MINUTES CITY OF LINDSTROM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 th, 2012 7:00 P.M. City Hall Chambers 13292 Sylvan Ave., Lindstrom, MN CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE: Acting Chair Klun called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. CALL OF ROLL: Those Present: Others Present: Acting Chair Fuge, Commissioners Fricke, Backer, Waldoch, Erlandson, and Liaison Flug Administrator Olinger, Building Official Colberg, Administrative Assistant Barnes, Colleen Sherman, Sarah Lyons John Mollner of SCRMC, John Harris of Harris Architecture, Don Bluhm, Amy Ronae, Paul Weiler, Lyle Erickson, Diane & Al Beitz CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA: Motion by Erlandson, second by Fricke, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: 1. Minutes of February 1 st, 2012 Motion by Backer, second by Erlandson to approve. Commissioner Waldoch referred to pg. 2 of the Minutes, the last paragraph, and clarified he was referring to the adoption of the North Meadows Development. The Draft Minutes do not accurately reflect this. Minutes shall be revised to reflect Waldoch s clarifications, and approved. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS/PRESENTATIONS: 1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment 1
Administrator Olinger stated consideration this evening will be directed towards amending the Comprehensive Plan. We will be reconsidering the zones along Hwy. 8 due to the reconstruction and future growth. The areas of consideration are near the intersection of CSAH 14 and Hwy. 8, and also the area which fronts along and the new frontage road parallel to Hwy. 8. MnDOT has directed a new frontage road for traffic safety purposes, and to alleviate the current accesses directly off and on Hwy. 8. The area includes Security State Bank of Marine, Re/Max, Lindstrom Foods, Arby s, and Nabpco, along with (4) residential properties near Moonlight Bay on South Lindstrom Lake. The residential properties to be re-zoned are owned by the Ericksons and Niemans. The recommendation is to re-zone the Residential property to Business (B-2) in order to conform with the surrounding properties. We must consider the highest and best use of the properties and areas along Hwy. 8. Staff is recommending the area be zoned for Commercial properties vs. Residential homes. Motion by Waldoch, second by Backer, to open the Public Hearing regarding the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Motion carried 5-0. Diane Beitz questioned Commissioners stating she is not familiar with the Nieman property. Administrator Olinger pointed out the location on the map via overhead. He added they own (3) parcels there. MnDOT has purchased one due to the Hwy. 8 Project. Al Beitz requested clarification regarding the timing of the Hwy. 8 Project, the new Frontage Road construction, and the Re-zone and highway construction, and also the SCRMC (St. Croix Regional Medical Center) which is looking to purchase in this same area. Administrator Olinger stated MnDOT is projecting a start date for Hwy. 8 on April 24 th. It is hard to know exactly, but they will begin near the Bridge area, and also on First Ave. The City is requesting that the Frontage Road near CSAH 14 and Moon light Bay be done at the beginning of construction also, as to allow for the timing of constructing a new Clinic. Diane Beitz questioned when the new Clinic would be open? Moellner of SCRMC stated they would like to break ground this spring, and have the Clinic open by winter of 2012. There being no further questions, Motion by Backer, second by Waldoch to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Waldoch stated he had concerns regarding the property which had a Lake access. It is an easement down the steep slope, and it is nonuseable by SCRMC. He felt the zoning should be left as R-1 on this parcel for future sales as Residential. Administrator Olinger stated the easement on this 2
lot is included in their design as part of the Water Retention Plan. Waldoch reminded that an easement cannot be blocked. Motion by Waldoch, second by Erlandson, to recommend to Council that the Comprehensive Plan be amended to identify the Erickson and Niemann properties, and the properties on the Highway 8 Frontage as General Business vs. R-1 (PID s 15.00794.35, 15.00794.50, 15.00794.40, 15.00794.80, 15.00794.55, 15.00794.53). Motion carried 5-0. 2. Re-zoning and Conditional Use Permit-SCRMC Administrator Olinger stated there are (2) parts to the request, neither require action this evening. SCRMC is requesting a re-zone from R-1 to B-2, and also a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for parking over (5) stalls. There will be continued discussion for the items such as the Bluff Line, the Storm Water Plan, etc. when the Building Permit Application is received and reviewed. John Harris of Harris Architecture prefaced his presentation by stating they are working on variations of the Plan. They are done with the Storm Water Calculations. He felt SCRMC is being environmentally sensitive and energy conscious with their Designs. The presentation included the projected frontage road, the entrances/exits, the landscaping and buffering, the parking areas, the water treatment ponds and infiltration areas, etc. The recent plan shows they are trying to keep the building off of the slope. The building is a 2-story plan with a walk-out lower level, and is mostly windows across the entire back of the building. There is an area for a Memorial, with paths and a Gazebo. The existing wooded area will be left intact, with new trees and vegetation added. They are looking for quiet aesthetics for the building. Other areas reviewed were the Staff areas, the Plaza, the Mobile Trailer area, etc. Erlandson commented there is a Bluff Zone on the property and questioned if we have a Bluff Impact Zone on the site? Building Official Colberg stated they must stay (30) feet off of the Bluff Line. Administrator Olinger stated they are currently working on the Building Plan in order to keep it out of the Impact Zone. If they cannot make it work, they may come back with a request for a Variance. Erlandson stated his concern is to add erosion controls, etc. Moellner of SCRMC stated they are currently working with the DNR. Waldoch commented in order for it to be determined a Bluff, it has to be a minimum of (30) feet high. They may not have a Bluff Zone here, as it does not look to be that high. Harris continued with the building itself showing the floor plans. Areas included were the Entrance, the Stairs and Elevators, the Waiting Rooms, the Reception area, the Labs, the X-Ray area, the Counseling Offices, the Nurses 3
BUSINESS: area, the Exam rooms, the Procedure rooms, etc. The building is approximately 10,000 square feet. Harris reviewed the exterior views and renderings. They are looking for the natural look for the building and site. The review included the elevations, the lake views, the front views, the Landscaping, the slope, etc. Neighbor Diane Beitz addressed the Commission stating she is not happy with this in her back yard. She questioned where exactly it will be located? Will the lights be on all the time? Will they be open on the weekends? Moellner of SRCMC stated they are expecting weekday hours, and have not decided yet on being open on the weekends. The lighting will be on the opposite side of the building from them (north side) in the parking area. Harris added the type of lights being used shine directly down. It is a nonsmoking facility, and they do not anticipate guests wandering about or smoking in the Gazebo. Looking from the rear of the Beitz property, and based on the elevations, the Beitzs will still have a rear view into the slope vs. the building. The building will be on the north side/edge of where the existing cabin is now. Beitz questioned where the water will flow. Moellner stated they are working with the Soil & Water, and the plans are it will not hold water permanently, but rather it will filtrate into the ground. The Design has natural outflows to the Lake vs. the neighboring properties. They are working on finalizing the plans and will present the Storm Water and Landscaping plans again next month. Motion by Erlandson, second by Backer, to continue the Public Hearing to the April 4 th Planning Commission meeting. Motion carried 5-0. 1. Honey Bees Amy Ronoe addressed the Commission stating that she was the Honey Bee Queen in 2007. She gave a presentation and commented most persons are afraid they will be stung by bees. The Honey Bee is docile, and usually only forages for nectar and pollen from plants. She felt raising bees is an enjoyable and a safe hobby for all ages. The product of honey is not only nutricious, but it is an alternative to sugar and is very good for persons with allergies. Ms. Ronoe stated the City of Minneapolis does have an Ordinance allowing for the keeping of Bees in their City. Her request is for the City of Lindstrom to allow her to raise bees on her property within the City Limits. Commissioner Klun commented that the work, expenses, and fees seemed high and questioned if it is possible that one could purchase more honey for 4
less than the same amount of money spent on raising them. Ms. Ronoe recommended a low $25.00 Permit Fee, because the costs are high and it does not include the additional inspection fees for the hives, etc. Klun questioned if there are problems with other animals getting into the hives. Ronoe stated skunks will scratch and try to get to the Bees to eat them. Commissioner Waldoch stated he felt bees were ok to raise in the City, as long as they have distance restrictions from the neighbors. One usually plants tall plants to direct the bees flight up and over and away from the neighbors. He added there should also be a limit on the number of hives allowed. Administrator Olinger is to research this item further, and possibly draft something for review regarding the raising of bees within the City limits. 2. Self Service Storage Units Administrator Olinger stated Mr. Bluhm addressed Commissioners in February regarding the idea of building Self-Storage Units on his property. The Planning Commission requested further definition regarding the language in the Ordinance on the terms Public Garages vs. Storage Units. A new definition for Self Storage Units is included in the Packets. Also, a modification in the B-2 General Business District was needed to allow for the term Self Service Storage Units under the section on Conditional Uses. Staff s recommendation is to add: (K) self service storage units (with or without outdoor storage.) under Ordinance 154.158, Conditional Uses in the B-2 General Business District. Commissioner Waldoch questioned the language Containers, and if they wish to remove it and replace it with the word goods instead. He felt it may need further definition regarding property and possessions of the owner. Building Official Colberg added they are now using Pods vs. Container storage also. Waldoch also questioned if they should be using a CUP for all Self-Storage Units. Colberg clarified it is already a Conditional Use in the B- 2 District. Erlandson stated we should not be using Pods next to a Residential area they should be used in an Industrial zone instead. He believed when using Pods, it looks similar to a ship yard. Administrator Olinger stated a CUP would take into consideration and spell out those concerns and conditions. Erlandson reminded they should not be using Pods when in view of a Residential neighborhood, and we really do need to be mindful and careful of this. 3. Stone Gate Trailer Park Administrator Olinger stated the owner of the Trailer Park approached the residents with regards to purchasing it from him. The discussion tonight is regarding the outcome if the Trailer Court were to be divided into individual lots and ownership. Items of consideration are the Roads, Maintenance of 5
them, a Private Well vs. City Water, Fire Protection, what type of platting is required, etc. Building Official Colberg stated they are looking at raising the lot rents to cover an Association Fee for maintenance, etc. There are (50) Units within the Park. He believed we would need to speak to the City Attorney regarding some of the details if this were to happen. Commissioner Erlandson stated it is not a good situation, whether they move forward or leave the property as is. Liaison Flug questioned the existing sewer. Olinger stated there is a line which is unmetered, but they do not know the location. It is also currently a private well. Erlandson questioned if they were billed for water by Units? He felt they should be if they currently are not. Waldoch added the property has been for sale for awhile, but he did not know that they were entertaining offers other than this one with their residents. The owner is not compelled to sell the property. Erlandson questioned if they would all own shares in the entire Trailer Court. Waldoch felt it would be much like ownership of Condos. Erlandson felt the City Attorney should review this before it moves any further ahead. Olinger commented the concern is the old well and getting City water to the properties. It is going to be an added and very expensive project for the current tenants/residents to take on. Colberg reminded the City does have an Ordinance that pertains to and specifically addresses Mobile Home Parks. Olinger added this is not an action item this evening, but the Commissioners should think about this before it appears before the Commission for discussion. 4. April 4 th Planning Meeting Date? ADJOURNMENT: Respectfully, Olinger stated Chair Millington will not be able to attend the April meeting. He will get back to Minnesota too late. He was wondering if the meeting date could be changed to later in the month. Consensus of the Commission was to leave the April Planning Meeting on April 4 th, 2012. Motion by Backer, second by Waldoch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Barb Barnes Administrative Assistant 6