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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-27 CPC MINgrater. 1,1 9 - N r nf.A I PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 27, 2020 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Lauer called the meeting to order via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Lauer, Commissioners Dybvig, Hansen, Kocon, Meyhoff, Steinwall, Councilmember Collins Absent: None Staff: City Planner Wittman Chairman Lauer welcomed new Commissioner Sue Steinwall and thanked Commissioner Hade for his years of service as a Planning Commissioner. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion by Commissioner Dybvig, seconded by Commissioner Hansen, to re -appoint Lauer as Chair. Motion by Chairman Lauer, seconded by Commissioner Meyhoff, to appoint Dybvig as Vice Chair. All in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of April 22, 2020 regular meeting Motion by Commissioner Kocon, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to approve the minutes of the April 22, 2020 meeting. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Commissioner Steinwall abstaining. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. 2020-15: Consideration of Variances to allow an attached garage and associated improvements. Property located at 1305 1st_StN in the RA district. Ed and S„yndie Sorensen, propertx owners. City Planner Wittman explained the application. The applicants are planning to construct a 26' X 22.5' attached two car garage with a bonus room above it, to replace their existing garage to their single family house. The topography of the property slopes downward from First Street to the east, so the garage is at the basement level of the house. Currently, the garage, which sits 32' from the side yard property line, has a patio above it that is at the first story level. The new addition is planned to be constructed in the same general location as the existing garage. The applicants are requesting a 5' variance to allow for an attached garage to be set back 25' from the exterior side yard lot line, whereas 30' is required. Staff finds that the application is in harmony with the intent of the zoning ordinance and consistent with the comprehensive plan. The applicant has established practical difficulties and the project does not alter the essential character of the locality. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the five foot variance with four conditions. Planning Commission May 27, 2020 Commissioner Steinwall asked if the footprint of the garage will be the same as the existing garage. Erik Sorensen, applicant, replied it will be slightly larger than the existing garage. The existing garage was too small for two cars. Commissioner Hansen questioned the possibility of the garage space being used in the future as an accessory dwelling unit. Mr. Sorensen said they understand that an accessory dwelling unit would not be permitted. The space will not be plumbed. Chairman Lauer opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chairman Lauer closed the public hearing. Motion by Chairman Lauer, seconded by Commissioner Kocon, to approve Case No. 2020-15, Variance to allow an attached garage and associated improvements at 1305 1 st St N with the four staff - recommended conditions. All in favor. Case No. 2020-17: Consideration of a Special Use Permit for a Restaurant. Property located at 401 Maim 5t S in the CBD district. Todd Konigson, applicant and QCK Enterprises W1 LLC, property owner_ Ms. Wittman reviewed the case. Todd Konigson plans to open River Provisions at 401 Main Street South. The business would operate retail sales, outdoor sport good equipment rental, as well as a small restaurant offering food to -go either by walk in or walk up service. He is requesting a Special Use Permit for a walk-in restaurant with walk-up service window. The use conforms to the standards set forth for the issuance of use permits. Therefore, staff recommends approval with six conditions. Councilmember Collins asked about the statement in the staff report that there will be a shuttle to take the paddleboards and kayaks to the river. Where will it pick up and drop oft? Ms. Wittman replied that the applicant met with the Downtown Parking Commission last week. There are two parking spaces near the two loading docks that the DTPC said the business may use as the location for any shuttle. Commissioner Meyhoff asked if there will be any outdoor seating or tables out front. Ms. Wittman said at this time that is not proposed because there is no permission currently from MnDOT to use the right of way area. Todd Konigson, 401 Main Street South, applicant, thanked the Commission for consideration. Commissioner Steinwall asked if there will be a trash receptacle for walk-up customers. Mr. Konigson said they will address trash there and also on the interior. Commissioner Dybvig asked exactly where the take-out window will be. Jen Noden, representing the applicant, pointed out where the take-out window will be on the graphic. Chairman Lauer opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chairman Lauer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Dybvig suggested adding a condition requiring receptacles for trash and recycling near the walk-up window. Motion by Commissioner Kocon, seconded by Commissioner Meyhoff, to approve Case No. 2020-17, Special Use Permit for a Restaurant at 401 Main St S with the six staff -recommended conditions, adding Condition #7 stating the business shall be required to provide and maintain pedestrian trash and recycling adjacent to the take-out window and located on the private property. All in favor. Page 2 of 4 Planning Commission May 27, 2020 Case No. 2020-18: Consideration of Variances to allow an attached garage, new kitchen and other associated improvements for the property located at 1401 Broadway 5t N in the RA district. Chris Rustad, property owner. Ms. Wittman stated that Chris Rustad and Vicky Simon would like to construct a new attached garage, kitchen and mudroom addition to the existing residence while adding a full second story addition to the entire home. Portions of the existing, legal, nonconforming (circa 1887) home sit within the 30' steep slope setback area. The proposed improvements are also situated in that setback area. The applicants are requesting: a 20' variance to the 30' Steep Slope Setback for an attached garage with second story living space; a 10' Variance to the 30' Steep Slope Setback for a two story breezeway with second story living space; and a 17' Variance to the 30' Steep Slope Setback for a single story kitchen addition. Due to the significant slopes on the property, it is difficult for the property owner to accommodate reasonable additions to the 722 square foot home. If the construction design is certified by an engineer, the risk of construction in the steep slope area will be minimized. Additionally, the location of the home and its proposed improvements will be minimally visible from the bottom of the steep slope. Staff recommends approval with five conditions. Chris Rustad, 220 Chestnut Street W, applicant, clarified that the kitchen addition will be two stories. Ms. Wittman pointed out that all plans will need to be reviewed by Fire, Engineering and Building Departments, and that a structural engineer and soil engineer will need to review the plans. Commissioner Steinwall asked about landscaping and water runoff especially to the east. Ms. Wittman replied staff will review landscaping and runoff at the time of building permit issuance. Chairman Lauer opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Kocon said he appreciated the less acceptable alternatives that Ms. Wittman presented in the staff report. Commissioner Dybvig said he usually opposes slope variances but this appears to the be only way to save the structure. Commissioner Hansen pointed out there are tradeoffs between what is in ordinance versus real life and the plan as proposed appears to be the best alternative. Motion by Commissioner Hansen seconded by Commissioner Kocon, to approve Case No. 2020-18, Variances to allow an attached garage, new kitchen and other associated improvements at 1401 Broadway St N with the five conditions recommended by staff. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Commissioner Dybvig noted that he saw the Hy-Vee project has been delayed for 60 days. Ms. Wittman explained that the developer withdrew the EAW and will be submitting a new EAW. The project will go back before the City Council in July. FYI STAFF UPDATES Page 3 of 4 Planning Commission There were no staff updates. ADJOURNMENT May 27, 2020 Motion by Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Me y , to adjourn e meeting at 7:51 p.m. All in favor. its Lauer, Chair ATTEST: Abbi Wittman, City Planner Page 4 of 4