2001-02-27 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2001
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday,
February 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: Commissioners Betlej, Dolan, Friel, Hesse,
Lorberbaum, and M. McManus. Commissioner B. McManus was excused. Also present were
Public Works Director Danielson, Planner Steven Grittman, Administrative Assistant Patrick
Hollister and Heidi Guenther, Recording Secretary.
WELCOME TO NEW AND REAPPOINSTED COMMISSIONERS
Vice-Chair Betlej welcomed Eric Hesse and Christopher Dolan to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Hesse explained he was a civil engineer with an environmental finn and noted he
would offer this expertise to the Commission. Commissioner Dolan introduced himself and
noted he works in real estate and grew up in St. Paul.
) ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Commissioner Friel nominated Sandy Lorberbaum as the Chair of the Planning Commission for
the year 2001.
Commissioner M. McManus seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
Commissioner Friel nominated Joe Betlej as the Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission for the
year 2001.
Commissioner M. McManus seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Lorberbaum moved to approve the minutes of January 23, 2001 meeting as
presented.
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Commissioner Betlej seconded the motion.
) AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 1 (Commissioner Friel)
CASE NO. #01-03: RICHARD CRESS - CSC PUBLISHING
VARIANCE FOR A FRONT YARD SETBACK
1155 NORTHLAND DRIVE
Vice-Chair Betlej explained this was a public hearing for the purpose of discussion on a variance
for a front yard setback at 1155 Northland Drive for Richard Cress of CSC Publishing.
Planner Grittman reviewed the Planning Case with the Commission and noted the applicants
have applied for a variance for a front yard setback for CSC Publishing with parallel frontage
along Trunk Highway 55. He indicated the applicant proposed to construct an office building of
approximately 6,600 square feet, together with the attendant parking lot with a single access from
Northland Drive.
Planner Grittman explained the B-3 zoning district requires 30-foot building setbacks for front
yards, except that a front yard abutting a "major thoroughfare" is required to be 100 feet. He
noted the applicant was requesting a 10-foot variance from the 100-foot setback resulting in a
proposed setback of 90 feet from TH 55 Right-of-Way.
Planner Grittman stated staff recommends approval of the ten-foot variance for CSC Publishing.
He indicated site development regulations including additional thoroughfare setback, double
frontage, and parking location limitations severely restrict the use of this parcel for commercial
use. Planner Grittman noted that the recommendation of approval was contingent upon
conditions being the applicant must incorporate the trash handling function into the building
design, and add landscaping to the street frontages of the building area. An office use as
submitted would be seen as an acceptable development of this parcel.
Chair Lorberbaum asked for the SuperAmerica setback from Highway 55. Planner Grittman
noted to his recollection SuperAmerica was 60 feet from Highway 55, Right-of-Way.
Commissioner Hesse asked for the origination of the 100-foot setback from major thoroughfares.
Planner Grittman noted this would be for aesthetic and safety reasons. Public Works Director
Danielson noted it this has been 100 feet for the past 21 years and indicated Council has
reviewed this item with no amendments.
Commissioner Friel noted the 100-foot setback was set for safety reasons to his recollection. He
then questioned the hardship of this parcel as noted by staff. Planner Grittman noted the
hardship for this parcel would be the reasonable use of the space.
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)
Vice-Chair Betlej asked for questions and comments from the audience.
Commissioner Dolan asked if any safety or visibility concerns have arisen from Super America
with their setback. Administrative Assistant Hollister noted he has not heard any complaints to
date at this site or of any safety concerns.
Dean Bangtson, the applicant's builder, noted he was present to answer any questions the
Commission may have. Mr. Bangtson indicated Mr. Cress was not aware of the 100-foot setback
when he purchased the parcel and designed the building.
Linda Cress, accounting manager for CSC Publishing, indicated her architect did not infoim her
of the setbacks. She noted the architect did contact the City but was not clear on the setbacks for
this parcel.
There being no further questions or comments, Commissioner Lorberbaum moved that the
hearing be closed.
Commissioner Friel seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
Vice-Chair Betlej asked for recommendations from the Commission members.
Commissioner Dolan asked about the practical difficulty of this site. Commissioner Friel noted
the practical difficulty still did not prove a hardship for this parcel. He reviewed the
Commission's feelings on items that have no objection and the wishes of the Commission to
have these items forwarded to Council with no objections.
Commissioner M. McManus noted she had a hard time with denying this case because the
neighboring site has a larger setback than the setback proposed by the applicant.
Vice-Chair Betlej noted this would done reluctantly but stated the applicants would have an
option to revise their plans or seek approval from Council.
Commissioner Friel moved to recommend denial of Case No. #01-03 a front yard setback
variance at 1155 Northland Drive due to lack of hardship.
Commissioner Lorberbaum seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 2 (Commissioner Dolan and Commissioner Hesse)
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Commissioner Lorberbaum encouraged the applicant to be present at the March 6, 2001 Council
meeting to press this item further with them. She thanked the applicant for their proposed
building and noted the Council may prove favorable on this request.
VERBAL REVIEW
Acting Chair Betlej 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 Lorberbaum moved
to adjourn its meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Commissioner Hesse seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi Guenther
Recording Secretary
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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