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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 8, 2009 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 8, 2009 The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting ofthe Andover Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairperson Daninger on December 8, 2009, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Chairperson Daninger, Commissioners Michael Casey, Tim Kirchoff, Valerie Holthus, Devon Walton, and Douglas Falk. Commissioners absent: Dennis Cleveland Also present: Associate City Planner, Angier Perera Others APPROVAL OF MINUTES. October 27, 2009 Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Casey, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-present (Falk, Walton), I-absent (Cleveland) vote. PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 09-10 TO EXTEND APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS FOR GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH LOCATED AT 13655 ROUND LAICE BOULEVARD NW. Ms. Perera noted Grace Lutheran Church has requested additional time for the existing subordinate classroom structures. No changes to the existing buildings are proposed. Ms. Perera reviewed the proposed Conditional Use Permit for temporary classrooms for Grace Lutheran Church with the Commission. Motion by Casey, seconded by Kirchoff, to open the public hearing. Motion canied on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Cleveland) vote. Commissioner Holthus asked if the community conversion has taken place. Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - December 8, 2009 Page 2 Pastor Mark Hellmann, Grace Lutheran Church, and Scott Christianson, Church Leadership were at the meeting. Pastor Hellmann stated they did have the conversation at the YMCA and it turned out great. He stated it was very positive and a great beginning conversation. Chair Daninger stated Grace Lutheran Church did a nice job of canvassing the neighborhood and putting fliers out. He stated all the questions and concerns were answered. Motion by Casey, seconded by Kirchoff, to close the public hearing. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Cleveland) vote. Commissioner Kirchoff stated he liked the new sign. Motion by Walton, seconded by Casey, to recommend to the City Council approval of Resolution No.O{)I-~qto approve the proposed Conditional Use Permit. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Cleveland) vote. Ms. Perera stated that this item would be before the Council at the December 15,2009 City Council meeting. PUBLIC HEARING: CITY CODE AMENDMENT TO CONSIDER CHANGES TO CITY CODE FOR WIND TURBINES Ms. Perera noted the purpose of the public hearing is to continue the discussion of adopting language into the City Code pertaining to wind energy that would allow certain wind turbines within the City. Ms. Perera reviewed the information with the Commission. Commissioner Casey stated he had concern with these being mounted on roof tops and felt they should have a conditional use permit for these. He was concerned about other residents complaining about blocking views. Ms. Perera reviewed what some of the other cities have made for restrictions regarding this. Commissioner Casey stated he would like to look further at the Cottage Grove code regarding this because it seemed to fit into what he was suggesting. Chairperson Daninger asked if2.5 acres minimum requirement would still leave Commissioner Casey with concerns. Commissioner Casey stated it would not, he was more concerned with homes in a denser area. Ms. Perera reviewed Maple Grove's Ordinance regarding wind turbines. Chairperson Daninger thought the last time this was reviewed they were all in favor of trying to keep this out of the small lot residential and they were all in favor of conditional Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - December 8, 2009 Page 3 use permit for all applications because it is new. If they say they want a conditional use permit on all aspects then they do not need to go through all the categories in the chart. Ms. Perera stated that was correct. Chairperson Daninger asked how the City Council felt about this. Ms. Perera stated this was discussed at a City Council workshop and they wanted the Plmming Commission feedback on what types should be allowed. The Commission was in concurrence with having a conditional use permit on all aspects. The Commission discussed how the City would regulate wind turbines and what areas they would be permitted in along with setbacks. Commissioner Kirchoff stated he was concerned that a wind turbine could go into a park or at the High School. Ms. Perera stated the High School would need to meet setbacks but it would be allowed there if they wanted to have one. Commissioner Kirchoff wondered if they could place a restriction that it would need to be one thousand feet from residential. Ms. Perera stated they could do that. Commissioner Walton stated his concern was if they get too restrictive the schools may not be able to look at alternative energy to save costs and could possibly close more schools. Commissioner Holthus stated ifthis would be conditional use the Planning Commission could recommend approval to the City Council on a case by case basis. Commissioner Walton thought they needed to start out with this being looser and tighten it up as they go along because if it is too restrictive there will not be anyone applying for it. Commissioner Holthus stated commercial wind turbines are very loud so they need to be far away from residential if they are to be allowed in the City, Ms. Perera stated the large commercial wind turbines would be allowed in the City but would need to meet the noise ordinance. The Commission discussed wind turbines and noise. Commissioner Kirchoff stated the Parks Department would be responsible for reviewing and recommending allowing or denying wind turbines in the park. Chairperson Daninger wondered ifthey needed to still determine between a commercial and non-commercial based upon the language that is going to be in the ordinance. Commissioner Kirchoff thought that was in there already because it was his Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - December 8, 2009 Page 4 understanding that anything over 40 kwh was commercial. Chairperson Daninger wondered if they needed to restrict that further. Commissioner Walton felt this was adequate for now and they can restrict this further if necessary in the future. Chairperson Daninger asked ifthey could eliminate Section 9-13-5. Ms. Perera stated they could if they wanted to simply state it was a conditional use permit. Ifthey did want to prohibit it within certain areas of the City they would want to list that somewhere. Ms. Perera stated roof mounted wind turbines are not discussed so it should be added to the wording. The Commission discussed Section 9-13-5 and decided that a minimum of five acres for a commercial wind turbine would work. The Commission discussed different m'eas in the City to see if they wanted to restrict wind turbines anywhere. Chairperson Daninger thought they could restrict them in the scenic river way. Commissioner Kirchoff thought this would be restricted anyways because it is governed by the scenic river guidelines. Chairperson Daninger reviewed the Commission discussion. He stated the Commission was comfortable with non-commercial having a conditional use permit for it and general standard will apply to it. The Commission decided to mal(e the wind turbines prohibited in the scenic water way and WDE for commercial and non-commercial wind turbines and if commercial needs to be at least a minimum of five acres. The Commission discussed roof tip wind turbines and if they should be permitted. Commissioner Falk stated he did not like the idea ofthes.e. Commissioner Kirchoff agreed. Commissioner Holthus thought if it would save money she would not mind having them on roofs. Commissioner Walton thought they could limit these to 2.5 acres or more. The Commission liked that idea. Motion by Walton, seconded by Falk, to open the public hearing. Motion carried on a 6- ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Cleveland) vote. There was no public input. Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - December 8, 2009 Page 5 Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Casey, to close the public hearing. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Cleveland) vote. Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Casey, to recommend approval based on discussed changes. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Cleveland) vote. Ms. Perera stated that this item would be before the Council at the December 15, 2009 City Council meeting. OTHER BUSINESS. Ms. Perera updated the Planning Commission on related items. ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Falk, to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Cleveland) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Sue Osbeck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.