Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-13 CPC MINV PLANNING COMMISSION Nov. 13, 1995 Present: Chairman Jerry Fontaine Glenna Bealka, Duane Elliott, Rob Hamlin, Kirk Roetman, Don Valsvik, and Terry Zoller Absent: Dorothy Foster, Darwin Wald Others Steve Russell, Community Development Director Mr. Fontaine called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mr. Elliott, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval of the minutes of Oct. 9, 1995; all in favor. Mr. Elliott noted for the record that he is not related to the Mr. Billy Elliott who received a variance at the October meeting. Case No. V/95-79 A variance to the front yard setback (30' required, 25' requested) for the construction of a 12' x 16' EZ frame shed at Oak Park Elementary School, 6355 Osman Ave. N., in the RA, One Family Residential District. Independent School District 834, applicant. Oak Park Principal Bernie Anderson and the building engineer appeared regarding the request. It was noted the request was prompted by a Fire Marshall's requirement that gas-engine powered equipment, such as lawn mowers and snow blowers, be stored 20 feet from a school building. It also was noted the size of the requested storage building requires a variance from the city ordinance (120' allowed, 192' requested). Members expressed a concern about the storage building's proposed location at the front of the building. Mr. Fontaine asked about plantings to improve the appearance. The engineer responded the location was primarily due to concerns about security. Members also expressed a concern about the appearance of the shed, given its location at the front of the building. Mr. Elliott and Mr. Hamlin asked about the possibility of coming up with a design that is more aesthetically pleasing than a prefab shed. Mr. Anderson noted the School District has limited dollars, but indicated there was the possibility of asking an architect currently working with the school on ADA issues to look at a more acceptable design. Y ? Mr. Valsvik, seconded by Mr. Elliott, moved to approve the setback and • building size variance, with the condition that the building be acceptably landscaped. and that the building design be reviewed by staff; all in favor. Case No. V/95-80 A variance to the front yard setback (30 feet required, 7'9" requested) for construction of an addition to an existing one-car garage at 1323 Hillcrest Drive in the RB, Two Family Residential District. John and Christine Cass, applicants. Mr. and Mrs. Cass appeared regarding the request. Mr. Elliott suggested that the applicants think about the need from some type of designed retaining wall to the east of the property. Several members expressed a concern about run-off from the garage; guttering of the garage was suggested. Mr. Elliott, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved approval with the additional condition that the water run-off be controlled and discharged on the applicants' property; all in favor. Case No. V/95-81 A variance for an accessory building (120 sq. ft. required, 192 sq. ft. requested) to move a playhouse to 1505 S. Harriet in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Barbara Vento Charlsen, applicant. Ms. Vento Charlsen was in attendance. She said the request is to move the structure from 1030 4th Ave. S. to the new residence. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Valsvik moved approval as conditioned, noted the second condition of approval should be no running water can be brought into the playhouse. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. V/95-82 A variance to the front yard setback (30 ' required, 17' requested) for the replacement of a wrap-around porch at 515 W. Laurel St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Karen Dahlquist, applicant. Ms. Dahlquist asked for an explanation of a silt fence which was a conditional of approval. Mitch Packard, 522 W. Laurel, said the house had been torn apart for a considerable time. He said he would like to see part of the project completed before another is started. He also said a large amount of debris had been stored in the yard, and he said there was a problem with children at the house. 0 Ms. Dahlquist explained that she did not want to re-side the house until she had received a variance for the porch. She also said the project is taking longer than anticipated because she keeps running into unforeseen problems, such as dry rot, drainage, etc. Barring any other problems, her intent is to get the project completed as soon as possible. Ms. Dahlquist also said the debris has been cleaned up, and the children causing problems are not hers. 10 alley. Mr. Hamlin noted that old home projects do take a long time, and he suggested that, in the future, neighbors communicate with each other regarding concerns. Mr. Elliott, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Case No. SV/95-78 A street vacation of Nelson Alley bounded by Olive Street, South Second Street, Nelson Alley and Union Alley. Dick Anderson, Applicant. Mr. Russell said the request is to vacate Nelson Alley from Second Street to Main Street. He said the Comprehensive Plan shows the closing of the street to provide a pedestrian way from the UBC parking lot to the downtown. Issues that need to be addressed, he said, include access for emergency vehicles and access to the parking lot behind the Grand Garage. He suggested a possible solution might be to make the street one-way, with a wider walkway. Mr. Anderson said the request is not for a total vacation of the street. He suggested the possibility of closing the a ccess from Main Street. He noted that the street is extremely narrow, and he said only two parking spaces would be lost if the street is closed to through traffic. Later, he said he never intended that the street be vacated; the intent is to explore different uses for the street to make it a bit safer and more usable. Speaking to the issue were: Rod Nord, 235 N. Williams St., said Nelson Alley is often used by local residents to get through the downtown area in the summer