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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-1998 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 - 7:00 P.M Call To Order: Chair Hedlund called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dahlquist, Hedlund, Schultz, Vogt and Wasescha. Staff Present: City Planner Richards, City Planner Digre, Administrative Assistant Mesko, Public Works Director Johnson, and Community Development /Recording Secretary Hultman. Mesko left at 8:45 p.m. Visitors: Lynae Byrne, Parks Commission Chair and City Council Candidate. Approve Minutes: Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Hedlund, moved to approve the minutes of August 20,1998 with revisions, Carried 5 -0. Discuss Sign Ordinance as it Relates to Design Guidelines: City Planner Richards outlined the City's current sign ordinance, noting the areas that relate to design guidelines. Commissioner Hedlund distributed an exhibit of sign criteria from another municipality for review. Brief discussion ensued as to particular sign uses and necessities as well as possible language revision within the ordinance. The sign ordinance as it relates to design guidelines will be revisited by the Commission at later date. Informational Meeting: A. Oakgreen Avenue Annexation Area - Rezoning from O, Open Space to B -1. Neighborhood Business District and R -1, Single Family Residential - Chair Hedlund opened the informational meeting at 7:35 p.m. Visitors in the audience included: Renaldo Gonzales, 5523 Oakgreen Place, N.; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mencke, 5608 O'Brien Ave., N,; Allan Palmer, 5715 Oakgreen Ave., N., and Allen Palmer. 5625 Oakgreen Ave., N. Chair Hedlund explained to the audience that this meeting was inadvertently scheduled as a Public Hearing and noted that after the public hearing notice was sent, a second mailing was made advising the public of the informational status of this meeting. City Planner Richards gave a brief history of the area involved. He also mentioned that there were some long -term development plans being discussed which would affect the volume of traffic in this area and that this would be an issue for consideration at that time, including the widening of the right -of -ways at Hwy. 36. Mr. Gonzales stated that he felt the property should remain residential and inquired as to whether or not there were plan to create more bike paths in this area. City Planner Richards explained that he knew of no plans in the immediate future and that he expects this issue to be discussed as developers enter into agreements with the City to improve the area. Commissioner Wasescha advised Mr, Gonzales what is anticipated to be forthcoming to the area with the new park included with the Valley Senior Services Alliance project. Mr. Allan Palmer, 5715 Oakgreen Ave. N., asked the Commission if plans were being made to handle the water run off from the parking lot re- design at City Hall, City Planner Richards indicated that he did not know the answer and offered to provide Mr. Palmer with the phone number to the City Engineer, who would be the person to speak with on the matter. Mr. Allen Palmer, 5625 Oakgreen Ave. N., asked if the piles of sand and salt are going to continue to be piled on the property at the City Hall, where it runs off into the pond. He stated that he did not wish to have his pond collecting the sand, salt, and the run off water from the City's parking lot. City Planner Richards indicated that he could not provide an answer to Mr. Palmer and suggested that he contact the City Hall with his question. Planning Commission Minutes - 2 Discussion ensued as to proposed zoning change for the area. Chair Hedlund suggested that R -1, Single Family Residential would seem appropriate, Commissioner Wasescha agreed and further suggested that the northern area be zoned as B -1, Neighborhood Business. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Wasescha, moved that this matter be set for Public Hearing, at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 15, 1998. Carried 5 -0. Public Hearings: A. Kern Center Rezoning from O Open Space to B -W, Business Warehousing Chair Hedlund opened the public hearing for discussion at 8: 10 p.m. Attorney, Patrick Kelly was present, representing several of the Kern Center business owners. City Planner Richards outlined the situation of the business properties being annexed into the City from Baytown Township and stated that a BW, Business Warehousing zoning would be appropriate to serve the existing business owner. Mr. Kelly stated the businesses were willing to work with the City, but wished to ensure that their businesses would maintain the right to conduct business as they are at present. City Planner Richards indicated that the existing businesses would be treated as legal, non - conforming uses. The Commission held brief discussion pertaining the business currently located in the Kern Center area and how a BW zoning would affect them, Chair Hedlund, seconded by Vogt, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 8:15 p.m. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Hedlund, moved to recommend that the zoning be changed from O, Open Space to BW, Business Warehousing with the understanding that the existing businesses uses will be allowable under the new zoning. Carried 5 -0. B. Stillwater Area High School Request for an Amended Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Greenhouse Chair Hedlund opened the public hearing for discussion at 8:20 p.m. Glen Boettcher from the Stillwater Area Senior High School was present. City Planner Digre provided a brief history of the greenhouse project, explaining that the original CUP allowed for an area set aside for a greenhouse and that the amendment being requested was for the orientation of the building. Mr. Boettcher addressed the Commission as to the building's orientation. Commissioner Wasescha asked about the brightness of the lighting needed for the greenhouse. Mr. Boettcher stated that normally it would be predominately natural lighted with low lighting, when needed. He state that the low lighting should not be so bright as to disturb the adjacent neighborhood. Administrative Assistant Mesko, informed the Commission that the fee for the CUP Amendment had not yet been received by the City; therefore, the request could not b finalized to the City Council for review. Mr. Boettcher indicated that he would have payment directed to the City. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Schultz moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 8:26 p.m. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Schultz, moved to recommend approval of the request for Amended CUP, subject to fee being received by the City. Carried 5 -0, C. City of Oak Park Heights Request for a Two Foot Fence Height Variance for Emergency Generator Fencing Enclosure at the City Commissioner Hedlund opened the public hearing for discussion at 8:28 p.m. Public Works Director, Jay Johnson was present and apprised the Commission as to the hardship, necessitating a two foot fence height variance, noting that a number of different enclosure designs had been considered, but none had been found which would not exceed the limit as outlined in the City's current zoning ordinance. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Vogt, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 8:32 p.m. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to approve request for a two foot fence height variance for the emergency generator fencing enclosure at the City Hall. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Agenda 3 D. Consideration of the Land Use Concept Plan of the Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan Update Chair Hedlund opened the public hearing for discussion at 8:33 p.m. Jim McGovern was present in the audience for this discussion. Chair Hedlund provided a brief history of Comprehensive Plan Update preparation. City Planner Richards indicated that a public information meeting and hearing should be held early in the process and that the conceptual plan is the first stage of the process. A copy of the Comprehensive Plan is available at City Hall for viewing, City Planner Richards displaying a concept plan drawing of where the City would like to see itself. Discussion ensued as to what typical zoning classifications might be and what some land uses might be expected. Public Works Johnson explained how some of the lines for utility services are expected to run for servicing the City's needs. City Planner Richards stated that it was his opinion that the Commission should proceed to move ahead with the land use concept plan framework based on population estimates, He mentioned that this issue is going to be mentioned in the upcoming City newsletter and hoped to hear from the citizens of the City on this issue. Lynae Byrne expressed that the Oak Park Heights' present neighborhoods are already isolated from each other and that she is uncomfortable with the projected growth patterns. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Wasescha left the meeting at 9:06 p.m. Chair Hedlund indicated that he felt that the plan was a moderate growth one and as such was acceptable to him. Commissioner Vogt indicated that he is general agreement with the plan as proposed but would prefer to see the DNR property designated as open space be designated as residential. Commissioner Dahlquist stated that he basically agreed with the plan as proposed but stated that the Commission needed to look at the very southern and southwestern areas to determine whether or not the City desires to acquire the properties; and if so an estate type zoning should be considered for these areas, Commissioner Schultz commented that he found the plan to be very well thought out and that it certainly made logical sense. He further stated that it is very important that there be citizen involvement and that feedback is received as the process is followed. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Schultz, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4 -0. Public hearing closed at 9:30 p.m. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Schultz, moved to table this matter and revisit it at the meeting of Thursday, September 17, 1998. Carried 4 -0. Adjournment: Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Schultz, moved to adjourn. Carried 5 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Next Regular Meeting: September 17, 1998 - 7:00 p.m., Oak Park Heights City Hall Respectfully submitted, Jule A. Hultman Community Development/ Recording Secretary