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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 14, 1989 C) o o o o 'C}\ CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N,W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 ANDOVER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1989 The regularly scheduled Andover Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Marjorie Perry at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 13, 1988, in the Council Chambers of Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard N.W., Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present included Bev Jovanovich, Chairman Becky Pease, Bill Bernard, Don Spotts. Also present were Jay Blake and Todd Haas. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Jay Blake stated that Rosella Sonsteby would like her concern stated in the minutes in regard to the park dedication fees being retroactive and that this is an issue that should be discussed by the council. Becky Pease had a couple of corrections as follows: On page 2, regarding the mining permit, and the word "recreational" purposes. This statement should be revised to read, the land could be used for recreational purposes. On page 3, the first paragraph -- there should be another statement indicating there was a pUblic hearing. MOTION was made by Commissioner Jovanovich, seconded by Commissioner Spotts to approve the amended meeting minutes of January 24, 1989. All voted yes. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING: MINING PERMIT GORDON NORDEEN Todd Haas presented the request by Gordon Nordeen for a Special Use Permit to mine dirt as required in Ordinance 8, Section 5.03 (A) and Section 4.24. Todd Haas stated that in the summer of 1988, the City Council had some concerns about mining in the City of Andover. An inspection was made on Mr. Nordeen's property at 15357 prairie Road NW in late 1988. Mr. Nordeen has been mining dirt since about 1960 without an amended Special Use Permit and because the operation was in existence prior to the adoption of this ordinance, Mr. Nordeen is required to obtain an amended Special Use Permit because there have been structural alterations and enlargements of the operation. r-, U u ~~ Andover Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Two Todd Haas stated the City Staff has reviewed the application and had the following comments: 1) The applicant is requested to make reasonable use of the property. 2) Safety precautions are to be taken at the end of each working day to prevent injury to playing children, bike riders, snowmobilers, etc. 3) The applicant is required to restore the banks of the mined area after the area has been excavated using an approved topsoil seed, and/or vegetation, brush to establish. erosion control. 4) The applicant shall provide the City of Andover with a security bond to hold the City harmless against road damage and for restoration of the site as determined by the City Engineer. 5) Signs to be placed on both sides of the driveway at Prairie Road (haul road) indicating trucks hauling. 6) Watering of the haul road to control dust. 7) Hauling of material is Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays as recommended by the P & Z. Chairman Pease opened the pUblic hearing. o Mr. Nordeen stated that he started his operation in 1960 and feels it will be about six years until he retires. He also said that he's not a big-time operator and he doesn't load outside trucks. Mr. Nordeen has been working with the Coon Creek Watershed District to establish the site as a possible regional ponding area. He also has been in contact with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Spotts asked how current the elevation is as shown on the maps. Todd Haas stated that the average depth is about five feet. MOTION was made by Commissioner Spotts, seconded by Commissioner Bernard to close the public hearing. Mr. Spotts had the security bond. security bond could the City Engineer. some questions for discussion in regard to Todd Haas stated that the requirement for the be put in the motion and to be determined by Also Mr. Spotts asked if the special use permit would be reviewed each year. Jay Blake, stated that starting with January 1, 1989 all special use permits would be reviewed annually. ,.- \ o MOTION was made by Commissioner Spotts, seconded by Commissioner Bernard that the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission recommends to the City Council approval of the amended Special Use Permit to mine dirt from the property described as that part of the Southwest 1/4 of the Northwest Quarter of Section 24, and the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest Quarter of Section 24, Township 32, Range 24, Anoka County, Minnesota. This u o / '\ '-.....J Andover Park and Recreation Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Three property is at 15357 Prairie Road NW, Andover and is owned by Mr. Gordon Nordeen. The Special Use Permit is to be reviewed annually on the anniversary date when approved by the City Council. The following conditions would also apply: 1) The applicant is requested to make reasonable use of the property. 2) Safety precautions are to be taken at the end of each working day to prevent injury to playing children, bike riders, snowmobilers, etc. 3) The applicant is required to restore the banks of the mined area after the area has been excavated using an approved topsoil, seed, and/or vegetation, brush to establish erosion control. 4) The applicant shall provide the City of Andover with a security bond to hold the City harmless against road damage and for restoration of the site as determined by City Engineer. , \ '-J 5) Signs to be placed on both sides of the driveway at prairie Road (haul road) indicating trucks hauling. 