Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 16, 2010

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on February 16, 2010, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

Vice-Chair Donadio opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Members Present: Commissioners: James Donadio III, Michelle Siegert and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: Chair Gordy Simanton and Commissioner Grant Peterson.

Others Present: Community Development Director, Holly Kreft.

A. Adopt Agenda

A motion was made by Vogt, seconded by Siegert, to adopt the agenda. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.
 

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the February 2, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting.

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Vogt, to adopt the minutes. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.

B. Review Minutes of the January 11, 2010 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.

C. Review Minutes of the January 25, 2010 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

None.
 

Ms. Kreft showed the location of the drainage and utility vacation request which is south of Lake Minnetonka. She noted the property is currently vacant. She explained the property owner owns four parcels and has combined them into one lot. Ms. Kreft said she met with the applicant a couple months ago to discuss options of building a single-family home. She said the applicant asked what the options were. Ms. Kreft responded that there were two options; one is to ask for a variance from the top of the bluff and prove a hardship. The second was to consider a vacation of the easement. Ms. Kreft noted that Lot 2, Block 2 was platted in 1992. She showed the cross- hatched area on the map with the 12 foot drainage and utility easement that would be vacated. Ms. Kreft stated that staff advised the applicant to consider the option of vacating the drainage and utility easement. She noted the applicant was also involved in the vacation request for Virginia Drive. Ms. Kreft stated that staff is recommending approval of the vacation. She noted there are no utilities in the easement.

Commissioner Vogt asked how much of a variance would have been required. Ms. Kreft said about 10 to 12 feet which included a deck.

Commissioner Vogt asked about the setback from the top of the bluff. Ms. Kreft said it is a 30 foot required setback.

Commissioner Vogt asked how many feet the easement being vacated is. Ms. Kreft said 12 feet in depth and 132 feet in length.

Commissioner Vogt commented on the documentation in the agenda statement and said it doesn't talk about the specifics for a variance. He said there should be more information for the City Council. Ms. Kreft noted the public hearing will be next Monday at the City Council meeting.

Commissioner Siegert asked if there was any reason to object to the vacation. Ms. Kreft responded no and reiterated that the city researched the utilities.

Commissioner Siegert asked when the applicant would start building. Ms. Kreft said possibly this spring.

Ms. Kreft noted this was just for comments.

Ms. Kreft explained that the ordinance does not address multi-use buildings. She said that staff is recommending that a consistent standard be used for both retail and office buildings. She stated the businesses listed in the packet are in support of the proposed change. Ms. Kreft noted that the formula for determining the size is included in the packet as well as draft article VI that was reviewed in July of last year. She stated this language change is proposed to be specific to deal with the multitenants. Ms. Kreft said this will go to the City Council for a first reading on February 22, 2010 and the public hearing would be on March 22, 2010.

Commissioner Vogt said he thinks this is a good idea.

Commissioner Vogt commented on number 2 and 3 on the first page and said it is confusing if one bigger sign is being allowed or multiple signs. Ms. Kreft said that is the existing language. Commissioner Vogt suggested that language be clearer.

Commissioner Siegert said she had questions about other parts of the sign ordinance. The first was on section 30-172 and she asked about electrical poles being added. Ms. Kreft said that is where illegal signs are being placed.

Commissioner Siegert referred to section 30.173 where it talks about lights being visible from adjacent residences and asked what is considered adjacent. Ms. Kreft said if it is usually divided by a street then it is not considered adjacent.

Commissioner Siegert commented on digital signs and asked if there is any reason to be concerned about sound or if a sign is making a buzzing noise. Ms. Kreft said that it has to be a sustained noise to be considered a problem. She said she will look into signs with sound.

Commissioner Siegert asked about changing political signs to non-commercial speech. Ms. Kreft said the League of Minnesota Cities recommended the change.

Commissioner Siegert asked if the city has the right to remove and destroy signs who pays for the expense. Ms. Kreft said the city has in the past.

Commissioner Vogt commented on pennants and banners and said the total number of days allowed in a calendar year is 30. He asked if anyone was violating that. Ms. Kreft responded yes. Vice-Chair Donadio asked how that can be fixed. Ms. Kreft explained that it is on a complaint basis. She said they do not actively seek out code violations. Ms. Kreft talked about being consistent. Vice-Chair Donadio suggested sending a letter to all the businesses. Commissioner Siegert commented on not enforcing ordinances.

Ms. Kreft explained the subdivision ordinance was also written in 1975 and the process needs to be looked at. She said she is looking for any feedback. Ms. Kreft said they will also be inviting the developers to give their feedback of the development process.

Vice-Chair Donadio asked if the current discussion takes into account some of the discussion on the green space and that kind of development. Ms. Kreft said yes the park dedication is part of that subdivision ordinance.

Ms. Kreft mentioned that Commissioner Siegert has recommended using flow charts on how the process is done. Commissioner Siegert commented on using pictorial diagrams of the process.

Commissioner Vogt stated that in the subdivision ordinance there isn't a reference to zoning. He said this is important and the zoning should be part of the subdivision ordinance discussion.

Commissioner Siegert clarified that the workshop with Senior Commission would be at 5:30 p.m. on March 16^th. Commissioner Vogt noted he has a potential conflict with that date.
 

No council liaison was present.
 

Ms. Kreft said the joint meeting is scheduled to discuss universal design.
 

A motion was made by Siegert, seconded by Vogt, to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.