01-26-1988 PC MIN
.
.
.
MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
JANUARY 26, 1988
Members Present:
Vice Chairman Barrett. Commissioners Fuchs, Kimball,
Morton, Kropuenske, Johnson and Olsen.
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator
1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River
Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Consider 1/26/88 Planning Commission Agenda
Item 14.5 Vote on Chairman and Vice Chairman - Item 14.6 - Other
Business and Item 14.7 - Consider 10/27/87. 11/5/87 and 11/24/87 Planning
Commission Minutes were added to the agenda. Item No. 10 was moved in the
agenda to follow Item No.6.
COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/26/88 PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMI SSIONER KIMBALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
PASSED 7-0.
3.
Consider 12/15/88 Planning Commission Minutes
Commissioner Fuchs noted that on page five. item five's motion should be
corrected to read " Commissioner Morton" seconded the motion. Item No. 11
motion should be corrected to read "Commissioner Temple" made the motion
not Wilson. Mary Temple noted in paragraph No.4, page 3. under Item No.
4 this paragraph should be corrected to reflect these changes.
1. The risk of locating a research and testing facility of this nature
in a populous area.
2. The need to use residential streets in transporting dangerous wastes
and ash to and from the site.
3. The fact that no detailed engineer's drawing of the site plan was
submitted for the commission's consideration.
Commissioner Temple's
three concerns.
opposition to Atlas' request was based on these
COMMISSIONER KROPUBNSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE 12/15/87 PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER MORTON SECONDED THE MOTION~ THE MOTION
PASSID 5-0. COMMISSIONERS JOHNSON AND OLSEN ABSTAINED BECAUSE THEY WERE
NOT MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONAT'THAT'TlME~
.
.
.
Page 2
Planning Commission Minutes
1/26/88
4.
Conditional Use Permit Request by Charles Christian/Public Hearing
Vice Chairman Barrett noted that Mr. Charles Christian is requesting a
conditional use permit to allow a temporary real estate office on Lot 8,
Block 1, Deerfield 3rd Addition. This item was tabled at the November
Planning Commission meeting to allow staff more time to research the
situation.
Mr. Charles Christian was present and indicated they had checked with
three other cities: Ramsey, Maple Grove and Monticello and they were not
opposed to temporary real estate offices. Mr. Christian felt that if no
one complained it would help the community and they should be allowed to
have temporary real estate offices with restrictions.
Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, explained that he had
checked with other communities (Anoka, Coon Rapids, Bloomington) to see
how they dealt with temporary offices in residential areas. He reviewed
their comments as stated in his memo.
Vice Chairman Barrett opened the public hearing.
Jerry Smith, Broker for Century 21 had objections to the request. Mr.
Mr. Smith noted Christians had three homes they are using as models to
aid in selling particular subdivisions. He would not want to see
temporary real estate offices allowed in residential areas.
Vice Chairman Barrett closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Fuchs was opposed to temporary real estates offices and
would like to see them in the future eliminated from the ordinance.
Commissioner Fuchs further indicated that this is the third temporary
real estate office and felt they belong in commercial zones.
Commissioner Kimball was in agreement with Commissioner Fuchs.
Commissioner Kimball indicated he would like to take his vote back on the
previous two real estate offices. He felt we were setting a precedent and
felt very uncomfortable with this. He further stated it is a fine line
between model homes and offices. Commissioner Kimball would like to see
the ordinance rewritten with temporary real estate offices removed and
model homes better defined.
COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT BY CHARLES CHRISTIAN TO ALLOW A TEMPORARY REAL
ESTATE OFFICE ON LOT 8. BLOCK 1. DEERFIELD 3RD ADDITION WITH THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
.
.
.
Page 3
Planning Commission Minutes
1/26/88
1. ALLOW ONE YEAR TEMPORARY OFFICE QUARTERS TO EXPIRE APRIL 1989.
2. NO ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE FOR THIS TEMPORARY REAL ESTATE OFFICES
3. THAT THE HOURS WOULD BE FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 9:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MORTON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 6-1.
COMMISSIONER KIMBALL VOTED AGAINST THIS REQUEST.
The Planning Commission also recommended that temporary real estate
offices be removed from residential uses in the City Ordinance and model
homes be better defined.
5. Variance Request_El~..:-=~~!:~ld_" Smith/Public Hearing
Vice Chairman Barrett noted that this item was tabled at the November
meeting to give the petitioner a chance to address the concerns of the
Planning Commission.
Stephen Rohlf. Building and Zoning Administrator indicated that Mr. Smith
has redesigned his proposal and reviewed it as outlined in his memo.
1.
It accesses properties to the north and east of the proposed
deadend.
2.
Provides a way of eliminating the deadend in the future.
3. Provides a way for the lots that would be accessed by that deadend
an opportunity to be split further. if and when. City sewer and
water ever comes to the area.
