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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 25, 1977 o o o o o 0 c,ry of ANDOVER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Regular Meeting - October 25, 1977 AGENDA Approval of Minutes of October 11, 1977 1. Comm. #7-77-4 Cunningham Add'n Preliminary Plat Public Hearing Continued 2. Comm. #10-77-2 Rezoning Public Hearing - Chutich o 3. Comm. #10-77-3 Special Use Permit Public Hearing - United Power Association 4. Comm. #10-77-4 Lot Split Request - Gary Lipski 5. Cornm. #4-77-5 Planning Consultant Discussion 6. Comm. #6-77-6 Revised Zoning Ordinance Discussion For publication on October 21, 1977 o o 0 CITY 01 ANDOVER o o REGULAR PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING October 25, 1977 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Larry Retzlaff on October 25, 1977 at the Andover Community Center, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Anoka, Minnesota 55303. Commissioners Present: d'Arcy Bosell, Walter Bruns, James Elling, Ralph Kishel Commissioner Absent: John Johanson Also Present: Rex Stockwell, City Engineer, and others Minutes o Motion by Commissioner Elling, seconded by Commissioner Bosell, to approve the Minutes of October 11, 1977. Vote on motion: yes - Chairman Retzlaff, Commissioner Bosell, Commissioner Kishel, Commissioner Elling; present - Commissioner Bruns. Motion carried. Rezoning Public Hearing - Joe Chutich (Comm. #10-77-2) Chairman Retzlaff opened the public hearing. Mr. Chutich was unable to attend the meeting. Dick Hand was present as Mr. Chutich's spokesman. He said they would like to build a small shopping center. The proposal is to move Mr. Chutich's Hardware Hank Store business in Anoka and they have someone interested in opening a barber shop also. This would be on a 4.7 acre parcel of land on the NW corner of Bunker and Round Lake Boulevard that is currently zoned R-l. They are not sure, at this time, what business would go in other than those two previously mentioned. o Joan Deden, 13836 Round Lake Boulevard, stated, "There are about l4 houses in this area. Commercial development in the City of Andover is only beginning. Any development of this type, I feel, must be part of a comprehensive City planning effort. New commercial development, outside areas already zoned for that purpose, must receive the closest scrutiny. Such development must include the parallel development of City services, including adequate police, fire, sewer, water and road services. Such parallel development insures that the impact of commercial development is an impact that enhances rather than deprecates the rUral or suburban atmosphere in Andover. As we move into the future, commercial development is a necessity we can afford only if such development fits our living style. Speaking specifically of the proposed rezoning of the property in question, I would request that before such rezoning (J o u o C) Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - October 25, 1977 Page 2 is permitted that complete and detailed plans be made available to the Commission. In addition I would request that the impact on local traffic patterns on Underclift, Bunker Lake Road and Round Lake Road be anticipated. I feel access to the property, parking facilities, type of structure, signs, operating hours and anticipated flow of delivery trucks are but a few of the important considerations in this matter. I urge the Commission to carefully consider the rezoning application and only decide when all the facts are known." She also questioned the number of notices that were sent out and who they were sent to. Ann Raschka, 13827 Underclift Street, said, "I talked to several of the neighbors who live beyond 350'. That doesn't seem like a very large area to notify. People outside of 350' area are going to be affected by this. I think before a decision is made, they would like to know more specifically what is going to go in there. It will affect their (the people more than 350' from the rezoned property) lives and homes also". o Mr. Hand stated that they haven't decided anything for sure. They were going to see if it can be rezoned for that purpose before spending money on plans, designs, etc. He explained their (County Road 9 Company and Hutton & Rowe) plans for the area adjacent. The Commission agreed that on rezoning an area this close to a residential area, they would like to see a proposed drawing, size of building, parking area and other pertinent information. Motion by Commissioner Bosell, seconded by Commissioner Bruns, to continue the public hearing and also request the applicant to present to the Commission a sketch plan to more clearly define the intent of the rezoning and determination as to the zone requested. Motion carried unanimously. This will be on the agenda for November 8, 1977. Cunningham Addition Preliminary Plat Public Hearing Continued (Comm. #7-77-4) Jim Hane presented new plats of the proposed Cunningham Addition to the Commission. Rex Stockwell, City Engineer, reviewed his letter of October 6, 1977 with the Commission. Mr. Hane said his Engineer has sent a letter to the Coon Creek Watershed Board saying that the runoff from this plat would be negligible. He had gone to the Activity Center last night, October 24, for the regular meeting of the Board but their meeting apparently was cancelled. Mr. Hane had talked to the Board's Engineer, Harold Israelson, and he had given verbal agreement to a 25' easement on the ditch. u C) u (J o Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting (- ~ Minutes - October 25, 1977 ,_j Page 3 , -\ (.J C) The telephone lines should be shown on the plat. Engineer Stockwell reviewed the soil borings with the Commission. Discussed the area on the plat known as "future development". This area is lower than the land being platted. Discussed legal description, exception, 2 plats, whether 2 fees would be required, Ordinance 10 Section 11, Subsection 11.Ol (a). Chairman Retzlaff said that he would talk to City Attorney, William G. Hawkins, about how to handle the problem of whether he can plat a portion of the property. Mr. Hane will go to his attorney for a correct legal description of the property he is platting. Motion by Commissioner Bruns, seconded by Commissioner Kishel, to continue the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. This will be on the November 8, 1977 Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda. United Power Association Special Use Permit Public Hearing (Comm. #10-77-3) Chairman Retzlaff opened the public hearing. Pat Cairns, United Power Association, stated that the facility that is now proposed would be considerably smaller than the one recently approved for the Bunker Lake/Hanson Boulevard area. This proposed facility is for distribution substation purposes. They plan to build it along an existing line where they would be stepping down the voltage to serve the immediate area. There is a growing demand for electrical energy in this area. We wholesale the electricity to Anoka Electric who then sells it to the consumer. The proposed substation would be on Verdin Street in the SW corner of Section 3. At the present time, UPA has a two pole transmission (230 KV) line and there is a single pole (69KV) line. It is a 5~ acre site and- UPA would tap into the 69 KV transmission line. It is built lower than other substations with fencing, shrubbery, etc. The single pole line has a dirt road under it..UPA needs to-build_the facility in an area that will fit into Anoka Electric's system and it has to be built in or near the load center that it must serve. Also, a good job of screening the facility will be done because of the natural screening of evergreen trees already there. Some of the comments made by Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord George, 17253 Verdin Street, were: This is right in front of our house. There isn't natural screening. Somebody has a few trees planted, just spotty. Why don't you build it down in the swamp farther and way down the road. There are already lines way down the road. They plow the road in the winter, it's always open and there are no houses down there. The dirt road is 4 miles long. It is so full of electricity lines now. You wouldn't want that in front of your house. Once you put that in our property value is zero. We already have a distribution center around us. They explained the problems they had a few years ago when the lines were installed. , ) '-J () f '\ .... ' ...... u " '\ '-J Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - October 25, 1977 Page 4 Mr. Cairns explained that there is a dirt road under the line but it is not an all-purpose road. They need to locate their facility where they can get to them during storms or emergencies with tools and equipment. The servicemen would have to physically carry many of these items along to restore service. In selecting this site, I feel that these trees "do" provide a natural screen. We don't propose putting up a wall around it however. We are proposing a site that the grounds would be kept up, mowed, etc. We have a grounds crew that keeps the site clean. There is very little traffic created. We need to go in there twice a month to read the meters and periodically for maintenance. It does not create noise or disturbances. The facility would take about 1 acre of the 5-acre site. Mr. Cairns visited the owner of the property, Russell Johnson of Canton, Ohio, and he is in favor of this proposal. Sharon Robinson, 17115 Verdin Street, "I can see this