Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 11-05-2003Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting November 5, 2003 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Peggy Larson, Commissioners Kendall Griffith, Nancy Franke - Wilson, Melissa Musliner, James Holmes, and Frank Weir MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Associate Planners Josh Doty and Kip Berglund, and Office Support Specialist Ranelle Gifford 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Griffith, to approve the November 5, 2003 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Griffith, to approve the revised October 15, 2003 Planning Commission minutes. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. HCM ARCHITECTS (2003110) Request by HCM Architects for a site plan amendment to allow construction of a 5,824 square foot addition to the north side of the existing Boston Scientific building located at 5905 Nathan Lane North. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to approve the request by HCM Architects for a site plan amendment to allow construction of a 5,824 square foot addition to the north side of the existing Boston Scientific building located at 5905 Nathan Lane North. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CITY OF PLYMOUITH (2003090) Chair Larson introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for a Zoning Ordinance text amendment that would provide regulations for helicopter landings and take -offs. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the October 28, 2003 staff report. Commissioner Holmes asked if the conditional use permit follows the owner or the land. Senior Planner Drill stated the conditional use permit follows the land and the change of ownership wouldn't affect the conditional use permit. Chair Larson opened the public hearing. Chair Larson introduced Trygve Svard, 12075-481h Avenue North. Mr. Svard showed a video on the noise level and controllability of helicopters. Mr. Svard summarized the Minnesota State rules in regards to helicopter landing areas. He said he is familiar with all of the FAA regulations. He said operating a helicopter is a privilege. He stated the rules for airplanes are different than helicopters in that helicopters can fly at any altitude. He said helicopters typically fly at 500-700 feet. He outlined the definition of heliports and helistops. He said Schmidt Lake is approved for sea plane landings. Mr. Svard stated that sea planes are allowed on two lakes in Plymouth but are not allowed by Plymouth's Zoning Ordinance. He said he feels the use of his helicopter falls under the definition of a recreation vehicle. He said it is not business oriented. Mr. Svard asked for a letter from the City clarifying the position on his heliport being a non -conforming use and what it means to be grand- fathered. Mr. Svard stated he felt Plymouth should plan for a public/private heliport in the City Center area. Mr. Svard said he believes that helistops should be allowed in residential or commercial districts because the noise generated isn't any more than that produced by jet skis or winter activities on the lake. Commissioner Wilson asked how often Mr. Svard used his helicopter and for what purpose. Mr. Svard stated he flies at least once a week for recreational purposes such as to go out to lunch or dinner. He said he works out of his home so he doesn't use it for traveling to work. Mr. Svard said he has always been interested in helicopters. Commissioner Weir asked where he would propose a heliport within Plymouth. Mr. Svard said several areas in Plymouth would accommodate a heliport. Commissioner Weir asked how much space is needed for a heliport. Mr. Svard said his landing pad is 12 -foot by 12 -foot. He said there are more requirements for public sites. He said a 24 -foot by 15 -foot landing pad with 2 parking spaces, a light, windsock, and a fire extinguisher would be needed for a public heliport. Commissioner Weir asked if heliports would have a place for mechanical repairs and refueling. Mr. Svard said they only refuel or do repairs at airports. Chair Larson asked if there are any regulations on the size of helicopter allowed for these landings. Mr. Svard said the FAA's recommendations are for the largest intended helicopter. There are also regulations on the pad and the safety zone around the pad. He said his landing pad would be adequate for most helicopters used in the metro area. Chair Larson introduced Arlen Johnson, 1231 Ibarra Avenue, St. Michael. Mr. Johnson stated his reason for flying a helicopter is because it is fun. He said he makes heart valves for Medtronics and delivers them by helicopter. Chair Larson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Holmes stated it is important to have the conditional use permit to allow for some control in enforcing the noise ordinance, etc. Community Development Director Hurlburt stated sea planes are not addressed in the Zoning Ordinance because the State regulates what occurs on the public waters where the City cannot. Senior Planner Drill said the planning departments of other cities surveyed stated that if a use is not addressed in their Zoning Ordinance, then it's not allowed. Community Development Director Hurlburt said with a non -conforming use, it is established that if you continue the use at the same scale as in the past, you have a right to continue it under the City's Zoning Ordinance. She said when a use is discontinued for a period of time, then the use would not be allowed. Mr. Svard said he feels the current wording could be used to stop the current activity because of the way the Ordinance is written and that is why he prefers clarification in writing. Commissioner Holmes asked if the applicant would be issued a conditional use permit. Community Development Director said when a use is non -conforming, a conditional use permit is not issued. Chair Larson commended Mr. Svard on his cooperation with fellow neighbors and their concerns. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to approve the request by the City of Plymouth for a Zoning Ordinance text amendment that would provide regulations for helicopter landings and take -offs Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B. ROBERT JOSSART (2003103) Chair Larson introduced the request by Robert Jossart for a conditional use permit to exceed 50% of the principal structure for office use in the I-2 (General Industrial) Zoning District for property located at 5455 State Highway 169. Associate Planner Berglund gave an overview of the October 27, 2003 staff report. Chair Larson opened and closed the public hearing as no one was present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to approve the request by Robert Jossart for a conditional use permit to exceed 50% of the principal structure for office use in the I-2 (General Industrial) Zoning District for property located at 5455 State Highway 169. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. C. SENTINEL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CORP. (2003111, 2003112, 2003113) Chair Larson introduced the request by Sentinel Property Management Corp. for conditional use permits to allow 70% office use in the I-1 (Light Industrial) Zoning District for properties located at 14405, 14505, and 14305 -21St Avenue North. Associate Planner Doty gave an overview of the October 27, 2003 staff report. Chair Larson introduced Brent Wold, 2600 Fernbrook Lane North. Mr. Wold said he agrees with the staff report and conditions of the resolution. Chair Larson opened the public hearing. Chair Larson introduced Pat Simertz, 1990 Juneau Lane North. Ms. Simertz said she lives near the proposed site. She asked what the definition of Light Industrial Zoning is and what would be built there. Chair Larson closed the public hearing. Associate Planner Doty said there are three different Industrial Zoning Districts in Plymouth. The Light Industrial District is the lower impact of the three, with light manufacturing and warehouse uses. He said the amount of industrial use would be reduced with all three sites. He said the buildings will remain in their existing conditions with no changes to the exterior. He said there will be no increase in the building height. Commissioner Holmes asked if they are converting warehouse to office space. Associate Planner Doty answered affirmatively. Mr. Wold said they are trying to make the use change prior to building permit application to reduce the time frame for the perspective tenants. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to approve the request by Sentinel Property Management Corp. for conditional use permits to allow 70% office use in the I- 1 (Light Industrial) Zoning District for properties located at 14405, 14505, and 14305 -21St Avenue North. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 8. NEW BUSINESS Community Development Director Hurlburt presented information on Changing Demographics in the City of Plymouth. She stated an educational meeting was held for all City staff on the awareness of change in the community. She outlined the population trends, housing types, development trends, median annual income, and educational attainment and what it means for the community. Commissioner Weir asked if the City works with the school districts for population trends or projections. Community Development Director said the Wayzata School District hires their own demographic consultants. She said they do a lot of detailed work and share their information with the City. She said there are City programs that use school facilities so there is a lot of interaction between the school districts and the City. Chair Larson asked how this helps with planning of future land use. Community Development Director Hurlburt said the City is always monitoring population trends as it is basic information for what we are planning for. She said staff looks at the number of people to expect in households, traffic studies, water use, needs for park facilities, etc. One of the first steps in updating the Comprehensive Plan is to look at the changing demographics and trends. Chair Larson thanked Community Development Director Hurlburt for the presentation. After discussion, the November 19, 2003 Planning Commission meeting will be cancelled. The NEMO presentation will be rescheduled. 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Larson to adjourn the meeting. Vote. 6 Ayes. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.