COMMISSIONER MORTON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF
THE VARIANCE REQUEST BY MR. GERALD SMITH FOR THE CUL-DE-SAC TO EXCEED THE
500 FT. MAXIMUM LENGTH OF A STREET TO THE EXTENT SHOWN ON THE PLAT MAP.
WITH THE STIPULATIONS THAT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY EASEMENTS TO THE NORTH AND
EAST BE RECORDED AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT MAP AND THAT THOSE EASEMENTS BE
ROUGH GRADED AND SEEDED. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION PASSED 6-0. COMMI SSIONER KROPUENSKE ABSTAINED FROM THE VOTE.
Commissioner Kropuenske felt he had to abstain from the vote as their
loan was through 1st National Bank of Elk River.
6. Presentation on Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) Program (Bill
Harju of the Soil and Water Conservation District).
Mr. Bill Harju of the Soil and Water Conservation District gave a slide
presentation on the LESA Program.
Steve Rohlf. Building and Zoning Administrator noted that this was a
system for evaluating potential development and to keep the City
consistent and organized.
Mr. Harju explained this was a tool to give you something more objective
to look at. and if interested we will pursue it.
.
.
.
Page 4
Planning Commission Minutes
1/26/88
At this time Commissioner Kropuenske made a motion to thank ex-chairman
Wilson and Commissioner Temple for their past services.
COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL THANK EX-
CHAIRMAN WILSON AND COMMISSIONER TEMPLE FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN
THE PAST AND TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS OUR THANKS. COMMISSIONER
FUCHS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 7-0.
10. Ordinance Amendment Amending Section 500.06 - Commercial Vehicles on
Residential Lots
This item was held next because of the number of people present for this
issue.
Vice Chairman Barrett addressed this item by stating that staff
recommends where the ordinance amendment states (9,000) pounds gross
weight that it be changed to (11,000) pounds gross weight. Also another
possible change is where it states five acres, change it to two and
one-half acres as this better fits the lot size requirement in Elk
River.
There were a number of people present that were opposed to
Mr. Harold Navotney, Mr. Bob Holland, Mr. Dan Maher, Mrs.
and Mrs. Sederberg who had telephoned the Building
Administrator voicing her concerns against this request.
this request;
Carol Mueller
and Zoning
Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator explained that he would
like to see the ordinance amended to read parking of tractor/trailer
combination on lots zoned other than R-lA and A-1 except in platted
areas.
A lengthy discussion was carried on by the Planning Commission regarding
parking of tractor and parking of trailers in R-l and A-1 zones. It was
the consensus of the Planning Commission that they would allow the
parking of tractors anywhere and allow trailers to be parked only in R-1
and A-1 zoned lots. This would exclude trailers from smaller City lots
as they felt it was a hazard moving semi-trailers on narrow streets, and
could be a visibility problem. They felt a lot of people had a big
investment in semi tractors and felt it reasonable to park them on
private property.
COMMISSIONER OLSEN MOVED TO TABLE THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO SECTION
500.06. PARKING OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS UNTIL STEVE
ROHLF. BUILDING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR REWRITES THAT PART OF THE
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO REFLECT WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AT THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER KIMBALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 7-0.
.
.
.
Page 5
Planning Commission Minutes
1/26/88
7.
Ordinance Amendment Amending Section 900.30 (1)
Receptacles/Public Hearing
Screening Trash
Steve
City
Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator explained that Staff and
Attorneys felt this was an improper section to address this item.
Vice Chairman Barrett opened the public hearing. There being no one for
or against the item, Vice Chairman Barrett closed the public hearing.
COMMI SSIONER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL AN
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. TO SECTION 900.30(1) .OF THE CITY CODE AFFECTING
SCREENING OF . TRASH RECEPTACLES AS PROVIDED IN THE DOCUMENTATION.
COMMISSIONER FUCHS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED ]-0.
8.
Ordinance Amendment Amending Section
Receptacles/Public Hearing.
900.24(11)-
Screening
Trash
Vice Chairman Barrett explained that this ordinance requires trash
receptacles to be screened in a design architecturally harmonious with
the principal structure.
Vice Chairman Barrett opened the public hearing. There being no one for
or against the item, Vice Chairman Barrett closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL AN ORDINANCE
AMENDMlNT TO SECTION 900.24(11) OF THE CITY CODE TO ADD WORDAGE TO THE
ORDINANCE AS WRITTEN AND SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER MORTON SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED ]-0.
9. Ordinance Amendment Amending Section 500.02 - Size of Trash Receptacles
Stephen
requires
garbage
units.
Rohlf,
trash
outside
Building and Zoning Administrator explained this section
receptacles to be sufficient size to prevent storage of
of the receptacles. This is aimed at multi-family
COMMISSIONER MORTON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL AN ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 500.02 AFFECTING SIZE OF TRASH RECEPTACLES TO BE
SUFFICIENT AS PRESENTED IN DOCUMENTATION PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER KIMBALL
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED ]-0.
