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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-12 CPC MINSTILLWATER PLANNING COMMISSION, MINUTES Date: August 12, 1991 Time: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Gerald Fontaine, Chairman Glenna Bealka, Duane Elliott, Gary Funke, and Rob Hamlin Steve Russell, Comm. Dev. Director Members Absent: Angela Anderson and Don Valsvik Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Gary Funke to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 10, 1991 as submitted. Seconded by Glenna Bealka. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. V/91-39 - A Variance to the frontyard setback requirements (twenty feet requested, thirty feet required) for the construction of eight single family homes on the north side of Van Tassel Drive and the east side of Neal Avenue. Lots 1 through 8, Oak Glen 13th Addition, in the RA, Single Family Residential District. The applicant, David Johnson, explained that the request is because of high perched water in the area. The digging will start at the 30-foot setback, but may have to be moved up to 20 feet if the high water makes it necessary. Recent soil borings have shown the water to be three feet higher than in 1984. He also stated that one excavation may drain the other sites, making the variance unnecessary. The variance will only be used if it is shown to be necessary. There are two recommended conditions of approval. The Commission determined that a third condition should be added, allowing a maximum of five feet in the difference between setbacks of adjacent lots. Motion by Gary Funke to aprove the variance request with three conditions. Seconded by Glenna Bealka. All in favor. Case No. V/91740 - The applicant has requested a continuance to the September meeting. 4W Case No. V/91-41 - A Variance to the frontyard setback requirements (sixteen feet, three inches requested, thirty feet required) for the constrution of a single family home on the east side of Riverview Drive (next to 1419 Riverview Drive). 1 Stillwater Planning Commission • Minutes August 12, 1991 Doug McNamara of Robert H. Mason Homes presented the application, along with Clifford and Donna Fearing, property owners. There are five recommended conditions of approval. Mr. McNamara stated that condition No. 1 as written may be impossible as the foundation has not yet been engineered and he does not know how much working area will be needed. He agreed that the area will be as undisturbed as possible, and that the trees will be fenced and erosion control fences erected during construction to preserve the site. The Commission agreed to add "to the maximum extent possible" to the first condition. Condition No. 2 was amended also, with "erosion control plan" added. Condition No. 6 was added: "The City Engineer shall review the site plan and storm sewer drainage initiated by the site plan". Motion by Rob Hamlin to approve the Variance request with six conditions as discussed. Seconded by Duane Elliott. All in favor. Case No. SUP/91-42 - A Special Use Permit to conduct a commercial entertainment concert studio at 116 East Chestnut Street in the CBD, Central Business District. • David G. Peterson, property owner, presented the application. He explained that the downstairs area of Water Music has been used for lessons and recitals and he wishes to use the area for small concerts in the evening. Building and fire inspections have been made and the recommended changes have been completed. He also stated that he has no intentions for a future restaurant use, but plans to serve only items such as coffee and cookies with a limited food license. There was discussion of the parking situation, and it was determined that if the concerts are held on the weekends or after 6 p.m. on weekdays, there would not be a parking problem. There are four recommended conditions of approval. Motion by Gary Funke to approve the special use permit with four conditions. Seconded by Duane Elliott. All in favor. Case No. V/91-43 - A Variance to the Sign ordinance for the construction of a sign twenty eight inches in height (twenty four inches allowed based on River Heights Plaza Sign Program) located at River Heights Plaza. Shannon Grady, of Sign Services, presented the application. He • is concerned that, because of the number of letters in the sign, a 24 inch sign would not be legible from Highway 36. He also stated that the JC Penney Catalog Store was granted a variance. 2 Stillwater Minutes • August 12, Planning Commission 1991 Mr. Russell explained that the Penney store had to be differentiated from a JC Penney retail store because of customer confusion and was allowed to add the Catalog Store sign. The Commission was concerned that approving this variance would set a precedent for other new stores in the center. Motion by Councilmember Funke to deny the variance request. Seconded by Duane Elliott. All in favor. Case No. V/91-44 - A Variance to the Sign Ordinance for the placement of a forty five square foot monument sign approximately twelve feet from the street at 1826 Tower Drive. Janet Jezior presented the application. An existing shrub will be removed for placement of the sign. The sign will be 8 or 8- 1/2 feet wide. She feels the 12 foot location will give better visability to the sign from Tower Drive. Members of the Commission felt that placement of the sign at the 15-feet allowed by the ordinance would be adequate and that there would be sufficient room for the sign at 15 feet. • Motion by Duane Elliott to deny the variance request. Seconded by Rob Hamlin. Motion to deny carried 3-2 (G. Bealka and G. Funke opposed). OTHER Vacancies on the Planning Comission - There are currently two vacancies on the Commission. The Commission reviewed eight applications which have been received. One applicant was immediately excluded because of membership on another commission. Each Commission member chose four applicants whom they would like to interview. There were five applicants receiving an equal number of votes. Those applicants will be interviewed by the Commission before next month's meeting at 6:30 p.m. on September 9. The Commission will then recommend two of the applicants to the City Council for membership. Floodway zoning Amendment - The commission reviewed and discussed the second draft of the Flood Plain Ordinance. Motion by Rob Hamlin to recommend adoption of the Flood Plain Ordinance by the City Council. Seconded by Duane Elliott. All in favor. Review of Sign Ordinance - The Commission reviewed a report on • sign variance requests. There was discussion of allowing more square footage on freestanding signs, possibly based on the amount of square footage of the building. 3 Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes August 12, 1991 The Commission noted that the City requires all businesses to post their street address. It was suggested that this requirement be more strictly enforced. Motion by Rob Hamlin to recommend that the City Council enforce the street address ordinance for all businesses and residences. Seconded by Duane Elliott. All in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Submitted by: Shelly Schaubach Recording Secretary 4