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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 Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 2 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 Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 3 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.