man's point but I don't see why it couldn't be moved to the back of the 5 acres. Put it as far back as possible. All last winter we were able to get down that road. We would like to see it put back as far as possible so it wouldn't be an eyesore." (J Mr. Cairns, '~e didn't propose to be upon the road. Our fenced in area would be 185' back from one road and 150' back from the other road. " Kathy Isle, 17139 Verdin Street, stated that she lives next door to the Georges and thinks that if it would be put back farther from the road, it would be a little easier to handle. She also mentioned the property values are going down. Jim Isle, 17139 Verdin Street, "Are there any other options to this site? This high line does cross other roads. Why do the property owners who have lived and paid taxes in the area for a number of years have to pay the penalty to provide more power because of growth in the City? Why can't these things be put into new developments that are creating the need for more power?" Mr. Cairns, '~e looked at Round Lake Boulevard and this would be an area that would fit into Anoka Electric Cooperative's system but we would prefer to build the substation under the existing transmission lines. If we build it a %: mile away, then we would have to build '\! mile of transmission lines. One of the main reasons for this site is that we feel it best fits Anoka Electric's system." ~J (J (J ( , J u /" " ,) Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - October 25, 1977 Page 5 o Al Schrupp, 2322 - l39th Avenue NW, "I am the planning engineer with Anoka Electric Cooperative. It is our job at Anoka Electric Cooperative to decide what distribution facilities are needed to adequately serve the people. This substation that has to go in was our design and our planning that determined the need for the substation. This area is growing. It is going from country style living into more of an urbanized area. This substation would pick up 1000 customers. It would serve people up towards Lake George, West to the Rum River, South to l6lst Avenue and East about 1 mile. This area is presently served from a substation in Soderville. This summer the lines from Soderville were 97% thermally loaded. When they are 100% loaded they melt. We had to make an emergency construction to get to our Anoka Sub. It is a rapidly growing area. One of the benefits would be more reliable power. There would be power available for industrial development and better voltage conditions. We expect most of the new homes in the area to have electric heat. About 5 years ago 5% of the new homes were electric heat. Now its upwards of 25%. Our lines are in pretty bad shape in this area. There are 69,000 volts coming in and 12,500 coming out underground in 4 feeders, with possible expansion upwards of 8 feeders. We can get all 12 feeders out underground without expanding the facility." He was asked if the facility could be moved down the dirt road to remove it from the visual concern and depreciating property values and he commented that if they move it further away from where it is needed, it would cost much more. The existing cost of one underground line is $24,000 a mile. They also looked at l73rd and Round Lake Boulevard as a possible site. Mr. Cairns said they must be located on an all purpose road. Kathy Isle, "You have no trouble telling developers what kind of roads so why can't you make them (UPA) move this (the substation) back farther and put in an improved road to get to it?" Jim Isle stated, "I feel that economics is a very poor excuse when it comes to big businesses. It should be done the best-way for the future not for just today. It can very well be put in a number of different locations, any of which can be served by the equipment available." Mrs. George, "If it costs $24,000 for a big company, it is nothing compared to the amount our 3 property values will drop." " " <--.J CJ (J ::J u u u r--j -~ Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - October 25, 1977 Page 6 Mr. Cairns, '~e had looked at County Road 9 and we are looking to keep the impact to a minimum. On #9 we would have to clear out ~ mile of solid oak woods to build the transmission lines.' We would do everything that we can within the site to maintain the natural screening and plant other trees and shrubbery to dress up that area." The Commission suggested moving the facility ~ mile East of Verdin under the lines. Mr. Cairns commented that their easement there would not give them the right to construct a road. The easement is for transmission line purposes. I would have to go back to my company and find out what they will do. If the road is built up, I still don't think it would be an all weather all purpose road. It would have to be maintained. One of the problems is