HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-13 work sessionCITY OF LAKEVILLE
PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES
August 22, 2013
Chair Lillehei called the work session to order at 8:50 p.m.
Members Present: Chair Brooks Lillehei, Vice Chair Bob Boerschel, Karl Drotning, Gerry
Grenz, Linda Maguire, Paul Reuvers, Jason Swenson, and ex- officio Shawn Fitzhenry
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Planning Director Daryl Morey, Associate Planner Frank Dempsey, and
planning consultant Daniel Licht of TPC
Others Present: Don Maietta, Brian Winges, and Audrey McElwain, representing Heritage
Mill Senior Living; and Dan Lee with Highland Bank
Assisted Livina /Memory Care Senior Facilities in the C -3 District
Mr. Maietta, Mr. Winges, and Ms. McElwain presented the proposed Heritage Mill Senior
Care assisted living facility they would like to construct on vacant C -3 District property located
in the southeast quadrant of CSAH 46 and Kenyon Avenue. They described the locations of
the other Heritage Mill Senior Care assisted living facilities in the Twin Cities Metropolitan
Area. Their other facilities are all located along major roadway corridors with commercial and
office uses adjacent to, or in close proximity to, their assisted living facility.
Mr. Morey stated the Zoning Ordinance does not currently allow assisted living or memory
care facilities in the C -3 District. He stated that nursing homes are allowed by conditional use
permit in the C -3 District, but nursing homes are not being constructed in Minnesota
anymore. Assisted living and memory care facilities have a higher level of on -site care,
similar to a nursing home. In addition, the residents of assisted living and memory care
facilities do not have their own vehicles that they drive, as would be the case with an
independent living senior facility.
The Planning Commission concurred that assisted living and memory care facilities are
similar in nature to a nursing home and should be considered an appropriate use within the
C -3 District. City staff was directed to prepare an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to
allow assisted living /memory care /continuing care facilities, subject to certain performance
standards, by conditional use permit in the C -3 District.
Planning Commission Work Session Minutes - August 22, 2013
Unattended Clothing Donation Boxes
Page 2
Mr. Dempsey stated that Planning Department staff is receiving an increasing number of
requests from both non - profit organizations and for - profit companies to place clothing
donation boxes on commercial, school and church properties. He stated that the Zoning
Ordinance does not specifically allow the donation boxes, which means they are prohibited
as stated in Section 11 -1 -9 of the Zoning Ordinance.
The Planning Commission expressed concerns about:
• Past history of unattended clothing donation boxes being illegally placed on various
commercial and institutional properties in the City.
• Past history of non - clothing items being left at unattended clothing donation boxes or
items left next to a donation box that is full creating a public nuisance.
• Potential enforcement problems for City staff having to deal with absentee owners of
the donation boxes.
• Compatibility with the allowed principal use of the property.
• Opportunities currently exist for the donation of clothing and other household items at
the Goodwill store near the Southfork Shopping Center and through curbside pick -up
by a variety of charitable organizations.
Chair Lillehei polled the Planning Commission on their support for amending the Zoning
Ordinance to allow unattended clothing donation boxes in the city.
• Yes, subject to strict performance standards: Boerschel, Reuvers, Grenz, and
Swenson
• No: Lillehei, Drotning, and Maguire
The Planning Commission members that were not in support of allowing the unattended
clothing donation boxes stated they may support a Zoning Ordinance amendment to allow
them in only in commercial districts and only if strict performance standards are implemented
to prevent the accumulation of clothes and unwanted items or waste outside the donation
box. Requirements that the donation boxes be located within close proximity to the front
entrance to the principal use on the property and that the property owner also be responsible
for addressing any nuisance issues was supported by all Planning Commission members.
The work session adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
bmitted,
Daryl Ngorey, Play( Hiing Director
Brooks Lillehei, Chair