Sauk Rapids Planning Commission

SAUK RAPIDS PLANNING COMMISSION Regular Meeting Monday, June 6, 2011 MINUTES

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Steve Heinen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and read the agenda statement. Members present: Tim Meemken, Steve Heinen, Tim Wilcox, Bill Bard, Greg Goetz, Bill Adams, and Joe Foster Members absent: none Also present: Todd Schultz, Community Development Director

Additions or Changes to the Agenda. Chairman Heinen asked if there were any additions or changes to the agenda. Mr. Schultz stated that items 7B and 7F would be removed from the agenda. There were no other changes

Approval of Agenda. Commissioner Goetz moved to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Bard seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Minutes. Joe Foster made the motion to approve March’s minutes with Greg Goetz seconding it. It passed unanimously.

Visitors. There were none.

Agenda Items. 7A Independent Lifestyles Mr. Schultz read his staff report which described how the City had required that Independent Lifestyles provide a new site plan for their building on Benton Drive. Enclosed in the packet was a colored rendering illustrating the changes that were to be made to the addition.

All new finishes are to match the existing building as much as possible per the architect, except for the windows and doors which will remain the same. The roof will be asphalt shingles which will be also matched as best as possible. The finish of the building will be a combination of both brick and stucco. Some glazing is lost with the 3rd story bump out, however what is lost is replaced on the 2nd bump out. According to Cara Ruff of Independent Lifestyles, the bids for the remodel will be selected on June 14th, with the remodel to begin the week of June 15th or June 20th (see attached email correspondence). The remodel is to be complete by July 15th.

Mr. Schultz stated that he believed that the attached elevation meets the spirit and intent of the downtown code and that the revised addition will be great fit in the downtown.

SR Planning Commission 6.06.2011 Page 1 of 4 Mr. Goetz made a motion to approve the revised site plan elevation. 2nd by Steve Heinen. Motion passed unanimously.

7B Reker Planned Unit Development Amendment, Site Plan, and Conditional Use This item was pulled from the agenda

7C Discovery Church Site Plan Mr. Schultz presented his staff report.

Last year, the City entertained a request to allow a church use in this previously permitted PUD. Both the Planning Commission and the City Council were willing to allow this use with conditions. Since that time, legal has drafted a PUD amendment and a Developer’s Agreement Amendment to take to Council.

This application is the Site Plan for Discovery Heights Church. The application states that they will use the site for worship, fellowship, and administration. They will have a small kitchen and classrooms. The underlying zoning is R-1 with a PUD overlay.

Parking requirements are exceeded. Setback requirements are met, Lot size is met. There are a number of items that are shown on the plan that are labeled “future”. Just for clarity, site plans are valid for one year. Anything not constructed within one year will need a new site plan (unless it is under construction). The floor area ratio is met. The trash enclosure must be enclosed, with this plan to be approved by staff. The existing service stubs will not need to be disconnected, but an agreement should be in place with the owner that if any of those services develops a leak, it will be the property owner’s responsibility to disconnect the faulty service and all associated restorations. There is a dirt driveway to the refuse container. This will need to be bituminous unless otherwise approved by staff. Public Works staff is asking the question if it would be cheaper to install a catch basin that could be used in the future parking lot rather then a swale to the pond.

The Planning Commission asked some questions about the dirt driveway. The Commissioners felt that the entire driveway should be bituminous.

Bill Adams made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan on the conditions that the Final Plat be approved by Council, the amended Developer’s and Planned Unit Development Agreements by approved by the Council, the trash enclosure must be enclosed and the plan for the trash enclosure to be approved by staff, The existing service stubs will not need to be disconnected, but an agreement should be in place with the owner that if any of those services develops a leak, it will be the property owner’s responsibility to disconnect the faulty service and all associated restorations, and the dirt driveway to the refuse

SR Planning Commission 6.06.2011 Page 2 of 4 container will need to be bituminous. Steve Heinen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

7D Flood Plain Code Mr. Schultz stated that the federal government had updated their flood maps and have mandated that communities adopt new flood ordinances that at a minimum meet the new federal standards. The attached ordinance is their sample ordinance and staff recommends its approval. If the city does not adopt it, city residents will not be eligible for flood insurance this fall.

Joe Foster made a motion to recommend approval of the attached flood plain ordinance. Steve Heinen seconded, motion carried unanimously.

7E Denny Variance Mr. Schultz stated in his staff report that Mr. Denny was requesting a 17 foot variance from the front yard setback, not including the steps which were to go around the entire deck structure where it wasn’t attached to the house.

The Commissioners discussed how large the deck could be without needing a variance. Mr. Schultz stated six feet. The Commissioners struggling with the request, suspended parliamentary procedure to allow the applicant to speak. Mr. Denny stated that he wanted to add the deck because he thought it would improve his property. It would also add value to his property. He added that he would like to get his deck far enough away from the house so that the deck could get some sun. The Commissioners noted that there were two large trees in the front yard that likely shade the deck most of the time anyway and there already was a deck in the back yard. There was then a discussion between the Commissioners and the applicant about the term hardship and what that meant. It was the Commissioners feeling that there was nothing even close to a hardship in this case. The applicant could place a deck on the front of the house that would not even require a variance. It appeared that the applicant just wanted it larger and didn’t think that a six foot deck would look nice. In addition, there already was a deck in the backyard.

The Chair closed the public testimony and asked for a motion. Joe Foster made a motion to deny the request for a variance stating that there were not unique circumstances on the property, by definition, there was no hardship, and that the property already is being put to a reasonable use. Greg Goetz seconded the motion. The Motion prevailed 6-1 with commissioner Meemken dissenting.

7F Finding that the Reker Project Conforms to City’s Overall Plan This item was pulled from the agenda.

7G Resolution Finding that the Torborg Construction Project Conforms to the City’s Overall Plan Mr. Schultz stated that this is a standard resolution that the City must entertain any time it is considering a new TIF District. The finding is that the Torborg

SR Planning Commission 6.06.2011 Page 3 of 4 project is consistent with our Plan. Commissioner Goetz noted that the Commission really did that already last month. Mr. Schultz agreed, but this specific resolution needs to be adopted by the Commission. Greg Goetz made a motion to adopt the attached resolution, Bill Adams seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion. None

Updates . A. Area Planning Organization. Bill Bard provided a brief report on the recent activity at the APO B. Joint Planning Board. Commissioner Goetz stated that there was no meeting C. ½ Cent Sales Tax Committee. Commissioner Heinen stated there was no meeting but there will be one coming up. D. City Hall. Mr. Schultz gave an update on the status of the City Hall project. The foundation and exterior walls are out for bid. He believed that the bids would be coming back to the council on June 27th.

Other Staff Items. None

Adjournment. Commissioner Foster moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40p.m. Commissioner Heinen seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Todd Schultz Community Development Director

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