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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 01-16-2019Approved Minutes 1 of 4 Meeting of January 16, 2019 Approved Minutes Planning Commission Meeting January 16, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Marc Anderson, Commissioners Bryan Oakley, Donovan Saba, Julie Witt, David Witte, Justin Markell and Jaspreet (Jesse) Narr MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson and Senior Planner Shawn Drill OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Ned Carroll 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. OATH OF OFFICE - Jaspreet Narr 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. PUBLIC FORUM 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Witte, seconded by Commissioner Markell, to approve the January 16, 2019 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 5, 2018 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Oakley, seconded by Commissioner Witte, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. WEST PLYMOUTH DEVELOPMENT (2018078) Chair Anderson introduced the request by West Plymouth Development for a rezoning, preliminary plat and PUD general plan for a subdivision containing 125 single-family lots to be called "Westin Ridge" on property located at the southeast corner of County Roads 47 and 101. He indicated that staff is working with the applicant regarding the proposed development plans, and the applicant is in the process of preparing updated plans. As a consequence, Chair Anderson 5A Approved Minutes 2 of 4 Meeting of January 16, 2019 opened the public hearing and continued it to the February 6, 2019 Planning Commission meeting. B. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2018045) Chair Anderson introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for the annual update to the zoning ordinance and city code. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Oakley referenced the fence materials that would no longer be allowed, noting that he has seen a lot of this type of material throughout the community. He asked if rabbit fence for gardens would fall under the non-allowed materials. Senior Planner Drill replied garden fencing not located along the lot line is allowed. He explained that the language applies to lot line fencing between properties. Commissioner Witte stated that one of the significant changes throughout is the reference to numbers in both the written and numerical values. He asked if there was a trigger for that change. Senior Planner Drill explained that the style guidelines in place in 1996 when the zoning ordinance was re-written called for the duplication of numbers and that the numbers be spelled out. He stated that the style guidelines have been changed since that time, and therefore when ordinances are updated, that numeric style is also updated. Commissioner Witte asked if the accessory building language would now address tree house- style buildings. Senior Planner Drill replied that there was discussion on that topic and how that would be addressed. He stated that the decision was not to address the topic at this time as there has only been one situation that has arisen thus far. Commissioner Witte referenced the parking ordinance and asked if there has been discussion of boats and recreational vehicles being allowed to park on the streets for a short amount of time. Senior Planner Drill stated that regulations exist for parking vehicles of that type within a driveway. He noted that parking is not allowed on public streets between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Commissioner Witte referenced the wetland buffer language. He stated there is language that allows for removal of nuisance trees and brush but does not appear to address removal of dead trees. Senior Planner Drill stated if there are dead plant materials within a buffer, the homeowner could remove those. He stated the nuisance definition may include dead plant materials, but noted that staff could review that language to ensure the concern is addressed. Approved Minutes 3 of 4 Meeting of January 16, 2019 Commissioner Markell stated that he spoke with the city forester this summer when he considered felling a dead tree on his property, which is not within the wetland buffer but could fall within the wetland buffer. He stated that his concern was whether that would be in breach of the wetland buffer ordinance. He stated the decision at that time was that the activity would not trigger a violation, but he was concerned that this additional language could trigger a violation. He explained that the buffer could be considered to be disturbed by the felling of a tree that is left as it falls within the buffer. He asked staff to review that language. · Commissioner Witte stated that city crews have gone through to remove a lot of buckthorn and clean up along streambanks. He stated that a windstorm then comes through and dead trees fall into the buffer and are left. Commissioner Narr referenced the allowable fence materials and asked if the rule would apply to a property adjacent to a wetland, where the fencing is installed between' the property and wetland. Senior Planner Drill replied that this would apply to that type of property, noting that the fence material would need to allow drainage to flow to the wetland. Commissioner Narr stated that her backyard faces a wetland. She asked what she would then use to prevent the wildlife from entering her garden area. Senior Planner Drill replied that the "pet playground fencing" pictured in the staff report has already been determined as not allowed for perimeter fencing and reviewed·some of the fencing that would be allowed for perimeter fencing. Planning Manager Thomson asked if the fence would be desired around the wetland or in the backyard. Commissioner Narr stated that her question would be for a lot that faces the wetland. She explained that the lot line may not lie exactly near the wetland, but this type of fence could provide a good boundary to keep the wildlife that frequent the wetland from entering the private property. Planning Manager Thomson agreed that a typical fence would be required rather than the "pet playground fencing" unless that fencing is going around a garden or something smaller within the yard. Chair Anderson stated that the photograph shows chickens. He stated that in recent conversations with residents, he noticed that there was interest in allowing chickens. He asked staff to clarify whether the keeping of chickens on residential lots is currently allowed. Senior Planner Drill replied that city staff is often asked whether chickens are allowed in Plymouth on residential properties, noting that at this time, chickens are not allowed. He stated there is not support from the council at this time, and noted that staff also has concerns with allowing chickens on residential lots with the decreasing lot sizes. Approved Minutes 4 of 4 Meeting of January 16, 2019 Planning Manager Thomson replied that the keeping of chickens is allowed in the FRD zoning district. Chair Anderson referenced the parking text change, which includes mention of allowing storage trailer/storage compartments on residential properties during a construction project and asked how completion would be defined in regard to removal requirements. Senior Planner Drill replied there have been a few situations in the past year that triggered code enforcement. He stated that the current language requires immediate removal. He stated that the new language would allow for 15 days upon the completion of a project. He stated that the problem the city has seen is not with new construction, but with remodeling projects. Chair Anderson referenced the sign regulations, which state that billboards are a lawfully nonconforming use and asked for clarification. Senior Planner Drill replied that lawful nonconforming status would allow for rebuilding of the same size billboard in the same location in the case of fire, as long as a permit is applied for within six months. Chair Anderson asked how many complaints the city received regarding campaign signs during the last election cycle. Senior Planner Drill replied that he is unsure of the number, but stated that staff received many calls and were out looking at signs each day. He stated that the new language would make for an easier system for placement and measurement and should reduce the number of complaints significantly. Chair Anderson opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing as there was no one present who requested to speak on this item. MOTION by Commissioner Witte, seconded by Commissioner Oakley, to recommend approval of the request by the City of Plymo'uth for the annual update to the zoning ordinance and city code, subject to clarification of wetland buffer language related to dead trees. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 8. NEW BUSINESS 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Anderson, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 P.M.