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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.87 Planning Packetk AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR NOVEMBER 17, 1987 1. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 1987 3. PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M. CONDITIONAL USE CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH 4. PUBLIC HEARING 7:15 P.M. VARIANCE MIDWEST FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN 5. DISCUSSION JACK BENEDICT EMPLOYEE PARKING, DAKOTA COUNTY ESTATES PUD SHOPPING CENTER 6. DISCUSSION LARRY THOMPSON MAXIMUM GARAGE SIZE Recommendation 4. PUBLIC HEARING MIDWEST FEDERAL AGENDA REPORT PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR NOVEMBER 17, 1987 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVE MINUTES 3. PUBLIC HEARING CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH Christian Life Church has requested permission to build a 32'x64' steel pole structure 25 feet to the rear of the existing gymnasium. The proposed use is for equipment storage including an existing school bus. The area is zoned for Agriculture and the Comprehensive Plan provides no indication as to the type of development that might be expected. Churches are permitted uses in the Agricultural District and in all four Residential Districts. In addition, there are several single family dwellings reasonably close to the church on Highway 50. If industrial development were to expand here, a number of nonconforming uses would be created. The reason for anticipating a future development pattern is that pole building construction would likely be more "at home" in an industrial area than it would in a residential neighborhood. On the other hand, the area is likely to remain agricultural for the life of the requested structure. Staff has no major objection to the requested use, but would recommend pre- paration of a landscape plan that will offer some immediate cover and that building improvements shall also include a bituminous drive. In April, 1986, Midwest Federal Savings and Loan was granted a permit to erect building and directional signs at 316 Oak Street. The directional sign was placed on the alley. In October of this year, a second permit was secured, this time for an 81 square foot pylon sign just off the Oak Street right of way. Immediately questions were raised both about the maximum size and two free standing signs. The ordinance is specific about both issues. Freestanding signs may be seventy -five square feet in size with only one sign per building. On premise directional signs of four square feet may be placed at a driveway within five feet of a street right of way. This particular request came after both the Building Inspector and City Administrator realized that they had misread sign dimensions on the permit application. The request is difficult to evaluate since it is an appeal under Section 4 -3 -9 of the City Code which reads as follows: "Requests for variances from the literal provisions of this Chapter in instances where their strict enforcement would cause undue hardship." It appears that the sign is in place because of a staff misinterpretation of the application. Is the six square feet that the sign exceed maximum standards worth the expense of removal? One could argue that a variance might be justified, particularly if the applicant brings the second freestanding sign into compliance with the current ordinance. 1 Recommendation Grant the variance for an 81 square foot freestanding sign conditioned upon a replacement of the second sign by a directional sign of four square feet within five feet of the alley. 5. DISCUSSION JACK BENEDICT EMPLOYEE PARKING The attached sketch has been supplied by Mr. Benedict to illustrate the reasons for locating the lot for employees as it currently exists behind the strip center on Pilot Knob Road. Staff is concerned about the extra access on Ensley Lane and will offer an alternative layout at the meeting. This dis- cussion is an informal request for the Commission to decide with Mr. Benedict present if a formal amendment to the PUD will be necessary. 6. DISCUSSION LARRY THOMPSON MAXIMUM GARAGE SIZE Attached are a memo from Mr. Thompson, minutes from the City Council meeting of November 2, 1987 and a staff memo to the City Council.