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1991-04-23 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 23, 1991 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning was held on Tuesday, April 23, 1991, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chairperson Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Dwyer, Koll, Friel, Dreelan, Krebsbach, Duggan and Tilsen. Also present were Public Works Director Jim Danielson, Planning Consultant Tim Malloy, Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Koll moved approval of the March 26, 1991, Minutes. Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: Duggan, Krebsbach CASE NO. 90-11: WILDENAUER - WETLANDS PERMIT Dr. Jerry Wildenauer, of 1859 Warrior Drive, was present to discuss his request for a Wetlands Permit for construction of a fence and deck. Dr. Wildenauer explained that in October of 1990, he received approval of a Wetlands Permit for construction of his home on Warrior Drive. He stated that at that time he had planned on installing a fence and that he did not include the fence on his initial Wetlands application as he did not realize a fence was considered a structure. Dr. Wildenauer further explained that he is also proposing a new location for his deck. Dr. Wildenauer stated that the deck will be 14 ft x 22 ft and that the new location moves the deck further south about ten feet (10 ft) from the rear of his house. He stated that the fence will be a four feet (4') tall vinyl clad chain link fence. He stated that the purpose of installing a fence will be to provide a safe environment for his house dog. He explained that the Pine trees will not be affected and the large trees down by the shoreline will obscure the view of the fence from surrounding neighbors. Dr. Wildenauer pointed out that he did receive signatures of consent from his neighbors. He stated that his neighbors April 23, 1991 Page 2 are pleased that he is trying to restrain his dog as there are numerous dogs running in the neighborhood. In response to a question from Commissioner Tilsen, Dr. Wildenauer stated that the slopes and retaining wall will stay the same as the previous plan. Commissioner Tilsen noted his concern for keeping the height of the retaining wall low. Commissioner Friel moved to waive the public hearing and to recommend that the City Council grant the requested Wetlands Permit for a fence structure according to the plans submitted in Case No. 91-11. Commissioner Duggan seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 CASE NO. 91-10: SMITH - WETLANDS PERMIT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith, of 625 Hampshire Drive, were present to discuss their request for a Wetlands Permit to allow construction of a deck and porch addition to their home along the pond in Hampshire Estates. Mr. Smith explained that he and his wife live in a Centex home. He stated that the Centex homes along the pond received group approval of Wetlands Permits when the development initially started. He stated that these permits did not include approval of future deck or porch construction to these homes. Commissioner Krebsbach moved to waive the public hearing. Commissioner Dreelan seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Krebsbach moved to recommend that the City Council grant a Wetlands Permit to allow construction of a deck and future porch, as proposed in Case No. 91-10, to be within sixty-five feet (65') of the pond. Commissioner Duggan seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 April 23, 1991 Page 3 HEARING - CASE NO. 91 -08: MUELLER - CUP - ACCESSORY STRUCTURE GREATER THAN 144 SQUARE FEET Mr. Thomas Mueller, of 1975 Knob Road, was present to discuss his request for a conditional use permit to allow construction of a 400 square foot storage shed in his side yard. In response to a question from Chair Dwyer, Mr. Mueller stated that the cement slab was poured over a year ago and through the building permit process he learned that a conditional use permit would be required since the structure exceeds 144 square feet. He stated that the structure meets the setback requirements. Mr. Mueller explained that he proposes to have an overhead door that will face the east towards Knob Road. He explained that he does not foresee extending a driveway to the structure at this time. He stated that the intended use of the structure will be to store a work vehicle and other miscellaneous items. He noted that the Planner suggested in his memo that landscaping would help reduce the visual impact of the structure. He stated that he would be willing to install landscaping if so desired by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Krebsbach suggested that the overhead door be switch from the north side of the east wall to the south side of the east wall. She stated that this would then make four sections of doors instead of five sections. She further stated that plantings could then be installed on the north side of the building to help minimize the visual impact from the north east. Mr. Mueller agreed to the suggestion. Commissioner Tilsen noted that a condition should be placed on this storage shed request limiting it to residential storage only. In response to a question from Chair Dwyer, Mr. Mueller stated that he is a self employed carpenter and that he does not have enough equipment to store inside the shed. He stated that he had not planned on wiring the shed with electricity. Commissioner Koll stated that she had visited the site and discussed this request with Mr. Mueller's neighbors. She stated that the neighbors indicated that they are happy to see that the area will be cleaned up. Mr. April 23, 1991 Page 4 Mueller responded that he too had talked to his neighbors and that he had gotten that impression. He further stated that he has already made an attempt to landscape and that he would have no objection to installing additional landscaping. In response to a question from Commissioner Duggan, Mr. Mueller stated that there would be a 4:12 pitch roof and that the height of the structure (ground to peak) would be twelve feet (12'). He stated that the structure would be lower than his existing garage. Chair Dwyer then opened the meeting to the public for their comments. There was no one present to discuss this request. Commissioner Krebsbach moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Duggan seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Krebsbach moved to recommend that the City Council grant a Conditional Use Permit for an accessory structure greater than 144 square feet in the R-1 Zone conditioned upon: 1. the shed being used solely for residential storage 2. the overhead door be moved to the south side of the east wall 3. landscaping be installed along the north side of the structure 4. no additional curb cuts or driveways be installed Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 HEARING: CASE NO. 91-09: HNTB (MAC) - CUP FOR NOISE MONITORS As requested by HNTB Architects Engineers Planners, Commissioner Duggan moved to continue their request for a Conditional Use Permit for noise monitors to May 28, 1991, at 8:00 o'clock P.M. Commissioner Krebsbach seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 RESPONSE COMMENT - April 23, 1991 Page 5 TO PLANNING COMMISSION WETLANDS SETBACK Public Works Director Danielson briefly explained a memo regarding Wetlands Setbacks. He explained that at the March meeting, Commissioner Friel had some questions regarding homes that were constructed at their approved Wetlands setback limit with deck doors boarded shut waiting for a future deck to be constructed. Public Works Director Danielson informed the Planning Commission that staff made visits to the sites, as indicated by Commissioner Friel, in the Copperfield, Hampshire and Bridgeview Shores additions and located nine homes constructed with deck doors and no decks. He explained that two of the nine homes would need future Wetlands Permits and that the others may need permits depending on the size of deck desired. Commissioner Friel stated that he would like to see the City be more concerned in the future for pad locations and that plans should indicated future decks. He stated that staff should be more cognizant of this during final platting times. VERBAL REVIEW Public Works Director Danielson provided a verbal review for the planning items at the previous City Council meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Krebsbach suggested that if the Metropolitan Airports Commission is looking for a third site for their noise monitors that the City should suggest the third site to be on Culligan Lane. She stated that the River Valley area is greatly affected by the air noise. Commissioner Tilsen commented that it is Earth Week. He stated that he is a member of an advisory committee to the Regional Transit Board. He stated that they are in the process of researching more ways to minimize the amount of traffic on City streets. He stated that these issues help the environment and that people should be made aware of these issues. Commissioner Tilsen commented that in some Cities, major developments are required to submit special transit April 23, 1991 Page 6 plans. He stated that the City of Mendota Heights has the opportunity to be innovative with land use planning, especially in the industrial area. He stated that the City should, when reviewing P.U.D.'s, emphasize the transportation elements, i.e., build less parking lots and thereby creating more opportunties for ridesharers. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Planning Commission adjourned its meeting at 8:45 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary