2015.06.16 PC Worksession Minutes

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PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS Work Session Meeting — June 16, 2015 7:56 p.m. Present: Chairperson Bruce Howard, Commissioners Saeed Bihi, Steve Danger, Marvin Deick, Susan Erickson, and Verne McPherson Absent: Erin Nichol s -M atkaiti Also Present: Janice Gundlach- Assistant Director of Community Assets & Development/Planning Director, and Paul Jacobsen-Councilmember, Molly Patterson -Lundgren, WSB & Associates Draft Shoreland Ordinance: Planning Director Janice Gundlach stated at the Planning Commission work session held on May 19, 2015 the Commission discussed the draft Shoreland Ordinance. At the request of the Planning Commission, additional research and follow-up was requested on fences and play structures. This memo and attachments provides the follow-up information requested by the Commission. On behalf of City staff, WSB performed follow-up research on both items. Planning Director Gundlach commented with regard to fences. WSB examined how the shoreland communities of Lake Johanna and Turtle Lake address fences in shoreland areas. A table and graphic is provided in the supplemental information that compares what staff had proposed for fences in New Brighton and what regulations the underlying communities of Lake Johanna (Arden Hills) and Turtle Lake (Shoreview) enforce in their shoreland areas. What was found is that both Arden Hills and Shoreview handle fences in a similar manner as proposed by staff in the draft Shoreland Ordinance. Neither Arden Hills nor Shoreview enforces average lakeshore setbacks for fences in efforts to protect view -sheds when homes are farther from the lake than the required 50' lake setback. The Planning Commission should discuss how to proceed on fence regulations landward of the 50' lake setback and provide direction to staff. Planning Director Gundlach reported with regard to play structures, WSB performed additional research and found that regulations on play apparatuses in shoreland areas are rare. Staff advises the Commission discuss the different types of play structures, their method of anchoring to the ground, and make a recommendation on whether to exempt them from shoreland rules and thus permit them within the required 50' lake setback or restrict them in some manner. Commissioner Deick asked if the City would be placing a height restriction on play structures. Molly Patterson -Lundgren indicated the floor area cannot exceed 25 square feet and noted the height was not currently regulated. Commissioner Danger commented that the Rainbow play structures can be quite large and are permanent. Commissioner Deick believed that neighbors may not appreciate the height on some of these permanent play structures. Planning Director Gundlach requested the Commission define what would be acceptable within the 50 foot shoreland setback. She discussed the inherent restraints on residential lots in the City. Further discussion ensued regarding the ordinary high watermark, shoreland setbacks and view sheds.