged the Commission to choose a consultant that they will be able to
23 understand and communicate well with.
24
25 Commissioner Horst inquired as to how they established a consulting firm that would provide an
26 easy to read plan. Ms. Szurek indicated the participants provided Comprehensive Plans they had
27 done for previous cities.
28 Commissioner Horst inquired as to what issues were debated on. Ms. Szurek indicated each
29 section was discussed and drafted before moving on.
30 Discussion regarding neighborhood redevelopment in Columbia Heights was held.
Ms. Szurek noted during the process of updating the Zoning Ordinance mechanisms were
02 established to help redevelopment of deteriorating neighborhoods.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
August 15, 1995
Page 6
1 Chair Bergstrom inquired as to the time frame of updating the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Szurek
2 believed it took approximately one and a half years to complete.
3 Ms. Szurek noted anytime there was an issue that would provide for major impact on the
4 community the Planning Commission held a public meeting. But to their surprise not many
5 attended. They held approximately 4 and also sent out surveys.
6 Chair Bergstrom inquired if the Fire and Police were involved in the updating of the
7 Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Szurek noted they did hold discussions with both.
8 Commissioner Horst inquired as to how the cost was determined. Ms. Szurek noted the
9 consultants provided all the figures.
10 Chair Bergstrom thanked Ms. Szurek for attending the meeting and helping them in their effort
11 to start updating St. Anthony's Comprehensive Plan.
12 C. Review of article provided by Chair Bergstrom.
1 No discussion was held regarding this issue.
14 D. Review of the Water Conservation Plan sent to Met Council.
15 Moore-Sykes noted this item was contained in the packet for information purposes and is a
16 compilation of the Water Conservation Plan that will be presented to the Met Council.
17 Commissioner Gondorchin asked what the City's the capacity levels are. Moore-Sykes noted this
18 water conservation plan references emergency use only.
19 D. Review of information provided by Commissioner Franzese.
20 No further discussion on this item.
21 E. City Council Meeting Minutes
22 No further discussion on this item.
23 F. Preview of September 19, 1995 Planning Commission Public Hearings/Agenda Items.
24 Chair Bergstrom requested information for that meeting be available to the Commissioners by
25 September 8th. To date, nothing is scheduled for a public hearing.
06 Moore-Sykes noted the new zoning map and updated address map.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
August 15, 1995
Page 7
1 Moore-Sykes reported the Village Commons development has gone through some changes. She
2 noted Mr. Schroeder has changed his mind and is only constructing an addition to his home
3 rather than purchasing any land.
4 Moore-Sykes noted the developer is adding landscape to the area bordering the Schroeder
5 property.
6 Commissioner Gondorchin encouraged the Housing Inspector to review the addition of the
7 Schroeder property.
8 Moore-Sykes noted there was a change to the final plat, but there was no land added, so per the
9 advice of the City Attorney there was no need for review of the plat again by the Planning
10 Commission. If Mr. Schroeder should change his mind again,they would return to the original
11 final plat submitted.
12 Chair Bergstrom noted he had received a phone call from Mr. Doug Jones (who is now chair for
13 the Water Vision Committee for Ramsey County) regarding a water quality issue and indicated
14 to him the Commission will be updating the Comprehensive Plan. Chair Bergstrom indicated to
15 Mr. Jones he would contact him when discussions about City water and wetland resources begin.
0
16 Commissioner Faust commented he noticed when reviewing variance requests, if the
17 Commission held to the letter of the law,petitioners seem to always come with an alternate plan
18 and find a way to solve their dilemmas within the law.
19 VII. ADJOURNMENT.
20 Motion by Horst, second by Makowske to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m.
21 Motion carried unanimously.
22 Respectfully submitted,
23 Ruth McLaurin
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