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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/10/07 . . . Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting July 10,2007 1. Call to Order Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty, Oswald, Larson, Barker Members Absent: Fitzloff Also Present: Tony Wippler - Assistant City Planner, Lee Smick - City Planner, John Milde, Colin Garvey, Pat Regan, Mike Bischel, Kimberly Sperling, Ray Brandt 2. Approval of Minutes a) June 12, 2007 MOTION by Larson, second by Barker to approve the June 12, 2007 minutes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. Public Hearings a) Ordinance amending Title 10 - Creation of a Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District (cont.) Applicant: City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 Staff requested to have this item withdrawn. MOTION by Barker, second by Oswald to withdraw the item. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Revise Sections 10-2-1 concerning storable pools, 10-5-11 (C) concerning RT zone, 10-5-12 (A,B,C) concerning RD zone, 10-6-1 and 10-6-1 A sub. 5 concerning residential swimming pools, and 10-6-3 (B,C) concerning signs Applicant: City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 Staff is requesting that three of the items be withdrawn. The items to be withdrawn are Section 10-2-1 concerning storable pools, Section 10-6-1 and 10-6-1 A sub. 5 concerning residential swimming pools, and 10-5-11 (C) concerning the RT zone. The changes to Section 10-5-12 (A,B,C) concerning the RD zone include language changes to the purpose statement and the addition of a lot width requirements and density standards. The revisions to Section 10-6-3 (B,C) concerning signs are minor language revisions. MOTION by Oswald, second by Barker to withdraw the 3 items requested and recommend approval ofthe remaining changes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. . . . Planning Commission Minutes July 10, 2007 Page 2 c) Variance to the location of a wall sign Applicant: Pederson Auto Shop 101 3rd Street Farmington, MN 55024 The applicant is proposing a wall sign on the side of their building that does not front the road, which would require a variance. The trees on the adjacent property reduce the visibility ofthe sign that is currently on the front ofthe building. MOTION by Larson, second by Barker to approve the variance. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. d) Conditional Use Permit to locate off-premises directional sign Applicant: Church of St. Michael 22120 Denmark Ave. Farmington, MN 55024 The applicant is proposing an off premises directional sign measuring 18" x 24" in size. The applicant has received approval from the school district to locate the sign on the northeast comer of the intersection of Elm Street and Akin Road. The sign would direct people south to Denmark Avenue. Staff is recommending the following conditions be required for issuance of a conditional use permit for this sign: 1. The applicant must obtain a sign permit prior to the installation of the sign. 2. The applicant must coordinate with all small utility companies that may have services in the area to ensure that placement of the sign does not affect any of those services. Commissioner Oswald stated that he is unsure about the appropriateness of the location of the sign. Mr. John Frank from St. Michael's Church stated that this location was the only option due to setback requirements and refusal of other property owners to allow the sign on their property. Several of the commissioners felt that a location closer to Akin Road would be better, but if this was the only option they would allow it. MOTION by Larson, second by Barker to approve the conditional use permit with the two contingencies. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. e) Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan to allow an Auto Repair-Major business in the B-3 zoning district Applicant: John Milde P.O. Box 957 Lakeville, MN 55044 The applicant has submitted a site plan for a multi-tenant building that will be occupied by an auto body shop, a landscaping business and one space that is un- leased at this time. The location will be Lot 2, Block 2 of the Farmington Business . . . Planning Commission Minutes July 10, 2007 Page 3 Park. The only major change from the sketch plan that the Planning Commission reviewed in June to the site plan is the removal of a loading dock that has been replaced with additional doors and additional parking spaces. The building meets all ofthe required setbacks and lot coverage requirements. There are 75 off street parking spaces and an area that will be fenced in for overnight storage for the body shop. The screening meets the requirements of the PUD Agreement. Engineering is reviewing the grading plan for the site. A conditional use permit will be required for the auto body shop. Staff has reviewed the criteria for the CUP and feels that all of the criteria are being met. The following contingencies are being recommended by Staff: 1. Approval of the grading plan by the Engineering Division. 2. Revising the landscape plan to provide additional screening in the form of landscaping on the southern boundary of the fenced in parking area. 3. Modifying the site plan to show masonry block on three sides of all trash enclosures. Commissioner Oswald stated that he would like to review the short term storage requirements in the City Code at some point in the near future. MOTION by Barker, second by Oswald to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Oswald, second by Larson to approve the site plan with the three contingencies and approval of the Conditional Use Permit for the auto body major. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 1) Amendment to the Farmington Business Park PUD concerning screening requirements Applicant: City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 The PUD for the Farmington Business Park currently states that all screening of outside storage areas will include a six foot to eight foot high opaque wooden fence and landscaping, or landscaping and berms, or a combination of both. At the June Planning Commission Meeting there was discussion regarding including chain link fence with either slats or mesh that would meet the opacity requirements. Staff is recommending amending the design standards to include the chain link fence with a color requirement for the slats or mesh. The Commissioners felt that the color requirement should be changed from black to neutral colors or earth tones. MOTION by Barker, second by Oswald to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Baker, second by Oswald to recommend approval of the proposed amendment. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. . Planning Commission Minutes July 10, 2007 Page 4 g) Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan to allow a Truck Terminal in the IP zoning district Applicant: POR-MKR Real Estate, LLC 101 East 10th Street, Suite 300 Hastings, MN 55033 . Mr. Patrick Regan is requesting a site plan review for the last remaining industrial park lot. The lot location is Lot 3, Block 1 of the Farmington Industrial Park 20gth Street Addition. The applicant is proposing dismantling a 12,600 square foot building that is currently on the former Marshall Bus Line property east of Trunk Highway 3. The building would be relocated to this property. There would be no requirement for a special exemption permit because the building would be moved in pieces. The building would be located on the rear portion of the lot with an entrance coming from 20gth Street. There will be 12 parking stalls and areas for outside storage of busses. There are plans for additional buildings on the lot in the future. The second phase of the plan would have to go through a site plan review prior to construction. There is a 100 foot wide gas line easement that runs through the property. The landscaping plan meets all requirements for the IP zone. Part of the property is heavily wooded and is in a wetland area that will not be developed. The lot coverage maximums are being met. Engineering is reviewing the grading plan. There will need to be a conditional use permit for the use as a bus/truck terminal. The following contingencies would need to be met: 1. Approval of the grading and utility plan by the Engineering Division. 2. Applicant must obtain an encroachment agreement from the gas company to construct a parking area within their easement. Commissioner Larson asked if this use is allowed in the Industrial Park with regard to doing maintenance to the vehicles. Staff stated that the use is allowed in this Addition of the Industrial Park. Commissioner Barker asked if there would be fencing requirements for the outside storage area. Staff will check on that requirement. Chair Rotty asked Mr. Regan to describe how the building that is being moved will fit with the design standards for the Industrial Park. Mr. Regan stated that part of the reason that he is moving the building is to accommodate the completion of 210th Street. The building will be raised by two feet so that the doors are higher and the metal siding will be covered with new material that meets the design standards. There will be screening with trees and possibly berms. Chair Rotty asked ifthere are any concerns for the safety of people using the daycare facility that is near this property. Mr. Regan stated that the 100 foot wide gas easement provides a safety buffer to the adjacent properties. He stated that the work done to the busses will take place inside of the building. . MOTION by Larson, second by Oswald to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Oswald, second by Larson to approve the site plan and conditional use permit. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Discussion Planning Commission Minutes July 10, 2007 Page 5 . a) Development Sketch Plan - Michael Bischel- 808 2nd Street Mr. Michael Bischel is re~uesting sketch plan review for redevelopment of the property located at 808 2n Street. There is an existing triplex on the site and a detached garage. The plan includes the construction of two twin home lots and one single family lot on .76 acres ofland. The property is zoned R-2. The surrounding properties are also zoned R-2. The access would be a 22 foot wide private drive. The drive is over 150 feet in length and would therefore require an emergency turnaround. On the sketch plan, the turnaround would be part of an outlot and in an easement. If the turnaround is completely located on an outlot; the lot requirements may no longer be met for all three lots proposed. Mr. Ray Brandt, the applicant's engineer asked why the street would need to be located on an outlot. Staff stated that the City Attorney has stated that this is how the private drive should be handled. Mr. Bischel stated that the twin homes would be one level and wheel chair accessible. There would be a two car garage for each unit. Ms. Kimberly Sperling stated that the legal description states that the lot is actually .86 acres. She also stated that the single family home included in the plan would face 2nd Street and provide a more attractive view. Chair Rotty stated that he feels that the City Code will need to be followed. The issues will need to be resolved and City Staff will be in contact with the City Attorney to arrange a meeting with the applicant. . b) Discussion concerning Drainage and Utility Easements and Recreational Vehicle Parking Staff is proposing changes to the language in the City Code regarding drainage and utility easements. The vagueness of the current wording is causing issues out in the field for inspectors. There are inconsistencies in how different homeowners are interpreting the requirements and how they can be enforced. The proposed change would include changing the wording to only allow turf grasses and fences in the easement areas. There are some proposed changes to the recreational vehicle parking section as well. Right now recreational vehicles can be parked on decorative rock that goes all the way to the property line; which also effects the drainage easements. The Commissioners felt that they would like to see additional information regarding the drainage and utility easement changes. . c) Discussion concerning ShedslDetached Garages The proposed changes to the section of the City Code pertaining to sheds and detached garages would include increasing the maximum size allowable for sheds without a permit. Currently any shed 120 square feet or less in size may be constructed without a building permit. The proposed change would increase that size to 200 square feet. The height requirement of 12 feet or less would remain unchanged. The Code currently requires private garages to have a paved driveway. The proposed change would add a new category for garages that would be called garage-detached. The new definition would include requirements that are not part of the City Code for garage-private. The new garage category would not require a paved driveway and would be based on a range of sizes. Chair Rotty felt that he would not want to require the color to be the same as the house. Commissioner Larson would like more information regarding height requirements. Planning Commission Minutes July lO, 2007 Page 6 . d) Discussion concerning Pylon Signs/Signs on Wheels The section ofthe City Code regarding pylon signs is being reviewed because the setback requirements have been difficult to achieve in newer developments. The proposed change would require monument signs for new developments. Chair Rotty stated that if we follow our current ordinances that should take care ofthe problem because some of the design standards in the newer developments will make pylon signs too difficult to use anyway. Commissioner Larson stated that he would be in favor ofthe proposed changes and possibly making pylon signs require a conditional use permit. Commissioner Oswald stated that he would still like to see pylon signs remain an option. Chair Rotty stated that we could restrict the use of pylon signs in the newer developments rather than remove the option of pylon signs. The Commissioners agreed that they would like to see primarily monument signs used in the future. Another proposed change to the sign ordinance would include addressing signs on wheels. The Commission stated that they feel these signs should only be used on a temporary basis. . e) Discussion regarding the City's Boulevard Tree Policy The City of Farmington has made changes to the boulevard tree policy. As of April 2, 2007, any tree that dies on the boulevard will not be replaced by the City. The homeowner has the option of replacing the boulevard tree, but they must place the tree on their property. The only areas of the City where boulevard trees will be replaced are along the major collector routes. There will be requirements for front yard trees in the new developments. Staff would like to know how the Commissioners feel about the front yard requirements and how the placement should be addressed. Chair Rotty asked if there would be a tree escrow requirement from the developer. He also stated that there should be some sort of standard for where the trees are placed. t) Comp Plan Meetings There will be a special Planning Commission Meeting on July 19th to discuss the Land Use Staging Plan. On July 26th there would be a neighborhood meeting to discuss the Staging Plan with the public. 5. ADJOURN MOTION by Larson, second by Barker to adjourn. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respe~ful1Y ~ubA1itted, '-.",.", j,'/ ~ ...->'i ""'::,~"-'''", '~',~C.,.).""".", '~ ~..... Lisa Dargis '- ..' Administrative Assistant Approved .