HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 9, 1996
u
/~ 'r-..N'N'ICI1 ~ ~
u w- .T~ .L.J J .?3{q(r;
.,
'-J
CITY of ANDOVER
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - APRIL 9, 1996
MINUTES
The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning
Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jay Squires on April 9,
1996, 7:03 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW,
Andover, Minnesota.
Commissioners present:
Lynnette Barry, Jeffrey Luedtke, Jerry Putnam
(arrived at 7:06 p.m.), Randy Peek, Lorna
Wells
Maynard Apel
City Planning, Jeff Johnson
City Planning Director, David Carlberg
Others
Commissioner absent:
Also present:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 26, 1996: Correct as written.
o
MOTION by Luedtke, Seconded by Barry, to approve
presented. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, I-Present (Peek)
Putnam} vote.
the Minutes as
2-Absent (Apel,
PUBLIC HEARING: SPECIAL USE PERMIT - INSTITUTIONAL SIGNS - OAK VIEW
MIDDLE SCHOOL - ANOn HENNEPIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 11
7:04 p.m. Mr. Carlberg explained the Anoka Hennepin Independent School
District No. 11 is requesting a Special Use Permit to erect a 75-foot
institutional sign at the southernmost driveway entrance at 15400 Hanson
Boulevard, the site of the new Oak View Middle School. The property is
zoned R-l, Single Family Rural. The Special Use Permit request is to
allow more than the aggregate 32 square feet. Since the public hearing
notice, it has been discovered that a variance will also be needed
because the sign itself exceeds 32 square feet. He has discussed this
with the City Attorney, who did not have a problem with including the
variance request at the public hearing at this time.
Mr. Carlberg noted the ordinance was amended in 1991, and this is the
first request since then dealing with large signs based on the size of
the project. It is a 49-acre site, and to have one sign of 75 square
feet doesn't seem unrealistic when talking about this size of facility.
Staff is recommending approval of the variance based on the hardship
that strict enforcement of the ordinance causes the hardship. The size
of the structure and the size of the property would warrant a larger
sign.
/ '\
'---"
Commission discussion was on a clarification on the aggregate square
footage requirement.
\
,
'-./
,
o
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - April 9, 1996
Page 2
, I
(Public Hearing: Special Use Permit - Institutional Signs - Oak View
Middle School, Continued)
MOTION by Wells, Seconded by Barry, to open the public hearing. Motion
carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote. 7:15 p.m.
Zack Johnson, ATS & R, Architectural firm for the proiect - explained
the sign structure is L-shaped. There is no message on the masonry to
Hanson Boulevard. The lettering is applied over a lighted background.
MOTION by Luedtke, Seconded by Wells, to close the public hearing-
Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote. 7:15 p.m.
Mr. Carlberg didn't think anyone envisioned such a large project when
the ordinance was amended. He felt the ordinance may need to be
reviewed regarding the aggregate square footage and sign size and
possibly consider basing it on the size of the building as is done in
the commercial district. Commissioner Wells felt the proposed sign will
look nice. It is important to have a sign that will be visible. After
the new City Hall is built, visibility may become a problem as one
drives north along Hanson Boulevard toward the Middle School.
Commissioner Putnam did not think the size of the sign is excessive, nor
would it have a large impact on the area.
,j MOTION by Wells, Seconded by Luedtke, to forward the variance to
Ordinance 8, Section 8.0(C) (1) along with the Special Use Permit for
signage at the Oak View Middle School to the City Council for passage.
Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote. This item will be
placed on the May 7, 1996, City Council agenda. 7:24 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING: SPECIAL USE PERMIT - INSTITUTIONAL SIGNS - ANDOVER
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - ANOKA HENNEPIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 11
\
, /
7: 24 p. m. Mr. Carlberg explained the request of the Anoka Hennepin
Independent School Distri~t No. 11 for a Special Use Permit to allow
more than one institutional sign per lot frontage with an aggregate
square footage exceeding 32 square feet at 14950 Hanson Boulevard,
Andover Elementary School. One 30-square-foot sign already exists at
the southerly entrance on Hanson Boulevard. With the addition to the
school, the proposal is to add another two-sided, free-standing sign at
the driveway entrance to the site from Crosstown Boulevard NW plus a
colonnade sign across the main entrance to the building. The aggregate
square footage of the sign space will exceed 100 square feet; therefore,
a variance is also necessary to Ordinance No.8, Section 8.07 (D)
(2) (i) (2). The sign off Crosstown Boulevard NW is proposed to be 44.5
square feet. The colonnade would be 84 square feet. The Special Use
Permit is necessary for the excessive aggregate square footage of
signage plus the number of signs per lot frontage. Variances are needed
for exceeding the minimum 32-square-foot requirement for each sign, and
another variance is needed to vary from the minimum 100-aggregate square
footage requirement.
'-)
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - April 9, 1996
Page 3
,
I
(Public Hearing: Special Use Permit - Institutional Signs - Andover
Elmementary School, Continued)
Commissioner Luedtke was concerned with how far the sign will be set
back from the road, as the structure itself would be high enough to
block the line of sight. ~. carlbe~~tated it will be 10 feet from
the property line. The An ~~~~/~ ~cc will be reviewing the
sight triangle and other requirements before installation.
MOTION by Barry, Seconded by Wells, to open the public hearing. Motion
carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote. 7:32 p.m.
Mark Hayes, ATS & R, Architectural firm for the school - explained with
the new addition to the school, there was concern with focusing on the
main entrance to the site. The main office will be relocated from the
southern portion of the existing building to a central area between the
original and the new buildings. A new entry has been constructed in
that central area, plus one to the north which is more for staff and
community education. The free-standing colonnade was designed to draw
attention to what will now be the main entry for anyone coming from
either Crosstown Boulevard or Hanson Boulevard.
MOTION by Putnam, Seconded by Luedtke, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote. 7:36 p.m.
The Commission generally agreed with the proposal, that the colonnade is
appropriate to avoid confusion and that the signage is not excessive.
MOTION by Wells, Seconded by Barry, to forward to the City Council
approval for the slgnage as well as variances as stated in the
application. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote. This will
be placed on the May 7, 1996, City Council agenda.
Chairperson Squires suggested the Commission look at the institutional
sign regulations again. Mr. Carlberg stated Staff will look at that.
7:42 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING: AMEND ORDINANCE NO.8, SECTIONS 3.02, 6.02, 4.18 AND
4.20 RELATED TO PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS
7:42 p.m. Mr. Carlberg explained this item was tabled to allow Staff to
readvertise and include a change to the chart in Section 6.02 of
Ordinance No.8. No other changes have been made. Section 6.02 was
changed to eliminate any reference to minimum requirements in Planned
Unit Developments in the R-4 and R-5 districts. Other ordinance minimum
requirements will apply such as septic systems, building pads, etc.,
when development is done under a PUD. The proposed Ordinance 112 does
allow up to a 20 percent increase in density based on certain criteria,
that is a 5 percent increase for each of the four criteria listed in
that ordinance.
,
,
/
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - April 9, 1996
Page 4
(Public Hearing: Amend Oridnance No.8, Sections 3.02, 6.02, 4.18 and
4.20, Planned Unit Developments, Continued)
MOTION by Wells,
Motion carried on
public testimony.
Seconded by Luedtke, to open the public hearing.
a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote. 7:45 p.m. There was no
MOTION by Barry, Seconded by Putnam, to close
Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote.
the public hearing.
7:45 p.m.
The Commission agreed to discuss the next agenda item, the proposed
Ordinance 112 for Planned Unit Developments, before acting on this item.
DISCUSSION: ORDINANCE NO. 112, AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENTS
Mr. Carlberg reviewed the update to the proposed ordinance since the
last meeting: Page 3, Section 4, was reviewed by legal counsel, who
recommended no change. Page 5, Items 10 and 11 have been written to
require all city utilities to be designed, installed and maintained by
the City in conformance with all City standards and practices. The
concern of Public Works and the City Engineer was that of responsibility
if there are private associations and private sewer and water systems in
the planned unit developments. As proposed, the City would maintain
those systems as it does throughout the rest of the City. This
specifically refers to the municipal systems, not private septic
systems.
Discussion was on the issue of density. Mr. Carlberg noted as written,
the City Council would have total discretion over the density, up to a
maximum 20 percent increase based on the four criteria outlined under
Item 8. The ordinance allows a lot of flexibility and ability to
negotiate with the developer in these developments. Chairperson Squires
noted this can be a good tool, but it can also create a lot of
discontent among the residents who have moved to the City with a good
understanding of what will happen in the surrounding area only to find
out there was an underlying POD in that area that proposed something
entirely different. People making inquires about the zoning of
properties surrounding an area they are considering to live should b~
made aware of any proposed POD plans so they are not surprised by what
takes place after they move in.
Commissioner Wells was concerned with the issue of notification of only
350 feet in the R-1 districts. With lots frontages of 300 feet, very
few people who are affected receive official notification of public
hearings. She hoped to see that 350-foot requirement increased,
especially in the rural area. Mr. Carlberg explained the City is
legally required to notify property owners within 350 feet. Any further
area included in the notification would be arbitrary. Notices are also
placed in the Anoka Union, plus he has found that the word does spread
throughout neighborhoods so people are made aware of any proposal.
Also, Staff often holds informational neighborhood meetings.
'.
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - April 9, 1996
Page 5
(Discussion: Ordinance No. 112, An Ordinance Regulating Planned Unit
Developments, Continued)
Chairperson Squires agreed the issue is how far to notify people.
Notification could be a tremendous burden for the Staff. That issue
should be considered at another time rather than in this particular
ordinance.
In other discussion, Mr. Carlberg noted there is considerable reference
to the platting ordinance. He felt this type of development will be
more popular in the urban area, as the developers are saying 2 1/2-acre
lots are easier to market than one-acre lots.
Commissioner Peek asked what would happen to a planned unit development
of clustered housing in a rural area when city utilities come through.
Does the PUD become null and void? Mr. Carlberg stated the covenant for
the PUD would be in place and would stay in place unless the people want
to change it. It takes 51 percent of the people in the area to release
that covenant. A concern of the people buying those lots will be if the
open space will be preserved indefinitely or will it be allowed to
develop in the future. Normally covenants are determined between th~
buyers and the developers; however, the development agreement with the
City often includes those same things.
MOTION by Peek, Seconded by Wells, to forward to the Andover City
Council the recommendations for approval for Ordinance No.8, Section
3.02, 4.18, 4.20 and 6.02 as presented by Staff and Ordinance No. J12 as
presented by Staff with the recommendation for approval. A public
hearing was held and there was absolutely no comment. Motion carried on
a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Carlberg updated the Commission on the actions of the City Council
at their April 2, 1996, regular meeting. There was also a discussion
on the role of the Commission as advisors to the Council and the need to
consider applications based on the ordinances or City policy and what is
in the best interest of the City rather than from a personal standpoint.
Respecting the opinions of others was also stressed.
MOTION by Wells, Seconded by Putnam, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6-
Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
~esp~~
~,a A. Peach, Recording Secretary