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2023-02-28 Planning Commission Work Session Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CANCELLATION The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 is hereby cancelled. MEETING NOTICE The Mendota Heights Planning Commission has scheduled a work session for the following date, time, location and agenda. FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • 6:30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS  1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights WORK SESSION AGENDA 1.Call to Order 2.Review Workshop Meeting Notes from February 8, 2023 Meeting 3.Zoning Code Update Discussion Continuation 4.Adjourn CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP NOTES FEBRUARY 8, 2023 A special workshop relating to the Zoning Code Update was held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 in the large conference room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 5:30 P.M. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Litton Field, Commissioners Jason Stone, Patrick Corbett, Andrew Katz, Brian Petschel, Brian Udell, Cindy Johnson Also present: Planning Consultant Jennifer Haskamp; City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson; City Engineer Ryan Ruzek The workshop began at 5:38 p.m. Planner Haskamp summarized the Zoning Code Update Process to date. She reiterated that the Commission will see a full draft of the revised Code and noted that 75-85 percent of the code from a regulatory perspective has not changed. She reminded commission members that the process will include a review of the draft revised code by the Commission, a joint work session with the City Council, community engagement and a public hearing. Miscellaneous Topics, Housekeeping Items Accessory Building and Accessory Structure Discussion Planner Haskamp asked the Commission to keep in mind the R-1 district when discussing Accessory Building and Structures portion of the code, then we can extrapolate the intent to the other districts. Haskamp and commission members reviewed the accessory structure categories and how to differentiate the various types of accessory structures such as private garages, residential storage such as pool houses, and residential structures such as garden sheds. The Commission noted that they don’t believe that any accessory structure should be habitable. The Commission discussed what is currently allowed versus what the intent of the accessory structure ordinance is. Members discussed tree houses and pools and the inclusion or exclusion of these structures in this portion of the code. The Commission agrees that the code should allow for all lots to have a garage and that the intent of the code was to allow for a second garage based on lot size. The Commission discussed that the intent of the code is to allow for a garage and a shed of 144 square feet or less. Commission members reviewed how the code would determine the lot size, in the event that the subject lot has a pond, wetland, or goes into the right-of-way. Members recommended placing a limit on the garage door frontage to the public right-of-way. The Commission discussed if a temporary structure would fall under the accessory structure. The Commission discussed the intent of the code would that lots are allowed one storage structure up to 144 square feet and a chicken coop not to exceed a total of 81 square feet for a combined total of 225 square feet. Planner Haskamp discussed a category of an Accessory Structure, which would include sport courts, play structures, pools, tree houses, etc. The Commission reviewed what would be included in the impervious surface area, and if the lot area should include a bluff, a pond, a wetland, etc. The Commission discussed how to define buildable area, and if the impervious surface coverage minimum would apply to the buildable area, or the total lot area. Planner Haskamp noted that other codes commonly exclude ponds, lakes, wetlands, slopes, etc. when calculating the buildable area and impervious surface coverage. The Commission discussed if a proposed 35 percent impervious surface area coverage maximum is the correct standard, or if it should be 40 – 50 percent. Planner Haskamp discussed an Administrative Permit option that would allow the City to protect the waterbody, and to allow the residents to build over the impervious surface coverage maximum. The Commission discussed the option to outline in the code that if a lot is covered 50 percent by water, the resident can increase the impervious surface coverage. The Commission discussed if there is a special provision for water, if there should be special provisions for small lots. It was noted that the proposed overlay district that captures the majority of those small lots would have their own provisions. Planner Haskamp will look at the lots that are affected by large bodies of water and determine how many lots would actually be affected. The work session ended at 7:38 p.m.