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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-09 CPC MINi? STILLWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Date: November 9, 1992 Time: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Gerald Fontaine, Chairman Angela Anderson, Gene Bealka, Glenna Bealka, Duane Elliott, Rob Hamlin, Don Valsvik, and Darwin Wald Steve Russell, Comm. Dev. Director Absent: Gary Funke APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Duane Elliott, seconded by Darwin Wald to approve the minutes of October 12, 1992, as submitted. Carried 8-0. 1. Case No. V/92-53 - A Variance to the sideyard setback requirement on a corner lot (27 feet requested, 30 feet required) for the ocnstruction of a deck at 2683 Interlachen Court in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Deborah and Edward Lundholm, owners, presented the case. They tore down the old deck and built a screen porch. The new deck was an afterthought to provide a landing for the stairs leading from the upper level. They did not obtain a building permit and did not know the deck was too close to the property line. Gene Bealka asked what the Planning Commission can do as it is after the fact. Mr. Russell stated that the Planning Commission can deny or approve the deck. If denied it would have to be removed. There were no comments from the audience on this case. Motion by Duane Elliott, seconded by Rob Hamlin to approve the Variance request with two conditions. Motion carried 8-0. 2. Case No. V/92-54 - A Variance to the rearyard setback requirement (5 feet required, within 5 feet requested) for the construction of a 352 square foot accessory garage at 1015 West Abbott Street in the RA, Single Family Residential District. James P. Nelson, owner, presented the request. He stated that the lilacs will be removed, and the yard excavated so that the garage is built at a level between the street and existing garage. Chairman Fontaine asked about runoff. Mr. Nelson stated that it will go down the driveway into the street. Gene Bealka asked about the existing garage. Mr. Nelson stated that it is a single car garage, and he needs a garage for his second car. He has not had any objections from his neighbors and there were no 1 Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 1992 comments from the audience on this case. Motion by Don Valsvik, seconded by Glenna Bealka to approve the Variance request with one condition. Motion carried 8-0. 3. Case No. SUP/92-55 - A Special Use Permit to conduct a studio and retail use along with the placement of an 8 square foot sign at 301 West Myrtle Street in the RCM, Medium Density Residential District. Dorothy A. Berge, applicant. Phil Eastwood presented the case for his aunt, Dorothy Berge. He stated that the previous owner had used the front of the home for an office. The applicant would like to use it for a gallery, by appointment only. She would also like to hold an opening for an artist approximately once a month. The openings would be by invitation only and there would be three or four people at a time expected. Mr. Eastwood stated that his aunt would like to use the existing sign space to advertise the gallery. There are four recommended conditions of approval. Mr. Eastwood asked about condition #3 requiring all parking to remain on site. He stated that there are three spaces on site, and there may be an occasion when a fourth car would be parked on the street. The Commission did not think this would be a problem if it did not occur on a regular basis. Ron Richard, 315 W. Myrtle, next door to the applicant, asked for a copy of the conditions. He stated that his only concern is the parking. He also asked about use of the garage as living quarters. Mr. Eastwood stated that his aunt would use it as an art studio only. The Commission questioned the use of the existing sign which is nine square feet. Mr. Russell stated that the frame can be used, but the wording for the sign must not be more than six square feet. Mr. Elliott suggested that an additional condition be added because of the parking situation: Reviewal of the Special Use Permit upon complaint. Mr. Valsvik suggested that the first condition be amended to read: The sign shall not exceed six square feet in the present frame. A sixth condition was also suggested: The garage shall not be used for living quarters. Motion by Rob Hamlin, seconded by Darwin Wald to approve the Special Use Permit with six conditions as discussed. Carried 8-0. 