Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.12.92 Planning PacketAGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MAY 12, 1992 1. CALL TO ORDER 6:30 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES APRIL 14, 1992 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. 6:30 P.M. Request from Kris and Dave Akin for a Conditional Use to Recognize an Existing Duplex at 413 8th Street b. 6:45 P.M. Request from Jerry Ristow for a Conditional Use to Build a 960 Square Foot Garage /Storage Building on Lot 5, Mickelson's Addition to Farmington c. 7:00 P.M. Request from Francis Blaha to Locate a Metal Garage on Lots 5 and 6, Block 19, Towns of Farmington 4. DISCUSSION a. Request from James Power, 9715 Wood Hill Boulevard, Lakeville, to Establish a Billiard Hall at Towns Edge Shopping Center 5. JOINT SESSION WITH CITY COUNCIL a. A variety of Issues 6. ADJOURN 1. CALL TO ORDER 6:30 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES APRIL 14, 1992 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS RECOMMENDATION AGENDA REPORT PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MAY 12, 1992 6:30 P.M. Request from Kris and Dave Akin for a Conditional Use to Recognize an Existing Duplex at 413 8th Street The request came about in the process of the sale of this house which was being sold as a duplex, while it had never been billed for utilities as two units. The real estate agent was surprised that the City was unaware that the property contained two separate living units since he could not remember that it had been used in any other way. The drawing indicates a basic first floor outline measuring 28x72 feet or 2016 square feet. The rental unit measures 28x30 or 840 square feet or 42% of the first floor area. It, therefore, qualifies as an accessory apartment since the homeowners apartment at the rear also has finished living space on the upper level. The property has a two stall garage and a large turnaround space for vehicles between the house and the garage. The existing lot measures 85'x200' and there are two other duplexes in the block to the north (305 309). However, there are no other duplexes in the 400 block. Because of the length of time that the building has actually served as a duplex and its floor plan is divided in a way that meets the requirements of the section on Accessory Apartments there is justification for granting the requested conditional use. Approve the conditional use as requested. 6:45 P.M. Request from Jerry Ristow for a Conditional Use to Build a 960 Square Foot Garage /Storage Building on Lot 5, Mickelson's Addition The background memorandum sent earlier identifies the problems with this request. The issue is focused on the point of whether or not the existing garage is attached or detached. Staff attempted to find some guidelines for determining the difference between attached and detached garages from the County Assessor's office. It soon became apparent that the decision is a judgement call in that office since there is no written criteria. However, the property at 1014 -1020 7th Street is identified for tax purposes as a duplex with a detached garage. The lot is large, measuring 92x173 feet and the relationship between the building area and lot area is less than the 20% building coverage limit. RECOMMENDATION While a majority of staff believes that the existing garage is detached, the Commission must arrive at a collective decision individually. This decision will determine if a 960 square foot garage /storage building can be justified. 7:00 P.M. Request from Francis Blaha to Locate a Metal Garage on Lots 5 6, Block 19, Town of Farmington The Blaha conditional use request also came to the Commission as an add -on to the agenda of the April 14, 1992 meeting. The building had been purchased and needed to be moved to facilitate expansion of Lamperts. The action of the Commission in April allowed Mr. Blaha to move the garage to the site on Spruce Street until a decision on the conditional use could be made during a public hearing. The Commission also asked for comments from the HRA since the property under discussion is within the area covered by the Downtown Redevelopment Plan. At their meeting on May 6, 1992, the HRA recommended against approval of the metal garage as a conditional use since it does not conform with architectural standards adopted by the HRA in the Redevelopment Plan. A memo from HRA Director Henricks enclosed with this agenda report includes wording from the Downtown Plan directed toward architectural guidelines. The draft Comprehensive Plan recommended by the Planning Commission to the City Council back in 1990 endorsed this study in concept as part of the City Land Use Plan. Auto Sales service and repair is a permitted use within the B -2 General Business District, but the request for a conditional use was triggered by the section on relocated structures, Section 10 -6 -16. The City Code in Section 10- 8 -5(C) says that a conditional use shall be approved if it is found to meet the following criteria: 1) The use conforms to the district permitted and conditional uses. 2) The use shall not involve any element or cause any conditions that may be dangerous, injurious or noxious. 3) The proposed use shall be sited, oriented and landscaped to produce a harmonious relationship of building and grounds to adjacent buildings and properties. 4) The proposed use shall produce a visual impression and environment consistent with the neighborhood. 5) The proposed use shall organize vehicular access and parking to minimize traffic congestion. 6) The proposed use shall preserve the objectives of this Title and shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. As indicated above, the proposed use is not consistent with the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan which was forwarded to the City. Council. A question that may be relevant in this request is that if the Plan has never been officially adopted by the Council, does it have status as the Comprehensive Plan? Since the answer to this question is likely to be in the negative, the only other criteria that relates to the request is the requirement for landscaping. Section 10 -6 -14 of the Code says that new business construction in the B -1 and B -2 Districts shall maintain a minimum of ten percent (10 of the site area as landscaped open space devoted to pedestrian use. It would appear to be appropriate that the landscaping introduced with this conditional use should also involve fencing to screen from view all of the body shop work that is waiting to be started. The existing lot appears to include a considerable amount of storage. The Commission may recall that the Willy's Worldwide conditional use included both a fenced area for outside storage and landscaping on the Pine Street frontage. RECOMMENDATION Considering the recommendation of the HRA and the Commission's own past record, it would appear that through omission, there are no grounds to prevent a metal building downtown. However, if it is approved, there must be both landscaping and fencing. 4. DISCUSSION Request from James Powell, 9715 Wood Hill Boulevard in Lakeville, to Establish a Billiard Hall at Townsedge Shopping Center This has been brought to the Commission for a clarification as to the meaning of commercial recreation which is a permitted use in the B -1 Limited Business District. A simple answer might be that Billiards is a commercial recreational use, except that it reminds one of the teen center proposal which prompted the drafting of a special ordinance this past year. The Police Department has checked with other cities that allow billiard establishments and determined that both outside and interior security personnel would be justified. The staff would like some direction on an interpretation that will meet the objectives of the ordinance. The City Council will be in attendance for a joint session on several current issues. The City Administrator has prepared a tentative agenda which was sent previously. a /AL.. Charles Tooker City Planner CTT /mh