Planning Commission Minutes 07-07-2015MINUTES
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - 6:00 PM - Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Brad Fyle, Linda Buchmann, Sam Murdoff, John Falenschek, Marc Simpson
Absent: None
Others: Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman (NAC), DJ Hennessey, Charlotte Gabler (Council
Liaison)
1. General Business
A. Call to order
Brad Fyle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Fyle welcomed John
Falenschek and Marc Simpson as new members of the Planning Commission.
B. Consideration to accept Planning Commission minutes
SAM MURDOFF MOVED TO ACCEPT THE JUNE 2, 2015 SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES. LINDA BUCHMANN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 5 -0.
SAM MURDOFF MOVED TO ACCEPT THE JUNE 2, 2015 REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES. BRAD FYLE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
C. Citizen Comments
Joe Blum, of 4640 Country Circle, said that he had received a letter from the City
stating that the wire mesh fence he is building on his property is in violation of
City Code because it is constructed with prohibited material. Blum shared fence
photos and signatures from neighbors who support his request to allow the fence.
The Commissioners asked questions and agreed, by consensus, to add the request
to the August meeting agenda.
D. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
O'Ryan's Ywik Trip (Gabler)
Mattress Firm (Gabler)
2. Public Hearings
A. Continued Public Hearing — Consideration of a request for Amendment to
the Monticello Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1— Use Table, Section
Planning Commission Minutes: 7/07/15
2 — Use - Specific Standards and Section 3 — Accessory Use Standards and
Chanter 8, Section 4 — Definitions as related to regulations for Solar Energy
Systems. Applicant: City of Monticello
Steve Grittman noted that the City's one -year moratorium on solar energy
generation facilities as a principal use had provided the Planning Commission an
opportunity to more thoroughly consider issues related to solar uses and respond
to pending legislation related to review authority for large solar installations (if
appropriate) prior to amending the ordinance.
Grittman explained that the proposed ordinance amendment allows solar energy
systems as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts, with some
installations requiring a Conditional Use Permit, and limits solar energy systems
as a principal use to properties which are rezoned to Planned Unit Development
and customized according to standards specific to the project proposed.
Brad Fyle opened the public hearing. As there were no comments, the public
hearing was closed.
LINDA BUCHMANN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. PC -2015 -003
RECOMMENDING AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE AS
PROPOSED IN DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. 613, BASED ON THE FINDINGS
IDENTIFIED IN THE RESOLUTION. MARC SIMPSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Schumann noted that the request would likely be included for City Council
consideration as part of the July 27a' meeting.
B. Public Hearing — Consideration of a request for Amendment to the
Monticello Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3, Section WE) for the ordinances
regulating principal structure setbacks in non - riparian side, front and rear
yards in the Mississippi Wild & Scenic Recreational River District.
Applicant: City of Monticello
Angela Schumann summarized that setback variances are often required to
develop on many of the existing lots within Monticello's Mississippi Wild &
Scenic Recreational River District (MWSRR) because these properties do not
meet 2 acre /200' width requirements. She indicated that the proposed ordinance
amendments would reduce the non - riparian side yard setback from 30 to 10 feet
and the rear yard setback from 50 to 30 feet to reflect base zoning requirements.
Schumann noted that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had made no
formal comment related to this request.
Brad Fyle opened the public hearing.
Mike Kraus, 329 Riverview Drive, said that he supports the proposed
2
Planning Commission Minutes: 7/07/15
amendments because current setbacks restrict the size of the house that can be
built on the lot and that this prohibits the sale of the lot.
Chris Schwickerout, of 6410 82nd Street NE, stated that he is a listing agent and
supports the proposed amendment.
Wayne Johnson, of 24800 100`h Street, Zimmerman, said that he supports the
proposed amendment because he is hoping to build a house on one of those lots.
As there were no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
Charlotte Gabler asked if changing the side yard setbacks would affect the
staggering and averaging requirement. Angela Schumann agreed to check on that
and provide an update.
SAM MURDOFF MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS AND TO DIRECT STAFF TO
PREPARE THE REQUIRED ORDINANCE NO. 619 FOR CONSIDERATION
BY THE CITY COUNCIL, BASED ON THE FINDINGS THAT:
A) THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS AS PROPOSED CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN;
B) THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH
MINNESOTA RULES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI WILD SCENIC AND
RECREATIONAL RIVER DISTRICT; AND
C) THE AMENDMENTS ELIMINATE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE
ORDINANCE AND EXISTING DEVELOPMENT, AND REDUCE NON-
CONFORMITIES IN THE OVERLAY DISTRICT.
LINDA BUCHMANN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Angela Schumann noted that this item would be considered on the consent
agenda at the next City Council meeting.
C. Public Hearing — Consideration of a reauest for Amendment to the
Monticello Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3, Section 4(F) — Single and Two -
Family Residential, 5.2(C) - Standards for Residential Uses and Chapter 8,
Section 4 — Definitions, for ordinance regulating minimum residential
standards in the R -2 District. Applicant: City of Monticello
Angela Schumann summarized that the proposed amendments related to
performance standards and definitions within the R -2 (Single and Two - Family
Residential) District. She noted that staff had initiated this request to address
concerns that existing code language related to square footage requirements could
lead to differing interpretations and inconsistent application of the ordinance.
3
Planning Commission Minutes: 7/07/15
Schumann explained that the proposed amendment would clarify the required
amount of finished rather than finishable square footage. She also noted that the
amendment would create graduated square footage requirement standards for R -2
dwelling unit types. The graduated requirements proposed are 1,600 square feet
finished for single - family dwelling units and 1,400 square feet finished per each
duplex dwelling unit, each townhome dwelling unit and each multiple- family
dwelling unit.
Schumann also pointed to some minor clarifications proposed to provide
consistency. These amendments involve the number of townhome units allowed,
the elimination of Table 5 -2: Minimum Floor Area By Type (as well as references
to the table) and definitions for single - family, townhouse and duplex units.
There was considerable discussion related to downsizing and life -cycle housing
needs and an interest in reducing the required minimum finished square footage
proposed for duplex, townhome and multi - family dwelling units.
Brad Fyle opened the public hearing. As there were no comments, the public
hearing was closed.
Schumann noted that commissioner comments and questions indicated an interest
in reviewing additional information and further considering issues related to
finished square footage requirements and building materials. She pointed out that
staff would republish the public hearing notice related to this request to also
include consideration of amending Chapter 4, Section 11, Building Materials.
LINDA BUCHMANN MOVED TO TABLE CONSIDERATION OF THE
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS UNTIL THE AUGUST
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. SAM MURDOFF SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
3. Regular Agenda
A. Consideration of a report regarding Temporary Suns, Chapter 4, Section 5
of the Monticello Zoning Ordinance
Angela Schumann noted that staff will meet with representatives from the
Chamber and the business community to discuss potential amendments to
temporary sign regulations at 1 p.m. on July 21St at the Monticello Community
Center. Schumann indicated that she would provide a summary report of that
meeting as part of the August agenda packet.
4. Added items
• O'Ryan's/Kwik Trip (Gabler) — Angela Schumann noted that O'Ryan's/Kwik Trip
representatives had applied for a sign permit.
4
Planning Commission Minutes: 7/07/15
• Mattress Firm (Gabler) — Angela Schumann noted that the Building Department
permit review process is underway for the multi- tenant structure.
5. Adjournment
LINDA BUCHMANN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:02 PM.
MARC SIMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Recorder: Kerry Bum
Approved: September 1, 015
Attest:
Development Director