HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002.12.12 PC Minutesv
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HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION
DECEMBER 12, 2002'
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Chairperson Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:29 p.m.
PRESENT: Bailly, Kleissler, Malaski, McRoberts, Peltier, Rosenquist, Schumann
ALSO PRESENT: John Rask, Community Development Director
Michele Lindau, Planning Commission Secretary
Minutes of November 14, 2002
Malaski made motion, Peltier seconded, to recommend approval of the minutes of November 14,
2002 as amended.
All Ayes. Motion carried
Bertuleit CUP for Auto Sales
The Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the request of David Bertuleit, 1570
Oakwood Drive, Shoreview, for a conditional use permit for motor vehicle sales on property
located at 15775 Forest Boulevard North, and a variance to permit automobile sales on a lot that is
100 feet in width, where the ordinance requires the lot to be 150 feet wide.
On November 14, 2002, the Planning Commission tabled action on this item to give the applicant
time to address a few outstanding issues with the property.
The property and existing building is currently used to operate a facility for the storage and
maintenance of classic and performance automobiles. The requested conditional use permit
would allow the sales of classic cars. The State of Minnesota requires that prior to the applicant
obtaining the necessary retail license from the state, the City must sign the permit stating the
property is zoned properly for auto sales.
McRoberts asked if a variance was granted to permit the current use and the CD Director stated it
was not necessary.
Schumann opened the public hearing.
Dave Bertuleit, the applicant, and Don Baierl, property owner, were present at the meeting. They
explained to the Commission that they have cut the weeds and cleaned up the site. Bertuleit said
the fence was scheduled to be installed at the end of December and they have already made
arrangements to have other work done in the spring.
Malaski asked where the trees would be planted and Baierl said they would be in front of the
mound, approximately 10-15 feet along the bottom of the mound.
Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 2002 - page 2
There were no other comments and Schumann closed the public hearing.
Malaski suggested they amend one of the conditions of the conditional permit to state they were
only permitted to sell late model/classic automobiles and trucks only, and amend another
condition to include a requirement that the applicant maintain the fence. Malaski also suggested a
condition be added to limited the number of stored vehicles to five.
Kleissler asked if they had established hours of operation. The applicant stated they operate
between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am and 3:00 pm on
Saturdays. The CD Director asked of these hours were based on the State license or their own
interest and Bertuleit said it was due to their own interest. McRoberts suggested a condition be
added to the permit that stated their hours of operation.
Malaski made motion, Peltier seconded, to recommend approval of the conditional use permit
with the four noted amendments to the draft conditional use permit.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
National Recycling Site Plan & Variance for Sign
The Commission considered the request of Rick Mark, 5773 Egg Lake Road, for a variance to
construct a sign at his business, National Recycling, Inc. 15717 Forest Boulevard. The applicant
specifically requested to construction a 76 square foot pylon sign where the ordinance limits the
size of a pylon sign to 36 feet.
The property was formally occupied by Erickson Trucking. The current business, National
Recycling, moved to this location earlier this year. In June, the applicant received a permit to
install a 22 square foot pylon sign. The applicant has also installed signage on the building.
Staff found that the requested variance would result in a significant departure from the purpose
and intent of the sign ordinance because the illuminated sign would have adverse effects on the
homes along Highway 61. Staff also found that there are no unique circumstances associated with
the parcel that would warrant the granting of a variance, and other properties along Highway 61
did not have pylon signs that exceed 36 square feet.
Schumann pointed out that the sign would stand 20 feet in the air.
Mark stated that the sign would not give off any more light than the current sign and would be
dimmer than other signs for businesses that do not have as much traffic as his. Mark pointed out
that there were no residents from the homes in the area present at the meeting to speak against his
request.
Mark said he felt the installation of the larger sign would promote safer traffic since cars traveling
at 55 miles per hour would not pass him by and need to turn around.
McRoberts asked if a future business could move onto the property and have the same size sign if
the variance was granted, and the CD Director replied that the variance would follow the property,
not National Recycling.
Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 2002 - page 3
Malaski explained that the City was trying hard to renovate the downtown area and project a nicer
image, and she did not see larger signs being part of the image. Malaski said granting a variance
for a larger sign could set precedence for other business.
Mark said the property had been cleaned, fenced, and painted to make it more aesthetically
pleasing than the previous business. He stated that he would not be detracting from the
community.
Rosenquist said if they allowed the variance for a large sign, it would be difficult to respond
negatively to a request by another business for the same.
Peltier asked what size sign was there now and Mark said it was 22 feet and he was permitted 36
feet by ordinance. Mark also said he had three lots there and could collectively have much larger
signage space.
Bailly said she would prefer larger signs be constructed lower to the ground and not so high, and
Mark explained that the location of the sign is 3 Meet below the grade of the highway right-of-
way because of drainage in the area.
Schumann said it was an issue of continuity of the downtown area.
McRoberts said it was also an issue of precedence.
Kleissler concurred with the others and asked if there were any alternatives to making the business
more visible and access safer.
Mark said he had tried to get a highway sign to no avail.
Rosenquist suggested Mark work with staff to explore other options.
Mark asked about the use of flags and the CD Director said there was nothing in the ordinance
regulating flags.
McRoberts made motion, Rosenquist seconded, to table the request to allow the applicant to
explore other options.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Malaski commented that the improvements the applicant had made to the property were very
noticeable and she hoped others would contribute to the beautification of the Highway 61
corridor.
Miscellaneous Discussion
The Planning Commission commented on the Christmas Party the Lions Club was concurringly
hosting for the seniors citizens in the Oneka Room at City Hall. Malaski said regular scheduled
meetings should be considered when scheduling activities at City Hall, and it would be common
Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 2002 - page 4
courtesy to reserve parking spots for Commission members. She also stated that the Board of
Zoning meeting went too long, preventing the Commission from starting at 7:00 pm.
Peltier said she felt music and entertainment should not be taking place on the same night as
scheduled meetings.
Kleissler commented on the lack of parking.
McRoberts suggested parking spaces be reserved for the Board and Commission.
Schumann suggested the Board of Zoning Adjustment meetings be started earlier if there was a
sensitive issue on the agenda.
The Commission suggested staff include maps in the notices to the public to make it clearer where
properties were located.
Planning Commission Goals and Downtown/Central Hugo Preservation and Improvement
District
McRoberts asked that downtown redevelopment be discussed during the first quarter of 2003 to
establish stronger design standards.
Schumann suggested the Parks Commission, newly formed Historical Commission, and
Gardening Club be included in the meetings regarding redevelopment.
Adjournment
Malaski made motion, Peltier seconded, to adjourn at 8:50 pm.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Michele Lindau, Secretary
Planning Commission