Planning Commisison Minutes 02-03-1998
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REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, February 3,1998 - 7 p.m.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Liaison Present:
Staff Present:
Dick Frie, Richard Carlson, Rod Dragsten, Robbie Smith
Dick Martie
Clint Herbst
Fred Patch, Steve Grittman, Wanda Kraemer, Karen Doty
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Frie and it was noted that
Mayor Fair was in attendance.
2. Approval of minutes of the rel{ular meetinl{ held January 6. ] 998.
RICHARD CARLSON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF
THE JANUARY MEETING. SECONDED BY ROBBIE SMITH. Motion
passed nnanimously.
3.
Consideration of addinl{ items to the a~enda.
There were no added items.
4. Citizens comments.
There were no comments.
5. Public Hearin~--Consideration of a variance within~ the R-2 zonine- district
to locate the buildine- within the reQuired 30-ft front yard setback area and
within the 20-ft side yard setback area. Applicant. .Jerry Sonsteby.
Fred Patch, Building Official, reported, that Jerry Sonsteby, owner of a
residence located in the R-2 (Single and Two Family Zoning District) at 300
East 3rd Street, is requesting that a variance be considered to allow a new
residence to be constructed within the required 30 foot front yard setback
area, and within the 20 foot side yard setback area. The existing residence
was heavily damaged and all of the trees were lost in the July 1, 1997
windstorm. Patch added the property owner was hoping to save the lilac
bushes on the site. It is proposed that the existing residence will be tom
down and that a new residence will be built in the same location.
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Chairman Frie opened the public hearing.
Jerry and Sara Sonsteby, the owners, explained that the curb-cuts for their
driveway were installed on the neighbor's property as were all of the
driveways on the entire block. Sonsteby stated if they built their house
according to the required setbacks it would be very close to the neighbors.
The Sonstebys added because all of the trees on the property had been
destroyed in the storm they were trying to save the lilac bushes.
Chairman Frie closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners discussed if the visibility on the corner would be
obstructed because the house was not setback 20 feet, the alignment of the
houses in the neighborhood, and the style of the new house in relation with
the lot.
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After discussion, RICHARD CARLSON MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE
VARIANCE AS THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES SUFFICIENT
OPPORTUNITY TO ERECT A NEW RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE UPON
THE PROPERTY IN CONFORMANCE WITH CITY ORDINANCE. Motion
died from lack of second.
ROD DRAGSTEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY
ROBBIE SMITH, THE VARIANCE TO ERECT A RESIDENTIAL
STRUCTURE WITHIN THE SIDE YARD SETBACK AREA FRONTING ON
PALM STREET CONTINENT UPON THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
1. THE NEW RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE MUST BE SETBACK AT
LEAST 5 FEET FROM THE PROPERTY LINE FRONTING ON PALM
STREET.
2. THE RESIDENCE MUST BE MADE TO COMPLY WITH ALL
OTHER CITY ORDINANCES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.
Based on the findings that: I-locating the residence upon this comer lot
according to City ordinances would unreasonably diminish the opportnnity to
build a suitable house upon the lot; 2-the residential structure will not have
adverse impacts upon adjacent property, traffic, public safety or diminish
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property values. Voting in favor of motion: Dragsten, Smith, Frie .
Opposed: Carlson. Absent: Martie. Motion passed 3 to 1.
6.
Public Hearine--Consideration of a request for a conditional use permit for
final Plffi a.pproval on Phase I of Hospital Campus. Applicant. Monticello-
Bi~ Lake Communitv Hospital District.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, reported at the January 12, 1998 meeting the
City Council approve the vacation of Hart Boulevard past the Hospital
campus site, subject to certain conditions, including approval of the final
PUD. The Hospital District is now requesting final PUD approval for its first
phase. The first phase includes an expansion of the hospital building on the
east side toward the clinic building, together with a parking lot expansion on
the former Hart Boulevard right-of-way, and the construction of the new
entrance location for the project. Also proposed as part of Phase I would be
the relocation of the helipad.
The purpose of the final PUD review is to ensure that issues identified
earlier have been addressed and conditions recommended during the initial
concept reviews have been complied with. We have summarized the issues
and recommendations as follows:
1.
Utilities in Hart Boulevard - the public works department has noted
that city utilities may require maintenance or reconstruction, which
would likely occur during the Hospital's parking lot construction. This
issue should be coordinated between the Hospital and the Public
Works Department.
2.
Helipad - the helipad has been relocated from its original proposed
location to the west. The new location will allow helicopter flight to
occur without traffic interference with the Hospital's main entrance.
Although it is still close to the County Highway, this is an improved
location for the helipad, and it appears to have County Highway
Department support. Moreover, though hopefully not necessary, the
Sheriff had indicated his availability to manage traffic during flight
operations. Finally, the County will have to convey a small triangle of
property to the Hospital to accommodate the new location.
3.
Access to CSAH 75 (Broadway) - The County has been reluctant to
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allow continued right-out-egress from the main hospital driveway to
Highway 75 at the west end of the project. There ar~ currently two
access points to the County Highway in this location, and the County
is asking that these be closed in exchange for approval of the revised
hospital access drive. The City's position is that keeping one egress
driveway in this location would facilitate circulation on the Hospital
site and encourage traffic to use Broadway rather than River Street in
the future. The Hospital's site plan assumes that the driveway will be
closed. While the proposed plan should work, the City should continue
to lobby the County to retain the right-out-egress to Broadway. In
either case, the Hospital site pan should reflect the continuation of a
3D-foot drive through the project. The proposed site plan reduces the
driveway width to 24 feet west of the main entrance. Due to the
volume of traffic and the potential for right-out-egress to Broadway,
the 3D-foot width should be retained for the full length.
4.
Coordination with adjoining properties - This requirement consists of
access provision to the other property owners affected by the vacation
of Hart Boulevard, and coordination of the relocated access and
intersection with CSAH 75 between the Hospital, the County, and the
School District. The Hospital District has indicated that all parties are
in agreement with the plan. The City should include a condition
requiring written approval from the affected parties. Approval should
be in the form ofletters from the School District and County on the
access location, and easement agreements signed by the property
owners sharing the Hospital access drive.
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Chairman Frie opened the public hearing.
Tim Sessions, Hospital's architect, stated he would like to leave the driveway
west of the main entrance at 24 feet until it is known if the County will
approve the right-out-egress to Broadway. If this is approved the width
would be changed to 30 feet.
Mary Andrews, resident at 1005 East River Street, stated concerns over
increased traffic on River Street destroying the neighborhood.
Sessions answered that the traffic should be less on River Street. All of the
delivery trucks will be using the main entrance instead of River Street. The
main reason to keep a route open from the main entrance to River Street is
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for emergency use; most hospital have more than one route for emergency
vehicles. Sessions explained that the school site across from the hospital was
included in the decision for the placement of the main entrance for the
hospital.
Barb Schwientek, Executive Director for the Hospital District, there are still
a number of details to work out with the Connty. One of the issues is a
signal light. Schwientek added the hospital district will pay for the light
however, the city will be asked to maintain the light.
The Commissioners expressed a concern that the school had not been at a
meeting to present their views regarding the need for the signal light and
opinions on the driveway access.
Chairman Frie closed the public hearing.
DICK FRIE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY ROBBIE
SMITH, THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A FINAL STAGE PUD
FOR THE HOSPITAL CAMPUS, CONTINGENT ON THE CONDITIONS
LISTED AS FOLLOWS:
1.
COORDINATE HART BOULEVARD DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION
WITH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
2.
DOCUMENT CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY FROM COUNTY TO
ACCOMMODATE HELIPAD.
3.
REVISE SITE PLAN, IF NECESSARY, BASED UPON
NEGOTIATION WITH COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT ON
RIGHT-OUT EGRESS TO BROADWAY.
4.
REVISIT THE SITE PLAN AT THE TIME OF THE RAMP
CONSTRUCTION TO ILLUSTRATE A 3D-FOOT DRNEWAY FOR
FULL LENGTH OF THE PROJECT (FROM HART BOULEVARD ON
THE EAST TO THE END OF THE PARKING RAMP ON THE
WEST).
5.
REVISE THE PHASING PLAN TO INCLUDE DRIVEWAY
CONSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF THE FUTURE PARKING RAMP AS
PHASE I CONSTRUCTION.
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6.
PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF ACCESS AND PARKING
EASEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH ALL ADJOINING PROPERTY
OWNERS NORTH OF CSAH 75 AFFECTED BY HART BOULEVARD
ACTION.
7. PROVIDE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF COUNTY APPROVAL
OF NEW ACCESS DRIVEWAY LOCATION FOR CSAH 75.
8. PROVIDE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT
AGREEMENT WITH NEW ACCESS DRIVEWAY LOCATION AS
COORDINATED WITH THE HOSPITAL AND THE COUNTY.
9. PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN WILL BE REQUIRED TO
DEMONSTRATE ACCESS AND EGRESS TO THE PARKING RAMP
AT THE TOP LEVEL ONLY.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH ALL CITY COUNCIL CONDITIONS FOR THE
VACATION OF HART BOULEVARD.
Based on the findings that the project meets the Monticello Comprehensive
Plan goals and provides for a design which better meets the City's zoning
objectives that strict enforcement of those regulation would allow. Motion
passed unanimously.
7.
Public Hearin~--Consideration of an extension of the conditional use pennit
for Resurrection Lutheran Church. Applicantr Mark Paschke. Ha2'emeister
and Mac Architectsr Inc.
Fred Patch, Building Official, reported on May 6, 1997 the Planning
Commission considered and recommended approval of a Conditional Use
Permit request to allow the Resunection Lutheran Church facility in the PS
(Public/Semi-Public) Zoning District. On May 12, 1997 the City Council
affirmed the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the
Conditional Use Permit for Resurrection Lutheran Church. It is anticipated
that construction will begin around April 15,1998; however, to insure that
land use considerations of the City do not interfere, this extension will
prevent expiration and the need to reconsider this item in its entirety.
Chairman Frie opened the public hearing. There were no comments,
Chairman Frie closed the public hearing.
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RICHARD CARLSON MADE A MOTION THAT THE CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT TO ALLOW A CHURCH FACILITY IN THE PS (PUBLIC/SEMI-
PUBLIC) ZONING DISTRICT FOR RESURRECTION LUTHERAN
CHURCH BE EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AFPROV AL OF THIS EXTENSION. SECONDED BY ROD
DRAGSTEN. Motion passed unanimously.
8.
Public Hearin2'--Consideration of an amendment to the comprehensive plan
by eliminatin2' the Fallon Avenue overpass Applicantr St. Henry's Church.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, reported a few months ago St Henry's Church
required that the Fallon Avenue bridge be removed from the transportation
portion of the comprehensive plan due to the interference of the view of the
church from the freeway. The item was tabled pending additional analysis of
the location and height of the bridge by the City Engineer and the Church
ArchitectlEngineer. It now appears that there may be a design that is
acceptable to the Church, therefore, the Church would withdrawn its request.
Grittman advised the Planning Commission that even though St. Henry
withdrew their request by telephone it is best to formally deny the original
request to meet legal requirements.
Chairman Frie opened the public hearing and hearing no comments, closed
the public hearing
ROD DRAGSTEN MADE A MOTION TO DENY, SECONDED BY ROBBIE
SMITH, THE REQUEST FOR THE FALLON AVE BRIDGE TO BE
ELIMINATED OR MOVED FROM THE COMPREHENSNE PLAN. Motion
passed unanimously.
9. Consideration of call for a public hearin~ adoptin~ amendments to the city
zonin2' map and ordinances relatin~ to the establishment of the Central
Community District (CeD) and transitional rezonin~ includin~ the
consideration of performance zone~mixed (PZM) district. Applicant, City of
Monticello.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, stated the City has adopted the text of a new
zoning district intended to implement the objectives of the downtown
revitalization plan. At this time, staff is requesting that the Planning
Commission consider rezoning a portion of the greater downtown area to the
new district, called the CCD, Central Community District.
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Planning Commission Minutes - 2/3/98
ROBBIE SMITH MADE A MOTION TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
FOR REZONING THE DOWNTOWN AREA, SECONDED BY RICHARD
CARLSON. Motion passed unanimously.
Update and discussion of appointments to the Desi~ Advisory Team (DA T)'
Steve Grittman, City Planner, reported that the newly adopted Central
Community District (CCD) includes a provision for design review of projects
proposed within the greater downtown area. Staff and MCP representative
have been discussing the process for integrating the design review into the
development review process of the City staff and the Planning Commission.
This is a new process for all involved, it was believed that the Planning
Commission should be made aware of the appointments to the Design
Advisory Team (DAT) and the process likely to come out of these discussions.
The individuals were appoint to the DAT by Council on January 26, 1998.
The Commissioners inquired who was appointed to the Design Advisory
Team.
Grittman read the list: Pam Campbell, Gail Cole, Ronald Hoglund, Rita
illrich, and Susie Wojchouski. Grittman added that each of the members is
well versed in the design guidelines incorporated in the Downtown and
Riverfront Revitalization Plan and has participated in training on design
considerations and building rehabilitation for downtown Monticello.
Consideration of callin~ for a public hearinli for an amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan lillidin2' land use and plannine- for related services in
the areas adjacent to the city's south and west boundaries. Applicantr City of
Monticello.
Steve Grittman, City Planner, stated that the City's Comprehensive plan
includes land use planning for areas south and west of the current city
boundaries. As you recall, a significant concept of the comprehensive plan is
to direct future growth to the south and west of the city by investing in
infrastructure improvements which would serve growth in that direction
rather than to the east. Over the past several months, staff has conducted a
more detailed study of the issues which would affect land use patterns in
that area, including transportation, utility corridors, physical lay of the land,
existing land uses, and goals and policies from the current plan. A concept
land use plan was developed with these issues in mind, and which has been
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discussed at staff level, with other city organizations, and at a public open
house.
ROBBIE SMITH MADE A MOTION TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS
PROPOSED IN THE "SOUTHWEST AREA PLAN". SECONDED BY
RICHARD CARLSON. Motion passed unanimously.
12. Updates.
A. Community Center - Mayor Fair stated that a small group
subcommittee of two council members (Bruce Thielen and Brian
Stumpf) and two HRA members (Brad Barger and Steve Andrews) had
been formed to review the recommendation of the task force. The City
Council will make a decision on the next step from the
recommendation of the small group committee at on of the February
meetings.
B. Highway 25 Project - Mayor Fair reported the project will be started in
the spring of 1998 and the ramping will be in 1999.
13.
Adjournment.
ROBBIE SMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
SECONDED BY ROD DRAGSTEN.
Cu fN~ ~ ^b.fJ/'fNJA;
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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