HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 03-05-2003Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
March 5, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice -chair Frank Weir, Kendall Griffith, Jason Rohloff, Nancy Franke -
Wilson, and Melissa Musliner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Peggy Larson and Commissioner James Holmes
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning Manager
Barbara Senness, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Planner Rebecca Bowers, Associate Planner Joshua
Doty, and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC FORUM
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Director Hurlburt stated that Consent Agenda Item 6A. has been removed from the consent
agenda for a brief explanation of a change in the staff report, and Item 8A., Cancellation of the
March 19, 2003 Planning Commission meeting has been added.
MOTION by Commissioner Griffith, seconded by Commissioner Rohloff, to approve the
amended March 5, 2003 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Rohloff, seconded by Commissioner Griffith, to approve the
February 19, 2003 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
A. MARLYN SJAARDA (2003008)
Vice -chair Weir introduced the request by Marlyn Sjaarda for a variance to allow construction of
an addition to the side of the home located at 11720 38th Avenue North.
Approved
Planning Commission Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 2
Associate Planner Doty gave an overview of the revised staff report. Associate Planner Doty
stated the side yard setback is revised from 8.5 feet to 7.5 feet after factoring in the proposed
fireplace on the south side of the addition. A second change amends the outlot width from 73 feet
to 34 feet. Associate Planner Doty stated the revised report does not change staffs
recommendation for approval.
Commissioner Rohloff asked if the applicant has reviewed the revised staff report.
Marlyn Sjaarda stated he agreed with the revised information in the report.
MOTION by Commissioner Rohloff, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, recommending
approval of a variance to allow construction of an addition to the side of the home located at
11720 38th
Avenue North which would be set back 7.5 feet from the property line where 15 feet is
specified by the Zoning Ordinance. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2003007)
Vice -chair Weir introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for a Zoning Ordinance text
amendment to allow two menu boards with a permitted drive-through restaurant.
Planner Bowers gave an overview of the February 26, 2003 staff report.
Commissioner Wilson questioned how this ordinance would be enforced.
Planner Bowers responded that extra research has been conducted to review all drive-through
restaurants in the City. Staff has just compiled the information and will be discussing enforcement
of existing illegal signs with the code enforcement officer.
Director Hurlburt added a building permit would be required and that process would monitor
appropriate signage, enforce the ordinance and would also educate.
Commissioner Rohloff thanked the staff for their work on this issue. Commissioner Rohloff said
the ordinance takes into account safety, aesthetics and will allow a business to do what they do
and, therefore, he will recommend approval.
Commissioner Griffith echoed Commissioner Rohloff s comments and stated he feels the
proposed ordinance is consistent with City goals and would provide gaudiness control.
MOTION by Commissioner Rohloff, seconded by Commissioner Griffith, to approve the Zoning
Ordinance text amendment to allow two menu boards with a permitted drive-through restaurant.
Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
Approved
Planning Commission Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 3
B. ASSOCATION FREE LUTHERAN BIBLE COLLEGE (2003009)
Vice -chair Weir introduced the request by the Association Free Lutheran Bible College for a
planned unit development amendment to allow grading and site work for a ball field for property
located at 3120 East Medicine Lake Boulevard.
Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the February 25, 2003 staff report. Senior Planner Drill
stated that e-mail correspondence had been received from Greg and Beth Cramer, 3020 Quaker
Lane, expressing concerns about use of the ball field, the potential for on -street parking on 31st
Avenue, and removal of trees. Senior Planner Drill also noted that all remaining perimeter
landscaping would be installed this spring. He stated that no permits will be issued until the
financial guarantee for the landscaping is submitted.
Commissioner Musliner asked about enrollment for the school.
Senior Planner Drill responded that the PUD sets a maximum enrollment of 375 students and
seminarians.
Vice -chair Weir introduced the applicant David Borg, 17259 79th Place North. Mr. Borg stated
that the proposed ball field would overlap with the location of the former ball field, and would be
roughly half the size of the former ball field. Mr. Borg said it has always been the intent of the
school to have a place for the students to play. They do not belong to a conference at this time
and the field would not be of regulation size. The field would be used for intramural activities
such as softball, soccer, and touch football. Mr. Borg added there would not be lights or a
scoreboard related to the field. Mr. Borg said the remaining site work, tree planting, and sodding
will be completed this spring. Mr. Borg asked for an explanation of the financial guarantee
requirement.
Senior Planner Drill stated that the City requires a financial guarantee for landscaping on all
projects, which is usually in the form of a letter of credit. The City then holds the financial
guarantee through one growing season to ensure winter survivability of the landscape materials.
Senior Planner Drill added that the previously -posted letter of credit was for site grading.
Jim Strecker, 17400 139th Avenue North, representing the Bible College, stated they have no
issue with the requirement for the financial guarantee.
Commissioner Musliner asked if other types of activities would be held on the ball field.
Mr. Borg responded that the future gymnasium/auditorium would hold graduation ceremonies
and the maximum number of graduates would be roughly 200. Mr. Borg said the site would hold
parking for that ceremony. Mr. Borg stated they would encourage students not to park on
31st
Avenue, but he couldn't say that would never happen. He reiterated that the ball field would be
used for intramural activities.