11. Ordinance Amendment Amending Section 900.24 (10) - Parking Stalls for
Multi-Family Dwellings/Public Hearing
Steve Rohlf explained this ordinance is proposed to be amended to require
2-1/2 parking stalls per multi-family dwelling. This would be one
covered parking stall and 1-1/2 off street parking stalls per unit. With
most people today owning two vehicles, the regulations do not allow for
visitor parking.
.
.
.
Page 6
Planning Commission Minutes
1/26/88
COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL AN ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 900.24(10) OF THE CITY CODE AS PRESENTED IN THE
DOCUMENTATION PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED 7-0.
12.
Ordinance Amendment Amending Section 900.24(4) - Restrictions on Mu1ti-
!~il:L~~!~~~~l!'~!>lic Hearing
Vice Chairman Barrett noted this ordinance amendment deals with the
distance between garages and parking for multi-family dwellings.
Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator explained that the Fire
Chief was concerned that if a car starts on fire within a garage, they
will have to pull the car out of the garage in order to fight the fire.
This ordinance amendment will allow sufficient room for that to happen.
Also, this ordinance amendment requires garage stalls to be a minimum of
10 ft. wide.
COMMISSIONER KIMBALL MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL AN ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 900.20(4) OF THE CITY CODE TO APPROVE THE LANGUAGE
AS DOCUMENTED. COMMISSIONER MORTON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 7 -0.
13. Ordinance Amendment Amending Section 900.24(4) - Heigh!s of Accessory
Buildings/Public Hearing
Vice Chairman Barrett explained this Section is proposed to be amended to
increasse the height of accessory buildings.
Vice Chairman Barrett opened the public hearing. There being on one for
or against the item, Vice Chairman Barrett closed the public hearing.
The Building and Zoning Administrator felt that after further review, the
14 ft. for garages in town and the 21 ft. for garages in A-1 and R-1A
district should be changed to 15 ft. and 22 ft. respectfully.
COMMISSIONER OLSEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL AN ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 900.20(4) AFFECTING HEIGHTS OF ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
BE AMENDED TO READ THAT THE 14 FT. IN HEIGHT BE INCREASED TO 15 FT. AND
THAT THE 21 FT. IN HEIGHT BE INCREASED TO 22 FT. COMMISSIONER MORTON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 7-0.
.
.
.
Page 7
Planning Commission Minutes
1/26/88
14. E1~~~~ng Commission Representative to Attend Council Meeting on 2/1/88
It was indicated Commissioners Barrett and Commissioner Olsen would
represent the Planning Commission at the February 1. 1988 City Council
meeting.
14.5 Vote on Chairman and Vice Chairman
COMMISSIONER BARRETT MOVED TO APPOINT COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE AS
CHAIRMAN. COMMISSIONER KIMBALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 6-
o.
@@MMIDOIONlR BARRITT MOVED TO APPOINT COMMISSIONER KIMBALL AS VICE
CHAIRMAN. COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
PASSED 6-0.
14.6 Other Business
Stephen Rohlf. Building and Zoning Administrator. explained that the City
Council would like to have a joint meeting with the Planning Commission.
This would be a work session. The meeting was tentatively set for
February 27. 1988.
Discussion was
in the summer.
another meeting
gets too full.
special meeting.
held regarding an additional Planning Commission meeting
It was the consensus of the Planning Commision that
would be appropriate for special meetings if the agenda
The second Tuesday of every month would be held for the
if needed.
Commissioner Kropuenske invited the Planning Commission and Staff to the
"State of the City" meeting by the Chamber of Commerce.
Zoning Seminars and APA membership and MPA membership were discussed.
14.7 Consider 11/2!!1~1.!__111~1~L_~EE 10/27/87 Planning Commission Minutes
Consider 10/27 / 81_R_l~EEin~_ S:.?~E1i-E!li-~E_~in.?!=es
COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/27/87 PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES. COMMISSIONER MORTON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-
O. COMMISSIONER OLSEN AND COMMISSIONER JOHNSON ABSTAINED.
Consider 11/5/87 Planning Commission Minutes
COMMISSIONER MORTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/5/87 PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES. COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED
3-0. COMMISSIONER KIMBALL, OLSEN. JOHNSON AND BARRETT ABSTAINED.
Consider 11/24/87 Planning Commission Minutes
COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/24/87 MINUTES.
MORTON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
BARRETT, OLSEN AND JOHNSON ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
.
.
.
Page 8
Planning Commission Minutes
1/26/88
--------------------------
15. Adj ournment
There being no further business. COMMISSIONER KIMBALL MOVED TO ADJOURN
THE MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER
rUCHS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
)lna/l()){) fJ? aut-
Sharon Maue
Recording Secretary
slm