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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-09 CPC MIN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 9, 2015 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Kocon called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chairman Kocon, Commissioners Collins, Fletcher, Hade, Hansen, Kelly, Lauer, Siess Absent: Commissioner Middleton, Council Representative Junker Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of August 12, 2015 meeting minutes Commissioner Hade indicated he was present at the July meeting. Motion by Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Siess, to approve the August 12, 2015 meeting minutes. All in favor, 8-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. 2015-29. Variance to the combined Side Yard Setback for a two-story addition, located at 319 Maple Street West. Peter and Amy Koltun, owners and Paul Randall, applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicants propose to remove an existing 280 square foot detached garage and construct a 446 square foot two-story addition to the home. The addition will encompass a single attached garage and family room on the first floor, with a new bedroom on the second floor. While the proposed addition meets the minimum Side Yard Setback of 5’, the total combined Side Yard Setback area is 13’6” thus necessitating a 1’6” variance from the minimum 15’ combined Side Yard Setback. On the basis that a reasonable alternative exists, staff recommends denial of the variance. Paul Randall, contractor representing the property owners, provided drawings showing the impacts of changes suggested by staff, to include moving the wall 1’6”. The lot is 43 feet wide. If the wall were moved over 1’6” to create the 7’ side yard setback, the existing driveway would not line up with the garage door. With the originally proposed 6’ setback, the driveway will line up with the garage door. He pointed out that the existing garage was 5’6” off the property line. The property owner requested that the garage be set back an additional 6” making it 6’ off the property line. So the proposed garage Planning Commission September 9, 2015 Page 2 of 5 is already 6” further from the property line than the existing garage. Another reason for the variance is that they want a 36” door going from the garage into the house. All existing doors in the house are 32” which was the standard in years past. He cannot move the doorway over the 1’6” that is being requested. It is physically impossible. The proposed plan leaves 16” between structures so it maintains the existing character of the neighborhood. In response to a question from Commissioner Hade, City Planner Wittman said no comments from neighbors were received. Chairman Kocon opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Hansen said it is a necessity to have a 3’ door somewhere in the house to bring in larger items. He feels there is a hardship due to the narrow lot. The requested 1’6” variance is reasonable. Chairman Kocon and Commissioner Siess agreed. Motion by Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, to approve Case No. 2015-29, a 1’6” variance from the minimum 15’ combined Side Yard Setback for construction of a two story addition located at 319 Maple Street West, as conditioned in the staff report. Commissioner Kelly recused himself from the vote. Motion passed, 7-0-1 with Commissioner Kelly abstaining. Case No. 2015-30. Variance to the Side Yard Setback for reconstruction of a first floor rear entry, located at 1204 Fourth Avenue South. Charlie and Rebecca Ketchum, owners. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant plans to remove an existing 6’ wide by 17’ long, 102 square foot single story rear entry porch located on the north façade of the structure, and replace it with a 7’ wide by 17’ long, 119 square foot single story rear entry. The improvement is wholly located within the 20’ Front Yard Setback, therefore the applicant is requesting an 11’6” variance to the 20’ Side Yard Setback for this addition. The current porch was built over what was a basement access, therefore it did not have proper footings or foundation and is compromising the integrity of the main portion of the home. Staff recommends approval with conditions. Charlie Ketchum, property owner, offered to answer any questions. The practical difficulty is that the porch is in structural disrepair. The purpose of the project is to maintain the structural integrity of the house. Chairman Kocon opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed. Motion by Commissioner Lauer, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to approve Case No. 2015-30, 11’6” variance to the 20’ exterior Side Yard Setback for reconstruction of a first floor rear entry located at 1204 Fourth Avenue South, with the following conditions: a. Plans shall be substantially similar to those on file with the Community Development Department’s Case No. 2015-30. b. A building permit shall be reviewed and approved before any modifications are made to the structure. c. The addition will have similar color and materials as the existing structure. Planning Commission September 9, 2015 Page 3 of 5 d. Major exterior modifications to the variance permit request shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission. All in favor, 8-0. Case No. 2015-31. Variance to the maximum lot coverage for the construction of a 42 square foot first floor addition, located at 424 Greeley Street North. Nancy Nelson, owner. City Planner Wittman noted that the applicant has applied for a variance to remove an existing cellar access door and concrete pad located on the rear (northwest) portion of the home, and replace it with a 42 square foot single story addition to accommodate a bathroom and laundry area. Consequently the applicant is seeking a 5% variance to the 25% maximum lot coverage for structures. One neighbor wrote that she has no conflict with the proposed addition which will be closer to her property line. Because practical difficulty exists, Staff recommends approval with conditions. Nancy Nelson, property owner, offered to answer questions. The house was likely built in the 1880s. She realizes she will lose some pantry space but that will be part of the new room. Chairman Kocon opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed. Motion by Commissioner Siess, seconded by Commissioner Hade, to approve Case No. 2015-31, 5% variance to the 25% maximum lot coverage for structures, with the following conditions: a. Plans shall be substantially similar to those on file with the Community Development Department’s Case No. 2015-31. b. A building permit shall be reviewed and approved before any modifications are made to the structure. c. The addition will have similar color and materials as the existing structure. d. Major exterior modifications to the variance permit request shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission. All in favor, 8-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Case No. 2015-25. Conditional Use Permit for cluster development, located at 8753 and 8911 Neal Avenue North. Kenneth Heifort, owner and Jim Boo, applicant. City Planner Wittman stated that the applicant has requested this application remain tabled. The neighborhood will be re-noticed when the public hearing is reopened. Case No. 2015-14. Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) to the City of Stillwater’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan specifically to the City’s Park Plan and Transportation Plan to incorporate a Master Trails Plan. Melissa Douglas, Planning Consultant, reviewed progress on the Master Trails Plan. A draft was circulated for public comment in May. A public meeting and public hearing were held. Revisions have been made according to input received. At its June meeting, the Parks Commission recommended adoption. Commissioner Hade asked about Oak Park Heights’ response to the draft plan. Ms. Douglas said the plan was well received in Oak Park Heights. Planning Commission September 9, 2015 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Siess expressed concern about stopping at trail crossings where drivers and trail users intersect. City Planner Wittman responded in the implementation plan, trail safety education programs are identified as a medium priority policy admin item that will be ongoing. Staff is meeting with the DNR this week to discuss challenges of having the state trail go through the community and how to address the safety concerns. Ms. Douglas said language could be added to reflect the general concerns with trail crossings, noting this will be part of ongoing implementation. She would like a recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council to adopt the Master Trails Plan with amendments as discussed. Chairman Kocon reopened the public hearing. Rick Heidick, 3557 White Pine Way, said the Master Plan looks great. He is an avid bicyclist who moved to Stillwater four years ago because it is such a great place to ride. As a member of Stillwater Sunrise Rotary, he has been authorized to work with the DNR to install a bicycle repair station at Neal and McKusick as part of ongoing efforts to improve and enhance the bike trails in Stillwater. Some grants are available. He has been meeting with advocacy groups and would like to recommend that a work team be created that would be affiliated with the Planning Commission, to include bike and walk advocacy community members. Rob McKim, 1107 Eagle Ridge Crescent, who is president of the Gateway Brown’s Creek Trail Association, said his group advocates with the legislature and the DNR, and has raised the same issues about trail crossings that were raised by the Commission. They also work to fund maintenance of benches and interpretive signs. They are interested in being a resource. Louise Watson, 927 Northland Avenue, expressed support for the plan. She has a group of people interested in serving as advisors to provide public input. They would like to see a committee formed to advise and assist as the plan is implemented. She also volunteers for Transition Stillwater, a group created by seniors in high school, to organize service groups in the City. Kathleen Anglo, 3336 Webster Court, a landscape architect who works for the City of St. Paul, voiced support for the plan. Wendell Fletcher, 3655 Planting Green, said he is delighted at the opportunities for biking and walking. The plan is a wonderful resource. He is very supportive of the Master Trails Plan and the concept of having an advisory committee. Aaron Johnson, 1203 Atwood Lane, echoed the comments that were expressed. He supports the plan. Jim Connors, 1302 South First Street, agreed with the previous speakers. Chairman Kocon closed the public hearing. Ms. Douglas stated as part of the implementation there is a recommendation for an advisory committee. The City Council would determine the form and format of the committee. There was much discussion on this at the hearings. Planning Commission September 9, 2015 Page 5 of 5 Commissioner Fletcher said she feels it would be a good idea to have a citizen advisory committee. Motion by Commissioner Hade, seconded by Commissioner Hansen, to recommend approval of the Master Trails Plan and relevant Comprehensive Plan amendments. All in favor, 8-0. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Staff Verbal Updates Commissioner Kelly asked about the Hazel Place Villas application. City Planner Wittman replied it was tabled and then at the last Planning Commission meeting it was recommended for denial. Commissioner Siess asked if there has been discussion on developing a Gun Ordinance. City Planner Wittman said no, there has been only one meeting at which the Council heard the application from MN Shooting Academy. There has been no direction to staff to work on a gun ordinance. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m. All in favor, 8-0. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary