HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 08-17 PCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF
HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
REGULAR SESSION
AUGUST 17, 1995
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson
Willson at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Tim Willson, Commissioners Donald Booth, Mark Holmes, Graydon Boeck,
and Kathryn Palm. Also present were the Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning
and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Ruth
McLaurin.
Commissioners Robert Mickelson and Dianne Reem were excused from the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 19. 1995
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck and seconded by Commissioner Booth to
approve the minutes of the June 19, 1995 Planning Commission meeting as submitted. The
motion passed. Commissioners Holmes and Reem abstained because they were not at that
meeting.
CHAIRPERSON'S EXPLANATION
Chairperson Willson explained the Planning Commission is an advisory body. One of the
Commission's functions is to hold public hearings. In the matters concerned in these
hearings, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council
makes all final decisions in these matters.
APPLICATION NO. 95011
Chairperson Willson introduced the first item of business, a request from Robert L. and
Marlene Overpeck for Preliminary Plat approval to subdivide into two lots the parcel of land
addressed as 5500 Emerson Avenue North.
The Secretary presented the staff report, used overhead transparencies to show the location
and detail (see Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 95011,
attached).
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The Secretary requested to present the staff report for Application 95012, since the
applicant is the same.
APPLICATION NO. 95012
Chairperson Willson introduced the next item of business, a request from Robert L. and
Marlene Overpeck for a variance form Section 35-400 of the Zoning Ordinance and Section
15-106g of the Subdivision Ordinance to create a corner lot in the R-1 zoning district less
than 90 feet in width.
The Secretary presented the staff report, used overhead transparencies to show the location
and detail (see Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 95012,
attached).
Chairperson Willson, noting the area where any structure might go on the newly formed lot,
inquired if there would be a possibility that the shrubs would be removed during
development. The Secretary noted this would be a strong possibility.
Chairperson Willson, in reference to the staff report and previous Planning Commission
meeting minutes, noted the Harron Methodist Church would need to provide screening as
per condition in the original Special Use Permit. The Secretary indicated that would be
correct, the Church had agreed to screen should the shrubs ever be removed or die out.
Chairperson Willson suggested an additional condition to the approval of this application,
could be notification to the Church of the potential removal of the shrubs, therefore,
requiring the implementation of the condition of their Special Use Permit.
Commissioner Boeck questioned if the formula of setback averaging is still used. The
Secretary indicated this formula is no longer used, the fact that the house on the other lot
is set up further would not effect the setback requirements of the corner lot.
PUBLIC HEARING (APPLICATION NO 95011 and 95012)
Chairperson Willson asked for a motion to open the public hearing on both requests for
Applications 95011 and 95012 at 8:12 p.m.
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck and seconded by Commissioner Holmes to
open the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairperson Willson asked if there was anyone present who wished to address the
Commission.
Mr. Ed Holloway, 5501 Emerson, inquired as to the zoning of this property, his concern was
for the building of a double bungalow or a storage garage. The Secretary indicated the
zoning is R-1 Single Family Residential, although this would not prohibit rental of the home
to another single family.
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Ms. Melanie Strandmark, 5511 Dupont, indicated her property also borders the parking lot
of the church. Ms. Strandmark expressed concern that there is not adequate screening
provided by the Church along the edge of the parking lot bordering her property. Ms.
Strandmark feels the trees there do not properly screen the parking lot. The Secretary
pointed out the trees are for screening purposes, not security purposes.
Ms. Strandmark indicated she had approached the City in regard to fencing instead of the
trees and was told the shrubs were screening established as adequate,because the trees were
planted by the Church for screening purposes. Ms. Strandmark indicated there is some
conflict as to the true location of the shrubs, whether it is on the Church's property or hers.
The Secretary explained if the City has made a determination the trees are appropriate or
adequate as screening, it would not be appropriate to the change their mind, unless the
current screening is not serving its function.
Ms. Strandmark indicated she felt the trees were not adequate, and are collecting debris, not
screening.
The Secretary noted as he recalled the Church did plant screening on the north side,but the
issue would change if the trees were on the resident's property.
Ms. Bernice Carmeron, 5527 Dupont, inquired as to the name change of the addition. The
Secretary explained the reason for the name as Overpeck addition is in regard to the plat,
every time a plat is registered, it is necessary to give it a name that has not been used
before. The Secretary pointed out, this would not effect any of the surrounding lots, they
would still remain the same.
Chairperson Willson asked the applicant if there were any agreements between the Church
and himself in regard easements. Mr. Robert Overpeck indicated there were no agreement
to his knowledge, he purchased the property in February of this year.
Commissioner Boeck inquired if the property owner would pay assessments for water hook
up to the newly formed lot. The Secretary believed the assessments have already been paid,
but would investigate and this information would also become available through the platting
process.
The Secretary asked the applicant if the current home is being rented out. Mr. Overpeck
indicated yes it was being rented until early September. The Secretary pointed out Brooklyn
Center does require a rental license.
Chairperson Willson called for any more questions for the applicant or for anyone else to
speak at the public hearing.
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CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
There was a motion by Commissioner Holmes and seconded by Commissioner Booth to
close the public hearing at 8:28 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO APPLICATION
95012
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck and seconded by Commissioner Booth to
recommend approval of Application No. 95012 submitted by Robert L. and Marlene A.
Overpeck for a variance from Section 35-400 and Section 15-106g of the City Ordinances
to create a corner lot in the R-1 District less than 90 feet on the grounds that the Standard
for Variance contained in the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances are met as well as the
long-standing City policy for granting minor lot variances.
Voting in favor: Chairperson Willson, Commissioners Booth, Palm, Boeck, and Holmes.
The motion passed unanimously.
ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. APPLICATION
95011
There was a motion by Commissioner Booth and seconded by Commissioner Boeck to
recommend approval of Application No. 95011 submitted by Robert L. and Marlene A.
Overpeck subject to the following conditions:
1. The final plat is subject to review and approval by the City Engineer.
2. The final plat is subject to the final provisions of Chapter 15 of the City
Ordinances.
Voting in favor: Chairperson Willson, Commissioners Booth, Palm, Boeck, and Holmes.
The motion passed unanimously.
The Secretary noted that both applications will be referred to the City Council at the August
28, 1995 meeting. The applicant is required to be present at the City Council meeting. If
any changes or modifications are made to the plans prior to City Council consideration, they
must be brought back before the Planning Commission for review.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chairperson Willson directed staff to notify the Church of the potential development on the
northeast corner of 55th and Emerson Avenues by way of letter. He noted the letter could
notify the Church that Preliminary Plat process has begun and the fact that the shrubs may
in the future be removed, therefore requiring the Church to screen its parking lot from the
property.
The Secretary indicated he would notify the Church and will remind them of Condition
number eight of their Special Use Permit.
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Commissioner Palm noted that the condition in the Special Use Permits notes if the
screening fails it should be replaced. She inquired what does the City do if the screening
dies off or is no longer screening. Chairperson Willson indicated the Planning Commission
itself does not act on this,but the City's Code Compliance Officer would receive a complaint
and then investigate and enforce any conditions subject to the Special Use Permit.
The Secretary noted the next meeting is August 31, 1995, but at this time there is no
applications to address. He indicated he would notify the Commission should this meeting
be canceled.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Holmes and seconded by Commissioner Booth to
adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously. The
Planning Commission adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Chairperson
Recorded and transcribed by
Ruth McLaurin
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial
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