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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-24 Planning Commission MinutesCity of Cottage Grove Planning Commission September 24, 2018 A meeting of the Planning Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Park- way South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, September 24, 2018, in the Council Chamber 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: Ken Brittain, Evan Frazier, Taylor Mills, Derek Rasmussen, Jennifer Raymer, Sheree Schuler, Roger Zopfi Members Absent: Tony Khambata Staff Present: Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer John McCool, Senior Planner John M. Burbank, Senior Planner Approval of Agenda Frazier made a motion to approve the agenda. Zopfi seconded. The motion was approved unanimously (7 -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 61 Marine & Sports Expansion — Case CUP2018-051 61 Marine & Sports has applied for a conditional use permit with site plan review for the expansion of a nonconforming use to allow for the construction of a 6,000 square foot Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2018 Page 2 of 4 building addition to be used for boat storage and assembly at 11730 Point Douglas Drive South. Burbank summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Rasmussen asked for clarification that only the new portion of the building would need to com- ply with current ordinance requirements but not anything prior to that. Burbank responded it would only apply to new construction. Rasmussen asked if the improved parking area would only be around the new building. Burbank responded that the 2015 approval required the western parking area, which is around the area of expansion, to be hard surfaced. He pointed out that area on the site plan. He noted that the employee parking and the area around the service and sales building have already been hard surfaced. Al Stewart, 9435 Kimbro Avenue South, explained that they want to move their service area out of the main building, which will provide more room for their showroom. The new building will have an overhang off the back side to store boat motors so they will be out of public view and protected from rain. He explained that there are four buildings and all are made out of steel. He does not know how a block building would look connected to a steel building, plus this building is going to house mechanics. There is crushed black top up there and when that hardens it almost gets to be like blacktop, so there is really never any dust. The reason they didn't blacktop that area is because it is used to turn big boats and they operate skid steers. They did blacktop the parking area. He reported that over the last five years, they have in- vested a million dollars into the property, including fencing, buying property, constructing new sheds, and hring 13 more employees. Stewart summarized that they are looking to build an addition onto the existing shed, move their service guys to that building, and have their main building as a sales office. He noted that the public would not drive back that building anymore. He stated that when in the future the old sheds need to be replaced, the new standards should be met, but they just want to add onto the service department. The new addition will match the existing building in color and have the same doors. Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Zopfi made a motion to approve the conditional use permit subject to the conditions in the staff report. Raymer seconded. Frazier stated that he kind of agrees with the applicant. He understands that this was a condi- tion passed in 2015, so it needs to be followed, but he is concerned with how it is going to look connected to a steel building. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0) vote. 6.2 7310 Lamar Bed & Breakfast— Case HPCUP2018-052 Wayne and Angi Butt have applied for a Historic Properties Conditional Use Permit amend- ment to construct a 10 -bedroom home that would look similar to the existing 1871 house on the property at 7310 Lamar Avenue South, which will be used as a bed and breakfast as part of the John P. Furber Wedding & Event Center. Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2018 Page 3 of 4 Burbank summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Rasmussen stated that while the application is for a new house, he asked if there are plans to fix up and maintain the historic house as he would hate to see a new house go in and the historic house deteriorate. Wayne Butt, 7405 Lamar Avenue South, responded that they have owned the property since February 23, 2010. They are going to apply for a large SBA loan to finish all the projects they have planned for the property, including the barn, the historic home, and the addition. The goal is to lift the house up and give it a new foundation, and take care of the windows and siding. He would like to start that work in the spring. Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Raymer made a motion to approve the amendment to the Furber Historic Properties Conditional Use Permit subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Mills seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote). Butt shared some history on privy systems in Old Cottage Grove. Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of July 23, 2018 Frazier made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2018, Planning Commis- sion meeting. Raymer seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote). Reports 8.1 Recap of August and September 2018, City Council Meetings Levitt provided a summary of the actions taken at the City Council meetings in August and September, 2018. Brittain asked how much work can be done in 2018 on the HERO Center with winter coming. Levitt responded that staff is not anticipating that weather will play a large role in the actual construction schedule; they have accounted for that in their bids. Mass site grading equipment will locate to the site next week and utility installation start, so by the groundbreaking the foot- ing could be ready to be poured. A 12 -month construction schedule is anticipated. 8.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries 8.3 Planning Commission Requests Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2018 Page 4 of 4 Brittain asked for a summary on the closure of County Road 19. Levitt responded that County Road 19, just north of Military Road, will be closed for utility extensions and construction of turn lanes as part of a Woodbury project. Burbank stated that Washington County will provide training to property owners on how to maintain septic systems. Rasmussen asked what percentage of the City is on well and septic systems. Levitt responded that staff will provide a map showing where the areas are with private well and septic systems. Adjournment Frazier made a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Mills seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote). The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.