HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 25, 1993
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CITY of ANDOVER
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100
ANDOVER PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
MEETING AGENDA
May 25, 1993
The Andover Planning and Zoning Commission will hold their
regular meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 1993 at the City Hall
Offices, 1685 NW Crosstown Blvd. The meeting is scheduled to
begin at 7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
1.
Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes: May 11, 1993
3. Variance - Sideyard Setback from Street -
14365 Zilla street NW - Bradley Melland.
4. Sketch Plan - Larson - Jed Larson
SE 1/4, SE 1/4, Section 7.
5.
Sketch Plan - Crown pointe - Ashford
Development corporation, Inc. - SE 1/4, Section
26.
6. Sketch Plan - Wittington Ridge - Ashford
Development Corporation, Inc. - NW 1/4, Section
22 & NE 1/4, NE 1/4, Section 21.
7. ATV/Snowmoblie Ordinance Discussion
8. Other Business
9. Adjournment
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CITY of ANDOVER
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - MAY 25, 1993
MINUTES
The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Planning and zoning
Commission was called to order by Chairperson Bonnie Dehn on May 25,
1993, 7:30 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW,
Andover, Minnesota.
Commissioners present:
Maynard Apel, Bev Jovanovich, Becky Pease
(arrived at 7:33 p.m.), Randy Peek, Jay
Squires
Marc McMullen
Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas
City Planner, David Carlberg
Others
Commissioners absent:
Also present:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 11, 1993: Correct as written.
MOTION by Apel, Seconded by Jovanovich, the May 11 Minutes as written.
Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (Pease, McMullen) vote.
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_ (Commissioner Pease arrived at this time, 7:33 p.m.)
VARIANCE: SIDEYARD SETBACK FROM STREET, 14365 ZILLA STREET NW, BRADLEY
MELLAND
Mr. Carlberg reviewed the request of Bradley Melland to allow for the
construction and placement of a deck encroaching into the required 35-
foot sideyard setback from the street. The 10 x 12-foot deck would
encroach over 11 feet and be located off a sliding glass door. The
applicant believed the deck could be constructed when he purchased the
home. Mr. Carlberg had pictures of the property. The biggest concern is
for the people on 143rd Avenue whose homes are set back 35 feet. Too
much of an encroachment into the required setback will be obvious. There
is a uniqueness of the sliding glass doors because a step down or a
walkway could not even be constructed from them without encroaching into
the setback, which in essence denies the owner the use of that access.
The house is located 35.8 feet from the side property line on 143rd
Avenue. Mr. Melland has a petition from neighbors indicating they are in
favor of the proposal. This situation should not happen in the future
because of a recent amendment to the ordinance.
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In discussing the request, it was determined that the house could have
been set further to the north by about 10 feet when it was built to
accommodate a deck without encroaching into the setback. Mr. Carlberg
stated apparently the builder did not think the deck was encroaching
into the sideyard setback. No site plan was reviewed at the time this
house was built. With the ordinance revision, that is now being done
and this type of problem should no longer occur.
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Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - May 25, 1993
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(Variance: Sideyard Setback, 14365 Zilla Street, Melland, Continued)
Commissioner Peek recalled in the past the recommendation was to allow
enough room for a landing and steps to go to the back of the house where
the deck could then be built, but not enough for the entire deck. He
didn't see a particular hardship to grant the variance for the entire
deck.
Commissioner Apel was in favor of the variance because there is no real
opposition to it. Also, if trees were planted within that setback, it
would be more obtrusive than the deck. He felt they should make some
common sense out of the ordinance when errors are made. It would have
been a simple matter of delineating the setbacks at the time the site
plans were submitted. He again stated he felt the deck would not be any
more intrusive on the line of site than the mature trees will be.
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Bradlev Melland, 14365 Zilla Street NW - stated he has put in two trees
in the front yard, one on the corner and one just west of the proposed
deck. Plus there is a spruce in the southeast corner of the lot. He
had the house built for him but had no arrangement regarding the deck.
It was his intent, however, to eventually build one. He assumed the
deck would be approved because the house was approved with the sliding
glass door at that location. He occupied the home the end of June,
1992. He thought it would be difficult to build the deck in the back
with only an access from the sliding door to the deck because of the
fireplace.
Commissioner Squires felt the Commission is being asked to correct a
problem created by the builder. If the intent was to have a deck, the
builder should have been cognizant of that fact and considered it when
placing the house. He felt the fact that the house could have been
placed further north to accommodate the deck is relevant.
Chairperson Dehn felt the ordinance change will correct this type of
situation. She felt that similar variances had been granted in the past.
MOTION by Apel, Seconded by Jovanovich, the resolution approving the
variance request of Bradley Melland as represented by the Resolution
placed before this Commission by the City Staff. After reading over the
resolution, I see no reason to add or detract from it. Simply recommend
approval and place "approve" in the blanks.
VOTE ON MOTION:
ABSENT-McMullen.
Council on their
YES-Dehn, Apel, Jovanovich; NO-Pease, Peek, Squires;
Motion tied. This will be forwarded to the City
June 15 meeting with no recommendation.
SINGLE OR MULTIPLE DWELLING - 4640 165TH AVENUE NW
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Mr. Carlberg explained the house was supposedly constructed with the
idea that it would be a duplex. There is a completed upper and lower
level with kitchens and bathrooms but with no connection. In its
present condition, it does not work as a single family residence. He
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Andover Planning and zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - May 25, 1993
Page 3
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(Single of Multiple Dwelling - 4640 165th Avenue, Continued)
has a notarized letter from the owner when the house was built and who
sold it to the current owner that it was constructed as a duplex and
that he rented both units prior to the adoption of the City's Zoning
Ordinance in 1971. It is in an R-1 Single Family district. The owner
now wishes to sell the house and would like to market it as a duplex.
The existing ordinance allows boarders but not with kitchen facilities.
Staff had questioned whether the house was constructed as a duplex or
was modified to be one. The notarized letter clarifies that issue.
Gladvs Ransom, 4640 165th Avenue - stated she paid down on the house in
1974 and closed in April, 1975. Two families were living there since it
was built as a duplex by Castner in Grow Township. It was builtin
1969. Now she has truckers sleeping downstairs.
John Ottenstroer, Realtor - stated he talked to the City Staff about the
zoning when he first listed the house. Because it was zoned single
family, he started to market it as that. It is a true duplex with no
way to renovated it to a single family home without major renovations.
But he did not want to market it as a duplex without City approval and
risk the possibility of someone suing Ms. Ransom.
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After some discussion, the general consensus of the Commission was that
the City did not have a right to tell them how to market the property.
It is a legal nonconforming use allowed in that district because it
existed prior to the adoption of the Zoning Ordinance, and the City
would not change the use at this point. They should be aware that it is
a nonconforming use and what that means in terms of reconstruction in
the event it is destroyed over 51 percent. Mr. Carlberg stated he will
provide copies of that section of the ordinance relating to
nonconforming uses. He will also document this in the City's building
records for future reference.
SKETCH PLAN: JED LARSON, SE 1/4, SE 1/4, SECTION 7
Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed sketch plan for four lots in the R-4
district off of CoRd 158. The private easement for the use of Eldorado
Street will be dedicated to the City as right of way and constructed to
City standards. The City Council will have to decide which parcels will
be assessed for that road construction. Mr. Haas also briefly reviewed
the background of this parcel which has been discussed by the City
Council on several occasions.
Jed Larson - stated this is not what they wanted to do. They just
wanted to split their parcel and build a house in the back, but the City
Council would not approve that and instead told them this is what they
would accept.
,/ The Commission had no comments on the proposal. The item will be placed
on the June 1, 1993, City Council agenda.
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Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - May 25, 1993
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SKETCH PLAN: CROWN POINTE, ASHFORD DEVELOPMENT, INC., SE 1/4, SEC 26
Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed sketch plan of Crown Pointe, which is
located in an R-l Single Family Rural zoning district. The property
will be required to be rezoned to R-l and brought into the MUSA for
urban residential development. There is a natural gas pipeline that
could be affected, and Staff is recommending the developer contact the
pipeline offices for special precautions. Public Works is concerned
with the proposed cul-de-sacs because they are very dangerous to
maintain with the on-coming traffic.
The Commission surmised the reason for the cul-de-sacs is because
without them the lot widths would be substandard. They suggested the
developer review the widths of the lots to see if some lots could be
made narrower to the point of eliminating the cul-de-sacs. It was felt
it would be smarter to grant variances on lot widths and eliminate the
cul-de-sacs than to eliminate a lot and reduce tax revenue.
Jav Windschitl, Developer - stated they will look at that suggestion.
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Mr. Carlberg stated they will look at the triangular lots to be sure
they meet the size requirements. Commissioner Peek asked the City's
policy in terms of building substantial lengths of roadway over a gas
line easement. Mr. Haas stated the developer will have to discuss that
with the gas company. Normally the gas company would have to restore
the street if they do any work in it. That issue will need to be
addressed further at the time of the preliminary plat. The Commission
noted what is important is the liability the City incurs.
Mr. Windschitl stated if there is a problem, it will be resolved between
him and the gas company.
Commissioner Squires was uncomfortable with park dedication in the
proximity of a natural gas line. Mr. Haas explained the proposal on the
property to the south is a 30-foot strip along the railroad tracks for
a trail system plus a park in the corner of Bunker Lake Boulevard and
the railroad tracks. The park dedication will be considered by the Park
and Recreation Commission.
There were no further Commission comments. This will be placed on the
June 1, 1993, City Council agenda.
SKETCH PLAN: WITTINGTON RIDGE, ASHFORD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, INC.,
NW 1/4, SECTION 22 AND NE 1/4, NE 1/4, SECTION 21
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Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed sketch plan of Wittington Ridge for 21
rural residential lots of 2.5 acres. The property is not in the MUSA but
it could be served. The existing trunk sanitary sewer was placed at
maximum depth to eventually serve these parcels. Mr. Carlberg noted the
Comprehensive Plan submitted to the Metropolitan Council was up to the
year 2010, and this area was not inc 1 uded in the proposed urban
residential area. That could be changed, however. The City's position
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Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - May 25, 1993
Page 5
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(Sketch Plan: Wittington Ridge, Ashford Development, Continued)
would be a preference for urban lots in that area. The Commission also
noted that in Oak Bluff, the rural lots were allowed to be developed as
one-acres lots because it was known that sanitary sewer would be in that
vicinity shortly after development.
Mr. Haas stated another issue is with five lots because of the wetlands.
The developer is proposing to shift the lot lines to protect the
wetlands. Some lots may be smaller than 2.5 acres with an abutting lot
larger than 2.5 acres, but overall the acreage would meet or exceed the
average of 2.5 acres per lot. Commissioner Apel felt that with the new
wetlands legislation, the City will need to consider its regulations and
be flexible to accommodate these developments. To do otherwise would be
denying the owners the right to use their properties. After further
discussion, the Commission agreed to reserve judgement on this issue
until the wetlands are delineated.
Mr. Haas noted the street alignment is acceptable to the Andover Review
committee. A temporary cul-de-sac will be required.
There were no further comments from the Commission.
placed on the June 1, 1993, City Council agenda.
The item will be
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ATV/SNOWMOBILE ORDINANCE DISCUSSION
Mr. Carlberg asked the Commission to discuss the regulation of
snowmobiles within the City of Andover in light of problems encountered
in enforcing the requirements of the ordinance in the past. He reported
the City listed the regulations in the newsletter, plus the Mayor wrote
an effective article last fall. In addition, the Sheriff's Department
had scheduled two 12-hour periods to tag violations of all snowmobilers.
That did not happen because of the weather in both cases. The effect
was that the number of snowmobile complaints reduced considerably this
past winter.
Commissioner Apel argued that the ordinance is not the problem, but that
of enforcement; and he did not feel the answer was to eliminate the
right to use snowmobiles in the City, at least not at this time.
Chairperson Dehn also respected the right of people to use snowmobiles
as long as they respect her as a property owner; but with the influx of
new populous into the community, many are not aware of the ordinances
and trespass onto other people's property. She felt the Sheriff simply
does not have the time to enforce this. She commended the snowmobile
clubs who work hard on education. Commissioner Apel countered that it is
the responsibility of the Sheriff to enforce the ordinances.
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Peter Kino, Snow Baron Snowmobile Club of Anoka - stated as a club, they
are authorized to work with the City and the Sheriff's Department as
complaints come in. They will put up fencing across those crossings
that are continually used by snowmobilers but should not be, and take it
down for the summer. They would also have an educational program for
the younger members, plus start a snowmobile club in Andover.
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Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - May 25, 1993
Page 6
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(ATV/Snowmobile Ordinance Discussion, Continued)
After discussing the issue further, the Commission agreed to make no
changes to the ordinances at this time, preferring instead to monitor
the situation one more year. They suggested the City continue posting
the regulations in the newsletter starting in early fall, encouraged the
Mayor to write another letter similar to what was written last year,
plus have the Sheriff Department conduct its saturation program.
Another suggestion for the snowmobile clubs was to provide educational
material in the schools and to people when they get licenses.
Mr. King again stated they would like to get involved to eliminate
future problems. They will also provide information to the snowmobilers
through the Minnesota State Association publication which the majority
of snowmobilers get.
Bruce Steinberq, Andover - stated they are making the same offer as they
did to the Ramsey City Council. If there are complaints where
snowmobilers are consistently corning on a lot or in an area, they will
put up snow fence to close the access route plus take it down in the
summer. They would also do some policing. As a club, they can help by
warning people, passing out pamphlets, whatever it takes to educate the
people.
No further action was taken by the Commission
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Carlberg updated the Commission on the status of the City's
Comprehensive Plan. The Metropolitan Council did approve 100 acres of
MUSA expansion contingent upon the City's participation in the Highway
10 corridor study. Staff met with representatives of the Met Council,
City of Ramsey and the county. The county has asked for a proposal from
their engineering firm to update their 2010 Transportation Plan. He is
also working on an interim development plan requesting an additional 200
acres of MUSA, as it is critical that the City continue to expand its
MUSA. The proposal would be to expand 200 acres this year, another 200
acres next year, and 200 acres the year after that. He will continue to
keep the Commission informed.
There being no further business, Chairperson Dehn declared the meeting
adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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Respectfully SUbmitted'~
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Recording Secretary