HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 02-06-2013Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
February 6, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Bryan Oakley, Marc Anderson,
Dick Kobussen, and Nathan Robinson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Gordon Petrash and Scott Nelson
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson, Senior Planner Shawn Drill and
Office Support Specialist Laurie Lokken
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC FORUM
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the
February 6, 2013 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 2, 2013 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Oakley, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to approve the
January 2, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. PAULY ENTERPRISES, INC. (2012092)
Chair Davis introduced the request by Pauly Enterprises, Inc. for a variance to allow off-site
signage and signage that would exceed the allowable size on the Perkins property located at 2945
Empire Lane North.
Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the staff report.
Commissioner Kobussen asked if the zoning regulations in effect when the private sign easement
agreement was made in 1975 would have required that signage be on the same site where the
business is located. Senior Planner Drill responded affirmatively and added that the sign
regulations at that time did not allow for signage to be as large as it can be today. He noted that
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Planning Commission Minutes
February 6, 2013
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in the 1970's and 1980's, there were occurrences in the city where business signs were located
off-site.
Responding to Commissioner Oakley's question, Senior Planner Drill stated that the existing
signage for the pylon on the Perkins site appears to contain roughly 110 square feet.
Chair Davis asked if the Days Inn Hotel has a variance to have their sign located on the pylon on
the Perkins site. Senior Planner Drill responded that staff could not find record of one. He said
the Days Inn signage has been on the Perkins site for a long time, probably since the hotel was
built. He said that the Days Inn Hotel site is covered by the same private easement agreement
allowing them to place their sign on the Perkins site. He noted that the city is not a party to the
private sign easement agreement.
Chair Davis asked if Days Inn did not have their sign on the Perkins pylon today but asked to
place a sign there, would they have to go through this same variance application process. Senior
Planner Drill replied affirmatively because it would be an off-site sign.
Commissioner Kobussen stated that the total signage in the area would be reduced if they were to
combine the signs. He said the zoning ordinance serves a purpose and unless there is a very
good reason to allow the off-site sign, there is no reason to issue the variance. He said that the
applicant has other options; such as removing trees that are blocking the existing sign or they
could relocate signage on their site. He said there are other ways to make the signage work and
he would not vote in favor of the requested variance.
Commissioner Oakley stated he would not support this variance. He said the city was not
involved in the private sign easement agreement that was apparently drawn up in a manner that
did not conform to applicable city rules. He said that the applicant might want to revisit and
address the easement agreements with the other parties.
Chair Davis stated he would not vote to approve this request. He said that the applicant was not
present to advocate for this project and he would follow staff's recommendation.
MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Oakley, to deny the request
by Pauly Enterprises, Inc. for a variance to allow off-site signage and signage that would exceed
the allowable size for property located at 2945 Empire Lane North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION
approved.
B. 2013 PLANNING COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM
Planning Manager Thomson gave an overview of the 2013 Planning Commission Work Program
and 2012 Community Development Annual Report.
Chair Davis asked for clarification in the 2012 Community Development Annual Report with
regard to moving permits. Planning Manager Thomson responded that moving permits are
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required by the Building Department for moving a home either from one area to another area in
or out of the city or to move a home through Plymouth from one city to another.
Chair Davis stated that since 2009, there is an upswing of more activity in the city. Planning
Manager Thomson replied that all of the activity, both with Planning and with Building, reflects
the fact that the economy is getting stronger. She noted that growth is strong in residential
development in the northwest portion of the city, especially that portion within the Wayzata
School District.
MOTION by Commissioner Kobussen, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to accept the
2013 Planning Commission Work Program and forward it to the City Council. Vote. 5 Ayes.
MOTION approved.
C. ELECTION OF PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
FOR 2013
MOTION by Commissioner Kobussen, seconded by Commissioner Oakley, to elect James
Davis to position of the Chair of the 2013 Planning Commission. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION
approved.
MOTION by Commissioner Kobussen, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to elect Bryan
Oakley to the position of Vice Chair of the 2013 Planning Commission. Vote. 5 Ayes.
MOTION approved.
D. APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSIONER TO SERVE AS LIAISON
TO THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MOTION by Chair Davis, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to appoint Commissioner
Kobussen as liaison to the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION
approved.
7. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Chair Davis, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m.