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ITEM 2.1ITEM 2.1 OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OTSEGO CITY HALL FEBRUARY 4, 2019 7:00 PM Call to Order. Chair Black called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM. Roll Call: Chair Pam Black; Commissioners: Aaron Stritesky, Jim Kolles, David Thompson, Richard Nichols, and Alan Offerman; Absent: Commissioners Steve Schuck, and Roger Mord; City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Administrative Assistant Kelly Thelen. 1. Announcements: Chair Black said there is a memo from City staff on the dais with updates regarding upcoming Planning Commission agendas and City Council actions. 2 Consider the following minutes: 2.1 December 17, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting_ Commissioner Offerman motioned to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. All in favor. Motion carried. 3. Public Hearing Item: 3.1 PUD Development Stage Plan Amendment to Construct a Freestanding Sign. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. Applicant, Chris Clark, Leroy Signs, 6325 Welcome Avenue, Minneapolis, present and agreed with report. Chair Black opened the Public Hearing at 7:13 PM. There were no comments from the public. Chair Black brought the discussion to the Planning Commission members at 7:14 PM. Commissioner Offerman asked City Planner Licht what happens when the lot to east gets occupied. City Planner Licht replied that colocation of a sign at the corner of Parrish Avenue and 87th Street could be agreed to by the property owners and approved under the PUD District. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission February 4, 2019 Page 2 Commissioner Thompson asked if the location of the sign complied with setbacks so as not to block visibility at the intersections. City Planner Licht said the sign complies with required setbacks and is outside of the intersection traffic visibility triangle. Chair Black returned to the public for additional comment at 7:21 PM. There were no comments from the public. Chair Black closed the public hearing at 7:21 PM. Commissioner Thompson asked if there have been other requests for signs within Great River Centre that were denied before. City Planner Licht responded no. Commissioner Offerman motioned to recommend the approval of an amendment of the Great River Centre PUD District for Lot 1, Block 1, Shoppes of Great River Centre subject to the five conditions. Seconded by Commissioner Stitesky. All in favor. Motion carried. 3.2 Amendment to Section 11-17-12 Requiring Storm Shelters. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. Applicant, Heather Lorch and Stephen Bona, Capstone Homes, Inc., 14015 Sunfish Lake Blvd NW, Suite 400, Ramsey were present. Ms. Lorch said Capstone Homes, Inc. would like to provide the option for of the storm shelter to buyers giving them a choice, rather than require buyers to purchase through the builder as requirement for all slab on grade homes. Ms. Lorch asked the Commissioners to reconsider the proposed ordinance amendment to allow a garage location for the storm shelter because it maintains optimal space inside of home. Ms. Lorch added that larger garage size will add perceived value for homeowner. Ms. Lorch concluded that Capstone Homes, Inc. enjoys building in Otsego and working with City staff. Chair Black opened the Public Hearing at 7:33 PM. There were no comments from the public. Chair Black brought the discussion to the Planning Commission members at 7:34 PM. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission February 4, 2019 Page 3 Commissioner Thompson suggested making the closet smaller for the storm shelter. Ms. Lorch replied the storm shelter would take up livable space and they believe negatively affect perceived value. Commissioner Thompson said he toured the homes built by Benzinger Homes and saw the master closet built as the storm shelter. City Planner Licht said that one of the building examples shown to the Planning Commission at the public hearing on December 17, 2018 had the bathroom constructed as a storm shelter. Commissioner Offerman said builders are creative and think outside the box; locating the shelter in the garage is how Capstone feels is the most economical way to meet the requirement. Commissioner Offermas said he appreciates the effort to find an alternative to meet the requirement. Chair Black asked if Capstone Homes, Inc. is targeting age related people as buyers, are they concerned that these people cannot step up into the shelter or move out of the way. Ms. Lorch replied that Capstone Homes, Inc. is following FEMA guidelines in installing the storm shelter. Commissioner Offerman asked how the FEMA guidelines address disability accessibility. City Planner Licht reviewed the ordinance language related to accessibility. Commissioner Offerman said the storm shelter could be in living space and not garage. Commissioner Offerman said that the Capstone Homes, Inc. shelter meets be FEMA requirement and needs to be 20 feet from storm shelter to garage. Commissioner Nichols asked if there was a FEMA requirement for handicapped accessible. City Planner Licht replied he is not sure of the FEMA specs. Commissioner Nichols added the threshold allows a person to walk in, but cannot get wheelchair inside. Commissioner Nichols asked if this is a commercial product or if it could include wider doors. Mr. Bona said it is commercial unit and FEMA approved. Mr. Bona added it is already installed and in the livable part of the home, but they are proposing the same unit installed in the garage. Commissioner Stritesky researched the website of the shelter Capstone Homes is using and that there is a disability accessible option. Commissioner Stritesky added the disability accessible storm shelter could be an option for buyers. Mr. Bona said if the buyer wants a disability accessible home, Capstone Homes, Inc. would offer them a disability accessible storm shelter. Commissioner Offerman questioned the vehicle parking in the garage and the storm shelter door to make sure it is always accessible. City Planner Licht that a resident could always stack things up against the door, but added responsibility to keep be another condition. Chair Black returned to the public for additional comment at 7:45 PM. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission February 4, 2019 Page 4 There were no comments made. Chair Black closed the public hearing at 7:45 PM and to commissioners for final discussion. City Planner Licht suggested the Planning Commission may consider adding the following condition: 3. The door to the storm shelter shall be located so as to be accessible in accordance with the minimum dimensions established by Sections 11-17- 12.C.1 and 2 of this section. Mr. Bona said they do not want to see the ordnance language be too restrictive regarding placement of the storm shelter, which may have unintended consequences. City Planner Licht said that City staff will discuss the issue with Capstone Homes, Inc. before consideration by the City Council. Commissioner Offerman thanked Capstone Homes, Inc. for the creative idea and additional garage space. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend the approval of an ordinance repealing Section 11-17-12 of the Zoning Ordinance based on the findings of fact as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Nichols. All in favor. Motion carried. 3.3 Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. The City Engineer has not seen the final report and would ask to be tabled on subdivision ordinance. Chair Black opened the Public Hearing at 7:57 PM. There were no comments from the public. Chair Black brought the discussion to the Planning Commission members at 7:58 PM. Commissioner Thompson asked if the containers are allowed for industrial or business. City Planner Licht answered industrial uses only. Commissioner Thompson commented the Target remodel had many containers in the parking lot. City Planner Licht said that those containers were incidental to the construction and while building permit was valid the containers could be on site. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission February 4, 2019 Page 5 Commissioner Stritesky asked if it was included for builders with new construction. City Planner Licht replied yes so long as there is an active building permit. Commissioner Offerman inquired about the tents or containers used when the fireworks stand is used. City Planner Licht replied those would be allowed with the administrative permit required for such uses. Commissioner Offerman asked if any vehicle over 12,000 pounds was to differentiate between personal use or company use. City Planner Licht clarified that the maximum allowed gross vehicle weight for off-street parking is proposed to be 14,001 pounds. City Planner Licht said that the proposed threshold allows for heavy duty pickups commonly used as both commercial and passenger vehicles. Commissioner Offerman asked about recreational vehicles. City Planner Licht said that parking and storage of recreational vehicles are also regulated and allowed by other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. City Planner Licht said that the issue of vehicle size and commercial vehicles most often comes up as a code enforcement issue, which is undertaken only on a complaint basis. Commissioner Stritesky asked if a work box added to heavy-duty pickup truck could be okay with the additional weight. City Planner Licht said that the proposed weight classifications are to allow those vehicles recognizing that many residents in Otsego drive these types of vehicles home from work. Commissioner Offerman questioned if there is a property size requirement related to the size of vehicles that can be parked. City Planner Licht replied no. Commissioner Offerman asked if this regulation was only enforced on a complaint basis. City Planner Licht said yes. Commissioner Thompson motioned to continue the public hearing to 19 February 2019 related to Subdivision Ordinance design standards and to recommend approval of ordinance amending the Subdivision Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance related to development application fees and off-street parking. Seconded by Commissioner Offerman. All in favor. Motion carried. 4. Update on City Council actions. Chair Black referenced the City staff memo updating the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions. 5. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda items. City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission February 4, 2019 Page 6 6. Adjourn. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Offerman. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:08 PM. Pam Black, Chair ATTEST: Kelly Thelen, Administrative Assistant