Planning Commission Minutes 02-07-1995
.
.
.
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING-MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, February 7, 1995
Members Present: Richard Carlson, Jon Bogart, Richard Martie, Dick Frie, Rod
Dragsten
Members Absent: None
1. The meetinl!' was called to order bv actine: chairoerson Jon BOl!'art at 7 n.m.
2. Consideration of aooointinl!' a chairnerson for 1995.
The commission decided to wait on appointing a chairperson until the end of
the meeting. Jon Bogart would be acting chair for this meeting.
3. Consideration of aooroval of minutes for the re2'Ular meetine: held Januarv
3. 1995.
RICHARD CARLSON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 3, 1995 MEETING. DICK FRIE SECONDED.
4.
Consideration of a zonine: ordinance amendment reeulatine.: oole buildinl!'
construction. Aonlicant Monticello Planninl! Commission.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, outlined concerns presented by
various organizations with regards to pole construction. The Industrial
Development Committee (IDC) has expressed concern but did not develop a
consensus as to the level of regulation that is appropriate. There is the
concern that polarization of pole buildings can result in general loss of tax
revenue potential and tend to result in depreciation of land values and not
are not appropriate in commercial districts. There has recently been
inquires in the commercial districts for pole building construction. The
Planning Commission could decide to regulate the business district and
study industrial areas in the comprehensive plan update.
Steve Grittman noted that regulation of pole buildings in commercial areas
is common in most cities. Since there does not appear to be a consensus on
whether or not to regulate pole construction in the industrial zones, the
questions should be reviewed in conjunction with development of the
comprehensive plan.
Pagel
Planning Commission Minutes . 2/07/95
.
Jeff O'Neill stated that there are no permits for pole construction that have
been applied for now but he anticipated applications soon based on recent
contacts from the public.
Acting Chairperson Jon Bogart opened the public hearing.
Glen Posusta, owner of mini storage business in the B.3 zone, was
interested in how a new restriction would affect his mini storage business
which is a pole building. Posusta thought the city allowed pole buildings in
certain areas and stated that mini storage buildings are almost always pole
buildings. If a storage business had to build a concrete or brick
construction it would be very expensive to operate. If pole buildings are
regulated in the future, what will happen to his business? He has built one
storage unit but has long range plans for more buildings.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, stated that Posusta could continue to build
because his original Conditional Use Permit would still apply. If regulated
pole buildings that are destroyed can not be replaced as pole buildings
because they are a non-conforming use.
.
Glen Posusta asked what would happen if he sold the business?
Grittman replied that a purchaser of the property can take over your
Conditional Use Permit, unless the person changes the use of the permit.
The business would have to stay the same.
Posusta's long range goals would be to have an on. site office as part of one
of the units. He inquired if that would be allowed.
Grittman said each individual permit and property would have to be looked
at to see if it would comply with the ordinance.
Gary Anderson, Building Official, added that steel buildings can have an
added facia like brick. or veneer but pole buildings are not strong enough to
support this.
Grittman was concern that if the city made allowances for pole buildings
with added facia each building would have to have an architectural review
to review each strocture. Simply banning pole construction would simplify
the review process.
.
Page 2
.
.
.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2/07/95
Acting Chairperson Bogart closed the public hearing.
The planning commission discussed which areas should have restrictions
on pole buildings. While Posusta's mini storage was acknowledged it was
agreed that the ordinance had to concentrate on the city as a whole not one
or two business.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY DICK FRIE TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT AMENDING SECTION 3-2 OF THE MONTICELLO
ZONING ORDINANCE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ALLOWING PRE-
ENGINEERED STEEL BUILDINGS IN THE BC ZONE. SECONDED BY
DICK MARTIE.
Motion based on the following findings:
1. Consistency with the comprehensive plan.
2. Compatibility with the geography or character of the area.
3. Effect on land values.
4. Demonstrated need for the amendment.
Motion carried unanimously.
5.
Consideration of zonine ordinance amendments rel!Ulatine olacement of
accessory structures (storalle sheds) in the rear year of double frontin~ lots.
Aoolicant Monticello Plannine Commission.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant City Administrator, explained that at the previous
meeting of the Planning Commission, the Commission heard a report from
City staff and called for a public hearing on adoption of an ordinance
amendment that would regulate placement of accessory structures, namely
storage sheds and kennels for properties that have road frontage on both
the front and the rear of the property. Double-fronting lots are an
unavoidable result of development of collector roads such as School
Boulevard that extend along the perimeter of development areas. When
subdivisions are designed, efforts are made to limit the number of double-
fronting lots and to provide for extra lot depth in an effort to buffer the
impact of having a busy road as a rear yard boundary.
