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.