HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-14 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes fikCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday,December 14,2017—Oak Park Heights City Hall
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:
Chair Kremer called the meeting to order.Present: Commissioners Kremer,Freeman,
Giovinazzo,VanDyke and White;City Administrator Johnson,City Planner Richards,and
City Councilmember Dougherty.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Freeman,seconded by Commissioner VanDyke,moved to accept the Agenda
as presented.5-0.
III. Approval of November 9,2017 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner White,seconded by Commissioner Giovinazzo,moved to approved the
Minutes as presented. Carried 5-0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports:
Commission Liaison Dougherty noted that he would be continuing as the Commission Liaison
for 2018 and Councilmember Liljegren would also continue as Commission Liaison Alternate
for 2018.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. First Presbyterian Church: Consider a request for a Conditional Use Permit and
Variance for reconstruction of the freestanding sign located at 6201 Osgood Ave.N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the requests for a Conditional Use Permit and
Variance with regard to the number of allowable signs and aggregate square foot sign
face area to the property site and a reduction to setback from a property line at
Osgood Ave.Richards reviewed the December 6,2017 Planning Report as to the
requests and provided an issues analysis and proposed approval recommendations.
Discussion ensued as to the number of signs at the site,the request being made as a
result of Washington County acquiring right-of-way at Osgood Ave.N.for
placement of a trail,and the 2.5-foot setback distance being requested in relation to
trail maintenance.Richards indicated that Public Works Director Kegley has
indicated that the distance did not pose a problem for trail maintenance and clarified
that Washington County does need to provide a survey before anyone can do any
work to the sign and that they have assured the church that the right-of-way line will
be adjacent to the sidewalk.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 14,2017
Page 2 of 5
Chair Kremer opened the public hearing and invited comment. Visitors present to
the public hearing included Reverend Cader Howard,Bill Baker and Tim Witzmann
from First Presbyterian Church.
Tim Witzmann, introduced himself a a member of the Building and Grounds
Committee at the church and stated that they have met with the Washington County
Appraiser and are working with the County presently and address questions from the
Commission relative the request.
Further discussion ensued as to the existing signs at the property site,criteria for
alteration to signs considered to be "grand-fathered,"visibility and sight lines.
Commissioner Freeman noted site improvements undertaken by the church in recent
years, its being attractive and stated that he did not have an issue with the request and
felt that it was fair in light of the need occurring as a result of Washington County's
right-of-way acquirement.
There being no other visitors to the public hearing,Chair Kremer closed the public
hearing.
Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner White,moved to recommend
that the City Council approve the request, subject to the conditions of the December
6,2017 Planning Report, specifically that:
> Conditional Use Permit: To allow for a total of four signs,where two are
allowed and an aggregate square footage of sign area on site of 127 square
feet where a maximum of 40 square feet are allowed.
> Variance: To allow a 2.5-foot setback where a five-foot setback is
required from the Osgood Avenue right-of-way.
1. The monument sign shall be placed no less than 2.5-feet from the right-of-
way line of Osgood Avenue. The applicant shall provide an as-built survey
of the sign once installed. The survey shall show the setback distances from
the property line to the sign and the parking lot curb to the sign.
2. The sign specifications and methods of illumination shall be subject to review
and approval of the City at the time of permitting.
3. A landscape plan for the area around the new sign shall be subject to review
and approval of the City Arborist.
Carried 5—0.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 14,2017
Page 3 of 5
City Administrator Johnson addressed the Commission as to Washington County having a policy for
cost sharing for their public projects,nothing that such as in in the case of this trail,the cost is shared
50%-50%by the County and by the City of Oak Park Heights. The cost sharing for this project will
include the costs of acquiring the property as well as the replacement of the sign at Osgood Ave.N.per
Washington County's policy. Johnson noted the importance of sidewalk and trail connections and did
add that in the case of County public projects within a local jurisdiction,the local jurisdiction does have
the opportunity to opt out,in which case the improvement—in this case the trail—would not be placed
by the County. General discussion followed as to the information and walkways planned for the area.
B. Small Cell Technology: Consider amendments to City Ordinance section 704
and Zoning Ordinance section 401.15.P related to small cell technology,with regard
to public rights of way and placement upon private property.
City Planner Richards reviewed his December 7, 2017 Planning Report,noting that
staff has worked with the City Attorney's office on revised regulations and at their
recommendation,the creation of a small wireless facility colocation and lease
agreement. Richards reviewed the process prosed to be followed in order to issue a
permit and how the discussion of the Commission from November fits into the
documents and revised ordinance amendment language. The colocation agreement
should also eliminate the need for a conditional use permit for equipment placement
within residential zoning district. Richard expressed that he would like the
Commission to discuss this.
Discussion ensued as to the additional need for a conditional use permit and whether
or not it would be redundant in light of the colocation agreement, and whether or not
their may be push back from the community without the public hearing that is part of
the conditional use permit process. With the colocation agreement,the first people
would be aware of the activity is when it is occurring. Chair Kremer suggested that
part of the agreement requirements could simply be that the applicant has to notify
people within a specific range of distance so that they are not caught unaware and
that there be a contact that people can reach should they have questions. It was
suggested that some information be provided so that the proposed appearance of the
equipment is known.
City Administrator Johnson suggested that a public hearing can be required,which
isn't a conditional use permit process and which would serve as a vehicle for resident
notification and provide an awareness of the upcoming event and an opportunity to
allow anyone who chose to attend the public hearing to inquire about whatever is on
their mind to the activity. Discussion ensued,with general consensus being that a
public hearing should be part of the colocation agreement process.
City Planner Richards will work on incorporating the comments of the Commission
into the documents and will return with those revisions at the January meeting, where
the public hearing on the matter will continue.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 14, 2017
Page 4 of 5
VII. New Business:
A. Fencing and Landscaping Ordinance: Commissioner White had noted a situation one
of his neighbors encountered when installing their fence and described the situation
with regard to different interpretations of height allowance coming from City staff at
the time. White stated that he reviewed the ordinance and found most of it pretty
straight forward and easy to understand other than the language within the Specific
Fence Standards which reads, "The height of fence shall be the distance from the
adjacent finished grade to the highest projection of a fence structure or support
post..." which could create confusion, particularly when you have property incline.
Discussion ensued as to the context. City Planner Richards stated that he would
review and discuss the same with the Building Official to see what can be done to
clarify the language so to reduce confusion, noting that he may need to run it through
City Council as well. Commission consensus was to recommend that the City
Council have City Planner Richards review the language and work to address
clarification.
VIII. Old Business:
A. Oak Park Heights — Comprehensive Plan 2018:
City Planner Richards noted that the work plan calls for having the Comprehensive Plan
wrapped up by February/March 2018, though it is required to be completed by the end
of 2018. He added that drafts of the plan will need to be send to adjacent communities
with a six-month review period allowance. Per November Planning Commission
discussion, he has updated the Introduction, Social Inventory, Issues Identification,
Mission Statement and Goals, Land Use section and made minor changes to the
Transportation, Community Facilities, and Administrative section. Richards asked that
the Commission advise him of any additional comments or edits to these sections and
noted that they would have an opportunity to review all of the plan sections prior to
their finalization and public comment period. Staff is working on the Parks and Trails
sections of the plan and anticipates having this available for review in January. Staff
will also be meeting with the Parks Commission at their January meeting to discuss
priorities for park development.
IX. Informational:
Chair Kremer reminded the Commission that, at the January meeting, they will be discussion
whether or not to continue with the practice of having a Planning Commission representative
at City Council meetings.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 14,2017
Page 5 of 5
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, January 9, 2018 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, January 11, 2018 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, January 23, 2018 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, February 8, 2018 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, February 13, 2018 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, February 27, 2018 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative:
• Tuesday, January 9, 2018—Commissioner Freeman
• Tuesday, January 23, 2018—Commissioner Kremer
X. Adjourn. Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to
adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Carried 5 —0.
Respectfully submitted,
41114.Jule I ultman
Planning& Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission:01-18-2018/5-0