Planning Commission Minutes 04-02-1996
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 2, 1996 ~ 7 p.m.
Members Present: Dick Frie, Richard Martie, Jon Bogart, Richard Carlson,
Rod Dragsten,
Staff Present:
Jeff O'Neill, Gary Anderson, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Martie.
2. Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting held March 5 and the continued
meetin{:' held March 6, 1996.
Commissioner Bogart and Commission Carlson discussed a motion regarding the
Conditional Use Permit for Ruff Auto. It was agreed the motion was made by
Bogart not Carlson.
COMMISSIONER CARLSON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES,
WITH THE ABOVE CHANGE, OF THE MARCH 6TH MEETING. SECONDED
BY COMMISSION BOGART. Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of adding items to the ae:enda.
There were no addition to the agenda.
4. Citizens comments.
There were no citizens comments.
5.
Public Hearing--Consideration of a conditional use permit request which would
allow development of a 3-bay quick lube facility. Applicant, Dan and Linda Mielke.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported Dan and Linda Mielke requested a
conditional use permit which would allow development of a 3-bay quick lube oil
change facility at the new parcel created directly south of the Subway Shop. In the
B-3 zone, motor fuel station, motor fuel station/convenience store, auto repair
minor, and tire/battery stores are allowed in the B-3 zone as a conditional use.
City Staff would interpret a quick lube oil change facility as falling into this
general category. As you will see in the attached section of the code, there are 18
conditions. However, we do not have enough information to determine if the site
will meet condition #2. Since we have not seen actual building plans at this point,
it is not possible to determine if the facility meets condition #2, which states that
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the architectural appearance and functional plan of the building and site shall not
be so dissimilar to the existing building or area as to cause impairment in property
values. The plan's consistency with this requirement will need to be evaluated
after building plans are submitted. It is not suspected that this will be a problem.
Development of this site plan presented some interesting complications due to the
potential that the Chelsea Road extension to Highway 25 might touch the southern
boundary of the property making it a corner lot. If this parcel does become a comer
lot, the access will be lost at its present position and must be moved to another
location on the property. The Mielkes' are aware of this potential and have
established their building alignment and site plan accordingly to allow them
enough flexibility to take advantage of the future potential of this site becoming a
corner lot.
Acting Chairman Martie opened the public hearing.
Dan and Linda Mielke were present but did not have anything to add.
Acting Chairman Martie closed the public hearing.
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The Commissioners inquired if the alignment was shown on the site plan.
O'N eill added the alignment of Chelsea Road has not been determined. The
Mielkes are aware of this study and have put together a site plan that would not
result in a problem if the access changes. The commissioners also had questions on
the type of building that would be built.
Dan Mielke stated that it would be a steel structure with a nice decor on the
outside. It would be comparable to the Subway Shop.
COMMISSIONER DRAGSTEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT ALLOWING A 3-BAY QUICK LUBE OIL
FACULTY PROVIDED THAT THE FACILITY MEETS ALL THE CONDITIONS
OUTLINED BY ORDINANCE AND SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS:
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1. COMPLETION OF A LANDSCAPING PLAN THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH
CODE REQUIREMENTS.
2. COMPLETION OF SITE GRADING AND DRAINAGE PLAN THAT IS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ENGINEER AND STATE OF MINNESOTA.
THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS SUBJECT TO STAFF REVIEW AND
APPROVAL OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE STRUCTURES.
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IF STAFF BELIEVES THAT THE DESIGN DOES NOT MEET THE
REQUIREMENTS OF CONDITION #2, THEN STAFF IS DIRECTED TO
BRING THE MATTER BACK BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION
FOR ADDITIONAL REVIEW.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BOGART. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Public Hearing--Consideration of a reQ)1est for a conditional use permit which
would allow three or more business 8i~s on a commercial building. Applicantr
Stephen Conroy.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that in conjunction with the
conversion of the old Pitt Funeral Home to an office building, Steve Conroy is
requesting a conditional use permit which would allow development of a sign with
more than three business names. This sign is necessary because the new office use
will likely result in multiple tenants at the site. The location of the sign is at the
location of the pre-existing sign. The sign as proposed has been reviewed by City
staff and meets code requirements.
In a related matter, City staff has been working with Steve Conroy on development
of a long-term parking plan for the site. The current level of parking and parking
lot design is adequate to support a fair amount of activity in the structure; however,
as the intensity of the use of the facility grows, it is likely that additional parking
will be needed. Steve Conroy understand that when 3/4 of the building is occupied,
he will likely need to expand his parking.
Acting Chairman Martie opened the public hearing.
Steve Conroy was not present and there were no other comments.
Acting Chairman Martie closed the public hearing.
Commission Carlson inquired if the signage would be adequate when the building
is maxed out?
O'Neill stated that it would be.
COMMISSION BOGART MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT WHICH WOULD ALLOW THREE OR MORE BUSINESS SIGNS
ON A COMMERCIAL BUILDING BASED ON THE FINDINGS THAT THE
PYLON SIGN IS CONSISTENT WITH CITY CODE. SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER CARLSON. Motion passed unanimously.
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7.
Public Hearing--Consideration of a request for conditional use permit which would
allow outside Rales of boats and outRide stora~e. ApplicantRr Leonard Haberman
and Dean Rasmussen.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported Lenny Haberman, operator of Lenny
and Jim's Bait Shop, and Dean Rasmussen, owner of the Glass Hut property,
request permission to allow Haberman to sell up to 6 boats which would be
displayed outside of the structure. The existing structure currently houses Glass
Hut's operations and is being subdivided internally to house both the Glass Hut
and Lenny's Bait Shop. The request also includes permission to have outside
storage.
The site as it is currently operated is a lawful, nonconforming use. The parking lot,
landscaping, and outside storage arrangement currently are in violation of the city
code. However, due to the fact that nonconforming aspects of the site were
established before the development of the code, they are "grandfathered-in". As
with every other nonconforming site, when there is a request to intensify the use,
such as in this case where the request is to allow outside sales of boats, the various
nonconforming aspects of the site need to be brought up to code. It was noted earlier
nonconforming aspects include absence of bituminous paving, no curb and gutter,
no landscaping, and the outside storage to the rear of the structure is currently
unscreened. The Planning Commission might want to allow phasing of the
improvements over time. The storage area cannot be seen from Highway 25 but
when Marvin Road develops this area will be visible. There should be a right of
access that is documented between the Glass Hut, Lenny's Bait Shop and Royal
Tire. The businesses are all using the entrance and parking lot area. There would
need to be a written agreement. Typically between properties a five foot buffer area
and curb is required.
Acting Chairman Martie opened the public hearing.
Dean Rasmussen, owner of the Glass Hut, stated that a written agreement for use
of the parking lot could be acquired. Glass Hut owns the majority of the parking lot
area and there is a good working relationship with Royal Tire.
Lenny Haberman, operator of Lenny and Jim's Bait Shop, stated that he would like
to start out small with only six boats just to test the market. When there is a need
to expand he will move to a larger site.
O'Neill inquired what portion of the improvements could be done in the first phase?
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Mr. Rasmussen stated that they would add landscaping, concrete sidewalks from
one end of the building to the other, fence the outside storage or remove the outside
storage and use this space for staff parking.
Lenny Haberman added the sign for the business is in the front and it will be
moved to south of the existing concrete to direct customers to Marvin Road instead
of the Royal Tire entrance.
O'Neill added that there should be a site plan showing both facilities, traffic
patterns, outside storage, and parking.
COMMISSIONER BOGART MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE ITEM UNTIL A
REVISED SITE PLAN HAS BEEN PREPARED AND UNTIL AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN ROYAL TIRE AND GLASS HUT CAN BE ACQUIRED FOR A
SHARED PARKING EASEMENT. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MARTIE.
Motion passed unanimously.
The Commissioners discussed if there were similarities between this request and
the Ruff Auto request. It was agreed that this is different because Ruffs are going
to look at a PUD.
O'N eill suggested if the item is tabled it could be scheduled for 6:00 p.m. April 8th
before the City Council meeting then the additional information could be obtained
and not slow down the applicant.
The Commissioners requested the applicant to draw on the overhead where Royal
Tire curb and gutters are, the sign, and the parking lot.
Dean Rasmussen demonstrated on the overhead the answers to their questions.
Commissioner Bogart stated the City requires the same rules and regulations for
everyone. He added that he did not want to discourage the business because it is
good but there was just not enough information to make a valid decision.
Chairman Frie arrived at the meeting.
Dean Rasmussen inquired as to the length of time to complete the improvements?
It was decided that one year would be the allowed time.
O'Neill would meet the applicants at the site and go over what was needed.
COMMISSIONER BOGART MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE REQUEST
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UNTIL APRIL 8TH, AT 6:00 P.M. BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MARTIE. Motion passed unanimously.
8.
Chairman Frie added the City needs to put some teeth into the ordinance and
procedures in regards to properties in violation of their conditional use permits.
Update status of Poach shed construction actives.
Gary Anderson, Building Official, reported there has been no activity on this site
and it appears the construction site of the sheds has been moved.
9.
Public Hearing--Consideration of a request to update the Monticello Comprehensive
Plan. Applicant, Monticello Planning Commission and Monticello City Council.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that this agenda item represents
what could be the final step for the Planning Commission in the process of updating
the comprehensive plan. As you know, since February of 1995, the Planning
Commission, with input from various individuals, city commissions and
organizations, has been working toward an update of our comprehensive plan. The
input came in the form of individual interviews with community leaders,
neighborhood discussions and through general discussion at Planning Commission,
HRA, and City Council levels.
The township was comfortable with the comprehensive plan but the Monticello
Orderly Annexation Board (MOAA) will be reviewing the plan the day after this
public hearing. If the MOAA has any questions they will go directly to the City
Council.
Chairman Frie emphasized he has received feedback on the stop lights on Highway
75.
Chairman Frie opened the public hearing.
Charlie Pfeffer, developer, stated there has been a tremendous effort put into this
plan. His main concern was in the wide range of housing section. The main item
industry looks for is a range of affordable housing and rental property. He was
concerned the comp plan was trying to micro manage the housing market and this
would cause the market to slow down. He also thought the city should have a
transportation plan that would tie all the studies together.
O'Neill noted that a transportation plan adopted in 1993 is in place that was
utilized in preparation of the comp plan.
Chairman Frie agreed, stating that everything is not in concrete. The plan is
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meant to be back to the table.
Chairman Frie closed the public hearing.
Jeff O'Neill reported that there should be a meeting scheduled to write the
implementation steps before the next joint meeting.
10. Adjourn.
COMMISSIONER MARTIE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
SECONDED BY CARLSON.
Respectfully submitted,
W UU(lb kAQJ!;Yhi'A
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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