11-14-2000 PC MIN - SPECIAL
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14,2000
Members Present:
Chair Mesich. Commissioners Baker. Chambers Kuester and
Schuster
Members Absent:
Commissioner Pederson
Staff Present:
Stephen Wensman. 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 6:56 p.m. by Chair Mesich.
2.
Consider 11/14/00 Plannina Commission Aaenda
COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 14,2000 PLANNING
COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.
Consider 9/26/00 Plannina Commission Minutes
Chair Mesich stated that approval of the September 26. 2000 minutes will be
postponed to the November 28. 2000 Planning Commission meeting.
4. Plannina Commission Representative to Attend November City Council Meetina
Commissioner Baker will attend the November 20. 2000. City Council meeting.
5.1. Reauest bv Madison Marauette Realtv Services to Amend the Conditional Use
Permit for Elk River Plaza 4th Addition to Allow Additional Wall Sianaae for
NorthStar Access. Public Hearina - Case No. CU 00-39
Staff report by Steve Wensman. Madison Marquette requests an amendment to
the conditional use permit for the PUD Agreement for Elk River Plaza 4th Addition
to allow two wall signs for NorthStar Access (Lot 2. Block 1. Elk River Plaza 4th
Addition). Mr. Wensman explained that Amendment #4 of the PUD Agreement
limits tenants in multi-tenant buildings to one wall sign. He noted that other
businesses in the mall all have signs on the front and rear of the building which
were approved as part of the original PUD agreement in 1987. Staff does not
believe it would be out of character or detrimental to allow Northstar Access
additional signage and recommends approval of the request.
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 24, 2000
Page 2
Commissioner Baker asked what is being done regarding review of the sign
ordinance. Mr. Wensman stated that he would need to check with Michele
McPherson, Director of Planning, regarding that issue. He noted that regulation
of signage in PUD's is established through the PUD agreement.
Discussion followed regarding whether or not there may be additional tenants
requiring signage on both sides of the building.
Chair Mesich opened the public hearing.
Wendy Aaesrud, representing Madison Marquette Realty Services, stated that
there is a vacancy at the end of the building which will likely be leased as office
space and only one sign would be necessary.
Chair Mesich asked if parking would be a vailable for a tenant in this location.
Ms. Aaesrud stated that parking was available.
There being no further public comment. Chair Mesich closed the public hearing.
Chair Mesich asked if the proposed sign meets the sign requirements. Steve
Wensman explained that the applicant will be required to meet the sign
regulations for the PUD in order for a sign permit to be issued.
Commissioner Schuster arrived at this time (7: 1 0 p.m.)
COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST
BY MADISON MARQUETTE TO AMEND THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ELK RIVER
PLAZA 4TH ADDITION TO ALLOW TWO WALL SIGNS, CASE NO. CU 00-39.
COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.2.
Reauest bv Christine White for a Conditional Use Permit to Allow Horses on less
than 5 acres (4.23 acres), Public Hearina - Case No. CU 00-40
Staff report by Steve Wensman. Christine White request a conditional use permit
to keep horses in the R 1 a zoning district (20456 Meadowvale Road). Mr.
Wensman explained that the property is 4.2 acres in size. The applicant intends to
enclose a 160' x 730' area (2.68) acres with a fence for pasture. Mr. Wensman
stated that County Ditch 28 crosses the rear of the property and staff has
recommended that the ditch not be included in the fenced pasture. This would
slightly reduce the pasture are to 2 acres. Staff recommends approval of the
request with the four conditions listed in the staff report.
Chair Mesich opened the public hearing.
Chair Mesich as if the applicant had horses on the property now. Ms. White
stated that she had one horse now which was boarded at her neighbors, John
Tomlinson and Linda Allen, and she would be purchasing another.
There being no further comments from the public, Chair Mesich closed the
public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24. 2000
Page 3
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Chair Mesich asked what type of fence would be placed around the pasture.
Ms. White stated that she would be using electric fence. Chair Mesich asked if
that would be a problem with children living next to it. Mr. Tomlinson. Ms. Allen.
and the Peck's each stated that they did not have a problem with the electric
fence.
COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST
BY CHRISTINE WHITE FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO KEEP A HORSE, CASE NO.
CU 00-40, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. THAT THE ANIMAL WASTE BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY AS REQUIRED BY CITY
ORDINANCE.
2. THAT A BUILDING PERMIT BE OBTAINED FOR THE PROPOSED HORSE BARN.
3. THAT THE FENCE BE CONSTRUCTED TO CONFORM TO CITY ORDINANCE.
4. THAT ONLY ONE HORSE BE BOARDED ON THE PROPERTY.
COMMISSIONER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.3.