that if we loose a transformer, we would have to bring in a new one and they weigh about 25 ton, which requires a good road. Motion by Commissioner Bruns, seconded by Commissioner Kishel, to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Bruns said, '~e have notified 4 property owners (of the public hearing) that are directly affected by this and 3 of them have voiced tremendous concern about possible devaluation of their property and potential environmental eyesores that could result. We ought to have some alternative proposals in front of us. I think you should explore moving the facility down the road ~ mile or else alternative sites." Commissioner Kishel said, "I can see the drawback of moving it East, (1) ~here is no public road there, that would have to be created, (2) the road has to be maintained at all times so that they could get in there in case of emergency and it would be the City maintaining it. tr Jim Isle said that the Anoka County Thoroughfare Plan shows the proposed road going right straight across on this section line. Could someone look into that? Commissioner Kishel replied that that is so far down the line that it wouldn't have any direct bearing on the substation they are faced with now. The electric companies are saying this is a crucial area and this road won't be improved for 10 years at the minimum. Mr. Schrupp showed the Commission members Anoka Electric Cooperative's Comprehensive Plan that was developed in 1973. C) G u o o Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - October 25, 1977 Page 7 Chairman Retzlaff asked for one final comment from the power companies. Mr. Schrupp - This has to do with the statement concerning economics. Because of regulation of utilities, problems utilities are having, costs rising, etc., all of these things are costing money. I have seen our costs for next year and they will be reflected back to the people so we have to look at economics. We have to look at all the possibilities from an economical standpoint. Mr. Cairns - We appreciate the concerns of the property owners and the impact of this thing. We realize that it is an inconvenience. We feel that we make a good corporate neighbor. This area that we propose to build in could conceivably be sold for housing or development. We will stand on our record on how we maintain these facilities. We do not permit grass to grow too high, we mow on a regular basis, we do not permit the area to become cluttered, there would never be an old junk car, we are quiet, we don't cause problems over boundary lines or have parties in the middle of the night. We feel that this site is the best selection and we would do everything we can to be good corporate neighbors. The Commission explained the procedures involved if this would be denied and that, after all of the negative public input at this meeting, it / ) would be hard to recommend approval. The Commission asked them to go '-/ back to their companies and get an alternative. Motion by Commissioner Bruns, seconded by Commissioner Bosell, that we continue the item until the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Lot Split Request - Gary Lipski (Comm. #10-77-4) Gary Lipski explained that he owns property (6 acres) on l57th Avenue and Crosstown Boulevard that is 660' on l57th and 400' on Crosstown. The zoning is R-l. He wishes to divide the property into 2 parcels - 275' x 400' on the corner and 385' x 400' on l57th Avenue where his house is. Discussed: _ County Road 18 easements and right-of-way requirements, l57th Avenue (proposed MSAH) easement requirements, how frontage is determined, where the driveways should be located and the size of the property. Motion by Commissioner Elling, seconded by Commissioner Bruns, that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to the City Council approval of the Gary Lipski lot split under Ordinance 40 and 40A. He has met those requirements and there was no public opposition. Motion carried unanimously. This will be on the City Council Agenda on November 15, 1977 . / ~ '-J o /" " ~J () r- U u u u Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - October 25, 1977 Page 8 Planning Consultant Discussion (Comm. #4-77-5) The Planning and Zoning Commission will interview 4 applicants for the position of planning consultant on Thursday, October 27, at 7:30 P.M. First will be Tom Loucks, 2nd - Midwest Planning, 3rd - T.K.D.A., and 4th ~ Amenity One, Inc. Revised Zoning Ordinance Discussion (Comm. #6-77-6) The Commission will discuss the proposed ordinance on Thursday, October 27th, after the interviews. Also, there will be a special meeting on Tuesday, November 1st, at 7:30 P.M. Ad;ournment Motion by Commissioner Elling, seconded by Commissioner Kishel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M.