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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-08 CPC MINA • PLANNING COMMISSION Sept. 8, 1997 Present: Jerry Fontaine, chairman Glenna Bealka, Russ Hultman, Kirk Roetman, Tom Wiedner and Terry Zoller Others: Steve Russell, Community Development Director Absent: John Rheinberger, Don Valsvik and Darwin Wald Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval of the minutes of Aug. 11, 1997; all in favor. Case No. SUB/97-45 A subdivision of Lot 3, Block 21, Carli and Schulenberg's Addition to create a 100 x 75 foot lot fronting St. Croix Avenue in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Jon Whitcomb, applicant. • Mr. Whitcomb was present and provided a diagram of the parcels. He said all setbacks could be met should he decide a construct a new home on the subdivided parcel. Speaking in opposition to the proposal were Jean Robinson, Oak Park Heights, mother of Elizabeth Fontaine, who lives directly to the rear of the proposed parcel; Elizabeth Fontaine; Kelly Klein, 1212 N. Third St.; Linda Furst, 1311 N. Third St.; Randy Zalmer, 1211 N. Third St.; Tom Furst, 1311 N. Third St.; Darrin Anderson, 1218 N. Third St.; Scott Anders, 1224 St. Croix Avenue; and Barb Fazendin, 1320 N. Second St. Concerns centered on traffic, the potential impact on property values, and the potential for drainage problems due to the slope of the parcel. Mr. Russell suggested requiring a utility easement for drainage and other utilities as a condition of approval; he also suggested spelling out the removal of the porch on the existing lot as an added condition. Mr. Fontaine suggested adding another condition stating that all drainage must be retained on the property or directed to the street. 0 Mr. Zoller moved approval with the three additional conditions, noting the request does meet all cities ordinances/codes and from a policy standpoint can't be denied. Mrs. Bealka seconded the motion; all in favor. Case No. SUP/97-46 A special use permit for a hospital expansion and interior renovation at 927 W. Churchill, Lakeview Hospital, in the RB, Two Family Residential District. BWBR Architects, applicant. i Dennis Vonasek of BWBR was present for the discussion. He explained the request is for a 2,100 square foot addition; five parking spots will be relocated. Jim Qualey, 1014 S. Greeley, questioned how far forward the addition will come from the existing building. The addition will extend four feet beyond the existing building, Mr. Vonasek said. Mr. Wiedner, seconded by Mr. Hultman, moved approval as conditioned; motion passed unanimously. Case No. V/97-47 A variance to front and street side yard setbacks for construction of a 24 x 30 foot attached garage at 703 W. Willard St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Brenda Koller, applicant. Ms. Koller was present for the discussion. She said she had changed her request to a 24 x 24 foot garage. There was some confusion regarding the setbacks as indicated in the drawings. Mr. Wiedner suggested there is no hardship that would necessitate granting a variance; the applicant could build a single-car garage, he suggested. Mr. Roetman argued there is a hardship in the applicant cannot have a garage without a variance. Mr. Roetman moved approval of a variance to construct a 24 x 24 garage with the conditions that the structure be of style and materials similar to the house and that all drainage remain on site. Mrs. Bealka seconded the motion. Vote was 3-3, representing denial of the request. Voting against the motion of approval were Mr. Wiedner, Mr. Fontaine and Mr. Zoller. Case No. V/97-48 A variance to the setback (75 feet required, 40 feet proposed) and building height (70 feet proposed, 40 feet allowed) to construct an ice arena and air dome at 2305 West Orleans in the BP-0, Business Park Office, and BP-I, Business Park Industrial, districts. Ankeny/Kell Architects for the City of Stillwater, applicant. Duane Kell and Eric Lagerquist of Ankeny/Kell and Amy Stefan of Stefan Larson Associates reviewed building and landscaping plans. The project, if approved by the City, will be built in 2 phases. The first phase will include the ice arena, dome, an outdoor ice sheet and 228 parking spaces. Mr. Kell said after review by the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), plans had been modified slightly on the north elevation so the precast concrete material will more "sympathetic" to the building material colors on the other elevations. Roger Tomten, chairman of the HPC, was present. He explained that the HPC was concerned about the used of precast concrete on the north elevation which is not in conformance with design guidelines. He said the changes Mr. Kell talked about had not been reviewed by HPC, and he said he assumed the HPC would have the opportunity to review the proposal again in the future as changes are explained in detail. Earl and Marguerite Olson, 1424 Cottage Drive, outlined some of their concerns about the potential impact on the residential neighborhood -- height of the dome, noise from the Public Works operation, etc. Mr. Roetman expressed his concern about the height of the dome, noting the City had tried hard to keep the entrance to the city as aesthetically pleasing as possible through signage regulations and other design guidelines. Mr. Fontaine said he had difficulty allowing the City to do what businesses would not be allowed to do. Mr. Zoller spoke about the history of the property and the project. He argued that the dome is a unique structure for a unique purpose. Mr. Wiedner agreed that the project is serving a public purpose, but also noted the City could change its ordinance to accommodate the project if desired. Mr. Zoller argued that granting a variance is the proper way to proceed because there is a hardship involved -- the proposal is the only economically feasible way the structure can be constructed. Mr. Roetman, seconded by Mr. Wiedner, voted to deny the requested variances. Motion passed 4-2, with Mrs. Bealka and Mr. Zoller voting against denial. Case No. SUP/V/97-49 A special use permit and variance to parking for the Fischer Brothers Lumberjack Shows at 501 N. Main St. in the CBD, • Central Business District. Jim Fischer, applicant. Jim Fischer outlined his business plans. The shows would be staged in the area by Domino's. He said if he receives the requested variance and special use permit, he will prepare a site plan showing landscaping etc. The HPC has reviewed the proposal and recommended the use of a tent, rather than fenced-in show area. Mr. Tomten said the HPC's review was very preliminary. There was a question as to when the shows would be held. Mr. Fischer said there are no plans for exterior lighting, so shows will have to conclude before dark; the last show in the summer probably would begin at 7 p.m. and finish at 8:15. Larry and Paula Lappi, N. Broadway, expressed a concern about crowd noise and the aesthetic appearance of the staging area. Jim Peterson, North First Street, expressed a concern about the additional traffic the use might generate in downtown Stillwater. Mr. Wiedner, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved to deny the variance and . Special Use Permit as not being in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Zoller said he thought the primary issue was that of noise. Mr. Roetman said his concern was with parking, as did Mr. Hultman. Mrs. Bealka said parking shouldn't be a problem, since there is nearby business parking that is available on a shared-use basis. Mr. Fontaine said his primary concern was with the use, a use that might create a "carnival" atmosphere. Motion to deny passed 5-1, with Mrs. Bealka voting against denial. Case No. SUP/97-50 A special use permit for construction of Stillwater Radisson Hotel and Suites restaurant and lounge at 606 N. Main Street, old Territorial prison, in the CBD, Central Business District. Michael Borum, applicant. Mr. Borum was present. He noted that 277 parking spaces will be provided on site, rather than the 400+ as indicated in the agenda packet. Paula and Larry Lappi, N. Broadway, asked about lighting plans and • noise. Mr. Borum said noise is generally not a concern to neighbors, as CJ much as to hotel guests. Mr. Russell noted that lighting would be dealt with during design review. Mr. Roetman, seconded by Mr. Hultman, moved approval of the request; all in favor. Mr. Borum provided the Planning Commission with a copy of the application for historic preservation certification that has been submitted to the National Park Service. Case No. ZAM/97-2 A zoning amendment changing the zoning designation for property at 601 N. Main St. (land in front of the former Territorial prison) from RB Duplex Residential to CBD, Central Business District. City of Stillwater, applicant. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved approval of the zoning amendment; all in favor. Case No. ZAT/97-2 Zoning ordinance text amendment limiting development in and around steeply sloped areas. City of Stillwater, applicant. Mr. Russell explained the ordinance was developed several years ago to protect the second bluff area and ravine areas of the city. There was some question as to how the amendment would impact development in the commercial districts, such as the proposed parking ramp and development proposal for the UBC site. Mr. Russell suggested adding language that in commercial districts, development on slopes of greater than 24 percent will require a conditional use permit. Mr. Roetman, seconded by Mr. Hultman, moved to adopt the zoning ordinance amendment as amended; all in favor. Case No. ZAT/97-1 Zoning ordinance text amendment allowing second detached accessory residential units in the Duplex Residential District, RB, if certain conditions are met. City of Stillwater, applicant. Mr. Wiedner questioned the requirement for the water/sewer, asking if there was a specific adequate water/sewer service. Mr. Russell determined by a measure of water pressure and add language that there be adequate city determined by the Water Department. provision of adequate city measurement of what is said generally that is pipe size. It was agreed to water/sewer service as 0 Mr. Wiedner also questioned the language regarding the height of the secondary units. That language was clarified as follows: the height of the secondary structure shall not exceed that of the primary residence. 0 Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Hultman, moved approval of the zoning ordinance amendment as amended; all in favor. Case No. ZAT-97-3 Zoning amendment regulating the placement and design of transmission towers and antennas throughout the city. City of Stillwater, applicant. Present for the discussion were Marie Grimm, representing AT&T, and Peter Coyle, representing American Portable Telecom. Following the August meeting, Planning Commission members Mr. Roetman and Mr. Wiedner met with staff and industry representatives. Mr. Roetman and Mr. Wiedner briefly reviewed the results of the discussions and some of the changes in the ordinance as initially proposed. Mr. Coyle and Ms. Grimm agreed the discussions were good. There were still some "cleanup" issues they would like to resolve, such as the 2,500 square foot setaside requirement. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved preliminary approval, directing the subcommittee to meet with staff and industry representatives to address the remaining issues before the ordinance goes to the City Council in October. Motion passed unanimously. Other business: John Roettger was present to request a special meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss his plans for the development of a parking ramp at Olive/South Second streets. Mr. Roettger was advised that due to scheduling, a special meeting probably wouldn't be feasible. He was advised to bring detailed plans, including renderings of how the structure fits into existing sight lines, to the regular October meeting. Mr. Roetman, seconded by Mr. Hultman, moved to adjourn at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary