10/18/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,October 18,2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL The Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair David Rahn, Commissioners J. Marc Fritzler,Jim Leslie,Ralph Kempf,Roland Jurgens, Cynthia Bremer, and Travis Winkey. Representing Staff were Planning Director Mike Gaffron, Planners Melanie Curtis and Janice Gundlach, City Engineer Tom Kellogg, and Recorder Jackie Young. Chair Rahn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. CONSENT 1. #04-3053 BART AND BETSY BUTZER,2625 NORTH SHORE DRIVE— VARIANCE Rahn moved,Leslie seconded,to recommend approval of a lake setback variance to permit structure within 75' of Lake Minnetonka for the property located at 2625 North Shore Drive. VOTE: Ayes 7,Nays 0 OLD BUSINESS 2. #04-3024 CITY OF ORONO, CUP FOR VEHICLE STORAGE—CODE AMENDMENTS,6:02 p.m.—6:16 p.m. Gaffron addressed the Planning Commission regarding the proposed zoning code amendment to Section 78-1577(c)to allow for a permit option to address large vehicle storage. Gaffron noted the Planning Commission had reviewed this matter a number of times in the past in connection with the granting of a conditional use permit to allow large vehicle storage on residential property and the disadvantages associated with allowing this type of use under a conditional use permit. Gaffron stated currently the proposed vehicle storage ordinance allows parking of vehicles in excess of 14,000 pounds when the following conditions are met: the property owner is the vehicle owner or operator of the vehicle,the vehicle is set back 50 feet from property lines, the vehicle is not visible from neighboring properties and public streets,vegetative screening is provided when necessary, maintenance of the vehicle occurs within an enclosed building,the vehicle is not considered a nuisance at any time, and a minimum lot size of five acres is met. Gaffron stated the Planning Commission has looked at the ordinance in terms of ensuring that the ordinance is clear on the intent of the ordinance and what the potential impacts are if this ordinance is approved or not approved. Gaffron indicated language that has been added to the ordinance includes the potential to create negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood, such as noise from operation as well as maintenance of large vehicles, vibration, glare, odors, salt or water contamination from washing of the vehicle,hazards to pedestrians, especially on private roads,the wear and tear of roads, the propensity to off-load cargo on the property, and the visual incompatibility with the character of the neighborhood. Gaffron stated it is his understanding the Planning Commission has concluded such uses might be acceptable under certain conditions where lot areas are two acres or larger. PAGE 1