2001.02.28 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Planning Commission Meeting February 28, 2001- page 3 designated entrance or exit. Rosenquist was concerned that, should the site plan be approved, Smith would be stopped by building code issues. Rosenquist also questioned what occupied the top floor of the structure, and Smith said it was an apartment that would be eliminated because the proposed plan had higher ceilings. Schumann said the bar & grill was an amenity to the City and would, in no way, discourage the improvements to it; however, he had the same concerns as other members of the Planning Commission. Schumann made motion, Malaski seconded, to table the request for site plan approval and extend the time deadline for 90 days. Aye: Kleissler, Malaski, Rosenquist, Schumann Nay: Peltier, Rooney Abstain: McRoberts Motion carried. Zoning Code Text Amendment (Wagner Greenhouses) The Planning Commission considered the application of Scott Wagner, Wagner Partners Limited Partnership, 6024 Penn Avenue South, Mpls., MN 55419 for a zoning ordinance text amendment to allow wholesale and retail plant nurseries as a conditional use in the General Business zoning district. Currently, Wagner has a greenhouse operation located at the northeast corner of Everton Avenue and County Road 8 and is considered a lawfully existing non -conforming use that was established prior to the adoption of the City's current zoning regulations. The property is zoned General Business, which does not allow wholesale greenhouses but does allow retail nurseries as an accessory use. Currently, the Comprehensive Land Use Regulations only allows wholesale greenhouses in the Agricultural and Rural Residential zoning districts. Wagners would like to expand their operation to retail sales when sewer and water becomes available to the site, and the wholesale greenhouses would remain on the site to support the planned retail garden center. Andrew Jacobson from Maslon, Edelman, Borman & Brand was there with Scott Wagner. They explained to the Commission their desire to expand their present business and develop the property, but realized there were infrastructure, road, and significant wetland issues to deal with. They also said they felt that, though there was not yet the market demand, the portion along County Road 8 would someday be prime commercial property. Schumann opened the public hearing but there were no comments. Malaski and Rosenquist questioned why the minimum lot size was proposed to be 10 acres, since many greenhouse operations were located on much smaller lots, and felt a size requirement should be eliminated. Some members on the Commission felt there should be some minimum parcel size specified. Schumann suggested that there be required road frontage instead of lot size. Schumann opened the public hearing for Frank Puleo, 16155 Forest Boulevard, who said that the ordinance they were considering should not be so stringent that it prohibits smaller operations. Puleo said most gardens shops