when the bridge is up. Bob Hinz, of John's Bar, spoke of safety issues. Also, street crews need to be able to plow, and the proposal would block and make a dead-end of their Linda Hinz, John's Bar, said with existing traffic conditions, the city can't afford to get rid of any street in town. Sidewalks already are available, she noted. She asked whether anyone had ever complained of the situation prior to Mr. Anderson. She also cautioned that the city had better consider the matter carefully to determine whether it might not be losing more than it might be gaining in changing the use of the street. Kevin La Cosse, representing tenants of the Grand Garage, said he and Mr. Anderson had been discussing the matter for some time. He said tenants are strongly opposed to vacation of the street. He said the current situation is not intolerable, but perhaps could be improved by making the street one-way for regular traffic. Bick Smith and Ron Hector, both Grand Garage tenants, also spoke. An unidentified member in the audience suggested making the sidewalks larger on Nelson Street, rather than an already narrow street. Mr. Hamlin said he would be opposed to closing the street to through traffic. He agreed with the earlier comment that local residents use side streets to get around in the downtown area. Mr. Valsvik and Mr. Fontaine said the traffic engineers ought to evaluate the situation to determine if there is a problem. Mr. Roetman, seconded by Mr. Hamlin, moved to recommend denial of the request for the street vacation; all in favor. Mr. Valsvik, seconded by Mr. Elliott, moved to recommend that the Downtown Plan be applied in considering the street usage, and that the city engineer and traffic engineer review the situation; motion passed unanimously. A member of the audience asked that when the issue is discussed in the future, neighboring property owners be given more advance notice. Kennel Ordinance. Modification to the city Kennel Ordinance regulating and restricting the location of dog kennels. City of Stillwater, applicant. Mr. Russell said the ordinance has been discussed for about six months, and the council has received a lot of comments. The revised ordinance requires a special permit and kennel license to keep four dogs or more; kennels are allowed in a commercial district only. Rod and Cathy Nord, 235 N. Williams St., noted they had previously received a special use permit for a kennel license as they have five small dogs. They asked if they would be grandfathered in and allowed to keep their special use permit for a kennel license in a residential district. City Attorney David Magnuson, who was present for the next agenda item, responded in the affirmative. Claudia Mechelke, 2628 Croixwood Blvd., noted that the revised ordinance considered in May required a special use permit and license for three or more dogs. She has already paid her fees, and asked whether she would get a refund. Mr. Russell said once the City Council passes the amended ordinance, a refund would likely be issued. Mr. Hamlin, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved to recommend adoption of the amended ordinance. Other business: Modification to approved plans for an increase of about 2.500 square feet to a commercial building at 402 N. Main St. Kellison Co.. Applicant. The discussion centered primarily on the condition of approval regarding parking requirements. Building owner Monty Brine, through the city, currently leases spaces available at the Desch Building lot. Mr. Hamlin noted there is no parking problem in the North Main Street area at present, but if the new hotel is constructed and other development occurs, there could be a problem in the future. Mr. Magnuson also noted the Desch Building is filled. If Mr. Desch decides to proceed with phase 2 of the building, that also could create a problem in the near future. Mr. Elliott talked about the possibility of charging a fee equal to the cost of constructing a parking ramp stall to those businesses unable to provide their own off-street parking. That money could be obligated for a fund to build a parking structure in the future. Mr. Russell said the city has talked about creating a Parking District and charging a yearly fee to businesses with "deficit spaces." Mr. Hamlin, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved approval as conditioned, removing the reference to the Desch Building in the condition regarding the in-lieu parking fee equal to 40 spaces. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Elliott, moved to direct the Parking Commission to look at a long-term solution, which may include the establishment of a Parking District. Motion passed unanimously. lie discussion in preparation of the Comprehensive Plan public hearing,, 1i Mr. Magnuson went through his memorandum on assessment issues and tax capacity issues. Mr. Magnuson was asked to prepare another memo on Green Acres for the Nov. 15 public hearing. Mr. Zoller brought up the issue of the rural taxing district. He said he was under the impression that the annexation would have minimal impact on the property taxes of current township residents who would be annexed into the city. Mr. Magnuson noted the city recently changed the rural taxing district formula to about 80 percent of the city's rate; the current formula would result in township residents property taxes nearly doubling immediately after annexation. However, Mr. Magnuson pointed out the City Council can change the formula on a yearly basis. Mr. Zoller said he would like to see the rural taxing formula be set to more closely approximate the township rate, with the rate phased in to the 80 percent level over a period of time; Mr. Elliott suggested a five-year phase-in period. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Hamlin, moved to recommend that the city set the rural taxing district formula initially at a rate approximating the township's rate, with a five-year phase-in period. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Valsvik, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary