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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/8/08 . . . Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting April 8, 2008 1. Call to Order Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7 :00 p.m. Members Present; Rotty, Bonar, Larson Members Absent: Barker, Stokes Also Present: Tony Wippler - Assistant City Planner, Lee Smick - City Planner 2. Approval of Minutes a) March 11,2008 MOTION by Larson, second by Bonar to approve the minutes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. Public Hearings a) Text Amendment to Section 10-2-1 Definitions, Section 11-4-4 (A) Width and Location and Section 11-4-4 (D) Drainage and Utility Easement (Con't). Applicant: City of Farmington The modifications resulting in the current language regarding drainage and utility easements was approved on July 10,2007. Staff has been in contact with a number of utility companies regarding boulevard trees and would like to make further changes to the drainage and utility easement language. The changes would clarify the use of easements for drainage and utilities and would address the placement of lot frontage trees. There were also minor changes made to the approved boulevard tree ordinance. The changes pertain to placement of lot frontage trees in new subdivisions. Commissioner Bonar asked if this would change the one year warranty requirement in development requirements. Staff stated that the changes would not effect the warranty period. Commissioner Bonar also requested that the language reference that replacement trees be chosen from the approved list of boulevard tree species. MOTION by Larson, second by Bonar to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Bonar, second by Larson to recommend approval of the proposed changes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Variance to the location of a wall sign Applicant: Expressive Embroidery 305 3rd Street Farmington, MN 55024 The applicant would like to place a wall sign on a wall that does not front a street. The property is zoned B-2 which allows one wall sign per street frontage of up to 14% ofthe building's favade. The proposed 32 square foot sign meets the size requirements. The placement of the sign on the northwest comer of the building would require a variance. There has been a sign located in that area in the past, but there are no records indicating if there had been a permit for the previous sign. The hardship for the variance is due to the lack of ability to be seen from Elm Street. Chair Rotty noted that the applicant would need to have a permit for any additional signs on the front of the building. Staff also . . Planning Commission Minutes April 08, 2007 Page 2 noted that the Economic Development Authority owns the building and they reviewed the request and allowed that variance application to move forward. MOTION by Larson, second by Bonar to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Larson, second by Bonar to approve the variance application. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Discussion a) Impound Lot CUP Discussion - 22068 Canton Court The City Council approved an impound lot as a conditional use in the B-3 zone on March 3,2008. On April 22, 2008 this item will come back as a public hearing. The impound lot use by Lorenz Towing would consist of an impound towing use where cars are impounded on the lot or they would be towing cars to repair centers. The operation would be 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are ten staff members and 5 towing trucks. The applicant would be renting the south half of the existing building. There will be no storage of cars in the building due to the fact that the building is not sprinkled. The cars will be parked on the existing class 5 material. The east, south and west sides of the lot would be screened with slatted fencing. There is currently no requirement to screen the north side of the lot. The Commissioners stated that they would like to see the north side of the lot screened as well. Mr. Lorenz will ask the adjacent property owner if he will allow him to add screening to his existing fence. Chair Rotty stated that he still has some concerns but he will visit the site and address any concerns at the public hearing. b) Special Meeting - Public Hearing - April 22, 2008 (verbal update) There will be a special meeting on April 22, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. for the public hearing for this item. The public hearing will be followed by a Planning Commission workshop. 5. Adjourn MOTION by Larson, second by Bonar to adjourn. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. R, e.sp~~~""."~...,y.,, subm itte,d' 01 ~ (1\ - I ...? ~ . '-- -./;L~_~:=j --""'j /_~ Lisa Dargis ,/ "" Administrative Assistant . Approved