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1990-01-23 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JANUARY 23, 1990 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, January 23, 1990, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chairman Morson called the meeting to order at 7:32 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Morson, Koll, Dwyer, Dreelan, Duggan and Tilsen.. Commissioner Krebsbach was excused. Also present were Public Works Director Danielson and Planning Consultant Howard Dahlgren. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 CASE NO. 90-01 POSTHUMUS - VARIANCE Commissioner Duggan moved approval of the December 26, 1989 minutes. Commissioner Koll seconded the motion. Mr. Bruce Posthumus, 540 West Annapolis Street, presented his request for a front yard setback variance. He stated that he would like to upgrade his existing house by constructing a second story addition. He submitted pictures of the existing structure for the Commission to review. In response to a question from Chairman Morson, Mr. Posthumus explained that he had obtained signatures of consent from all his contiguous neighbors. He further explained the reason why he did not obtain signatures of consent from the neighbors to the east. Mr. Posthumus stated that he had obtained a CUP to construct a garage last year and he had initially gotten permission from his neighbors to the east. He stated that they ran into problems and they withdrew their consent when he started construction. He stated that he had to go back and modify the plans. He stated that rather than obtaining the consent himself, given the situation, he felt that the City should contact them. He further stated that it was his understanding with Howard Dahlgren, Paul Berg and the City Administrator that they were going to contact his neighbors. Public Works Director Jim Danielson stated that he has not contacted the people and that he was unsure if Kevin Batchelder, Administrative Assistant, did or not. Chairman Morson commented that this matter is not a public hearing. In response to a question from Commissioner Dwyer, Mr. Posthumus stated that he has no knowledge of whether the neighbors know about his proposed addition. He stated that it is possible that they have heard about the addition from his other neighbors. January 23, 1990 Page 2 Chairman Morson stated that the addition will be on the west side of Mr. Posthumus' property and that it would not really be significant to his neighbors on the east. Mr. Posthumus agreed. Mr. Posthumus stated that they might see a change in the roof line. He stated that the second story addition would only be visible to them from the street. Commissioner Tilsen asked if the peak of the existing house will be extended or will it have a different pitch. Mr. Posthumus stated that over the center portion of the house the roof will be reconstructed along with the existing roof line except over the front part of the house. Mr. Posthumus stated that the gable roof (viewed from the front of the home) will remain. Commissioner Tilsen stated that the Commission should be clear in their intention that the addition is to be used as living space and not a garage. In response to a question from Commissioner Duggan, Mr. Posthumus reiterated that he was not trying to keep his addition a secret from his neighbors to the east. He stated that it would be best that he not contact them based on what happened when he applied for the CUP last year. Commissioner Koll asked if there are any water problems. She stated that the garage is close to the street and she wondered about the snow plows in the winter time. Mr. Posthumus stated that the water problem was rectified with the construction of the new garage. Commissioner Koll asked if there was a concern with the living quarters being so close to the street. Mr. Posthumus answered that the street is one block long and that there is minimal traffic. Commissioner Koll questioned if the house, in the future, would ever be connected to the garage. Mr. Posthumus said no and that it would be virtually impossible. Commissioner Dwyer asked if he was going to raze the existing garage and Mr. Posthumus answered no. He stated that they will build on top of the existing structure. Commissioner Dwyer moved to recommend to the City Council that they approve a 28.1 foot front yard setback variance conditioned upon proof of notice of the easterly neighbors so that they can appear at the time of the City Council meeting, if they wish, and that the structure be built and used for residential purposes. Commissioner Tilsen seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 CASE NO. 89-34 MENDOTA HTS ANIMAL HOSPI- TAL (HEARING) January 23, 1990 Page 3 Chairman Morson directed Public Works Director Jim Danielson to inform Mr. Posthumus' neighbors to the east. Chairman Morson opened the meeting at 7:58 o'clock P.M. for the purpose of a public hearing to discuss a request from Dr. Tom Koepke of the Mendota Heights Animal Hospital for a CUP for an animal hospital expansion. Dr. Tom Koepke, Mendota Heights Animal Hospital, was present to discuss his request for a CUP to construct an addition to his clinic. Dr. Koepke introduced to the Commission Mr. Langer, Langer Construction Company, who was present to answer any technical questions. Public Works Director Jim Danielson confirmed that hearing notices had been sent to the neighbors of the Animal Hospital. Dr. Koepke stated that he had made an effort over the last two months to let everybody know what he is doing. Dr. Koepke stated that he understands the concern expressed in the planning reports about parking. He stated that the nature of his business just doesn't cause a problem with parking. He stated that at this time, the grooming facility and the hospital all enter off of Dodd Road. He explained that the grooming facility will be moved over to the other side and that should cut in half the parking. He stated that they would be better off with that move. In response to a question from Commissioner Dreelan, Dr. Koepke stated that the new entrance off of Freeway Road will be strictly used for the grooming facility. He stated that the parking lot on that side will be strictly for the grooming clients except for the mobile veterinary van - if in fact they ever get that unit. Dr. Koepke further stated that the other people who would come for surgeries or boarding would all use the Dodd Road exit. He stated that the animal hospital would not use the Freeway Road entrance. Commissioner Dreelan stated the she feels that the design of the new building looks like an army barracks. She stated that she would like to see the roof line brought down so that the addition would not look so square and that she had some concern on how the windows are situated. Dr. Koepke stated that he thought the windows on the brick broke up the building. He further commented that the existing building is square and that is the cheapest way to build and that you get the most utilization of space using that design. Dr. Koepke stated that he hopes the trees January 23, 1990 Page 4 right in front of the building will help break up that look. Dr. Koepke stated that he has contacted a landscaper with regards to planting Blue Spruce trees. He stated that he hopes that will help break up the look of the addition. Commissioner Dwyer asked Dr. Koepke if he has received any comments from the neighbors. Dr. Koepke responded that he has not. Commissioner Duggan asked if it would be possible to consider bringing the windows together on the top story so that there are larger windows. He stated that would be more appropriate in design of the neighborhood. Commissioner Tilsen stated that what they would like to see is a more residential look to the building. Dr. Koepke stated that they could make windows larger and do the windows every other one instead of having no windows. He stated that he has no problem with cutting out one half of the windows - it is feasible. Commissioner Duggan noticed a requirement in the ordinance requiring precast roof. Dr. Koepke stated that in his existing building he doesn't have a precast roof. Commissioner Duggan questioned if there have been any complaints about noise. Dr. Koepke stated that on the existing building they have insulated every single inside wall. He stated that has worked out great. Dr. Koepke stated that he knows that is the ordinance but that he didn't do that on the original building. Planner Dahlgren stated that a precast roof is for noise abatement and that a wood roof could be designed to abate the sound as well as a precast concrete roof. Public Works Director stated that the Commission should waive the requirement of a precast roof as the existing building does not have a precast roof. Commissioner Duggan asked if this was just something that slipped through the cracks when the initial building was built. Dr. Koepke answered yes. In response to a question from Commissioner Duggan, Mr. Langer responded that estimated time of construction would be about four months. He further commented on the noise factor that the sound transfer range for that composite roof would be very close or equivalent to a precast roof. In response to a question raised by the Commission, Planner Dahlgren stated that the total parking spaces is eighteen plus two AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 January 23, 1990 Page 5, 1990 double garages which is four more totalling twenty-two. He commented that they didn't know the exact square footage of the new building in terms of the floor area. Dr. Koepke responded that what he has total in the animal hospital right now is 5,860 square feet including the addition. Planner Dahlgren stated that the total parking on the site would seem to total twenty-two spaces. There was a brief discussion on the total square footage of the building. Dr. Koepke stated that if the clinic were sold, it would be tough to convert the building into office space due to the uniqueness in the building's design. He stated that it would be highly unlikely that it would ever be used for anything else. Commissioner Tilsen had some concern with the driveway entrance off of Freeway Road. Dr. Koepke stated that they moved the entrance as far back as they could. Commissioner Tilsen questioned whether the entrance could be moved east to ten feet from the property line. He stated that there might be better movement of the cars within the parking lot. Mr. Langer commented that if they do what Commissioner Tilsen is suggesting, it would make a relatively steep slope down into the parking lot. Mr. Langer stated that at the time of the final grading, they will try and move the entrance as far east as possible and still have a reasonable slope so it is not slippery. Commissioner Tilsen stated that he is concerned with cars backing out and cars entering all at the same time. Mr. Langer commented that they are always very sensitive to the north side of the building because of ice. In response to a question from Commissioner Dwyer, Dr. Koepke stated that there are about 12 to 15 cars per day. He stated that the traffic is sporadic. Chairman Morson noted that there was no one present in the audience for the public hearing. Commissioner Dwyer moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Duggan seconded the motion. Commissioner Tilsen moved to recommend to the City Council that they approve a CUP to allow the animal hospital to expand according to the AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 RESCHEDULING OF FEBRUARY 1990 MEETING CASE NO. 89-34 MIST - AMEND. TO ZONING ORD. & CUP AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 KENSINGTON PUD DIS- CUSSION January 23, 1990 Page 6 plans submitted subject to the building design look residential in character and look at moving the driveway 10 feet east of the property line. Commissioner Dreelan seconded the motion. Commissioner Koll questioned the drainage proposal. Dr. Koepke responded that he will do whatever the City wants. There was a brief discussion on the parking lot and entrance off of Freeway Road. Planner Dahlgren stated that he is concerned about the motive for moving the driveway further east because it will do two negative things. He stated that the further east you move it the steeper the driveway gets. He further stated that if you move the driveway further east you will lose a parking space or make it very difficult to get to the westerly most spot. He stated that the distance from the driveway to Dodd Road is adequate for the amount of traffic that is entering and leaving this facility. Commissioner Dreelan withdrew her second to the motion and offered a friendly amendment stating that the driveway be moved easterly as far as possible and to waive the ordinance requirement for a precast roof. Commissioner Dwyer seconded the motion. Due to February 27, 1990 being precinct caucus night, the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for that night must be changed as the two meetings cannot coincide. It was the concensus of the Commission to reschedule the February meeting to Wednesday, February 28, 1990 at 7:30 o'clock P.M. Commissioner Duggan moved to continue the public hearing to February 28, 1990 at 8:00 o'clock P.M. Commissioner Dwyer seconded the motion. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the status and future schedule for Kensington PUD. A letter from Mr. Richard Putnam of the Tandem Corporation was submitted to the Commission previous to tonight's meeting for their review. The letter submitted was a suggested tentative schedule for review of the Kensington PUD by City Council, Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. It was the concensus of the Commission that any member could attend the tour and informal discussion of Kensington and January 23, 1990 Page 7 Park project on Saturday, February 3rd from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. It was noted that all Commissioners, Council and interested citizens are welcome. There was a brief discussion regarding a tentative work session scheduled during a regularly scheduled Parks and Recreation Commission meeting for Tuesday, February 13th that the Planning Commission has been invited to attend to discuss the Kensington and Park Project. VERBAL REVIEW Public Works Director Jim Danielson gave a verbal review to the Planning Commission on City Council action on Planning items. MENDOTA HTS Dr. Koepke interjected that he was attempting ANIMAL HOSP. to purchase more land from Brian Birch but the Mr. Birch was unwilling to see more land to him at this time. Dr. Koepke told the. Commission that he would continue in his efforts and that this extra land, when obtained, could be made available for parking spaces. ADJOURN Commissioner Koll moved to adjourn to February 13, 1990 joint work session with the Parks and Recreation Commission at 7:00 P.M. It was also noted that Planner Dahlgren and Chairman Morson would not be attending the work session. Commissioner Dreelan seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 1, Morson TIME OF ADJOURNMENT 9:35 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary