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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-11 CPC MINCity of Stillwater Planning Commission August 11, 2003 Present: Russ Hultman, Chairperson, David Junker (7:50), David Middleton, David Peroceschi, Karl Ranum, Jerry Turnquist and Darwin Wald Others: Planner Sue Fitzgerald Absent: Robert Gag and Paul Teske Mr. Hultman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mr. Wald, seconded by Mr. Turnquist, moved approval of the minutes of July 14, 2003; motion passed unanimously. Case No. SUP/03-66 A resubdivision to combine four lots into one lot of 10,647 square feet at 709 W. Myrtle St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Nancy Green, applicant. (Continued from July 14, 2003, meeting.) Ms. Green was present. She explained she was requesting the resubdivision in order to get the 10,000 square foot lot she needs in order to convert the existing house to a duplex. Mr. Ranum asked if variances were necessary. Ms. Fitzgerald said the existing house meets all setback requirements. Mr. Turnquist, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. 10 existing garage - 24x28. Case No. V/03-71 A variance to the accessory building regulations for construction of a 28x44 detached garage at 903 4th Ave. S. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Michael Singer and Penny Roberts, applicants. The applicants were present. Mr. Singer explained their house has no basement. Currently, they have to rent storage space. The house is situated on a 2.9 acre parcel. The proposed structure would not interfere with anyone's sight lines and the new structure would not be visible from the river, he said. The only other option to get the storage space they need is to add a second story to the house, he said. Mr. Ranum said he was uncomfortable with the size of the requested building, suggesting approval might set a precedent for other applicants with large lots. Mr. Middleton said he felt there was a hardship to the applicants in that the house is built on rock and there is no basement. Mr. Middleton said there could easily be an additional garage on the property. However, he too said he was uncomfortable with the size of the requested structure, inquiring as to whether the applicants might be able to live with a new structure the size of the 1 ?J City of Stillwater Planning Commission August 11, 2003 After discussion, Mr. Middleton moved to deny the request. It was noted that if the Commission denied the request, the applicants would have to reapply should they decide to revise the plans in the future. The applicants than asked to amend the existing application, requesting approval of a 24x28 structure. Mr. Middleton moved to approve the amended request, as conditioned, with final plans to be submitted to staff for approval. Mr. Ranum seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. V/03-72 A variance to the street side setback (30 feet required, 10' 6" requested) and the side yard setback (10 feet required, 9 feet requested) for the repair/replacement of the deck and garage wall at 715 N. Fifth St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Jeff Soukup, representing Jerry Burnsoman, applicant. Mr. Soukup was present. He explained the property was not properly graded under the existing deck creating a water problem in the basement. The request is to excavate under the existing deck and pour a slab, with a roof over it, thus creating a storage room under the deck. There would be no change in the footprint of the property, he said. He assured Commissioners that the door on the proposed storage area would not be a garage type door. Mr. Ranum, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. V/03-73 A variance to the rear yard setback (25 feet required, 22 feet requested) for construction of a deck at 211 Boutwell Road in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Scott Allaire, applicant. The Allaires were present. They explained the request is required in order to construct a 14x14 deck. No trees would be removed. They said they had talked with, and received approval from, the neighborhood architectural committee; Mr. Allaire said he would provide written documentation of that if necessary. A resident of 301 Boutwell Road stated she was a part of the architectural committee and had never been approached. She stated the Allaires had already received a 15-foot variance from the front yard setback. She said the Allaires knew the neighborhood regulations when they purchased the property and could build a smaller deck, eliminating the need for a variance. The Allaires stated they had never applied for a prior variance; if one was granted, it was granted to the builder, not them. Ms. Fitzgerald said the Allaires' house is 50 feet from the roadway. The resident of 301 Boutwell stated the City owns 15 feet in front of the properties in the area, and houses are supposed to be set back 65 feet. There was some discussion as to whether that setback was from the middle of the roadway or from the property line. 2 City of Stillwater Planning Commission August 11, 2003 After discussion, Mr. Ranum noted the Commission should not be involved in the internal procedures and neighborhood covenants. He said from a visual inspection the house appears to meet the front yard setback requirement and the request would have minimal impact. Mr. Turnquist, seconded by Mr. Ranum, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. SUP/03-76 A special use permit for wall murals for Len's Grocery at 101 N. Owens St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Kris Rumpsa, Kenya Designs, applicant. Ms. Rumpsa was present. She stated she understood that due to the City's sign ordinance, the mural cannot use "Len's" on the east side of the building. The mural(s) will have a community theme. She provided a probable color scheme. She said the request also includes a proposal to redo the existing front signage, with a wooden sign and goose-neck lighting; she said she is still trying to convince the business owner to go ahead with that part of the plan. Ms. Fitzgerald noted the plan had been approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission. Mr. Middleton moved approval as conditioned, with the additional condition that the mural/new • front sign conform to all sign ordinances. Mr. Ranum seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-1, with Mr. Peroceschi voting no, saying he was uncomfortable with the proposed color scheme. (Mr. Junker was not present for this discussion/vote.) Case'No. SUBN/03-74 A variance to the lot size regulations (10,000 square feet required, 7,500 requested) for the subdivision of two standards lots into three substandard lots at 1502 and 1508 W. Olive St. in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Jeff Melstrom and Tom Larson, applicants. The applicants were present. Mr. Middleton briefly reviewed the previous discussion of this request, noting the Commission, after much discussion, was of the opinion it would be better to grant this variance than to spot zone or rezone an entire area; he noted there are a number of substandard lots in the vicinity. Mr. Ranum asked abut runoff issues; it was noted those issues would be addressed when building permits are requested. Mr. Ranum also asked about setback issues. Ms. Fitzgerald noted the required front yard setback is the same for 10,000-square-foot lots and 7,500-square-foot lots; the side yard setback for properties of 7,500 square feet is 10 percent of the property's square footage. Mr. Middleton moved approval of the subdivision/variance. Mr. Turnquist seconded the motion; • motion unanimously. 3 City of Stillwater Planning Commission August 11, 2003 Case No. PUD/03-75 Final PUD approval for Phase I of Terra Springs Development, including Site 1 (Building I) and Site 2 (Building 2) containing 18 and 40 residential units, respectively, at 608 N. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Terra Springs, LLC, applicant. Present were Brian Sweeney of Frauenshuh Sweeney, developers, and Jack Buxell, architect. Also present were Suki Thomsen and Larry Lappi, residents of North Broadway. Mr. Sweeney said they are basically on track, with buildings 1 and 2 in the working phase and building 4 in the design phase. Plans have been reviewed by the Heritage Preservation Commission, and the developer is working with a subcommittee of the HPC on details for an interpretive trail on the site, as well as a possible interpretive center at the archeologically significant area. Mr. Buxell reviewed site plans and elevations. Building 1 will include retail space. He said on- site parking, 513 total spaces, should be adequate to meet the needs of the retail space on a daily basis. In addition to parking, he reviewed the proposed five levels of lighting, including low wattage enhancement lighting of the wall. The wall lighting will be cut off at the top of the wall, and the light source will not be visible, he said. is Mr. Buxell also reviewed plans for placement of building mechanicals. On Building 1, some units will be placed behind the roof parapet and some will be on the ground; all will be screened from view. However, due to height issues, some of the units on Building 2 can't be completely hidden from view. Mr. Ranum began the discussion by saying he was concerned about the proposed lighting, especially the "ambiance" issues. Mr. Peroceschi asked if that lighting could be placed on a timer, with a 10 or 11 p.m. shut off time. Mr. Buxell again assured Commissioners that the light source would not be visible and with 100 or 60 watt fixtures would not "shine in the face" of nearby residents. Ms. Thomsen asked why the lighting could not be turned off at 11 p.m. if it's just for ambiance. Mr. Buxell responded that the lighting is not just for ambiance, it's also for security reasons. He said cut-off fixtures would be used. "We're trying to be very careful," he said. Mr. Ranum suggested having lighting reviewed upon complaint. Ms. Thomsen and Mr. Lappi said they liked have the option of revisiting the issue if there is a problem, even if the problem is just one or two lights. Ms. Thomsen said height is her biggest concern. Mr. Lappi asked about the actual height of Building 1. Mr. Buxell said it is about 47' from the terrace elevation to the peak of the roof, 61' feet to the top of the tower element. Ordinance is 50' from grade level to the mid-grade of a pitched roof, he noted. I• 4 City of Stillwater Planning Commission August 11, 2003 Much of the discussion centered on the mechanicals on Building 2. Ms. Fitzgerald noted the roof top mechanicals are of concern to staff. Mr. Sweeney said flat roofs had been considered. However, he said that option was dismissed due to aesthetics. There was discussion of several possibilities of screening the mechanicals - pushing the recess back, covering the units with arbors or other screening materials. Ms. Thomsen said the mechanicals will be visible no matter what is done with screening. As long as the units are painted to match the building, that is not an issue with her, she said. Noise and lighting are issues, she stated. Mr. Middleton suggested changing condition of approval No. 1 to include that the roof top mechanical equipment be enclosed or screened from public view with louvers/arbors as approved by staff, as well as not audible from surrounding areas. Mr. Ranum suggested adding a fifth condition of approval - that lighting issues be reviewed in a year and annually after occupancy. Later that was changed to review one year after occupancy and upon complaint thereafter. Mr. Middleton moved approved with the revised conditions. Mr. Wald seconded the motion; • motion passed unanimously. Other business: Mr. Ranum, seconded by Mr. Middleton, moved approval of a correction of the April 14, 2003, minutes as requested by City Clerk Diane Ward; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hultman announced his resignation from the Commission, effective immediately, due to a move. The Commission accepted his resignation with regret. On a motion by Mr. Middleton, the meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 5