Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 04-05-2000Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting April 5, 2000 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Bob Stein, Kapila Bobra, Roger Berkowitz, Karl Neset, John Stoebner, and Sarah Reinhardt MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Planning Supervisor Barbara Senness, Planners Shawn Drill and Kendra Lindahl, Senior Clerk/Typist Janice Bergstrom, and Office Services Supervisor Denise Hutt 1 Call To Order 2 Public Forum 3 Approval of Agenda 4 Approval of Minutes No minutes to approve. 5 Consent Agenda A DEBORAH STURM (20021) Commissioner Stein requested that Item 5A be removed from the consent agenda. B WAYNE JESKE ASSOCIATES, INC. (20028) MOTION by Commissioner Stoebner, seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt recommending approval of a site plan amendment for Wayne A. Jeske Associates, Inc. for West Lutheran High School for property located at 3350 Harbor Lane North. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. C JUDY BEGIN (20035) MOTION by Commissioner Stoebner, seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt recommending approval of a site plan amendment for Begin Oaks Enterprises for an architectural design change for the club house building at Begin Oaks Golf Course, 5635 Yucca Lane North. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2000 Page #2 A DEBORAH STURM (20021) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Deborah Sturm for shoreland and setback variances to allow conversion of a deck into a four season porch and a dining room and entry addition for property located at 1401 West Medicine Lake Drive. Planner Lindahl gave an overview of the March 30, 2000 staff report. Commissioner Stoebner asked if the variance would only add 2.8 percent in additional impervious surface. Planner Lindahl said that the numbers have been revised since the applicant's narrative, and the actual variance is to allow 36.5 percent impervious surface area coverage where 25 percent coverage is permitted. The applicant's proposal would increase the impervious surface area by 6.5 percent (approximately 409 square feet). Commissioner Bobra asked if any other variances have been approved for properties along Medicine Lake Drive. Planner Lindahl replied that each variance is unique so staff doesn't consider other variances as setting a precedent; however, there were others approved in the area and a number of them were approved for impervious surface coverage. Commissioner Stein questioned if staff discussed mitigation or alternative landscaping with the applicant. He stated that he is concerned with the water quality since the Surface Water Management Plan was just adopted. Planner Lindahl replied that staff has not discussed it specifically with the applicant. She noted that there aren't any ponding opportunities on this particular lot. Planning Supervisor Senness commented that staff is trying to balance the needs of property owners and protection of the lake. We don't want to create a situation where property values can decline because the City doesn't allow property owners opportunities to improve their property. She stated that alternative landscaping could be addressed by the applicant. Commissioner Reinhardt asked when the City would recommend denial of this type of proposal. Planner Lindahl responded that each proposal is unique and staff has to look at the circumstances of the request. She said that staff has worked with the applicant to revise the original plans to reduce the size of the porch and dining room/entry additions to reduce the size of the requested variance. Planning Supervisor Senness noted that the home is small and in order to make the home livable, the owner is asking to enlarge the home. She said that the variance request is to add more living space to the home as opposed to adding a third garage stall. Commissioner Bobra asked if any neighbors have complained about the proposal. Planner Lindahl stated that the City received a letter of support dated April 4, 2000 from Peter B. Wold, 1402 West Medicine Lake Drive. Chairman Stulberg introduced Deborah Sturm, the applicant. Ms. Sturm stated that at her own expense, she put in a small pond at the little park across the street from her property to help treat water runoff She said that she has also planted trees in the area. She said that the variance is for Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2000 Page #3 a porch addition which would be located over a portion of an existing deck and a dining room/entry addition on the side of the house. She stated that she is only asking for a 409 square foot addition to a very small home. MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending approval of variances to allow construction of a home addition for Deborah Sturm for property located at 1401 West Medicine Lake Drive. Commissioner Stein said that he couldn't support the motion, as the water quality aspects of the City outweigh this request. Commissioner Stoebner commented that the lot is only 1/2 to 1/3 of the average size lot in the City. He said that with an average size lot, someone could build a house larger than this which would create impervious surface coverage, so he believes granting the variance is appropriate. Commissioner Reinhardt stated that initially she was unsure of granting the variance request because of water quality issues, but as indicated in the staff report, there needs to be a balance between allowing homeowners to improve their property while minimizing the extent of the variations needed to alleviate the hardship. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved on a 6-1 Vote. (Commissioner Stein voted Nay.) 6 Public Hearings No Items 7 New Business A 1999 ANNAUL REPORT AND 2000 WORK PROGRAM Planning Supervisor Senness gave an overview of the March 17, 2000 staff report. Stulberg commended the Commissioners and staff on the work that was done last year. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that the kinds of applications that tend to come in are more complex now which means the items take more time. Commissioner Reinhardt asked what the process would be for other areas to become a potential study area. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that the Commission needs to discuss the issue and decide if they want to look at an area further. She added that additional study has occurred with some areas because of development proposals. Chairman Stulberg noted that any time the Commission wants to look at an area or a part of the ordinance, they just have to request that of staff and run it through the City Council. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2000 Page #4 Commissioner Reinhardt commented that she thought the Commission had looked at two EAWs last year (Moen Leuer and Eagle Lake). Planning Supervisor Senness replied that staff will check it out and make the appropriate change to the report. Chairman Stulberg asked what the chances are of receiving the Comprehensive Plan back from the Metropolitan Council before this fall. Planning Supervisor Senness replied that there aren't any guarantees; it depends on their workload. She said that if the plan is complete, the Metropolitan Council has a specific period of time to complete the review. She informed the Commission that staff has taken all the necessary steps to ensure completeness of the plan, and has received some initial positive feedback verbally. MOTION by Commissioner Reinhardt, seconded by Commissioner Stein to adopt the 2000 Work Plan and approve the 1999 Work Plan. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. MOTION by Commissioner Berkowitz, seconded by Commissioner Bobra to adjourn. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.