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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-13 PC Meeting Minutes ExcerptPlannin Commission Mu"lutes April 13, 2000 Pa 4 of 9 D. Stillwater Area High School Request for Ropes Course CUP Amendment: Cit Planner Richards reviewed his report and noted the issue at hand to be the hours of operation. The applicant is askin for a chan to the hours of operation as set in the ori conditional use permit. Richards also reviewed the re of the conditional use permit as per the first amendment to the same. Commissioner Wasescha noted that there was a difference in the definition of period of operation between the Amended CUP and the April, 1.999 Cit Council Minutes Chair Hedlund opened the hearin for public comment at 8:30 p.m Visitors to the public hearin included,-- Tom Edison, 5343 Monarda Ave., Ba Township Kent Grandlienard, 4477 Northbrook Blvd.,, Ba Township John Kern, 5469 Stillwater Blvd., Ba Township Cath and Gre Kunz, 12820 53 d St. N., Ba Township Terri Lewis, Stillwater Area Hi School Dan Parker, ISD #834- Rick Printon, 5320 Monarda Ave., Ba Township Karen Rheinber 5325 Monarda Ave. N., Ba Township Dan Parker indicated that it was his understandin that the da of operation are on da that school is in operation as per documentation received from Cit Attorne office, dated April 29, 1999. He noted that an annual review of the Conditional Use Permit has been discussed with the Cit and anticipates a meetin date with the Cit Council for this. He further noted that the have met with the Cit on a nearl monthl basis to address issues of all kinds and to his knowled not one complaint re the rope course had been received b the Cit since the C.U.P. amendment. Terri Lewis a counselor at Stillwater Area Hi School and participant in the ropes course activit explained the function of the course. Karen Rheinber r expressed her opposition to an increase of hours of operation at the course. She cited her concerns of safet issues and submitted photos and a video documentin her concerns. She indicated that she was displeased that the school did not notif the residents of the area of their re She further stated that she continues to be concerned about a visual intrusion b the course, notin that the trees to provide screenin are inade She expressed that she has lived with the a the school has for the rope course and feels it is unfair to have to continue to live with an invasion of privac both visuall and b the noise created from the course each da Cathy. Kunz is also opposed to the re based on safet issues. She stated that she has witnessed children climb the fence and use the course. She feels the course is not monitored well enou and indicated that she has had to call 911 on several occasions due to unauthorized activit at the course. Planning Commission Minutes April 13, 2000 Page 5 of 9 Torn Edison expressed his concern about rules made by the school and broken by the school since the construction of the campus. He expressed his disappointment in the lack of communication from the school to its neighbors. Mr. Edison presented the Commission with. photos of children using the course unauthorized and noted that he has also contacted 911. He continues to worry that someone is going to get hurt or worse. Mr. Edison noted that the visibility of this course to is so poor to police patrol that he has actually had to have the police enter his home to view the activity taking place at the course. He would like to see the CUP revoked and the course moved or removed. G _Kunz questioned the course being a recreational facility, as he cannot use it as he would be able to a ball field and that the federal grant for the facility was for a learning use. He stated that the course structure itself is noisy and that the screening is inadequate and that some of the trees planted for screening are falling over. He indicated that he saw no reason for a change of hours and feels that the course should be moved. Rick P rinton expressed his curiosity as to what the actual reason for the courses existence was and stated that the berm created to control noise is not serving it purpose. He sees no reason to expand the hours and wonders what will be next if such a request is granted. Dent Grandlienard stated that he feels that Baytown Township residents are shouldering the burden of this issue and suggested that the Oak Park Heights Police Department investigate their responsibility of the courses existence. He would like to see the request for hours expansion denied and consideration given to future removal of the course. John Kern stated that he disagrees with an expansion of hours and also understands the reasoning for the course as a valid training tool and would like to see expanded community use for such a resource. He indicated that he feels the course is in the wrong location and interrupts the natural environment area.. He feels that better communication with neighbors would have aided in better placement of the structure and improved neighborly relations. Mr. Fern suggested that perhaps the course could be relocated to Oakland Junior High which is centrally located within the district. Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha moved to close the public hearing at 9:10 p.m.. Carried 5 -0. Chair Hedlund called for a break from 9:10 to 9:15 p.m. Upon return fi-om the break, Chair Hedlund asked the Commission for reaction regarding the request at hand. Discussion ensued as to demonstrated need for expanded hours of operation, discontinuity of language from April, 1999 meeting Minutes and C.U.P. Amendment documentation and other issues of concern relating to the request. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, moved to deny the applicant's request for amendment to the conditional use permit for expanded hours of operation. Carried 5 -0. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer moved to recommend that annual review findings reveal conditional use permit conditions not being enforced and that they be requested to be so by the end of the school year in June or the course will be closed until conditions are adhered to. Planning Commission .Minutes April 13, 2000 Page f of 9 Further discussion ensued as to screening, emergency personnel training, landscaping, gates /enclosure, ladder, hours of operation clarification and other ensued. Commissioner Dahlquist would like the Police Department to be required to report their evaluation of the safety of the equipment and the effectiveness of the fencing enclosure in place and to be informed of concerns, if any, the department has. Community Development Director Danielson noted that safety issues related to the course have been discussed with the Police and Fire Chiefs at staff meetings and no concerns were made known by them. She encouraged those contacting the police department about unauthorized use to also contact the city offices. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Commissioner wasescha, moved to table the previous made motion and discussion regarding annual review of the ropes course conditional use permit until their May meeting to allow staff to complete a review of the issues. Carried 5 -0. E. W.A.T.E._ Enterprises, _Inc. Req uest for Minor Subdivision and PUD Concept Plan A roval: City Planner Richards reviewed his report on the mater, noting approval was recommended by staff subject to several conditions, which he discussed in detail with the Commission. Visitors to this public hearing included: Tim Freeman of Folz and Dupay Architects and applicant will zintl. Chair Hedlund opened the hearing for public comment at 9:45 p.m. Tim Freeman informed the Commission that his applicant had reviewed the planner report and is in agreement with the conditions established within it. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Cotrunissioner Dwyer moved to close the public hearing at 9:47 p.m. Discussion ensued as to the nature of property ownership, building locations, lot sized, and adjoining properties. Community Development Director Danielson explained the planned unit development nature of the project so as to afford equality to the common areas of the project. Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner wasescha moved to recommend approval of the PUD Concept Plan subject to the following conditions: 1. The City will require the applicant to create a condominium ownership where the building footprints, including expansion areas will be under individual ownership and the green space, parking and drive aisle areas will be owned in common. The City will require submittal of the documents establishing the common ownership and easements subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 2. A site plan with. private cul-de-sac turnarounds internal to the site will be required by the City subject to review and approval of City staff. 3. The entire perimeter of the parking lots shall include a concrete curb barrier.