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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-28 PACKET 07.City of Cottage Grove Planning Commission July 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, July 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. Roll Call Members Present: Ken Brittain, Justin Fox, Derek Rasmussen, Jennifer Raymer, Roger Zopfi Members Absent: Sam Awad, Jeff Abelson, David Lutchen Staff Present: Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer John McCool, Senior Planner John M. Burbank Senior Planner Beth Richmond, Planning Intern Steve Dennis, City Councilmember Approval of Agenda Zopfi made a motion to approve the agenda. Fox seconded. The motion was approved unanimously (5 -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 Moody Lot Split — Case MS2017-013 Gary Moody has applied for a minor subdivision to subdivide the 5 -acre parcel of land at 8508 Keats Avenue South into two 2.5 -acre parcels. Planning Commission Minutes July 24, 2017 Page 2 of 4 Burbank summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Rasmussen asked about the location of the existing driveway. Burbank pointed out the loca- tion on the photo. Gary Moody, 674 Bibeau Court, Vadnais Heights, stated that he has owned the lot since 1978. He explained that one of his daughters is renting the house on the property and his other daughter would like to build a house on the rear of the lot. He noted that condition #18 regarding additional drainage easements is too broad and asked that it be rewritten to narrow it down based on contours or where drainage could be anticipated so it would not encumber the ability to build. Sharon Moody, 674 Bibeau Court, Vadnais Heights, asked what the 92 feet on the west side of County Road 19 is for. Julie Robertson, 7756 Iverson Avenue South, stated that she would like to build a home on the new lot. Regarding the house placement on the lot and possible expansion for future de- velopment, she explained that they are not looking to expand or place more houses on the lot and would like to just make that their residence. Burbank responded that condition #18 is a standard condition in all recommendations for subdivision of property, explaining that prior to being recorded, if the City had overlooked an easement area that hadn't been discussed, that is when it would be required. He noted that the language could be clarified prior to Council. Brittain asked when that would be triggered. Burbank responded prior to being recorded at Washington County, after Council approval. He then stated that the 92 -foot right-of-way is based on Washington County's full design option for County Road 19. Brittain clarified that it would be used for making the road wider. Burbank stated that the recommendation to look at house placement, staff is just suggesting that they consider it in case the property was ever sold in the future, as additional lots could be created on the 2.5 acres. Sharon Moody asked how close the 92 -foot easement is to the house and if it was measured from the center of the road. Levitt responded that this section of roadway is not currently in Washington County's Capital Improvements Plan for the next five years; right now they are looking at a four -lane expansion from Dale Road. Roadway improvement is based upon traf- fic generation and we'd anticipate seeing a four -lane section start by Highway 61 and East Point Douglas. This improvement is not going to be done in the immediate future, but staff wanted to the applicant to be aware that it could happen. Burbank referenced the site draw- ing explaining that based on the closest point of the house to the proposed public right-of-way line, it is about 55 feet to existing 60 -foot right-of-way line. Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Zopfi made a motion to approve the application subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Raymer seconded. Planning Commission Minutes July 24, 2017 Page 3 of 4 Burbank asked if condition #18 was recommended to be modified as referenced earlier. Zopfi and Raymer agreed to amend their motion to modify condition #18. Motion passed unanimously on a 5 -to -0 vote. 6.2 Ecker Garage & Driveway Variances — Case V2017-022 Andrew J. Ecker has applied for variances to front setback requirements and to allow two attached garages with a total size of approximately 1,700 square feet and two separate driveways at 8852 67th Street Bay South. Richmond summarized the staff report and recommended approval based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. A.J. Ecker, 8852 67th Street Bay South, stated that it would probably be cheaper if he sold this property and built somewhere else but the property has been in the family for generations and they want to remain in their Cottage Grove neighborhood. He explained that they have five kids in a five-year age span and there is currently not enough room in his garage, so when all the kids start driving, they will need more parking area. He and his wife carefully planned the addition so that it would blend into the existing neighborhood including have a side garage. He noted that if they had to abide by the required front setback, the addition would need to be built at an awkward angle. Rasmussen expressed concern about two driveways from two garages and what looks like two front doors and is concerned that the house could end up looking like a duplex. He stated that exterior elevations could help him to envision what they are trying to do. Brittain opened the public hearing. Steve Hill, 8864 67th Street Bay South, stated that in speaking with other neighbors he thinks everyone is in favor of this project. Knowing the Eckers, he believes the addition will be done in good taste. Being on the cul-de-sac, that part of the building is going to be sort of setback. He does not see the additions being a problem and strongly recommends approving the pro- ject. Considering the size of their family, there is the possibility of numerous vehicles when the children get older and without another garage, parking will be an issue. Ecker stated that he received a formal letter from his neighbor directly to the west expressing their support for the application; he submitted the letter to the Commission. No one else spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Brittain noted that the aesthetics of the home are not the purview of the Planning Commis- sion, only as it relates to conformance with the comprehensive plan and zoning requirements. Fox made a motion to approve the variance based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Raymer seconded. Motion passed unanimously on a 5 -to -0 vote. Planning Commission Minutes July 24, 2017 Page 4 of 4 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of May 22, 2017 Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2017, Planning Commission meeting. Zopfi seconded. Motion passed unanimously (5 -to -0 vote). Reports 8.1 Recap of June and July 2017 City Council Meetings Levitt summarized the actions taken by the City Council at their meetings in June and July 2017. Dennis provided information to the Commission on Night to Unite, which will take place on August 1. He also reported that on August 1, the City is going to reduce the watering ban and explained the new ordinance regarding watering. He thanked everyone in the community who helped to conserve water during the ban. Well 10 will come on line next week and Well 3 in about three weeks, which should provide enough capacity to meet the needs of the citizens. Rasmussen asked if the carbon filters are a temporary fix, what the life span is for those fil- ters, and what the permanent fixes are being looked at. Levitt responded that the carbon filter lasts for one year, so those will be changed out annually. The tanks themselves are steel structures, the temporary nature is because the City had to violate its own ordinances to con- struct those structures. The City is working on a more efficient structure. The temporary struc- tures are planned to be in use for two to five years. 8.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries 8.3 Planning Commission Requests None 8.4 Election of Vice Chair Brittain asked if there are any nominations or volunteers for Vice Chair. There were none. Brittain nominated Fox as Vice Chair. Fox accepted the nomination. Motion passed unanimously. Adjournment Rasmussen made a motion to adjourn the meeting to the Harkness Avenue Small Area Study Joint Workshop. Zopfi seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m. (5 -to -0 vote).