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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-08 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, December 8, 2022 Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance: Chair White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Freeman, Van Denburgh, and VanDyke; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards, and City Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren. Absent: Commissioner Husby. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Freeman,seconded by Commissioner VanDyke,moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4-0. III. Approval of November 10, 2022 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried 4-0. IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: City Administrator Johnson noted that he and City Planner Richards were working on the parking lot heat island mitigation issue, for an upcoming Commission meeting. V. Visitors/Public Comment: There were no visitors or comments to items not upon the meeting Agenda. VI. Public Hearings: A. Cates Fine Homes, LLC/Setac Properties: Review and consider request for a Variance from Subdivision Process & Regulations and Variance for Lot&Width to allow construction of two single family lots, at the property located at 15222 62nd St. N. and 15xxx 62nd St.,N. City Planner Richards reviewed the December 1,2022 Planning Report to the variance requests to allow for construction of two single family homes upon two single family lots,with the removal of an existing single-family dwelling on the property. Richards provided an issue analysis,discussed the same,and noted staff support to the requests, subject to the recommended conditions within the planning report. Richards noted public comment received from Matthew Lundquist of 15237 63rd St. N., that was provided to the Commission for the meeting. Mr. Lundquist noted that he was comfortable with the proposal but was hoping for the possibility of additional landscaping if possible. Brief discussion ensued clarifying that new lots are not being created and that there are currently two lots. Chair White invited the applicant to address the Commission. Planning Commission Minutes December 8, 2022 Page 2 of 3 Jennifer Peterson-Cates — Cates Fine Homes/Setac Properties addressed the Commission and clarified that there are two lots. One lot is 40-feet wide and the other is 80-feet wide. Peterson-Cates noted the smaller lot was challenging to fix up decently and that she felt a better job could be done with two 60-foot-wide lots. She stated that she felt City Planner Richards did a thorough job of discussing the request. Chair White opened the public hearing at 6:12 p.m. and invited public comment. Amy Mortenson— 15206 62nd St. N. inquired about lot composition, clarified that the existing home was to be removed, and discussed the dead-end roadway and wondered about driveway placement, potential better end of the road scenarios, and whether or not there were any plans to change parking on the street. Mortenson stated that she agreed that two 60-foot-wide lots made more sense and looks forward to the upgrade and new neighbors. Barb Strachota — 6197 Paul Ave. N. noted that their driveway is at the dead end of 62n1 St. and often is utilized as a turn-around and expressed concern about increased traffic. Jim Staiger — 15221 63rd St. N. stated that his house is adjacent to the rear of both proposed lots and sits at a bit lower elevation than the property at 62nd St. He expressed concern with light pollution toward his home and the desire to see that it is reduced as much as possible. Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner VanDenburgh, moved to close the public hearing at 6:27 p.m. Carried 4-0. Commission discussion ensued as to landscaping and fence screening of adjacent properties, lot width sizes proposed, placement of a dead-end sign to 62nd St., residential lighting standards, style of homes to be placed being that of which is proposed in the exhibits or similar. The applicant stated that landscaping, including trees is planned but that she felt a requirement for fence installation was unreasonable. Commissioner VanDenburgh, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request, subject to the amended conditions of the December 1, 2022 Planning Report, specifically that: 1. The landscaping plans are subject to review and comments of the City Arborist. 2. The final grading, drainage and utility plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. 3. The proposed single-family dwellings shall be consistent and similar in style to what was proposed as part of the application packet. Carried 4-0. Planning Commission Minutes December 8, 2022 Page 3 of 3 B. Zoning Ordinance Amendments: Review and consider amendments to Zoning Ordinance sections 401.15.M and 401.15.N, as they relate to Home Occupation Permits & Day Care Nursery Facilities. City Administrator Johnson reviewed his memo with regard to conflicting language within the City Zoning Ordinance with regard to in home daycare businesses and discussed the same, nothing recommended changes to the ordinance language for clarity. Chair White opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. and invited public comment. There being none, Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner VanDenburgh, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4 -0. Discussion ensued as to home occupations and process, which allows city staff to review applications and make conditions upon them, for home occupation business, such as daycare businesses. No significant issues regarding the daycare business operations in place have been made known to the City. Commissioner VanDenburgh, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to recommend City Council approval of the Zoning Ordinance amendment as presented by City Administrator Johnson. Carried 4-0. VII. New Business: A. 2023 Meeting& Commission Representative Schedule: Noted. VIII. Old Business: None. IX. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings: Noted. B. Council Representative: • Tuesday, December 13, 2022—Commissioner Freeman X. Adjourn: Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, ilk 1 - Julio ltman Pla g& Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission: 01-12-2023(4-0)