Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/08/12 Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting May 8, 2012 1. Call to Order Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty, Bonar, Franceschelli, Primmer Members Absent: Kuyper Also Present: Lee Smick - City Planner, Tony Wippler - Assistant City Planner 2. Agenda - Assistant Planner asked to add item 4B - Fencing requirements within the downtown Commercial Overlay Design Standards 3. Approval of Minutes a) April 10, 2012 Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION by Primmer second by Bonar to accept the minutes as presented. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Public Hearings a. Variance request for placement of a deck with a drainage and utility easement - Garret & Renee Warren - 4469 - 207th St. W. Assistant Planner Wippler introduced the request to build a 308 SF deck on the rear of the house in a drainage and utility easement. The property is very unique b because the lot is heavily encumbered by easements. City code prohibits structures in the city's easements. The rear easement is for flood plain purposes as a requirement made by our engineers. Staff is comfortable with allowing the variance with the following three (3) conditions: 1) Deck will have no stairs, 2) only 3 footings allowed, and 3) submittal and approval of building permit. These conditions would minimize any obstructions by the deck that could be damaged by flood waters. Discussion followed with the members and the homeowners with regards to the stairs. Member Rotty would support installing stairs. MOTION by Franceschelli second by Bonar to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Franceschelli to approve the variance and striking condition one (no stairs) as long as the landing does not encroach into the flood plain. Member Bonar asked about holding the city harmless for any damages that occur to the deck in this easement area. Member Franceschelli amended his motion to include language that would hold harmless the city and its departments relating to any damage or misfortune to the deck that may occur as a result of mishap to the deck. Second by Primmer to approve the variance with the aforementioned conditions. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b. An ordinance amending Chapters 5 and 6 of Title 7 of the City Code as they relate to Rodent, Pest Control and Dutch Elm Disease Control- City of Farmington Assistant Planner Wippler indicated that this is basically a housekeeping issue. MOTION by Franceschelli second by Primmer to close the public hearing. MOTION by Franceschelli second by Primmer to recommend approval of the ordinance as presented and forward to the City Council for final adoption. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. Discussion a) Possible Amendment to a Special Use Permit to Allow Mini Storage Units - Mardel Halstead - 18061 Pilot Knob Road Zoning of the property is currently R-l and surrounded by R-l. In 1977 the property received a Special Exception Permit (CUP) to use the property for equipment Maintenance and Storage facility. The property is currently being used as a camper and boat storage area. Mr. Halstead is requesting a mini storage use for his property.R-l has no provision for this use in the code. Mr. Halstead indicated that if the zoning changes, his taxes may go up significantly to where he may not be able to go forward with his proposal. He would prefer a text amendment. After discussion, the consensus was to not support a rezoning of the property to B-3 or 1-1. It was suggested for the applicant to work with staff and try to make it work in the existing R-l zone or to rezone the property to B-1. b) Fencing requirement within the Downtown Commercial District Overlay Design standards - Assistant Planner Wippler noted that the property located at Spruce Street and the Railroad tracks, which is owned by Lyle Schmidtke, is for sale. The buyer is interested in fencing the property for security reasons. City Code states that chain link and slatted fencing is prohibited. He cannot afford to do wood fencing and he is concerned about potential graffiti on a wooden fence. There is chain link fencing to the north and south. This request would require a variance. Planner Smick indicated that a text amendment to the overlay district could be an option over a variance. Member Primmer was concerned about future use in the area and maybe the front of the property could be wood fencing. Assistant Planner Wippler will discuss with staff and potential buyer. Staff will look at an amendment to the overlay district. 6. Adjourn MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Primmer to adjourn at 8:05PM APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Approved Sue Miller Administrative Assistant