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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.19.88 Planning PacketAGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR JANUARY 19, 1988 1. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 1987 3. DISCUSSION ILLUMINATION OF CROSS STRUCTURE CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH 4. DISCUSSION DAKOTA COUNTY ESTATES PUD PARKING LOT 5. ANNOUNCEMENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON PROPOSED REVISION TO STATE PLANNING LEGISLATION AGENDA REPORT PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR JANUARY 19, 1988 1. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 1987 3. DISCUSSION ILLUMINATION OF CROSS STRUCTURE CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH In April of 1987, the Planning Commission approved a variance for Christian Life Church which allowed construction of an illuminated sign behind the customary setback of 50 feet from Highway 50. In November of 1987, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use for a "pole" storage shed to be built behind the existing building. This request came about when the church asked for a permit to erect a lighted cross structure behind the lighted sign. The inspector issued a permit for the structure but not for lighting. I was asked if the lighting granted for the sign could also cover crosses. The reasons given for lighting the sign involved traffic safety. Members of the church believed that a lighted sign would help identify the church driveway, thereby reducing accident potential along Highway 50. No rationale has been expressed regarding the need to light the crosses. In its approval of the original variance, the Commission identified traffic safety as the reason for its action. If is unlikely that the current request can be handled in the same way since the driveway entrance is already well identified both by a lighted sign and a freestanding intersection light. A thoughtful review of Section 4 -3 -9 of the City Code suggests no grounds for granting another variance. Neither would it be proper to amend the record of the original variance to include lighting for the crosses. The opinion of staff is that additional lighting along Highway 50 will only add to night time roadside clutter. The question before the Commission, therefore, is to decide whether or not to encourage Christian Life Church to submit an application for a variance when grounds for approval appear to be so scarce. 4. DISCUSSION DAKOTA COUNTY ESTATES PUD PARKING LOT The attached sketch indicates in dashed lines, the outline of the existing employee parking lot behind the strip center on Pilot Knob Road. The solid lines shows how the bank drive up access could be amended to provide an entrance into the employee parking lot. With slight adjustments in outline, the current 13 automobile parking lot could be used as space for 10 cars plus some landscaping. Initially, Mr. Benedict believed that this adjustment could be made and with minor variation eliminate less curb than the staff plan shows. However, after thinking it over, Mr. Benedict believes that he cannot give up the three spaces. This brings the question back to a decision about the type of amendment listed in Section 10 -7 -3 (G)6. Because the change is not a minor reconfiguration, the addition of this parking lot and second entrance onto Ensley Lane must be authorized by the City Council as an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Benedict shall file a request for rezoning including an abstractor's certificate of property owners names and addresses within three hundred feet (300') of the boundaries of the property in question. A public hearing can be held by the Planning Commission after notification of property owners and the City Council can take action within sixty days after receiving a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Staff assumes that Mr. Benedict will be allowed to continue using the parking lot until the proposed amendment is acted upon. 5. ANNOUNCEMENT INFORMATION MEETING ON PROPOSED REVISION TO STATE PLANNING LEGISLATION See attached handout. 0.ikaALA, Charles Tooker Planner ti