HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.12.20 Work Session1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV
Andover Planning and Zoning Commission
Work Session Meeting Agenda
August 12, 2020
6:00 PM
Andover City Hall
Council Chambers
6:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion — Planning and Zoning Commission Procedures Packet Review
3. Other Business
4. Adjournment
Please note:
Some or all members of the Andover Planning & Zoning Commission may participate in the August 12, 2020
meeting by telephone or video conference call rather than by being physically present at the Commission's
regular meeting place at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304.
Members of the public can watch the meeting live on the government access channel, web stream via QCTV.org
or physically attend at Andover City Hall. Please keep in mind that seating in the City Council Chambers is
currently veru limited as appropriate social distancing will be practiced by the Commission and visitors. The
public can also participate in the work session remotely through the video conference call. A link to the call will
be available on the Planning Department website the day of the meeting.
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.AN DOVE RM N.GOV
TO: Planning and Zoning Commissioners
FROM: Joe Janish, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Planning and Zoning Commission Procedures Packet Review
DATE: August 12, 2020
REQUEST
Attached is a DRAFT Planning and Zoning Commission Procedures packet that staff will go
over with the Planning and Zoning Commissioners.
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV
Planning and Zoning Commission Procedures — revised 8/5/21120
General Information
Role of the Planning and Zoning Commission
The Planning and Zoning Commission serves as an advisory board to the City
Council. The seven member board makes recommendations based on the city's
Comprehensive Plan, City Code and the input of residents. The City Council
makes all final decisions. A summary of the types of items reviewed by the
Planning and Zoning Commission within this packet.
Procedures
The Commission abides by the rules of parliamentary procedure known as
"Roberts Rules". A brief overview is provided within this packet as well.
Meeting Dates and Times
The Commission typically meets on the second Tuesday and sometimes on the
fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers
at City Hall. The meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. and typically last between one
and three hours.
The Commission also on occasion meets at 6:00 p.m. in work session prior to
the regular meeting when needed, or may utilize the fourth Tuesday of each
month for a work session.
Length of Term
Commissioners are appointed to serve three year terms beginning in January.
Members may reapply to serve consecutive terms.
Staff Reports
Staff reports will be prepared for each item on the agenda. The reports will
include general information, applicable ordinances as well as information
provided by the applicant. A packet including all of the materials for each
meeting will be delivered to Commissioner's homes on the Friday before the
meeting by an Anoka County Sheriff's Department Community Service Officer.
Attendance
If you are unable to attend a meeting, please contact a staff member in the
Planning Department. This is important to ensure that a quorum (majority) of
Commissioners will be present at each meeting. Three absences may result in
removal from the Commission.
DRAFT I
Payment
Commission members receive a small stipend per meeting. Payments are made
quarterly. Commissioners are asked to fill out a W-4 form prior to receiving
compensation.
DRAFT
Summary of Items Reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission
The majority of items reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission will be
from one of the following categories:
(establishing law)
Comprehensive Plan
A "road map" for the community. This document establishes the vision and
goals for the community and City Code is required to be consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan. As the City of Andover is part of the Metropolitan
Council (Met Council) our Comprehensive Plan needs to be consistent with
Policy Statements and guidance of the Met Council. This plan provides the
foundation for all land use regulation in the city.
Overall the information within a Comprehensive Plan follows three basic
questions:
1. What is the state of community today?
2. What should the community be in the future?
3. How will we get there?
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Most Comprehensive Plan Amendments (CPA's) involve changes in the Future
Land Use Map. This map provides a land use designation for each property in
the city. These designations regulate the types of activities that can occur on a
property; such as residential, commercial, or industrial development. In other
cases, a CPA may involve a change to the text of the plan to more accurately
reflect changing times and conditions. Criteria for the review of these
amendments are provided in Chapter One of the Comprehensive Plan.
Zoning Ordinance
This is a tool to implement the comprehensive plan. Zoning is a method of
establishing a land use pattern by regulating how land is used by owners/renters.
Zoning ordinances include area standards (size, setbacks, height, etc.), various
zoning districts (residential, commercial, industrial) with standards and allowed
uses within those zoning districts.
Zoning Code Amendment
City Code amendments typically involve changes to the text of the City Code.
These requests can be initiated by an applicant or the city. In many cases
changes to existing regulations are made to reflect changes in times and
conditions or to address situations that have not previously been contemplated.
Rezoning
A rezoning is a change (amendment) to the city's official zoning map. These
change the zoning district of one or more properties. Zoning districts prescribe
land uses that are allowed as well as dimensional standards for lot size, building
setbacks and other items as detailed in Title 12 of the City Code.
DRAFT 3
STATE LAW. When property is rezoned from residential to commercial or
industrial, a two —thirds majority of all members of the city council is required.
Other zoning changes only require a simple majority and rezoning should be
consistent with the comprehensive plan land use map.
(applying law)
Lot Split
A Lot split is a division of one property into two properties. A survey, legal
descriptions of the proposed properties and other information is required
depending upon the circumstances surrounding the subject property. City Code
Title 13, Chapter 1 provides the review procedure for lot splits.
Sketch Plan
A sketch plan allows input from the Commission on a conceptual development
proposal. The purpose is to allow a discussion between the Commission and
applicant to help determine whether a concept has merit and what types of
adjustments are needed before proceeding to a formal recommendation by the
Commission. This is a cheap way to determine if what a person is asking for is
viable.
Ghost Plat
Typically this is a reference to a conceptual development layout for surrounding
properties. It is used to show how the properties around a proposed
development could develop, and the proposed development still leaves options
for those property owners.
Preliminary Plat
Preliminary plats involve the subdivision of one or more properties into more
than two properties. These items are more complex than lot splits and require
additional application materials including a grading plan, storm water
management plat, geotechnical report and tree protection plan. City Code Title
11 provides the specific regulations for preliminary plats.
Conditional Use Permit
Conditional use permits (CUP's) are required for land uses that have the
potential for adverse impacts on adjacent properties. CUP's allow the city to
place reasonable conditions on the approval of a project to mitigate these
impacts. In some cases, with sufficient findings, the Commission can
recommend denial of a CUP if reasonable conditions are deemed not to be
sufficient to adequately address adverse impacts on adjacent properties. The
burden of proof is the applicant's responsibility. The criteria for considering
conditional use permits are provided in City Code 12-14-6.
Criteria for granting Conditional Use Permits (CUP):
1. In granting a Conditional Use Permit, the City Council shall consider
the advice and recommendation of the Planning and Zoning
Commission and:
DRAFT 4
a. The effect of the proposed use upon the health, safety, morals and
general welfare of occupants of surrounding lands.
b. Existing and anticipated traffic conditions, including parking
facilities on adjacent streets and land.
c. The effect on values of property and scenic views in the
surrounding area, and the effect of the proposed use on the
Comprehensive Plan.
Interim Use Permit
The purpose and intent of an Interim Use Permit (IUP) is a temporary use of
property until a particular date, until the occurrence of a particular event, or
until zoning regulations no longer permit it.
IUP's include uses such as mining, home occupations, interim performance
standards (for the Hughs/Westview area), land reclamation, storage of
construction highway materials, subordinate classroom structures, and other
uses that the City establishes a sunset clause, a date of expiration. The criteria
for considering interim use permits are provided in City Code 12-14-12.
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall recommend an interim use
permit and the Council shall issue such interim use permit only if it finds
that such use at the proposed location:
(1)Will not create an excess burden on parks, streets, and other public
facilities;
(2)Will not be injurious to the surrounding neighborhood or otherwise
harm the public health, safety, and general welfare;
(3) Will not have a negative effect on values of property and scenic
views;
(4)Will be subject to, by agreement with the owner, any conditions
that the City Council has deemed appropriate for permission of the
use, including a condition that the owner may be required to
provide an appropriate financial surety to cover the cost of
removing the interim use and any interim structures upon the
expiration of the interim use permit.
Termination. An interim use permit shall terminate upon the occurrence of
any of the following events, whichever occurs first;
(1)Five (5) years from the date of approval; or
(2)The date or event stated in the permit; or DRAFT
5
(3)An amendment to the City Code that either no longer allows the
interim use or now permits the interim use; or
(4)The use has been discontinued for six months.
Variance
Variances are essentially a waiver of a specific City Code requirement that may
be granted when unique circumstances are demonstrated by the applicant. The
Commission is asked to compare an applicant's request to the Zoning Code and
the criteria of City Code 12-14-7 to determine if a recommendation of approval
or denial is appropriate.
Review Criteria:
1. Variance shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the
general purposes and intent of the official control and when the
variances are consistent with the comprehensive plan.
2. Variances may be granted when the applicant for the variance
establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the
official control. "Practical difficulties," as used in connection with
the granting of a variance, means:
a. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable
manner not permitted by an official control;
Means the landowner would like to use the property in a
particular reasonable way but cannot do so under the current
ordinance. It does not mean that the land cannot be put to any
reasonable use without the variance.
For example, if the variance application is for building too close
to a lot line, or does not meet the required setback, the focus of
the first factor is whether the request to place a building there is
reasonable.
b. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to
the property not created by the landowner;
The uniqueness generally relates to the physical characteristics
of the property.
c. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of
the locality;
Will the resulting structure be out of scale, out of place or
inconsistent with the surrounding area?
DRAFT 6
d. Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical
difficulties.
Economic considerations can be considered, however cannot be
the sole factor.
DRAFT
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
CITY CODE
13-3-1: PURPOSE: The purpose of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) is to encourage more
efficient allocation of density and intensity of land use where such arrangement is desirable and
feasible by providing the means for greater creativity and flexibility in environmental design than
provided under the strict application of this code. It must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of
the City Council that a higher quality development will result than could be otherwise achieved
through strict application of this code. (Ord. 298, 8-4-2004)
13-3-6: ZONING AND SUBDIVISION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS: All
standards and provisions relating to an original zoning district shall apply, unless otherwise
approved as part of the PUD. All standards may be modified or waived provided the applicant
demonstrates harmony with the purpose of the PUD and the findings described in Section 13-3-9
of this chapter. (Ord. 298, 8-4-2004)
If the PUD does not change the underlining zoning then the standards still apply. For
example in the R-1 Single Family -Rural zoning district, the following are lot standards:
• Lot size of 2.5 acres
• Lots 300 feet wide at the front yard setback line
• Lot depth of 150 feet
• Density of 0.4 units per acre
13-3-9: FINDINGS REQUIRED: In order for a PUD to be approved, the City shall find that the
following are present:
A. The proposed development is not in conflict with the goals of the
Comprehensive Plan of the city.
B. The proposed development is designed in such a manner as to form a desirable
and unified environment within its own boundaries.
C. The proposed development demonstrates how each modified or waived
requirement contributes to achieving the purpose of a PUD.
D. The PUD is of composition, and arrangement that its construction, marketing,
and operation are feasible as a complete unit without dependence upon any
subsequent unit. (Ord. 298, 8-4-2004)
13-3-11: DESIRABLE PUD DESIGN QUALITIES: The following design qualities will be
sought in any PUD:
DRAFT
A. Achieves efficiency in the provision of streets and utilities and preserves area
to achieve the elements of design qualities described in this chapter.
• Minimizing soil disturbances for the construction of roadways?
• Minimizing impacts to wetlands?
• Openness to modifying design standards, such as street width, setbacks,
lot dimensions, lot sizes?
B. Provides convenient and safe access for vehicles and pedestrians and all types
of activity that are anticipated to be a part of the proposed development.
• Review of access into and out of the development?
• Review ofmultimodal traffic within the development?
• Review of multimodal traffic to connect to existing amenities?
C. Provides a buffer between different uses, adjacent properties, roadways,
between backyards of back-to-back lots.
• Tree stand preservation?
• Landscaping plans?
• Restrictive Easements?
• Home Owners Association (HOA)?
D. Preserves existing stands of trees and/or significant trees.
• Tree stand preservation?
• Moving roadways to avoid trees or significant trees?
• Smaller lots than the 2.5 acres are considered in order to place a
roadway in an area to preserve trees?
E. Provides considerable landscaping treatments that complement the overall
design and contribute toward an overall landscaping theme.
• Additional trees for each lot?
• Monument entrances?
• Rain gardens?
F. Preserves significant usable space on individual lots or through the provision of
open space within the development.
• R-1 zoning requires a total of 13,600 square feet of upland (3,600 sq ft
for home and 10, 000 square feet for primary and secondary septic
location), would a half (5) acre of upland or more per lot be considered
"significant usable space?
• If a developer could provide more upland per lot vs. 13,600 square feet,
would council consider a smaller lot than 2.5 acres?
A
• If a developer provided open space either as HOA owned or provided
additional parkland or preserve to the City, would council consider
smaller lots than 2.5 acres?
• Clustering?
G. Provides an attractive streetscape through the use of undulating topography,
landscaping, decorative street lighting, decorative mailbox groupings, retaining
walls, boulders, fencing, area identification signs, etc.
• If "Undulating topography" creates lots that are less than 2.5 acres, is
that acceptable?
• If minimizing the impact of construction creates smaller lots, is that
acceptable?
H. The proposed structures within the development demonstrate quality
architectural design and the use of high quality building materials for unique
design and detailing.
• Custom home sites?
• Limitations on building materials?
• Color restrictions?
• Home style restrictions (ramblers, two story, patio/slab, etc.)?
L The lasting quality of the development will be ensured by design, maintenance
and use guidelines established through an owners' association. (Ord. 298, 8-4-
2004).
• If the HOA restricts uses that the City Code allows, is that acceptable?
• Limit home occupations?
• Not allow for accessory structures, additional limits on accessory
structures size,
• Restrictparking in driveways?
• Require additional landscaping?
• Other code restrictions?
13-3-12: APPROVAL OF PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT: The developer must
demonstrate that the amenities and qualities of the Planned Unit Development are beneficial and
in the public interest to allow the development to be approved. A substantial amount of the design
qualities identified in Section 13-3-11 of this chapter shall be found to be present in order to
approve a PUD. The amount of amenities and type of qualities that constitute an acceptable PUD
are at the sole discretion of the City Council to determine. (Ord. 298, 8-4-2004)
DRAFT 10
General Applications Process
Applicant meets with City Staff
Applicant submits Application
ARC
Planning
Staff Review
Revisions
Staff Comments -Develop PZ Agenda
Eng.
Item - Schedule Public Hearing
PW
Fire
Bldg.
Admin
401
A
Nat. Res.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Meeting - Hold Public Hearing -
Recommendation to City Council
City Council Meeting— FINAL
DECISION
Develop CC Agenda Rem including
Planning and Zoning Commission
Comments
J6
IF RNIED
DRAFT 11
Planning Commission Public Hearing Process:
Public Hearings
The majority of items reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission require
a public hearing. The City Council has adopted the following policy for public
hearings:
City of Andover Public Hearing Policy
Citizen testimony, opinions or questions at a public hearing are encouraged and
are considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission in their respective
deliberations. The following guidelines are established by the Commission and
are enforceable by the Chairperson or presiding Commission member.
1. A member of City staff will introduce and explain the agenda item.
2. One of the Commissioners will need to make a motion to open the public
hearing. The motion will need to be seconded by another Commissioner.
The motion will be called to a vote by the Chairperson.
3. Once the public hearing has been opened, the Chairperson will invite
public comment and set a time limit for each speaker so that all citizens
desiring to address the issue may have the opportunity to do so. The
petitioner will be called forward to present or answer questions from the
Commission. Following the petitioner, the Chairperson will invite any
citizen with questions or comments to come forward. A group of persons
may select a spokesperson to speak for the group; that person may be
granted more time at the Chairperson's discretion.
4. A citizen desiring to speak may do so by recognition by the Chairperson.
He/she shall approach the podium and state their name and address.
Citizens not recognized by the Chairperson should refrain from
interrupting a speaker who has been recognized as a matter of general
courtesy.
5. Questions should be addressed to the Chairperson. The Commission is
free to call upon or redirect a question to a staff member. Citizens are
encouraged to contact staff members prior to or after the public hearing to
obtain further information.
6. Each citizen will be permitted to address the Commission once during the
meeting. At the Chairperson's discretion, second comments may be heard
if time exists or if new information is to be presented.
7. After citizen comments have been heard, the Chairperson may call on the
petitioner to address questions that were raised during the citizens
comments. After the end of the citizen and petitioner comments one of
the Commissioners will need to make a motion to close the public hearing.
The motion will need to be seconded by another Commissioner. The
motion will be called to a vote by the Chairperson.
DRAFT 12
8. Once the public hearing has been closed, the Commission will hold its
own discussion on the issue. A recommendation to the City Council may
be made at this time or postponed until a later meeting if the Commission
deems it needs additional information to make a recommendation. No
further public comment will be allowed unless specifically invited by the
Chairperson.
®RAFT
13
The pyramid of discretion framework illustrates how much discretion the city
has to make land use decisions based on the role it is in.
Variances
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QQv Conditional 0,�
Q Use Permits F
Subdivision Applications
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in
®RAFT
14