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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/87HASTINGS PLANNING COi4t41SSION !larch 9, 19~7 The regular meeting of the Hastings Planning Commission was called to order at 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Commissioners Stevens, Dredge, Kaiser, Anderson, Voelker, and Chairman Simacek. Members Absent: Commissioners Ditty, Folch, Conzemius. Staff Present: Planning Director Harmening. Commissioner Stevens moved, seconded by Commissioner Dredge, to approve the Honday, February 23, 1987 minutes. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nayes, O. MINUTES The Planning Director briefly summarized the request which was being made by Mr. Fair and Mr. Morstad. In this case Fair and Morstad are requesting approval of a minor subdivision of a piece of property located at the corner of West 7th Street and River Street. Harmening indicated that the Planning Commission first reviewed this matter at its February 9, 1987 meeting but had tabled the matter to allow further study on the potential development of other lots along the north side of Highway 55. Harmening briefly reviewed the analysis which had been requested by the Planning Commission. MINOR SUBDIVISION- 741 W. 7TH ST. L . FA I R/H. MO RSTAr) Lester Fair was in attendance and indicated that either a single family home or a duplex was proposed for the site. Fair also expressed concerns for the large amounts of assessments which Mr. ~orstad would be obligated to pay for the River St. improvement if the lot was not allowed to be subdivided. Fair also indicated that access to the property would be made off of River Street near the northwest corner of the proposed lot. In addition Fair indicated that the driveway on the proposed lot would be designed such that cars would drive onto River Street rather than back onto River Street. The Planning Commission discussed in length the proposed minor subdivision. After discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Stevens to recammend approval of the minor subdivision subject to the conditions outlined by staff and also adding a condition that when the lot is developed a drive.~ay is to be designed such that cars will be allowed to drive onto River Street rather than to back onto River Street. This motion died for a lack of a second. After further review a motion was made by Commissioner Kaiser, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to recommend denial of the minor subdivision due to concerns for traffic safety at the River Street/Highway 55 intersection. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 5; Nayes, Commissioner Stevens. Planning Director Harmening indicated that Dakota Lodge No. 7 was requesting site plan approval and a 3' parking lot setback variance to allow the construction of a 28' x 60' structure at 2103 Vermillion Street. Various items of interest which Harmening reviewed with the Planning Commission included: parking, drainage, building appearance, building setbacks, the driveway width, and the parking lot setbacks. Harmening indicated that it appeared the drainage matter had been resolved in that the applicant indicated that the property would drain towards Vermillion Street rather than towards the east portion of the Jot. Harmening also indicated that the city should consider approving a 2' parking lot setback variance rather than a 3' parking lot setback variance. Harmening also requested that the Planning Commission discuss with the applicant the proposed appearance of the building. Harmening indicated that the building should be designed to appear commercial in nature in that it was located in a commercial zone. Elevation drawings were shown to the Planning Commission which illustrated that the building proposed was a ~o level split structure with a pitched roof. The outside walls of the structure were proposed to have brick along the bottom portion of the walls with siding on the remaining area. The Planning Commission found the appearance of the building to be generally acceptable but suggested that the west elevation (Vermillion Street elevation) be improved in appearance. Steve Benowitz, of The Bar, was in attendance and asked various questions of the Planning Commission and the applicant. Milo Kinney and Mike ~,~illiams, representing the Masonic Lodge, were in attendance to answer questions of the Planning Commission and the public, l~illiams indicated that the ~4asonic Lodge had 128 members, 50~ of which lived outside the State of Minnesota. It was further noted that approximately 15 individuals show up for meetings at the Masonic Lodge. The applicant also indicated that no liquor license were proposed to be requested for the structure. The applicant also indicated that the building would only be used for club activities and would not be rented out for other public gatherings or meetings. The applicant did indicate that the Eastern Star group, which was related to the ~4asonic Lodge, would be meeting at the lodge on dates other than the ,meeting dates of the Masonic Lodge members. The applicant further indicated that the basement level would be used for dining facilities with the upper level used as a meeting room. After discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Kaiser, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to recc~mend approval of the site plan due to the fact that the site plan appears to meet all city code requirements and to recommend approval of a 2' (rather than a 3' variance as proposed) parking lot setback variance due to the fact that the variance will not be a detriment to adjoining properties due to the type of use (parking lot and driveway) located on the properties located directly adjacent to the proposed parking lot. SITE PLAN/VARIANCE REQUEST-DAKOTA LODGE NO.7, 2103 VE~41LLION STREET These recommendations are subject to the following conditions: A. The applicant is to further improve the design of the west elevation of the structure. That the applicant widen the driveway to 18' or 20~ to insure proper ingress and egress facilities for the parking lot. The applicant should accomodate this requirement by widening the driveway slightly to the north and slightly to the south. C. The applicant shall install bumper curbs on each parking stall in the parking lot. That the structure and accessory items such as the parking lot, landscaping, etc. be completed pursuant to the approved site plan. Upon request for occupancy of the building all uncompleted items contained within the site plan shall be addressed pursuant to the escrow requirement contained within the site plan review provisions of the city zoning ordinance (Section 10.24.) Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nayes, O. Planning Director Harmening indicated that i~r. Sundberg was requesting a 7'6" rear yard setback variance so that he may construct a three season porch on the backside of his home. The addition is proposed to extend to within 27'4" of the rear property line rather than the required 35' maximum. Harmening briefly reviewed the request which included items pertaining to setback requirements, adjacent zoning and land use, and the arguments presented by the applicant. Harmening indicated that a primary reason for the 35' setback requirement was to insure that adequate open space and rear yard areas are provided in residential areas where rear yards of homes abut one another. Harmening indicated that the applicants request did appear unique and did present special conditions and circumstances due to the location of the city property to the west although Harmening did note that these same circumstances would appear relevant to several other properties located in the area of the applicants lot. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Kaiser, seconded by Commissioner Stevens, to recommend approval of the variance to allow a rear yard setback of not less than 27'4" due to the unique and special conditions and circumstances which are present in this case due to the location of the city property to the west. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 5; Nayes, O; Commissioner Voelker abstained. Planning Director Harmening indicated that staff had been working for the last couple of months on revising the citys zoning map. Harmening indicated that it appeared that the zoning map had not been revised since 1976. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed zoning map and .generally indicated that the map was much easier to read and was a large improvement over the existing map. Harr~ning indicated that it was proposed that the map be brought to the City Council at its next meeting for adoption. No further action was taken by the Planning Commission. VARIANCE REQUEST- REAR YARD SETBACK- GARALD SUNDBERG, 961 MANOR COURT REVISED ZONtNG HAP The Parking Committee indicated no report was available at this time. No further action was taken. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Voelker, to schedule a joint meeting with the HRA to review the Downtown !4aster Plan. The meeting date is schedule for April 13, t987. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nayes, O. Planning Director Harmening indicated that for the last several months a committee of the Planning Commission had been studying and revising the city's Main Pedestrian Route System Plan. Harm~ning indicated that this plan was originally developed in 1973 but was never fully implemented. The committee of the Planning Commission studied various matters including the updating of the Main Pedestrian Route System Map, methods for financing sidewalk construction, prioritization of sidewalk construction, and maintenance of sidewalks. Harmening reviewed with the entire Planning Commission a proposed draft of recommendations for the City Council on the Hain Pedestrian Route Sytem Plan. Harmening also provided a map for the Planning Commissions review of the proposed !.lain Pedestrian Route System Plan. After review and discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Kaiser, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to recommend that the City Council consider the recommendations from the Planning C~mission on the Main Pedestrian Route System Plan. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nayes, O. Planning Director Harmening updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council action. There being no further business a motion was made by Commissioner Kaiser, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting at 8:30 P.H. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nayes, O. PARKING COM~41TTEE REPORT. ORDER PUBLIC HEARING JOINT MEETING ttl T~t HRA ON D~tNTg~N MASTER P~AN SIDEWALK R_AN OTHER BUSINESS ADJ OU RN;4ENT