HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-2001 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK
PLANNING • •
Thursday, May 10, 2001
Call To Order Chair Vogt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present:
Commissioners Hedlund, Runk, and Wasescha. Staff Present: City Planner Richards
and Council Liaison McComber. Absent: Commissioner Dwyer. Community
Development Director Danielson arrived after the meeting was called to order.
Approval of Agenda Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Runk
moved to approve the Agenda with the following additions:
New Business: A. Telecommunications Tower
B. E -Mail Communication
C. Boutwell's Landing Park Lighting
D. Commission Opening /Re- appointment
Informational: A. Government Training Service Seminars
Carried 4 -0.
Approval of April 12 2001 Minutes Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by
Commissioner Hedlund, moved to approve the minutes with typographical corrections.
Carried 4 -0.
Visitors None.
Public Hearings
A. Walgreen's Pharmacy - Conditional Use Permit Variance and Site Plan Review:
To consider a conditional use permit request, variance and site plan review for
construction of a Walgreen's Pharmacy at 6061 Osgood Ave. N.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of his report for the proposed project. He
noted issues of concern and information yet to be received from the applicant.
Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:08 p.m.
John Kohler, Semper Development was present and updated the Commission as to
upcoming watershed district meetings he would be participating in and indicated that
he would prefer a continuance of the public hearing to further work on the project's
plan and address items of issue.
Brief discussion was held as to the number of variances being requested by the
applicant, time issues involved and re- notification of surrounding property owners if
the matter were to be continued.
Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to continue the
public hearing to June 14, 2001 and directed that the surrounding property owners be
re- notified of the continued hearing date. Carried 4 -0.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 10, 2001
Page 2 of4
B. Village Area - East Rezoning Request To consider rezoning of the Village Area -
East from R -2, Low and Medium Density Residential to R -1, Single Family
Residential.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of his report as to the request, noting that
because the City Comprehensive Plan designates the area as business/ transitional,
any change in zoning would also require an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan,
designating the area as low density residential. He recommended that the Commission
consider leaving the current zoning in place until such time that any significant
changes are anticipated to occur in the area.
Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:19 p.m.
Terry Poirier, 5636 Perkins Ave. N addressed the Commission as to the zoning of the
area. He explained that it was his understanding that the area was zoned R -1, single
family residential for years and questioned when it changed to R -2, low and medium
density residential. He asked why the area wasn't rezoned at the same time the
western half of the area was and stated that he and other in the neighborhood believed
that the whole neighborhood was to have been encompassed within the rezoning to R-
1, which occurred in approximately 1998.
City Planner Richards addressed Mr. Poirier's concerns, stating that his zoning maps,
dating back into the 1980's indicate the area as R -2 and he was not aware of it having
ever been zoned R -1. With respect to the rezoning in 1998, he stated that he recalled
only the western portion of the Village area beings involved in the rezoning at that time
and explained what he believed to be the rationale for that, at the time, in relation to
the preparation of the comprehensive plan, which was in occurrence at the time.
Mr. Poirier stated that he was concerned about how the neighborhood seems to be
hanging in the air with possible future development and duplex construction activities..
Mark Powell, 5698 Stagecoach Trail N addressed the Commission, stating that he
would like to see the neighborhood re -zoned to R -1, single family residential and that
he did not want to have his home, one day, overlooking a warehouse.
Greg Runk, 5649 Perkins Ave. N. addressed the Commission and stated that the
roadway on Perkins is very narrow and that it was his understanding that the eastern
half of the Village Area was to be included in the re- zoning process that took place in
1998.
