HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-21 PC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 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:
Absent
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Tom Ekstrand. Citv Planner
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the agenda as amended, adding item 9.c.-National Night Out.
Commissioner Pearson seconded
The motion passed.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. July 7, 2009
Ayes - all
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the minutes of July 7, 2009 as amended, changing "he
suggested" on the third line of page eight to "the suggestions for next year. . ."
Commissioner Pearson seconded
The motion passed.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
Ayes - Fischer, Martin, Pearson, Trippler,
Walton, Yarwood
Abstention - Desai
a. Planned Unit Development Ordinance Review (PUD)
Planner Tom Ekstrand presented the staff report for the annual review of the PUD ordinance for possible
changes by the commission.
Planner Ekstrand read the following suggested alterations to the ordinance that were submitted by
Commissioner Hess, who could not attend tonight's meeting:
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Minutes of 07-21-09
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. Section 44-6. Definitions. I would suggest changing the wording in Basic structural alteration to
read, "Basic structural alteration means any modification to the framinq of a buildinq. whether by
extending on any side or by increasing in height, lenqth. width or chanqes caused bv the moving of
a building from one location to another.
. Section 44-6. Definitions: Conditional use means. . . as provided by official controls. This should
be expanded to better define "official controls."
. Section 44-6. Definitions: Planned Unit Development (PUD) means. . . Residential PUDs must. . .
or dwelling site. Question: Language regarding the timing of a PUD and how it gets recorded in
the City Plat Map.
. Section 44-1092. Conditional Uses. (1) Public utilities, private utilities (cell phone providers),
public service or public building uses. (4) An off-street parking. . . in a commercial, hiqh densitv
residential or industrial zoning district.
. Section 44-1093. (c) The development shall conform to the plan and specifications as filed with
the city. Any substantive changes in the plan or specifications shall require. . . after a public
hearing.
. Section 44-1096. (b) at least ten days. . . ten days before the date of the hearing. If the area
beinq considered for the conditional use is more than 350 feet from the nearest adiacent propertv
owners. those owners abuttinq the area for consideration shall be notified.
. Section 44-1098. Conditions. (b) (6) Compatibility of appearance with surrounding land uses and
conformitv to current zoninq requlations.
. Section 44-1101. Termination, suspension or revision. (a) second to the last sentence; if the
proposed. . . property owners within 350 feet and reference Section 44-1096. item (b).
Commissioner Martin suggested that a change be made to ensure that other city commissions review and
have input into CU P applications. Planner Ekstrand said that going to all of the six commissions for review
with a proposal could affect the 60-day review deadline. Planner Ekstrand explained that it is sometimes
appropriate and necessary for a commission to review a relevant CUP application.
Commissioner Fischer said that 44-1096 (b) should be corrected to read that the planning commission
legally holds the public hearing for each application, rather than the city council.
The commission agreed that the language requiring the review of applications by all six commissions was
not appropriate, but that staff should determine if any commissions should review the application.
Commissioner Yarwood suggested that the other commissions could be notified of the PUD/CUP request
to be considered at the planning commission's public hearing and they could attend if they would like to
comment on an application.
Commissioner Yarwood said he agrees with Mr. Hess' comments regarding cell phone providers and
suggested that more leeway is needed in placement and height of cell phone towers. Planner Ekstrand
said the city has a cell phone ordinance and the planning commission might want to have another
discussion to review the cell phone ordinance. Commissioner Yarwood also suggested that the
commission may want to add language on the use of alternative energy systems in the home
environment.
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Commissioner Walton said the ordinance standards are all subjective and are not quantifiable. The
commission agreed and discussed possible ways to measure or to quantify the standards.
Commissioner Yarwood said Section 44-1092 is confusing and suggested correcting the language to read
"in any zoning districts in which they are not permitted, but not specifically prohibited."
Planner Ekstrand said that other ordinances have references to PUDs and he will be reviewing those
ordinances and including that information when he brings the suggested changes to the PU D ordinance
back to the commission for review.
Commissioner Walton suggested adding a clause to strengthen Section 44-1098 (7) to state "stressing the
preservation of potentially developable land."
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a. City Council Meeting of July 13: No planning items on the agenda.
b. Upcoming City Council Meeting of July 27, 2009: Commissioner Pearson
c. National Night Out - August 4, 2009
Planner Ekstrand said National Night Out will be held on August 4, which is the next scheduled planning
commission meeting and asked the commission if they want to meet that night. It was noted by staff that
there are no items for consideration at this time.
Commissioner Martin moved to cancel the planning commission meeting scheduled on August 4 due to
National Night Out.
Commissioner Desai seconded
A friendly amendment was made and accepted to the motion stating the planning commission could
meet on August 4 if there is an issue that needs review.
The commission voted: Ayes - all
The motion passed.
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Minutes of 07-21-09
X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
None
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
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