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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 07-18-2007Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting July 18, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Holmes, Commissioners Frank Weir, Karl Neset, Terry Jaffoni, James Davis, Erik Aamoth, and John Cooney (arrived at 7:10). MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Senior Planner Marie Darling, Planner Joshua Doty, and Office Support Representative Barb Peterson 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the July 18, 2007 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 20, 2007 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve the June 20, 2007 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. DAMIEN AND KRISTEN WOLF MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve the request by Damien and Kristen Wolf for an extension of variances granted to allow a detached garage in the front yard and for impervious surface coverage for property located at 10610 South Shore Drive. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. Approved Planning Commission Minutes July 18, 2007 Page 2 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CLUTS, O'BRIEN, STROTHER ARCHITECTS. (2007045) Chair Holmes introduced the request by Cluts, O'Brien, Strother Architects for a site plan amendment and conditional use permit for an accessory clubhouse building for Park Place Apartments located at 14300 34th Avenue North. Planner Doty gave an overview of the July 10, 2007 staff report. Commissioner Jaffoni asked why the Zoning Ordinance limits the height on accessory buildings to 15 feet and why this building needs to be higher than that. Planner Doty stated that the height requirement of 15 feet is appropriate in most instances. He said the request for a higher building in this instance is to complement the existing three-story apartment buildings. Chair Holmes introduced the applicant Paul Strother. Mr. Strother further clarified the reason for the increased height. He said it will provide a nice focal point and give character to match the other buildings. Commissioner Davis asked where the exercise equipment and leasing office are now located. Mr. Strother said that fitness equipment is scattered throughout the buildings and the leasing office is located in one of the apartment buildings. Chair Holmes opened the public hearing. Chair Holmes closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. Commissioner Davis said he would vote in favor of the project as it will add to the appearance of the apartment complex. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the request for a site plan amendment and conditional use permit for an accessory clubhouse building for Park Place Apartments located at 14300 34th Avenue North. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B. T -MOBILE CENTRAL (2007049) Chair Holmes introduced the request by T -Mobile Central for a conditional use permit to allow installation of a 75 -foot monopole with telecommunications antennas at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 105 Forestview Lane N. Approved Planning Commission Minutes July 18, 2007 Page 3 Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the July 10, 2007 staff report. Chair Holmes asked if there is an existing cell tower in that area now. Senior Planner Darling said there is one located within the right-of-way of Forestview Lane, but the pole is not strong enough or tall enough to support more antennas. Commissioner Aamoth asked what the difference is between this request and the request made earlier in the year. Senior Planner Darling said the requests are very similar and from the same cellular provider, but the earlier request was to replace an existing light pole with a monopole and re -attach the lights. This application would be for a monopole that is structurally designed for multiple carriers. Commissioner Aamoth asked if the same questions were asked of the applicant this time. Senior Planner Darling said they were. Chair Holmes said the previous application was closer to residential areas. Chair Holmes introduced the applicant, Kari Brown, from T -Mobile. Chair Holmes opened the public hearing. Chair Holmes introduced Julie Fenyk, 104 Park Lane South, Minnetonka, MN. She said they will be able to see the tower from their front yard and she is concerned about the aesthetics. She asked why it isn't being located in a business park nearby instead of a residential area. She inquired about who will receive the rental fee and if the community will benefit from the funds. She said the FCC does prohibit reviewing telecommunications applications using property value and health impacts as review criteria, but she has concerns with these issues. Commissioner Davis asked Ms. Fenyk to locate their home on the map, which she did. Mr. Todd Billadeau, 104 Park Lanes, Minnetonka, MN stated that if the tower is going to be approved, it should be constructed taller and located on the school/park property to capture the financial benefit from the proceeds. Chair Holmes closed the public hearing. Ms. Brown introduced Weng Carpid, also from T Mobile, who stated the tower could not be placed on the business properties to the north because it would be too far to serve the targeted area that has poor service today. Ms. Brown said the Church was willing to sign a lease. She also said property studies have been done in Minnesota and Wisconsin proving that installation of the monopole will not hurt property values, noting she has previously provided the City with copies of these studies. She also stated that she has information on the health impact of the antenna emissions and that they are similar to baby monitors and similar electronic devices. Approved Planning Commission Minutes July 18, 2007 Page 4 Planning Manager Senness said the FCC does not allow the City to regulate the emissions or review applications based on the health impacts. Chair Holmes asked if there had been any discussions with the school about placing it on their property. Ms. Brown said that T -Mobile had rejected the site because of the drop in elevation on the school property which would affect the height of the tower. She said she was not certain if the school district was approached. Mr. Billadeau asked why the tower cannot be raised 10'. Chair Holmes said it didn't sound like the school wanted to enter into the contract. Senior Planner Darling stated that the Wayzata School District does not typically encourage towers on their property as they are long-term encumbrances. Taxes are collected on the income generated from the tower lease. She also said there is a limitation in the zoning ordinance on the height of towers, so a monopole could not be proposed higher than 75 feet. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve the request by T -Mobile Central for a conditional use permit to allow installation of a 75 -foot monopole with telecommunications antennas at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 105 Forestview Lane N. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. C. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2007057) Chair Holmes introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for a zoning text amendment to clarify the regulations regarding day care facilities. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the July 10, 2007 staff report. Commissioner Davis asked if the draft ordinance has been approved by the City's legal counsel. Senior Planner Drill said the draft language was reviewed by the City Attorney. He said that the City Attorney suggested a few edits which are reflected in the draft ordinance. He said the City Attorney concurs with the draft ordinance as proposed. Commissioner Weir asked why reference to the Planning Commission was eliminated under the Declaration of Conditions. Senior Planner Drill stated that the reference is proposed to be eliminated because the Planning Commission is a recommending body, and the City Council actually imposes the conditions when they adopt a resolution. Commissioner Davis asked if there was a specific need to amend the ordinance at this time. Senior Planner Drill said there was an inquiry about daycares that brought this discrepancy into light. Planning Manager Senness stated that the City attorney suggested revising the ordinance at this time. Approved Planning Commission Minutes July 18, 2007 Page 5 Chair Holmes opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the request by the City of Plymouth for a zoning text amendment to clarify the regulations regarding day care facilities. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 7. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Davis asked if the packets could be delivered earlier for the next meeting. Planning Manager Senness said that might be possible. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Wier, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.