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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-11CITY OF LAKEVILLE Planning Commission Meeting Minutes MARCH 3, 2011 The March 3, 2011 Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Davis in the City Hall Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. Flag pledge and roll call of members: Present: Chair Davis Vice Chair Lillehei Secretary Adler Commissioner Drotning Commissioner Grenz Commissioner Maguire Absent Ex- officio Member Fitzhenry Staff Present Daryl Morey, Planning Director; Frank Dempsey, Associate Planner; Zach Johnson, Assistant City Engineer; and Penny Brevig, Recording Secretary. ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: The February 17, 2011 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented. ITEM 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Morey stated that the following items were distributed to the Planning Commission at tonight's meeting: 1. Revised drainage plan and revised landscape plan for the Lakeville Court Apartments (Agenda Item 5). ITEM 5. LAKEVILLE COURT APARTMENTS Chair Davis opened the public hearing to consider the application of Sand Companies for a Conditional Use Permit Amendment to amend the approved site and development plans for the Lakeville Court Apartments, located at 20390 Dodd Boulevard. The Recording Secretary attested that the legal notice had been duly published in accordance with State Statutes and City Code. Richard Hennings, the architect for Sand Companies presented an overview of their request. Mr. Hennings stated that proposed plans include new siding, doors and windows, an increase of one additional parking space for each unit, relocating existing post lights where necessary to accommodate the expanded pavement area, constructing a new detached accessory building adjacent to the play area, a new Planning Commission Meeting March 3, 2011 Page 2 basketball court in the play area, and a new trash enclosure to be constructed north of the play area. Associate Planner Frank Dempsey presented the planning report. Mr. Dempsey stated that Lakeville Court Apartments was approved by Conditional Use Permit in 1994. He indicated that an expansion of the rental office to provide a restroom in the office is also proposed. He indicated on the plans the location for snow storage. The snow may have to be removed from the property in heavy snowfall years. Mr. Dempsey indicated that the Engineering Department is recommending a rain garden be constructed near the northeast building on the site to reduce runoff and improve erosion control in that area as shown on the revised drainage and landscape plans. Mr. Dempsey mentioned that in his planning report he stated that each unit includes a two car garage, when, in fact, they are only one stall garages. He indicated that this will be corrected prior to City Council consideration of the CUP amendment. Mr. Dempsey stated that should the Planning Commission recommend approval of the CUP amendment for the Lakeville Court Apartments, Planning Department staff recommends the 5 stipulations listed in the February 25, 2011 planning report, and adoption of the Findings of Fact dated March 3, 2011. Chair Davis opened the hearing to the public for comment. Minnie Rouen 9105 205 Street W. Ms. Rouen lives south of the subject property. Her concerns were with garbage, including liquor bottles, being tossed onto or blowing onto their property and with drug dealing on the subject property. Ms. Rouen indicated that they have called the police and nothing seems to get done to take care of the situation. She wanted to know if there was going to be any new fencing installed along the south property line to keep people and the garbage out of their yards. Kevin Freemark, 20475 Idalia Avenue Mr. Freemark stated that the neighbors were promised a six foot tall privacy fence when the project was approved to separate the high density from the low density housing in the neighborhood. Planning Commission Meeting March 3, 2011 Page 3 11.14 Motion was made and seconded to close the public hearing at 6:17 p.m. Ayes: Maguire, Lillehei, Davis, Adler, Grenz, Drotning. Nays: 0 Chair Davis asked staff whether a privacy fence was a requirement when Lakeville Court Apartments was built. Mr. Dempsey indicated that he researched the original files, reports, and minutes and did not find any reference to a privacy fence. He stated there is a 4 foot chain link fence currently along the south property line. Chair Davis asked Mr. Hennings whether he could improve the litter situation. Mr. Hennings stated that he hoped the new centralized trash enclosure would help the situation. He indicated that the garbage is a management issue and he would discuss it with the management of the complex. Mr. Morey stated that staff will follow up with the police department regarding Ms. Rouen's comments related to drug dealing on the site. Chair Davis asked for comments from the Planning Commission. Discussion points were: • Fencing and screening was discussed including location, chain link versus wood, fence versus landscape screening, height of fence, and replace or repair the existing fence. Mr. Dempsey indicated that the chain link fence currently located north of the row of evergreen trees on the south side of the Lakeville Court Apartments property is 48 inches tall. The fence in the southeast corner needs to be repaired to close an opening that exists adjacent to the railroad. • Because Ms. Rouen's concerns regarding the drug problem was not part of the Planning Commission's purview, Commissioner Drotning suggested a narrative to the City Council from the residents expressing their concerns about the screening process for the residents of Lakeville Court Apartments. • Commissioner Grenz asked about the phasing of the project. Mr. Hennings stated that unoccupied units will be targeted first. He indicated that they would ask for volunteers to move into finished units as the work continues. The updates are scheduled to be finished by the end of 2011. • Commissioner Grenz asked why staff is not requiring storm shelters to be installed with this renovation or make the proposed storage shed a storm shelter. Staff indicated that this is a remodel and not an expansion of the number of dwelling units. In addition, storm shelters are not a requirement Planning Commission Meeting March 3, 2011 Page 4 in the RH -1 District. Mr. Morey stated that staff has not recommended the use of storage sheds as storm shelters because the residents would have to empty the contents of the storage shed prior to being able to use it as a storm shelter. • Vice Chair Lillehei asked staff what fence type and height has been required in the past in similar situations where high density residential abuts low density residential. Mr. Dempsey indicated that when screening is required, staff prefers these of landscaping rather than fencing. He stated that the purpose of the existing four foot chain link fence is more of a property line demarcation than a physical barrier. • Commissioner Drotning clarified that the railroad tracks are inactive and regulated by the Federal Government, not the City. • The Planning Commission suggested an additional stipulation regarding the fencing. Mr. Morey suggested the following wording: 6. The existing chain link fence along the south property line shall be replaced with a 6 foot tall fence and shall connect with the existing chain link fence along the northeast property line. The connection shall not include a gate. All fences and the property shall be maintained in compliance with Zoning Ordinance requirements. 11.15 Motion was made and seconded to recommend to City Council approval of the Lakeville Court Apartments Conditional Use Permit amendment to amend the approved site and development plans, located at 20390 Dodd Boulevard, subject to the following 6 stipulations, as amended, and adoption of the Findings of Fact dated March 3, 2011: 1. The site and building improvements shall be developed according to the plans approved by the City Council. 2. The turn- around areas shall not be used for parking. 3. Snow shall not be stored in the drive aisles, driveways or guest parking spaces. Snow shall be trucked off -site when no room is available to store the snow on the property. 4. Building permits are required prior to commencing any construction or remodeling work. 5. A new eight foot tall spruce tree shall be planted along the east side of the south property line in the location where a dead tree had been removed. 6. The existing chain link fence along the south property line shall be replaced with a 6 foot tall fence and shall connect with the existing chain link fence along the northeast property line. The connection shall not include a gate. Planning Commission Meeting March 3, 2011 Page 5 All fences and the property shall be maintained in compliance with Zoning Ordinance requirements. Ayes: Lillehei, Davis, Adler, Grenz, Drotning, Maguire. Nays: 0 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, r Penny Brek Recording Secre�y 4/07/11 ATTEST: Chair 4/07/11