2015-04-28 Planning Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSON MINUTES
April 28, 2015
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, April
28, 2015 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 7:00 P.M.
The following Commissioners were present: Chair Litton Field, Jr., Commissioners Howard
Roston, Michael Noonan, Doug Hennes, Mary Magnuson, and Ansis Viksnins. Those absent:
Christine Costello. Others present were City Planner Nolan Wall and Public Works Director/City
Engineer John Mazzitello.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as submitted.
Approval of March 24, Minutes
COMMISSIONER HENNES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NOONAN TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2015 AS PRESENTED.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
Hearings
A) PLANNING CASE #2015-09
Mark Swenson, 873 Highway 110
Rear Yard Setback Variance Request
Planner Nolan Wall explained that the applicant was seeking a variance from the rear yard setback
standard to construct an approximately 216 square foot addition to the existing dwelling at 873
Highway 110. The subject parcel is 0.43 acres and even though it has a Highway 110 address it is
a corner lot fronting Carmel Lane, and Crown Pointe Drive to the west. The property is zoned
R-1 Single Family Residential and guided as low density residential in the Comprehensive Plan.
Planner Wall shared an image of the proposed site plan as provided by the applicant. The proposed
addition would connect the detached garage to the dwelling to add mudroom and bedroom/office
spaces. The north side of the existing structure encroaches into the required rear yard setback;
therefore a variance is required.
April 28, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 1
Planner Wall then shared the City’s rear yard setback requirements, the location of the current
structure, and the location of the proposed addition. The proposed addition would be constructed
flush with the existing dwelling and would not encroach further into the rear yard setback.
The proposed addition would be finished with stucco and painted to match the existing structures
and meets the R-1 district’s building height and other setback requirements.
Planner Wall explained the standard threshold that would need to be applied to a variance request
of this type and noted how this request meets those standard thresholds.
Staff recommended approval of this request with conditions.
Chair Field opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Field asked for a motion to close the public
hearing.
COMMISSIONER NOONAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROSTON, TO
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
COMMISSIONER NOONAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VIKSNINS, TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING CASE 2015-09, REAR YARD SETBACK
VARIANCE REQUEST BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS OF FACT:
1.The proposed addition is a reasonable use of the property, meets the purpose and intent of
the City Code, and is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
2.The platting of the Crown Point Addition and location of the pre-existing structures on the
subject parcel created a unique circumstance upon the property not created by the applicant.
3.The proposed addition will not extend any further into the rear yard than the existing
dwelling and represents a small increased encroachment while still maintaining a large
front yard setback.
4.The proposed addition will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood.
AND WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1.A building permit be obtained prior to construction of the addition.
2.The applicant shall submit grading plans and a dimensioned site plan with associated
easements, subject to review and approval by the City Engineering Department as part of
any building permit application.
3.Any land disturbance activities must be in compliance with the City’s Land Disturbance
Guidance document.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
April 28, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 2
Chair Field advised the City Council would consider this application at its May 5, 2015 meeting.
B) PLANNING CASE #2015-11
City of Mendota Heights
Proposed amendments to the Wireless Antennas, Towers, and Accessory Structures section of the
City Code
Planner Nolan Wall explained that the City of Mendota Heights was considering amendments to
Title 12, Chapter 1, Article D, Section 14 of the City Code concerning Wireless Antennas, Towers,
and Accessory Structures, which currently require Conditional Use Permit approval. Since 2013
the City has process five Conditional Use Permit applications for minor improvements to existing
wireless antenna facilities. The projects typically included equipment change-outs, antenna
replacements, and interior modifications to existing accessory structures. In all cases those
improvements did not increase the height of the wireless antenna structure itself or expand the
footprint of those existing accessory structures.
Similar to other application processes, these conditional use permits do require a public hearing
and take a significant amount of staff time to process. In addition, staff has heard from applicants
that the five-week minimum approval process can be burdensome. Based on feedback from the
Commission and from City Council, staff proposed amendments that would allow certain projects
to be approved administratively.
Planner Wall shared Draft Ordinance 476, which adds a new section to the City Code to address
this issue and proposes a few conditions, which would allow for administrative approval. He
explained that the amendment would not change what an applicant would have to submit; it’s just
changing how the City would review and approve such applications.
Commissioners asked questions regarding approximately how many applications this would
remove from requiring Commission/Council approval, suggested the removal of condition 5,
modification of the language in conditions 3, 4, and 6 \[replace the word “No” with “No material .
. . ”\], and add clarification language to condition 2.
Chair Field opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Field asked for a motion to close the public
hearing.
COMMISSIONER NOONAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MAGNUSON, TO
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
COMMISSIONER NOONAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VIKSNINS, TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING CASE 2015-11, DRAFT ORDINANCE 476 AN
April 28, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 3
ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 12-1D-14 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, DAKOTA COUNTY, CONCERNING WIRELESS
ANTENNAS, TOWERS, AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES WITH THE AMENDMENTS TO
THE ORDINANCE AS DISCUSSED IN CONDITIONS TWO, THREE, FOUR, AND SIX AND
THE DELETION OF CONDITION FIVE.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
Chair Field advised the City Council would consider this application at its May 5, 2015 meeting.
Verbal Review
Planner Wall gave the following verbal review:
PLANNING CASE #2015-05
Alltech Engineering/Mendota Management, LLC, 2515 Pilot Knob Road
Variance Request
•Approved by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission
PLANNING CASE #2015-07
Nate Wissink, Elevation Homes, 747 Willow Lane
Lot Split and Wetlands Permit
•Approved by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission
PLANNING CASE #2015-08
City of Mendota Heights
Proposed amendments to the Business and License Requirements Title of the City Code (DRAFT
Ordinance 475)
•Approved by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission
Staff Announcements
Planner Nolan Wall:
City Council is holding a workshop meeting on May 12, 2015 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Planning-related items to be discussed include a vision for the development of the three
City-owned properties at The Village; infill and teardown situations in the City; and rental
licensing.
The City received a redevelopment planning grant from the Dakota County CDA in the
amount of $10,000; the City will be matching an additional $10,000 from city funds to do
a redevelopment plan for the entire industrial district. Staff is currently working with
Stantec to develop the scope and will be bringing that for Council approval in the coming
months. This process will include the Planning Commission as well.
Another open house to be held for LeMay Shores Development on Wednesday, May 20 at
6:00 PM. Notices were sent today to the surrounding property owners.
April 28, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 4
City Clean-Up Day is Saturday, May 2 at Mendakota Park from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Shredding services are also being provided this year.
City Engineer John Mazzitello:
A pre-construction meeting for the utilities and infrastructure phase of the LeMay Shores
Development will be held on Thursday, April 30 so the timing of the open house mentioned
by Planner Wall will be very appropriate
Victoria Road Reconstruction Phase 2 bid opening is scheduled for May 14, 2015,
hopefully to be awarded by Council on May 19, 2015, the construction specifications state
that they will not be able to start until after June 10, 2015 – which is the last day of school
for Mendota Elementary – and they must be substantially complete by the Friday before
Labor Day.
Adjournment
COMMISSIONER NOONAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MAGNUSON, TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:31 P.M.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
April 28, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 5