A side affect of double-fronting lots that has become a problem in the recent
past is the proliferation of storage buildings and kennels that are placed at
the 5-ft setback minimum on rear yards of double-fronting lots. Examples
of this practice can be found along School Boulevard on the west side of
Page 3
.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2/07/95
Cardinal Hills subdivision. Planning Commission is asked to review this
practice and consider adopting an ordinance amendment that would change
the setback requirement to 30 ft.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, explained that this is a difficult issue because
it is a hard ordinance to enforce.
Dick Frie, Planning Commissioner, asked the building official if a 30 ft
setback would create a hardship for any homeowners. Would their
backyards be large enough that a 30 ft setback would be reasonable?
Gary Anderson, Building Official, stated that on some lots there might be a
problem.
The Planning Commission determined that a greater setback distance would
still not totally eliminate the clutter seen from the road. It was suggested
that requiring landscaping would be a better approach. Frie suggested that
the city should look into putting more trees on School Blvd and developers
could be required to plant trees on the rear yard lots.
.
Acting Chairperson Jon Bogart opened the public hearing. There was
nobody present so Bogart closed the hearing.
DICK FRIE MADE A MOTION TO TABLE REGULATING PLACEMENT
OF ACCESSORY STRUCTURE IN THE REAR YARDS OF DOUBLE-
FRONT LOTS AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO CONTINUE TO RESEARCH.
Seconded by Richard Carlson. Motion to table was unanimous.
6. Consideration of zoninl! ordinance amendments establishine buffer yard
reauirements. AODlicant: Monticello Planninl! Commission.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, explained that in May of 1994 the
City Council asked the Planning Commission to develop a buffer policy for
residential land adjacent to industrial districts. This was in response to the
development of the zoning district alignment adopted with the Klein Farm
addition. The purpose is to establish landscaping and screening
requirements designed to separate incompatible land uses.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, referred to the diagram and chart showing
how the buffer yard ordinance is organized.
Rod Dragsten inquired if one side of the property line is developed and a
.
Page 4
.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2/07/95
new owner moves in who picks up the cost of the buffering?
Grittman stated according to the chart the new property owner would be
responsible for the development of the buffer until such time as the existing
development is significantly changed, alters, or expanded.
O'Neill asked ifberming is used for security or is security the owners
responsibility.
Grittman stated that berming regulations are built to give an incentive to
install a fence because by fencing it reduces the amount of plant material
that is needed. But the security of the area is the property owner's
responsibility and is not included in the buffer yard requirements.
Acting Chairperson Jon Bogart opened the public hearing.
Jay Morrell, owner of M & P Transport expressed support of the ordinance
and approved the trees and berm combination.
Acting Chairperson Jon Bogart closed the public hearing.
.
DICK MARTIE MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3, OF THE MONTICELLO
ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO YARD REQUIREMENTS. The
motion was seconded by Dick Frie.
The motion was based on the following findings:
1. Consistency with the comprehensive plan.
2. Compatibility with the geography or character of the area.
3. Effect on land values.
4. Demonstrated need for the amendment.
The motion passed unanimously.
7. Consideration of aDDrovine the oreliminarv Dlat of Dhase V of the Cardinal
Hills subdivision. ADDlicant. Value Plus Homes.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported on the development for
Phase V of the Cardinal Hills Development which is completely consistent
with the development plan previously reviewed and approved by the City
therefore approval of this phase is virtually a housekeeping matter. There
.
Page 5
.
.
.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2/07/95
will be 34 lots, the street name that was Falcon has been changed to Blue
Bird, and the pathways are now shown on the plat as outlots.
Acting Chairperson Jon Bogart opened the public hearing.
Tom Holthaus, developer of Cardinal Hills, was in attendance but had no
comments.
Acting Chairperson Jon Bogart closed the public hearing.
Dick Frie inquired if the park would be a kiddie park and with what phase
would this be completed. Tom Holthaus said that it will a kiddie park and
would be completed with Phase V. The pathway from Phase V to Phase VI
will also be completed.
DICK FRIE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PHASE V OF THE
CARDINAL HILLS SUBDIVISION. Richard Carlson seconded the motion.
The motion passes unanimously.
B.
Consideration of alternatives for development of a zonin2 ordinance
amendment that would allow vehicle storae:e or Darkine: at a location other
than the principal use. ADPlicant: Jav Morrell.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant City Administrator, gave a history on the property in
the industrial park that is being used for vehicle storage. Jay MOITell,
owner of M & P Transport, was using a vacant lot for parking semi-trailers
on. Morrell does own the lot but according to present ordinance outside
storage is only allowed as an accessory use. O'Neill explained this meeting
is primarily for the Planning Commission to provide guidance to Morrell in
defining what approach to take in requesting a zoning ordinance
amendment. There would be three ways to amend the current zoning
ordinance that would allow outside storage:
1.
Request that outside storage be redefined as an allowable
principal use regulated under the condition use permit process.
2.
Request that the definition of accessory use be modified to
allow outside storage as an accessory use to occur on a
different lot from the main building or use.
Page 6
.
3.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2/07/95
Create an Interim Permit that could be used with the
agreement that there is a date of completion. This can be a
useful way to use land that there is no immediate use for but
can also create the problem of discouraging a long term use on
the site.
Morrell stated that he doesn't consider his outside storage but a parking lot.
All the vehicles are licensed and movable and he owns and pays taxes on
the land. His business is growing and he does not have room for all the
semi-trailers this time of year on the business site. He also could
understand the need to make it look presentable and would be willing to
plant trees and gravel the lot if necessary.
Gary Anderson, Building Official, stated if the ordinance is going to be
changed to allow outside storage on vacant lots then there should be
screening requirements that apply.
1. What land is available in the industrial park?
Jon Bogart recommended researching the following items before the next
meeting:
.
2.
If the interim permit is appropriate, what would be the length
of time a permit would be granted?
3. How would we enforce the deadline when the interim use is
over?
DICK MARTIE MADE A MOTION TO HAVE STAFF LOOK INTO THE
ISSUE OF OUTSIDE STORAGE IN MORE DETAIL IN THE INDUSTRIAL
PARK FOR A REVIEW AT THE NEXT MEETING. Rod Dragsten seconded
the motion. Motion passes unanimously.
9. Consideration to adoDt a resolution findinl! the modified RedeveloDment
Plan for Redevelonment Proiect No. 1. and TIC Plan for TIC District No. 1-
19. located within RedeveloDment Proiect No. 1. to be consistent with the
comnrehensive nlan for the city.
Jeff O'Neill reported that the Plamring Commission previously approved the
conditional use permits allowing for the development of a 48-unit , 3-story
senior housing facility and allowing for development of a joint parking lot
shared by the Hospital District and the Housing Alliance. The approvals
.
Page 7
.
.
.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2/07/95
were granted based on the finding that the proposal is consistent with the
comprehensive plan. Although the budget within the TIF Plan for TIF
District No. 1-19 may need to be modified, the Planning Commission is
request to adopt the resolution in order to keep the project on a timely
schedule.
RICHARD CARLSON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION
FINDING THE MODIFIED REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT NO.1, AND TIF PLAN FOR TIF DISTRICT
NO 1-19, LOCATED WITHIN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT NO.1, TO
BE CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY.
(RESOLUTION 95-1). Seconded by Dick Frie. Motion passed unanimously
10. Review time line for UDdatin~ comDrehensive Dlan for the citX.
11.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, provided an update to the Planning
Commission on the comprehensive plan schedule. The city council had
authorized an expenditure of $24,000 toward completion of an update to the
comprehensive plan for Monticello.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, explained that the it would be a very
aggressive schedule to complete the update by October. It is referred to as
an update but it is in reality a new plan. Grittman would be working closely
with the Planning Commission. The process would be started by
interviewing a variety of community members that are involved in a wide
range of business, commissions, and organizations. This will give the
consultants an understanding of Monticello and a place to start to formulate
and focus on community long range planning. The idea is to have a
document that the city residents have produced and use the consultant only
for guidance.
Review sketch Dlan outlininR residential develoDment of the John Leerssen
DroDertv.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reviewed the sketch plan for the
Leerssen property. It is a 10 acre parcel with 16 lots. There is only an
access on Fallon Ave so an additional access is needed. It was suggested
that the road should not end in a cul-de-sac and should be designed to
extend into the property to the south. The Planning Commission thought
this plat should be referred to the Park's Commission for feedback as to the
design of the park area.
Page 8
.
.
.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2/07/95
12. Consideration of annointinl! a chaimerson for 1995.
After discussion, Dick Frie was appointed as chairperson of the Planning
Commission.
13. DICK FRIE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Seconded
by Richard Carlson. Meeting adjourned 9:45p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wartdt-t fWu1N-/l
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
Page 9