2001-03-27 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, NIINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MARCH 27, 2001
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, March
27, 2001, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to
order at 7:30 p.m.
The following Commissioners were present: Chair Lorberbaum, and Commissioners Betlej,
Dolan, Hesse, B. McManus, and M. McManus. Commissioner Friel was excused. Also present
were Public Works Director Danielson, Planner Steven Grittman, Administrative Assistant
Patrick Hollister and Heidi Guenther, Recording Secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Betlej moved to approve the minutes of February 27, 2001 meeting as presented.
Commissioner M. McManus seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
CASE NO. #01 -04: VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ON BEHALF OF UNITED
PROPERTIES
SIGN FRONT YARD SETBACK VARIANCE
1355 MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD
Chair Lorberbaum explained this was a public hearing for the purpose of discussion on a
variance for a sign front yard setback variance at 1355 Mendota Heights Road for Visual
Communication.
Planner Grittman reviewed the Planning Case with the Commission and noted the applicants
have applied for a variance from the front yard sign setback standards from 20 feet to five feet.
He noted the variance is necessary in this case to allow the applicants to relocate their existing
monument sign closer to Mendota Heights Road to increase visibility.
Planner Grittman noted that according to Section 21.5(13)b, no pylon or freestanding sign should
be located in a required yard area. He indicated the signs must also meet the required 40 feet
front yard setback for all structures in the Industrial District. Planner Grittman stated the
monument sign permit was issued to the applicant in November of 1985 and to be setback 20 feet
from the front of the property line.
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Planner Grittman explained staff recommends denial of the request due to lack of hardship, along
with the fact the applicant currently has reasonable use of their property and that the applicant
could improve the visibility of their sign by trimming the current landscaping.
Commissioner Betlej asked if the pump station met the 40 -foot setback. Planner Grittman
indicated it appears the pump station does not, and noted City utility structures do not have to
meet commercial standards.
Commissioner Hesse asked how the 40 -foot setback was derived. Planner Grittman indicated the
40 -foot setback was created to keep the streets open and visually uncluttered.
Chair Lorberbaum asked for questions and comments from the audience.
Cheryl O'Donnell, Visual Communications, noted she was before the Commission to present the
United Properties sign request. She reviewed a sketch of the United Property site and stated
there is concern about the visibility of the current signage with the mature trees near the
boulevard. Ms. O'Donnell indicated United Properties does not want to have to eliminate the
trees as it is screening the City's pump station. She noted several other locations within the
Industrial District have had variances based on visibility concerns.
Commissioner Dolan questioned the change in distance from the right -of -way to the new
proposed sign site. Ms. O'Donnell noted there would still be 20 feet from the proposed sign
location to the green space /right -of -way.
Commissioner Dolan suggested the applicant trim the closest tree to this sign. Commissioner M.
McManus concurred.
Commissioner M. McManus noted she does not see a hardship with this request and asked if the
applicant had any further comments on this area. Ms. O'Donnell noted this request came about
after the property owners reviewed their weaknesses at this site. She indicated the current sign
location is causing confusion for numerous visitors.
Commissioner M. McManus asked staff for a list of other Industrial District variance receivers.
Administrative Assistant Hollister explained he did not have a list in front of him, but reported in
the Industrial District all buildings and signs must be 40 feet from the front yard setback. He
stated if businesses would like their sign closer to the front yard setback they would need to apply
for a variance. Administrative Hollister noted the numerous requests got to be cumbersome for
those within the Industrial District and indicated 20 feet became the standard.
Chair Lorberbaum asked if the applicant had considered moving the sign to the east near the
other entrance. Ms. O'Donnell indicated this was not considered because they are interested in
maintaining the described entrance to increase the visibility for traffic from the east but agreed
this would be an option.
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Chair Lorberbaum asked how far the sign would be back from the curb as suggested by the
applicant. Public Works Director Danielson stated it would be roughly 22 -25 feet from the curb.
Commissioner B. McManus noted he did feel it was difficult to see this sign from the east. He
indicated he felt one tree could be removed to improve the visibility of this sign without the need
for a variance.
There being no further questions or comments, Commissioner Betlej moved that the hearing be
closed.
Commissioner Hesse seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
Chair Lorberbaum asked for recommendations from the Commission members.
Commissioner B. McManus asked if this was setting precedence for other properties along
Mendota Heights Road. Commissioner Betlej noted he felt this would not set precedence
because this site has a City utility building along its front yard that does not meet the current
setback standards.
Commissioner Dolan noted he felt this variance could be easily remedied by removing a single
tree and did not require a front yard sign variance.
Commissioner Betlej moved to recommend approval of Case No. #01 -04 a fifteen foot setback
for a front yard sign setback variance at 1355 Mendota Heights Road for Visual
Communications, Inc. on behalf of United Properties based on the unusual placement of a city
utility building within the 40 foot front yard setback.
Commissioner Hesse seconded the motion.
AYES: 2 (Betlej, Hesse)
NAYS: 4
Commissioner M. McManus moved denial of Case No. #01 -04 due to lack of a hardship as
suggested by staff for a front yard sign setback variance at 1355 Mendota Heights Road for
Visual Communications, Inc. on behalf of United Properties.
Commissioner Dolan seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 2 ( Betlej, Hesse)
SCHEDULE TOWN CENTER WORKSHOP
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Chair Lorberbaum noted staff recommends April 10, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. for the Town Center
Workshop meeting at City Hall to update the Commissioners on the City's Town Center concept
plan and design. She encouraged all members to attend.
VERBAL REVIEW
Chair Lorberbaum requested a verbal review of the matters, which were submitted to the City
Council for their consideration. Public Works Director Danielson informed the Commission of
Council action taken on recent planning cases.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Planning Commission, Commissioner Betlej moved to
adjourn its meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Commissioner M. McManus seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi Guenther
Recording Secretary
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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