Loading...
08-27-1985A regular meeting of the Hopkins Zoning and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, August 27, 1985, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the City Hall. Present were Chairman Folk, members Berg, Bourne, Brandon, Janke, Kirscht and Shirley. Also present were City Manager Rapp, City Engineer Strojan, Community Development Director Kerrigan and Community Development Analyst Anderson. Item: Mr. Janke moved and Mr. Berg seconded a motion that the minutes of the July 30, 1985 meeting be approved and signed. Motion carried. Case No: Hearing on an application by Honeywell, Inc. to vacate a portion of the 85 -38 North -South alley in Block 3, West Minneapolis Center. 5 -27 Mr. James Williams, Attorney for Honeywell, reviewed the request with the Commission stating that the purpose for the vacation was to amend the Certificate of Title and to seek clarification with regard to City and County records as all other streets and alleys on their property have been properly vacated. A letter was received from Precious Metal Platers Inc., adjoining property owner, that they had no objection to this vacating. Action: Mr. Berg moved and Mrs. Bourne seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the alley vacation. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Request from Walser Leasing of 317 Mainstreet for an easement to place a 85 -39 sign in the public right -of -way. 29 -164 David Thom of Walser Leasing, reviewed the request with the Commission stating that customers are confused as where to enter the Leasing operation because the present portable sign is not visible from the East or West. The Commission and staff stated concerns for snow removal in regard to damage to the sign, City liability for anything on public property and visibility when entering the street would be impaired. It was suggested that perhaps an arrow would serve the same purpose or that a sign on the building across the street indicating the Leasing operation across the street would perhaps serve them better. Action: Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Janke seconded a motion that the request be continued to the September meeting to give the applicant time to study other alterna- tives. Mr. Janke withdrew his second. Mr. Shirley seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Kirscht voting nay. Case No: Hearing to consider rezoning parcels in Southwest Hopkins: 85 -40 165 -503 The West one -half (W1/2) of the Southwest Quarter (SW;) of the Southwest Quarter (SW;) of Section 25, Township 117, Range 22, from R -6 Residential to B -1 Business. Mr. Peter Stalland, Attorney for Berglund and Johnson, stated that the property has been zoned for multiple residential development from 1977 to the present. He asked why the change had not ocurred in 1982 when the Compre- hensive Plan was adopted. He stated that an owner has a right to rely on the zoning of a property and also that a zoning ordinance supercedes the Comprehensive Plan. The owner has a developer for the property that will be seeking a Conditional Use Permit very soon for multiple residential development. An affidavit of Wilbur C. Robbins, President of the Westbrooke Homeowners Association, was presented stating that at no time has the Westbrooke Home- owners Association ever initiated or requested the City to rezone said property, and that the Association does not object to the continuing classification of the R -6 zone. Mr. Richard Bloom, Planning Consultant, stated that the plan supports medium density residential development and that it is desirable to be compatible with the adjoining property. Mrs. Bourne spoke at length about density in the area. She feels that the Zoning and Planning Commission minutes of August 27, 1985 continued. (2) area is saturated with multiple housing at present. Mr. Don Taragus of the Patio Home development concurred with her concerns. Action: Mr. Shirley moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion to refer the matter to the City Attorney for review to see what flexibility we have and request a written response before the September meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The West one -half (W1) of the Northwest Quarter (NW4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW;) of Section 25, Township 117, Range 22, lying south of the northerly 600 feet, from R -6 Residential to I -1 Industrial. Action: Mr. Kirscht moved and Mr. Berg seconded a motion to close the hearing and republish for the next meeting to correct description of the land involved. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Hearing to consider amending the sign section of the Zoning Ordinance 85 -41 regarding signs in Residential Districts and overhanging signs. 506 -665 The Commission discussed signs in Residential Districts. Mr. Berg stated that the Design Committee looks favorably on the overhanging signs. The Commission discussed the distance from the sidewalk of the overhanging signs for clarification in the ordinance. Mr. Shirley stated that all signs in the residential areas should come before the Zoning and Planning Commission and City Council. He questions the wisdom of having that section in the ordinance. Action: Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Janke seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the proposed amendments to the sign ordinance as outlined in the August 15, 1985 memo, except that 427.42(18) the word "mounted" in the fourth line is to be deleted. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Hearing on an application by Michael Peterson of 22 7th Avenue North for a 85 -42 Variance to construct a garage, with the vehicle entrance 14 feet from the 667 -723 rear property line. Michael Peterson reviewed the request with the Commission stating that the present garage is 14 feet from the alley and that the new garage would not encroach anymore. He also stated that his lot is only 34 feet wide. He had met with surrounding neighbors and there are no objections to his request. Action: Mr. Shirley moved and Mrs. Bourne seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the variance to construct a garage 14 feet from the rear property line based on the current garage being only 14 feet from the lot line, and the lot width is a hardship restricting the back yard. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Hearing on an application by the Hopkins Commerce Center for a Conditional 85 -43 Use Permit to construct an addition to the existing building at 1007 -1021 725 -1017 East Excelsior Avenue. Mr. Marion Neuman and Mr. Mark Youngdahl reviewed the expansion plans with the Commission. The parking plan has been revised from the Concept Review and some landscaping has been added as requested. The Commission stated that they would be in favor of reducing the number of required parking spaces in order to allow more landscaping and that if the need for more parking did arise in the future, some of the parking could be restored. Mr. Neuman was agreeable with the suggestion. Action: Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the Conditional Use Permit to construct an addition to the exist - ing building at 1007 -1021 East Excelsior Avenue contingent on approval by the Fire Marshal; curb cut approval by the County; and based on the revised parking plan which could be reduced up to six (6) spaces to allow for more landscaping and such parking could be restored if the need arises; and signs in the parking lot to be relocated if necessary; no parking allowed on the South side of the most easterly building. Motion carried unanimously. Zoning and Planning Commission minutes of August 27, 1985 continued. (3) Case No: Hearing on an application by Henry Pokorny of 65 7th Avenue South for a 85 -44 sideyard variance to construct an addition to the east side of the existing 1023- building. 1100 Mr. Pokorny reviewed the request with the Commission stating the expansion was for storage purposes and that they feel that the present parking is adequate for their operation. The Commission spoke in regard to expanding non - conforming uses and that other variances have been granted in the area which improve the appearances of these uses. Action: Mr. Shirley moved and Mrs. Brandon seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the sideyard, front yard, floor area ratio and parking variances to allow expansion of a non - conforming structure at 65 7th Avenue South, to be limited to storage and contingent on approval by the Fire Marshal. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Hearing on an application by Dale Egberg for a Concept Review to construct 85 -45 a building at 630 llth Avenue South 1101- 1-14 Mr. Egberg reviewed the proposed building plans with the Commission and Tape 2 stated that they will try to meet all the requirements of the Ordinance. They can meet the 20 foot front yard setback and the nine trees required by the landscape ordinance are no problem. They are concerned about the ingress and egress on llth Avenue South. The City Engineer stated that he saw no real problem with access from llth Avenue. Mr. Tholen, owner of the subject property, stated that there is 50 feet between the property line and his own building. The Commission stated that they had no major concerns with the project and that the applicant should proceed and that complete site plans including landscaping would be required with application for a Conditional Use Permit. Case No: Hearing on an application by St. Therese Home Inc., for a Conditional Use 85 -46 Permit to construct a 240 unit elderly residential facility and a 200 bed 16 -227 nursing home at 1001 -1011 Feltl Court. Mr. Richard Ludwig and Mr. Dan Swedberg reviewed the development plans with the Commission for 9,.7 & 5 story structures with visitor parking, plantings and low lighting revised as requested at the Concept Review. They stated that there is a moritorium on nursing home construction at the present time so the apartments will be constructed first. If there is not sufficient need for the nursing home their project can be downgraded to 100 beds. They have met with the neighbors and met most of their concerns. Mrs. Bourne still has concern about the large number of people in a small area. The Commission stated concern of parking in the front yard setback and also a sideyard setback not being sufficient. Action: Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the Conditional Use Permit and Planned Unit Development to construct a 240 unit elderly residential facility and a 200 bed nursing home at 100 -1011 Felt] Court with the following conditions: the setback problems be corrected; approval of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District; the berm and landscaping be completed with the first phase. Motion carried. Mrs. Bourne voting nay. Case No: Request by Centurion Company for revision of their Conditional Use Permit 85 -47 for ponding area on property which is part of the Amhurst Project abutting 233 -490 State Highway 7 and Edgemoor Drive. Mr. Len Thiel with Centurion, reviewed the original plans with the Commission and stated that there is no longer need for the ponding area because different Zoning and Planning Commission minutes of August 27, 1985 continued. (4) drainage had been worked out. The plans for this area would be for one or two single family homes and access to these homes would be through Knollwood. Larry Shiller, Knollwood Association President, expressed concern about access from the Amhurst development into Knollwood and also that the emergency exit road would not be redirected onto Edgemoor. Mr. Roger Hork, past president, stated that the road should be platted but it was brought to his attention that with an easement they would have better control. The Engineer stated that water and sewer is available but that there would possibly be an assessment or connection charge involved. Action: Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of deletion of the requirement of a ponding area on the plan approved by Zoning and Planning and City Council in 1979, and provision that the emergency exit not enter onto Edgemoor Drive at any time as originally stated in the Conditional Use Permit. Motion carried. Mr. Folk voting nay. Item: Annual Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. unless staff finds it necessary to start meeting a little earlier due to long agenda. Action: Mr. Janke moved and Mr. Berg seconded a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. ATTEST: James Folk, Chairman MEMBERS: