HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 06-21-2000Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
June 21, 2000
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Bob Stein, Kapila Bobra,
Roger Berkowitz, and John Stoebner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Karl Neset and Sarah Reinhardt
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning Manager
Barbara Senness, Planners Shawn Drill, John Rask and Kendra Lindahl, and Office Services
Supervisor Denise Hutt
1 CALL TO ORDER
2 PUBLIC FORUM
3 APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to approve the June 7,
2000 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Berkowitz to continue item 7A for Landform
Engineering (20066) to the July 5, 2000 Planning Commission Meeting. Vote. 5 Ayes.
MOTION approved unanimously.
5 CONSENT AGENDA
A POOL GUY.COM. (20073)
MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending
approval of variance to allow construction of a pool within the setback from the wetland buffer
for Pool Guy.com for property located at 4075 Garland Lane North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION
approved unanimously.
6 NEW BUSINESS
A MOEN LEUER CONSTRUCTION (20038)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Moen Leuer Construction to review the noise
assessment evaluating potential noise impacts associated with trucking activity and to determine
the size of a noise wall south of proposed Building 5 at Plymouth Ponds located north of Medina
Road, east of Lawndale Lane, and west of Holly Lane.
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Planner Rask gave an overview of the June 14, 2000 staff report.
Commissioner Bobra asked if the proposed noise wall would be good enough to provide the
sound barrier needed for the area. Planner Rask said a number of things were looked at, and the
noise assessment study concluded that impulse noise would be less than 60 dBA as required by
the City Council.
MOTION by Commissioner Stoebner, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz recommending
the establishment of conditions for construction of a noise wall south of Building 5 in the
Plymouth Ponds Development located north of Medina Road, east of Lawndale Lane, and west
of Holly Lane. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
B DEAN AND CINDY BURRINGTON (20060)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Dean and Cindy Burrington for a shoreland
variance and front yard setback variance to allow a sport court addition at 5730 Annapolis Lane
North.
Planner Lindahl gave an overview of the June 14, 2000 staff report.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked what staff's recommendation would have been if the application
was only for a setback variance. Planner Lindahl replied that staff would have likely
recommended approval because the sport court is similar to a driveway.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked what the side yard setback is in an RSF-2 District. Planner
Lindahl answered that the setback for a patio or similar structure is six feet.
Commissioner Berkowitz questioned where the nearest playground is to this neighborhood.
Director Hurlburt explained that the City will be building a neighborhood park on the shores of
Mud Lake which should happen within the next two years. She said that the nearest existing
playground to the neighborhood would be Bass Lake Playfield.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if the sport court would be considered an impervious surface if it
were clay. Planner Lindahl replied affirmatively.
Commissioner Bobra asked if this is the first request for a variance in this neighborhood.
Planner Lindahl replied that she didn't recall any other variances for the development, as it is a
relatively new development.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Dean Burrington of 5730 Annapolis Lane. Mr. Burrington stated
that their lot is unique since they don't really have a back yard. He said that the back of their lot
abuts a pond. Mr. Burrington stated that their side yard is the largest area of their lot. He said
that they don't have a playground in the area and would like the sport court for their kids to have
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a safe play environment. Mr. Burrington commented that his neighbors support the request and
would like their kids to be able to use the court also. Mr. Burrington stated that their property
slopes away from Mud Lake; therefore, the hard surface water runoff wouldn't drain into Mud
Lake.
Commissioner Stoebner asked how the applicant chose the size of the sport court. Mr.
Burrington replied that a couple of his friends that currently have sport courts recommended the
size.
Commissioner Stein asked where Bass Lake Playfield is located. Director Hurlburt replied that
the playfield is located on Northwest Boulevard, north of Schmidt Lake Road.
Commissioner Stoebner asked if staff calculated what size sport court the applicant could have
that wouldn't require a variance. Planner Lindahl replied that the lot is already at 29.3 percent
impervious surface coverage.
MOTION by Commissioner Berkowitz, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending
approval of a variance for impervious surface area coverage in the Shoreland Management
Overlay District and a variance for the front yard setback for a sport court for Dean and Cindy
Burrington on property located at 5730 Annapolis Lane North.
Commissioner Berkowitz stated that Planner Lindahl commented that the overriding factor of the
denial recommendation is because of the impervious surface area. He said that the ordinance
standard of 25 percent is an arbitrary number. He commented that the lot is located near Begin
Oaks Golf Course which will always remain grass. He said that the Begin Oaks site could have
turned into a residential development which would cause more impervious surface runoff
Commissioner Berkowitz stated that the lot slopes away from Mud Lake and he doesn't think
that the sport court will make that much of a difference in the water runoff
Commissioner Bobra concurred with Commissioner Berkowitz and added that children should
have a place to play.
Commissioner Berkowitz commented that he believes that the application meets all of the
variance standards.
Director Hurlburt asked where the pond drains to. Planner Lindahl replied that there is a large
wetland east of the subject property, but she is not sure where the wetland drains to. Director
Hurlburt commented that she believes it will eventually drain to Mud Lake.
Chairman Stulberg asked how the lot could be 29 percent impervious surface coverage currently
when the limit is 25 percent. Director Hurlburt replied that at the time this was built, planning
staff was not reviewing all building applications, but they are now.
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Commissioner Stoebner asked how staff calculated the 29 percent impervious surface coverage.
Planner Lindahl explained the calculation includes the lot area and the 5,335 square feet of
impervious surface area which includes the 1,350 square foot proposed sport court.
Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved on a 4-1 Vote. (Chairman Stulberg voted Nay.)
Chairman Stulberg stated that the Commission has spent a lot of time over the past years on
water quality issues and someone came up with the 25 percent and that's what we have to work
with.