Reauest bv Linda Allen & John Tomlinson for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a
Private Kennel, Public Hearina - Case No. CU 00-41
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Staff report by Steve Wensman. Linda Allen and John Tomlinson are requesting a
conditional use permit to allow a private kennel at 20460 Meadowvale Road (R 1 a
Single Family Zoning District). The applicants property is 10.97 acres in size. Mr.
Wensman stated that the applicants currently have four dogs that their children
show for 4-H. The applicant intends to construct an outdoor kennel to house the
dogs, adjacent to a pole building. The dogs will be bred every couple of years;
however. they do not intend to increase the number of dogs kept on the
premises. The proposed kennel will be 650 feet from the nearest residence. which
is Christine White's residence.
Mr. Wensman stated that he inspected the site a second time after receiving the
letter from the Peck's (attached to staff report). Upon inspection he found
horses. sheep. goats. a cow. and chickens in excess of what is allowed by City
Ordinance for a 10.97 acre property. He noted that the applicants were
unaware of the City's animal ordinance and were willing to work with staff to
become compliant with the ordinance. Mr. Wensman stated that the applicant
has since taken action to reduce the number of animals. except for a cow which
they intend to have slaughtered next month. He noted that the issues of concern
which were mentioned the staff report have also since been addressed. Staff
recommends approval of the request with the conditions listed in the staff report.
Chair Mesich opened the public hearing.
Kim Peck, 14290 205th Avenue NW, stated that the applicants have since put up a
fence to address their concerns regarding their dogs and they are happy with
results.
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John Tomlinson, applicant, noted that they intend to have their cow slaughtered
at the end of November. rather than in the spring. Mr. Tomlinson explained that
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24, 2000
Page 4
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their dogs sleep in the entry at night, so they will not be spending a significant
amount of time in the kennel.
Steve Eckholm, 14199 202nd Avenue NW, neighbor to the south of the applicants,
expressed his concern that there would be excessive barking if the applicants
decided to have more dogs.
Commissioner Baker asked the applicant how often he anticipated there would
be litters of puppies on the premises. Mr. Tomlinson stated that they would likely
be breeding no more than every two years.
Ms. Peck stated that she has never heard the applicants' dogs barking.
Chair Mesich felt that the conditions of the kennel license are very strict and
would cover issues such as noise or odor. He noted that barking of dogs could
also be addressed under the nuisance ordinance.
There being no further comments from the public, Vice Chair Chambers closed
the public hearing.
Chair Mesich stated that he felt a definite number of feet should be stated in
Condition No.4, regarding the area which is setback from the west property line.
Ms. Peck stated the area is already defined by the fence that the applicants
recently put up. She stated that the distance varies from 15 feet to 25 feet from
the property line, due to the angle of the property line.
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Chair Mesich expressed his concern that the applicant be limited to the number
of dogs he may have, stated in Condition NO.5. He stated that he felt it was
questionable if placing a limit on the number of dogs in a private kennel was
allowed under the law. He stated that circumstances may sometimes warrant
having more than the number allowed, such as when a dog becomes old and
can no longer be shown or bred.
The Commissioners discussed whether or not the condition should be changed.
Ms. Peck asked if the applicant were allowed to keep more dogs, would he be
allowed to expand the kennel. Mr. Tomlinson stated that he did not feel this was
an issue, since he did not intend to have more than 4 dogs.
COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY
LINDA ALLEN AND JOHN TOMLINSON FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A
PRIVATE KENNEL WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
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1. THAT THERE BE NO ON-SITE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BREEDING,
BOARDING OR SELLING.
2. THAT THE ANIMAL WASTE BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY AS REQUIRED BY CITY
ORDINANCE.
3. THAT THE APPLICANT OBTAINS A PRIVATE KENNEL LICENSE FROM THE CITY.
4. THAT THE DOGS BE LIMITED TO AN AREA ON THE PROPERTY THAT IS SETBACK A
MINIMUM OF 15 FEET FROM THE WEST PROPERTY LINE.
5. THAT THE THERE BE NO MORE THAN 4 ADULT DOGS KEPT ON THE PROPERTY.
6. THAT THE APPLICANTS COMPLY WITH THE ANIMAL ORDINANCE.
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 24, 2000
Page 5
COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
6.
Other Business
6.1. Uodate on October 16, 2000 City Council Meetina
Chair Mesich provided an update on the October 16, 2000 City Council
meeting.
6.2. Commissioner Chambers Item
Commissioner Chambers stated that a local developer asked that he
express his concerns regarding the development standards recently
adopted by the City Council. The developer felt that the standards were
too restrictive and the cost of implementing the standards would have a
negative impact on development.
6.3. Tree Preservation Task Force
Steve Wensman stated that the City Council has asked that a
representative from the Planning Commission serve on the Tree
Preservation Task Force. Commissioner Schuster volunteered to serve on
the committee.
8.
Adiournment
Chair Mesich adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
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Debbie Huebner
Recording Secretary