2015-05-26 Planning Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSON MINUTES
May 26, 2015
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, May 26,
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, Doug Hennes, Christine Costello, and Ansis Viksnins. Those absent: Mary Magnuson and
Michael Noonan. 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 April 28, 2015 Minutes
COMMISSIONER VIKSININS MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROSTON TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2015, AS PRESENTED.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 2
Hearings
PLANNING CASE #2015-14
City of Mendota Heights
Proposed City Code Amendment Concerning Trade Schools
City Planner Nolan Wall explained that the City was considering amendments to Title 12, Chapter
1, Article B, Section 2 of the City Code concerning definition of “trade school” in response to
recent requests to establish different types of educational facilities within the Industrial Zoning
District.
Commissioners asked questions regarding existing trade school uses in the Industrial District, if
there was an example of a school that was not permitted under the current definition that would be
allowed under the proposed, and the reason for the proposed amendment if the current definition
is working. In response, Planner Wall stated the intent was to clarify the existing definition based
on the City’s interpretation and its post-secondary nature.
Chair Field opened the public hearing.
May 26, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 1
Ms. Cindy Lavorato, attorney representing STEP Academy, a 6-12 Charter School in Inver Grove
Heights. STEP Academy has applied to become a part of Sanford-Brown College, currently
residing in the Industrial Zoning District. She believes that the current definition, although vague
and in need of clarification, allows for a charter school in the zoning district. However, the
proposed definition, in their viewpoint, is an effort to zone the charter school out of the proposed
use that would be very consistent with the school’s mission and that of Sanford-Brown.
Planner Wall explained that STEP Academy has made an appeal related to a specific interpretation
of the existing definition in relation to the proposed use. That issue will come before the Planning
Commission, which will be acting as the Board of Appeals, for the June 23 Commission meeting
date. Tonight’s discussion is limited to the proposed code amendment with the understanding that
this specific issue raised in relation to that use will come back before the Planning Commission
acting as the Board of Appeals. The code, as it is currently, is the code upon which the appeal will
be heard.
Additional discussion occurred regarding the timing of this planning case and the need for it at all.
COMMISSIONER VIKSININS MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROSTON, TO
TABLE PLANNING CASE 2015-14 WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING REMAINING OPEN.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 2
PLANNING CASE #2015-15
City of Mendota Heights
Proposed City Code Amendment Concerning Single-family Residential Construction
City Planner Nolan Wall explained that the City of Mendota Heights is seeking amendments to
Title 12, Chapter 1, Article E of the City Code pertaining to minimum requirements for single-
family residential districts.
In response to the recent infill development and the increasing amount of teardowns in the City,
the City Council directed staff to research potential ordinance amendments to address the
associated issues for discussion at the February 2015 Council Workshop. The issues discussed
regarding this development pattern were related to the structure size and footprint of new
dwellings, minimum lot sizes, building height, character of the neighborhood, as well as
construction impacts. After discussion by the Council, staff was directed to proceed with certain
amendments, which have been provided in proposed Ordinance 478 for review and
recommendation by the Planning Commission.
Planner Wall then reviewed each section contained in the proposed ordinance.
Commissioners asked questions regarding why this would not be governed by setbacks and floor
area ratios as opposed to trying to design homes and lengthening the hours of operation.
May 26, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 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 HENNES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROSTON, TO
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 2
COMMISSIONER ROSTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENNES, TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF DRAFT ORDINANCE 478 AS PROPOSED BY STAFF AND
AS REQUESTED ON PAGES 17 AND 18 OF THE STAFF REPORT, WITH THE EXCEPTION
OF CHANGING 12-1E-1(D) NUMBER 1 HOURS OF OPERATION FOR EXTERIOR
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ARE LIMITED TO 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM MONDAY
THROUGH FRIDAY AND 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ON WEEKENDS.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 2
Chair Field advised the City Council would consider this application at its June 2, 2015 meeting.
Verbal Review
Planner Wall gave the following verbal review:
PLANNING CASE #2015-09
Mark Swenson, 873 Highway 110
Rear Yard Setback Variance Request
•Approved by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission
PLANNING CASE #2015-11
City of Mendota Heights
Ordinance 476 Concerning Wireless Antennas, Towers, and Accessory Structures
Approved by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission
PLANNING CASE #2015-12 AND PLANNING CASE #2015-13
Administrative Wetlands Permits for vegetation removal in compliance with the code requirements
for approval
May 26, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 3
Staff Announcements
At the June 23 Planning Commission Meeting the Commission will be convening as the
Board of Appeals to consider an appeal of the City’s interpretation of the zoning ordinance
text in relation to a specific use request. Further information to be supplied in the
Commission packet.
Public Works Director/City Engineer John Mazzitello announced that it is ‘road
construction season’
Victoria Road Phase II bid opening to take place on May 27, construction to begin
o
after June 10; anticipated completion by Labor Day
Interstate 35E, north of downtown St. Paul to I-694 will be closed from 10:00 pm
o
on Friday, May 29 to 5:00 am on Monday, June 1
Reconstruction of Highway 13, from Interstate 35E to Second Street in Mendota is
o
going to kick-off in the coming weeks. MnDOT is planning on closing the highway
beginning June 1 with construction commencing shortly thereafter. Access to
residents and businesses between 35E and Lexington will be maintained throughout
the project. Lexington to Second Street will be closed except to local traffic. Posted
detour will be down I-35E to Highway 110 to Highway 13, accessing Mendota from
the St. Peter’s side.
Adjournment
COMMISSIONER ROSTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENNES, TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:36 P.M.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 2
May 26, 2015 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 4