02-14-2012 PC MIN• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Members Present: Vice Chair Anderson, Commissioners Bell, Johnson, Lemke and ~Vestberg
Members Absent: Chair Ives and Commissioner Scott
Staff Present: Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manager; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park
Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice Chair Anderson.
2. Consider 2/14/12 Planning_Commission Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 14, 2012
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3. Consider 1/10/12 Planning Commission Minutes
• MOVED BY COMMISSIONER WESTBERG AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 10, 2012
MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4.1 Request b~ty of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment to Section 30-938, Architectural
Standards. Public Hearing -Case No. OA 12-01
The staff report was presented by Chris Leeseberg.
Commissioner Lemke asked if guidelines for other acceptable "materials" will be provided to
prospective applicants. Mr. Leeseberg stated that applicants will understand that other
materials may be requested for approval, without listing them specifically. He stated that the
purpose of the amendment is to provide an option to allow new materials that may be
developed in the future. Commissioner Lemke asked if the material requested for the Elk
River Ford proposal would be allowed by this amendment. Mr. Leeseberg stated that their
application was withdrawn and he did not know what type of material was being proposed.
Vice Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. There being no comments for or against
the proposed ordinance amendment, Vice Chair Anderson closed the public hearing.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE
REQUEST BY THE CITY OF ELK RIVER FOR AN ORDINANCE
• AMENDMENT TO SECTION 30-938(2) (a) (8), ARCHITECTURAL
Plannuig Commission Minutes
February 14, 2012
Page 2
STANDARDS, CHAl\TGING THE WORD "METAL", TO "MATERL~LS". •
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
~? Request b~- the Cit<- of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment to Section 30-93~ Relating to
Landscaping Requirements. Public Hearing - Case '_~o. OA 12-02
The staff report was presented by Jeremy Barnhart.
Mr. Barnhart reviewed the proposed changes to the Landscaping ordinance.
Commissioner Johnson stated that «'al-Mart would not meet the proposed ordinance. Mr.
Barnhart explained that staff did not analyze «'al-Mart's parking. ?dir. Barnhart noted that
staff did an audit of the new Pizza Ranch site as a "test" and found that they would have met
the new ordinance requirements. Commissioner Johnson asked if an applicant could request
fewer, larger islands. 1\1r. Barnhart stated that could be negotiated. He stated that with all
expansions, improvements are required in scale with the proposal and 100 percent
compliance is not required.
Commissioner Bell discussed the case of a previous business owner who stated he could not
keep the required trees alive, due to the sandy soil; it was cost-prohibitive to haul water to
them and drilling a well was not allowed. He asked if large-scale prairie plantings could be
allowed in these situations. hir. Barnhart stated it's possible, but that the City Council would
likely not allow prairie plantings if screening was required. There is still a requirement that
the plantings be maintained, regardless of complexity.
Commissioner ~x~estberg asked there would be a limit on the square footage allowed in •
prairie plantings/grasses; such as in cases where the site is adjacent to a "manicured"
property. Mr. Barnhart stated that the ordinance does not propose a limit, noting that prairie
plantings and grasses are becoming more acceptable. However, he noted that it is not the
goal to remove the tree requirement.
Commissioner Johnson stated that he could envision an applicant trying to plant an entire
lot. Commissioner Anderson stated that manicured lawns also have runoff, and prairie
absorbs more water. Mr. Barnhart stated that language could be added to address the
appropriateness of prairie plantings in keeping with neighborhood characteristics and
visibility issues.
Commissioner Lemke suggested using the language "native grasses and plants" instead of
"prairie".
Mr. Barnhart proposed striking G(1) regarding credits for oversize trees, but asked for the
Commissioner's input. He noted that more maintenance is required to keep larger trees
alive, but sometimes "instant" screening is desirable, and the credit could be utilized for the
larger trees. After discussion, it was the consensus to leave in G(1), and remove the
maximum credit reference.
Vice Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. There being no comments for or against
the proposed ordinance amendment, Vice Chair Anderson closed the public hearing.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE •
Planning Commission Minutes
Februar~• 14, 2012
---------------------------
• REQUEST BY THE CITY OF ELK RIVER FOR AN ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 30-934 RELATING TO LANDSCAPING
REQUIREMENTS, AS STATED IN THE STAFF REPORT TO THE
PLANNING COMMISSION DATED FEBRUARY 14, 2012, WITH THE
CHANGES AS PROPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
General Business
?dlr. Barnhart noted that the terms of Commissioners Lemke, Scott and Ives are now expired
and expressed his thanks to for their ser~-ice on the Planning Commission. He noted that
their combined seraice on the Planning Commission totaled 18 5-ears.
Adjournment
There being no further business, MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING.
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Minutes prepared b ~ ebbie Huebner.
L...---'`Y.
ina Allard
• Ci Clerk
Dana Anderson
Vice Chair
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