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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-09 CPC MIN• STILLWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Date: March 9, 1992 Time: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Gerald Fontaine, Chairman Angela Anderson, Gene Bealka, Glenna Bealka, Gary Funke, Rob Hamlin, and Darwin Wald Steve Russell, Comm. Dev. Director Ann Pung-Terwedo, Planner Absent: Duane Elliott and Don Valsvik Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Darwin Wald to approve the minutes of February 10, 1992, as submitted. Seconded by Gary Funke. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS • 1. Case No. CPA/92-1 - A Comprehensive Plan Amendment to include 158 acres located between the north City boundary and Highway 96 in the Stillwater limits and to designate the lands Single Family and Parks, Recreation and Open Space. City of Stillwater, Applicant. Steve Russell presented the background of the case along with a video of the land involved. Chairman Fontaine noted that two letters have been submitted in regard to the case. A letter was received from Dean M. Schubert, a relative of one of the property owners involved, expressing opposition to the annexation. The second letter was submitted by John W. Diers, Chairman of the Minnesota Transportation Museum, in support of the annexation. Mr. Fontaine read the letter as requested by Mr. Diers. Mr. Fontaine opened the hearing for comments by audience members. Richard Schubert, 8822 Stonebridge Trail North, owner of a farm which will be affected by the annexation, presented a petition from six residents within the proposed annexation who are opposed to the annexation. He presented a second petition with over 300 signatures of area residents who are opposed to the annexation • and would like the area to remain in a natural state with no more development. He stated that he is the fourth generation on the family farm. His property is zoned agricultural and his taxes are green acres. He stated that he is angry because of this disruption to his 1 • Stillwater Planning Commission March 9, 1992 family. He prefers the township government and believes that the township provides adequate conservation of the natural resources. Eric Rydeen, 14383 Dellwood Ave. N., stated he can see no benefit in being annexed to the City and is not in favor of the action. Robert Watson, 8710 Stonebridge, stated his opposition to the annexation. He has the type of government he prefers and wants the City to leave the township alone. Susan Sikorski, 9367 Ochipwe, read a letter from her husband, Gerry Sikorski, stating that annexation is costly and should only be undertaken for public policy reasons. Norton Cross, 14491 Dellwood Rd., stated that the annexation would result in increased taxes, is undesired, and would not be beneficial to the residents involved. Tim Sinclair, Township and is increased costs • is intrusive. Dick Edstrom, stated that the 14411 Dellwood Rd., owns 40 acres in Stillwater opposed to the annexation. He is concerned about and City restrictions. He stated that the action 203 W. Hazel, on the south side of Brown's Creek, trains are leaving a residue on the tracks. Mr. Rydeen spoke again and stated that he does not want this to become an issue about the trains. He is not aggressively opposed to the trains, but is opposed to the annexation. Brian Sweeney, 8787 Stonebridge Trail, stated that he is a new resident. He is not opposed to the trains, but is opposed to the annexation, as he wishes to continue to live in Stillwater Township. David Johnson, Stillwater Township Board Supervisor, stated that he is concerned with protecting the Township residents' rights. He stated that the Township Board is disappointed with the City's lack of communication regarding this issue and the Board is united in opposition to the annexation. Barb Menninger, Richard Schubert's wife, stated that the area is not suburban in nature and showed photos of her family farm. Ann Thompson, a resident of the Township, stated that she believes the reason the City wishes to annex the land is for the • benefit of the MTM train. The Planning Commission took a five-minute recess and then began discussion of the issue. 2 • Stillwater Planning commission March 9, 1992 Rob Hamlin stated that he sees both perspectives, but believes more time and consideration should be put into the proposal before a decision is made. Darwin Wald agreed that more time should be spent and that the city and the Township should try to come to an agreement. Chairman Fontaine stated that he would like to see the issue tabled and the two Planning Commissions talk it out. In response to a question from the Plannin Board member Cathy Buck stated that there minimum lot sizes. South of Highway 96 minimum, and one acre for on-site septic. acre minimum because of the conservancy homes pre-date the zoning laws. Brown's acre minimum. g Commission, Township are a mixed number of there is a 2 1/2 acre Some areas have a 20 zone. Most existing Creek requires a five Rob Hamlin made a motion to deny CPA/92-1. Seconded by Angela Anderson. Motion to deny carried 5-2. Gene Bealka and Gary Funke opposed. 2. Case No. ANN/92-6 - An Annexation of 158 acres of land • generally bordered by the City of Stillwater and State Highway 96. City of Stillwater, Applicant. Motion by Rob Hamlin to deny Case No. ANN/92-6. Seconded by Angela Anderson. Motion carried 5-2, with Gene Bealka and Gary Funke opposed. 3. Case No. V/92-7 - A Variance to the Parking ordinance to convert the second story of a structure from a residential use to an office use. The property is located at 226 East Myrtle Street in the Central Business District. James Anderson, applicant. Mr. Anderson was not present, but was represented by his son and daughter . Mr. Anderson is requesting that no parking restrictions be put on the building use. Staff has recommended that the site be improved to accomodate two parking spaces. The applicant would prefer to landscape the site rather than park cars on the site. He will not be employing any additional people, but will be moving employees from the present offices downtown. Therefore, there will be no increased parking demand. Gene Bealka made a motion to approve the variance request with no conditions. Rob Hamlin seconded. Carried 7-0. • 4. Case No. V/92-8 - A placement of a 16 ft. by feet in height. The pr Street in the Business Knights of Columbus Hall, Variance to the Sign ordinance for the 8 ft. internally illuminated sign, 22 3perty is located at 1902 South Greeley Park-Industrial District. Stillwater Applicant. • Stillwater Planning Commission March 9, 1992 Matt Hammerschmidt presented the request. The sign would be set back 200 feet from Greeley Street. Mr. Hammerschmidt stated that the Realty World sign next door is larger and higher than the sign being considered. He also stated that an alternative would be to have the sign list all three tenants in the building. Mr. Russell stated that the limit on size for a multiple sign is 40 square feet; the Realty World sign predated the sign ordinance. The Commission determined that it should rule only on the sign request as presented. The applicant could resubmit a request for an alternative sign. Motion by Gary Funke to approve the variance request as presented. Seconded by Gene Bealka. Motion failed 2-4; Darwin Wald abstained. 4. Case No. V/92-8 - A Special Use Permit to conduct a mini golf course on a commercial lot. The applicant, Mark Haberman, was not present. Motion by Rob Hamlin to table the public hearing. Seconded by Darwin Wald. Motion carried 7-0. • OTHER 6. west from Mark Walker for to and Sports, River Heights Plaz banner sign on the building for the May and the last weekend in May. Saturday, and Sunday each of those grand opening sign on April 4 and sign by Highway 36. mDorary signage at Valley Bait Mr. Walker is requesting a first and second weekends in This would include Friday, weekends. He also regeusts a 5, and an electric portable Rob Hamlin stated that the Planning Commission has never approved a portable sign. Gary Funke stated that he is in favor of helping local businesses. Motion by Rob Hamlin to support the existing temporary sign regulations as administered in the past by the Community Development Director, and in this case allowing the temporary banner signs but not allowing the temporary electric portable sign. Seconded by Angela Anderson. Motion carried 5-2; Gene Bealka and Gary Funke opposed. 7. Introduction, overview and implementation of a Comprehensive Amendment to include the Brown's Creek Water Management Organization and the Middle St. Croix River WMO Surface Water Plans. Ann Pung-Terwedo explained the function of the Water Management organizations and explained their surface Water Management Plans. The City has to amend its Comprehensive Plan to include these land use regulations. The Planning commission will hold a Public Hearing next month. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. 4