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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-12 CPC MIN• City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 12, 2001 Present: Chairperson Jerry Fontaine, Glenna Bealka, Robert Gag, Russ Hultman, Dave Middleton, Karl Ranum, Terry Zoller and Paul Teske. Staff. Community Development Director Steve Russell, City Engineer Klayton Eckles Absent: Darwin Wald Others: Julie Westerlund, Minnesota DNR Tore Duprie, Met Council Phil Belriori, Board of Water and Soil Resources Camilla Correll, FOR Brett Emmons, EOR, Emmons and Olivier Resources. Don Peterson, Brown's Creek Watershed District Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Fontaine at 7:05 p.m. Introduction of New Member: Mr. Paul Teske was introduced as the newest member of the Planning Commission. Approval of the Minutes of December 11, 2000: A motion was made by Mr. Ranum to accept the minutes of the meeting for December 11, 2000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gag. Chairperson Fontaine asked for discussion hearing none, a vote was taken. All were in favor of accepting the Minutes of the Meeting of December 11, 2000. Case No. V/01-02. This is a variance request for the side yard setback (10 feet required, 4.2 feet requested), the rear yard setback (25 feet required, 4.2 feet requested) and accessory building size (1,0000 square feet maximum, 1, 280 feet requested) for the reconstruction of an existing residence at 1032 5th Avenue South in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Steven and Merry Gunderson are the applicants. Mr. Gunderson was here to address the Commission. The question of the tuck under garage being over the allowed footage was explained by Mr. Russell. Because the garage is 830 square feet and the new foundation is 1,280 square feet, the only way to access the extra 280 square feet (16'x24') is through the garage. The space is unusable if access is not permitted through the garage. Mr. Gunderson explained that the 280 square feet had to have a full-length wall. Mr. Russell explained that it was standard because only 1,000 square feet was allowed. The question of fire safety came up for storing yawn equipment. It was determined that a full length wall could have a door into it from the garage instead of the outside as the owner has too many staircases to the tuck under garage as it is planned now. • Because the house is located on a substandard lot of 6,770 square feet (7,500 square feet is the minimum permitted) allowing a variance for the side yard setback and rear yard setback was City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 12, 2001 seen as permitted because of the nature of how crowded the areas would be if not allowed within the house. MOTION: A motion was made to allow the two variance requests as conditioned and allowing a door to the 280 square foot storage space by Mr. Middleton and seconded by Mr. Ranum. Chairperson Fontaine requested discussion, hearing none, a vote was called for. All were in agreement to allow the variances with conditions and a door in the wall for access through the garage to the storage area. Chairperson Fontaine instructed Mr. Gunderson to wait ten days before starting the construction project to allow for any additional comments or complaints from the public. Case No. V/01-03. This was a variance to the front yard setback on the south and west property lines (15 feet required, 0 feet requested) for the placement of two signs at 233 South Second Street in the CBD, Central Business District. Camrose Hill, Cindie Sinclair applicant. Ms. Sinclair addressed the Committee. Ms. Sinclair explained that the business is on the corner of Olive Street and Second Street. There exists a wooden security fence around the outside area and with the mandated setback the signs . for the business could not be seen. Ms. Sinclair is asking for a variance to local the signs so that the public can see where the business is. The conditions of approval were discussed. MOTION: A motion was made by Ms. Bealka to allow the variance with the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ranum. Chairperson Mr. Fontaine asked for any additional comments. Mr. May who was in attendance said that he thought she should have the variance. With that comment, Chairperson Mr. Fontaine again asked for any additional comments, hearing none, a vote was taken. All were in favor of granting the variance. Case No. ANN/01-01. This is a request for annexation of approximately 6.0 acres of land located on the northwest corner of McKusick Road and Neal Avenue, Caroly Quenzer and Steve May are the applicants. Builder Steve May addressed the Planning Commission. It was discussed that the City received this request for an early annexation in Phase IV expansion area of land. Since the Comprehensive Plan was adopted, the orderly annexation agreement limits development to full development before 2004. The City Engineer had concerns for the efficiency and cost of sanitary sewer and water services being extended to the site. Mr. May was under the impression that sewer and water was available across the street from the project that he was proposing. It was established that Mr. May was a local, small developer and the cost of bringing the sewer a much greater distance than what he thought brought a suggestion by Mr. May to return to the owner, Ms. Quenzer, and ask for more . information as to her interest with a better understanding of where sewer lines are available. 2 City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 12, 2001 Community Development Director Steve Russell offered an explanation to the difficulty of the sewer and water availability. With this information Mr. May requested to consult the owner before any decision was made. Mr. Fontaine motioned that the request for annexation be tabled at this time. All agreed to table this request for annexation at this time. Other Items. Draft on the Greenway Corridor Study - Community Director Steve Russell gave the Planning Commission a presentation on the Draft on the Greenway Corridor Study Mr. Russell explained that the attached landscape manual had been developed by Kathy Widen, City Forester and Sue Fitzgerald, City Landscape Architect and Planner, for the design of the Greenway Corridor encircling the City expansion area (CR 15 and TH 96). The visual aids and the manual reviewed the entire corridor and suggest landscape themes including tree and plant materials for each of the areas. • Mr. Ranum wanted to know if hardwood trees would better serve the community in the long run than fast growing trees along the trails and corridor. Mr. Russell explained that property owners would likely put in hardwood trees and that all the plantings were selected to act as a screen and suitability to the soil and some would be long term plantings as the fir trees. The cost of the planting was discussed and who would be responsible for the cost. Mr. Russell mentioned that some of the developers have provided the necessary screening for their developments as part of the approval for development. Mr. Russell was seeking approval of the manual and the manual would be used and implemented as projects proceed in the study area. Mr. Fontaine asked if the Planning Commission would grant their approval to the manual and the suggested guidelines. All were in favor of approving the manual and guidelines as presented. Brown's Creek Watershed Plan. Mr. Don Peterson addressed the Planning Commission to explain that over the ast 18 months, the Brown's Creek Watershed managers have met to develop a focused 2" Generation Watershed Management Plan. Mr. Peterson explained that the Watershed District was established in October of 1997 because prior organizations were unable to effectively deal with the problems and solutions regarding watershed issues. Mr. Peterson said that there were financial limitations because of budgetary constraints and that what is being presented is a "tool" to carry out its goals and objectives in the short and medium . term. The plan is being presented to educate and for input from the Planning Commission and anyone in attendance from the community. City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 12, 2001 Mr. Peterson said that the key to the watershed plan and new regulations is storm water infiltration providing for run off to seep into the ground and add to ground water. This concept is a relatively new concept for managing large drainage areas but a sound environmental concept. Mr. Fontaine requested an explanation of the filtration system. Mr. Peterson said that water issues are going to be more important at present and that the City Attorney should talk to them regarding these issues of water protection and management. Mr. Peterson explained that Stillwater was in the Upper and Middle St. Croix Watershed District. Mr. Zoller and Mr. Hultman requested more information in regard to regulations as there are City Codes, FEMA and several regulatory agencies already regarding land use. Mr. Peterson said that he doesn't work for the City and the City does not work for the Brown's Creek Watershed Plan and so all will have to come to some agreement on universal regulations. Mr. Peterson explained what is being proposed in the plan is to change and redefine rules based on studies or projects and to develop policies used by local communities. The final plan will not be done until • this Fall. Currently, the BCWD is hoping to make their presentation to many local decision makers and City staff as soon as possible. The BCWD recommends that the City Council members and any staff members get involved in land-use planning, engineering or water resources management presentation as the one they are giving tonight to add their input into the BCWD. The cost of the research and the use of grant money were explained. The finances necessary was briefly discussed. Ms. Julie Westerlund of Minnesota DNR, presented slides and a presentation on the 2nd Generation Watershed Management Plan; Draft October 2000 by EOR, Emmons & Olivier Resources. Ms. Westerlund gave the following outline with explanations. Identification of Watershed Problems and Issues a. Issues Identification Process b. Issue Statements 2. Land and Water Resource Inventory a. General Inventory - Climate and Precipitation, Topography, Soils, Geology, Aquifers, Hydrology, Streams, Lakes and Waterbodies, Shoreland Ordinances, Fish and Wildlife Habitat, Land-use and Pollutants ect. b. Specific Inventory - Volume Control, Buffers, Water Quality Standards, Wetland . Bounce, Flood Protection, Education, Outreach & Stewardship, Monitoring Plan and Data Acquisition and Groundwater Resources ect. 4 • City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 12, 2001 c. Natural Resource Inventory d. Capital Improvement Projects Inventory - Trout Habitat Preservation Project, Brown's Creek Realignment Project and Kismet Basin Stabilization Project ect. e. Brown's Creek Watershed District Rules 3. Management Goals and Strategies - Volume Control, Buffers, Water Quality Standards, Wetland Bounce, Flood Protection and Education, Outreach and Stewardship ect. 4. Implementations a. Implementation program b. Financing District Activities c. Regulatory Controls and Enforcement d. Impacts on Local Units of Government 5. Watershed District Administration a. Amendments to the Plan b. Local Water Management Plans c. Brown's Creek Watershed District Enlargement Petition. • A workshop was suggested to understand the issues of the Watershed District between the BCWD and the City Council to establish where the rules apply and where they do not apply. There needs to be confirmation that the boundaries have changed and what that means especially if there is a merger to the Northern District. It was suggested that this issue of regulations be put on the City Council Agenda for consideration. The Planning Commission regarding the presentation took no action. Report on 2000 Expansion Area Building Permit Activity, The Planning Commission and Mr. Russell had a lengthy discussion on how the annexations would or could allow for small local builders to compete in a fair way for lots to be developed in the phases of development. It was Mr. Zoller's suggestion that the process for applications be slowed down a little to allow for some standards in allowing lot development. The issue is how to allow for a small builder to secure some lots verses a large developer buying all the lots to develop. How much should the Commission or Planners be involved in allotments of parcels? Is it appropriate to designate some lots for small developers? Adjournment:- Mr. Fontained asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Gag motioned adjournment. Mr. Hultman seconded the motion. All in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Diane Martinek Recording Secretary