HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-23 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday,July 23, 2020—Oak Park Heights City Hall
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance/Welcome New Commissioner Blake Van Denburgh:
Chair Freeman called the meeting to order @ 6:00 p.m. with a welcome to new Planning
Commissioner Blake Van Denburgh.
Present: Commissioners Van Denburgh, VanDyke and White; City Administrator Johnson,
City Planner Richards, and City Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner Van Denburgh, moved to approve the
Agenda as presented. Carried 4-0.
III. Approval of June 11, 2020 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Van Denburgh, moved to approve the
Minutes as presented. Carried 4- 0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison/ Other Reports: City Councilmember Representative
Liljegren updated the Commission as to meetings being held by the City Council and that
through the City's Economic Development Authority, they have awarded approximately
$36,000 in grants to local businesses for COVID-19 related expenses.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. Nelson Conditional Use Permit: Review and consider application from Rick
and Tianna Nelson for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a reduction to front
yard setback requirement at 15242 64th St. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the July 16, 2020 Planning Memorandum to the request
seeking a Conditional Use Permit to vary from front yard setback standards. Richards
provided an issue analysis and discussed the same.
Chair Freeman opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. and invited applicant and visitor
comment. There being none, Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner
Van Denburgh, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4-0.
Brief discussion was had as to the elevation of the proposed addition and setbacks.
Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner White,moved to recommend
City Council approval of the request, subject to the conditions of the July 16, 2020
Planning Memorandum, specifically, that:
1. The City Engineer will review the drainage for the site. The final grading for
the proposed structure shall be subject to approval of the City Engineer.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 23, 2020
Page 2 of 3
2. All required utility and drainage easements will be provided with documentation
to the City. The lot combination approval will need to be filed with Washington
County.
3. If the unit is rented to non-family, it will need to comply with all Zoning
Ordinance requirements for a two-family unit.
4. Any exterior mechanical equipment associated with the garage and the addition
shall be screened.
5. The exterior of the proposed garage and addition shall be finished with siding to
match the current home exterior.
6. The applicant shall apply for and receive a building permit for the structure.
7. Any other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council and City Staff.
Carried 4- 0.
B. Palmer Station Planned Unit Development Amendment: Review and
consider application from Olivia Gavic on behalf of Creative Homes for a
Planned Unit Development Amendment to allow a reduced front yard setback,
from 30-feet to 20-feet for Lots 7, 8 and 9 at Palmer Station, located at 5606,
5573 and 5607 Oak Cove N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the July 16, 2020 Planning Report to the request
seeking a Planned Unit Development Amendment to allow a reduced front yard setback
at Lots 7, 8 and 9 within the Palmer Station development. Richards provided an issue
analysis and discussed the same.
Chair Freeman invited comment from the applicant.
Olivia Gavic, Creative Homes Land Coordinator introduced herself and briefly
described the situation with the three lots, prompting the amendment request and made
herself available for questions.
Chair Freeman opened the public hearing at 6:18 p.m. and invited public comment.
Chris Houdek introduced himself and his wife, Amelia as the owners of Lot 9 (5607
Oak Cove) and stated that they were present to lend support and noted that the addition
of the living space to the back yard and having the large tree to both be desirable. Mr.
Houdek stated that the large trees in the neighborhood were one of the things that
attracted them to the area.
There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Commissioner VanDyke, seconded
by Commissioner Van Denburgh, moved to close the public hearing at 6:20 p.m.
Carried 4-0.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 23, 2020
Page 3 of 3
Discussion ensued, clarifying the front-yard setback being the only change requested,
and that the change would improve the back yards of all three lots—saving the trees at
lot 7 and creating more usable back yard area at lots 8 and 9, which are very steep.
Commissioner Van Denburgh, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to
recommend City Council approval of the request, subject to the conditions of the July
16, 2020 Planning Report, specifically, that:
1. The final grading and drainage for the three lots shall be subject to the approval
of the City Engineer.
2. Any other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council and City Staff.
Carried 4- 0.
VII. New Business: None.
VIII. Old Business: None.
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, July 28, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, August 13, 2020 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, August 25, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, September 8, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, September 10, 2020 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, September 22, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, July 28—Commissioner Freeman
• Tuesday, August 25, 2020—Commissioner VanDyke
• Tuesday, September 22, 2020—Commissioner—Van Denburgh
X. Adjourn:
Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to adjourn at 6:26 p.m.
Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
ei
Juli: l ultman
Pla ng & Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission:August 13,2020 4-0