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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-19 PC Minutes MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Joseph Boeser Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Harland Hess Commissioner Robert Martin Commissioner Gary Pearson Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Joe Walton Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood City Staff Present: Present Absent Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Tom Ekstrand. Citv Planner Shann Finwall. Environmental Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Trippler seconded The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. May 5, 2009 Ayes - all Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the amended minutes of May 5, 2009, removing Mr. Boeser's name from the voting in Item IV. and changing the phrase wet-cast to pre-cast in the last sentence of the second paragraph on page 2. Commissioner Hess seconded The motion passed. V. PUBLIC HEARING Ayes - Fischer, Hess, Martin, Pearson, Trippler, Walton, Yarwood Abstention - Boeser a. 7:05 p.m.: Conditional Use Permit-T-Mobile Cell Phone Tower, 1961 County Road C Planner Ekstrand presented the staff report for this request by T -Mobile to erect a 75-foot-tall wireless telecommunications tower for cellular telephone operations on land leased from Independent School District No. 622 at the Harmony Learning Center, located at 1961 County Road C East. The pole would be located where a 30-foot light pole currently exists within the school's parking lot. Mr. Ekstrand explained that this proposal meets all of the ordinance criteria for tower height and location. Planning Commission Minutes of 05-19-09 -2- Commissioner Trippler said the tower location is a safety issue in the area of the school bus loading area and asked why it was not located in the ball field outfield area. Commissioner Hess said he observed the site and the proposed tower location would be in the school's bus loading area. Mr. Hess said the tower would not be aesthetically pleasing in that area. Commissioner Boeser questioned why the site location on such a large parcel was not established away from the school or on another site in the area. Pat Conlin said she works for FMHC and as an agent representing T-Mobile. Ms. Conlin said their request for this tower is due to the expanding number of cell phone users. Ms. Conlin said the suggested water tower location will not work since it is too low and it will not penetrate the environment within this particular search ring. Ms. Conlin explained that T-Mobile considered several other possible tower location sites in this area, but none of them met the needed requirements. Ms. Conlin said Harmony School is now being used for adult education and there are no children attending the school. Ms. Conlin explained that the representatives of the school have signed the application and lease agreement with T -Mobile and are very familiar with the details of this project. Ms. Conlin explained that the tower location was determined because the city's ordinance prefers that an existing site be used and T -Mobile would be replacing an existing light and not be adding something else on the property. Ms. Conlin explained that monopoles are constructed in such a way that even in hurricane environments they do not fail. Thierry Colson, engineer for T-Mobile, said this proposal is for a very low power system with an output of the transmitter equipment on the base system of 25 watts. Commissioner Walton asked why the tower height was set for 75 feet. Ms. Conlin responded that in this zoning code area 75 feet is the maximum allowed height with one collocation. Commissioner Trippler asked if the commission's recommendation tonight included a change of location for the tower to the northeast or northwest corner of the site, and if the school district agreed with this change, if T-Mobile would be agreeable to change the location. Ms. Conlin responded that when T-Mobile designs a site they consider the landlord's needs, the existing utilities on the property, and what makes sense from a construction cost standpoint. Ms. Conlin explained that if all things considered are equal and with landlord approval and a reasonable location found, T-Mobile would not be adverse to it. Ms. Conlin said this request meets all of the city's code requirements. The public hearing was opened for comments from the public: Linda Olson, the resident adjacent to the proposed tower, said her property extends to the adjacent wetland and the lot next to her is owned by the Olson Property Trust, who is her brother. Ms. Olson mentioned this property has been owned by her family for many years. Ms. Olson said she will be able to see this tower out of every window in her house and she feels there is a better location for the tower. Ms. Olson said she is opposed to this proposal and with having this tower constructed in this location. Commissioner Hess moved the planning commission table this request for a conditional use permit for the proposed 75-foot-tall wireless telecommunications tower and ground equipment until a more suitable location is found. Commissioner Pearson seconded The commission discussed whether this request could be approved for another location on this proposed school district site or whether tabling this request until the next meeting to allow more time to look at various locations would be more appropriate. Planning Commission Minutes of 05-19-09 -3- The commission voted on the motion to table: Ayes-Fischer, Hess, Martin, Pearson, Trippler, Walton, Yarwood Nays-Boeser The motion passed. Patricia Conlin asked for clarification on what locations the commission would be agreeable to. The commission responded they would like the applicant to look at other locations and also investigate the northeast and northwest corners of this site. Ms. Conlin reiterated that T -Mobile's request for the proposed school district location meets all of the city's code requirements. b. 8:41 p.m.: Conditional Use Permit Amendment-Bruentrup Heritage Farm, 2170 County Road D Planner Shann Finwall presented the staff report for this request for a conditional use permit amendment. Planner Finwall said the Maplewood Area Historical Society (MAHS) was originally granted approval of the conditional use permit to operate the Bruentrup Farm. Planner Finwall explained that the Society now is requesting approval for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm facility to be rented out for large events, in addition to hosting their own small and large events. Commissioner Hess asked for clarification on what the noise ordinance and required hours of compliance would be for this facility. Planner Finwall responded that the noise ordinance requires that no disturbing noises be generated after 7 p.m., but that staff is recommending that all large-scale music be held inside the barn only. Commissioner Boeser said he is concerned with possible noise complaints with people coming and going from the facility during wedding events. Mr. Boeser said he has concerns with the applicant not being able to provide transportation from the Salvation Army parking site for large events. Commissioner Trippler said he has concerns with the discrepancy between the city and applicant regarding the maximum allowable occupancy, the requirement that renters obtain additional liability insurance, and the problems with transporting people in rainy weather in an open wagon. Commissioner Martin commented that the improvements to widen White Bear Avenue recently considered by the commission are already reducing parking spaces for businesses along White Bear Avenue. Robert Overby was present representing the applicant, Maplewood Area Historical Society. Mr. Overby said the MAHS envisions hosting three to six non-historical events annually. Mr. Overby said the MAHS has worked with staff to complete the necessary requirements to hold large events and by controlling the type of activities that would be held at the farm. Mr. Overby said the MAHS agrees with the need for a shuttle to transport people from the parking areas to the farm and that the tractor and wagon would not be used for large groups or after dark. Mr. Overby said they have a written agreement with Salvation Army for 78 parking spaces and expect to get a written agreement with Harbor Pointe for another 250 parking spaces. Commissioner Boeser commented that if the MAHS eliminated holding weddings and not allowing alcohol at the farm most of the issues would go away. Mr. Overby said weddings were seen as a target group where there might be limited rental interest and would create larger revenue. Carolyn Peterson, 1801 Gervais Avenue and a member of MAHS, said the purpose of MAHS is as an historical farm. Ms. Peterson said they have school groups coming to the farm, but they need to have fund raising to support the farm expenses. Planning Commission Minutes of 05-19-09 -4- Commissioner Hess commented that if the situations could be controlled and liability issues are taken care of, he did not see any problem with having an occasional wedding at the farm and he understands that they would probably generate more cash flow than some of the other events. Commissioner Pearson said he would not be upset if a rental of a smaller group wedding were held that celebrates the heritage. Mr. Pearson said he does not like use of the wagon or cutting another trail through what is supposed to be prairie land and maintained as such. Mr. Pearson said he also has a problem with the current conditional use permit that requires "the use would generate minimal vehicular traffic local streets and would not create traffic congestion or unsafe access on an existing street" and Mr. Pearson said he feels this proposal would. Mr. Pearson said the existing conditional use permit calls for additional parking with an amendment of the permit. Mr. Overby responded that staff has determined that the grade off of County Road D is too steep to allow the westerly parking area to be enlarged. Mr. Overby said that even for medium-sized events, MAHS would need to rely on additional off-site parking with a shuttle bus provided. Commissioner Pearson said he is concerned that this proposal could be precedent setting. Mr. Overby responded that if the commission finds it is not appropriate to use off-site parking, an expansion of the existing parking lot will need to be investigated or the weddings will need to be held during daytime hours with no alcohol served. Mr. Overby said the MAHS is open to trying various rental events in trying to make this fund raising successful. Richard Currie, a member of the Maplewood Preservation Commission, said at their last meeting a motion was made to have this request for a CUP amendment come before their commission before it went before the planning commission, but staff moved it to the planning commission first. Mr. Currie said many issues were added by staff that the preservation commission is not in favor of. Char Wasiluk, 1740 Frank Street and a member of MAHS, said she wanted to comment on the negative attitude on the weddings. Ms. Wasiluk said there was a large wedding held at the farm last fall and there was only one small complaint regarding driving a vehicle on the trail and the driver was told to stop immediately. Ms. Wasiluk said farm weddings are very popular and are a good way for MAHS to raise funds. George Rossbach, 1406 County Road C East and a member of MAHS, said that many volunteer hours and dollars have gone into the farm in the last ten years. Mr. Rossbach said the stumbling block at this point seems to be a historic event as opposed to a non-historic event. Mr. Rossbach said he hates to see the weddings eliminated as a source of income. Mr. Rossbach said the use of the building for fund raising is quite limited, since there is no heat or air conditioning in the building. Nicholas and Chris Glendenning, 2226 County Road D East, said he considers a large wedding with alcohol much different than a youth sock hop in the barn. Mr. Glendenning is concerned with living next to a wedding reception hall, loud music after 10-11 p.m., traffic and littering. Chris Glendenning clarified that they live two houses from the farm with all of the bedrooms facing the farm. Ms. Glendenning said they are concerned with loud noise since they have young children. Commissioner Trippler said he is concerned that this proposal would set a precedent; he is concerned with damages to the buildings and property with alcohol being used, and excessive noise in the neighborhood. Commissioner Fischer said she was concerned with considering this proposal without the recommendation from the historical commission. Planning Commission Minutes of 05-19-09 -5- Robert Overby suggested that if the commission is going to table this proposal, that direction be given to MAHS by the commission of their consensus of what should be eliminated. There were no further comments from the public; the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Trippler commented that members of MAHS have heard the comments and concerns tonight and should be able to make some changes based on their wants or what they think is appropriate, rather than having the commission tell them their wants. Commissioner Hess said he has some of the same concerns with safety, security, and noise, but he feels if there is security on site, shuttle service to the site, limited hours and noise constraints, the weddings could be successful and provide the needed revenue. Commissioner Hess moved to table this request until the historical commission considers it and gives its recommendation. Commissioner Martin seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. May 11, 2009 City Council Meeting: Commissioner Yarwood reported on this meeting. b. Upcoming City Council Meeting of May 28, 2009: Commissioner Fischer will attend. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. 2009 Summer Planning Commission Tour Date Suggestions Planner Ekstrand asked for suggested dates to hold the commission tour. The commission provided suggestions and chose July 1 as their first choice. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.