PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON

Regular Meeting –July 20, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.

Present: Commissioners Larry Baker, Jim O’Brien, Norm Schiferl, Karen Mann,

Bruce Howard

Absent: Commissioner Tom O’Keefe, Paul Zisla

Also Present: Patrick Boylan, City Planner

· Council Action -

Mary Burg, City Council Member reported on some changes to two polling places to allow for better accessibility. Part of the Pike Lake School precinct location has been moved to St. John the Baptist Church and Bel Air School precinct No. 2, has been moved to Salem Covenant Church on Silver Lake Road.

Moundsview Community Theater is showing “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”.

Stockyard Days buttons are on sale now.

National Night Out is August 3^rd.

The City Council will be using the Arden Hills City Council Chambers for meetings until the New Brighton City Hall remodeling and air conditioning is back in use. It is also available for Planning Commission Meetings.

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· Approval of Minutes –June 15, 2004, minutes were approved after correction to list Karen Mann as being absent and adjusting the unanimous vote counts to reflect the appropriate totals.

Agenda Review: No changes.

Public Hearing: SP 04-07 Special Use Permit for a proposed detached garage larger than 400 sq. ft – Mr. Chris Miller

Consideration of an application for a Special Use Permit to construct a garage larger than 400 sq. ft. on a single family lot at 505 3^rd Avenue NW. The site is zoned R-1, Single Family Residential. The applicant has converted the existing attached garage into living space and is seeking a Special Use Permit for a proposed new 28’ by 22’ detached garage (616 sq. ft.).

Mr. Boylan reviewed the Site Plan and Staff Report for the Commissioners.

Motion by Baker, second by O’Brien to close the public hearing.

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion Carried.

After discussion with no dissension, Motion by O’Brien, Second by Mann, to waive the reading and adopt the attached resolution recommending approval of

sp 04-07.

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, MOTION CARRIED.

Public Hearing: SP 04-08 Special Use Permit for a proposed detached garage larger than 400 sq. ft. – Mr. Clark Wicklund on behalf of Mr. Chad Wicklund

Consideration of an application for a Special use Permit to construct a garage larger than 400 sq. ft. on a single family lot at 2650 County Rd. E. The site is zoned R-1 Single Family Residential. The existing detached garage will be removed and applicant is proposing to build a new garage to match the existing home on the lot. He is proposing a 24 x 24 foot, 576 sq. ft. detached accessory garage.

Mr. Boylan reviewed the Site Plan and Staff Report for the Commissioners.

Motion by Baker, Second by O’Brien to close the public hearing.

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

Motion by Schiferl, Second by O’Brien to waive the reading and adopt the attached resolutiuon recommending approval of sp-04-08.

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion Carried.

Public Hearing: VN 04-02 – Parking Setback and Parking Quantity Variance-Mr. Brian Houwman on behalf of Harold Becker.

Consideration of an application for Site Plan review and front yard parking setback variance to add 5,970 sq. ft. addition to the Becker Brothers Floors facility. The proposal is to add onto the existing structure into the east parking area and locate this parking into the front yard setback. A variance of 25 feet is needed for the proposed parking.

The parking issues were discussed with applicant. There was no one in the audience to speak to this issue.

Motion by Baker, Second by O’Brien to close the public hearing.

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

Motion by O’Brien, Second by Howard to waive the reading and adopt the attached resolution recommending approval of vn 04-02 subject to the following conditions:

1. All available preservation measures shall be taken during construction to preserve the existing trees on the east side of the site.

2. Review and approval of final building plans by the Fire Marshall.

3. Approval of Rice Creek Watershed District permit.

4. Grading and drainage plan approved by City Engineer.

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

General Business: Overlay discussion for R-1 Single Family Residential Zone – Research and review of accessory structures and yard definitions.

The City Council directed Staff to research and provide code options whereby the City Code might be amended to allow additional diversity of house, garage, accessory structure design on single family lots. They were to focus on bulk coverage requirements, quantity of detached accessory structures and review of “yard” definitions.

Mr. Boylan reported that after his research on the above he had come to a couple of conclusions. First, an overlay district is not necessary and the existing structure code can be amended slightly to allow for the type of request that was presented at the May 18^th meeting for a riparian lot. Second, the zoning code, in terms of accessory structure, allowances is restrictive compared to many other surrounding communities and communities in the Lake Minnetonka area. None of those communities differentiate between lake lot and non lake lot, with the exception of one that does allow a small locker near the water.

Mr. Boylan then presented proposed changes to Section 4-530 of the Zoning Code. There was considerable discussion between staff and commissioners regarding this. One point of consensus reached was that any detached structure larger than 600 feet should be subject to a Special Use Permit, a change from 400 sq. ft. and that redefining yards was the right direction. Mr. Boylan reviewed each point with commissioners to get feedback.

The Commissioners considered other issues within the context of accessory structures. Mr. Boylan noted that the Council wanted to proceed with a few minor text changes and that he will draft new language for Section 4-530 and propose text at the August 17^th meeting to then be reviewed and approved by the Council.