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Home My WebLink AboutJanuary 9, 2001CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692 Visit Our Website at: www. ci. columbia-heights, mn. us PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING- MINUTES January 9, 2001 MEMBERS Tom Ramsdell, Chair Donna Schmitt Ted Yehie Stephan Jehnsen Tammera Ericson The January 9, 2001 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Ramsdell. Members present were Ericson, Yehle, and Ramsdell. Commissioners Johnson and Schmitt arrived at 7:00 p.m. Also present were Kathryn Pepin (Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission), and Tim Johnson (City Planner). Building Official, Mel Collova was present for a portion of the meeting. Commissioner Ericson stated that she had some changes to the minutes. First of all, Commissioner Ramsdell was not in attendance and the record should reflect that Commissioner Yehle chaired the meeting. Additionally, she wanted her objection noted in the record to the change proposed for Page 6-4, Section 9.603(1)(n) which is proposed to read "any accessory building structure capable of storing one (1) or more motorized vehicles shall be provided with a hard-surfaced access driveway, no less than twelve (12) feet in width, to an adjacent public street or alley, and shall be no less than 400 ~ia~ f~t in a~ea 20'x20' in sizo". It was her opinion that the change would put too many garages into non-conformance. In addition, the change proposed to Section 9.604(2)(a) on Page 6-9 in the last sentence should have the word "to" added before 960 and the word "if" rather than "of" after square feet so the amendment would read "One-story dwellings shall have a minimum floor area of 1,020 square feet, plus 120 square feet for each additional bedroom over three. The floor area may be reduced to 960 square feet if the lot size is 6,500 square feet or loss". MOTION by Yehle, seconded by Ericson, to approve the minutes from the meeting of December 5,2000 as presented in writing with the addressed changes. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. Commissioner Ramsdell stated that it was mandatory that a new chair be elected by the Commission at this time for the year 2001. Commissioner Yehle made a motion to nominate Commissioner Ramsdell for Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the year 2001, seconded by Ericson. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. City Planner, Tim Johnson, informed the Commission that there is a lot of proposed Zoning Ordinance still to be reviewed before a public hearing can be held and the document forwarded to the City Council. Discussion was held regarding additional work sessions. Work sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 30 in the City Hall Conference Room//1 at 5:00 p.m. There was not any new business for action at this meeting. Planner Johnson asked the Commission to again review Section 9.611(3) on Page 6-18. He called their attention to the fact that this section was decreasing the amount of illumination/glare to one-half foot-candle from the three foot candle that is current. Questions were raised as to how a foot-candle is measured and how much light is a foot candle? The Commission directed Planner Johnson to research these concerns and to find out what type of device is used to measure foot candles and how to purchase or obtain if needed. THE CItY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION Of SERVICES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING- MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2001 Page 2 The Commission proceeded with the continued review of the proposed Zoning Ordinance changes starting with Section 9.612 on Page 6-18. The recommended changes are as follows: Page 6-20, Section 9.612(7)(a)" Size of Parking Spaces: Each parking space shall be not less than nine {9) feet wide and e~ghteefl'-("H]')-f~t twenty (20) feet in length, exclusive of an adequately designed system of access drives andcurbed overhangs .... " Page 6-21, Section 9.612(7)(e) "Curbing. Except for one-, two-, three- and four-family residential uses. all off- street parking areas, all driveways leading to such parking areas, landscape islands, and other areas upon which motor vehicles may he located..." Page 6-22, Section 9.612(7)(I) "Maintenance. Parking areas and driveways shall be kept free of dirt, dust and debris, and the pavement shall be maintained in good condition. In winter months, required parking areas of commercial buaineaae~ shall be cleared of snow. ,~,,,,,,,. 24 ~,~ ~f .L_,,,= =,,2, ~f o,,y -.,,,,,,o,, ~w,,,. Landscaping, lighting, fencing or other features installed in conjunction with parking areas shall also be maintained and kept in good condition at all timea". Page 6-23, Section 9.612(10) Off-street Parking Requirements. Under residential uses for single-family, two- family, townhome, multiple-family for minimum enclosed parking spaces required shall read ~ two must be enclosed (garage). Under School, Elementary/Jr. High, Ten {10) seats plus one (1) per classroom. Under School, Senior High, Ten (10) plus one (1) per every six (6) -7 students. Under Day Care Center, 1 per every -2 1 employees, plus 1 drop off space for every 5 enrollees. Page 6-26, Section 9.612(11), under stacking requirements for Automobile Washing Facility- Automatic, change minimum stacking spaces: "4 § spaces per bay at entrance, 1 space per bay at exit". Page 6-27, Section 9.613(3)(d): last sentence should read "No less than 25% or the required number of trees shall be over-story deciduous trees and no less than 25% ~ shall be coniferous". Page 6-28, 9.613(4)(c) under Landscaping Requirements: "A minimum of two-{-2) four (4} trees shall be planted for every one acre of lot area covered by buildings, parking areas, loading areas, exterior storage areas and other impervious surfaces". 613(4)(d) ............... " ...... : ........... ,, L Page 6 28, 9 ""--'--'-- °,=°o - . · o,r.,,,y ~,,,~°,,,,,,y ~,~, ~[ ~[~ ~,o, r,,,,~ o~,°,=o o,,°,, ,,ay. Perking areas shall have a minimnm of 100 square feet of landscape island area w:,t,5 end one over-story tree for each 20 spaces or fraction thereof .... " Page 6-29, Section 9.613(6)(b) "A letter of credit or ~,~[ ~[,,-~ ~f ~[~nt~ shall be deposited with the Zoning Administrator, in an amount equal to one and one-half (1.5) times the estimated cost of landscaping and/or screening. The letter of credit, or portions thereof, shall be forfeited to maintain and/or replace materials for a period of time to include at least two (2) growing seasons. A portion of the ~,~,~, letter of credit may be released PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING- MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2001 Page 3 after one growing season as determined by the Zoning Administrator". Page 6-30, Section 9.614(2) Design Review Required. This section was discussed and the City Planner was directed to research what other cities use to require a portion of all new structures to have brick/masonry embellishments. Page 6-30, Section 9.614(3) shall have an additional section added: (d)"All structures over 120 square feet shall have full perimeter footings". Page 6-34, Section 9.616(5)(c) "Political signs regulated per State Statute." UI~IIL ~UI oqualu IGGI. pul OUI labu, °llU IIIIIILUU LU LVVU ~/..J OUl lat.,uo, pi UI/IUUU LIIUy alu u,aplayuu IIUL IIIUIU LIIOII LIIII Ly ,dA% J ........... ~ ~ii~c~..iO~ 1.Jul uayo IJiiui Lu G~' iuiuiGiiuuiii UllU IIUIL IllUlU LIIOII OU1/r-II ~lJ UClyO IUllUl¥111~ oalu UIGI.,LIUII G~' IUIGIUIIUUI~. Page 6-35, Section 9.616(5)(i) delete Incidental signs. Change sequence of remaining sections. Page 6-36, Section 9.616(5)(n) should read "Time and temperature signs not to exceed twenty (20) square feet per sign and ono sign per side of building". Page 6-36, Section 9.616(6) Prohibited Signs: the Commission discussed h and i and how to write language to allow these types of signs for historic restoration/preservation. They directed Planner Johnson to research the Comprehensive Plan to see if there would be some language there that could be used. Page 6-36, Section 9.616(6)(i) change to read "A projecting sign which either extends more than eighteen {18) inches from the building or structure to which it is attached, ~t,~ t,5;,,~ ca~; ~[ ,~;a~ s:,~, or which is larger than three {3) feet in vertical height, other than canopy or marquee signs". Planner Johnson informed the Commission that Staff, in their review of these sections, felt portable signs should be included under prohibited signs in order to clean up our commercial areas. This type of sign is becoming very unsightly in many cases and staff is having trouble with the businesses in obtaining permits, removing the signs at the end of the permitted time periods and also in the placement of these signs. Staff felt only banners should be allowed and placed only directly on the building and not on any freestanding signs. The permit process as it currently stands should be eliminated as staff does not have the time to enforce. Planner Johnson stated there are only perhaps ten businesses at the most who use the permit system or abuse it. Discussion will continue at the next meeting with Page 6-36 and Section 9.616(6) Prohibited Signs. Respectfu,~submitte~ , Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission kp