09-08-86 PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 8, 1986
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the. Council Chambers
of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Chairman Prazak called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, Prazak and Russell.
Commissioners Lewis and McAleese were not present at the beginning of the
meeting. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt was absent. Also present were Mark
Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Alda Peikert, City Planner and
Gloria Rnderson, Planning Secretary.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 25. 1986
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner .Kapsner and
carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the August 25, 1986 meeting.
II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN OF PUD #54
APPLICANT: Russell Sovde
LOCATION: 285-287 Yosemite Avenue North
REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Design Plan of PUD #54
to Allow for Zero Lot Line Division of a Double
Bungalow
Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked staff fora review of the
request.
Commissioners Lewis and McAleese arrived at the meeting.
City Planner Alda Peikert reviewed the Preliminary Design Plan of PUD #54
indicating that a PUD was the only process available for dividing property with
a zero lot line division. She also noted that this was the first time the
Planning Commission would consider a zero lot line division where the two units
did not have separate water and sewer service. She stated there would be an
agreement between the two properties for maintenance of these utilities and
recommended that the Planning Commission give favorable consideration to this
request.
Chairman Prazak asked if there were separate electrical lines. Mr. Russell
Sovde, the proponent, was present and he said that there was only one line
coming into the building but then it split and there were two separate meters.
Commissioner Leppik asked staff for clarification of the dividing line and
if they anticipated any problems because of the easement over the property line
for the building. City Planner Peikert stated that the Building Official could
see no problem and that the City Attorney would also look at the easement
agreement.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
September 8, 1986
Page 2
Mr. Russell Sovde, proponent, was present and clarified how the property was
divided and .where the easement was.
Commissioners asked and had concerns regarding a separation wall between the
two units. Planning staff assured them that the Building Inspector would
require a fire separation wall. between the garage portions of the unit and all
the way to the roof of the structure.
Chairman Prazak asked if the agreement for utility maintenance would be binding
upon future owners and Planning Staff said that it would.
Chairman also asked Mr. Sovde if there could be separate water and sewer lines
and Mr. Sovde stated it could be done.
Chairman Prazak also asked if there were separate gas meter and Mr. Sovde said
there were.
Commissioner Lewis asked if there were separate furnaces for each unit. Mr.
Sovde said each unit had its own furnace, air conditioner, and hot water
heater.
Chairman Prazak opened the informal public hearing for input.
Ms. Margaret Lase, 275 Yosemite Avenue North, stated she was the owner of a
double bungalow next door to the Sovde's and would also like approval for
division of her property if Mr. Sovde got approval.
The informal public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Lewis asked how the taxes would be handled and Director Grimes
stated this division would create two separate parcels and therefore. there
would be two separate tax statements.
Commissioner Russell had concerns regarding insurance. City Planner Peikert
indicated this was not new to insurance companies as they presently insure
townhouse units which would be similar.
Chairman Prazak stated he thought it would be good to get feedback from the
City Attorney after his review of the agreements.
Commissioner Leppik stated she had no objections to the zero lot line division
and although she was a little uncomfortable with this one being the "trailblazer"
because of the easement, she would vote for the zero lot line division.
Commissioner McAleese stated he would like to see staff talk to some of the
planning staffs in other communities to see what kinds of problems they have
encountered in this type of situation and how they have handled them. He
stated he would recommend approval for this zero lot line division but had
concerns regarding legal disputes arising under maintenance and easement
agreements and felt that before we establish some sort of policy for this in
the future we need some answers.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
September 8, 1986
Page 3
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner McAleese and
carried unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the Preliminary
Design Plan of PUD #54, Sovde Addition, subject to the following conditions:
1. The plat name shall include "PUD #54".
2. The final plat shall include drainage and utility easements along property
lines as required by the City Subdivision Regulations.
3. An appropriate garage and driveway easement over Lot 2 shall be provided to
Lot 1 by separate instrument.
4. Easements for access to water and sanitary sewer connection lines on Lot 1
shall be provided to Lot 2 by separate instrument.
5. Separate water meters shall be installed for the two individual ownership
units.
6. Fire separation wall between the two units shall extend to the roof.
7. The maintenance agreement submitted with the PUD General Plan of Development
shall include provisions for payment of utility bills and for maintenance
of shared utility connection lines and shall meet the approval of the City
Attorney and approval of the City Engineer.
8. The proponent shall submit documentation required for title examination by
the City Attorney with the PUD General Plan of Development and shall pay
the cost of the title examination by the City Attorney as required in the
City Subdivision Regulations.
Commissioner McAleese asked if Mr. Sovde was aware of the conditions of
approval and he replied that he was.
III. NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Prazak said he could-not attend the special HRA meeting on September
23, 1986. Commissioner Russell volunteered to take his place.
The Commissioners requested staff to ask someone from the Pool. Committee to
make a presentation to the Planning Commission at a future meeting date.
Commissioner Russell left the meeting.
IV. WORK/STUDY SESSION
At 8:05 the Planning Commission moved to the Manager's Conference Room for a
work/study session on Golden Valley in the Year 2010.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Gary Prazak, Chairman