07-27-1981 PC MIN
ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Monday, July 27, 1981
Members Present: Commissioners Tracy, Busch, Kreuser, Driessen, and Pearce
Staff Present: Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administrator
1. Call Meeting to Order
Chairman Tracy called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
2. Agenda
There were no additions or changes to the Agenda.
3. Minutes
The minutes of the June 22, 1981 meeting were approved as published.
4. Becks Preliminary Subdivision
Joe Bailey and John Oliver were present for this request. The Commissioners asked
if this was sewered. Lots 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, Block 1, are available to
an existing sewer line. Lots 14, 15, 16, and 17, Block 1, will not have access
to any sewer and the remainder of the project will have new sewer brought in.
Rick Breezee stated that staff and C.E.D. would like to send a telescoping
lens through the existing system to make sure it is in good condition. Pay-
ment for fixing or moving the line would be the responsibility of the develop-
er. Mr. Oliver said that the cul-de-sac road to the north of the property
would be moved ten feet to accomodate Mrs. T. Johnson's request to preserve sev~
eral trees on her property. This would make Lots 16 and 17 drainage areas. This
area must be approved from C.E.D. Land dedication was discussed and v~. Breezee
said staff and Mr. Bailey had agreed on a cash contribution.
COM}lISSIONER DRIESSEN MOVED TO RECOM}m1~ TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE
PRELIMINARY PLAT AND THAT THEY REVISE LOTS 14, 15, 16, k~ 17 TO THE WAY IT
WILL BE. COMMISSIONER PEARCE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PAS3ED 4-0.
5. Elk River ~~chine Shop Variance Request
Larry Ebert, office manager, for Elk River Machine Shop was present for this
variance request. He said they intended to add on a small office space situa-
ted in the area of their loading docks to accomodate shipping and receiving.
He indicated that at the present time, truckers have to walk through their
machine shop which presents a safety hazzard.
Commissioner Kreuser felt this variance should be granted because of the number
of years this shop has been in Elk River and the number of people it employs and
that the ordinance \Vas being "knit-picky" in this regard.
Mr. Breezee stated that with facts that were given to the City, it showed that
the addition would encroach on the required front setback. He also stated that
before a variance is to be granted, it has to be proven that all 5 of the stip-
Page T\vo
July 27, 1981
ulations of the ordinance be found before recommending approval. It was
the recommendation of the staff, City Planner, and City Attorney, that with
what was presented, these 5 items could not be met and that their recommen-
dation was for denial.
COMMISSIONER PEARCE MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THIS VARIANCE
BE GRANTED ON THE BASIS THAT THE SETBACK IS ON THE SIDE AS GRANTED PER MINUTES
OF THE APRIL 30, 19~9, PLANNING COMtITSSION MEETING. COMMISSIONER KREUSER SEC-
ONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
6. Item 6 was moved to the last item on the Agenda.
7. Anderson Rezoning Request
Mr. Breezee explained that the City Council would like a recommendation from
the Commissioners regarding this rezoning and there has been no formal appli-
cation made for rezoning. There has been no recommendation from the HRA re-
garding how much area should be zoned commercial.
COMMISSIONER PEARCE RECOM}illNDED TABLING THIS ITEM UNTIL HEARING FROM THE HRA.
COMMISSIONER KREUSER SECONDED THE MOTIOll. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
8. Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Mr. Breezee explained the trucking portion of the amendments. Paragraph 1-900.20
'equal in area' terminology was discussed with the feeling that it would be hard
to adhere to. The wording in Section 900.20, item e, was considered confusing.
CO}lliISSIONER PEARCE MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL RE-WORDING AND
EXPLAINING ~VHAT 900.20 MEANS AND RECOMMENDED ITEM 900.08 BE ACCEPTED AS ~~ITTEN.
COMMISSIONER BUSCH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 4-0.
9. Recommendation of Private Road Construction Requirements
The Commissioners were unclear on the recommendation wanted from the City Council.
They discussed J:.lr. S\Vanson and Mr. Morrell and the road access.
Chairman Tracy, upon recommendation from Commissioner Pearce, tabled this item
until further clarification from the City Council.
10. McDonald "8 Corpor.ation Restaurant Request
Mr. Gary Meyer, representing McDonald's Corporation, was present for this re-
quest. He presented a landscape drawing of the proposed restaurant. This res-
taurant will seat 70 people and will be located at the north end of the Barring-
ton Place Commercial strip with a 260' frontage on the new Dodge Avenue. They
are proposing to place a 200 square foot sign immediately in front of the build-
ing. This sign will be stringently looked into by staff. Other signs will be a
38 square foot individual letter sign on the building and five one-square foot
entrance and directional signs.
The buffer between the residential area and the restaurant was discussed. Mr.
Meyer explained this property slopes up 8-10 feet and there will be some type
of screening as per ordinance. He indicated that staff and McDonald's will work
Page Three
July 27, 1981
together as type~-"of veg"etatieI1 fo.r "this slope.' ,.
Mr. Dick Sletterman, attorney representing area businessmen (including A & W,
Tally Ho, and Dairy Queen) was granted an opportunity to speak regarding their
opposition to McDonald's. He cited several reasons for their objections in-
cluding crime impact, noise and litter pollution, and traffic problems. He
also indicated that these businessmen were not informed through public notice
of McDonald's coming to Elk River.
Mr. Santwire and his attorney Cliff Lundgren stated that according to the develop-
ers agreement, this request was for architectural and landscaping approval, not
for what could go in this particular commercial lot. They were concerned with
getting approval to obtain a building permit to start construction.
CO}lliISSIONER KREUSER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE McDONALD'S CORPORATION RESTAURANT
REQUEST. COMMISSIONER PEARCE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
10. Adjournment,
The meeting was adjounred at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
2~~
Rick Breezee
Building and Zoning Administrator
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