HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2007-391CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION 2007-391
APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW 200-WATTT LIGHT FIXTURES THAT ARE NOT
FULLY SHIELDED AT PARKERS LAKE PARK LOCATED AT 15500 COUNTY ROAD 6
(2007076)
WHEREAS, an application has been filed by the City of Plymouth to allow 200 -watt acorn -style
light fixtures at parkers lake park for property legally described as follows:
Outlot U, Parkers Lake North, Hennepin County, Minnesota.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the request at a duly called public meeting
and recommends approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does approve the request by the City
of Plymouth for a variance to allow 200 watt light fixtures that are not fiilly shielded at Parkers
Lake Park located at 15500 County Road 6, subject to the following conditions:
This resolution approves a variance for 16 new light poles with 200 -watt acorn -style light
fixtures at Parkers Lake Park, in accordance with the application and plans received by the
City on August 8, 2007, except as amended by this resolution.
2. The variance to allow 16 new light poles and fixtures is approved with the finding that the
applicable variance standards are met. Specifically:
a) The current light poles and fixtures have deteriorated due to their age and due to storm
damage. The City is requesting the variance to replace the existing acorn -style fixtures
with new acorn style fixtures at a lower wattage. The replacement fixtures would
include internal reflectors to provide shielding and the lights would be installed on 12 -
foot high poles to reduce light pollution. In addition, the park lighting would not be
located closer than 300 feet from any residential area. If the variance is not approved,
the City would need to replace the existing acorn -style fixtures with shoe -box style
fixtures, which would detract from the 1900's theme of the park.
Resolution 2007-391
(2007076)
Page 2 of 3
b) Except for City Center lighting, which was approved prior to the current lighting
regulations, the acorn -style fixtures are unique to the Parkers Lake Park and Parkers
Lake Playfield. The proposed light fixtures would include reflectors inside the lamp,
which would direct most of the light downward. The existing fixtures do not have
internal reflectors.
c) The application is not based on increasing the value or income potential of the parcel of
land as the request is for a public facility.
d) The hardship is caused by the Zoning Ordinance, which does permit acorn -style
fixtures at 200 watts.
e) Approval of the variance would not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to
other land in the neighborhood. The closest light fixture to a residential property would
be on the northeast side of the park. The existing light fixtures would be located over
300 feet from the closest residential property and are separated by an established
wooded area in the park, a steep slope, and County Road 6.
f) The proposed variance would not impair an adequate supply of light and air to any
adjacent property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets, increase
the danger of fire, endanger the public safety, or substantially diminish or impair
property values within the neighborhood.
g) The requested variance is the minimum action required to eliminate the hardship.
3. An electrical permit is required prior to the installation of any new lights.
4. Any subsequent phases or expansions are subject to required reviews and approvals per
Ordinance provisions.
5. This variance approval shall expire one year after the date of approval, unless the property
owner or applicant has substantially started constriction of the project, or unless the
landowner or applicant has received prior approval from the City to extend the expiration
date for up to one additional year, as regulated under Section 21030.06 of the Zoning
Ordinance.
Adopted by the City Council on September 25, 2007.
STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS.
Resolution 2007-391
(2007076)
Page 3 of 3
The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Plymouth,
Minnesota, certifies that I compared the foregoing resolution adopted at a meeting of the
Plymouth City Council on September 25, 2007, with the original thereof on file in my office, and
the same is a correct transcription thereof.
WITNESS my hand officially as such City Clerk and the Corporate seal of the City this
day of
City Clerk