6) Watering of the haul road to control dust. 7) Hauling of material is Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A public hearing was held and there was no opposition to this proposal. The proposed use permit will not be detrimental to the health, safety or general welfare of the community. It will not cause serious traffic congestion or hazards and it will not seriously depreciate surrounding property value, and it is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan. This is in requirement of Ordinance 8r Section 5.03 (A) and section 4.24. :J This item will go to the City Council on March 7th. u u u Andover Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Four ORDINANCE 87 AMENDMENT Jay Blake stated that Deputy Albertson requested a clarification of Ordinance 87 (ATV/Snowmobile Ordinance), Section 3, Subsection D regarding the use of snowmobiles on City Streets. Jay indicated that the amendment would not change the intent, but would clarify it for ease of interpretation by the deputies and residents of Andover. Commissioner Bernard agreed with this change, if it makes the Deputy's job easier. Chairman Pease agreed also and stated that this amendment would be more clear. / ~ '-/ MOTION was made by Commissioner Bernard, seconded by Commissioner Spotts that the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to the City Council approval of the change as stated by Officer Albertson as an amendment to Ordinance 87, Section 3 (D) Operation on Public Property. All voted yes. Motion carried. This item will go to the City Council on March 7th. ORDINANCE 10, AMENDMENT REVISION Jay Blake stated that the Building Inspector was running into problems with the wording of the Ordinance 10 Amendment, Contiguous 39,000 Square Feet Buildable Land Area. Mr. Almgren is now recommending that specified minimum depth and width dimensions should be established as follows: a minimum width of 150 feet and a minimum depth of 150 feet be used. These changes would apply to only the areas not served by sewer and water (2- 1/2 acre lots). The proposal would prevent any confusion with future subdivisions by eliminating any room for misinterpretations. u Becky Pease asked if this change would be for all districts. Jay Blake stated this amendment would go in lots or areas lacking municipal sanitary sewer within and outside the urban service area. Mr. Bernard asked about the 150 feet figure and the fact that they don't add up to 39,000. He wondered why the City did not prepare numbers that would, when multiplied, add up to the 39,000 square feet number. Mr. Blake stated that the requirement would still be 39,000 square feet, but that the minimum width and depth would be 150 feet. Mr. Bernard stated that if this change would assist the building inspector, that he had no problems with (J u o Andover Zoning and Planning Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Five it. Jay Blake stated it would make the staff's job in reviewing plats a lot easier. Rosella Sonsteby had asked for clarification of this ordinance. MOTION was made by Commissioner Bernard, seconded by Commissioner Jovanovich that the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission recommends to the City Council approval of the amended revision to Ordinance 10. The Building Inspector recommends a minimum width of 150 feet by at least 150 feet in depth and would have to total 39,000 contiguous square feet in reference in Section 9, Subsections (a) and (c). All voted yes. Motion carried. This item will go to the City Council on March 7th. SIGN ORDINANCE, SECTION 8.07, DISTRICT PROVISIONS ,,- -\ I '--../ Jay Blake reported that he had received copies of sign ordinances from the cities of Coon Rapids, Anoka, Waconia, Woodbury, Minnetrista and Eden Prairie. He had tried to get a copy of the City of Minneapolis' sign ordinance but had some difficulty and it could be obtained for a fee of $35, which he declined to pay. Mr. Spotts commented that he could get a copy of the sign ordinance from Brooklyn Park. Jay related that the P & Z had recommended at their 1/24/89 meeting that signs in the residential district be increased from 1-1/2 square feet to 4 square feet. Jay feels Andover would be right in line with other communities in making this recommendation. Also Jay wanted to clarify the size restrictions in Commercial and Industrial districts. He recommends removing the provision, II plus one (1) square foot per front foot of property not occupied by a building." The ordinance would then be easier to enforce and explain to developers. Mr. Bernard expressed that anything that makes it easier for both residents, developers, and/or city staff, he would agree with. , "\ oJ Mr. Spotts asked if the staff could add an example or sample sign for each of these areas to include in the sign ordinance. Mr. Blake stated this would be useful in making a handout for residents. r ' u u / \ '- ) Andover Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Six Also Jay raised the question, "are the height restrictions in the shopping center and neighborhood districts too lenient?" Jay has included in the packet information of the sign requirement for the cities of Woodbury, Waconia, Eden Prairie, Minnetrista, Anoka. Jay also explained that Coon Rapids bases height restrictions on the size of the sign. Jay is recommending that Andover lower the height restrictions as he is of the opinion that lower or shorter signs would make Andover more attractive. Currently, there is no one business above the height restriction Jay now recommends. Mr. Bernard asked if Jay had ever checked with the City of Anoka in regard the 35' feet in height sign and whether they've ever had problems with this size. Jay stated that he had not talked directly with them on this issue. ~) Also Jay was asked to research and find out if the Andover Downtown Center red sign meets this restriction or is it 25' to 35 I. The last area Jay wanted to review was the size restriction on non-residential signs in residential districts (24 square feet). The range from other cities was quite broad. Jay spoke with the local sign companies, and they stated that 32 square feet is the new industry standard because of the convenience of a 4' x 8' piece of plywood. Mr. Bernard asked if that was the amount of square feet requested by the sod company a couple of months ago. Jay thought they had requested 64 square feet, which could have been two, 32 square feet signs; and this is one of the reasons the P & Z is reviewing the sign ordinance now. Mr. Spotts asked how large the sign was at Mom's Junk Car area. Jay reported that it was larger than the ordinance now requires and it is a non-conforming sign. He also reported that there are approximately 20 non-conforming signs presently. ~ Chairman Pease asked how the staff handles non-conforming signs. Jay spoke with the City Attorney, and Mr. Hawkins stated the City could require that non-conforming signs could be replaced in two years. Jay Blake will prepare the changes above and add them to his sign ordinance section for review again by the P & Z Commission. " " "-J () ~) Andover Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Seven ANDOVER EDC REPORT Jay Blake reported that the EDC met on January 31, 1989 to discuss organization items and review economic development efforts in Andover. Task number one is the redevelopment of the district along Bunker Lake Boulevard. The second task that the EDC discussed is the redevelopment of Hughes Industrial Park. Jay commented that right now this Industrial Park is a small, unserviced area of the City. The third area of discussion was community promotion and image development of the City of Andover. The EDC is also going to be drafting a City promotional brochure to assist with the marketing of the Andover Commercial Park. Jay explained that the EDC will be bringing recommendations to the P & Z Commission and City Council on development tactics. Mr. Bernard also stated that the tax base in Andover is very low, compared to other communities, which is a positive thing to potential residents or business owners. r " o Mr. Bernard asked about the Andover recycling program. Jay Blake stated that currently there is a volunteer drop off center at the Downtown Center just during the summer. Jay is in the process of hiring a temporary employee to handle recycling for the next 3-4 months to get a program set up so that the community will know what type of program Andover will have for the next five years. Mr. Bernard locations (as is drop-off points. near future. asked if the City could have bins in several done with newspapers) and these could serve as Jay stated that this will be reviewed in the Mr. Bernard suggested that the education of the recycling process is very important and that the City should stress it to all community groups and residents. OTHER BUSINESS Harold Sullivan, wanted to relate that during the summer months he had to put up with the smell of pigs from his neighbor's property. He has talked with the owner, and someone from the City Staff and nothing has yet been resolved on this issue. / "- \.J ( ) '-- u :_J Andover Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Eight Mr. Blake stated that the City may have the authority to require him to get a special use permit in the farming operation if it is found that it is a nuisance to the neighbors. Mr. Blake suggested that Mr. Sullivan give him a call and they can review this issue. Council Action Throuqh Januarv Jay stated the fOllowing actions were taking by the Council. - The golfcart/wheelchair ordinance was approved. - The Ordinance 10 amendment was approved regarding cul-de- sacs. The Council felt that a 93-foot cul-de-sac was adequate. (No change in the policy) , , V - They approved seven junkyard licenses (Commercial Auto Parts, Andover Auto Parts, Mom's Auto Parts, ATV & Right of Way Auto Parts, Wilber Auto Parts, Bob's Auto Parts). However, the City has informed those owners that the policy has changed, and periodic spot-checks will be performed approximately once every two months, inspecting the sites for all code violations; and licenses can be revoked if numerous violations are found. Deputy Albertson has taken a keen interest in the clean-up of that area and patrols that area daily, and has found numerous violations. - The Community Development Block Grant Proposal Budget proposal for 1989 -- for Blight Removal, Comprehensive Plan Revision, and Public Services. Tonson Tire Fire Jay Blake presented some background information on the Tonson Fire situation. He commented that last Tuesday night, the Tonson fire broke out. The fire has been ruled as an arson because the fire started in two separate areas of the property. There were approximately 300,000 - 350,000 tires that burned. The EPA found 110 barrels buried underneath the tires that were on fire. Some barrels were empty, and some had contents of which is now being tested, with results to be known Friday. , "- '-..J The tires were burned for three days and officials were brought in officials from the EPA and the East Coast. They felt it would be safer for the residents to bury the fire in sand. The fire was declared out on Friday evening, when the evacuated residents were told they could return to their homes. (- '\ ,_ J I '\ ,_J ~~) Andover Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 1989 Meeting Minutes Page Nine Jay also reported that the state government has spent $73,000 so far on the site. It's still unknown what has to be removed from the site. On Wednesday, the court gave the City authority to go onto the site to clean it up. The PCA had already received bids on the removal of the tires, and were expecting to go in there Wednesday afternoon to shred the tires, etc. Now, they'll have to rebid the whole project, which delays the project again. The PCA will now take this action on the site. A significant amount of water was not used to contain the fire, because of the fear of the contaminants that might be in there, so they don't expect run-off problems. So far, no contamination has been found in the water at this time on the Tonson site. o Jay Blake also commented that Andover had fire departments assisting from four cities, public works and police department from Coon Rapids. The Disaster Plan for Andover did successfully work. ADJOURNMENT MOTION was made by Commissioner Bernard, seconded by Commissioner Jovanovich to adjourn the regular meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, (Plan.l) / '\ ,)