HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2004-344CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION 2004-344
APPROVING A VARIANCE FOR WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ALLOW THE
INSTALLATION OF NEW LIGHT POLES AT EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCATED AT
12000 RIDGEMONT AVENUE (2004095)
WHEREAS, Wayzata Public Schools has requested approval of a variance to install 25 -foot light
poles where the ordinance requires a maximum of 14 -foot poles to provide an improved lighting
layout on property legally described as follows:
The southeast 1/4 of the southwest 1/4 of Section 35, Township 118, Range 22, Hennepin
County, Minnesota.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed said request at a duly called public meeting
and recommends approval of the variance;
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
Wayzata Public Schools for a variance to install 25 -foot light poles where the ordinance requires
a maximum of 14 -foot poles, subject to the following findings and conditions:
A variance to allow 25 -foot high poles is approved in accordance with plans received by the
City on July 21, 2004 and August 4, 2004, based on the conclusion that the applicant has met
the applicable standards, as follows:
a. The conditions upon which the variance application is based are related to actions taken
by the City and are related specifically to the existing parking lot and the lower roof
height of the adjacent building.
b. The purpose of the variation is to provide the minimum lighting levels and required
fixture cut-off angles, as well as meet the uniformity ratio required by the Zoning
Ordinance. The request has no effect on the property value or income potential, although
a lack of lighting or poor lighting layout is a liability to the School District.
Resolution 2004-344
Variance (2004095)
Page 2
c. The Zoning Ordinance has caused the hardship. Tying the pole height to the roof height
is not reasonable and has caused problems for other new shorter buildings as well.
Requiring short poles in larger parking lots results in a plan that cannot meet both the
minimum lighting levels and the uniformity ratio, both of which are important to provide
safe and uniform lighting.
d. The proposal would not be detrimental to the public welfare nor injurious to other land or
improvements in the neighborhood as the irritating glare and spill light would be
eliminated though the use of the new conforming fixtures and backlight shields. Hence
the proposal would be an improvement over the existing lighting situation.
e. The request has no impact on the supply of natural light and air to adjacent properties, the
amount of congestion on the public streets or adjacent property values. Neither would it
increase the danger of fire. Safety in the parking lot would be increased by a more
logical location for the light poles.
f. The applicant's request is the minimum action required to eliminate the hardship.
2. The applicant shall install and maintain backlit shields on all poles at the perimeter of the
parking lot.
3. Any subsequent phases or expansions are subject to required reviews and approvals per
Ordinance provisions.
4. This 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 2 103 0. 06 of the Zoning Ordinance.
ADOPTED by the City Council on August 24, 2004.
STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS
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 August 24, 2004, 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