HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 09-13-1995CITY OF PLYMOUTH
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
September 13, 1995
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Barb Stimson,
Christian Preus, Allen Ribbe, Linda Oja and Saundra
Spigner
MEMBERS ABSENT. Virginia Black
STAFF PRESENT: Director Anne Hurlburh City Engineer Dan Faulkner
arrived at 8:05 p.m.), Planning Supervisor Barbara
Senness; HRA Supervisor Ed Goldsmith; Planner Shawn
Drill; and Planning Secretary Susan Vasquez
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Public Forum: None.
3. A',orprpval of Agenda: Approved unanimously.
4. Approval ofMinn tes: None.
5. Consent Agenda:None.
6. Staff Reports and Public Hearing:
A. James and Van Thanh Sanders (95085)
Chairman Stulberg presented the request of James and Van Thanh Sanders for an.
Amended PUD Plan and a Conditional Use Permit to build a four -season porch on their
residence at 2320 Yuma Lane North.
Planner Drill gave an overview of the September 5, 1995 Staff Report, noting that the
application was eligible for administrative approval, under the minor variance
provision, however, a neighboring landowner objected to the porch. Therefore the
application must be referred to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Chairman Stulberg introduced the petitioner, Mr. James Sanders.
Mr. Sanders explained that the expansion of his home on the main level, rather than in
the basement, will assure him ready access to the four season porch despite his physical
disability which does not permit him to readily go up and down stairs. He presented
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the Commission with photographs of his home; the pond, the back yard of his home,
the homes of neighbors, and the approximate view of the pond taken from the property
of the objecting neighbor.
Chairman Stulberg opened the Public Hearing, introducing Mr. Marcelo Andrade,
16130 -22nd Place North. Mr. Andrade stated that when he bought his home in Steeple
Chase, he was informed by the builder that his view of the pond—then completely
uninterrupted—would not be totally blocked by the construction of homes on the
neighboring lots. The proposed porch of the Sanders would block that view, which has
already been reduced by houses and by a children's play area built after Mr. Andrade's
home was constructed.
Commissioner Spigner asked Mr. Andrade how he believed the porch would affect his
view.
Mr. Andrade stated that it would affect the view of the pond from his family room and
bedroom.
Chairman Stulberg closed the Public Hearing,
Commissioner Preus asked how large the setback is behind the Sanders' existing deck.
Planner Drill responded that it was in excess of the 25 -foot minimum required,
Commissioner Ribbe asked if the four -season porch would project any further back
than the currentdeck.
Planner Drill responded that it would not.
MOTION by Commissioner Stimson, seconded by Commissioner Preus, to recommend
approval of the Amended. PUD Plan and Conditional Use Permit to allow the
construction of a four season porch, subject to the conditions specified in the
Resolution.
ROLL CALL VOTE. 6 Ayes, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Welsh Companies (95091)
Chairman Stulberg presented the petition of Welsh Companies for an Amendment to
the Sign Ordinance in order to allow off-site area identification signage in the I-1
district.
Planner Drill presented an overview of the September 6, 1995 Staff Report.
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September 13, 1995
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Commissioner Preus inquired how many new signs would be applied for if theOrdinancewereamended, and whether joint signs have been requested in the past.
Planner Drill stated that Staff would expect more sharing ,of signage between adjacentbusinessesasaresultoftheAmendment. He also noted that joint signage has beenrequestedbybothCommercialand. Industrial users in the past.
Chairman Stulberg presented Lisa Dongoske, Senior Property Manager for WelshCompanies, in representation of the petitioner.
Ms. Dongoske stated that she had read and fully concurred with the Staff Report. Sheaddedthatallthreeneighboringtenantsenthusiasticallysupportthepetition.
Chairman Stulberg asked Ms. Dongoske how many signs like this would be put up onpropertieswhichsheherselfmanages.
Ms. Dongoske stated that there probably would not be very many, since most
companies are unwilling to give up their individual monument signs.
Chairman Stulberg asked who would be in charge of the maintenance of the sign.
Ms. Dongoske replied that an agreement already signed between the three parties who
would would share the joint monument sign, charges Welsh Companies with thatresponsibility, and all corresponding costs are to be shared.
Chairman Stulberg closed the Public Hearing,
Commissioner Oja stated that she would hate to see the proliferation of joint monument
signs, announcing a dozen or more businesses, all over the City. She asked whatwouldlimitthatfromhappening?
Director Hurlburt stated that regulations on the maximum size allowed under the SignOrdinancewouldbetheprincipallimitingfactor, and that limitation :would not bechangedwiththeproposedamendment.
Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the Public Hearing, since no member of thepublicrequestedtospeak.
MOTION by Commissioner Preus, seconded by Commissioner Spigner, to recommend
approval of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment to allow off-site business signs in the I- 1 District.
ROLL CALL VOTE, 5 Ayes (Chairman Stulberg, Commissioners Stimson, Preus,
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Spigner, and Rbbe). 1 Nay (Commissioner Oja).
MOTION CARRIED 5 to 1.
C. SMSQ Architca^ (95094)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the petition of SMSQ Architects to Amend the
Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan of Plymouth Creek Christian Church, 16000 -41st
Avenue North, to build a classroom addition,
Planner Drill gave an overview of the September 5, 1995 Staff Report.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Mr. Gary Johnson, representing SMSQ Architects of
Northfield, the architect who designed the addition to the church.
Mr. Johnson noted that matching windows, brick; etc., would assure that the addition
matches very well.
Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the Public Hearing, since no members of the
public requested to speak on the matter.
Commissioner Oja added that she hoped the church would plant more trees as part of
their landscaping to further beautify the addition.
MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, Seconded by Commissioner Oja, to recommend
approval of the Amended Conditional Use Permit and the Site Plan, subject to the
conditions outlined in the Resolution.
ROLL CALL VOTE. 6 Ayes, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. City of Plymouth (95097)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the petition of the City of Plymouth for a Conditional
Use Permit to fill portions of the flood plain between 18th and 23rd Avenues North
along West Medicine Lake Drive, in order to permit the relocation of that road prior to
the redevelopment and improvement of West Medicine Lake Park,
Planner Drill gave an overview of the September 7, 1995 Staff Report.
Commissioner Preus stated that it was his understanding the project would lead to
taking down some homes,
Planner Drill noted that those properties have already been acquired by the City.
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Charman Stulberg opened public hearing, and introduced Mr. Steven Chase, of 11901-
23rd Avenue North, who resides in the affected area. He commented that the
neighbors have met many times and agreed on the idea of modifying West Medicine
Lake Drive to make it a straight-line road, reducing traffic problems and assuring the
safety of both the residents and of vehicular traffic. Nevertheless, he is concerned that
by filling the flood plain area the City will put many properties along the lake in danger
from flood waters. Water that would normally overflow into the flood plain might
affect properties which had not been touched before, and even lead to some of them
being classified as flood plain areas where they never had been in the past. That would
result in increased insurance premiums for the residents. There is the further issue
that some of the soil to be dug up in the road construction project is said to be
contaminated by hydrocarbons, possibly from an old service station.
Mr.Chase noted that even after all those considerations, the consideration of safety is
primary. Therefore, he does not understand why all of a sudden the proposed straight
road is going to have a large curve.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Mr. Tim Flugaur, of 12023 23rd Avenue North, who
stated that the drawing presented by the City to show the new road has some.
inaccuracies. Ile is concerned that so much wetland and trees will be destroyed by the
project, and that the enormous investment which the City already made to acquire more
parkland will be for naught.
Chairman Stulberg closed the Public Hearing,
Chairman Stulberg stated that some residents appear to have seen projects different
from the one now proposed being presented in public meetings, and that they appear to -
dislike the one that we are currently working with. He requested comments from the
Staff in that regard.
Supervisor'Senness stated that this particular, project was one of those studied in the
neighborhood meetings, and is the one that was formally accepted by the City Council
in 1994 as part of the master plan for that area,
From a flood standpoint, City Engineer Dan Faulkner stated that this design will have
no negative impact on the area.
Commissioner Oja asked about Indian burial mounds?
Director Hurlburt stated that if any remains are encountered when excavation begins,
the appropriate authorities would be contacted, and all appropriate measures taken,
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Commissioner Ribbe asked if the contamination of soil, mentioned by Mr. Chase, was
found during the taking of core samples for the road design.
City Engineer Faulkner confirmed that none was found. Furthermore, if any were to
be found during excavation, that—like the burial mounds -would immediately halt
construction until all appropriate clean-up measures had been taken,
Commissioner Oja inquired if there would be public access to the lake along West
Medicine Lake Drive.
Planner Drill responded affirmatively.
Commissioner Oja expressed her concern about the public access to the lake, and
wished that it were not contemplated in the project.
Commissioner Spigner stated that she was worried about the project's impact on the
Indian burial grounds said to be, in the area.
Director Hurlburt offered to obtain whatever information is available regarding that
aspect with the Parks & RecreationDepartment and send it to Commissioner Spigner.
MOTION by Commissioner Stimson, seconded by Commissioner Spigner, to
recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit to allow the filling of portions of
the flood plain as proposed.
ROLL CALL VOTE. 6 Ayes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Stulberg;declared a 10 minute break at 8:25 p.m.
Chairman Stulberg reconvened the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
7. New Business;
A.
Aldi
Director Hurlburt introduced HRA Supervisor Goldsmith, who has worked for die city
for about a year and heads up the HRA Division of the Community Development
Department.
HRA Supervisor Goldsmith affirmed that Housing costs in Plymouth as well as the rest
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September 13, 1995.
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of the Nation have increased much more than incomes have in the past few years.
He then asked: What is affordable housing? He proceeded to define it according to the
Metropolitan Council: It is housing costs (rent, mortgage, taxes, utilities, maintenance)
that are no more than 30% of a family's income. For owners, it is for family incomes
of no more than 80% of the median metropolitan family income ($40,800 for a family
of four). For renters, it is for family incomes of no more than 50% of the median
metropolitan family income ($25,500 fora family of four).
Lifecycle housing, he continued, is a variety of housing types at various costs which
meets changing needs of the population: small starter homes, affordable rental
apartments, townhomes, larger move -up homes and condominiums, and apartments for
seniors.
Currently in Plymouth, due to the demographics of its growing population, there is a
big demand for large, upscale housing. But this may not be true in the future;
changing demographics could result in a drop in demand, for these homes in favor of
smaller less expensive housing.
Developing suburban areas like Plymouth have a relatively low availability of housing
for lower income families.
Most new jobs are locating in developing suburbs. This impacts the need for reduced
cost housing in these areas (such as Plymouth) hi order to assure availability of work
force for local industries.
Where does Plymouth rank among communities for affordable housing? Among 191
communities in the Metro area, Plymouth ranks 148th (23 percemiie)
In the lower income categories, an extremely high percentage of families in Plymouth
pay more than 30% of thea income for housing.
Rent levels within the City are relatively high. Housing values within the City are high
and tending to get much higher. Most new housing in the City costs anywhere from
the upper $100,000's to much, much higher. There is very little new development at a
cost of $115,000 or less (the Metropolitan Council threshold for affordable owner
housing).
In 1996, funds from the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act will be available for
the development of affordable life -cycle housing. Cities must choose to participate in
this program for 1996 by November 15, 1995; and establish housing goals with the
Metropolitan Council by December 8, 1995, and a housing action plan by June 30,
1996.
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Cities that decide not to participate in Livable Communities will lose access not only to
those funds, but also to the Department of Trade and Economic Development polluted
site funds from the State of Minnesota. The Metropolitan Council will take such non -
participation into consideration when reviewing metropolitan actions that will affect a
community. Also, a report on community participation is required to be made to the
State Legislature.
Director Hurlburt observed that the City Council has not yet approved the City's
participation in the Livable Communities Act and it will be looking for input from the
Planning Commission.
The agreement on the Elm Creek interceptor parallels the agreement required for the
Livable Communities Act.
B. Reschedule the November 29th Planning Commission
meeting to November 28th
Chairman Stulberg asked if the proposed rescheduling would be acceptable to the
Commissioners, and all concurred.
C. Other
Director Huriburt informed that a City Council Subcommittee on Downtown
Plymouth will be holding a meeting on October 2, 1995 to study the proposal,
now being modified by consultants taking into account new traffic studies andotheradditionalinformationthathasrecentlycometolight. The
Commissiomrs are welcome to attend that meeting if they so desire. After that
meeting; a further effort will be made to hold public meetings' seeking support
for the final proposal.
Chairman Stulberg asked Mayor Tierney if she wished to address theCommission. She emphasized the importance to the City of assuring that the
Downtown Plymouth project continue forward,
Planner Drill informed that the next meeting of the Planning Commission,
scheduled for September 27, 1995, would include two Public Hearings and a
report by Senior Planner John Keho on Street Design, originally discussed at
the August 23, 1995, meeting.
Commissioner Ribbe informed that he will have to miss the next meeting of the
Planning Commission.
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September 13, 1995
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7. Old Besiness: None.
8. Adjou[nmcnt.
MOTION by Commissioner Spigner, seconded by Commissioner Oja, to close the
meeting.
VOTE. 6 Ayes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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