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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-13 CPC MINSTILLWATER PLANNING COMMISSION • MINUTES DATE: January 11, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Gerald Fontaine, Chairman Angela Anderson, Gene Bealka, Glenna Bealka, Duane Elliott, Gary Funke, Rob Hamlin, and Don Valsvik. NOT PRESENT: Darwin Wald. ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Charles Hooley, Steve Russell, Community Development Director and Ann Pung-Terwedo, City Planner/Substitute Secretary. Motion by Gene Bealka, seconded by Don Valsvik to approve the minutes of December 14, 1992, as submitted. Carried 8-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. CASE NO. V/91-51 - A Variance to the placement of two signs which include a 48 square foot free-standing sign and a 16 square foot wall sign at 14460 North 60th Street (Goodwill Store). The property is located in the BP-C, Business Park Commercial District. Scenic Sign Corporation, Applicant. Bob Rubert, representing Scenic Sign Corporation, presented the case. Mr. Rubert stated the Ordinance only allows for one sign and he needs two signs. The colors of the signs will be blue and white. The total sign area on the pylon sign will be reduced significantly. Rob Hamlin stated that we do have sign regulations. The Zoning Ordinance is supposed to regulate newer sign proposals. He also asked if the sign could be moved back to 15 feet. Mr. Rubert responded stating the sign would then infringe on the parking and landscape area. It would cost $3,500-$4,000 to move the sign to a new location. Don Valsvik made a motion to approve the signage as proposed for Case No. V/93-1 with a condition: 1. The pylon sign area for all signage for the whole building (all occupants) shall not exceed 100 square feet. Seconded by Glenna Bealka. Carried 8-0. 2. CASE NO. V/93-2 - A Variance to the Zoning Ordinance for an existing fence which exceeds the six foot maximum and exceeds a previous Variance granted for an eight foot fence (Case No. V/88-27). The property is located at 203 West Hazel Street in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Richard Edstrom, Applicant. Julie Edstrom, representing the Edstrom family, was present. She stated that when the Variance was granted, the frame was in place. The neighbor, Mr. Kalish was supportive of the project at that time and stated his support in a letter. 1 Ann Pung-Terwedo distributed a letter stating Allen Zepper, the Building Official's, concerns regarding the fence proposal. Julie Edstrom did agree that portions of the fence were above 92, feet. Steve Russell distributed a letter from the neighbor, Mr. Kalish, requesting a continuance on the case should there be any questions or other matters relating to the case. Julie Edstrom stated it would cost $2,000 to make the changes in the fence. Mayor Hooley added that this fence has been in place for over four years. Duane Elliott stated there is a difference between screening and blocking. Is there some way to lower the fence on the east end towards the woods? Mayor Hooley stated the City should not get in the middle of a dispute between two neighbors who do not get along. Gary Funke made a motion to approve Case No. V/93-2. Seconded by Gene Bealka. Carried 6-2. 3. CASE NO. V/93-4 - A Variance to the Parking Ordinance for renovation of a 3,200 square foot vacant second level of a commercial structure into a retail space (Mid Town Antiques). The property is located at 214 South Main Street in the CBD, Central Business District. Larry Martin, Applicant. • Mr. Martin, the building owner, was present. Mr. Funke questioned where the parking would be located? Mr. Martin stated he has more walk-in traffic at this location. It was clarified by several Commission members that, if a ramp was built, some downtown building owners would have to pay for parking. Mr. Martin concurred with the Commission. He stated that the only alteration to be made on the second level is an exit door as per the Building Code. Gary Funke made a motion to approve the Case No. V/93-3. Seconded by Don Valsvik. Carried 8-0. 4. CASE NO. V/93-4 - A Variance to the sideyard setback requirement for the placement o an accessory structure (approximately two feet proposed, five feet required) at 2304 Fairmeadows Road in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Michael and Sandra Hudson, Applicants. Mrs. Hudson stated the neighbors complained so she came in to secure a Variance. Phil Christman, neighbor, stated the structure was placed without their knowledge. He felt the building should be moved. It is a nuisance. 0 2 Mr. Funke stated the Hudsons should get their money back and move the structure by May 30, 1993. Mr. Russell stated there were some costs incurred for hearing notices and publications. Gary Funke made a motion that the $70.00 costs should be reimbursed. No one seconded the motion. Rob Hamlin stated the fee should not be reimbursed. Don Valsvik made a motion to approve the Variance until May 15. Seconded by Gary Funke. Carried 8-0. 5. CASE NO. V/SUP/93-5 - A Special Use Permit and Variance for a 10,000 square foot expansion of the St. Croix Valley Clinic with at 29 foot setback from Everett Street (30 feet required). The property is located at 921 South Greeley Street in the RB, Two Family Residential District. St. Croix Valley Clinic, Applicant. Peter Smith, BWBR Architects, presented the proposal. He stated the proposal has been slightly changed to meet the 30 foot setback. The proposal includes expansion of the administrative and examination area of the clinic. Some trees would have to be removed. The hospital expansion parking would have to be removed to accommodate the • parking. The material of the expansion area would match the existing structure. The forty-four car parking lot will be constructed across Everett Street. Rosemary Jensen, 911 West Churchill, stated things have not been resolved on the remaining homes. She has been trying to negotiate with the hospital since last Summer. She is also concerned about the parking lot east of Everett Street. She asked that the Planning Commission not approve the proposal until negotiations to buy the remaining two homes on the block has been resolved. Mr. Smith stated the clinic has not been involved in the negotiations. Mr. Russell asked the Planning Commission that, when making a decision on this project, the Planning Commission should look at the character of the neighborhood. Rob Hamlin stated a resolution should be made before the project is approved. The clinic should find a mechanism to do the right thing. Duane Elliott stated the hospital/clinic should move in good faith to purchase the properties. Rob Hamlin made a motion to deny the Special Use Permit request. Don Valsvik • seconded the motion with an addition that a resolution be made on the two houses. Carried 8-0. 3 6. CASE NO. SUP/93-6 - A Special Use Permit for an 2,400 square foot expansion o the ec at the Freight House for placement of a temporary tent structure. The property is located at 305 South Water Street in the CBD, Central Business District. Todd Weiss, Applicant. Todd Weiss and Tim Stefan presented the proposal. Mr. Weiss presented the proposal. Mr. Weiss stated the area will be used for expansion of the deck to be used for banquet facilities. Howard Lieberman, representing himself as a local resident and the Heritage Preservation Commission, stated the tent is a temporary structure. It is visible from the riverway and blocks many of our historic buildings in the Downtown. The tent is obtrusive to the Freight House which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Rob Hamlin felt that live music outside may be an issue. Don Valsvik made a motion to continue Case No. SUP/93-5 and send it back to the Heritage Preservation Commission. Gene Bealka seconded the motion. Carried 8-0. Gary Funke stated the tent should be green or beige instead of white. Rob Hamlin stated the Freight House draws a large number of people into this area of the Downtown. • Gary Funke added that the project will improve the area. Don Valsvik added that, even though the riverway regulations do not come into play, the tent would have an impact. Howard Leiberm an added the tent is a permanent Summer structure and should be looked at in that light. He felt there could be alternatives which should be looked at. Jerry Fontaine feels the proposal should go back to the Heritage Preservation Commission on the aesthetics of the tent. Don Valsvik made a motion to send the proposal back to the Heritage Preservation Commission. Seconded by Glenna Bealka. Carried 8-0. 7. LEVEE WALL PROJECT Ann Pung-Terwedo updated the Planning Commission one the Levee Wall/Expansion funding sources. The Planning Commission reviewed a letter which will be directed to State funding sources in support of the project. 8. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Steve Russell presented the State Enabling Legislation for Comprehensive Plans. He also reviewed the Metropolitan Development and Investment Framework prepared by the Metropolitan Council on Comprehensive Planning and the Stillwater Township Comprehensive Plan. 4 Kathy Buck, Stillwater Township Board representative, was at the meeting representing the board's interests. She felt the rural character of the area is very important. The feeling of open space should be maintained at all times. Mr. Russell stated that, when looking at the area, wetlands, forest and hills will be considered. Infrastructure expansion will be very important. 9. POLICY STATEMENT Rob Hamlin presented a policy statement for consideration by the Planning Commission. It basically states that public facility services will not compete with private services. Rob Hamlin made a motion to approve the policy statement as written with recommendation to the City Council. Seconded by Duane Elliott. Carried 8-0. ADJOURNMENT Glenna Bealka made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Duane Elliott. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ann Pung-Terwedo is is 5