- DRAFT –

SUNFISH LAKE PLANNING COMMISSIONMEETING – JULY 18, 2018

7:00 P.M. – ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Attendants:

Chair: Tom Hendrickson

Commissioners: Ginny Beckett, Shari Hansen, Alan Spaulding and Shannon Nelson

City Planner: Ryan Grittman

City Clerk: Cathy Iago

1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. ADOPT AGENDA: Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any additions to the agenda. He explained that Planner Grittman had sent an email to distribute a copy of the Draft Minutes from the Special Planning Meeting on June 5, 2018 for the Commission review. He asked that these minutes be placed on the agenda for Commission action. He asked if there were any other items to add to the agenda and there was no response.

Commissioner Hanse moved to adopt the agenda as amended adding the Special Meeting Minutes of June 5, 2018, seconded by Commissioner Beckett and carried (5-0)

3. APPROVE MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 5 AND REGULAR MEETING JUNE 20, 2018: Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Special Meeting Minutes June 5, 2018.

Commissioner Hansen present the Clerk with a few minor word changes to the June 5 and June 20 minutes; she noted these were grammatical corrections and did not change the content of the minutes.

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the June 5 Special Meeting minutes and June 20 Regular Meeting minutes as corrected, seconded by Chair Hendrickson and carried. (5-0)

4. PUBLIC HEARING: A. Major Site and Building Plan Review, 245 Salem Church Road: Chair Hendrickson explained that this application was tabled at the last meeting because there was some information missing from the application.

Chair Hendrickson moved to reopen the Public Hearing on this application, seconded by Commissioner Hansen and carried. (5-0)

Planner Grittman referred to his report dated July 12, 2018 and stated the applicants are proposing to demolish an existing outbuilding and intend to construct a new home on the site. He stated that a major site and building plan review is required for building alterations exceeding 1, 000 sq. ft. He stated that Planning Commission review and Council approval are required. He advised that the application does not require a variance or a conditional use permit.

The Planner stated that the property is zoned R-1 Single Family Residential and that the 2.6 acre lot meets the standards for the R-1 District. He advised that the maximum building coverage on the lot would be 9.6 percent and the maximum building coverage is 10 percent. He noted that the property is not located within the Shoreland District. He stated the building hei ght was calculated at 28 ft. which does not exceed the height limitation of 30 ft.; he noted that this resolves the question that was raised at the last meeting. He explained that the property is allowed one accessory use and that would be the proposed swimming pool, which meets all required setbacks in the R-1 District.

Planner Grittman explained that the plan for the proposed residence meets all setback requirements and that the applicants plan to use wood and stone siding which are exterior materials permitted in the Zoning Code. He advised that the design materials shown in the planning packet are the correct architectural designs.

The Planner stated that the applicants intend to install lighting around the home and grounds and he presented an example of the lighting fixtures. He explained that the City Code requires that the lights may not be greater than one candle-foot at the

property line, must be hooded so they do not impact adjacent properties and that they would be measured after installation.

Planner Grittman stated that the City Engineer reviewed the plans and recommended approval of the application with conditions as listed in this report dated July 12, 2018. The conditions included: the applicant’s submission of an Operation and Maintenance plan with the final construction documents, that retaining walls over 4 ft. must be signed by a registered professional engineer in the State of Minnesota; all work must stay within the property lines; an NPDES permit must be obtained and, construction vehicles must adhere to axel load limits.

The Planner advised that the Landscape Plan was reviewed and approved by the City Forester and that the applicants propose to install screening along the east and west property lines to screen from adjacent homes. He stated the home would be visible from the street.

Planner Grittman stated that the site plans shows two (2) new driveway monuments installed along with the home and advised that these are defined as a fence. He explained the proposed monument address signs meet the City Code requirements for fences.

The Planner advised that the proposed well and septic system locations are compliant with regulations in the City Code. He noted that the City Septic Inspector had not submitted any comments, however, as a condition the applicant must demonstrate to the City that a septic permit was approved and that staff had approved the installation.

Planner Grittman explained that the building would not be protected by a fire sprinkler system, however, the driveway pavement would be approximately 20 ft. wide and meets the City’s requirements for emergency vehicle and fire truck access. He noted that there are two (2) driveway accesses proposed and that he had done research and found that there was nothing to prohibit them and no special requirements in the City Code.

The Planner stated that notification was sent to all neighbors within 1,000 ft. of the subject property and one neighbor requested a copy of the plan, but did not offer any further comments.

Staff recommends approval of the Major Site and Building Plans based on the findings that the project meets performance standards within the Zoning Ordinance, with the five (5) conditions as listed in the Planner’s report dated July 12, 2018 and the City Engineer’s recommendations as addressed in his report dated July 12, 2018

Chair Hendrickson thanked the Planner and asked if the Commission had any questions.

Commissioner Hansen asked if impervious surface is not an issue because the property is not within the Shoreland District and the Planner responded yes.

Commissioner Hansen asked if the building height above the average existing height is common.

Planner Grittman responded yes and explained that is how the building height is calculated. He pointed out that a fireplace chimney is not calculated into the height, only the peak of the roof.

Commissioner Hansen asked for an explanation of a four-bay infiltration system.

Mike St. Martin, Engineer with Loucks, explained the design of the four-bay system as part of the ponding area.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any comments or questions from the public and hearing no response, closed the public hearing.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there would be lights installed on the driveway monuments

Shari Wilsey, applicant, responded yes.

Commissioner Hansen asked if the applicants planned to install any retaining walls.

Shari Wilsey stated that there are retaining walls proposed near the pool and on the east and west sides of the property near the driveway.

Commissioner Hansen offered her opinion that the home would be beautiful and a great addition to Sunfish Lake. Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any further questions or comments and there was no response.

Commissioner Beckett moved to recommend approval of the Major Site and Building Plans for the property located at 245

Salem Church Road based on the findings that the project submittal meets performance standards within the City Zoning Ordinance and subject to the conditions as listed in the Planner’s report dated July 12, 2018 and the City Engineer’s report dated July 12, 2018, seconded by Commissioner Hansen and carried. (5-0)

5. PUBLIC HEARING: A. Minor Site and Building Plan Review and Variance, 2570 Delaware Avenue: Chair Hendrickson opened the Public Hearing and asked the Planner to review the application.

Planner Grittman referred to his report dated July 12, 2018 and explained the applicant is seeking City approval of a Minor Site and Building Plan and Variance for a home addition on the property located at 2570 Delaware Avenue. He explained the property is zoned R-1 Single Family Residential and is within the Shoreland Overlay District of Hornbeam Lake. He noted that the applicant recently had a Major Site and Building Plan and Variance approved by Council. He stated the applicants are now requesting review of a new project that would add a bedroom to the home that is less than 1,000 sq. ft. in size. He stated the Minor Site and Building Plan review do not require Planning Commission or Council approval, however, the Shoreland and Sideyard Setback Variances must be reviewed by the Commission and approved by Council.

The Planner advised that the variance would not impact the character of the location and would be added to side of the home adjacent to the lake. He stated that the Shoreland variance request would be 35 ft. and the Sideyard Setback Variance would be 37.4 ft. He noted that the entire home sits within the Shoreland setback.

Planner Grittman advised that the acreage and building height meet the standards for the R-1 District and that the applicant proposes to remove the stone and wood siding and replace it with stucco and a metal roof; he noted that the roof material for initial he home addition was approved by Council. He explained that the lighting plan originally approved would have some minor changes and that he did not anticipate any issues. He also noted that the City Septic Inspector reviewed the proposal and did not submit any comments.

The Planner reviewed the variance criteria listed in his report and stated that staff found the request to be reasonable, that it would not increase impervious surface since the area of placement is already a driveway surface, and that it would be in compliance with the intent and purpose of the Comprehensive Plan.

Planner Grittman advised that staff recommended approval of the Minor Site and Building Plan or the Variance request, with the conditions as listed in the Planner’s report date July 12, 2018 and the City’s Engineer’s final recommendations as listed in his report dated June 14, 2018.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any comments from the Commissioners.

Commissioner Beckett commented that the addition does not appear to be closer to any adjacent homes since it would be on the street side of the existing home.

Planner Grittman agreed and explained the adjacent homes are far away from the existing home.

Matt Byers, Plaid Architects, explained that his client had discussed the proposed bedroom addition to the home after Council approval was sought for the initial request and thanked the Commission for their time.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any comments from the audience and, hearing no response, closed the public hearing. Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Commission and there was no response.