Steve Berres 5627 Perkins Ave N addressed the Commission, informing them until
very recently, he had not been aware of any action for re- zoning of the area and that he
has an application submitted with the City Building Department to convert his single
family home into a duplex. He stated that he likes the neighborhood and desires to
improve his home. He agreed that the roadway on Perkins Ave. is very narrow and
with a two -car garage and drive, he does not expect to add any vehicles to the roadway.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 10, 2001
Page 3 of4
Discussion ensued as to the potential of business or warehouse use being possible in
the area and if so, what requirements would need to be met. Also discussed were lot
sizes and locations, square footage of lot needed for duplex construction,
comprehensive planning designation for the area and reasoning, and the status of
existing duplexes in the event zoning were to be changed.
The Commission expressed that they would like more information, to better address
the request. Specifically, additional information was requested as to reasoning for the
comprehensive plan designation as R -B, lot sizes and current use status of homes in
the area, whether or not there is a buildable lot at the end of the dirt road at Perkins
Ave. N., and whether or not any of the lots in the area have the required square footage
for duplex construction.
New Business
A. Telecommunications Tower
Commission Liaison McComber provided an overview of information she has received
for creating a cellular tower model ordinance. Commissioner Hedlund stated that he
has draft copies of such ordinances from other communities. He indicated that it was
his understanding that it is best to be prepared for applicants of this nature prior to
their arrival and that if there is not ordinance in place, there are no enforceable
regulations.
Discussion ensued as to language and regulations. City Planner Richards noted that
the City zoning ordinance does have requirements regarding antennas and that the
City Attorney had recently drafted amendments to the language and that he expected it
to be upcoming at a City Council meeting.
Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha, moved to recommend
that the City Council consider revision to the ordinance regulating telecommunication
towers and do so expeditiously. Carried 4 -0.
B. E -Mail Communication
Commissioner Hedlund initiated discussion as to the how e- mailing of information
should be handled so as to avoid violating open meeting law regulations. Discussion
ensued as to this and as to increasing use of the City web site for sharing of
information and posting from the community.
C. Boutwell's Landing Park Lighting
City Planner Richards noted that the Parks Commission was currently in the process of
making recommendations on park lighting. He informed the commission that Valley
Senior Services would be erecting a 24' and a 14' pole for viewing. Richards indicated
that once he received notification of the poles being in place, that he would have staff
contact them so that they could view them when convenient.
Richards noted that a revised lighting plan for around the park area had been received
and that the plan shows 14' pole lighting for the area. Brief discussion ensued as to
the plan.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 10, 2001
Page 4 of4
Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to accept revised
lighting plan of the park site, with April 30, 2001 memo. Acceptance recommended
with the understanding that it is subject to approval of the Parks Commission. Carried
4 -0.
D. Commission Opening /Re- abx)ointment:
Chair Vogt announced that Commissioner Hedlund and Wasescha's terms expire at the
end of the month. He stated that Commissioner Hedlund has expressed interest in
being re- appointed and that Commissioner Wasescha is not seeking re- appointment.
Commissioner Wasescha has indicated that she will serve through June, 2001 to allow
time for advertisement and appointment of a new member to the Commission.
Vogt thanked each of the commissioners for serving their terms and noted that they
were the first two citizens of Oak Park Heights to be appointed to 3 year terms on the
Planning Commission, when it was initially organized.
Vogt asked that the City Council accept Commissioner Wasescha's resignation and re-
appoint Commissioner Hedlund to a new term. Further, he asked that staff be directed
to begin advertisement of the commission opening.
Old Business None
Informational / Update:
A. Government Training Services (GTS) Seminars:
Commission Liaison McComber summarized here experience in attending several of the
seminars offered by GTS. Both she and Commissioner Hedlund stated that they found
them to be valuable as learning resources and for connecting with others on issues.
B. Hiahwav 36 Subarea Studv:
Community Development Director Danielson informed the Commission that there was
to be a public meeting in May regarding the project and provided an update. She
encouraged attendance and asked for questions and comments to ensure issues were
addressed at the meeting.
Adjournment Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund, moved to
adjourn at 8:33 p.m. Carried 4 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Hultman
Community Development Secretary
Approved by the Planning Commission: June 14, 2001