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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-17 Planning Commission MinutesCity of Cottage Grove Planning Commission December 17, 2018 A meeting of the Planning Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Park- way South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, December 17, 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, Tony Khambata, Taylor Mills, Derek Rasmussen, Sheree Schuler, Jerret Wright, Roger Zopfi Members Absent: Evan Frazier, Jennifer Raymer Staff Present: Christine Costello, Community/Economic Development Director John M. Burbank, Senior Planner John McCool, Senior Planner Steve Dennis, City Councilmember Approval of Agenda Zopfi made a motion to approve the agenda. Schuler 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 CUP2018-071 Stu -Mac Properties has applied for an amendment to the existing conditional use permit to expand the existing nonconforming use at 61 Marine & Sports, 11730 Point Douglas Planning Commission Minutes December 17, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Drive South, to allow for additional outdoor storage and sales of recreational vehicles and boats. Burbank summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions stipulated in this staff report. Zopfi asked about the timing of when they would acquire fee title. Burbank responded that they are still working with the property owner on that. Once they settle the deal for the acqui- sition, they would need to apply for a minor subdivision. Zopfi asked if the conditional use permit could be approved without fee title. Burbank responded yes, as they are currently leas- ing the property. He stated that staff worked with the City Attorney on this application, and it is going through the same process as their 2015 expansion application. Zopfi asked if the prop- erty owner agreed to this application. Burbank stated that the property owner signed the con- ditional use permit application form. Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Khambata made a motion to approve the conditional use permit amendment subject to the conditions in the staff report. Wright seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote). 6.2 Hound Around Addition — Cases CUP2018-072 Hound Around LLC has applied for a conditional use permit amendment to allow a 4,032 square foot addition to the existing building at 8607 West Point Douglas Road South to accommodate more kennels and a larger indoor play area. McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions stipulated in this staff report. Brittain asked would the dogs be outside in the outdoor kennels by themselves, if there is any concern with the parking right next to the kennels, and if there are conditions regarding that portion of the application. McCool stated that there won't be any additional parking on that side of Allina; there is a drive aisle separating the two facilities. There is an existing privacy fence along that property line, so people cannot see into the kennel area. There is an outdoor area where dogs can run free. The proposed outdoor kennels would allow dogs kenneled inside to access the outside; that area would not be visible from Allina property. The City is unaware of any noise issues from barking dogs. Richard Perry, owner of Hound Around, 8607 West Point Douglas Road, stated that the dogs would only be allowed in the exterior kennels during operating hours; they will not go out in the middle the night. He explained that the new outdoor kennels would be for dogs that don't get along with other dogs. Brittain asked how they plan to handle dogs barking when vehicles drive by. Perry explained that currently their exterior play area, which is where they are going to put the addition, is all open and the dogs are out there during the day. He has not heard any issues regarding noise. The building does not have windows. He thinks this expansion will make the area quieter because they are going to reduce the amount of outdoor space, and the dogs will be inside more with opportunities to go outside. Planning Commission Minutes December 17, 2018 Page 3 of 3 Khambata asked if they see any potential issue with reducing the total square footage of the play area and if there could be a need in the future to extend that space. Perry stated that currently there is about 12,000 square feet within the fenced area. Roughly about 4,200 square feet will be utilized for the new addition, so there will still be almost 8,000 square feet, so he does not believe it will be an issue. He also thinks this will help staff better control the dogs. He noted that they have another 200 feet of property behind the fence. Wright asked if they will still have the video feed where owners can watch their dogs in the play area. Perry responded that they are going to expand it to the inside of the new building and to the exterior of the new play area. Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Khambata made a motion to approve the conditional use permit amendment subject to the conditions in the staff report. Mills seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote). Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of November 26, 2018 Rasmussen made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 26, 2018, Planning Commission meeting. Wright seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote). Reports 8.1 Recap of December 2018 City Council Meetings Costello provided a summary of actions taken at the City Council meeting on December 5, 2018, and highlighted upcoming items for the next Council meeting. Dennis thanked all the volunteers who worked on the Holiday Train. He stated that he will be providing a presentation at the December 19 City Council meetings on the accomplishments made during 2018. 8.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries McCool summarized the memo regarding comments about odor at Up North Plastics that were made at the November Planning Commission meeting. 8.3 Planning Commission Requests Adjournment Khambata made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Wright seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote). The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m.