Approved
Planning Commission Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 4
Director Hurlburt asked if there would there be activities such as concerts or other assemblies on
the ball field.
Mr. Borg responded that the bible school has never had a concert outside, and any concert would
happen indoors because they want to be good neighbors.
Commissioner Rohloff asked if the answer is no to outdoor concerts and assemblies.
Vice -chair Weir replied affirmatively.
Vice -chair Weir opened the public hearing.
Vice -chair Weir introduced Sharon McKenna, 10235 32nd Avenue North, who stated that her
backyard backed up to the former ball field, and there was an amplified speaker during some
games. Ms. McKenna stated she has no objection to the ball field plan, but asked if a condition
could be included to restrict amplified speakers. Ms. McKenna also asked that the landscaping be
completed before the City allows anything else to be done. Ms. McKenna said her property faces
the dirt berm and that a broken storm sewer caused a flooding problem for her and her neighbors
last year. Ms. McKenna said that Darrell Johnson of the City's Engineering Department said the
school would need to repair a portion of the erosion fence, but it hasn't been repaired yet over the
winter.
Vice -chair Weir introduced Richard Skogen, 10130 31st Avenue North, who stated he is not
against the proposed ball field, and was happy to hear that the grading plan will be revised so all
the drainage flows toward the west, away from his property. Mr. Skogen stated that his house is
located 15 feet from the lot line. Mr. Skogen said he feels that the revised grading plan can save
possibly 8-9 trees, which would allow better screening between their home and the ball field.
Vice -chair Weir introduced Julie Skogen, 10 13 0 31st Avenue North. Mrs. Skogen stated the side
of her house is 15 feet from the lot line and she is concerned that any additional flow of water to
the east would greatly impact the small culvert and the drainage from her house to the culvert.
Mrs. Skogen said the crest of the hill comes down a slope with beautiful trees. Mrs. Skogen
suggested lowering the elevation of the ball field, so it would not be as visible from her site.
Vice -chair Weir closed the public hearing.
Mr. Strecker stated that the drainage from the ball field would be toward the west, away from the
Skogen's property.
Vice -chair Weir asked about the use of amplified speakers at the ball field.
Mr. Borg responded that they would not object to a condition restricting the use of amplified
speakers.
Approved
Planning Commission Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 5
Director Hurlburt asked what the distance would be between the edge of the field and the edge of
the grading to the Skogen's home.
Mr. Strecker responded that the grading would be occurring roughly 60 feet away from the lot
line, and 75 feet from the Skogen's home. The distance between the edge of the field and the
edge of the grading would be roughly 23 feet, so the ball field would be roughly 83 feet from the
lot line and 98 feet from the home. The 23 -foot grading area would have a roughly 3:1 slope that
would slope down toward the west, and would be appropriate for mowing and maintenance.
Commissioner Griffith asked about the depth of the cut and filling on the east line of the ball field.
Mr. Strecker estimated that there would be about 5 feet of cut in the northeast, and about five feet
of fill in the southeast portion of the ball field.
Senior Planner Drill stated that when the revised grading plan is reviewed, there may be an
opportunity to save a few additional trees within the 23 foot grading area, but no guarantees. He
also noted that there is an area along the north boundary of the site where the berm needs to be
built higher.
Mr. Strecker added that the berms immediately north and south of the ball field are completed but
he is aware that there is an area near Union Terrace Lane that needs additional berming.
Commissioner Musliner asked if the City already has an ordinance to address the noise concern.
Planning Manager Senness responded that the City has a noise ordinance that regulates noise at
specified levels during daytime and nighttime hours, which follows state standards.
Mr. Borg said that the plan preserves a lot of trees, and added that they would plant 24 additional
trees above and beyond the City's requirement.
Director Hurlburt noted that lowering the elevation of the ball field would require more trees to
be cut down.
Mrs. Skogen said the elevation of her garage is 964 and the field would be about the same. By
lowering the field, more trees would be destroyed but this would create a natural berming.
Mr. Strecker stated that some of the 24 trees could be planted along the east side of the ball field
to help address Mrs. Skogen's concern about screening. Senior Planner Drill stated that the
planting plan would need to be approved by the City Forester, but that there is flexibility in where
those 24 trees are planted.
Commissioner Griffith said he feels the staff report outlines adequate controls for the proposal
and he would support the project.
Approved
Planning Commission Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 6
MOTION by Commissioner Musliner, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, recommending
approval to the Association Free Lutheran Bible College for a Planned Unit Development
amendment to allow grading and site work for a ball field for the property located 3120 East
Medicine Lake Boulevard. Roll Call Vote 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. CANCELLATION OF THE MARCH 19, 2003 PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING
Director Hurlburt recommended canceling the March 19, 2003 Planning Commission meeting due
to the lack of agenda items.
MOTION by Commissioner Rohloff, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to cancel the March
19,2003 Planning Commission meeting. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
9. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Rohloff, seconded by Commissioner Griffith, to adjourn the meeting.
Vote. 5 Ayes. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.