HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-04 Planning Commission MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
Corcoran Planning Commission Minutes
August 4, 2016 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Planning Commission met on August 4, 2016, at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present
were: Chair Jacobs, Commissioner Wu, Commissioner Theis, and Vice -chair Schultz.
Also present were: City Administrator Martens, City Planner Lindahl, Code Compliance Official Pritchard,
and Council Liaison Hank
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Chair Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:00pm
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Agenda Approval
Motion made by Theis seconded by Schultz to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Jacobs,
Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
4. Open Forum - Larry VanBlaricom, representative for property at PID: 01- 119 -23 -34 -0002, stated
that he had questions regarding Agenda Item 7 b. He was advised that the Commission would be
holding a public hearing regarding the item.
5. Minutes
a. Minutes - July 7, 2016
Motion made by Wu seconded by Theis to approve the minutes as presented. Voting Aye: Jacobs,
Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
6. Unfinished Business - None
7. New Business
a. Maple Hill Estates Sign Variance (16 -018)
i. Staff Report - City Planner Lindahl presented her staff report.
ii. Commission Discussion & Recommendation - The Commission clarified the cabinet
size vs. actual sign face area. Also questioned was whether or not the dynamic sign
could be used for Maple Hill Estates? It was clarified that there was not specific
language proposed in the resolution to allow or deny it.
The Commission requested information form the applicant. Present were: Barry Hay,
Maple Hill Estates, Brian Dejewski, Mobile Hope /Hope Center, and Matt Duffy, sign
designer. The applicant(s) clarified and spoke to a number of items, including: the
proposed sign is 2 -sided and identical on both sides, the 10' setback would make the
sign difficult to see, there is an auto - dimming feature, brightness meets City standards
and that Maple Hill Estates messages would be valuable as a public notice to
residents. The Commission was generally open to the idea.
The Commission shared concerns that allowing these messages may set a
precedence for residential sign messages. Staff clarified that residential uses are not
allowed dynamic displays and would require a variance to do so.
A temporary variance was discussed, but staff confirmed that a variance would run
with the property and could not be "temporary."
The Commission discussed Maple Hill Estates' off -site sign.
By consensus, the Commission supported variances 1 -3. The Commission was open
to a 4th variance for setbacks, but were looking for a larger setback as the 2' request
seemed arbitrary and did need meet the variance standards.
Future street expansion concerns were also discussed.
Motion made by Wu seconded by Schultz to recommend approval of the resolution to allow variances
for an offsite sign for Hope Center, a dynamic display on residential property, and a sign area greater
than 32 square feet. Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
Motion made by Schultz seconded by Wu to recommend approval of the resolution denying the
setback variance. Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
b. Public Hearing. [UP for Commercial Kennel for Daniel Benjamin at 19520 Stieg Road (City
File 16 -020)
i. Staff Report — City Planner Lindahl presented her staff report.
ii. Open Public Hearing — Chair Jacobs opened the public hearing.
iii. Public Comment — Larry VanBlaricom, representative for property located at PID:
01- 119 -23 -34 -0002 shared concerns about noise level, traffic, and how the
business may affect property values.
Daniel Benjamin, applicant and property owner shared that the business would be
a high -end kennel and daycare. He stated that he agreed with the staff report, but
had 2 clarifications. He would like the maximum number of boarded animals to be
75 and allow up to 6 employees per shift, (12 total). Mr. Benjamin was available
for questions.
Julie and Steve Green, 19555 Country Road submitted a letter and spoke during
the public hearing. They shared concerns with traffic, drainage, noise, waste
management, and overall effect of the business on the surrounding area including
animals and natural characteristics.
Dan Tix, 19615 Country Road, Shared support of the business. He stated that the
applicant had a good plan, was knowledgeable, and open to alleviating neighbors'
concerns.
Daniel Benjamin spoke again and stated that many of the concerns raised were
addressed in his narrative. He went over his site plan regarding parking and
screening. Mr. Benjamin also commented and presented an overview of his
narrative /plan including drop -off protocol, staffing, waste management, and noise.
iv. Close Hearing
Motion made by Theis seconded by Wu to close the public hearing. Voting Aye:
Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
v. Commission Discussion & Recommendation — The Commission discussed bark
noise and revocation procedures if there were an issue.
Clarification regarding hours of operation and employees were given. The
applicant stated that there would be 2 shifts with a total of 6 employees on site. No
animals would be outside pasted 7:OOpm. Hours would be weekdays: 6:30am —
7:OOpm; and weekends: 10:00am — 4:30pm.
The applicant stated he would like to be allowed 75 animals including daycare and
boarding.
The Commission asked for clarification regarding waste management. The
applicant stated that waste is picked up immediately, sealed, and transferred to a
closed receptacle, then removed weekly. The Applicant added that he would
comply with all state standards for his operation.
The Commission discussed conditions and recommended adding a "no breeding"
condition.
Staff clarified that the Interim Use Permit is non - transferable and that any changes
would require an amendment to the IUP.
Motion made by Schultz seconded by Theis to recommend approval of the resolution as presented.
Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
c. Public Hearing. Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Solar (city file 16 -008)
i. Staff Report — City Planner Lindahl presented her staff report.
ii. Open Public Hearing — Chair Jacobs opened the public hearing.
iii. Public Comment — Bill Weber, Sunrise Solar, submitted a letter and addressed the
Commission. He stated that he supported the ordinance with the changes he
submitted in his letter, including clarification regarding underground wiring, and
only requiring screening to adjacent housing. He also recommended changes
regarding decommissioning.
Michelle Mathews, Minnesota Solar (applicant) stated that they were in support of
the ordinance.
iv. Close Hearing
Motion made by Wu seconded by Theis to close the public hearing. Voting Aye:
Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
v. Commission Discussion & Recommendation — The Commission asked if the
property would be exempt from future assessments. Staff clarified that it would not
but would be subject to the City assessment policy.
The Commission asked how the City would enforce future screening needs if it
was not required with the IUP. Staff stated that screening should be required per
the revised draft ordinance.
Staff clarified that the IUP would last 30 years.
The Commission discussed the suggested changes submitted by Mr. Weber, but
did not recommend any of the changes
Motion made by Wu seconded by Schultz to recommend approval of the revised ordinance and
findings of fact. Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
d. Public Hearing. Subdivision Ordinance Amendment (16 -017)
i. Staff Report — City Planner Lindahl presented her staff report.
ii. Open Public Hearing — Chair Jacobs opened the public hearing.
iii. Public Comment - Steve Motley, 6620 Pioneer Trail, stated that he supported the
ordinance amendment. He said that platting for a minor change can become cost
prohibitive and that the proposed change would be less expensive.
iv. Close Hearing
Motion made by Theis seconded by Wu to close the public hearing. Voting Aye:
Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
v. Commission Discussion & Recommendation - The Commission asked for
clarification regarding filing. Staff confirmed that County filing would still be
required. Easement vacations would still require public hearing and Council
approval.
Staff stated that platting could cost 2 -3 times more than the proposed minor
subdivision requirements.
Motion made by Theis seconded by Schultz to recommend approval of the ordinance and findings
of fact. Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
At 10:29pm, a short recess was taken; the meeting reconvened at 10:32pm.
e. Public Hearing. Zoning Ordinance update to Floodplain Regulations (Section 1050.030 and
1020.020) (City file 16 -019)
i. Staff Report - City Planner Lindahl presented her staff report.
ii. Open Public Hearing - Chair Jacobs opened the public hearing.
iii. Public Comment - None
iv. Close Hearing
Motion made by Theis seconded by Wu to close the public hearing.
Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
v. Commission Discussion & Recommendation - Staff clarified that there
was little to no discretion in the ordinance requirements.
Motion made by Wu seconded by Theis to recommend approval of the ordinance and findings of
fact. Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
f. Public Hearing. Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Temporary Family Health Care
Dwellings of 2016 opt -out (city file 16 -021)
i. Staff Report - City Planner Lindahl presented her staff report.
ii. Open Public Hearing - Chair Jacobs opened the public hearing.
iii. Public Comment -None
iv. Close Hearing
Motion made by Theis seconded by Wu to close the public hearing.
Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
v. Commission Discussion & Recommendation - None
Motion made by Wu seconded by Theis to recommend approval of the ordinance and findings of
fact. Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz. (Motion carried 4:0)
8. Reports /Information
a. Planning Project Update - Information only
b. City Council Report - Council Liaison Hank updated the Planning Commission on City Council
activities.
c. Other Business - Administrator Martens shared with the Commission that Rickey Ravnholdt
had officially resigned and that there was one Planning Commission application on file. The
application would go in front of the Council to ask if they wanted to act on it or advertise the
position.
9. Adjournment
Motion made by Theis seconded by Wu to adjourn Voting Aye: Jacobs, Wu, Theis, and Schultz.
(Motion carried 4:0) Meeting adjourned at 10:43pm.
Submitted by
Mike Pritchard
Code Compliance Official