05-21-07 PCITEM at -I
OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
MAY 21, 2007
7 PM
1. Chair Nichols will call the meeting to order.
Chair Nichols called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Richard Nichols, Planning Commission Members: Pam
Black, Dave Thompson, Troy Watring, Doug Hackman and
Alternate John Thelen.
Excused Absence: Alternate Brian Gerten and Tammy Fallon.
Unexcused Absence: Jim Kolles.
City Staff: City Administrator Mike Robertson, Associate City Planner
Laurie Smith and Administrative Assistant Tami Loff.
City Council: Mayor Larry Fournier and Council Member Mark Thorsted.
2. Consider the following minutes.
2.1. April 16, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting.
Chair Nichols said Item 3.1. Co-chair should be changed to Vice Chair.
Commissioner Black motioned to approve the minutes as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motioned passed 4-0.
Chair Nichols and Commissioner Hackman abstained.
3. Planning Items:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3.1. Tricia Knudsen:
A. CUP to relocate an existing railroad Caboose as an accessory
Structure to the single family dwelling on the subject lot
within the A-1 District.
Associate City Planner Laurie Smith presented the Planner's Report.
Applicant Tricia Knudsen, asked for further explanation of the proposed
conditions. She hadn't received a copy of the Planner's Report. Mr. Robertson
gave her a copy.
Chair Nichols opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 PM.
Commissioner Thelen asked if this building was visible from the road would that
change the recommendation. Ms. Smith said the structure conforms to the
allowances of the Zoning Ordinance. Chair Nichols asked if there is a difference
in different Districts.
Commissioner Hackman asked if condition two wording should be different since
they will not be occupying the building. Ms. Smith said that certificate of
Occupancy is required regardless if the building is occupied.
Chair Nichols closed the Public Hearing at 7:14 PM.
Planning Commission Meeting May 21, 2007. Page 2.
Commissioner Thelen asked if this was built as a real caboose. Ms. Knudsen said
yes.
Commissioner Black motioned to approve subject to the four conditions
listed in the Planner's Report. Seconded by Commissioner Hackman.
Motion passed 5-1. Commissioner Thelen opposed.
4. Any other Planning Commission Business.
4.1. Discussion of Fences on Corner Lots.
Associate City Planner Laurie Smith went over the Planner's Report. City Staff
had been receiving questions from property owners regarding allowances for
fences in the rear yard of corner lots abutting public streets. City staff is looking
for direction. Commissioner Black stated instead of the 10 foot setback maybe it
should be 15 foot setback. Commissioner Thompson asked if these people are on
smaller city sewer lots. Mr. Robertson said generally yes. Commissioner
Thompson said what if they took each request separately. Mr. Robertson replied
There would be requests at most Planning Commission meetings.
Chair Nichols said he would like to see this brought back to the next meeting
with pictures or information on what other cities allow.
4.2 Discussion of Adult Use Regulations.
Associate City Planner Laurie Smith went over the Planner's Report.
City Staff is recommending changing the 600 foot buffer to 1500 foot and to
adopt an Adult Use Business Licensing Code. Commissioner Thelen asked why
not change to 2000 Ft. Ms. Smith said that 2000 ft would wipe out everything,
and under state and Federal law some room must be left for Adult uses. Chair
Nichols asked how many feet would need to be added to make it two sections
instead of three. Ms. Smith said they will push back as far as they can and bring
back to the Commission. A Public Hearing will be set at a later date.
Commissioner Black asked if the word Moral should be taken out of the proposed
Ordinance as there is only one reference to it.
4.3. Update on City Council actions by Councilmember Thorsted.
Councilmember Mark Thorsted and Mayor Fournier updated the Commission on
recent Council actions.
4.4. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda Items by
Mike Robertson.
Mr. Robertson updated the Commission on future agenda items.
Planning Commission Meeting May 21, 2007. Page 3.
5. Adjournment by 10 PM.
Commissioner Thompson said he would be absent on June 4, 2007.
Commissioner Black motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Watring. All in favor. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM.
Richard Nichols, Chair
Attest:
Tami Loff, Administrative Assistant