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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-09 CPC MIN PLANNING COMMISSION Sept. 9, 1996 Present: Jerry Fontaine, chairman Glenna Bealka, Dave Charpentier, Thomas Wiedner, and Terry Zoller Others: Steve Russell, Community Development Director Absent: Kirk Roetman, Don Valsvik and Darwin Wald Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mr. Wiedner, seconded by Mr. Zoller, moved approval of the minutes of Aug. 12, 1996; all in favor. Case No. V/96-50 A variance to the sign ordinance to place a sign on the property at 614 W. Mulberry St. (charter school) in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Richard Houde, applicant. Karin Kimble was present representing New Heights Charter School. She provided photos of the desired style and size of sign. She noted that School District 834 still owns the building and won't allow New Heights . to remove the existing Washington School sign. Mrs. Bealka, seconded by Mr. Zoller, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Case No.-SUP/V/96-54 A special use permit for a restaurant (seating of about 40 people) and a variance for parking for the property located at 312 S. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Dr. A. G. Rose, applicant. Dr. Rose was present for the discussion. Mr. Russell asked about the use of the second level of the building. Dr. Rose said there is an apartment the Roses occupy and another apartment for guests. Mr. Zoller expressed a concern about the take-out business and the possibility of patrons blocking Nelson Alley. Dr. Rose noted the take out business will primarily be pedestrian traffic. The separate take-out entrance i s planned because the restaurant seating area is so small. Dr. . Rose also pointed out that parking is allowed on the restaurant ride of the street. u I• 0 Mr. Wiedner, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Case No. V/96-55 A variance to the sign ordinance for a 5 x 8 neon sign located at Rose Floral, 14298 N. 60th St. in the BP-C, Business Park Commercial District. Larry and Richard Rose, applicant. The applicants were present for the discussion. They provided a schematic of the proposed sign, which uses the business logo they said has been identifiable for "18 years." They also suggested that a smaller sign would look out of proportion. Mr. Russell pointed out that only one sign is allowed in the Business Park. The existing Rose Floral sign is about 6 x 5. Mrs. Bealka moved approval as conditioned. Mr. Zoller seconded the motion for discussion purposes. Mr. Zoller also pointed out that only sign is permitted by ordinance. He suggested the proposed 5 x 8 sign looks too large in proportion to the building. The Roses noted the business is 100 yards from Highway 36 and at a lower elevation making visibility for highway traffic a problem. Mr. Zoller said he would be willing to vote for approval if the sign is reduced in size. Mr. Fontaine asked about the possibility of placing the sign in the smaller peak on the building. Mr. Russell noted that by ordinance, 15 feet is the maximum height for placement of a wall sign. There was continued discussion as to what size sign might be acceptable to commission members. Mr. Zoller suggested a sign of about 30 feet. The applicants were directed to work with staff regarding size and placement of the sign as conditioned. The motion for approval passed unanimously. Case No. SUP/96-56 A special use permit for a home-based secretarial service located at 2565 Bayberry Ave. in the RA, One-Family Residential District. Curt L. Newcomb, applicant. Sheila Newcomb was present, She explained that her business would involve word processing and desk top publishing. There would not be any other employees and no clients would need to come to her home; pickup and delivery would be provided. • I• F__? Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Wiedner, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Case No. V/96-57 A variance to the rear yard setback (25 feet required, 15 feet requested) for construction of a deck at 1261 Benson Blvd. E. in the RA, One-Family Residential District. Joseph Richie, applicant. Mr. Richie was present and explained the difficulties presented by the irregular shape of the lot and the fact that the property drops in elevation at the rear lot line. All of his neighbors have been contacted and none expressed a concern, he said. He also noted that to place the deck elsewhere on the property would required a variance to the side yard setback and would result in the deck being placed on the opposite side of the house from the kitchen. Mr. Wiedner, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval as conditioned. Mr. Zoller questioned the hardship necessary to grant approval of a variance. Mr. Fontaine suggested it is the shape of the lot that creates the hardship. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. PUD/96-58 Modification to a planned unit development for construction of a 1,200-square foot addition to the existing senior center building located at 2300 W. Orleans St. in the RA, One-Family Residential District. Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, applicant. Present for the discussion were June Eagleton and Kathy Miron of the Senior Center and a representative of the HRA. Ms. Miron said existing parking is more than ample; the proposed addition will make the senior center more usable. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Other business • Mr. Russell raised the issue of modifying the existing RA and RB zoning regulations in order to protect residential areas from business/commercial uses. Members agreed the issue should be explored. Creating a new residential-commercial district was mentioned as a possibility. It was agreed the sub-committee that was formed earlier to look into home-based businesses should also study and make recommendations regarding this issue. 0 • Mr. Russell asked that a special workshop meeting be held to discuss development in the annexation area. The meeting was scheduled for Sept. 23. • Mr. Russell handed out material on the upcoming Minnesota Conference on Sustainable Development. Mr. Charpentier indicated he might be able to attend one day of the conference. • Members were reminded to phone if they are going to be unable to attend meetings. • At Mr. Zoller's request, Mr. Russell provided an update on the annexation status. Mr. Russell said the phase 1 annexation is expected to be approved by mid-September; with the exception of the Bradshaw property, the land will come into the city zoned Agricultural Preservation District. The city has been petition for a feasibility study for extension of utilities. A master environmental study for the area will be done in conjunction with the utility extension feasibility study. The Joint Board (city/township) has certified the ordinances/zoning districts passed by the Planning Commission at the August meeting. Mr. Wiedner, seconded by Mr. Zoller, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary