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PL 11/14/1990 - 30728� ,-� ,--� � CITY OF FRIDLEY PLANNING COMMI88ION MEETINt�, NOVEMBER 14, 1990 M�MM�Yw��ww��Y�Y�Y�YtiN��MM��wIrNMM�N��MMNNMMMMMMMMMNMNIr�YN1►MNNIrMM�ArtiN��tiM CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Betzold called the November 14, 1990, Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Don Betzold, Dave Kondrick, Dean Saba, Sue Sherek, Paul Dahlberg, Diane Savage, Connie Modig Members Absent: None Others Present: Barbara Dacy, Planning Coordinator Michele McPherson, Planning Assistant Pat Boyle, 6261 Rainbow Drive N.E. Jack and Corine Rirkham, 430 - 67th Ave. N.E. APPROVAL OF_OCTOBER 24, 1990. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES• MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to approve the October 24, 1990, Planning Commission minutes as written. IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTIN(� AYE, CHAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT. SP #90-07. BY PAT AND RITA BOYLE: Per Section 205.07.O1.C.(1) of the Fridley City Code, to allow a second accessory building in excess of 240 square feet on Lot 1, Block 2, Sylvan Hills, generally located at 6261 Rainbow Drive N.E. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Sherek, to remove this item from the table and reopen the public hearing.. IIPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTIN�3 AYE, CHAIRPER80N HETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PIIBLIC BEARING OPEN AT 7:32 P.M. Ms. McPherson stated the property is located at the intersection of Rainbow Drive and the West University Avenue Service Road. The property is zoned R-1, Single Family Dwelling, as are the parcels to the north, south, and west. University Avenue is to the east of the property. n, � PLANNINa COMMI88ION MEETING, NOVEMH$R 14, 1990 PAGE 2 Ms. McPherson stated the request is to allow the construction of a 624 sq. ft. second accessory building. The Zoning Code requires that special use permits be granted for all second accessory buildings over 240 sq. ft. Ms. McPherson stated this special use permit request was first heard by the Planning Commission at their June 20, 1990, meeting. At that time, the Commission tabled the request at the request of the petitioner as there were two issues that needed to be resolved. One was what the building would look like, and the other was the final location of the building. Ms. McPherson stated staff's proposed location is the required 17 1/2 feet from the east property line, as well as 3 feet from the rear property line. Ms. McPherson stated the petitioner submitted a variance request to the Appeals Commission on October 30, 1990, and the Appeals Commission voted to recommend to City Council that the required side yard setback of 17 1/2 feet be reduced to 4 1/2 feet which will allow the petitioner to place the accessory building closer to the existing garage. The City Council will have to take final action on the variance request on December 10, 1990. Ms. McPherson stated the petitioner submitted construction plans which shows the accessory building will be architecturally consistent with the existing house. The existing house is built of stone construction, but the profile of the roof line and basic structure will be similar. The accessory building could also be painted to be consistent with the trim on the house. Ms. McPherson stated staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the special use permit request, SP #90-07, to the City Council with three stipulations: 1. 2. 3. The accessory building shall be architecturally consistent with the existing house. The height of the accessory building shall be limited to 14 feet. The variance request, VAR #90-30, by approved by the City Council. Mr. Dahlberg asked what happens if the variance request is ''-'� not approved by the City Council. r"1 ,-'� PLANNINa COA�lI88ION MEETINa. NOVEMH$R 14, 1990 PAdE 3 Ms. McPherson stated the accessory building could still go on the site in the location proposed by staff. There are no issues of lot coverage or other setback requirements. Mr. Kondrick asked if the petitioner, Mr. Boyle, was in agreement with the stipulations. Mr. Boyle stated he had no problem with the stipulations. Ms. Sherek asked if the petitioner is proposing to put in a hard surface driveway to the new building or will it be just for auxiliary storage. Mr. Boyle stated he has an existing driveway, and if the variance is approved, he can use the existing driveway for his existing garage and the proposed accessory building. The building will be used as a second garage for cars, boat, etc. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to close the public hearing. IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRILD AND THE PIIBLIC BEARIN(i CL08ED AT 7:38 P.M. Mr. Dahlberg stated he questioned whether it is appropriate to include stipulation #3. What this stipulation is saying is that the Commission is voting on the special use permit and recommending approval if the variance request is approved. However, if the variance request is not approved, then the special use permit would not be valid. Whether the variance request is approved or not, the petitioner can still build the accessory building if the special use permit is granted. Ms. Dacy stated the Commission could delete stipulation #3. Staff included that as a stipulation because they do that for all multiple sets of applications; and, staff was not sure if the Commission was comfortable with saying that the accessory building is all right with or without the variance. Mr. Boyle stated that if the variance is not approved, he will not build the accessory building 17 1/2 feet from his side yard. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Dahlberg, to recommend to City Council approval of special use permit, SP #90-07, by Pat and Rita Boyle, per Section 205.07.O1.C.(1) ^ of the Fridley City Code, to allow a second accessory - building in excess of 240 square feet on Lot 1, Block 2, r"� PLANNINa COMMIB�ION ME$TINa. NOVEMBER 14. 1990 PAGE 4 Sylvan Iiills, generally located at 6261 Rainbow Drive N.E., with the following stipulations: 1. The accessory building shall be architecturally consistent with the existing house. 2. The height of the accessory building shall be limited to 14 feet. QPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTINa AYE, CBAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY. Ms. McPherson stated both the special use permit request and the variance request will go to City Council on December 10, 1990. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF A REGISTERED LAND SURVEY. P.S. #90-06. BY GLACIER PARK COMPANY: To replat that part of Lots 2 and 3, Auditor's Subdivision No. 78, Anoka County, Minnesota, generally located north of I-694 and west of Main Street N.E. MOTION by Mr. Rondrick, seconded by Ms. Savage, to waive the reading of the public hearing notice and open the public hearing. � IIPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTIN(� AYE, CHAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PIIHLIC HEARINa OPEN AT 7:95 P.M. Ms. Dacy stated that since no one was in the audience representing the petitioner, the Commission might want to table this item until later in the meeting. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Modig, to table P.S. #90-06 by Glacier Park Company until later in the meeting. IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTINa AYE� CHAIRPER80N BLTZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIISLY. 3. CONSIDERATIOAT OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 205 OF THE FRIDLEY C_ITY CODE ENTITLED. "ZONING". BY AMENDING SECTIONS 205.03� "DEFINITIONS". AND SECTION 205.07, "R-1 ONE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT REGULATIONS" Ms. Dacy stated there have been articles in the Fridley Focus about this ordinance amendment, and staff has received a number of calls regarding this issue. Ms. Dacy stated this ordinance amendment was originally brought to the Commission's attention at their October 24, '"', 1990, meeting at the request of the City Council. The City - Council is concerned because they have received complaints r"� � PLANNING CO1rII+�lIBBION MEETINa, NOVEMBER 14, 1990 PAGE 5 about single family homes that have been converted into "illegal duplexes"--two dwelling units in one single family home. The Council is concerned that this eroding the intent of the single family district. Ms. Dacy stated the current ordinance does prevent the creation of a second unit within a single family home. It does permit the rental of a guest room for up to two people- -the difference being that a guest room is defined as not having a kitchen. Ms. Dacy stated the Council felt that because of the violations that have been occurring in the City, the current ordinance is not strong enough. So, the proposed amendment would still permit guest rooms, but no other portion of a dwelling could be rented to a person(s). Based on the advice of the City Attorney, there could not be a discrimination between a related individual and an unrelated individual. Ms. Dacy stated that at the October 24 Planning Commission meeting, a number of individuals testified regarding different situations which the proposed amendment would prevent. These situations were: 1. Tdhere an elderly person would rent out part of the home to an individual in order to be eligible for state assistance. 2. Where a rental situation exists for a family member who must, in order to participate in other social service programs, be paying rent. 3. The split level homes constructed on the west side of 7th Street in the Alice Wall Addition. Ms. Dacy stated that based on the Commission's direction at that meeting, staff tried to determine ways to permit some of these naturally occurring incidences but still try to get at the Council's intent of trying to prevent some of the nuisances. She stated that it is not easy. Ms. Dacy stated that the staff's analysis included evaluating and comparing existing situations within the City (chart was included in the agenda packet): 1. A typical single family home with the rental of guest rooms as now permitted. 2. The experience of the split level homes in the '"� Alice Wall Addition on the west side of 7th � STreet. � PLANNINa COMMI88ION MEETINa. NOVBMBER 14, 1990 PAGE 6 3. The living situation exemplified by Roger Stein at the October 24, 1990, Planning Commission meeting. 4. An elderly person living in a single family home wanting to rent out a portion of the home for a person to assist them, or an elderly person who wants to live with their adult children. 5. Homes which we have issued rental licenses to, including 541 - 53 1/2 Avenue, 7430 Able Street, 4042 Main Street, 6070 Central, and 6428-30 Dellwood Drive. Ms. Dacy stated that if it is the intent of the City council to prohibit the creation of two units in one structure/ create a duplex, thereby eroding the intent of the single family neighborhood, then they must create performance standards to ensure the "accessory nature" of these living areas. Therefore, the following standards should be imposed as part of a rental license for an "accessory apartment": 1. Require owner-occupancy of the structure. ^ 2. Limit the size of the living area of the accessory apartment so that it is clearly subordinate. 3. Regulate outdoor impacts, i.e., a separate entrance into the accessory apartment can only be created at the side or rear of the home and that there shall be no substantial exterior architectural changes to the single family home such that the home appears to be a two family dwelling. 4. One accessory apartment shall be permitted per single family dwelling. 5. The accessory apartment must meet the Uniforna Building Code and Uniform Fire Code. Ms. Dacy stated staff believes these requirements will regulate and keep out the types of situations they believe the Council is trying to prevent. They do not believe they will get a lot of applications at this point in time and believe they have the staff on hand to handle a license application procedure. In the long term, they do expect that these types of license requests would increase given the demographics of this society and might help them catch those situations that are illegal. It seemed that the ^ original ordinance would prevent living situations that the - City Council had intended to affect. r"� � � PLANNING COMMI88ION MEETING. NOVEMBER 14, 1990 PAGE 7 Ms. Dacy stated staff is recommending that the Commission endorse the concept of permitting a mother-in-law/accessory apartment as an accessory use in the R-1, Single Family District, subject to receiving a license. Incorporated into the ordinance and prior to the issuance of a license would be the following standards: 1. 2. 3. The owner of the single family home must occupy the dwelling. One accessory apartment per single family dwelling. The secondary living area must comply with building and fire codes. 4. A separate entrance to the apartment must be located on the side or rear of the house to maintain the single family appearance; exterior stairways shall not be added to single family structures unless required by the Uniform Fire Code. 5. There shall be no substantial exterior architectural changes to the single family home such that the home appears to be a two family dwelling. 6. Establish a minimum size of the apartment such that it is clearly subordinate to the principal use of the single family home. Mr. Saba asked how they are going to address the current violations--the homes that have already been modified for two families. Ms. Dacy stated staff is still discussing the issue of the 7th Street homes, which is different from the other situations looked at by staff, but they would still have a three year amortization period for the other violation situations. Mr. Betzold asked if the license process would be difficult enough to discourage renting. Ms. Dacy stated that is the reason for the requirement for owner-occupancy. If the owner of a property is required to live in the home, that owner has a vested interest in seeing what happens on his/her property. If the owner is affected by a"bad tenant", then the owner is going to take more of a direct interest in the property than the absentee landlord. n PLANNING COMMISBION MEBTINt�. NOVEMBER 14. 1990 PAC,E 8 What is ironic is that the houses on 7th Street are more towards a duplex than any other situation with an absentee landlord, yet the City has had no complaints or any problems from that neighborhood. So, there are a lot of these situations that exist in single family areas without any problems. Mr. Jack Kirkham, 430 - 67th Avenue, stated he and his wife, Corine, would like to present to the Commission a letter dated November 12, 1990, addressed to Barb Dacy and the Planning Commission. He read this letter to the Commission. He stated this letter addressed the article they read in the Fridley Focus about the proposed ordinance. Their letter stated their opposition to the proposed ordinance which would prohibit the renting of any portion of a single family home to blood relatives. MOTION by Mr. Rondrick, seconded by Ms. Sherek, to receive into the record the letter from Jack and Corine Rirkham dated November 12, 1990. IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE� CHAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY. ^ Mr. Betzold asked Mr. ICirkham how he felt about the person who wishes to rent out a portion of his/her house, not to take care of an aging relative or a child who suffers from mental illness, but to gain the extra income, and the neighbors are now complaining that it is changing the character of a single family neighborhood, creating more traffic, etc. Mr. Kirkham stated that was a hard question to respond to, because that type of situation did not bother him. He cited the example of a divorcee on a limited income who must rent out the basement in order to stay in her home. There is another family in the same neighborhood, with 2 adults and two grown children. They have 6 vehicles and a single car garage, but he did not know of anyone who has complained about it. He stated it is hard for him to respond to people who are upset about other people who wish to have someone else live in their home.. Mr. Kirkham stated he did not see how licensing would resolve this issue. For example, if his neighbor converted his basement to living space with a kitchen, etc., and he complained about this situation, the neighbor could then go to the City and obtain a license. Then his complaint would no longer be legal and nothing would be resolved. /`� Ms. Dacy stated they have to start somewhere to control what � is appropriate and what is not appropriate. What they are � n � PLANNIN(� COMMI88ION MEETIN(3, NOVEMBER 14, 1990 PAC�E 9 trying to avoid with the proposed standards is an absentee landlord situation where a two story house is being rented to two families. Mr. Saba stated the really gray area seems to be the definition of a single family home and the definition of a duplex. Maybe they need to just enforce the zoning code. It is important to protect the integrity of the R-1 zoning. The other thing he saw of value is the owner-occupancy standard. Ms. Sherek stated the City should never get into the position of legislating who can live in a building in terms of: Can five unrelated individuals live in a building or not? She did not think a license procedure is appropriate. She did not see a problem with 3-5 complaints per year. Ms. Modig stated she believed they should leave the ordinance as it is now and not make any changes. Mr. Dahlberg stated that in a situation where they have several people living in a building, they need to be concerned about the life safety issues. A lot of these types of arrangements do not meet the life safety requirements. What percentage of people who remodel their homes ever come in and apply for building permit? Ms. Dacy stated they have only been able to catch this type of situation when some of the rental areas are for Section 8 clients, because HUD requires certain size egress windows, etc. Pat Wolfe, the staff person who works with Section 8, has said that some of these units could occur without her knowledge, and it could be a very dangerous situation. Mr. Betzold stated he is not opposed to any of the standards recommended by staff. They seem to be getting hung up more over the licensing issue than they are on the standards presented by staff. Ms. Dacy stated the issue they are discussing is not so much the standards as the level of control. Mr. Kirkham stated it seemed to him that the timing is not good for this proposed ordinance change. All the sociologists are reminding them of the good old days when they had extended families where people took care of their own, and they didn't have to have so many nursing homes, state homes, etc. Sociologists are recommending that people get back to those good old days. The state and federal governments are faced with building and maintaining more and more facilities to take care of those people who cannot take care of themselves. This proposed ordinance would make it r"1 n �, L PLANNIN�3 COMMI88ION MEBTING, NOVEMHER 14. 1990 PAGE 10 much more restrictive and would discourage people from trying to take care of their own. Mr. Kirkham stated he also thought the licensing procedure is not good because it puts the emphasis and burden on the homeowner. He resented the additional governmental restrictions and would resent having to go and ask for a license just to take care of his own family. Maybe the people who need the license are the people who are trying to make a profit by renting out part of their home. Mr. Dahlberg stated he disagreed. If they are going to require a license in one instance, then they should require that a license is necessary in every instance. Ms. Sherek stated she agreed with Mr. Rirkham in that she is flatly opposed to having to get a license to have a relative live in her home at any time under any circumstance. It is nobody else�s business if someone lives in the basement of her home. If the home is unsafe, then that is her problem. Ms. Modig stated there is also the situation of having older children living in your home. Would she need a license to allow her own children to live in her home? She would definitely be opposed to that. Mr. Betzold stated he still thought the present code needed a little more clarification to provide a little more enforcement. Mr. Saba stated they should be able to have the ability to require the licensing procedure for the renting to non- related individuals only. Mr. Dahlberg stated that is discrimination. Ms. Sherek stated they are already discriminating, because right now they do not limit the number of related individuals living in a home but they do limit the number of unrelated individuals to five. Mr. Dahlberg stated he disagreed. Just by virtue of saying a person has to come in for a license if the person is unrelated is discriminatory, because they are not saying the person who is related has to come in for a liaense. If they are going to require a license, then they have to require it of everyone. Ms. Savage stated what is legally discriminatory is what the courts say is legally discriminatory. PLANNINa CONIIKIBBION MEETINa� NOVEMBBR 14. 1990 PAGE 11 �"� - Ms. Corine Kirkham stated that Jack's mom lived in their home in the "mother-in-law apartment" for several years. If she had not been related, they would not have allowed anyone else to live in their home. Their adult children have also made use of this apartment. If these people had not been related, they would not have felt obligated to share their living quarters. She did not think they can say it is discrimination. If it is family, you help them out. She stated renting to related people is very different from renting to unrelated people. Mr. Saba stated that maybe they need an opinion from the City Attorney as to whether it would be discriminatory to require a license for unrelated individuals only. Ms. Modig agreed they need a legal opinion, but she had a real problem with the whole licensing procedure. Mr. Betzold asked if the Commission had any problems with the six recommendations made by staff. Ms. Sherek recommended that along with item #6, they include a maximum size of 35% or 800-900 sq. ft.--something to indicate that there is definitely a smaller self-contained ^ unit within a larger home. Mr. Betzold stated if there is a hardship by holding to a certain percentage, that can be addressed through the variance process. He believed they should have a maximum size, and he would go along with 35�a. Ms. Dacy stated that based on the plans she has worked on, she would feel more comfortable with 40�. Mr. Betzold asked staff to get a legal opinion from the City Attorney on licensing for unrelated individuals versus related individuals and to draft an ordinance for the next Planning Commission meeting. 4. PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF A REGISTERED LAND SURVEY P.S. #90-06. BY GLACIER PARK COMPANY: To replat that part of Lots 2 and 3, Auditor's Subdivision No. 78, Anoka County, Minnesota, generally located north of I-694 and west of Main Street N.E. MOTION by Ms. Sherek, seconded by Ms. Modig, to remove this item from the table. IIPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERBON BLTZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY. � � � � � PLANNINa COMMIBBION MEETINa. NOVEMBER 14. 1990 PAGE 12 Ms. McPherson stated the petitioner is proposing to subdivide the property into four tracts. The principal lot, Tract A, will meet the minimum lot area and lot width requirements for a buildable lot. Tract B will be reserved for the Burlington Northern rail yards. Tract C could be used by Burlington Northern at some future time for private access to Tract B, but is not a buildable lot. Tract D will be dedicated to the City for right-of-way for Main Street, which would allow a future Anoka County road improvement proj ect . Ms. McPherson stated staff is recommending the Planning Commission recommend approval of the registered land survey with the following stipulations: 1. 2. 3. 4. Clean the parcel of I-694 construction debris and re-establish vegetative cover by June 1, 1991. A park dedication fee of $.023 per square foot shall be paid at the time of construction on Tract A or if Tract A is resubdivided. Tracts B and C are not buildable lots. Tract D shall be dedicated to the public for street and utility purposes. Ms. Sherek stated she would like to see stipulation #1 changed to require all the tracts to be cleaned of construction debris. MOTION by Ms. Sherek, seconded by Mr. Rondrick, to recommend to City Council approval of Registered Land Survey, P.S. #90-06, by Glacier Park Company, to replat that part of Lots 2 and 3, Auditor's Subdivision No. 78, Anoka County, Minnesota, generally located north of I-694 and west of Main Street N.E., with the following stipulations: 1. Al1 four tracts must be cleaned of I-694 construction debris and vegetative cover re- established by June 1, 1991. 2. 3. 4. A park dedication fee of $.023 per square foot shall be paid at the time of construction on Tract A or if Tract A is resubdivided. Tracts B and C are not buildable lots. Tract D shall be dedicated to the public for street and utility purposes. PLANNING COMMI88ION MEETINGi. NOVEMHER 14. 1990 PAGE 13 r"1 - IIPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTIN�3 AYE, CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY. Ms. McPherson stated this item will go to City Council on December 10, 1990. 5. 1991 PLANNING COMMISSION CALENDAR: MOTION by Mr. Rondrick, seconded by Ms. Modig, to approve the 1991 Planning Commission calendar with the deletion of November 27, 1991. IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTINa AYE� CHAIRPERBON BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIISLY. 6. RECEIVE OCTOBER 1. 1990, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Modig, to receive the October 1, 1990, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. IIPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTINC� AYE, CBAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARTD THE MOTION CARRIED DNANIMOIISLY. ^ Mr. Rondrick stated he wanted ta alert the Planning Commission about the Parks and Recreation Commission's concern about the new Target Greatland which is proposed for the old YMCA site. The Commission is concerned about the impact on Springbrook Nature Center. They need to watch this very carefully to make sure the City can restrict the negative impact to the Nature Center as much as possible, both environmentally and visually. Ms. Dacy stated the developer, First Western Development, will be submitting a rezoning application for some of the property to go from M-2, Heavy Industrial, to C-2, General Business, to match the remaining part of the property. There will also be an application to plat the property into four lots, one lot for the shopping center, and another lot for the Target Greatland, a loopback parcel, and an outlot for the wetland area they are required to maintain. So, the Commission will have a chance to discuss concerns and issues when these items come before them. 7. RECEIVE OCTOBER 4, 1990, HUMAN RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Ms. Sherek, seconded by Mr. Dahlberg, to receive � the October 4, 1990, Human Resources Commission minutes. � PLANNIN(3 COMMI88ION MEETIN�3� NOVEMBER 14, 1990 PAGE 14 IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTINt�i AYE, CHAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARED T8E MOTION CARRIED �NANIMOIIBLY. 8. RECEIVE OCTOBER 11. 1990. HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Sherek, to receive the October il, 1990, Housing & Redevelopment Authority minutes. IIPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE, CBAIRPER80N BETZOLD DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY. 9. RECEIVE OCTOBER 10. 1990, APPEALS COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Ms. Savage, seconded by Ms. Sherek, to receive the October 10, 1990, Appeals Commission minutes. IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERBON BETZOLD DECLAR�D THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY. 10. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Landscape Ordinance Amendment �� Ms. Dacy stated that regarding Commissioner Saba's concern about the landscaping ordinance and that it does not adequately ensure proper screening of commercial and industrial developments adjacent to public parks, staff reviewed the remaining developable land located adjacent to public parks. With the exception of the First Western Development site at 85th and University Avenue (Target Greatland), all properties adjacent to public parks have been developed. She stated the First Western Development site will be buffered from Springbrook Nature Center by the Springbrook Apartments and by the permanent wetlands (265 feet x 460 feet) which will be developed as part of the proposed project. Ms. Dacy stated part of the Landscaping Ordinance will require the developer to plant 360 trees, 260 of those have to be perimeter trees and 100 have to be part of the interior landscaping. The Nature Center is very concerned about the impact of seeing a portion of the building. The remaining part of the shopping center and Target will be screened by the Springbrook Apartments. This area should be substantially reforested as much as possible so that screening occurs. � PLANNINt3 COMMI88ION MELTIN(�. NOPEMBER 14, 1990 PAGE 15 � Mr. Saba stated he was hoping to see some teeth in the ordinance that would address this issue and basically create a precise requirement in the Landscape Ordinance. He is concerned not only about screening the building but also screening the parking lot from Springbrook Nature Center. He would like to reduce the visual impact to the Nature Center as much as possible. Ms. Dacy stated they do have the teeth now in the revised Landscape Ordinance. In the old ordinance, they did not have the requirement of planting of 365 trees nor did they have the setback of 265 feet. Again, this is the last situation where parkland is wide open adjacent to a development. Mr. Saba stated he is not so much concerned about the 265 foot buffer. He is just saying there should be a dense planting of trees, whether it is a wetland, or additional rows of trees, something to protect the Nature Center so the development does not become a visual blight to the park. The ordinance does not say where the 365 trees have to be planted. Ms. Dacy stated the City will require the developer to r.1 plant as many trees as are necessary to screen that area. Staff has asked the developer to specifically show them the plan. Ms. Dacy stated the Planning Commission will be able to review the plan and applications probably on January 23, 1991. b. Stonybrook Diversion Project Ms. Dacy stated the Commission members had received a copy of a memo from Mark Winson dated November 9, 1990. In the 1992 Capital Improvement Plan, the City currently has a project to divert storm flows in Stonybrook Creek to the ponds in the Springbrook Nature Center. The proposed plan is to create a ditch along the east right-of-way of the Burlington Northern tracks from 78th Street to the south end of the Nature Center. The City has contacted Burlington Northern to obtain an easement, and it appears that the railroad will grant that request. Mr. Kondrick asked what will happen to the flow in Stonybrook Creek as it passes from the railroad tracks to the Mississippi River. '"'1 Ms. McPherson stated the proposed project would reverse the flow of the water. Right now the water flows from � PLANNING COMMIBBION MEETINa� NOVEMBBR 14. 1990 PAG� 16 Springbrook to the south, and they want to reverse that and have the water flow into Springbrook first before it is released into the rest of the system. Mr. Kondrick stated he lives on Stonybrook Way, and he will be asked by concerned neighbors about what will happen to the flow of water and if the creek will dry up. Ms. McPherson stated she did not know the answer to that question, but would ask Mark Winson, Assistant Public Works Director. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chairperson Betzold declared the motion carried and the November 14, 1990, Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Res�ectfully sub 'tted, . � �t_Q. �'�-�'� Ly �' Saba � Re ding Secretary ,�-'1