C MICHAEL AND CAROL KVASNIK (20067)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Michael and Carol Kvasnik for a shoreland
variance to exceed the 25 percent impervious surface coverage to construct a swimming pool for
property located at 11625
48th Avenue North.
Planner Lindahl gave an overview of the June 14, 2000 staff report.
Commissioner Stoebner asked if staff's recommendation would change if the lot were 14,943
square feet rather than the 12,466 square feet. Planner Lindahl replied negatively.
Commissioner Stoebner asked if the 1,092 square feet mentioned in the report includes the actual
pool area. Planner Lindahl replied affirmatively. Commissioner Stoebner asked if the proposed
pool is considered in that calculation. Director Hurlburt replied affirmatively.
Commissioner Stein questioned the difference in the lot size. Planner Lindahl stated that she
isn't sure where the appraiser came up with the square footage for the lot size. Planner Lindahl
said that she also looked at the original plat approval and the City's records.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Carol Kvasnik of 11625
48th Avenue North. Ms. Kvasnik stated
that they took the square footage of their lot off of the appraisal report. She commented that they
have a daughter on the swim team and thought the pool would be good for her and the family.
She stated that they don't belong to any fitness club for access to a pool. Ms. Kvasnik stated that
they don't feel any runoff would be dangerous to Schmidt Lake. She added that they do have an
odd shaped lot (pie shape).
Commissioner Stein questioned where staff came up with their calculation of lot square footage
as he calculated roughly 14,500 square feet, which would make a difference in the variance. He
commented that as a Commission, they have been all over the map with the granting of variances
including shoreland variances. He said that a small variance of four percent with a pool that
holds water and doesn't run off is minimal.
Planning Manager Senness commented that staff has been planning for some time to address
some of the shoreland questions related to impervious surface requirements, particularly where
ponding is in place to provide what the impervious surface maximum was intended to do.
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Chairman Stulberg commented that the ordinance currently states 25 percent and that is what the
Commission has to work with.
Director Hurlburt concurred that the lot calculates out to approximately 14,000 square feet.
Chairman Stulberg said that the Commission can deal with the request subject to staff figuring
out the lot area before the item would go to the City Council or limit the variance to a certain
percent of impervious coverage.
Planner Lindahl stated that she is not sure why the City's records are wrong but staff will
investigate.
MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Bobra to approve a variance for
impervious surface area coverage in the Shoreland Management Overlay District for a swimming
pool for Michael and Carol Kvasnik on property located at 11625 48th Avenue North.
MOTION to Amend by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Bobra that the
variance needs to be at or below 30 percent impervious surface coverage.
Commissioner Stoebner said that he will oppose the amendment, as he is in favor of the variance.
Commissioner Berkowitz said that he will oppose the amendment, as he doesn't want to draw a
line until the exact figure of the lot area is known. He said that this lot was platted prior to the
Shoreland Ordinance and there is open land adjacent to Schmidt Lake.
Commissioner Stoebner said that he isn't throwing out the 25 percent impervious surface factor,
but is looking at each parcel as they come up. He said that he will support the variance.
Commissioner Stein said that he would be voting against his own motion.
Roll Call Vote on MOTION to Amend. 2 Ayes. MOTION to Amend failed on a 2-3 Vote.
Commissioner Berkowitz, Stein and Stoebner voted Nay.)
Commissioner Stoebner asked if a number is needed in the motion. Planner Lindahl said that
staff can reference the date on the plan.
Roll Call Vote on Main MOTION. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved on a 4-1 Vote. (Chairman
Stulberg voted Nay.)
7 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A LANDFORM ENGINEERING (20066)
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Item was tabled at the beginning of the meeting to the July 5, 2000 Planning Commission
Meeting.
B HENNEPIN COUNTY PROPERTY SERVICES (20061)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Hennepin County Property Services for a site plan
amendment and conditional use permit amendment to allow installation of a nine -hole chip and
putt course south of the existing golf driving range; a tee box and golf instructional area north of
the existing golf driving range; and installation of decorative security gates on Vicksburg Lane
for property located at 1050 Vicksburg Lane North.
Planner Drill gave an overview of the June 14, 2000 staff report.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Shirajoy Abry, representing the applicant. Ms. Abry stated the
driving range was designed with the intention of a north tee box. She offered to answer any
questions about the proposal.
Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on
the issue.
MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending
approval of a site plan amendment and conditional use permit for Hennepin County Property
Services for the Parkers Lake Golf Center located at 1050 Vicksburg Lane North. Roll Call
Vote. 5 ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
C CITY OF PLYMOUTH (20081)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for an amendment to the text
of Chapter 21 of the Plymouth City Code, the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance. The amendment
would add a notice requirement for Planning Commission review of sketch plans.
Planning Manager Senness gave an overview of the June 13, 2000 staff report.
Chairman Stulberg agreed that the City should do as much as they can ahead of time, but asked if
the change will make a sketch plan more like a public hearing. He said that a sketch plan is a
thought, and asked if the public would try to get into too many specifics at the front end of an
application. Planning Manager Senness said that staff will try to manage expectations of the
public. She said that this will give people a chance to find out what is being proposed early in
the process. Chairman Stulberg said that he wants to make sure that no one walks away from a
meeting thinking that what was discussed is a done deal at the sketch plan stage of an
application.
Commissioner Stein commented that it's a great idea to bring the public in at an early stage.
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Commissioner Bobra asked how many days in advance is the public notified before the meeting.
Planning Manager Senness replied about 10 days in advance.
Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on
the issue.
MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Bobra recommending approval
of an ordinance amending the text of Chapter 21 of the Plymouth City Code, the Plymouth
Zoning Ordinance. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to adjourn. Vote. 5
Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.