HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-03 work session CITY. OF LAKEVILLE
Planning Commission Work Session Minutes
. MAY 1, 2003
The May 1, 2003 Planning Commission work session commenced at 6:40 p.m. in the
City Hall Council Chambers.
Commissioners Present: Pattee, Swecker, Stolte, Detjen, Grenz, Drotning,
ex-officio Puncochar.
Staff Present: Planning Director Daryl Morey, Associate Planner Ron
Mullenbach, Assistant City Engineer Jay Rubash, Planning Consultant Dan Licht of
NAC, Recording Secretary Penny Brevig.
1. Motor Fuel Facilities
Planning Consultant Dan Licht presented the planning report. Mr. Licht indicated
that the motor fuel facility operators have. commented to City officials that the
current- outdoor sales and display regulations are too stringent and asked that the
.ordinance be reconsidered. Mr. Licht stated that the Planning Commission agreed
to review the issue and on January 2, 2003 held a work session inviting motor fuel
facility operators for their input.
Mr. Licht outlined the general consensus for allowing outdoor sales for motor fuel
facilities as discussed at the subsequent work sessions that the Planning
Commission held in February and March. They. included display items, size, height
and location of any outdoor sales area, vehicle parking/circulation, pedestrian
access, and screening.
Planning Director Daryl Morey responded to the May 1, 2003 letter from Joel Booth,
SuperAmerica Manager.
1. How do we operate in the time before .the Zoning [Ordinance] is
amended?
The City of Lakeville has agreed not to enforce the current outdoor sales and
display: requirements until a Zoning Ordinance amendment zs approved.
2. Most stores do not have 6" curbed areas at the pump island, but could
put pallets at the end of islands.
This is subject #o Planning Commission discussion.
3. When will all this take effect?
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May 1, 2003
Page 2
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The next step after tonight's work session would be to hold a public hearing for a
Zoning Ordinance amendment at the June 5, 2003 Planning Commission
meeting.. The Planning Commission recommendation will then be forwarded to
the City Council for formal adoption.
4. It would be very helpful if height restrictions .would consider salt pallet
size, I know it would be close to the 3-foot restriction but so far I am
unable to determine exact size.
The 3 foot height restriction was not based on the specific. product, but on a safe
height so that passenger vehicle visibility would not be obstructed.
Chair Stolte opened the floor .for motor fuel facilities owner and manager
comments.
Tom Green, Mills Fleet Farm
Mr. Green commented that because their fuel facility at Mills Fleet Farm: is small,
they do not display sales items outdoors.
• There were no other comments from those in attendance.
Mr. Licht reminded the .audience that they would have another opportunity to
comment at the'public hearing for the Zoning Ordinance amendment.
The Planning .Commission discussed the proposed curbed urea requirement;
measuring the height of display items from ground: level, not the. curb; and whether
the display items should only be allowed between pumps or also at the end of the
pump islands. The Planning Commission concurred that: 1) Display items at the
end of the. pump islands should be placed on a raised curb and the height should be
restricted to three feet for traffic visibility and traffic circulation safety purposes; 2)
Display items located between pumps do not have to be placed on a raised curb
island, and should be restricted to five feet. in height; 3) The height of the display
areas should be measured from ground level.
2. Todd Reimringer
Associate Planner Ron Mullenbach stated that Planning Department staff has
invited Todd Reimringer to discuss the construction of a covered #ront porch
addition to his single family home, located at 18715 Kanabec Trail. He indicated
that construction on the porch began without a building permit and that the porch
• encroaches approximately eight feet into the front°yard setback.
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May 1, 2003
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Mr. Mullenbach indicated that Building Inspections Department. staff posted a
"Stop Work Order" on April 17, 2003 requiring that any additional work on the
porch be discontinued. He stated that a letter was sent to Mr. Reimringer on April
18, 2003 notifying him that the illegal covered front porch must be removed by May
5, 2003 or the City will issue a citation.
Mr. Mullenbach referred to an E-mail that Mr. Reimringer sent to City Council
members acknowledging that he "made a huge mistake" and hoping to "rectify the
situation." Mr. Reimringer indicated that he may submit a variance application for
the front porch, but prior to him incurring the expense of this option, Planning
Department staff offered the opportunity for Mr. Reimringer to meet with the
Planning Commission to informally discuss his options..
Mr. Reimringer agreed that he made two mistakes; he did not get a buildingpermit
to build the porch, and he was not knowledgeable of the setback requirements. He
wanted an explanation of what hardship he had to prove in order to receive: a
variance, and wanted an explanation of setback requirements.
Mr. Morey explained the undue hardship criteria for granting variances and stated
that staff finds no evidence of undue hardship to justify granting a variance in this
case. He stated that the Zoning Ordinance does allow by administrative permit the
construction of a one-story front entrance to encroach up to five feet into the front
yard setback.
Chair Stolte discussed the Planning Commission's role in the review of variance
applications and also explained to Mr. Reimringer what the setback .requirements
were for his lot.
Commissioner Drotning indicated what the Planning Commission s responsibility
is and how it applies to City ordinances. He stated that it is irrelevant to the
discussion that the porch is already. half built. He stated he would not support a
variance due to the lack of hardship.
Commissioner Grenz excused himself at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Reimringer stated he felt that his front yard setback variance .would. be
consistent with other houses constructed in his neighborhood.
Chair Stolte polled the Commissioners and all indicated that they would not
support this variance request.
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May 1, 2003
Page 4
Mr. Reimringer indicated that he would be in couch with Planning Department staff
to discuss his options further.
The work session was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,.
P y g, Recording Se tary
aryl grey, Pl ing I?irector