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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.11.13 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION November 13, 2008 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Burmeister, Kleissler, Rosenquist, Schumann, Moore, McRoberts, and Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Dennis Fields, Community Development Assistant Rachel Simone, Associate Planner Approval of Minutes of October 9, 2008 Weidt made motion, Kleissler seconded, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of October 9, 2008 as presented. All Ayes Abstain: Moore, McRoberts Motion carried. Public Hearing for Frank and Judy Puleo Site Plan and Variance Request for Temporary Building Associate Planner, Rachel Simone gave a background to the Planning Commission and explained the Site Plan. The property has multiple zones the west side being C-2 and the Eastern portion being R-3. Rachel explained that the trailer is 1,344 Sq Ft and that it would be the location of the flower shop. The trailer would be a temporary building until City sewer and water was available then the City would require a permanent building to be erected or the property developed. The trailer would require a holding tank and Washington County agrees that the site would be good for a holding tank. Rachel added that it would be a nice improvement for restroom facilities Rachel stated that it meets the variance criteria, spirit and intent, and that staff recommends approval. Burmeister asked when they will be required to hook up once City sewer and water is available. Planning Commission Minutes — November 13, 2008 Page 2 Rachel answered that they would have one(1) year to hook up according to our ordinance. Schumann opened the Public Hearing. The Applicant Frank Puleo came forth to answer any questions. Rosenquist asked how much additional land would MN DOT need to widen Hwy 61. Mr. Puleo answered that they would need an additional 35 feet and that he would have no idea what the layout of his property would be after they made the improvements. Elizabeth Herrmann, 6189 165th ST N, wanted to know the definition of temporary. She also asked if the City would require other temporary buildings on the site to be removed once City sewer and water was available. Bryan Bear explained that this would be the only temporary building that would be required to be removed and that the definition of temporary is because there is no permanent foundation. Schumann Closed the Public Hearing. Bryan further explained to the Planning Commission that staff would normally discourage temporary buildings in most areas of the City however staff thought that this was a reasonable area for a temporary building being that it would be redeveloped in the future. McRoberts asked if this would be a new portion of the business that would be in the trailer. The applicant Judy Puelo explained that now the current location for the flower shop was inside the greenhouse and the conditions are poor for an office area. She added that the noise, and heat in the summer make it hard to conduct business. Burmeister agreed with Mrs. Puleo and stated that in the summer months it gets considerably warm. Kleissler asked the applicant if the satellite restrooms will stay once the trailer is moved onto the site. Mr. Puleo stated that the satellite restrooms would stay and that the trailer would be an added convenience to staff working there. McRoberts motioned, Rosenquist Seconded, to approve the Site Plan and Variance request. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Planning Commission Minutes — November 13, 2008 Page 3 Public Hearing for Sign Ordinance Text Amendment Rachel Simone explained to the Planning Commission about the process that staff used to review the current ordinance. She explained that there was a Sign Ordinance Review committee that consisted of 3 Planning Commissioners, and 2 City council members. She stated that the goals of the review committee were to make the ordinance business friendly, seen easily by the public, and made from quality materials. Rachel went through and described the various portions of the sign ordinance to the Planning Commission. She also explained the enforcement and why the changes were added to the proposed ordinance. Schumann acknowledged the time and effort that went into the review committee and thanked the members for their hard work. Schumann opened the Public hearing. Cynthia Petty, 13679 Fiona Ave N, explained that she thought that the ordinance would be limiting to small businesses because the monument signs would be very expensive. She stated that pylon signs could look nice if they were cleaned up. She also thinks that the 60 day rule for special event signs was not long enough, and what regulations were in place for home occupations. Rachel stated that the Home Occupation Ordinance covers signs for home occupations. Katie Riopel, 8089 165th ST N, thinks that box signs and pylon signs are ok and would like to know why they were prohibited. She does not like the electronic scrolling signs and thinks they are a distraction for drivers. Rachel stated that scrolling will be prohibited on the electronic signs. Gaylon Carlson owner of North Country Auto Body, 5451 140th ST N, had concerns that the signs would be too expensive for business owners. He also likes to put out funny quotes on signs from time to time and was concerned about the 60 day event sign limit. Rachel explained that a non commercial speech sign would be allowed without a permit as long as he was within the square ft requirements of his building. Also that public service signs would also be allowed. Chad Wagner owner of the Blue Heron Grill, 14725 Victor Hugo Blvd N, pointed out that by limiting the special event signs, the ordinance would be putting a financial burden on him. He uses the signs to attract customers for certain events and would like to see more days added to the special event sign limit. Bryan suggested to the Planning Commission that maybe all special event signs shall be required to get a permit so they can be regulated as to what is actually a special event sign. Planning Commission Minutes — November 13, 2008 Page 4 Schumann asked what the cost for the permits would be. Bryan answered that staff had not discussed a cost, however it would be nominal fee for processing. Weidt stated that he thought if banners are always located on a property, over time they become part of the landscaping and people start to lose interest and not notice them any longer. By limiting the times a business puts out banners, this might draw more attention to specific events rather than weekly specials. Weidt also suggested that the committee meet with other business owners and come back to the Planning Commission at the December meeting. Frank Puleo, owner of Old Town Market, 6375 165th ST N, wanted to remind the Planning Commission that there has been a lot of Ordinances that were troubling and hard to get through, but the committee needs to move forward with this as they have done with several other tough ordinances. Phil Klein, 6760 165th ST N, mentioned that he thought that pylon signs may in fact be nice if they are done correctly. He added that banner signs are a vital part of a businesses advertising. Ryan Schaefer, 15672 Emerald Dr N, Unit 9, said that he had a problem with the placement of builder signs and real estate signs placed all over the city and wants the enforcement of the sign ordinance to be more strict. Schumann Closed the Public Hearing. McRoberts asked some questions on page 5 of the proposed ordinance regarding the max percentage of wall signs in both single and multi tenant buildings. McRoberts commented on page 9, item 3 regarding when the signs can be removed. He thinks there should be a part added as to when they can be erected. Bryan stated that an Interim Use Permit could state the beginning date for signs. That could be controlled in the Planning commission and City Council. McRoberts Commented on the definition of Political Signs. Bryan stated that the definition should be distinguished from the definition of Non -Commercial Speech. Weidt made a motion, McRoberts Seconded, to table the item and bring it back to the committee and to involve some business owners for input. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Planning Commission Minutes — November 13, 2008 Page 5 Cancelation of Planning Commission Meetings Cancelation of Planning Commission meetings that fall on Holidays. November 27, 2008 and December 25, 2008. McRoberts Motioned, Kleissler seconded, to cancel the meetings for November 27, 2008 and December 25, 2008. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Adiournment Weidt motioned, Rosenquist seconded, to adjourn. All Ayes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Dennis Fields, Secretary Planning Commission