HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.01.24 PC MinutesMINUTES
HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION
January 24, 2008
Call to Order
Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Kleissler, Moore, Rosenquist, Schumann, Weidt
Bailly arrived after roll call
ABSENT: McRoberts
ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director (CDD)
Michele Lindau, Secretary
Rachel Simone, Associate Planner
Approval of Minutes of December 27, 2007
Weidt made motion, Rosenquist seconded, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of
December 27, 2007 as presented.
Ayes: Rosenquist, Weidt, Moore
Abstain: Bailly, Kleissler
Motion carried.
Ann and Dennis Thompson - Interim Use Permit Occupation
The Commission held a public hearing to consider the application of Ann and Dennis Thompson,
13755 Elmcrest Avenue North, for an Interim Use Permit to operate a home occupation in an
accessory building located on their property.
Associate Planner Rachel Simone explained that the applicants operate a screen printing business
out of a 3,600 square foot accessory building. The property is zoned Single Family Detached
Residential (R-3), but since it is 15 acres in size it is considered Rural Residential according to
the home occupation ordinance and has different standards than an urban residential home
occupation. A portion of the building is used for a small office and storage. All of their business
is generated by emails or phone calls and deliveries are sent by UPS. Some of the equipment
that is used in the accessory building includes a gas dryer, two auto screen printing presses, two
manual presses, two air compressors, and miscellaneous tools and inks. Because the business is
conducted within 100% of the accessory building, an interim use permit is required.
Schumann asked staff if the Fire Department had any code issues. Associate Planner Rachel
Simone said the Fire Marshall had received a copy of the plans, and he had no concerns.
Schumann opened the public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes — January 24, 2008
Page 2
The Commission asked the applicant about noise levels.
Dennis Thompson, the applicant, responded that the noise was minimal. The presses released a
burst of air when they rotated, and if it was a problem, he could put a baffle on it. He said the
noise could not be heard when they were in their home.
There were no other comments, and Schumann closed the public hearing.
Weidt made motion, Bailly seconded, to recommend approval of the Interim Use Permit for Ann
and Dennis Thompson at 13755 Elmcrest Avenue North.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
D.K. Dockendorf — Property Line Adjustment and Site Plan
The Commission considered the application of D.K. Dockendorf for a property line adjustment
and site plan for property located at the northeast corner of Fenway Boulevard North and 130th
Street North.
Associate Planner Rachel Simone explained the property line currently ran north to south
between the properties, making two long and narrow parcels that would be difficult to build on.
The applicant was proposing the lot line between the properties to be adjusted to run east to west
to form two square pieces of property. The property line adjustment met all of the zoning
requirements in the General Industrial District (I-3). The applicant also applied for a site plan
review for the proposed northern parcel, which is approximately 1.6 acres. The site plan
included a one story 17,920 square foot office/warehouse building with seven suites that will be
sold to individual owners. The south parcel is owned separately, and is not proposed to be
developed at this time. The request met all the requirements in the zoning ordinance; however,
the staff had issues with the lack of room to maneuver larger vehicles in the rear portion of the
property and the lack of a parapet wall to screen rooftop mechanical equipment. Without the
parapet wall, no mechanical equipment could be located on the roof.
Schumann opened the public hearing.
Joan Laine, 4949 130th Street North, asked about exterior storage. Community Development
Director Bryan Bear said they were not proposing any large vehicles to be parked on the site, and
there was nothing in the covenants of the Bald Eagle Industrial Park that prohibited parking
business vehicles there.
The applicant Dale Dockendorf addressed the issue of mechanical rooftop screening. He said it
would cost approximately $21,000 to raise the parapet wall, and he was comfortable with not
letting anyone put rooftop units on the building. He said he had three or four interested parties
who were not concerned about it.
Commission members considered other options for the mechanical equipment and, given the
lack of room in the back of the building and the uncertainty of the needs of future tenants of the
Planning Commission Minutes — January 24, 2008
Page 3
building, the Commission felt the parapet wall should be constructed to allow roof top
mechanical equipment.
The Commission also discussed the lack of room to maneuver a large truck in the back of the
building because of the location of the pond. The pond could not be located elsewhere on the
property without taking away required parking spaces. The Commission agreed larger trucks
would not be able to access the rear of the building.
Weidt make motion, Bailly seconded, to recommend approval of the property line adjustment
and site plan for D.K. Dockendorf for property located at the northeast corner of Fenway
Boulevard North and 130th Street North, with the condition that the parapet be raised to
adequately screen mechanical rooftop equipment.
Rosenquist made a friendly amendment to the motion to require the Fire Marshall review the
plans prior to the final plat.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
2008 Goal Setting
Community Development Director Bryan Bear recapped the goals the Commission had set for
the year 2007. The Commission discussed their progress on those goals and established the
following goals for 2008:
Finish the northern gateway
Code enforcement subcommittee
Implementation of the downtown plan
Finish Rural Planning
Commercial and Industrial design guidelines and possible bus tour to review other commercial
areas.
The Community Development Director will forward these goals to the Council.
Update on 2008 Comprehensive Plan Workshop
On January 10, 2008, a joint workshop with the City Council and Planning Commission was
held to discuss the proposed 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Community Development Director
Bryan Bear gave an update to the Commission and asked them to schedule a date for the public
hearing on the Comprehensive Plan.
He also provided a copy of the meeting minutes that were not approved by the Council because
the Council questioned the elimination of cluster housing as it was stated in the minutes. Bear
asked the Commission what they recalled from the meeting. Commission members that were at
the meeting said they had agreed to remove references to cluster housing from the
Comprehensive Plan but not eliminate cluster housing. The Council minutes will be revised and
presented to the Council for approval at their next meeting.
Planning Commission Minutes — January 24, 2008
Page 4
The Commission directed staff to notice the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan for
Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
Adjournment
Kleissler made motion, Moore seconded, to adjourn at 8:29 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Michele Lindau, Secretary
Planning Commission