PL 05/09/1973 - 31151�
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CITY OF FRIDLEY
PL,�SIVNING COi�IINISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER:
MAY 9, 1973
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Chaia�man Fitzpatrick called the meeting to order at 8:10 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
P�embers Present: Fitzpatrick, Harris, L�ndblad, Blair, Drigans
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Darrel Clark, Community Dev@lopment Administrator�
,4PPROVE PLANNING CODM�IISSION MINUTES: APRIL 18, 1973
P90TION by Drigans, seconded by BZair, tlaat the Planning Corr¢nission
minute� af April 1�, 1973 be approved as written. iTpon a voice vote, a11
voting aye, the rr�otion .carried unanimously.
RECEIVE PLATS $ SUBDIVISIONS-STREETS F, UTILITTES SUBCONA�JITTE� MINUTES:
APRIL 18, 1973
MOTION by Elarris, secondPd by Lindblad, that the PZanning Conanission
,receive the P1ats & Su�divisions-Streets & Utilities Subcatranittee minutes
of Apri1 18, 1973. Upon a voice vote, a11 voting aye, the mot�on carr�.ed
unanimously.
RECEIVE BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES: APRIL 24, 1973
1►90TION by B1air, seconded by Drigans, that the PZanning Commission
receive the Board of Appeals minutes of Apri1 24, 1973. Upon a voice
vote, a11 voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Drigans called Chairman Fitzpatrick's attention to page 26 in
the agenda and the statement by Mr. Crowder that he recommended that the
Planning Commission look into these areas o£ allowing or not allowing ae�co
setbacks. Chairmara Fitzpatrick said we will add this as the last item on
our agenda and discuss it at that time.
RECEIVE BUILDING STANDARDS-DESIGN CONTROL SUBCONIltiIITTEE MINUTES: APRIL 26
1973
MOTION by Lindblad, seconded by Harris, t�iat the PZanning Commission
recezv'e the Building Standards-Design Con�rol Subcomrru�ttee minutes of
Apri1 26, 1973. Upon a voice vote, a11 voting aye, the motion carried
unanimously.
lo CONTINUED: PUBLIC HEARING: REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL USE PEfL'NIT, SP #73�02,
RUSSELL SCHLEN�IER: To construct a detached secand garage on Lots S and
6, Block 14, Spring Brook Park, per City Code, Section 45.051, 2 A.
Public Hearing open:
Planning Commission Meeting - May 9, 1973 page 2
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Mr. Russell Schlemmer was present.
�hairman Fitzpatrick asked the petitioner if he had any statement
ta make at this time.
' Mr. Schlemmer said his original pxoposal was to have the garage
45 feet behind the house and 5 feet fram the prvperty line. Because the
Commission had asked him to see i£ he could bring the gaxage closer to the
house, he said he would be willing to move the garage 10 feet and have
it 3b �eet behind the house, but to eliminate too shaxp a turn, he would
have to go to the minimum requirement of a 3 foot side yaxd setback.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said he was asked to consider moving the garage
directly behind the house and have the garage doors open to the West instead
o� the South. •
Mr. Schlemmer said he couldn't locate the garage there because it
would interfere with the back entrance to his house. e
Chairman Fitzpatrick explained to the new members of the Planning
Commission why this item had been continued. Mx. Fitzpatrick said there
^ had been objections from the neighbors because the yards were deep in this
neighborhaod and they liked the open space.
n Mr. Clark said there was a question by a neighbor whether Mr. Schlemmer
had enough room for a driveway as there was only eleven feet between his house
and the property line.
Mr. Fitzpat�ick said'the reason for this petition was because Mr.
Schlemmer owns several recreational vehicles and two caxs and needs �
this second garage because he just has a single attached garage at the
present time.
Mr. Digans asked how wide the driveway would be and i£ it would be
blacktop or concrete. Mr. Schlemmer said it would be a nine or ten foot
concrete driveway.
Chairman Fitzpatrick asked if anyone else wished to be heard.
Mr. Mykola Moroz, 289 Ely Street, said he had a selfish objection,
but he said this dxiveway would be 6 feet from his driveway and then in
anothex 25 feet would b� bir. Schlemmer's present driveway, and he thought
it would make the front yards look like they were all concrete. He felt
this would detract from the value of his home.
Mr. Clark said he was not speaking for or against this request, but
^ although both the neighbor's on each side of Mr. Schlemmer's home have
attached garages, there are detached gaxages in this block that are back
n on the lot.
Mx. Drigans asked Mr. Clark if he had checked the property £or any
drainage pxoblems. Mr. Clark said he had, and there wouldn't be any problem.
�'r►e driveway would h$ve to have a crown so that drainage could go both ways,
but this had to be done on most Yong driveways.
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M�. Drigans asked Mr. Schlemmer if the grade would be the same for
this driveway as the adjacent praperty owner�s. Mr. Schlemmer said it woulde
Mx. Blair asked where the gas service was located. Mr. Schlemmer said
it was located on the side of the house along the pxoposed driveway, but he
would call�the gas company and have the gas service moved.
MOTION by Harris, seconded by B1air, that the Planning Commission
close the Public Hearing on the request for a Special Use Permit, SP #73-02,
by Russell Schlemrtter. Upon a voice vote, a11 voting aye, the motiori carr3ed
unanimously.
' Mr. Drigans said that as all the driveways will be concrete, he didn't
£eel, thas was unappealing. ,
Mr. Fitzpat�cick said there were objections made to the obstruction
of an open area also. Mr. Clark said there were at least two detached
garages East of this area. Mx. Blair said�if the garage was moved forward
10 feet, this would help some.
Mr. Harris said he would prefer that Mr. Schlemmer maintain a five
foot side yard setback, even if this meansthe garage is 45 feet behind the
house. He said he thought there should be stipulations that the dxainage
plans be ivorked out with the City, a turn around must be provided for safety
on the driveway, and the garage should match the exterior of the house. Mr.
Schlemme� said he intended to do all these things. Mr. Harris said he still
thought they should still be stipulated so there were no questions. Mr. Harxis
continued that he didn't think we would be setting any precedence as there
were other detached garages in the area�if we approve this request. This
is a means of keeping recreational vehicles from standing axound in the yard.
MO�'ION by Drigans, seconded by Harris, that the Planning Commission
,recommend to Council approval of the request for a Special Use Permit,
SP #73-02, by Rus�e11 Schlemmer, to construct a detached second garage on
Lots 5 and 6, Block 14, Spring Brook Park Addition, per City Code, Section
45.051, 2 A, with the following stipulations:
1. A proper drainage plan be worked ou� with the City.
2. The esthetics of the garage conform to the house.
3. Provide a proper turn-around in the driveway.
4. Maintain 5 foot side yard setback as specified on the plot
plan, the garage to be set back a maximum of 45 feet behind
the house.
, 5. The driveway to be at the same grade as the adjoining neighbor's.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, aZl voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
� 2. CONTINUED: VACATION REQUEST, SAV #73-05, GILBERT MENKVELD: Vacate
� public easement oi� 67th Avenue N.E. between Anoka Street N.E. and
Fxidley Street N.E. to add 30 feet to the North/South dimension of
Lot 1, Block 2, Oak Grove Addition to Fridley Park, making it a
bui�dable six�.
Mr. Craig Willey and Mr. .Pames �Ie�lspn, his attorney, were present.
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Planning Commission Meeting - May 9, 1973 � Pag� 4
!� Ghairman Fitzpatrick said this i�em has been befoxe the Parks � Recreatian
Commissian, the Plats $ Subdivisions-Streets F, Utilities Subcommittee, and
was continued at the last Planning Commission meeting.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said rather than have the petitioner make a complete
presentation one more time, I will ask the Commi,ssion to address any questions
they may have to the petitioner.
Mr. Willey said he was representing Mr. Menkvehd, the fee owner, and
himself, as the buyer of the property, and he had Mr. James Neilson, his
Counsel, �cith him who was prepared to answer questions a1so.
Chaixman Fitzpatrick said the petitioner wants to vacate 69th Avenue
to make his property a buildable site. The problem is that the area being
vacated is about half usuable land and the othex half is below the embankment
of the Creek. Mr. Willey has agreed to rededicate the land below the top
of the embankment back to the City for park purposes.
Mr. Clark said there were two questions brought up at the last meeting
that needed opinions from the City Attorney.
One question was if the City could vacate a street right of way and
^�, retain all, or part of it, for park purposas, or wauld it be more legal
to let it revert back to the private owner of the land and obtain the re-
� � dedication from the property otwner. The answer to that question was that
we should definitely let it revert back to the owner of the property and get
the dedication from the property owner.
The second question was that if it is a dedicated street right of way,
could the City of Fridley prohibit its use to licensed motor vehicles even
though it is not open to traffic. Mr. Herrick answexed that if the street
right of way is not being used for street purposes, it is under the control
of the fee owners, probably the adjacent property owners, and they may use
the property as their own until the City decides to open the street. This
being the case, they could fence the right of way to prevent it from being
used by motoxcycles, etc. Mr. Clark said he had talked�to Mr. Neilson and
there was a difference of opinion between the two attorney's. Mr. Neilson
feels that as this is a street right of way, the public has the right to
use it as a street right of way. .
Chairman Fitzpatrick said this question came up because in discussing
the dedication of street right of way on 67th Avenue, it was stated that
�he City had no intention of ever opening up this street, and did we have
the right to hold this dedication. It was felt that it should all be
vacated and revert back to the propexty owners,
Mr. Clark said he thought we should consider this vacation request
�..,1 by.itself. If the Planning Commission thinks more of 67th Avenue should be
vacated, then we coul,d address letters to the property owners to see if it
was vacated, they would dedicate the property that is over the embankment
� back to the City fox park purposes, also.
Mr. Drigans asked if the property owner of Lots 29 and 30 would also
dadieate the land over the embankment back to the City £or park purposes.
Planning Cammission Meeting - May 9, 1973 Page S
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Mr. Clark said Mr. Sodahl was at the ,last meeting, and indicated at that
t�me that he would do this also.
Mr. Sodahl, 6689 Anoka Street N.E., said his original statement
was that he wanted to make sure this vacation was for ali of 67th Avenue
between Anoka $ Fridley Street N.E. He said he didn't make any statement
about dedicating any land back to the City and he hasn't made a decision
�n this as yet. Mr. Fitzpatrick said that he wasn't sure that the
street right of way that reverted back to Mx. Sodahl's property was over
the embankment. Mr. Sodahl said there would be, a problem det�rmining what
is over the embankment. About 3/4 of the easement is level with his present
property and then there is a gentle slope. Mr. Fitzpatrick said we have an
elevation line of 902 feet we are using on Mr. Willey's property, but that
line may be different on your property. .
Mr. Neilson said he didn't have the benefit of being at the last
Pianning Commission meeting. There were a few points he would like to make.
He said this was an old plat, that was platted in December of 1886. In that
plat there was a road on the North side that was called North Street, and
at the end of the ded�cation clause, it stated, by the fee owners at that
time, that we hereby donate and dedicate to the public, use forever of all
streets, avenues and alleys as shown on said plat. Since that time, Block 3
has been replated into Rice Creek School Addition, and North Street, which
is presently 67th Ayenue, was vacated. So approximately 300 �eet of dedicated
street has already been vacated. I think it should also be noted that
the owners of Lots 1, 2' and 3, of Block 2, in 1965 gave an easement to the
City for the cul-de-sac. From a practical sense, 67th Avenue N.E. cannot be
used �s a street. There is an easement there for a public st�ceet. In my
opinion, this gives the public the right to use this fox public passage.
We cannot force the City to put in a street, but we cannot stop the public
from using•it.
Mr. Neilson said he would like to give five reasons for vacating this
street easement. Anytime you vacate an easement it should be in the general
interest o£ the public. If you vacate this street, no one can ever come in
and request that they want a street here. So i��s a benef�t to the City not
to have that problem, It would be a benefit to control the area. It is my
positian that anyone could use this easement now as long as they weren't
creating a nuisance. It will be a bene£it be��use you have a clear undex-
standing from the property owner that he is going to convey the land.over
the embankment back to the City for park purposes. It will also be a benefit
to have a 70 foot tract of land to build on rather than a 40 foot site. This
wil� make it possible to build a much nicer home. It will also be a benefit
to the C�.ty in that thi� will then be taxable property. This lot has already
gone ,tax forfeit tw�.ce.
� Mr. Blair said in the minutes of April 18, 1973, Mr. Clark stated the
. redwood deck would have to be shorted by five feet to meet the setback
� reauiremants on the South side of the lot. Does the petitioner agree to this.
Mr. Willey said he had ne objection and had agreed to this. Mr. Blair said
you also have no objection to redicating land for park purposes. Mr. Wi11ey
sa�.d the prpperty b��ow the embankment would be more of a liability for me
° t4 keep. I have no practi�al use for it. There would be a maintenance problem
and a problem of personal liability if ar�yon� got huxt on this embankmant.
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Chairman Fitzpatrick asked Mr. Clark that if the Cormnission voted
favorably upon this vacation request if they should include the other
lot$ along tha Creek in the motion. Mr. Clark said he thought it should
be in two motions. He also felt.that it shouldn't be vacated without
getting rededication back for park purposes on the area over the embankment.
Mr. Drevniak, 6684 Fridley Street N.E., asked how many of the Commissioner
have seen this property. Ghairman Fitzpatrick said most of the members
have been to the site.
Mr. Sodahl said that people use this easement to get down to the Creek.
He thought the avenue of travel would be seriously hindered by the vacation
of this easement. He said that in listening ta the discussion, if the vacation
wasn't granted, a small house might be built on this lot, which wouldn�t .fit
into the area. If the vacation was granted, Mr. Willey wants to construct
a twa-stoxy house which he felt iaould also be a detriment to the areas of
one story homes. He wondered what his recourse was.
Mr. Haxris asked Mr. Arevniak,if he was �ware �ixis property had gone
tax forfeit. Mr. Drevniak said they purchased their home in August of 1971,
� and until they had their lot surveyed to construct a garage, they thought
, they had more property�. The year they bought their home, they couldn't have
'. afforded to purchase an additional lot.
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Mr. Harris asked Mr. Sodahl if he would be willing to dedicate the land
from the top of the embankment for park purposes also. Mr. Sodahl said this
would be difficult to answer at this time because he didn't know the elevations
of his slope.
Mx. Drigans asked Mr_Sodahl if he wasn't using part of this easement
for a garden. Mr. Sodahl said he has spent co�tsiderable time clearing off
dead trees, chunks of concrete someone had dumped on the easement, and other
debris from this area. He is presently trying to grow grass in this area
and a gaxden he has on his property is extended a small way on the easement.
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Mr. Arigans said the second point Mr. Sodahl made was that there could
be a house constructed on this lot that would not conform to the existing
houses. Mr. Drigans asked Mro Sodahl if he thought the house at 6600 Fridley
Street was a.conforming house. Mr. Sodahl said he was referring to houses
close to the proposed house. Mr. Drigans said the house referred to was in
the same block.
Mr. Harris said if this vacation was granted, it would make Lot 1 a
much more desirable building site, and the area would be cleaned up. He
said'he couldn't see any reason to retain an easement on any property the .
� City doesn't ever intend to use. Mr. Harris said he didn't know if the house
proposed was compatible with the houses in the area, but this was a matter of
judgement.
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Mr. Drigans said a portion of the Commission has never seen the plans
£ox this house.
Mr. Willey prQ�ented his plans to the Commission. He said the house
would have horizontal masonite siding and a�ph$1t shingles, the same as the
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neighboring houses. Although it was two siory, i� would have a mansard
raaf to lower the profile of the house. The �arage wau2d be in line with
Mr. Dxevniak�s house.
1�. Harris said he would be more in favor of the vacation, if he
felt the house was more compatible to the other homes in the immediate area.
Mr. I.indblad felt that if someone were to build a house on the 40 foot
lot,�tbey could build something that was a lot more incompatible with the
area.
Mr. Clark said the Commission could make a recommendation to the
Council that the st�eet easement be vacated subject to the hause plans
being approved.
MOTION by Narris, seconded by Lindblad, that the PZanning Commission
recommend to CounciZ approval of the vacation request, SAV 73-05, by Gilbert
Mer�kveld, to vacate hte public easement on 67th Avenue N.E. betw�en Anoka
Street N.E. and Fridley Street N.E. to add 30 �eet to the North/South
dimension of Lot 1, BZock Z, Oak Grove Addition to Fridley Park, making it
r,,,� a buildable site with the stipulation that a11 land below the elevation .�ine
' or 902 feet be rededicated back to the Cit for ark
y p purposes contingent
upon �he stucture that is proposed for this 1ot be compatible to the area.
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bir. Sodahl said he could not agree to the 902 foot elevation line
on his lot because the elevation was different on Anoka Street.
Mr. Harris amended his motion, seconded by Lindblad, to read that
the petition would rededicate a11 the property lying below the crest
of the embanlcment whether it be street easement or not as determa.ned
by the property owners and the City administration.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, aI1 voting aye, the motion and amended �tion carried
unan3mously.
Mr. Blair said he felt the proposed house was compatible with the
area. Mx. Harris said he knew that was a matter of judgement, so we
will leave the decision to the City Council.
3. PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED PLAT, P.S. #73-05, BY
AARREL A. FARR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: A replat of 81ock 10, Innsbruck
North Townhouse lst Addition.
Mr. Jim London was present.
MOTION by Drigans, seconded by Blair, that the Planning Commission
� wa3ve the reading of the Public Xearing notice of the proposed p1at, P.S.
#73-05, by Darrel A. Farr Development Corporatipn. Upon a voice vote, a11
�'} votiny aye, the motion carried unanimously.
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Mr, Clark said when Block 10 was platted, the property lines were
Stxaight. The area between the garages was enl'�rged because thexe were some
t�ree� they wanted to save. A jog was put in the property line so the owner
will own the garage that goes with }�is t�wnhquse.
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Planning Commission Meeting - May 9, 1973 —,�� �
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/ Chairman Fitzpatrick asked if this would change the size of the lots,
Mr, I,ondo$ said two lots will be one foot less and two would be 1 foot more,
The lats are of different sizes because the width of the lot depends on the
size of the unit.
Mr. Fitzpatxick said that administxation has no objection to this
xeplatting and tha Plats F� Subdivisions-Streets � Utilities Subcommittee
recommended appraval.
MOTION by Harzis, seconded by LindbZad, that the Planning Corranission
olase the Public Nearing on the proposed plat, P.S. #73-05, by parrel A.
Far.r Development Corporation. Upon a voice vote, aZZ vvting aye, the motaon
carried unanimously.
' MOTTON by Narris, seconded by Drigans, that the Planning Commission
z�ecommend to Council approval of the proposed p1at, P.S. �i73-05, by Darre3
A. Farr Development Corporation, a replat of 81ock 10, Innsbruck North
Townhouse 1st Addition. Upon a voice vote, a11 voting aye, the motion carried
unanimously.
4. VACATION REQUEST,►SAV #73-08, QENNiS a. RANSTROM: Vacate 20 foot
utility and drainage easement line between Lot,10 and 11, Block 1,
� Rice Creek School Addition, to allow construction of a home on twu
� lots.
i"1 Mr. Qennis Ranstrom and Mrs..�at Ellis were present.
Mr. Clark said the petitioner is contxact: purchaser of Lots 10 and
11, and wants to build a home that would cover portions of both lots. This
easement is not being used so administration has no objection to the vacation.
We do have a storm sewer running East and West at about the location of the
South side of Lot 11, and it is recommended that the City retain a 6 foot
drainage and utility easement at this location. A large portion of Lot 11,
is at Creek level and Plats $ Subs recommended that any portion that was
North or West of the Creek be dedicated to the City for park purposes.