4. Case No. V/92-56 - A Variance to the sideyard setback requirement on a corner lot (30 feet required, 15 feet requested) for the construction of a two stall garage. The property is 2 ti Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 1992 located at 1120 North First Street in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Chris and Julie Pluth, owners, presented the application. Mr. Fontaine explained that this had come before City Council earlier because the Pluths wanted to begin building before winter. The City Council wanted the Planning Commission to hear the case first for a recommendation, and the Council will hear the case again at tomorrow's meeting. Mr. Pluth stated that they have purchased a $30,000 van, and it has been vandalized becasue it is parked on the street. They have also had complaints from their neighbors because of their three cars parked on the street. They would like to get their cars and tools, etc. into a garage. Their original plan (the one presented to the City Council) was to build the garage off of Stillwater Ave. E. They would now prefer the garage off of N. First St. because of concerns about erosion and drainage. Ben Welshons, adjacent property owner, stated that he endorses the plan off N. First St. The original plan was too close to his property line. Mr. Elliott stated that he did not see a problem with the variance to Stillwater Ave., because the garage would be in line with structures on the two properties to the west. The Commission determined that the variance to N. First Street would be approximately three feet. Mrs. Pluth stated that the garage would be in line with the front of the house, which is 27 feet from the curb. Motion by Rob Hamlin to approve the variance request in the preferred location, off N. First Street, with the garage being no closer to the property line than the front of the house (an approximate three-foot variance to the frontyard setback, and approximate 15-feet variance to the sideyeard setback.) Seconded by Darwin Wald. Carried 8-0. 5. Case No. PR/92-57 - A Parking Review for an office use (approximately 200 employees) in the east wing of the present Junior High School, 110 East Pine Street. The property is located in the PA/ Public Administrative/Office District. CUB Foods, Applicant. Tom Thueson presented the request for CUB Foods. He stated that the outside of the building will be as unchanged as possible, except for an entrance on the North side where the parking lot is. There will be no on-street parking. All focus and activity will take place on the north side. There are 207 parking spaces available in locations on the East and West sites. He stated that this is a temporary solution because the use of the West 3 Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 1992 Wing has not yet been determined. Mr. Hamlin asked about a contingency parking plan when the City takes over the West Wing. Mr. Russell stated that at this time, the City has only approved the concept of accepting the West Wing site, and has not made a final decision. Bridget McConnell from the Stillwter Fitness Club asked for clarification on the use of the West Wing as a community Center. Mr. Russell stated that this is a possible use, depending on strong community support. Jim Rosamilia, resident at Pine and Broadway, stated that there were many questions asked at the school board meeting, and many remain unanswered. He stated that these questions are all tied together with the parking question, and should be answered before a decision is made. Mr. Valsvik stated that this request 15 for parking on a temporary basis and should be looked at in that context. Mr. Rosamilia asked about future parking. Mr. Valsvik stated that it would depend upon the use of the West Wing. Richard Kilty, 118 West oak, asked how the parking can be approved for property that CUB will not own in the future. Barb Rosamilia, Pine and Broadway, stated that this cannot be looked at as a short-term decision. It will be eliminating use of the West Wing during the day. A suitable use should be determined before this approval. Mr. Valsvik asked for clarification on what will be transferred to the City: only the building or the enitre parcel. Mr. Thueson stated that the entire West Campus would become City-owned. Mr. Russell clarified that the property would be City-owned and CUB would be using the City's property for parking. Betsy Larey, River Valley Raquetball club, stated her objection to the City taking over the West Wing and the possibility of the City being in competition with the athletic club. There was further discussion among the Commission regarding the future parking plans. Mr. Wald asked if CUB would give the parking spaces back to the City. Mr. Elliott stated that he does not see how the Commission can act on an issue when it is not known what will happen after one year. He suggested that CUB have an alternative parking plan for when the west Wing is taken over ' by the City. Mr. Russell stated that the City council will be reviewing the use question, and suggested that the Commission consider continuing this case to the next meeting. 4 Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 1992 Motion by Don Valsvik, seconded by Gene Bealka to continue the Parking Review to the December meeting, in order to have more information. Motion carried 7-1 (R. Hamlin opposed) OTHER BUSINESS Stillwter Comprehensive Plan Update Mr. Russell stated that preparation of the Comprehensive Plan will probably require two meetings per month. At the next meeting, he will present a more detailed work program. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Don Valsvik, seconded by Glenna Bealka to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Carried 8-0. Submitted by: Shelly Schaubach Recording Secretary 5