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1991-10-22 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 22, 1991 bRAPT The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, October 22, 1991, in the City Hall Council Chambers, at 7:45 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Friel, Dwyer, Krebsbach and Duggan. Commissioner Koll had informed the Commission she would be absent. Commissioner Dreelan informed the Commission she would be late. Commissioner Tilsen was unexcused. Also present were Public Works Director Jim Danielson, Planning Consultant John Uban, Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Duggan moved approval of the September 24, 1991, Minutes. Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Friel moved approval of the October 19, 1991, Special Meeting Minutes, with corrections. Commissioner Krebsbach seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 CASE NO. 91-38: LANDKAMER - VARIANCE Mr. John Landkamer was present to discuss his request for a seven foot (7') side yard setback variance and an eight foot (8') front yard "housekeeping" variance to allow construction of a single-stall garage. He explained that he will be demolishing the existing single-stall garage and replacing it with a slightly larger single-stall garage. C4air. Dwyer explained that because Mr. Landkamer was enable to receive signatures of consent from all of his neighbors within one hundred feet (100') of his property, that the Planning Commission is conducting a public hearing for this Case. Chair Dwyer opened the meeting for public comment. October 22, 1991 Page 2 Mr. Landkamer stated that most of his neighbors will be unable to see the garage. There was no one present to discuss the matter. Commissioner Duggan moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Friel moved to recommend that the City Council grant a seven foot (7') side yard setback variance to allow construction of a single-stall garage and an eight foot (8') front yard setback variance to bring Mr. Landkamer's existing home into conformance with City code. Commissioner Duggan seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 CASE NO. 91-39: SCHUSTER - ) VARIANCE Chair Dwyer explained that this case was not originally placed on the agenda and that Mr. and Mrs. Schuster requested that their case be reviewed tonight since the Schuster's are anxious to begin construction before the coming winter. Commissioner Friel moved to add Case No. 91-39: Schuster - Variance to the agenda. Commissioner Duggan seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Dreelan arrived at 7:51 o'clock P.M. Mrs. Betty Schuster, of 1900 Wachtler Avenue, was present to discuss her request for a variance. She briefly explained that she is proposing to construct a 10' by 13' bathroom addition on the rear of the house. She explained that her request is for a 3.7 foot side yard abutting a street setback variance which would bring their home into conformance with City code. Chair Dwyer explained that the existing garage does not conform with City code and that basically this request AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 October 22, 1991 Page 3 for a variance is a matter of "housekeeping". Mrs. Schuster stated that they would like to start the addition as soon as possible and that they may have plans later to demolish the garage. Chair Dwyer stated that the required signatures of consent to the have been received and to waive the public hearing. Commissioner Friel moved to recommend that the City Council grant a 3.7 foot side yard abutting a street setback variance to bring the Schuster's existing garage into conformance with City Code. Commissioner Krebsbach seconded the motion. In response to a question from Mrs. Schuster, Chair Dwyer informed Mrs. Schuster that the construction of the bathroom addition is not to commence until the City Council reviews her request. He explained that the City Council will convene on November 5, 1991, at 7:30 o'clock P.M. and that she would be informed of the meeting in advance. CONTINUED HEARING CASE NO. 91-35: KNAEBLE - SUBDIVISION Ms. Gretchen Nordstrom-Aherns, Burnet Realty, was present representing Mr. and Mrs. Walker. She stated that the Walkers have lived at their residence for forty years. Ms. Aherns stated that the subdivision plat has been revised. She stated that they have been able to work out an agreement with the Peterson's (owners of land to the south) to combine Outlot A with their property. She stated that this revised plan is actually the original plan. In response to a question from Commissioner Friel, Public Works Director Danielson stated that the approval of the subdivision would be conditioned upon combining Outlot A with the larger lot to the south. Ms. Aherns stated that the Ridder home (barn) was built within the one hundred foot (100') setback. She commented that the neighbors in the area seem to be happy