HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 1, 2001CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION- MINUTES
February 1, 2001
MEMBERS
Tom Ramsdell, Chair
Donna Schmitt
Ted Yehie
Stephan Johnson
Tomme~a Ericson
The February 1, 2001 Planning and Zoning Commission work session was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by
Chairperson Ramsdell. Members present were Johnson, Yehle, and Ramsdell. Commissioners Schmit arrived at
5:35p.m. and Commissioner Ericson arrived at 6:00 p.m. Also present were Kathryn Pepin (Secretary to the
Planning and Zoning Commission), and Tim Johnson (City Planner).
Planner Johnson went back to some of the sections previously covered to verify recommended changes. He stated
that he had made contact with a representative of the Infinity Group {lighting specialists) regarding lighting of
freestanding signs and foot candle measurement. He provided the Commission with a copy of a fax describing
lighting information and a model outdoor lighting ordinance. Mr. Johnson directed the Commissions attention to
Page 6-18, Section 9.611(2), Lighting Fixtures. It was recommended that additional language be added to read:
"Lighting fixtures shall be of a downcast, with a flat lens, cut-off type that conceals the light source from view
and prevents light from shining on adjacent property. At no time should the fixture be aimed/tilted above a
horizontal plane in any commercial/industrial district".
Section 9.611(3), Lighting Intensity. It was recommended that additional language be added to this section to read:
"Lighting shall not directly or indirectly cause illumination or glare in excess of one-half foot-candle as measured at
the closest residential property line and ~ one (1) foot candle measured at the center of the street and no
more than three (3) foot candles at the closest street curb line or non-residential property line.
In addition, it was suggested that a new (4) be added to 9.611 reading: "Submission: Detailed plans showing fixture
type, wattage, light source, location and elevation along with site point by point showing foot candles must be
submitted to the City". Renumber existing (4) to (5) and existing (5) to (6).
Planner Johnson referred to Page 5-2, Section 9.502(9) and provided additional information to rewrite this
paragraph to read: "Damaged or Destroyed. A structure containing or relating to a non-conforming use of land that
is damaged or destroyed by any fire or natural cause;-m'-means~, to the extent that the cost of repair is more than
fifty {50) percent of the assessed market value, shall not be restored unless to a conforming use. However, if a
principal single family structure located in a Limited Business (LB) District is destroyed by over fifty (50)
percent of assessed value due to fire or natural cause, the principal single family structure may be
reconstructed in the same footprint as the original structure but may not be expanded in size".
The Commission also recommended that Section 9.503(5) be amended to read: "Damaged or Destroyed. A non-
conforming structure that is damaged or destroyed by a~y fire or natural cause m-means to the extent that the
cost of repair is more than fifty (50) percent of the assessed market value, shall not be restored unless it is brought
into conformance. However, if a principal single family structure located in a Limited Business (LB)
District is destroyed by over fifty (50) percent of assessed value due to fire or natural cause, the
principal single family structure may be reconstructed in the same footprint as the original structure but
may not be expanded in size".
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
WORK SESSION- MINUTES
FEBRUARY 1, 2001
Page 2
Planner Johnson also recommended that the definition of Assisted Living from the Minneapolis Zoning Ordinance be
added to the definition section of our ordinance on Page 3-2 to read as follows: Assisted Living: A facility
licensed by the MnDOH where individualized home care aide SoFvices or home management services are
provided to residents either by management or by providers under contract with the management.
On Page 4-1, Section 9.402(1), Planner Johnson recommended that (e) be added to reflect the Traffic Commission.
In reference to a previous change recommended for Section 9.404 for distance for notification of public hearings,
the 350 feet noted in the proposed Section 9.404 is per State Statute. Therefore, the previous chan0e to 300 feet
recommended by the Commission and Staff must be 350 feet. Planner Johnson will make this correction and add
the information provided by the City Attorney's office to each section relating to public hearing notification.
The Commission moved on to review Section 9.701 on Page 7-1.
Section 9.701(2): shall read as follows: "The regulations set forth in this Section shall apply to the specific use
listed whether it is identified as permitted, conditional or accessory within the applicable zoning district. These
regulations shall be in addition to all other applicable regulations".
The Commission recommended that a section be added to Section 9.701 and numbered (3): "Licensing. Shall
comply with all license requirements of any governing body." Change the existing (3) to (4).
Discussion was held at length regarding Adult Entertainment Uses. Ms. Pepin stated that the current Zoning
Ordinance places this use in the I-2 District as a Conditional Use and that at the time this was adopted, license
regulations were also put in place restricting this type of use from being within 200 feet of any residential zoning
district boundary nor less than 500 feet from any church or school, 150 feet from any park and within 400 feet of
another adult business. At that time, measurements were taken to approximate that this would not prohibit the
adult use entirely but give them a place were they would be allowed. The Commission members measured off the
current Zoning map in the conference room and found that the only place in the I-2 district an adult use could locate
was on City owned property. They felt that the use should be opened up to the entire "1" district and increase the
distances to 500 feet from residential, church, schools, parks, and 1000 feet from another adult use so as to allow
the use to locate within the city and avoid a possible lawsuit which could open up the whole city for the adult uses.
Therefore, they recommended Section 9.701(4)(d) be amended to read: "The use shall be located at least I
500 feet from any of the following protected uses: residentially zoned property or residential use; licensed daycare
facility; public or private educational facility classified as an elementary, middle or junior high or senior high school;
public library; public park; or religious institution or place of worship".
In addition, Section 9.701(4)(e) shall be amended to read: "an adult entertainment use lawfully operating as a
conforming use is not rendered non-conforming by the subsequent location of any use listed above within 1000 500
feet...."
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION- MINUTES
FEBRUARY 1, 2001
Page 3
On Page 7-3, in conjunction with an automobile convenience facility, item (k) shall be amended to read:
,,= ,.. = Exterior dis ay of merchandise for sale shell not exceed 50 square feet in area ~×c~i~. fu,
On Page 7-3 in conjunction with Automobile Repair, Major, item (a) shall be amended to read: "All vehicles waiting
for repair or pick-up shall be stored an th~ s:,t~ within an enclosed building or in designated off.street parking
spaces".
On Page 7-3 in conjunction with Automobile Repair. Major. item (d) shall be amended to read: "The sale of vehicles
shall be prohibited unless allowed by Conditional Use Permit".
On Page 7-3 in conjunction with Automobile Repair, Minor item (a) shall be amended to read: "All vehicles waiting
for repair or pick-up shall be stored ~ the s~te within an enclosed building or in designated off-street parking
spaces".
On Page 7-4 in conjunction with Automobile Repair, Minor item {d) shall be amended to read: "The sale of vehicles
shall be prohibited unless allowed by Conditional Use Permit".
On Page 7-4 in conjunction with Automobile Sales/Rental there shall be a line space between items (d) and (e).
On Page 7-6 in conjunction with Car Wash, item {b) shall be amended to read: "Vacuum facilities shall be located in
an enclosed structure or located ~-~;,y fifty (50) feet from any residential use property line to avoid the impacts
of noise".
On Page 7-7 in conjunction with Consignment/Thrift Store, thrift shall be changed to Secondhand.
On Page 7-7 in conjunction with Consignment/Secondhand Store, item (a) shall be amended to read: "The use shall
be located at least 1000 feet from all existing consignmentithrlft~econdhand stores, currency exchanges and
pawnshops".
On Page 7-7 in conjunction with Consignment/Secondhand Store, item (c) shall be amended to read: "For new
construction, at least thirty {30) percent of the first floor facade along a public street or sidewalk shall be windows
or doors of clear of or lightly tinted glass that allows views into and out of the building at eye level".
Page 7-8 in conjunction with Day Care Center, item (b) shall be amended to read: .......... um ,aN, ..... ,,,ay uN
u,,,y ya, u uc, t;u
as a-A play area shall be located away from the main entry to the daycare and shall be surrounded by with
ou[,,, ait;a p, uv,uou vvi,,i a fence constructed of masonry, painted or treated wood or metal, at least five (5) feet in
heioht."
On Page 7-8 in conjunction with Day Care Center, item (c) shall be amended to read: "For child day care facilities, at
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION- MINUTES
FEBRUARY 1, 2001
Page 4
least 59 75 square feet of outside play area shall be provided for each child under care". This conforms with what
is in the current Zoning Ordinance.
On page 7-9 in conjunction with Day Care, Home item (b) shall be amended to read: ..........,~,,,y ,,,= ~'~ yo,-,,,or ,~= -os-
as a A play area, ,,,,,,, gu,.,, o,=o p,,,,,u=u ~,,,,, shall bo surrounded by a fence constructed of masonry, painted or
treated wood or metal, at least ~ four (4) feet in height". The Commissioners agreed that the standard height
of four feet (48 inches) would be adequate for home day care.
On Page 7-10 in conjunction with Drop-in Facility item (a) shall be amended to read: "The use shall be located at
least 1000 feet from all existing drop-in facilities, consignment/;~,~;,~; secondhund stores, currency exchanges and
pawnshops".
On Page 7-10 in conjunction with Firearms Dealer, the Commission recommended that the items in this section be
forwarded to the Police Chief for review and comments.
On Page 7-11 in conjunction with Firearms Dealer, item (d), "Firing ranges shall be prohibited" shall be deleted. It
was the opinion of the Commission members that fire ranges should be allowed in certain areas and did not see any
problems with allowing them.
The next meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be the regularly scheduled meeting on February 8,
2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Upon completion of any business that comes before the
Commission, the review of the proposed Zoning Ordinance will commence on Page 7-11 with Food Service,
Convenience (Fast Food).
Motion by Yehle, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion
passed.
Respectlull~abfi~itted, . .. ,~ ,
Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission
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