HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 12-17-2003Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
December 17, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Peggy Larson, Commissioners Kendall Griffith, James Holmes,
Frank Weir and Melissa Musliner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Nancy Franke -Wilson
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning Manager Barb
Senness, Senior Planner Drill, and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom
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 Holmes, to approve the
December 17, 2003 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to approve the
December 3, 2003 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2003097)
Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the December 9, 2003 staff report on the annual update
to the Zoning Ordinance.
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Planning Commission Minutes
December 17, 2003
Page 2
Regarding proposed amendment #31 (regarding adding "private dog kennels" to a list of
allowable features in a side, rear or equivalent yard), Commissioner Musliner asked if the setback
regulation for dog kennels would affect current properties and future requests.
Senior Planner Drill responded that it would affect future requests. He added this issue has come
up recently, and in anticipation of this amendment, staff has been recommending the 6 -foot
setback for kennels and dog houses.
Commissioner Musliner suggested that an informational sheet with setback requirements be
supplied at the time a dog license is applied for.
Planning Manager Senness said that the setback information could also be included in the
Accessory Buildings brochure, since many people do call in advance to find out what the rules
are.
Regarding proposed amendment #71 (specifying a building setback from the wetland edge when
no buffer is required), Commissioner Musliner asked who identifies the wetland edge.
Senior Planner Drill stated that the landowner is required to obtain a wetland delineation from a
Wetland Specialist, and provide that information to the City prior to building near a wetland.
Regarding proposed amendment #20 (which changes "sketch plan" to a "pre -application sketch
review"), Chair Larson asked for clarification and referenced the recent CVS sketch plan as a
good example.
Senior Planner Drill noted the City does not presently "approve" a sketch plan, but rather
provides informal comments. The issue concerns the 60 -day review period. He said that the new
procedure clearly would not be subject to a review deadline, because no formal application
would be submitted.
Director Hurlburt added that the City Attorney's concern is that the current sketch plan process
too closely resembles our formal review process. Director Hurlburt said the change would
continue the authority to conduct informal reviews, which is important for some projects, but
without any review deadline issues. She said there has been some case law made on the 60 -day
rule where it could become contentious. This change would prevent problems in the future.
Regarding the proposed amendments that would require the fee owner's signature,
Commissioner Musliner asked what the difference is between a fee owner and an applicant.
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December 17, 2003
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Senior Planner Drill responded that a landowner—who is the fee owner—may have a contract to
sell land to a developer upon City approval of the developer's project. The developer as the
applicant, and the fee owner would indicate concurrence with an application by providing their
signatures. The ordinance does not presently require the fee owner to sign the application form.
Director Hurlburt noted that this is a necessary technical correction, as the fee owner signature is
required on the application form, but it is not required by the ordinance. The authority to say an
application is incomplete needs to follow back to the ordinance.
Chair Larson opened the public hearing. There being no one present to speak on the issue, Chair
Larson closed the public hearing.
MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Musliner, to recommend
approval of the proposed amendments listed in the draft ordinance. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes.
MOTION approved.
8. NEW BUSINESS
9. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Holmes to adjourn the meeting.
Vote. 5 Ayes. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.