October 22, 1991 1 Page 4 AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ) with the proposal. She further commented that they are willing to work with the City Engineering Department. She stated that they feel that this plan will be aesthetically pleasing and that preservation of the Wetlands is important. Chair Dwyer opened the meeting to the public hearing. Mr. Jim Fischer, 1758 Dodd Road, stated that he has no problem with the proposal. He stated that he wants to see the stream stay the way it is. Commissioner Duggan moved to close the hearing. Commissioner Krebsbach seconded the motion. In response to a question from Commissioner Duggan, Mr. Knaeble stated that the distance between garage to garage will be of the typical house pad. He stated that it will be fifteen feet (15'). Commissioner Friel expressed concerns relating to the preservation of trees and the Wetlands. Mr. Knaeble stated that there has been a tree survey completed. He stated that about four (4) trees will be eliminated. Commissioner Duggan stated that he would like to see those trees replaced with trees of like value. Commissioner Krebsbach questioned Mr. Knaeble if he anticipates a possible subdivision at the end of the proposed driveway. Mr. Knaeble stated that at this time he does not and that that would entail the City granting easements and more Wetlands Permits. In response to a question from Commissioner Dreelan, Public Works Director Danielson stated that City code requires a minimum of twenty feet (20') between a in length for a driveway. Planning Consultant Uban stated that the existing driveway is fifty-two feet (52') and that the proposed driveway is scaled at forty-two feet (42'). Commissioner Krebsbach questioned if future development (to the south) were developed, would a cul-de-sac be constructed. Commissioner Krebsbach stated that criteria should be addressed now for how the City will address flag lots. She stated that in the future other requests may come in AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 October 22, 1991 Page 5 related to flag lots and the City should start setting standards regarding access, setbacks, preservations of trees, etc. Chair Dwyer stated that he felt the question was one of the comfort level of the Planning Commission in allowing this development and its affect on the surrounding property. Chair Dwyer stated that most concerns have been addressed and this development won't affect the development of the surrounding property. In response to a question from Commissioner Friel, Mr. Knaeble stated that they anticipate construction starting in the Spring. Commissioner Friel moved to recommend that the City Council grant the Wetlands Permit and to approve the preliminary plat conditioned upon Out lot A being combined with the property to the south. Commissioner Dreelan seconded the motion. Commissioner Krebsbach moved to recommend that the City Council consider purchasing the vacant lot on the corner of Marie Avenue and Dodd Road to prevent future development and to provide access off of Marie Avenue, Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. Commissioner Krebsbach moved to recommend that the City Council request the State of Minnesota to replace the trees on the southeast corner of Marie Avenue and Dodd Road with trees of like value. Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. Public Works Director Danielson stated that the State did submit plans for the drainage work they would be correcting on the corner of Marie Avenue and Dodd Road. He stated that the State did not indicate the amount of trees they would be removing. October 22, 1991 Page 6 MISCELLANEOUS Chair Dwyer stated that Commissioner Friel had submitted a letter to both Public Works Director Danielson and himself requesting that the procedure of final platting be given to the Planning Commission for their review at the time of the request. He further stated that Commissioner Friel is requesting that the section on land and reclamation within City Ordinance No. 401 be revised. Commissioner Krebsbach suggested that these items be postponed for discussion at the November meeting so that all of the Commission could be given an opportunity to review Commissioner Friel's suggestions. Planning Consultant Uban stated that he has prepared Ordinances on tree preservation. He stated that if the Commission so desires, he would prepare a sample Ordinance and submit it to the Commission at their November meeting. Chair Dwyer directed City staff to include both a sample of a tree preservation ordinance and Commissioner Friel's letter of request on the November Planning Commission Agenda. VERBAL REVIEW ADJOURN Public Works Director Jim Danielson provided a verbal review for the planning items at the previous City Council meeting. There being no further business, the Planning Commission adjourned its meeting at 8:40 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary