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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/10/08 . . . Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting September 10, 2008 1. Call to Order Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty, Stokes, Larson, Bonar, Barker Members Absent: None Also Present: Tony Wippler - Assistant City Planner, Lee Smick - City Planner 2. Approval of Minutes a) August 12, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION by Larson, second by Stokes to approve the minutes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. Public Hearings a) Variance for setback and size of non-conforming accessory structure Applicant: Phyllis Kelly & Dan Simon 18 Pine Street Farmington, MN 55024 The applicants are seeking a variance from the City Code for the size and setback of a non- conforming accessory structure. The size variance requested would for an addition 100 square feet to be added to the existing 1,300 square foot structure. Per the City Code the side and rear yard setbacks are required to be six feet. The applicant is proposing a three foot side yard setback and a four foot rear yard setback. The structure would be a 1,440 square foot building once completed. They would be removing a 300 square foot com crib that currently exists on the property. They would then add onto the existing shed located on the site. Staffhas determined that the request satisfies all six hardships required for approval of a variance. Staff is recommending approval of the variance request. Commissioner Stokes asked what the size of the lot is and stated that in the past variances to build larger sheds have been denied and he is concerned that this may set a precedent. Chair Rotty stated that each application needs to be reviewed independently and the Commission should not grant variances if the hardships are not met. This applicant is meeting all hardships. This project will actually be improving the safety and appearance of the existing structure which is "grandfathered" because it was constructed prior to when the 1 ,000 square foot maximum was set. Staff stated that the Commission could require a survey to verify lot line locations although the homeowner has located his property pins. Commissioner Larson and Chari Rotty both stated that there did not appear to be the need for a survey in this instance. MOTION by Barker, second by Larson to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Larson, second by Bonar to approve the variance request and not require a survey. APF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Text Amendment to Section 10-5-21 (C) 2 concerning the allowance of a commercial/recreational vehicle use as a conditional use in the Industrial Park District Applicant: City of Farmington 430 Third Street Farmington, MN 55024 Planning Commission Minutes September 10, 2008 Page 2 . Staff is proposing to amend the uses in the Industrial Park District to include commercial/recreation as a conditional use. The commercial/recreational use is currently allowed in the 1-1 zone, the SSC zone and the Mixed Use district. The ceiling heights of buildings constructed in this district are typically conducive to this type of facility. MOTION by Larson, second by Barker to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Stokes, second by Barker to make a favorable recommendation to the City Council to amend the City Code. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. c) Text Amendment to Section 10-2-1 concerning definitions and Section 10-6-14 concerning the allowance of cell towers in the Park/Open Space District Applicant: City of Farmington 430 Third Street Farmington, MN 55024 . Staff is proposing to make two text amendments to the Definitions Section. The first is the addition of the definition for a Monopole. The second is the addition of a definition for Parks with Facilities. The changes requested for the ordinance revision includes the maximum height of the monopole be set at seventy five feet and have a seventy five foot setback when located in parks with facilities except when qualified engineer report specifies that any collapse of pole will occur within a lesser distance. One additional user would be allowed on a monopole. There would be no crow's nest or guy wires allowed on monopoles and antenna arms are to be separated by ten feet. Commissioner Bonar asked if there are currently structures located within the City of Farmington for cell towers. Staff stated that they do not have specifics on all locations. There are currently antennas located on the water towers. Staff will be working on expanding the tower ordinance to provide coverage to all households. Commissioner Bonar has also requested that there be additional items considered in the ordinance, for example removal of the towers once they are no longer utilized. MOTION by Barker, second by Larson to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Stokes, second by Larson to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. d) Text Amendment to Section 10-6-4 (M) concerning parking in residential areas. Applicant: City of Farmington 430 Third Street Farmington, MN 55024 . Staff is proposing to amend Section 10-6-4 (M) as it relates to installation of driveways in the five foot side or rear yard setback where there are no side or rear yard drainage and utility easements. In the older sections of Farmington where there are not side or rear yard easements, there are a number of driveways already encroaching into the side and/or rear yard setback. The amendment would allow an exception to the five foot side and rear yard setback for parcels that do not have easements in those locations. The City Attorney has indicated that having driveways abut lot lines could potentially cause conflicts between neighbors. He suggested a requirement for a one foot setback from the property line unless written consent from the adjacent property owner indicating that they do not have an issue with the zero setback is obtained. The Commissioners were not in favor of the one foot setback requirement. MOTION by Larson, second by Bonar to close the public hearing. . . . Planning Commission Minutes September 10, 2008 Page 3 APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Larson, second by Stokes to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Discussion a) Vinge Tile & Stone - Outside Storage Request Mr. Doug Vinge has had discussion with staff regarding locating a granite fabricating business in the currently vacant portion of his building at 21205 Eaton Ave. The business would be a permitted use in the IP zone. He would like to store the granite slabs outside on the north end of the parking lot. The outdoor storage would require approval from the City of Farmington. The City Code requires that all outdoor storage be screened from view. Mr. Vinge would also need to install the second lift on his parking lot so that the parking spaces may be striped if the additional business is located in the building. There are currently berms located adjacent to the parking lot that would provide some screening. Staff also provided examples of other businesses located in the industrial park that have outdoor storage and screening. Commissioner Larson stated that staff should look at the outdoor storage and screening at Minnesota Pipe and determine if it is in violation of their approved outdoor storage guidelines. Staff asked if the existing berms located on Mr. Vinge's property would be adequate. Commissioner Larson stated that he felt that the berm should be higher, perhaps six feet in height. Mr. Doug Vinge stated that he would like the Commission to look at the other business' outside storage as well. Chair Rotty stated that there may be some enforcement issues that need to be addresses for what is currently happening in the industrial park. Chair Rotty stated that most of the berming that exists is probably adequate but on the western side there would need to be additional screening. Commissioner Larson stated that he thinks that there should be additional berming on the west side of the lot. Commissioner Bonar stated that he also feels that the western side does need more screening. He also stated that he feels that the screening to the east is a difficult issue and having the visitors to the businesses see the outdoor storage first is probably not the most appealing appearance. Commissioner Stokes said that he feels the berms are fine but there should perhaps be more landscaping added. He thinks that having the granite outside is the best choice so that the customers can view the slabs in natural light. Commissioner Barker agreed that the western side needs to have additional screening. b) Findings of Fact - Denial of POR-MKR Real Estate CUP Amendment The Planning Commission was provided the Findings of Fact for the denial of the POR-MKR CUP Amendment. The denial was not appealed by the applicant. MOTION by Stokes, second by Barker to accept the Findings of Fact. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. c) Accessory Structures - detached garages versus storage sheds Staff would like to continue discussion regarding accessory structure requirements. Specifically, the size requirements for sheds and detached garages, and the requirements for detached garages to have a garage door and the ability to park a vehicle within the garage. Last June, the City Council approved the requirement that the garage have access via a paved driveway. Staff is encountering issues on some properties with this access requirement because of the property easements. Planning Commission Minutes September 10, 2008 Page 4 . Chair Rotty stated that on the first issue he would agree with increasing the definition of shed to be up to 240 square feet. He is not in favor of requiring a paved driveway to a detached garage. Commissioner Bonar stated that he agrees with the Chair and he believes that requiring additional paved driveways actually creates more runoff issues within the community. Commissioner Stokes stated that he is not in favor of requiring a paved driveway either. He stated that many of the detached garages are only used for storage. He is in favor of increasing the shed size. Commissioners Barker and Larson stated that they are also in favor of increasing the shed size and not requiring paved driveways. Staff was directed to bring this item forward via a workshop or further discussion to receive input from the City Council. 5. Adjourn MOTION by Larson, second by Barker to adjourn. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respect~ly submitted, X-.~ /' ..... ~-J. .........'.......-.. /--.-' 1-~'- . Lisa Dargi~ ..' / Administrative ~si~t Approved .