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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004.09.23 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Bailly, Hoffbeck, Kleissler, Malaski, Schumann ABSENT: McRoberts, Rosenquist ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director (CDD) Kendra Lindahl, Planner Minutes of September 9, 2004 Malaski made motion, Kleissler seconded, to approve the minutes of September 9, 2004 as submitted. All Ayes. Motion carried. Eagle Shores Custom Homes PUD Amendment for Accessory Building Sizes The Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the request of Eagle Shores Custom Homes, LLC, 855 Village Center Drive, North Oaks, to consider a PUD Amendment to allow accessory buildings up to 870 square feet in size where ordinance limits the size to 260 square feet on lots less than one acre in the R-3 Zoning District. The Community Development Director explained that at the April 21, 2003 City Council meeting, the Council approved a rezoning, preliminary plat and PUD general plan for 11 single-family home lots and 3 outlots on the 12.16 -acre site. The lots within the subdivision range from about 3/4 of an acre to about 1.1 acres in size and accessory buildings are limited in size to 260 square feet. The applicant is requesting PUD flexibility to allow garages to be constructed up to 870 square feet, which is the maximum size allowed for a one acre lot. The architectural standards will require the garages to be constructed with a similar architectural quality as the house, using the same building materials. Chair Schumann said he remembered when the City considered the PUD and one requirement was that the homes be hooked up to the City sewer. The developer went to great efforts to do so and in turn received flexibility from the ordinance standards. Planning Commission Minutes — September 23, 2004 Chair Schumann opened the public hearing. Janice Kohler, 12413 Ethan Avenue North, asked if staff had driven through the development and pointed out that most of the homes were less than an acre and the accessory buildings would be too big. Dwight Harvey, 12471 Ethan Avenue North, said he felt the PUD process was a tradeoff to have less than one acre lots, and the developer was able to get two extra lots in exchange for hooking up to City Sewer. Mr. Harvey said he was not in favor of the application. David Hurry, 12357 Ethan Avenue North, said he was also opposed to the request and that the developers were asking for larger garages sizes to better market the properties. Commissioner Hoffbeck clarified that the homeowners would not be required to build the maximum size garage but would be given the option if the request was granted. It was unlikely that all of the properties would have the maximum size accessory buildings constructed on them. Hoffbeck also noted the price of the lots, and said she felt this was an indication that aesthetics would be important to the developer and homeowners when constructing the houses and accessory buildings. Chair Schumann noted that the City had received an email from Tom and Robin Nardini, owners of property along Ethan Avenue, explaining that they were in favor of the PUD amendment. There were no other comments and Schumann closed the public hearing. Commissioner Bailly said that putting it into perspective of her home and neighborhood, it was not a lot of building, and the requirements in the resolution would ensure it was architecturally designed to match the house. Commissioner Malaski indicated that she was in favor if they were nice structures and would be landscaped and not visibly obstructive. Commissioner Kleissler said she felt buyers should know what they are buying and what they could do on the property. She suggested that each request for a larger accessory building be considered as a separate variance since not all owners may want the larger accessory buildings. She indicated that she would approve if there were more restrictions regarding screening, buffering, lighting, driveway access, and colors. Commissioner Hoffbeck considered the possibility that items would be stored outside and questioned if there were covenants that governed the development. The Community Development Director said there were covenants and architect guidelines with structure standards. Planning Commission Minutes — September 23, 2004 Chair Schumann suggested a compromise to permit buildings 600 square feet in size. The Commission suggested that the covenants are review to ensure that homes with additional interior storage are not permitted to have exterior storage and that the buildings are architecturally designed appropriately. Malaski made motion, Bailly seconded, to recommend approval of a PUD Amendment to permit accessory buildings up to 600 square feet in size. The Commission requested the covenants be reviewed to ensure there is no exterior storage. All Ayes. Motion carried. Ordinance Amendment for Wind -Powered Generators The Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider an amendment to the Hugo City Code, Chapter 320, Section 1195-750 WIND -POWERED GENERATORS to require all wind - powered generators to be constructed as monopoles. The Community Development Director explained that the Council recently approved an application for a wind -powered generator with the condition that it be a monopole structure. At that time, Council directed staff to draft an ordinance amendment requiring all wind -powered generators be constructed as monopoles. Reasons given were reduced visual impact, occupy less space on property, reduced bird collisions, fencing would be unnecessary and monopoles were nearly impossible to climb. Chair Schumann opened the public hearing. Gene Zerwas, 6732 Egg Lake Road, said there were numerous monopoles in southwestern Minnesota with blades approximately 60 feet in length. He found them to be very quiet. There were no other comments and Chair Schumann closed the public hearing. Malaski made motion, Bailly seconded, to recommend approval of the ordinance amendment to require all wind -powered generators be constructed as monopoles and of a color that blends in with the surroundings. Wind generators would also need to be maintained in good repair and allow emergency personnel immediate access should equipment exceed allowed decibels. Property owner shall keep on record at Hugo City Hall alternate phone numbers where someone can be contacted should the City receive complaints about the structure. All Ayes. Motion carried. Planning Commission Minutes — September 23, 2004 Miscellaneous WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 11, 2004 The Community Development Director informed the Planning Commission of a joint workshop with the City Council to discuss the findings of the Rural and Open Space Committee. The workshop is scheduled for Monday, October 11, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Hugo City Hall. NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MEETING DATES Chair Schumann asked the Commission to consider alternative dates for November and December meetings which land on holidays. Alternated dates will be discussed at the October meetings. Adjournment Malaski made motion, Hoffbeck seconded, to adjourn at 7:56 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried.