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Home My WebLink About12/19/1990PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY December 19, 1990 1. CALL TO ORDER The December 19, 1990 meeting of the Apple Valley Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Robert Erickson at 7:35 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the City of Apple Valley City Hall. Members Present: Chairman Robert Erickson, Members Carlson, Edgeton, Felkner, Gowling, Kitzman, and Sterling. Staff Present: Richard Kelley, Meg McMonigal, Scott Hickok, and Dennis Welsch. Others Present: Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The agenda was approved with three items added to discussion items. Item 711 - Gravel Update Item 7C - State Budget Crisis Item 7D - Goal Setting Session - January 10, 1991 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 28, 1990 MEETING The minutes of the November 28, 1990 meeting were approved unanimously as written. 4. CONSENT AGENDA (One motion sends items needing no discussion on to the City Council with the staff recommendations.) - None - 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None - Planning Commission Minutes December 19, 1990 Page 2 6. LAND USE /ACTION ITEMS A. Lindsay Front Yard Setback Variance LOCATION: 8110 - 159th Street Court PETITIONER: Thomas M. or Debra D. Lindsay (PC90- 060 -V) STAFF REPORT: December 19, 1990 by City Planner Richard Kelley City Planner Richard Kelley provided a background report in which he described a front yard setback variance request by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lindsay. The front corner of a newly designed dining room and garage addition would extend to within 25 feet of the front property line, thus, requiring a 5 foot setback variance. Kelley explained that the hardship in this case was caused by the existing house plan that allows adding additions to the house only on the front of the house for dining room and garage space. In addition, the odd shape of the cul -de -sac lot makes it difficult to add additions without a variance. The Planning Staff recommended approval of the variance citing the house design and cul -de -sac lot as the reasons for approving a variance. The adjacent neighbor had submitted a letter indicating that he approved of the variance. MOTION: It was moved by Member Carlson, seconded by Member Sterling, to recommend approval of the 5 foot setback variance for the Thomas Lindsay house, citing the staff reasons for approval. The motion carried unanimously. B. Ramalynn Montessori Academy, Inc. Sign Setback Variance LOCATION: 15004 Glazier Avenue PETITIONER: Ramalynn Montessori Academy, Inc. (PC90- 061 -V) STAFF REPORT: December 19, 1990 by Associate Planner Scott Hickok Associate Planner Scott Hickok presented a background report illustrating that Ramalynn Montessori Academy is requesting a sign setback variance to allow a free standing sign to set within 4 feet of the property line. The sign code requires a 13 foot setback. Therefore, a variance of 9 feet is requested. Hickok noted that the request for a variance is both contrary to the ordinance and to the Downtown Design Guidelines. The staff noted that the chain link fence within the yard of the academy could be modified to allow visibility to the east and west for a sign set at the proper setback. The sign would be internally lit and could be up to 8 feet in height. The academy could also place a sign on the building. Planning Commission Minutes December 19, 1990 Page 3 The staff recommended denial of the variance request because alternatives do exist. Member Felkner asked for clarification regarding sign size and how it could be placed adjacent to the chain link fence and still remain visible. The staff responded that at least 3 feet of the 9 would be visible even if placed adjacent to a chain link fence. Hickok noted that this Ramalynn sign is the only free standing sign set less than 12 feet from the property line on County Road 42. He noted that he will check past records and permits to determine if the original sign had a proper permit. Member Sterling stated that the sign could be placed at the corner of the property, either within the fence line or by changing the fence line. In addition, the sign could be placed on the fence itself if the fence met the required sign setback of 13 feet. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Sterling, seconded by Member Gowling, to recommend denial of the Ramalynn Montessori Academy sign variance request of 9 feet because alternatives do exist which would not require a variance. The motion carried unanimously. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS B. Gravel Report Dennis Welsch provided a verbal report on changes in the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement regarding the consolidated gravel plans south of County Road 42. He distributed a report which was sent to all residents who attended an April 5, 1990 meeting to discuss the impacts on residential areas adjacent to the proposed gravel area. A general discussion ensued regarding the impact of gravel and the potential time delays. A. Transportation Plan & Policies Associate Planner Meg McMonigal provided an outline of the conclusions to a study entitled "Improve 494" travel management report. The report read as follows: Improve 494 Conclusions and Recommendations of Research on Traffic Congestion and Shared Transportation Alternatives ` Congestion (on 494) is not yet intolerable enough for most people to consider an alternate to driving alone Before considering an alternate, employees would first: Planning Commission Minutes December 20, 1990 Page 4 - change their working hours - take local city streets - live closer to work - change jobs * Short distance commuters are resistant to any shared transportation services. They would continue to drive if: - gas prices rise - tolls are charged but may consider an alternate if: - parking charges are imposed * Longer distance commuters are more receptive to sharing transportation services. - mini bus or van service and regular route buses are the most attractive - they would only use it if were convenient (picked them up close to home and dropped them off close to work) - most through service should not cost more than out -of- pocket operating costs for their cars * Carpooling is not an attractive alternative; people like the privacy of their own car * Most people thought that they would use a service 3 or 4 days a week, rather than every day * The most attractive incentive for using a shared service is the "guaranteed ride home" for emergencies or overtime * Employers are willing to give time and in -kind services to encourage shared transportation services, but are generally unwilling to provide any direct cash outlay * Free parking is very important to employers - particularly smaller employers No action was taken on this topic. Planning Commission Minutes December 19, 1990 Page 5 C. State Budget Crisis Dennis Welsch reported that the City will have implications regarding the State cutback in State Aid to cities. This may eliminate the City's Capital Improvement Fund in future years, which is funded by State Aids. D. City Goal Setting Sessions Member Allen Felkner was appointed to attend the Annual City Goal Setting Session on January 10th and 11th at Canterbury Inn in Shakopee. 8. OTHER BUSINESS A. Chairman Erickson asked the staff to prepare a report on the three potential airport sites and the initial impacts upon the City. Dennis Welsch will see that the report prepared by Jeff Weldon is circulated to the Planning Commission at a future date. B. Zoning Consistency Reports The Planning Commission agreed to review incomplete zoning consistency reports and schedule work sessions to complete these projects at its' next meeting on January 3, 1991. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. kg