01-28-1980 PC MIN
ELK RIVER PLANNING CO}~fISSION MEETING
HELD IN THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
January 28, 1980
Members Present: Commissioners Driessen, Lucas, Zabee, Fox, Hinkle & Tracy.
Also Present: Herbert S. Adolph~on, Community Development Director
1. Meeting Called to Order
Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Fox at 7:35 p.m.
2. Minutes
The minutes from the November 26, 1979 and the December lO~ 1979 meetings were
read and approved.
3. Agenda
Ron Kuhn's informal discussion on Lots 1, 2~ & 3: Block 2, Auditor's Addition,
was added to the agenda. The agenda was approved.
4. Bud Horvath, Conditional Use Permit
Bud Horvath requested a conditional use permit to place a house trailer on his property.
The trailer is to be used as a workshop for the boys' projects (a group of 11 boys).
His property is located in Section 10, on the west side of Hwy. #169. It is zoned
A-2. The house is to be used for crafts and simple assembly projects (also to store
materials such as folders, stuffing, envelopes, etc.). No machinery wi]l- be used.
The public hearing was then opened. No one wished to speak. The question was
raised as to how far Mr. Horvath was from the nearest neighbors. He answered that
he was roughly % mile from each neighbor. Also, it was asked if the trailer was
to be used as living quarters. Mr. Horvath said it would only be used for work
projects. Also asked was if Mr. Horvath was aware that he still would need a
building permit and would have to get a building permit and meet the State standards.
The size of the mobile home would be 10 x 65 feet or 10 x 70 feet, this would
allow plenty or room. Anything smaller and there would be no room to work. Mr.
Horvath would want to use this workshop for 2 to 3 years, possible 5 years. He had
-no objections to this being granted on a time basis and reviewed in a year or two.
COMMISSIONER LUCAS MOVED TO GRANT THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO BE REVIE\iED IN
IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. CO~fISSIONER ZABEE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
5. Mel Boyd, Second Street Preliminary Plat
Me! Boyd and John Kick~ architect, put up several drawings of the proposed to\vuhouses
that Mel Boyd is requesting to build. The area is zoned R-3. Each of the
individual to\vuhouses will have one lot privately o\~ed and eight association
condominium townhouses. Each owner would automatically be an association member;
a member of the association will have one vote and be involved in running the
association. Quality of the buildings will be such that it will have a positive effect
on the neighborhood. Prices would range from $55,000 for a smaller unit to $60,000
wi~h the final price around $65,000, by the time it is completed. There was
discussion on the lot lines to be removed, all existing lines to be removed to make
one large lot. The public hearing was then opened. Mr. Strub sta ted that
approximately two years ago at a party, a gentlemen's agreement was made that Mr. Boyd
was only going to have single unit dwellings on these lots. Now they're going to
put up this monstrosity. Mr. Boyd said at the time there were rumors about a
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January 28, 1980
a high rise and he met with the neighbors regarding that. Sue Kimball stated
that she lives on Second Street and was not notified about this meeting. There
was discussion on the fact that this had happened more than once in the past
year and the matter was to be looked into regarding changing the procedure.
Mr. Kimball was concerned about the amount of traffic that would be created by
the 8 units with the possibility of 16 additional cars on the street. Also Mr.
Kimball indicated his concern that it would create a hazard for the unusual number
of small children in the area. The question was raised why put 8 units on 4 lots,
which are intended for single family units. Mr. Boyd stated that he wanted to
provide the kind of housing people could afford. The square footage would be
llOO to 1460. The price of a single unit home would be out of the reach of about
90 percent of the people. Mr. Gene Chouinard owns 3 lots across from the said
property and bought with the intention of putting an apartment building there.
There was questions that the additional apartment unit would bring even more cars
possibly 16-l8 onto Second Street. The public hearing was then closed. A question
raised if the housing would be service off of the highway. This is a cul-de-sac
and there is no in service strip and is not wide enough to put one in. It will
definitely remain a dead end road. The square footage is 4,000 feet which is
required, they wi~l have 6,300 square feet. It was explained they would have to
get acceptance of the re-platting and the granting of a side yard variance on the
units. Mr. Boyd protestedJapplying for a side yard variance and said that he had
cleared this with the City Administrator, Robert Middaugh. Mr. Boyd was concerned
about waiting another month before going to the City Council and returning with a
variance request. There was consideration of a special meeting, but it was decided
against. Mr. Adolphson felt that the Commissioners could grant preliminary re-
platting and submit it to the City Council to act on. Commissioner Zabee recomm-
ended to have it check out in the meantime by the City Attorney. Commission Fox
indicated if the City Council choose to approve the re-platting, they could decide
if Mr. Boyd needs a variance. COMMISSIONER LUCAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE RE-PLATTING
OF THE (2) TIvO, (4) FOUR UNIT TO~mHOUSES ON SECOND STREET. COMMISSIONER TRACY
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
6. Lot Size Varinace and Final Plat Approval of the Tamarack Development
Drawings showing the park plans and changes were presented to the Commissioners.
