08-24-1981 PC MIN
ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Monday, August 24, 1981
Members Present: Commissioners Tracy, Pearce, Driessen, Busch, and Kreuser
Staff Present: Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administrator
1. Meeting Called to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tracy at 7:32 p.m.
2. Agenda
Item #6~, John Judge-Conditional Use Permit Request, was added to the agenda.
4. Minutes
The minutes of the July 27, 1981 meeting were approved as published.
4. Eagles Club Zone Change
James Nord, treasurer for the Eagles Club was present for this request. He
would like the zone changed from 1-1 to C-l to enlarge their building to pro-
vide bathrooms upstairs for their senior members. The original request was
to enlarge it 20' by 63' long, but in the interest of saving the Club money,
they decided to expand only 10'. Rick Breezee explained to the Commissioners
that the building is a rton-conforming use and that the building ov~t.runs onto
a road easement by 2~ to 3'. This easement was dedicated by the Burlington
Northern Railroad to the City on June 14, 1947. The City has no immediate plan
for a road through there. Commissioner Dreissen said this easement could be
used for a south entrance to the industrial area. The Commissioner discussed
the building overrun and possibly issuing a condition on the zone change that
this property revert back to the original zone after the property is sold.
(The Eagles Club intends to eventually sell and build or buy another building.)
It was decided that this would not be feasible.
COMMISSIONER PEARCE MOVED THAT THE PLANNING CO}lliISSION RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL
THE REZONING TO C-I BE DENIED. COMMISSIONER KREUSER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION PASSED 4-0.
5. Northern Natural Gas Company Lot Size Variance Request
Pete Moline and John Ripson representing Northern Natural Gas were present for
this request. They were basically interested in finding out what was needed
to get a variance request through the Planning Commission and City Council.
The reason for the request was for a smaller lot than what is allowed in an
I-I zone. This lot would be used for a metering station for future gas lines
in the area. Mr. Breezee informed the Planning Commission that the City staff
would have to recommend denial for such a variance because of the stipulations
within the ordinance could not be met. He informed the Commission that if
Northern Natural Gas could obta~~as~ment or long-term lease agreement from
the Elk River Industrial CorpofaEIQU, they could do what they intend to do on the
land as long as they maintain a five foot setback with the accessory structure.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 24, 1981
Page T\vo
Mr. Breezee informed Northern Natural Gas that it is the City's intent to
work with them in every way possible.
Mr. Ripson said he \vould like the Commissioners to deny the request and give
the reasons \vhy.
COMMISSIONER PEARCE MOVED THAT TIiE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO THE CITY
COUNCIL THAT A BUILDING PERMIT BE DENIED WITH THE REASON BEING THAT THIS IS
AN ISOLATED PIECE OF LAND NEXT TO AN EASEMENT AND THE LOT ~\fHICH EXTENDS SOUTH
OF THIS PIECE OF LAND WOULD MAKE A HOLE IN THE PERIMETER LOT AND MAKE A VERY
A\\fK1~ARD THING. TO . DEAL \vITH ON AN 01VNERSHIP BASIS. COMnlISSIONER BUSCH SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
Mr. Breezee will provide Mr. Ripson with a letter stating denial reasons and
a copy of the minutes.
6. Additional Memorandum to Northern Natural Gas Variance Request
This item was taken care of in Item #5.
6~. John Judge-Conditional Use Permit
Mr. John Judge was present for this request. He intends to operate a taxi
service out of his home. Mr. Breezee stated that Mr. Judge meets all the
standards set forth in the home occupation clause. The Commissioners dis-
cussed the hours of operation limitation and would like to see it go through
without the home occupation clause and no time limit.
Mr. Breezee informed the Planning Commission that it is the oplnl0n of the
City staff that Mr. Judge is operating a home occupation and that this item
be discussed as such.
COMMISSIONER DRIESSEN RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT }'fR. JUDGE BE ALLO~\TED
TO OPERATE ONE (1) TAXI FROM HIS HOME GARAGE WITHOUT CONDITIONS BOUND TO THE
HOME OCCUPATION CLAUSE OF THE CITY ORDINANCE AND THAT THE ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR
($100) FEE BE REFUNDED BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE WORDING. COMMISSIONER PEARCE SEC-
CONDED THE MOTION~ THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
7. Other Business
-Commissioner Busch requested the Planning Commission members presence at the
next Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to be held September 3.
-The Commissioners bro~tto Mr. Breezee's attention several ordinance violations
to be checked out by him.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Breezee
Building and Zoning Administrator
RB:cml