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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 09-16-20201 Approved Minutes September 16, 2020 Approved Minutes Planning Commission Meeting September 16, 2020 Chair Anderson called a Meeting of the Plymouth Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on September 16, 2020. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Marc Anderson, Commissioners David Witte, Michael Boo, Bryan Oakley, Donovan Saba, Michael Boo, David Witte, Justin Markell, and Julie Jones COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Steve Juetten, Senior Planner Lori Sommers, Senior Planner Shawn Drill and Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Ned Carroll, Justin Gunderson, 13015 Rockford Road Chair Anderson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Plymouth Forum Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Oakley, and seconded by Commissioner Boo, to approve the agenda. With All Commissioners voting in favor, the motion carried. Consent Agenda (4.1) Planning Commission minutes from meeting held on September 2, 2020. Commissioner Markell asked that the minutes reflect that he was absent as he recused himself based on having a conflict of interest on item 5.1, the only substantive item on the agenda. Commissioner Jones, noted on page three, the fifth paragraph, it should state, “Chair Anderson opened the public hearing.” Motion was made by Commissioner Jones and seconded by Commissioner Witte, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. With all Commissioners voting in favor, the motion carried. Public Hearings (5.1) Conditional Use Permit to allow a columbarium at the southwest corner of the church property located at 13015 Rockford Road (2020061) 2 Approved Minutes September 16, 2020 Senior Planner Sommers reviewed the staff report. Commissioner Boo asked how the city would address issues of permanency when a graveyard is setup. He also asked for details related to access for the public. Senior Planner Sommers replied that the columbarium and graveyard are open to those that wish to pay their respects to someone buried in this location. She stated that cemeteries are considered as a conditional use permit and therefore if a new cemetery came in, it would go through the conditional use permit process. Commissioner Witte referenced the vegetative screening and elevation, asking if the elevation would provide adequate screening from the townhomes to the south in the winter months. Senior Planner Sommers stated that staff reviewed the elevation change and noted that even on the decks of the townhomes, someone would not be able to see the columbarium. Commissioner Witte asked for details on what the back of the columbarium would look like. Senior Planner Sommers replied that from that distance it would only appear as a grey stone structure. She explained that the columbarium would look the same on all sides. Commissioner Witte asked how these uses are regulated outside of land use, using the example of a church dissolving and whether the State would then keep the records of whom is entombed in that location. Senior Planner Sommers replied that the city would not be involved in that type of regulation. She stated that if the site were redeveloped, the city would ensure that something was properly done. Commissioner Oakley asked if there are existing trees that will be removed as a part of this project. Senior Planner Sommers confirmed that two small trees will be relocated on site. Chair Anderson introduced, Mr. Justin Gunderson, representing the applicant, who stated that he was present to address any questions. Commissioner Oakley asked the length of construction for this type of project. Mr. Gunderson replied that the construction company is only involved in the construction of the footings, foundation, and pavers. He anticipated that would take about two weeks. He stated that the church would then raise funds to purchase the columbaria. Chair Anderson asked if there is an idea of phasing, asking whether the units would be constructed one at a time. Mr. Gunderson replied that he believes it is the intention of the church to complete one phase per year, but that could be expedited if larger donations are received. 3 Approved Minutes September 16, 2020 Chair Anderson asked for details on whether this is adequate timing for the conditional use permit as only the foundation construction is occurring at this time. Senior Planner Sommers stated that the church turned in a building permit for a foundation and staff found that triggered the conditional use permit for this use. She noted that staff will continue to check in with the church to ensure that phase one is completed prior to the expiration of the conditional use permit. She explained that the church would receive approvals for all phases once construction begins for phase one and future phases would not require additional review from the commission. Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. Community Development Coordinator Lupini read an email into the record submitted by Jacqueline Johnson of 13030 39th Avenue. Chair Anderson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Witte asked if there would be internment services, similar to burial services, where a service of family and friends could be gathered. Mr. Gunderson replied confirmed that he believed that to be true but noted that is not a member of the parish. Commissioner Witte asked if there are homes nearby at the same elevation that would be able to see the monument and gatherings for internment services. Senior Planner Sommers replied that there are no homes nearby at the same elevation, as there is a 36-foot elevation change to the closest homes. Commissioner Boo asked if there are already services being held on the grounds, as this is an active cemetery. Senior Planner Sommers confirmed that there are services currently being held at the site. Commissioner Oakley commented that it would seem that someone would need on be on the third level of an adjacent home in order to view the area proposed and stated that it does not appear there are any three level homes in that area. Chair Anderson stated that a resident requested additional screening for the parking and church but noted that this application is only considering the columbaria and does not take into account those other measures as the church was built over 30 years ago. Commissioner Jones stated that she has been to this cemetery and the actual headstones for the cemetery are close to the property line, whereas the columbarium is at least 100 feet from the property line. She stated that when she has visited the cemetery, she was not even aware that there were homes to the south because of the vegetation and change in grade. She stated that she 4 Approved Minutes September 16, 2020 would assume that there have not been complaints for services at the cemetery and therefore did not believe there would be complaints for services at the columbarium. Commissioner Oakley stated that he passes this site multiple times per week and has never noticed the columbarium in its current location. He stated that once he found out about the columbarium, he attempted to view it from public grounds and was unsuccessful. He stated that the church has been a steward of the property for many years and believed it has done a good job and will be supporting the request. Motion was made by Commission Oakley, and seconded by Commissioner Witte, to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit to allow a columbarium at the southwest corner of the church property located at 13015 Rockford Road. With all Commissions voting in favor, the motion carried. (5.2) Annual Update to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code (City of Plymouth – 2020022) Senior Planner Drill reviewed the staff report. Commissioner Jones referenced the nursing home parking and asked if this would apply to nursing home facilities or single-family homes that have been converted into memory/nursing care uses. She questioned whether the parking ratio would be excessive. Senior Planner Drill replied that the parking requirement would apply to nursing/memory care facilities and not to converted single-family homes. He explained that the ordinance currently requires one parking space for every three beds, which would remain the same. He noted that for larger facilities there have been issues with parking during staff shift changes and with visiting on holidays and weekends. Commissioner Jones asked if the additional parking requirement for staff would be added to the one stall per three bed requirement. Senior Planner Drill confirmed that to be true. Commissioner Witte asked if staff considered rounding up the fencing requirement to seven feet, rather than using a half foot measurement. Senior Planner Drill stated that all options would be on the table. He explained that the thought of staff would be that a six-foot panel along with the space below the fence and posts above the panel would fit sufficiently within the 6.5-foot limit. Commissioner Witte asked if there have been height issues with fencing installed on a hill or in areas with elevation changes. Senior Planner Drill confirmed that there are instances were a fence would need to be increased in an area with elevation changes in order to remain level. 5 Approved Minutes September 16, 2020 Community Development Director Juetten noted that the building code requires any fence over seven feet to have a building permit, therefore the intent of the 6.5-foot requirement is to stay under that building code limit which would require additional engineering. He noted that generally panels sold at stores come in heights of six feet and the additional half foot would accommodate space at the bottom for drainage. Commissioner Oakley asked how fence height would be measured, whether that is at the highest point of the fence line or the highest continuous level of the fence. He asked if a decorative post cap would exceed the height limitation. Senior Planner Drill replied that the 6.5 feet is intended to be measured to the top of the decorative post of top of the fence. He noted that if the top of the fence itself measured at 6.5 feet decorative posts would not then be allowed. Commissioner Saba commented that he believes that the language within the code is clear that the height includes the clearance to the ground and the cap at the top of the post. Commissioner Jones commended the many staff that have worked on the proposed text amendments, noting that she is aware of the work that is required by staff in order to continuously update the code to remain current and up to date. She asked if there is a maximum width for a residential driveway. Senior Planner Drill replied that there is a maximum width of driveway within the right-of-way of 24 feet. He explained that once the driveway is on the lot, they can taper to a width that supports a third garage stall or additional parking space. Chair Anderson commented that he has noticed homes in new subdivisions that have poured additional driveway space after the completion of the subdivision and was unsure how that would be enforced. Senior Planner Drill commented that the city does not have a permit process for driveways or patios that are at grade. He commented that it would be a major undertaking that would require a lot of staff time. He stated that staff receives phone calls from residents asking what can be done with driveways, which is an opportunity to inform the residents of the rules. He noted that there have been circumstances where the city receives a complaint and requires a section of driveway to be removed. Commissioner Witte stated that there has been one instance in his time on the commission where increased driveway space caused drainage problems on the neighboring property and that issue was required to be addressed. Commissioner Jones asked if right-of-way permits are required for driveways that change width within that right-of-way area. Senior Planner Drill replied that a right-of-way permit is not required for that activity. Commissioner Markell referenced item 53 and suggested that the language be changed as follows, “…physical, cognitive, and or behavioral…”. 6 Approved Minutes September 16, 2020 Senior Planner Drill replied that the change would be made before the amendments go to the City Council. Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. Community Development Director Juetten complimented Senior Planner Drill on his work completing the annual update. Chair Anderson closed the public hearing. Chair Anderson commented that he appreciates the larger cul-de-sac size as it makes it easier to maneuver school buses. Motion was made by Commission Witte, and seconded by Commissioner Saba, to approve the Annual Update to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code as amended. With all Commissions voting in favor, the motion carried. Councilmember Carroll complemented staff and praised the Commission for the experience and expertise they bring to the Commission. New Business Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.