Several changes were made. Basically these changes were providing extension for the
park area and there was some area changed to a 20 acre parcel. The parking plan
was changed, it had to be moved around to still be in the park plan, the baseball
field and foot path area, and the football field areas were changed. Project
development cost is $650,00Q, excluding engineering and surveying. The question
was asked how many houses they will end up with. They said there would be
approximately 92. It was also indicated that the park would be completed in
about 3 y~ars. Terry Tempesta owns the 10 acre exception lot on the east side,
but was not present at the meeting. Don Marty, former owner was present because
he was notified. The public meeting was now opened. It was indicated that the
average lot size would be 2.5 acres with some lots being as small or smaller than
1.3 acres. The question was asked why the lot size changed. One person stated
that he was required to purchase five acres to build on and now they want to go do\vu
to one acre. There was a question regarding who would be responsible for maintenance
of the park. It was indicated that the park would be the City's responsibility.
Emma Hosan asked about the possibility of the farms in the area being so close to
the property that people could object to the smells of cows, pigs, etc. Commissioner
Fox explained this could be taken care of in the new ordinances. Also, the question
was raised about trespassers, especially children and how to keep them off the farms.
It was suggested that a fence be put around the building project, that was rejected
because of the expense. The houses would range in price from $64,900 to $80,000.
Marshall Augeson asked if the sewers were going to drain into the creek and if
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January 28~ 1980
that was going to be a problem. An impact study had been conducted and no forseeable
problems were found. Mr. Marty raised the question about sufficient land to take
care of the sewage system and a requirement as to where it could be build. He
stated that the average size of 1.3 acres might not be sufficient to move or add
to a system and also perhaps there might be a requirement to plan it out before
the houses were built. The City does not want to have to be required to put in
sewage systems if these systems fail. There was a question regarding a to\Vllship
road that was not on the maps, but was still on the court house records. It was
stated that the property line \vould be dO"\VTl the centerline of the roads . The County
road that runs north is blacktop, then gravel, so it will have to be upgraded. This
will be controlled by the County engineer. There will be three streets out
to the County road. There will be no assessments to the property ovmers as it
comes out of the general fund. It was stated that regarding the roads in the project,
that they would put in the blacktop first and then the buildings. Also, it was
stated that the 2~ acre, 1.3 acre lot size would be determined by topography and soil
tests. It was suggested that an instrument be written into the property deed.
The public hearing was then closed. The question was asked if it was intended
that these lots will be subdivided into 3 lots. It was indicated that they were
asked to divide these lots in case the city water and sewer was extended to this area.
There will be a considerable amount of landfill in the park and it was questioned
regarding filling a swamp area and contacting the Department of Natural Resources.
It was stated that there were no cattails, etc. so there should be no impact.
The park area will require maintenance by the Park Board, it was suggested that this
matter should be brought to the attention of the Park Board. CO}lliISSIONER TRACY
MOVED APPROVAL OF THE LOT SIZE VARIANCE. COM}1ISSIONER DRIESSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION PASSED 5-0. COM}fISSIONER TRACY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE FINAL PLAT. COMHISSIONER
DRIESSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 5-0.
7.Lawrence Koshak, Ogren Vicker's Proposal
Interested in developing a commercial and single residence, was
present to discussion the development with the Commissioners. The proposed develop-
ment is located right on the border with Ramsey County. There will be approximately
70 acres (40 x 30). It was discussed on the feasibility of developing this area
along with Ramsey. Lawrenoe Koshak and Herb Adolphson met with Ramsey. Also,
there was a discussion of the Department of Natural Resources requirements along
the river bank. Some kind of agreement would have to be made to allow the two
communities to work together.
8. Info3::il1a1 Discussion of Proposed H\vy. 4ft10 Development
Mr. Floyd Kruse was not present at this meeting, therefore no action was taken.
9. Informal Discussion on Lots 1, 2 & 3, Block 2, Auditor's Addition
Discussion regarding putting up a multi-rental unit on property, to be set ~n the
hill. This area is not desirable for single residence because of area garage. It
would have to be re-zoned as zoning is now R-l.
10. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Re~ec~
erbert S. Adolphson,
Community Development Director