2012.01.09 PC Meeting MinutesPage 1 of 3
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CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
January 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall
A. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7:00 p.m. with the
following members present:
X Commissioner (Ward 1)
Sears
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2. Moved by Commissioner Sears and seconded by Commissioner Heigel to approve
Meeting Calendar and Application Due Dates for 2012.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner VonRueden and seconded by Commissioner Buck to approve
the minutes of the December 12, 2011 without exceptions.
Motion carried unanimously.
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS (none scheduled).
D. OLD BUSINESS
1. Continue discussion of possible zoning ordinance changes. Mr. Sutter went through
the Zoning Ordinance book highlighting changes, requesting comments and
discussion among the commissioners:
Page 18 (Fences) Commissioner Heigel asked if home owners would be able to
have a 6 foot fence all around the yard. Planner Sutter explained whatever street
the homeowner would pick as front yard would have to have a 4 foot maximum
fence height.
Pages 27-29 (Parking) Discussion regarding minimum and maximum number of
parking spaces. Mr. Sutter reviewed several actual examples and the impact the
proposed changes would have on future development. Commissioner Strand asked
if schools should have higher maximums to facilitate events that take place at
schools. Mr. Sutter noted big event parking will spill into neighborhood, but the
rentable gyms and their impact should be taken into consideration. Commissioner
Heigel also stated the impact voter parking has on schools might be considered.
Commissioner Sears stated that he did not feel the three hour peak for parking
during voting was significant enough to require additional parking. Mr. Sutter stated
that he would check with schools about the number of buses and staging of buses,
also.
Page 50 (k) Mr. Sutter asked for the commission’s thoughts on non-residential
assembly or gathering more than of 10 people in R-1. Commissioners Sears and
Strand both felt the number was too low. Commissioner Buck suggested 15 people.
Commissioner Strand asked if other laws/ordinances would take care of any of the
issues that may be the result i.e. parking. Commissioner Heigel asked if the
commission might want to consider limiting the number of occurrences versus the
number of people. Commissioner Erickson asked how it would be monitored. Mr.
Sutter stated that just as with the garage sale limits, neighbors are likely to call in a
complaint to the city. Commissioner Johnson did not agree with trying to quantify
this issue.
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Page 51 (c) After hearing the Commission’s thoughts on the topic, Mr. Sutter
suggested he remove the requirement for a conditional use permit for assembly.
Page 51 (d) (Secondary dwelling units) Commissioners Strand and Buck both
expressed their interest in continuing to prohibit “mother-in-law” apartments. The
commissioners expressed concern that including this issue in the zoning code may
encourage more to add second units in single family homes.
Page 56 (Expanding into rear setback) Commissioner Strand asked if property
owners would be required to disclose to buyers. Mr. Sutter confirmed that is
included in f).
Page 105 d) (Separation between on-sale establishments and Residential
neighborhoods) Mr. Sutter explained if this ordinance is enacted VFW and
Rostomos would become non-conforming. Commissioner Buck does not feel that
50 feet separation is enough. Commissioner Sears felt that fence and buffer would
be needed to keep vehicle lights and parking lots lights from having a detrimental
effect on neighboring residential properties. Discussion came down to keeping
buffering, fencing and screening requirements in zoning and separation distances
handled through liquor licensing.
E. NEW BUSINESS (none heard).
F. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. City Council action on previous Planning Commission items
2. Quarterly Development Status Report
3. Staff preview of likely agenda items for February 13, 2012 meeting:
• Possible lot split – homeowner wants to create lot for sale to builder.
• Continuation of possible zoning ordinance changes discussion, with public
hearing in March.
G. OPEN FORUM (non heard).
H. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Strand and seconded by Commissioner Heigel to adjourn.
Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.