Mr. Clark said he thought it should be seriously considered getting
a recommendation £rom the Paxks $ Recreation Commission be£ore this goes
to the City Council. He said that in his opinion, anything South mr.' East
o� the Creek couldn't be used for walking patlts.
Mr. Ranstrom said he has letters from the adjoining property owner
that he has no objection to the vacation, and a letter from his architect
explaining the problems of building on this property, which he would like
to present to the Planning Commission at this time.
MOTION by Narris, seconded by B1air, that the Planning Cornmission
z�ece3ve the letters from F1oyd F. Foslien dated May 4, 1973, property owner
^ to the North of the property, and Gordon Metcalf, Architect, dated May 5, 1973.
Upon a voice vote, a11 voting aye, the tr�tion carried unanimously.
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Mr. Harris requested that these letters be sent on to the City Council
also.
Mr. C1ark sa��l the petiti��er is anxious to build this house this
swamer. If we wait for a recommendation from the Paxks $ Recreation Commission
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it could delay this into September before all �he Public Hearings and readings
of the ardinaces are through. You could reconm►end this for approval subject
to the findings of the Parks $ Recreation Commi,�sion and the Park $ Recreati.on
Department. They have June llth as their target date for the Public Hear�ng
by ths Council. Mr. Fitzpatrick said if we continued this until Ma.y 23rd
they could still have the hearing before Council June llth.
MOT.ION by Harris, seconded by Blair, that the PZanning Gommission
continue unt�1 May 23, 1973 vacation request, SAV #73-08, by Dennis A.
Ranstrom, to Ys�cate the 20 foot vtility and drainage easement line between
Lots 10 and 11, Block 1, Rice Creek School Addition, to a11ow construction
of a home on two 1ots, until we get the reco�nendations of the Parks �
Recre�tion Co�niss�on, the Parks & Recreation Department, and the Board
of Appeals. Upon a vo3ce vote, a1Z voting aye, the �tion carr�ed unanimously.
5. RECONQvIENDATION FOR VACATION OF 67TH AVENUE N.E. BETWEEN FRIDLEY STREET
N.E. AND STINSON BOUI.EVARD
Chairman Fitzpatrick said that in Item 2 we recommended vacation of
67th Avenue between Anoka Street and Fridley Street N.�. This leave� the
area between Fridley Street and Stinson Boulevard that we should make some
,� kind of recommendation on.
n � Mr. Harris said this was discussed at the Subcommittee level, although
no recommendation was made. It was felt that the balance of the street ease-
ment on 67th Avenue should be vacated with the request that the adjacent
propexty owners rededicate the property from the crest of the embankment
back to the City for park purposes. This would help clean up the entire area.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said the tax forfeit lot which is Lot 1, Block 1,
Oak Grove Addition to Fridley Park, should be called to the attention of
the Parks F, Recreation Commission. Mr. Blair said he wanted this called
to the attention of Paul Bxown also. _
Mx. Harris asked how the elevation was on the easement for 67th Avenue
on `the lots under discussion. Mr. Clark said that most of the easement lies
below the embankment.
Mr. Drigans asked i£ Mr. Clark thought �he people would agree to
rededicating land back to the City for park purposes. Mr. Fitzpatrick
said xhere would be people who wouldn't car� if the City holds this easement
fox a street or for park purposes. Mr. Clark said the area could be better
controlled if it was de�icated for park purposes, and we could make this
known at the hearing.
� � MOTION by Harris, seconded by Drigans, that the Planning Commission
� recommend to Council that when they have the Public Hearing for the vacation
of 67th Avenue between Anoka and Fridley Streets N.E. t�at they include the
� azea between Fridley Street N.E. to Stinson Boulevard, subject to the property
owne.�s rededicating the property below the embankment back to the City for
" paxk ptu'poses. Upon a vvice vote, a11 voting aye, the motion caxried unaninrouslr
�lanning Commission Meeting - May 9, 1973 Page 10
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6. REQUBST FOR A LOT SPLIT, L.S. �73-05, BERNARD JULKOWSKI: Split off
part of Lot 6 an 7, Auditor's Subdivision No. i53, to develop land
either multiple or commercial.
Mr. Claxk said this propexty is located East of Robert Hall on the
South side of 52nd Avenue N.E. The property is zoned C-1S. When the
apartment houses were built that'are on part of this property, they could
be b�uilt in C-1S zo�ing. Mr. Julkowski originally owned all this property,
but he consequently sold the apartments and sold this parcel. This has
already been split by the County for real estate tax purposes, but the City
does not honor this split. He has to get City approval of the split befoxe
the special assessments can be split ox a building permit issued. The part
he wants to split off does meet the requirements for C-1S zoning.
This was con�tinued by the Plats �, Subdivisions-Stree�s $ Utilities �
Subcommittee because they would like to give the owner of the apartment
comp�ex and Robext Hall a chance to be heard. The apartment complex is
having parking pxoblems. They met the code requirements when the apartments
were built but according to our present codes tch�y should have 108 parking
stalls and they only have 73. If the owr�er of the apartment complex should
want ta purchase this property, it should not be split off.
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Mr. Harris said some of the cars for this apartment complex are being
n. � - park�d in the fire lane,
Mr. Clark said this will not be considered b� the Planning Commission
tonight, as it was tabled at the Subcommittee ],eve1.
7. ZERO SETBACKS
Mr. Fitzpatrick said this was referred to the Planning Commission
by the Board of Appeals. At their last meeting they approved zero side
yard setbacks.for two proposed buildings, but they weren't quite comfortable
with their decisions, so they are asking the Planning Commission for any
recommendation we might wish to make on zero setbacks.
Mr. Clark presented a colored rendering of the area between 77th
and 79th Avenue N<E. and between Main Street aiid the Burlington Northern
right of way. The two proposed buildings that had zero side yard setbacks
approve�i are in this areao
Mr. Drigans sai.d there are 40 foot lots in this area and the petitioner
felt that in oxder to build a. usable building he asked us to consider zero
side yard setbacks.
Mx. Harris said this is Onaway Addition that was platted in 1911. All
n the lots are 40 feet wide except the end lots which are a little larger. The
lots £acing 77th Avenue are 25 foot lots. The alley in Block 7 has been
^ vacated. Mr. Harris said everyone else who has built in this area followed
the rules of the City. Block 1 is the vnly block in this area without
industrial development.
Planning Commission Meeting - May 9, 1973 Page 11
/�
Mr. Clark said the petitioner asking £or the zero setbacks is going
to pe�ition for the alley to be improved in this block. If he is unsuceessful,
i.t maight zeopardize his plan, because I don't think this plan will work
without the alley being opened.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said that in reviewing the Board of Appeals minutes,
it seems that using 40% of the lot for the building and checking the other
requixements, that it adds up to more than 1000 of the lot. Mr. Clark
said that on these two requests, they could have met'. all the requirements
except for the rear yard setback, if they had placed these buildings in the
middle of the lot. The building that was proposed on the corner would have
h�d• to be reduced 20 feet to meet the requirements.
Mr. Drigans said on the proposal they considereci�the buildings only
cover 40% of the lots.
Mr. Clark said that what would be in favor of zero setbacks is that
].f we can get the cooperation of other property owners, as they develop
in this block, to maintain the zero setbacks on one end of their property
and double the open area on the other side of their building, it might look
bet�er esthetically.
�� Mr. Dxigans gaid the petitioners for the proposed buildings did get
. approval for these setbacks from the adjacent property owners.
�
Mx. Fitzpatrick asked how many individual owners of property there
wexe an the West side of Block 1. Mr. Clark said one awner has Lots 5, 6
and 7(120 feet�, one owner for Lots 8, 9 and 10 (120 �eet), Lot 11, one
owner £or 40 £eet, Lot 12, a 40 foot lot, was tax forfeit, and one owner
£or Lots 13, 14 and 15 (120 feet).
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Chairman Fitzpatrick said the Planning Commission was being asked
for a recommendativn on zero setbacks in any area of the City.
