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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-22 PACKET 08.City of Cottage Grove Planning Commission April 24, 2017 A meeting of the Planning Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Park- way South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, April 24, 2017, in the Council Chambers and telecast on Local Government Cable Channel 16. Call to Order Chair Brittain called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Sam Awad, Ken Brittain, Justin Fox, Kim Graff, David Lutchen, Derek Rasmussen, Jennifer Raymer, Roger Zopfi Members Absent: Jeff Abelson Staff Present: Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer John McCool, Senior Planner John M. Burbank Senior Planner Steve Dennis, City Councilmember Approval of Agenda Awad made a motion to approve the agenda. Raymer seconded. The motion was approved unanimously (8 -to -0 vote). Open Forum Brittain asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission on any non -agenda item. No one addressed the Commission. Chair's Explanation of the Public Hearing Process Brittain explained the purpose of the Planning Commission, which serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council, and that the City Council makes all final decisions. In addition, he explained the process of conducting a public hearing and requested that any person wishing to speak should go to the microphone and state their full name and address for the public record. Public Hearings and Applications 6.1 Hennen Accessory Structure — Case V2017-014 Joe Hennen, 7910 Lamar Avenue South, has applied for a variance to City Code Title 11-3- 3C, Accessory Structure Setbacks, and Title 11-3-3E, Miscellaneous Requirements, to allow a 1,512 square foot accessory structure to be located approximately 68 feet closer to Lamar Avenue than the principal structure. Planning Commission Minutes April 24, 2017 Page 2 of 3 McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Brittain opened the public hearing. Karen Beskar, 7950 Lamar Avenue, stated that they live to the left of the Hennen property. She asked what would be housed in the proposed structure. Joe Hennen, 7910 Lamar Ave- nue South, stated that he is planning to store various vehicles and other items, noting that there will not be any animals. Gisela Staker, 7989 Lamar Avenue South, stated that she lives across from where the pro- posed structure would be located. She expressed concern about the visibility of the structure to her home. She asked if the structure would be used for a business, as is being done at an- other property in the area, or if it would just be for storage. She believes that sheds don't add value to property and that there are already too many sheds in the area. She would rather see the applicant extend his garage instead of building a shed. Brittain asked if there are any screening requirements. McCool responded that there are no screening requirements for accessory structures. He noted that the property is moderately wooded around the house. City ordinance would allow for accessory structures up to 2,500 square feet on the property; the proposed structure is 1,512 square feet. All other setback re- quirements are in compliance with the ordinance. No one else spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Rasmussen stated that there are several other properties, including the neighbor to the south, that have accessory structures in front of the principal structure, that the proposed ac- cessory structure is over 100 feet from the front property line, and the area is heavily wooded. Rasmussen said he does not see any issues with approving the variance application. He noted that having an accessory structure can help with aesthetics in the area by providing allowing outdoor storage to be placed inside a building. Lutchen stated that he viewed the geography of the area on Google Maps and it appears like the area is covered by vegetation. He believes this structure would not only serve a purpose for the owner but could provide a complementary roadside appeal. Fox made a motion to approve the variance application based on the finding of fact and subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Graff seconded. Motion passed unanimously on a 8 -to -0 vote. Discussion Items 7.1 Update on Construction Projects Levitt provided a presentation updating the Planning Commission on current and upcoming construction projects in the City during 2017 and answered questions from Commissioners. Planning Commission Minutes April 24, 2017 Page 3 of 3 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of March 27, 2017 Graff noted that her name was misspelled under Nominations in the March 27, 2017, meeting minutes. Graff made a motion to approve the amended minutes of the March 27, 2017, Planning Commission meeting. Awad seconded. Motion passed unanimously (8 -to -0 vote). Reports 8.1 Recap of April 2017 City Council Meetings Levitt summarized the actions taken by the City Council at their meetings in April 2017. Dennis reported that the annual Cottage Grove Clean -Up Day will be held on May 6 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; the City of Cottage Grove has maintained its AA Plus credit rating; Commissioner Fox was promoted to Captain for the Cottage Grove Police Reserves; the City will host the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on April 25; and next month he will be join- ing the Mayor, City Administrator, and Economic Development Director at the International Council of Shopping Centers convention to promote Cottage Grove to businesses. 8.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries None 8.3 Planning Commission Requests Brittain stated that a workshop had been scheduled for Planning Commissioner Training prior to tonight's meeting, but had to be postponed as several Commissioners could not attend. He noted this is mandatory training that is conducted annually. He suggested that the training session be held after adjournment of next month's meeting. He asked the Commissioners to verify that they would be able to attend that session next month. Adjournment Zopfi made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Raymer seconded. The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. (8 -to -0 vote). The Planning Commission recon- vened in the St. Croix Room for a workshop to continue discussion on the solar collec- tor systems moratorium and ordinance amendment.