Planning Commission Minutes 11-22-1983 (Special Meeting)
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
November 22, 1983 - 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Jim Ridgeway, Don Cochran, Joyce Dowling,
Richard Carlson.
Members Absent: Ed Schaffer.
Staff Present: Thomas Eidem, Gary Anderson.
The meeting was called to order by President Jim Ridgeway at 7:44 P.M.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular November 8, 1983, Planning
Commission Meeting.
A motion was made by Don Cochran, seconded by Joyce Dowling, to
approve the minutes of the regular November 8, 1983, Planning
Commission meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
3.
Continuance of Public Hearing - John Sandberg - Rezoning Request
to Rezone from R-l to R-3.
John Sandberg was present to relate to Planning Commission members
in regard to the Planning Commission agenda supplement memo. John
commented on the special committee meeting stating how the Planning
Commission members must vote in regard to the Comprehensive Plan and
how it was laid out in the overall outcome of the Plan. This is
definitely rezoning, and the Comprehensive Plan does not allow for
R-3 zones within an R-l zone. Planning Commission member Chairman
Jim Ridgeway opened the meeting for public input. Don Pitt asked
the Planning Commission members if they had made their decision.
Planning Commission Chairman Jim Ridgeway answered that the Planning
Commission members had not made their decision yet and that they
would be making a decision on John's rezoning request shortly.
Mr. pitt commented that buying a home is a married couple's largest
investment. If Mr. Sandberg was granted his rezoning request, this
could devalue the estimated market value of Mr. Pitt's home and other
neighbors' within the area. Mr. pitt commented if the variance was
granted to Mr. Sandberg, he in turn could do with the property whatever
he so chose, and in doing so, could he sell the property to a new
developer and the developer, upon meeting all the building code re-
quirements and the zoning requirements, build a building completely
different from what John has presented here. Chairman Ridgeway
commented on Mr. Pitt's remarks and countered that the estimated
market value of the homes would definitely not be devalued due to the
presence of a proposed condominium unit there. Chairman Ridgeway
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Planning Commission Minutes - 11/22/83
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at this time turned the meeting over to Planning Commission members
for their comments. Don Cochran questioned Thomas Eidem as to when
and how long the new Comprehensive Plan would take. Tom countered
with possibly starting as early as January and taking up to six to
eight months to complete. Most of the time put into the new Compre-
hensive Plan would be spent by the City staff, Planning Commission
members, and City Council members with outside consulting help from
our Consulting Planner, Howard Dahlgren and Associates. planning
Commission member Joyce Dowling asked if Planning Commission member
Richard Carlson would comment on his committee meeting with City
staff. Mr. Carlson commented as to the background of the meeting
and commented on a couple points of interest for him, that being
court decisions in regard to spot rezoning and the original intent
of the 1978 amended Comprehensive Plan not allowing for any R-3
zoning with an R-l Zone. Chairman Jim Ridgeway commented on his
perception of a new community outlook within the new Comprehensive
plan to be adopted and possibilities of a special zoning district
set up specifically for this type of housing combined with other
types of low to medium density housing. Mrs. Nicolai, neighboring
resident to the proposed rezoning property, questioned as to where
the location of the government subsidized units would be and questioned
as to why this proposed condominium unit couldn't be located on the
west side of River Street. Chairman Jim Ridgeway indicated that the
specific areas would be brought out in the new Comprehensive plan
with public hearings to be held as the new proposed districts would
be set up in the new Comprehensive Plan. John Sandberg commented
that the property that is available for the proposed condominium unit
could instead be available for three new homes if the proposed condo-
minium unit request is turned down. He also commented that the time
is now to take a serious look at the need for this type of housing.
Planning Commission member Don Cochran commented on John's ideas and
indicated that the issue at hand is rezoning, but he does foresee
a definite need for this type of housing here in Monticello and stated
that this should be seriously addressed during the preparation for
a new Comprehensive plan to take place in the upcoming months. John
Sandberg questioned Planning Commission members as to other spot
zoning which has taken place within the City, not particularly in regard
to R-3 zoning but rezoning in commercial districts. Jim Ridgeway
commented on the fact that, with the increased growth that has taken
place in the last couple of years in Monticello and the upcoming
projected growth for the City of Monticello, the time is now here for
this type of housing to be adjusted in the Comprehensive Plan. He
also stated that the old Comprehensive plan as a whole be taken into
consideration and all areas of the zoning which has taken place in
the City be looked at and considered for further study in the new
Comprehensive Plan. At this time Chairman Ridgeway called for the
question on Mr. Sandberg's rezoning request. Motion was made by
Richard Carlson to deny the rezoning request. The motion died for lack
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Planning Commission Minutes - Il/22/83
of a second. Don Cochran questioned City staff on a point of order
and asked if this could be tabled and picked up at a later Planning
Commission meeting after the new Comprehensive Plan has been adopted.
Thomas Eidem commented on Don Cochran's point of order request and
stated it would just be passing it on to City Council for their
action,as the planning Commission did not take any type of direction
in Mr. Sandberg's rezoning request. A motion was then made by
Richard Carlson to deny the rezoning request based on the City
Attorney's opinion that this request is spot zoning. Motion was
seconded by Don Cochran. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting
was recessed at 8:17 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 8:19 P.M.
4. Public Hearing - Gus LaFromboise - Conditional Use Request to Allow
More than the Maximum Allowed l2-unit Apartment Building, and
Variance Request on Minimum Lot Size Requirement.
Mr. LaFromboise presented his plan to planning Commission members
indicating the reason for his variance request on the minimum
amount of lot size required; that is, it would provide a better
mixture of bedroom units within the proposed 24-unit building.
What Mr. LaFromboise is proposing in his 24-unit building would
be 18 two-bedroom units and 6 one-bedroom units. The minimum
lot size needed for the combination of the above units is 62,500
square feet. The size of Mr. LaFromboise's lot is 59,941 square
feet. He, therefore, needs a 2,559 square foot variance. Chairman
Jim Ridgeway questioned Mr. LaFromboise and asked if there was
another way he could conform without requiring a variance. Mr.
LaFromboise countered with he could have the building designed
with 12 two-bedroom units and 12 one-bedroom units and, therefore,
meet the requirements of the minimum square foot lot size. He
would have no problem proposing to build a 24-unit apartment
building with that mixture of bedroom units. However, Mr. LaFromboise
could have a better mix of apartment buildings with 18 two-bedroom
units and 6 one-bedroom units. Motion by Don Cochran to deny Mr.
LaFromboise's variance request of 2,559 square feet, seconded
by Joyce Dowling. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Joyce
Dowling, seconded by Don Cochran, to grant the Conditional Use
request to build an apartment building of more than 12 units.
Motion carried unanimously.
5.
Planning Commission Review - Monticello Country Club - Proposed
Country View Terrace Subdivision.
The applicant, Mr. Jean Brouillard, along with Howard Gillham were
present to discuss plans with the Planning Commission members in
regard to their proposed Country View Terrace preliminary Subdivision
Addition, that being 10 residential lots for new single family dwellings.
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Planning Commission Minutes - 11/22/83
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Motion by Don Cochran, seconded by Richard Carlson, to set a
public hearing date for December 6, 1983, 7:30 P.M. for the
preliminary plat review of the proposed Country View Terrace
Subdivision Addition. Motion by Don Cochran, seconded by Joyce
Dowling to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:14 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gar~S~
Zoning Administrator
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