Mr, Drigans said they have a request for zero se�tbacks at their
next meeting of the Board of Appeals by an individual owner.
Mr, Lindblad said he felt it made it difficult for industry to come
into Fridley and always meet our requirements< He felt that under certain
cixcumstances, the ordinances had to be bent a little. When someone is
constxucting a building and they are only going to have four employees and
we require them to have 20 parking spaces in case the building is ever used
by a diffexent company, I don't believe you can protect the City from all
eventualiti-es. Mr. Clark said the Planning Commission could review any
ordinance they £elt was too stringent. He said the City has a lot of
commcrcial and industrial development already so they £eel they can be
choosy in who develops the balance of the open land, If one developer
doesn't want to change his plans to meet our requirements, perhaps the
next request we have for deveYopment of the same area cAn meet our requirements,
Mr. Harris said the least of his objection was the side yard setback.
H� thought this was the best way to utilize the land, He said we will be
faC�d with the same problem in xedeveloping the Hyde Park area, because of
a0 foot lot3. Also �art of Spring 8rook Park Addition. Mr. Harris said
the time to considex zero setbacks is �rhen w� haYe the first proposal for
.
n Planning Commission Meeting - May 9, 1973 Page 12
�
a block. �
Mr. Drigans sa3d the Board of Appeals has reservations about
granting zero setbacks. Mr. Harris said you have to appreciate the
developexs problems also.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said he didn't think the Planning Commission would
be ready tonight to make a recommendation on zexo setbacks. He said he
does think it is proper to ask the Planning Commission for some quidelines.
Mr. Clark said they should make a recommendation if they have strong
£eelings against zero setbacks as this item would be befoxe the City Council
at their next meeting.
Mr. Harris said he thought the zero setbacks were right in Block 1;
Onaway Addition, as shown on the drawing. Mr. prigans said each situation
will have to be considered by itself.
Mr. Harris said that when the first developer of a particular block
comes in, he thought a plan should be made for ihat block. He said the
developer comes into the City trying to find out from the City how he can
^ �develop an area. The City asks to see his development plan and tells the
develaper the ordinance requirements. If a plan was worked out for the
n " entire block, as a guideline, it would be a benefit to all.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said most of the development in the area of the
drawitlg were able to build within the ordinances. He said he felt w�en
people couldn't build within the ordinances, there was something wrong with
theix plan. Mr. Clark said there can also be something wrong with the plat.
.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said he didn't thing we were going to get any more
i!�lput and he wondered if the Board of Appeals would like a motion on this.
Mr. Arigans said he thought each situation will have to be considered
by itself, but there could be a notation put• in the zoning ordinance that
on certain minimum lot �izes in industrial areas, zero setbacks would
be considered favorably by the City.
Mr. Clark said that we will have to see how zero setbacks work on the
two proposed buildings. If the outcome is favorable and a similar situation
arises, we can point this out administratively, that this has been done in
the past, but I think each case will have to be decided.on its own merits.
Mr. Clark continued that before variances be granted for zero setbacks, the
Board of Appeals should see the plan for the whole block.
8. AUXILLIARY BllILDINGS
n
Mr. Harris said that because so many people are acquiring recreational
� equipment, and it is preferable to have it stored, than out in the operl, we
are going to have many requests for Special Use Permits for auxilliary buildings
He qusstioned as to the necessity of having metal storage buildings under
a Special Use.
C
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/' Planning Commission Meetin� - May 9, 1973 pag� �,g
Mx. Clark said the xeason for the ordina�ce requiring a Special Use
Psrmit £ar a sQCOnd auxilliary building was to�prohibit people from adding
a second building to use for business purposes. We have other ordinances
covering home occupations, but they are difficult to enforce. The squaxe
foatage minimum that makes it necessary to get a Special Use Permit and
a building permit could be raised to eliminate some of the requests.
Mr. Fi.tzpatrick said the Pla.nning Commission could review the ordinance
at one o£ their future meetings.
Chairman Fitzpatxick adjourned the meeting at 12:35 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
�''� ,r� l��/
. porathy �ve son, Secretary
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