HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-23 PC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016
7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Commission was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order
at 7:08 p.m. by Chairperson Arbuckle.
2. ROLL CALL
Paul Arbuckle, Chairperson Present
Absent
Frederick Dahm, Commissioner
Tushar Desai, Commissioner Present
John Donofrio, Commissioner Present
Allan Ige, Commissioner Present
Bill Kempe, Commissioner Present
Dale Trippler, Vice Chairperson Present
Staff Present:
Michael Martin, Economic Development Coordinator
Daniela Lorenz, Planning Technician
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Trippler recommended changing the order of the public hearings. Moving 5 c. to
be heard first and 5 a. and b. to follow after that.
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the agenda as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Kempe. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the January 5, 2016, PC minutes as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Donofrio. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
a. 7:00 p.m. or later: Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Vacation of a
Public Utility and Drainage Easement, 2115 Lydia Avenue
i. Economic Developmental Coordinator, Michael Martin, gave the report on the Approval of
a Resolution Authorizing the Vacation of a Public Utility and Drainage Easement, 2115
Lydia Avenue and answered questions of the commission.
ii. Applicant, Owner, Scott Mogren, 2863 Frederick St, Maplewood, addressed and
answered questions of the commission.
Chairperson Arbuckle opened the public hearing.
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Nobody came forward to address the commission.
Chairperson Arbuckle closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Kempe moved to approve the resolution vacating five feet of the 10-foot-wide
utility and drainage easement located on the east side of the property at 2115 Lydia Avenue. The
easement is being vacated since:
1. It is in the public interest.
2. There are no utilities located in the easement and it is not being utilized.
Seconded by Commissioner Desai. Ayes - All
The motion passed.
This item will go to the city council on March 14, 2016.
b. 7:00 p.m. or later: Consider Approval of a Conditional Use Permit Resolution, Galilee
Lutheran Church Community Garden, 1958 Rice Street
i. Planning Technician, Daniela Lorenz gave the report on the Approval of a Conditional Use
Permit Resolution for Galilee Lutheran Church Community Garden, 1958 Rice Street and
answered questions of the commission.
ii. Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin answered questions of the
commission.
iii. Ron Peterson, Galilee Lutheran Church, 145 McCarrons Blvd N., St. Paul, addressed and
answered questions of the commission.
Chairperson Arbuckle opened the public hearing.
Nobody came forward to address the commission.
Chairperson Arbuckle closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the applicant’s plans for the proposed community
garden and legal, non-conforming parking lot at 1958 Rice Street. Approval is subject to the
(changes to the conditions are underlined deletions are stricken.)
following conditions:
1. The proposed use must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the
permit shall end. The council may extend this deadline for one year.
2. The city council shall review this permit in one year. Staff may approve minor changes.
3. Applicant shall obtain a grading permit from the city’s public works department before any
disturbances take place on site.
4. Applicant shall enter a shared parking agreement with McCarron’s Pub and Grill to
accommodate overflow parking needs for various events.
5. Satisfy the requirement set forth in the staff report authored by environmental planner, Shann
Finwall, dated January 15, 2016.
6. Applicant shall obtain a building permit and structural engineer’s report before constructing
afence 7 feet or taller
the proposed along the perimeter of the gardened area.
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7. The existing, legal non-conforming parking lot may not be altered or expanded without gaining
the required city approvals.
Seconded by Commissioner Ige. Ayes - All
The motion passed.
This item goes to the city council on March 14, 2016.
c. 7:00 p.m. or later: Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Wetland Buffer
Variance, 2214 Woodlynn Avenue
i. Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave the report on Considering the
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Wetland Buffer Variance, 2214 Woodlynn Avenue.
ii. The applicants, Ryan and Sarah Buhl, 2214 Woodlynn Avenue, Maplewood, addressed
and answered questions of the commission.
Chairperson Arbuckle opened the public hearing.
1. Richard and Marlene Zoya, 2223 Lydia Avenue East, Maplewood, addressed the commission
about the drainage. Mr. and Mrs. Zoya’s comments were emailed to staff and forwarded to
the engineering department and included in the staff report in attachment 8.
Chairperson Arbuckle closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the resolution authorizing a wetland buffer variance for
(changes to the
2214 Woodlynn Avenue East. Approval is based on the following reasons:
conditions are underlined and deletions are stricken.)
1. Strict enforcement of the ordinance would cause the applicant practical difficulties because
complying with the wetland buffer requirement stipulated by the ordinance would prohibit the
building of any permanent structures, substantially diminishing the potential of this lot.
2. Approval of the wetland buffer variance will include the restoration of the remaining wetland
buffer, which will improve the water quality of the wetland.
3. Approval would meet the spirit and intent of the ordinance with the construction of a new
single family house on a vacant lot that is zoned and guided in the City’s comprehensive plan
as residential.
Approval of the wetland buffer variance shall be subject to the following:
1. Conditions outlined in Jon Jarosch’s January 25, 2016, Engineering Plan Review.
2. Prior to issuance of a grading permit for the new single family house the applicants must
submit:
a. A tree plan which shows the location, size, and species of all significant trees located on
the lot, and the trees that will be removed with the construction of the new single family
house. Removal of significant trees with the construction of the single family house must
comply with the City’s tree preservation ordinance and tree replacement requirements.
b. A revised survey which shows the house shifted four feet to the north, toward the road.
This will decrease the impacts to the wetland.
c. A revised grading plan which shows the location of a retaining wall to be construction
approximately 8 to 10 feet from the south side of the house, adjacent the wetland. This
will create a flat yard area and reduce the amount of grading and impacts to the wetland.
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d. A revised survey which shows the location of the proposed deck on the first floor. The
deck footings must not encroach past the proposed retaining wall located in the back yard.
This will ensure no additional impacts to the wetland.
e. A revised survey which shows the house shifted 14 feet to the east side of the lot if
feasible. This will minimize impacts of the new single family house and wetland buffer
variance to the existing single family house located at 2206 Woodlynn Avenue East.
e
. f. A wetland buffer restoration plan to the approved by City staff. This will improve the water
quality of the wetland.
f.
g. An escrow to cover up to 150 percent of the cost of the wetland buffer restoration.
3. Prior to release of the escrow, the wetland buffer plantings must be established.
Seconded by Commissioner Ayes - All
The motion passed.
Commissioner Kempe had a friendly amendment adding a new 2. g. that the applicant and
builder work with staff regarding the feasibility of reversing the house.
There was no second to the friendly amendment so it did not pass.
This goes to the city council on March 14, 2016.
6. NEW BUSINESS
None.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
8. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a. January 25, 2016 city council meeting
– Commissioner Kempe was the PC representative
and both items were passed by the city council meeting.
● Costco, 1431 Beam Avenue East
● 2015 Planning Commission Annual Report
b. March 14, 2016 city council meeting
– Commissioner Kempe will be at the meeting to
represent the CDRB and offered to represent the PC in place of Commissioner Trippler.
● Galilee Lutheran Church Community Garden, 1958 Rice Street
● Wetland Buffer Variance, 2214 Woodlynn Avenue
● Vacation of a Public Utility and Drainage Easement, 2215 Lydia Avenue
Commissioner Donofrio asked staff if the planning commission could have a meeting to discuss
what areas the planning commission has the duty of discussing and voting on.
Commissioner Trippler asked if the planning commission could look at infill at a future meeting
because there will be a large population of seniors needing housing and there may be
neighborhoods in Maplewood that could have senior housing built there. Commissioner Trippler
also asked when the commission would be reviewing the comprehensive plan again.
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10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Arbuckle adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
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