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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 04151975 Meeting Sheet IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIIIII IIII 106236 Box: 36 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1975 Document: PL MINUTES 04151975 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY PLANNING BOARD MINUTES April 15,1975 • The meeting was called to order by Chairman Letourneau at 7:35 P.M. The following were present for roll call: Johnson, Hiebel, Cowan, Bowerman, Letourneau and Rymarchick. Also present: Harry Lekson Absent: Marks Motion by Mr. Hiebel, seconded by Mr. Rymarchick to approve the March 18,1975 minutes. Motion carried. Mr. & Mrs. Jack Maxwell were present and Mr. Maxwell presented a drawing of the addition he proposed building on his garage at 3205 Silver Lake Road for which he would require a 2 ft. front yard variance to construct. He explained the one-car garage was unable to accomodate the potential four cars of his family and he also wanted to eliminate the 30 degree incline in his driveway. The plan included an underground garage with a bedroom and an enclosed porch abobe. Although this structure would protrude approximately 24 feet further than the residence next door at 3201 Silver Lake Road, he explained his neighbor's house was completely screened by a thick growth of trees and greenery between the homes. Motion by Mr. Cowan, seconded by Mr. Bowerman to recommend to the Council that it hold a public hearing at its next meeting on May 15, 1975 on Mr. Maxwell's request for a 2 ft. front yard variance as per the request of the applicant who desired to start construction just as soon as possible. Motion carried. Mr: Hiebel will present the recommendation to the Council at its April 22,1975 meeting. eefore the Public Hearing on Mr. Gordon Hedlund's request for a conditional use permit for an office building, Mr. Hedlund told the Board and the seven interested nieghbors present of the Council's approval of a left hand turning lane onto his property from Silver Lake Road. The Public Hearing opened -at 8:05 P.M. and the applicant presented his plan to convert the residence he now owns at 3909 Silver Lake Road (West 187 ft. of Lot 10, Block 6, MVA 2nd Addn.) into a construction and land development office from which he could transfer the business he now transacts from his home at 1255 Pike Lake Drive, New Brighton, as well as business he hopes to generate from the possible erection of a Country Kitchen restaurant and a retirement apartment building on the undeveloped land he owns nearby. Mr. Hedlund said he would require only a mailbox type of identification for his business; planned to remove the garage and other small building on the property, and would paint the building he proposed converting to an office. When • questioned about the trucks and other construction material now on the property, he said this problem would be removed when the present tenant vacated the building. L. -2- When it was ascertained that the plans the developer had for the rest of the • adjacent land were pertinent to the consideration of the proposal he was presenting, Mr. Hedlund read letters addressed to Mayor Miedtke indicating First American Enterprises interest in erecting a retirement building similar to the two buildings which the Rembrandt Company had been granted a conditional use permit to erect but for which they failed to gain financing. He stated that the Eberhardt Company had indicated to him that they knew there were FHA funds available for the project. Mr. Johnson questioned the width of the driveway which Mr. Hedlund said had been approved by Ramsey County and pointed out that if a conditional use permit were granted, it would be exclusively and solely for a construction and land development office and not transferable. When the discussion was opened to comments from interested neighbors, Mrs. Ruth Thompson, 3015 39th Avenue N.F. said she was reconciled to the reality that this proposal was no different than the Herfurth Permit and expressed the hope that the appearance of the building would be improved so that it would look like an office building. She also wondered whether the new zoning ordinance and points raised by the master plan for the area could not have a governing effect on the conditions under which the permit would be granted. Mrs. Chester Nelson, 3916 Macalaster Drive, said she did not feel an office was compatible with the residential nature of the area and questioned whether the Penrod Lane portion of the land being considered could not be sold as a residence before the house was converted to an office. • Mr. George Thompson, 3015 39th Avenue N.E. , expressed his opposition to the Country Kitchen restuarant and said he would much prefer a greater use of more land for a project like the retirement building. Other points of discussion were the screening of the office area from the adjoining residential neighborhood and the concern that the land might be used for storage of construction vehicles or materials. The Public Hearing closed at 8:50 with remarks addressed by Mr. Cowan to the interested residents present in which he mentioned the effectiveness of their efforts in determining the manner in which that particular area was to be developed. Motion by Mr. Hiebel, seconded by Mr. Johnson to recommend to the Council the Board's approval of granting a conditional use permit exclusively to Mr. Gordon Hedlund for remodelling the existing residential structure on the W. 187 ft. of Lot 10, Block 6, Mounds View Acres, 2nd Addition.to accomodate a construction and land development office as shown on the drawing attached to the application and subject to the following stipulations: 1. Presentation of a plan from Mr. Hedlund showing the proposed external changes and amenities such as signing and night lighting. 2. A complete landscap'ng plan for the building and parking lot to be supplied at least 30 days prior to occupancy by Mr. Hedlund. • 3. Replatting of the property to include the 80x115 ft. lot to the rear of the property. h. Compliance with the improvement plan to be in accordance with Appendix 1, Sec. 300.8, Subd. 4 #2 of the City Ordinance. 5. All changes and landscaping to be completed within 12 months of occupancy by Mr. Hedlund. • Y�y Voting on the motion: Aye: Johnson, Hiebel, Cowan, Bowerman, Rymarchick Nay: Letournelu (who indicated to Mr. Hedlund that he did not feel the plans were explicit enough for approval. i Motion carried. Mr. Letourneau then told the Board he was concerned with what he felt were inconsistencies in recent decisions regarding the granting of variances to the building ordinances. Mr. Hiebel said he felt variances were often required to accomodate the changes in people's life styles and the necessity to add on to their residences rather than to move and stated he was not inclined to instruct them on the use of their property. Mr. Bowerman discussed the difference in granting a variance for a structure which would be situated a great distance from an adjoining structure and allowing a structure to be built so close to an adjoining undeveloped lot that it might restrict the future owner's alternatives for building. • Mr. Johnson said he was reluctant to reduce the minimum standards set for safety as well as proper lighting and ventilation between buildings. There was then a discussion of in how many instances there was actually unobstructed passage ways between buildings for safety vehicles in St. Anthony or other communities. Mr. Cowan said he felt all variances had to be granted with common sense and logic. Motion by Mr. Cowan and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to adjourn at 9:30 P.M. Motion carried. Helen Crowe, Secretary. I