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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-10 CPC MINPLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 10, 1997 46 Present: Jerry Fontaine, chairman Glenna Bealka, Dave Charpentier, John Rheinberger, Don Valsvik, and Darwin Wald Others: Steve Russell, Community Development Director Absent: Kirk Roetman, Tom Wiedner and Terry Zoller Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mr. Wald, seconded by Mr. Rheinberger, moved approval of the minutes of Feb. 10, 1997; all in favor. Case No. SUB/97-9 A minor subdivision of Lots 9 and 10, Block 1, Marsh's Second Addition. Kevin Regan, applicant. Mr. Russell said the applicant had not had time to complete the property survey and recommended that the case be continued indefinitely. Mr. Rheinberger, seconded by Mr. Valsvik, made that recommendation in the form of a motion; all in favor. 40 Case No. SUP/97-10 A special use permit request for St. Croix Valley Life Care Center to conduct counseling services at 1104 S. Everett St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Mary Lou Junker, applicant for St. Croix Valley Life Care Center. Ms. Junker explained the crisis pregnancy counseling program, in its 10th year, has outgrown its present facility. She said a building fund-raising effort is under way. Lakeview Hospital Foundation has offered the house at 1104 S. Everett St. for one year. The hope is to find a permanent building site within a year and move the house to the new site. Ms. Junker explained the center's services and said the center generates minimal traffic, no more than two cars at one time; cars would be parked off-street. Naomi Miller, 1121 S. Everett, expressed a concern about signage. Ms. Junker said the request is for a small (2' x 2') wooden sign to identify the center; the sign will not be lighted. 0 Speaking in opposition to the proposal were Rick Soderholm, 1128 S. Everett St., Don Johnson, 1015 S. Everett St., and John Bjugan, 811 W. • Hancock. Their primary concerns centered on parking and traffic in a residential neighborhood. Jeff Robertson, Lakeview Hospital administrator, said the hospital is trying to purchase five homes in the area for construction of a parking lot; three have been purchased. In the meantime, he said the hospital felt it would be better to utilize the purchased homes, rather than leave them empty with the potential for vandalism. The property will be kept up and there should be no impact on parking, he said. He also noted the hospital works with the Life Care Center and allowing the use will benefit both of the non-profit organizations. Quentin Heimerman, 1103 S. Everett St., said he would have no objection to allowing the use if the property is maintained and there is no on-street parking. Thomas Loome, 1219 N. William St., who is leading the fund-raising effort for the Life Care Center, spoke in favor of the use, noting that it would not be to anyone's advantage to allow the house to sit vacant. • Mr. Wald asked Mr. Robertson and Ms. Junker if the use would be for a maximum of one year. Mr. Robertson responded that the request is to allow the use for one year, however, an extension of a couple of months might be necessary. Mr. Valsvik suggested that the use by the Life Care Center wouldn't be much different than if a family occupied the house. He said the proposal seemed like a good end use. Mrs. Bealka noted that the neighbor directly across the street isn't opposed and said she felt the impact on the neighborhood will be minimal if enough conditions are imposed. Mr. Fontaine said this proposal is different from other requests that have been denied in the past, in that the Life Care Center is not a business and the use will be on a temporary basis. Mr. Wald suggested adding a condition regarding the temporary nature of the approval. Mr. Valsvik, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved approval as conditioned, with an additional condition that the special use permit is not permanent and shall be reviewed in one year, April 1, 1998. Motion passed unanimously. 0 Case No. V/97-11 A variance to the front yard setback at 12525 N. 72nd St., 32 feet proposed, 50 feet required, in the A-P, Agricultural Preservation District. Windsor Companies Inc., applicant. Luther Hochradel of Windsor Companies said the exterior integrity of the historic farmhouse will be maintained. The requested addition to an existing family room will not encroach any further into the setback than the existing building. Mr. Rheinberger, seconded by Mr. Valsvik, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Other business Long Lake meeting discussion. Mr. Russell noted the second phase of the Long Lake study is being completed and the AUAR is expected to be completed in mid-April or early May. He said there is no urgency to come up with a recommendation until the "whole picture" is known. He suggested meeting as a group with the Parks Commission, probably in April, to formulate one recommendation to make to the City Council. Mr. Russell also said the Commission should begin holding special workshops for planning for the expansion area. Members agreed Mondays are the best nights for meetings. Mrs. Bealka, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 0