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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-06-13 CPC MINSTILLWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Date: June 13, 1988 Time: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Gerald Fontaine, Chairman Glenna Bealka Jean Jacobson Judy Curtis Nancy Putz Mark Ehlenz Don Valsvik Rob Hamlin Steve Russell, Comm. Dev. Director Members Absent: Jay Kimble Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Don Valsvik requested that the minutes of May 9, 1988, be amended in reference to Case No. PUD/88-29. He asked that the minutes reflect the concern of the Commission regarding the high density of the project. • Motion by Nancy Putz to approve the minutes of May 9, 1988, with the requested amendment. Seconded by Don Valsvik. Motion carried 8-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. V/88-31 - Variance for construction of eight foot fence (six feet required) approximately six inches from the property line (one ft. required) at 1206 North Second Street in the RB Residential Duplex District. Carol Ulrick, property owner, presented the request. She stated that the property will be surveyed before the fence can be erected because of a dispute with her neighbor to the north regarding the property line. The Commission felt that in this case, the six inch variance is justified because of the narrow property between the driveway and the north property line. Motion by Don Valsvik, seconded by Rob Hamlin, to approve Case No. V/88-31, with the fence to be built following the survey of the property. Motion carried 5-3. Glenna Bealka, Mark Ehlenz, and Gerald Fontaine opposed, primarily for the eight-foot height. • Case No. V/88-32 - Variance to construct an attached garage with a two foot setback from side property line and approximately six feet from neighbor's residence (five feet from sideyard and fifteen feet from neighbor's residence required) at 319 W. St. Croix Avenue in the RB Duplex Residential District. 1 • Stillwater Planning Commission June 13, 1988 Connie Ludowese, property owner, presented the request. She has obtained written approval from the adjacent neighbors to the west and also the neighbor across the street. The Commission discussed the close proximity of the garage to the neighboring home on the west. Chairman Fontaine was concerned that the slope of the roof of the proposed garage would cause runoff into the neighbor's driveway. It was not known whether the neighbor was aware of the potential problem before giving written consent. It was suggested to the applicant that the rear of the house would be a preferable location for the garage. Mr. Russell stated that this would be considered a hardship because of the slope of the rear yard. Motion by Nancy Putz, seconded by Rob Hamlin to deny the variance request. Motion to deny carried 4-3; Mark Ehlenz abstained; Glenna Bealka, Jean Jacobson, and Don Valsvik opposed. Case No. SV/88-34 - Request to vacate a 110 ft. section of East Willow Street just west of North Second Street (not improved). • Robert Troyer, owner of the property to the west of the right-of- way, presented the request. He plans to use the vacated area eventually for driveway access to the land. Comments have been requested from the Water Department, NSP, and the City Engineer. All have stated that they see no problem with granting the request. If the property to the rear is developed sometime in the future, an easement would be required. Mr. Troyer stated that he would have no problem in granting the City an easement. Motion by Don Valsvik, seconded by Jean Jacobson to approve Case No. SV/88-34. Motion carried 8-0. Case No. SUP/88-36 - Special Use Permit for a sign program for Lakeview Memorial Hospital , 919 W. Anderson Street, and St. Croix Valley Clinic, 921 South Greeley Street. Ray Roemmich, an employee of Suburban Lighting, presented the request for the placement of directional signs for the hospital and clinic. The main concern is for emergency victims trying to locate the emergency entrance to the hospital. The Commission agreed that there is a need for a well-directed and well-lighted emergency entrance, but felt that an excessive number of signs is being requested and that too many of the signs are lighted. • In response to the Chairman's request for comments from the audience, Jane Stillman of Realty World Pauley & Johnson stated that she has a house listed on Greeley Street, and is concerned with the size and height of the signs, and with illumination of the signs. Fritz Ulrich, 822 West Anderson, stated that the 2 Stillwater Planning confitission June 13, 1988 existing signs would be adequate if some branches were trimmed. During discussion, the Commission amended the application as follows: Sign A, to be located on the Northeast corner of West Anderson and Greeley Streets. It will be internally illuminated, limited to six feet in height rather than 10 feet, and will give emergency directions only. Sign B and the sign on the building will be allowed as requested. Sign C will be eliminated. The City will trim trees around existing signs. Motion by Don Valsvik, seconded by Judy Curtis to approve the request for a Special Use Permit as amended, and with four conditions of approval. Motion carried 8-0. Case No. V/88-37 - Variance request to maintain existing 63 sq. ft. structure located on the property line (five ft. setback required) at 823 West Anderson Street. Neil Hanssen, owner of the property, presented the application. The variance request is for location of a two level storage shed and playhouse on rear and side property lines which was built a • year ago. He stated that his neighbors did not object to the location of the structure until he recently listed his house for sale. Greg Johnson, representing the property owner to the south, stated that the neighbors were not asked for approval of the location of the structure before it was built. Motion by Judy Curtis, seconded by Jean Jacobson, to deny the variance request. Motion carried 6-2, with Rob Hamlin and Nancy Putz opposed. Case No. PUD/88-29 - PUD Concept Plan for a 3.5 acre parcel to be used for commercial development and a 10.6 acre parcel for a 106 unit, three story apartment building on 61st Street at the future Frontage Road access road. Al Hoffineyer, architect, presented the application and explained to the Commission that he was not present at last month's meeting because notice of the meeting was not received until the day after the meeting. The Commission regarding the d units per acre; applicant stated • the amenities, building. discussed with the applicant their concerns ensity of the project. Density allowed is 8.7 the project asks for 9.88 units per acre. The that the number of units is necessary to support and to maintain the quality and low rent of the Commissioner Judy Curtis stated that the Commission spent eight months working to rezone this area, and she could not justify 3 10 Stillwater Planning Commission June 13, 1988 rezoning for density approval for this project. Nancy Putz stated that the Commission is willing to compromise, but feels the developer is not. Motion by Judy Curtis, seconded by Jean Jacobson to d eny approval of Case No. PUD/88-29. Motion to deny carried 8-0. The Commission emphasized that their denial was based o n the high density and height of the project, and the fact that the area was recently rezoned. OTHER BUSINESS Sign Ordinance - Assistant Planner Ann Pung-Terwedo met with the Commission to review the remaining sections of th e new Sign Ordinance. The Commission agreed to hold a Public Hearing on the Sign Ordinance, and to provide Suburban Lighting Company with a copy of the ordinance and request their feedback. Motion by Mark Ehlenz, seconded by Rob Hamlin to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p.m. Motion carried. Submitted by: Shelly Schaubach Recording Secretary 4