2016.07.11 PC Meeting Packet
Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Crystal Planning Commission Agenda
Monday, July 11, 2016
7 p.m.
Crystal City Hall Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
a. Monday, June 13, 2016 meeting minutes
3. Public Hearings*
a. Variance request from SVK Development to reduce the required front setback for two
single-family homes located at 3226 and 3232 Georgia Avenue North
4. Old Business - None
5. New Business - None
6. General Information
a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Early Steps Learning
Foundation CUP
b. Update from Council Liaison
c. Update on City Code Review Task Force
d. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, August 8, 2016 meeting
7. Open Forum
8. Adjournment
* Items for which supporting materials will be included in the meeting packet.
Page 1 of 2
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
DETAILED AGENDA
Monday, July 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall
Commissioners, please call 763.531.1142 or
email dan.olson@crystalmn.gov if unable to attend
* Items for which supporting materials are included in the meeting packet
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at ______ p.m. with the
following members present:
Commissioner (Ward 1) Commissioner (Ward 2) Commissioner (Ward 4)
Sears \[Secretary\] Selton Einfeldt-Brown
Commissioner (Ward 1) Commissioner (Ward 3) Commissioner (Ward 4)
Heigel \[Chair\] VonRueden Johnson \[Vice Chair\]
Commissioner (Ward 2) Commissioner (Ward 3) Commissioner (At-Large)
Strand Buck Daly
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *
Moved by _______________ and seconded by _______________ to approve the minutes of
the June 13, 2016 regular meeting with the following exceptions:
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Variance request from SVK Development to reduce the required front yard setback for two
single-family homes located at 3226 and 3232 Georgia Avenue North
Staff presented the following:
The following were heard:
Page 2 of 2
Planning Commission discussion:
Moved by _______________ and seconded by _______________ to recommend
______ to the City Council of a Variance for SVK Development with the following
conditions:
Motion carried.
4. OLD BUSINESS None
5. NEW BUSINESS - None
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Early Steps Learning
Foundation CUP
b. Update from Council Liaison
c. Update on City Code Review Task Force
d. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, August 8, 2016 meeting
7. OPEN FORUM
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by _____ and seconded by ______ to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at ______ p.m.
Unapproved Planning Commission Minutes June 13, 2016
CRYSTALPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, June 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall
* Items for which supporting materials are included in the meeting packet
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7 p.m. with the
following members present:
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Sears \[Secretary\] Selton Einfeldt-Brown
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 3) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Heigel \[Chair\] VonRueden Johnson \[Vice Chair\]
X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (Ward 3) X Commissioner (At-
Strand Buck Large) Daly
Other attendees: City Planner Dan Olson, City Council liaison Jeff Kolb, Garshena Stewart
and Tiffany McGee (Early Steps Learning Foundation)
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *
Moved by Selton and seconded by Daly to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2016 regular
meeting. Ayes all.
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Conditional Use Permit Application to allow Early Steps Learning Foundation to locate a
nd
day care at the existing Brunswick United Methodist Church property at 6122 -42 Avenue
North.
Planner Dan Olson presented a summary of the staff report, and stated that staff is
recommending approval of the conditional use permit with the conditions listed in the
staff report.
Commissioner Johnson asked for clarification of the sewer availability charge (SAC).
Planner Olson explained that it is a fee charged by the Metropolitan Council when there
is a change of use and increased sanitary sewer use. The Met Council makes the
determination of whether or not this fee is due. Commissioner Sears stated the City
should make a statement to the Met Council that this fee should not be required for this
project.
Unapproved Planning Commission Minutes June 13, 2016
Commissioner Searsasked if the maximum number of children could be about 55in
case they want to enroll a few more children. Planner Olson said he recommends a
specific number so its clear to the City and the applicant when the threshold is met for
a CUP amendment. The Commission could change the condition in the staff report to
allow more than 55 children.
Commissioner Daly asked if the enrollment will fluctuate. Garshena Stewart explained
the state licensing process and how they are able to enroll more children.
Commissioner Heigel asked if they have more children do they need more teachers.
Ms. Stewart said yes they are required to have more teachers based on the ratios of
children to teachers required by State licensing. Commissioner Heigel also asked if
the playground in the back of the church will be completely fenced in. Ms. Stewart said
yes that is something that the State requires.
Commissioner Daly asked if this is a new business. Ms. Stewart said yes, and she
further explained some of the fundamental information about the day care and her
qualifications. Ms. McGee said she is excited about this new opportunity and
encouraged the Commission to recommend approval of the CUP.
Moved by VonRueden and seconded by Buck to recommend approval to the City
Council of a Conditional Use Permit Application to allow Early Steps Learning
Foundation to locate their day care at Brunswick United Methodist Church at 6122-
nd
42 Avenue North, contingent upon the conditions in the staff report. Ayes all.
Motion carried.
5. OLD BUSINESS None
6. NEW BUSINESS - None
7. GENERAL INFORMATION
a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission item: Conditional Use Permit and
Site Plan for Beacon Academy Planner Olson reported that the City Council approved
this CUP and Site Plan on May 17, 2016.
b. Update from Council Liaison Council liaison Kolb provided updates to the Commission
on various items: two police officers were recognized for notable fulfillment of their duties,
the annual financial audit went well, the City Code is being changed to make a clarification
about tall grass, Metro Transit is working with several residents to provide screening for
the future light rail project, the Council received a refresher on open meeting laws, the City
Council is working out issues with Hennepin County for the Douglas Drive
and West Broadway crossings of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and several candidates
have filed for Mayor and City Council openings in this Falls election.
c. Update on City Code Review Task Force As previously noted, the Council is in the
process of changing the Citys tall grass requirements.
Unapproved Planning Commission Minutes June 13, 2016
d.Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, July11, 2016meetingPlanner Olson
reported that the Commission will be reviewing a new floodplain ordinance, most likely in
August.
8. OPEN FORUM
No one from the public spoke at this time.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Strand and seconded by Buck to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 5, 2016
TO: Planning Commission (July 11 meeting)
FROM: Dan Olson, City Planner
SUBJECT: Public Hearing: Variance Application (2016-06) to reduce the front setback
for two single-family homes located at 3226 and 3232 Georgia Avenue
North.
A.BACKGROUND
SVK Development, owner of the properties at 3226 and 3232 Georgia Avenue North, is
requesting variances to reduce the front setback from 30 feet to 15 feet as measured from
each l-de-sac easement line. Both properties involved in this
application are zoned Low Density Residential (R-1). Notice of the July 11 public hearing was
published in the Sun Post on June 30 and mailed to owners within 350 feet (see Attachment
B). To date, staff has received one verbal comment on the variances from a resident who
regulations should be adhered to.
Attachments:
A. Site location map
B. Map showing public hearing notification area
C. Existing zoning map
D. Project narrative
E. Proposed site plan
B. VARIANCES
The applicant is requesting variances to the front setback for the proposed homes to be
constructed at 3226 and 3232 Georgia Avenue North. Both lots are located in the Gardendale
Subdivision which was approved by the City Council in April 2016. The applicant is proposing
to reduce the front setback from 30 feet to 15 feet
the cul-de-sac easement line (see Attachment F). This would result in both homes being 25
feet from the cul-de-sac cus is for the
homes at 3226 and 3232 Georgia to have a front setback that is reasonably similar to other
future homes on Georgia south of the cul-de-sac (Attachment F). Also, although the site plan
shows an increased rear setback from 30 feet to 40 feet, the required minimum setback would
still be 30 feet.
3226 AND 3232 GEORGIA AVENUE NORTH VARIANCE APPLICATION
PAGE 1 OF 3
The following are the relevant approval criteria for these variances as outlined in Section
515.05 Zoning Code, followed by staff response:
a) Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general
purposes and intent of the official control and when the terms of the variances
are consistent with the comprehensive plan.
Response: The intent of the is to provide for
regulations to promote orderly development that allows for adequate
access to light, air, and convenient access to property. Moving the
proposed homes at 3226 and 3232 Georgia closer to the public street is not
in conflict with those goals, provided that there is at least 20 feet of
driveway from the garage doors to the cul-de-sac easement line. This is
necessary to reduce the potential for vehicles parked in the driveways to
extend into the street. If the variances are approved, the homes will
Residential future land use designation (Attachment D).
b) Variances shall only be permitted when the city council finds that strict
enforcement of specific provisions of this section would create practical
difficulties due to circumstances unique to a particular property under
consideration. Practical difficulties, as used in connection with the granting of a
variance, means that the property owner:
1) proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted
by an official control; and
2) the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the
property not created by the landowner; and
3) the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the
locality.
Response: The use of these two lots for single-family homes is a
Without the
variances the proposed homes would not be located in a similar location
as other future homes on Georgia Avenue North. This is due to the
presence of the cul-de-sac which was required by the City since the
parcels north of the Gardendale Subdivision are not proposed for
development at this time. This is a unique situation not created by the
applicant. Since the proposed homes are only being moved to be closer
to the street, the essential character of this area is not proposed to change
provided that there is at least 20 feet of driveway from the garage doors to
the cul-de-sac easement line. This is necessary to reduce the potential for
vehicles parked in the driveways to extend into the street.
c) Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties.
3226 AND 3232 GEORGIA AVENUE NORTH VARIANCE APPLICATION
PAGE 2 OF 3
Response: The applicant has indicated that their reason for requesting
the variancesis to construct homes that have a similar front setback to
other future homes on Georgia Avenue North. Therefore economic
considerations alone are not the sole reason for requesting these
variances.
C.REQUESTED ACTION
The Planning Commission is being asked to make a recommendation to the City
Council to either deny or approve the Variance Application to reduce the front setback
for the proposed new homes at 3226 and 3232 Georgia Avenue North from 30 feet to
15 feet. This recommendation should include findings of fact either for or against the
proposal. The Commission may reference the findings for approval in Section B, above.
Since the variances meet the relevant criteria in the Zoning Code, Staff is
recommending approval of the variance requests subject to the following condition of
approval:
1. There shall be a minimum 20 foot long driveway from the garage doors to the
cul-de-sac easement line for both properties.
City Council action is anticipated on July 19, 2016.
3226 AND 3232 GEORGIA AVENUE NORTH VARIANCE APPLICATION
PAGE 3 OF 3
Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
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Note: The temporary cul-de-sac will remain in place as
Attachment E
long as the street is not extended. It is staff’s opinion
that it is unlikely the street will be extended for the
development of additional single-family homes, but it
is possible.