08-14-1978 PC MIN - SPECIAL
SPEC IP..L
ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION IvIEETTI'1G
August 14, 1978 at 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Commissioners Driessen, Rootes, Fredericksen, Toth, Fox,
Thompson, Nelson, Lucas, and Holmes.
?-1embers Absent: Commissioner Zabee.
Meeting called to order at 7:35 P.M.
1~ "Guardian Angels Variance:
City Planner, Zack Johnson made a brief presentation to the Planning Commis-
sion. In his comments Mr. Johnson explained that a building of five stories
might have pr9blems ldth sun ri~hts, but that in his review this builc~ing appear-
ed to pose no such problems. Mr. Johnson also explained the location of the
building and the surrounding land uses to the Commissioners. At the conclusion
of his presentation !4r. Johnson indicated that the proposed building would
require a height variance, a square foot variance for the units contained within
the proposed building and a variance for the amount of parking required on the
sight. The plat presently proposes 65 parking places, \vmch ~ir. Johnson indicat-
ed should be sufficient, 'Vlhile the zoning ordiance req.uires 160 parking places
for a building of this nature.
Planning Commission Chairman Toth ordered the Public Hearing opened at this point
of the meeting and the first speaker wishing to address the topic was Mr. Ivan
Burg, President of the Elk River Senior Citizens Organization. Mr. Burg spoke
in favor of the proposed Guardian Angels building and indicated the support of
the Elk River Senior-Citizens Organization for the project. Mr. Norris of the
Elk River Nursing Home Board of Directors also spoke in favor of the project
and indicated that he felt the height of the proposed building t-lasappealing
in tha.t it gave residents a good viml of the surrounding area.
There being no other speakers ldshing to address the Guardian Angels pDoposed
development. Mr. Totb ordered the public hearing closed.
Building Inspector, Jack Holmes indicated that considerations such as lighting
and landscaping ,.;ould have to be addressed previous to the issuance of the
building permit for the project.
The subject of fire safety in the proposed building was brought up at this
point. The Guardian Angels Administrator, Carol fulls indicated that a sprink-
ling system for the project would be considered. The Guardian Angels project
Architect f Jerry Korsunskly indicated that cost of such a sprinkling system
could be $40,000. to $50,000. and that such a cost vlould stress the proposed
budget for the project. City Administrator, Robert l\uddaugh spoke to the
matter of fire safety by informing the Planning Commission of the comments of
Fire Chief, Lloyd Barthel. lvIr. Middaugh indicated that the Fire Chief 't\rished
to have the project comply 't\rith the provisions on the Minnesota Uniform Fire
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Safety Code, these provisions vlould specifically r~quire a sprink:ler system and (\
other related safety devices. Mr. Middaugh also indicated that because the City
of Elk Ri. ver had not adopted the Uniform Fire Safety Code that these provisions
could not be_forced upon the developer.
Commissioner Fox moved that the follo\rlng variances for the proposed 6uardian
A~gels facility be granted.
1. A height variance to 60 feet for the proposed project.
2. A parking requirement variance of .3 spaces per unit,.
3. A square foot variance for the one bedroom apa.rtments of 582 feet per unit.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Driessen. . Motion passed uarLl1imousily.
Commissioner Toth, asked the members of the Planning Commission their feelings
on the Uniform Fire. Code and the po.sibility of a recommendation to the council
on the code. The general consensus of the Planning Commission ~las that the
code was unkno~n1 comodity and members ~dshed to find out more about it before
making any recommendations to the council. City Administrator, Robert Middaugh
indicated that a joint meeting between the City 60uncil and the Planning
Commission v.1ould be arranged so that both bodies could be informed of the
provisions of the fire code and \~hat impact it tl'lould have on the City of Elk
p~ ver.
Commissioner Lucas moved the meeting be adjourned, motion seconded by Commissioner
Fox. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Robert C. Middaugh 1
City Administrator