Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.11.92 Planning Packetr 1. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES JULY 14, 1992 3. DISCUSSIONS AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR AUGUST 11, 1992 a. Pat and Bobbi Devney 4900 203rd Street West Request Variance for Height of Playhouse b. Sandy Yule 900 Maple Street Request Recognition of Multiple Operator Beauty Shop in Home c. Francis Blaha 201 Spruce Street Conditional Use Landscape Plan d. Very Low Density Housing Option in Draft Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance e. Zoning Amendment to Eliminate Mobile Homes within R -4 Mixed Code District 4. ADJOOURN 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVE MINUTES 3. DISCUSSIONS AGENDA REPORT PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR AUGUST 11, 1992 Pat and Bobbi Devney 4900 203rd Street West Bobbi Devney's father built a playhouse for his grandchildren measuring 10' x 12' and approximately 15 feet high. The zoning ordinance says that such a structure shall only be 9 feet tall (10 -6 -5 A.2). The Devney's would like an informal discussion of this issue by the Planning Commission to see if there is any possibility that a variance could be granted. There does not appear to be grounds for a variance. The building is two stories high with an exterior staircase to the second level. It might be possible to replace the enclosed second level with an open deck with railing, but the structure as it stands clearly violates the intent of the zoning code with respect to accessory storage buildings. The Commission should make every effort to see the structure. Sandy Yule 900 Maple Street Ms. Yule was granted a permit to create a beauty parlor in her home as a special exception in September of 1976. The ordinance under which this was adopted allowed two employees who were not members of the family. Ms. Yule has indicated that she has documentation to prove that she did, indeed, have an employee who was not a member of her family at about that time. In March, 1980, the zoning ordinance was amended eliminating the employee option. The ordinance required that only people residing in the home were eligible to operate a home occupation. This action made the use non conforming and at some subsequent time, there was no longer an employee. The zoning code is very specific in Section 10 -6 -1 (D) that if any nonconforming use ceases for whatever reason for a period of one year, such nonconforming use shall not be resumed. It appears that Ms. Yule does not have a legitimate claim for "grand- father" rights since there has not been a nonresident operating in this facility for many years. Francis Blaha 201 Spruce Street Mr. Blaha supplied the attached site plan on July 31st, drawn at a scale of 3/8" 1'. The staff has discussed the circumstances of this use and agree that it is an interim use. As such it does not make a great deal of sense to develop a landscape plan that might be implemented and in place anywhere between nine months and nine years. However, the City in the past has required landscaping of boulevards in the business district when firms upgrade or change their mode of operation. By way of example, Lamperts has been allowed to create a landscaped boulevard along its Spruce Street frontage as well as to fund extension of the north /south walk adjoining the west side of the railroad adjoining the site rather than to plant on site. The pattern of development to be implemented by Lamperts within the Spruce Street boulevard duplicates the planting plan created along Spruce when the Senior Center was remodeled. The staff, therefore, recommends that the Blaha landscaped space also occur within Spruce Street between the existing sidewalk and future curb of Spruce Street. The entire strip should be grass except for driveway access to the Collision Center parking area. The area between the existing curb and the future curb line may remain in asphalt for parallel parking until Spruce Street is improved. Neither the existing sidewalk or curb should be replaced until then, or until a longer term use is developed on site. The important point is that the character of Spruce Street can be established now and a more finished look established when redevelopment takes place. Staff recommends that the trees involved in the planting continue with the alignment established at the Senior Center. A schematic plan prepared by staff is enclosed for consideration by the Planning Commission. The other major concern of staff is the material to be utilized in creating a screen fence for the enclosed area at the north end of the property. A cedar board -on -board fence six feet tall would be most appropriate since it would have the ability to block the view of stored vehicles. Mr. Blaha has not indicated his intention regarding materials for the screen fence. Very Low Density Housing Attached is a memo prepared for the Development Committee and forwarded to the City Council. The Council is satisfied with the approach and has asked for Planning Commission input. If the Planning Commission agrees that amendments should be prepared, the staff will forward the information to the Metropolitan Council for their review. Zoning Amendment for R -4 Mixed Code District A call from an attorney in one of the large law firms in the metropolitan area regarding mobile homes has raised a question about the advisability of retaining mobile homes within the R -4 District. Currently, there are few to no available lots in the north eighty acres of Dakota County Estates. If the developer were to suddenly change, or an existing house were destroyed by fire, a mobile home could be placed on any available lot within the R -4 District. A change would be advisable since the City Council is also looking to establish City wide design standards. The R -4 District was originally created as a special district to include mobile homes somewhere within the City. It is based on the R -2 District, but without the potential for mixed architectural styles that is available within the R -2 District. The simplest solution to an immediate problem would be to eliminate mobile homes from the permitted use section and then to revise the entire ordinance after the draft comprehensive plan has been adopted. (eat, Charles Tooker City Planner cc: file