10-12-87 PC Minutes292
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
October 12, 1987
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the Council Chambers
of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road,. Golden Valley, Minnesota. The
meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M.
Those present were Commissioners Ceppik, Lewis, McCracken-Hunt, Prazak and
Russell. Commissioners Kapsner and McAleese were absent. Also present were
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, A1da Wilkinson, City
Planner, and Gloria Anderson, Secretary.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 28, 1987
It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Leppik,
and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 28, 1987
meeting.
II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY PLAT OF KING HILL
APPLICANT: Peter Knaeble
LOCATION: 6001 Glenwood Avenue
REQUEST: Approval of the Preliminary Plat of King Hill Which
Proposes Division of the Property at 6001 Glenwood
Avenue into Five Parcels Creating Four Vacant Single-
Family Residential Lots
Chair Prazak introduced this agenda item and called on Planning and Development
Director Mark Grimes to give a brief overview of the request for the Preliminary
Plat of King Hill. Director Grimes stated that the plat met all. requirements
of the Zoning Code as to width and square footage. He stated there were some
problems with the drainage arrd that the proponent would work with the ,City
Engineer to solve these problems.
Chair Prazak questioned whether there was room on Lot 5 fora normal size house
and Director Grimes stated that there was.
Peter and Robin Knaeble, the proponents, were present. They stated that they
planned to move into the home that is presently on Lot 4 and would make some
improvements to the home. He stated that Lots land 2 would not be developed
until the storm sewer goes into Glenwood Avenue which should be completed in
1988. Mr. Knaeble also indicated he did not have any plans at the present time
to sell Lot 5, that he would retain this as long as he lived in the house on
Lot 4. He indicated that he plans to have homes built on these lots that would
be similar in size, value and quality as the homes in the surrounding neighbor-
hood.
Chair Prazak opened the informal public hearing.
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Golden Valley Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1987
Page 2
Mr. Phil Resnick, 135 King Creek Road, asked what other proceedings there would
be for the neighborhood to voice their objections. Mr. Resnick also asked if
there was anything., as it is now planned, that would necessitate any changes in
the ordinance or building requirements.
Chair Prazak explained the process for the public hearing before the City Council
and also stated that at this stage it is consistent with City requirements.
Mr. Resnick stated that these lots were all approximately 80 to 90 feet in
width and that lots in the surrounding area were all 100 feet. He asked if
this would require any variance or change in the ordinances.
Director Grimes stated that since the surrounding lots had been platted, there
was a change in the Zoning Code that permitted 80-foot lots with a minimum of
10,000 square feet of area.
Mr. Bob Levy, 240 King Hill Road, stated that he welcomed the Knaebles to the
neighborhood but had concerns with specific aspects of the subdiv ision. He
.stated that when the subdivision of the neighborhood in which he lives took
place, there were different criteria in effect in the City which included
larger lot size and larger minimum lot width and that the standards were now
changed. He felt that the expectations of the residents in the neighborhood
that there would be a certain relative consistency in terms of size of dwelling
and a blend with the neighborhood would no longer exist. Mr. Levy was very
much opposed to the location of Lot 5 as he felt it had been "squeezed" in.
He suggested that the proponent consider eliminating Lot 5.
Mr. Mike Wolsted, 215 King Creek Road, was also opposed. He had concerns with
the drainage and the. City's responsibility to protect the value of the homes
presently located in the area.
Mr. Jahn Kailas, 205 King Hill Road, agreed with the issues raised by Mr. Levy.
He felt this subdivision would have a devastating effect on the neighborhood
and that consideration should be given to eliminating Lot 5.
Mr. Turner, 6031 Glenwood Avenue, stated that the areas of Lot 1, 2 and 3 were
low and that homes should not be built on these lots until the storm sewer is
completed on Glenwood Avenue.
Ms. Gail-.Koester, 250 King Creek Road, was also apposed to Lot 5 and stated it
would make the area aesthetically unappealing.
Ms. Kathy Kailas, 205 King Hill Road, was opposed to Lot 5 and had concerns
with the drainage.
Mr. Bob Warner, 110 King Creek Road, felt there would not be enough room on the
lots fora garage and house.
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Golden Valley Planning Commission Minutes
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Mr. Katz, 260 King Hill Road, stated he moved to the area because of the
aesthetics. He objected to Lot 5 and proposed that the proponent try to
rearrange the plat. He also had concerns with property values and felt that
small homes built on these lots would detract from the neighborhood.
Mr. Mike Falk, 220 King Hill Road, also objected to Lot 5.
Ms. Donna Wolsted, 215 King Creek Road, opposed Lot 5 and the whole development.
She stated that when they bought their house they expected that all the homes
would be similar. She also had concerns with drainage.
Mr. Tom Davis, 235 King Creek Road, was opposed to the plat and was concerned
as to.what the proponent was really intending to do.
Ms. Sandy Witebsky, 230 King Creek Road, supported what was stated by Mr. Bob
Levy. She also was opposed to Lot 5.
The following residents were also opposed:
Mr. Trembley, 210 King Creek Road
Ms. Mattie Baker, 115 King Creek Road
Mr. Ben Toy, 200 King Hill Road
Mr. Jim Anderson, 280 King Hill Road
Mrs. Katz, 260 King Hill Road
The consensus of the surrounding neighborhood was that their concern was for
the undesirability of Lot 5, the drainage problem, the effect of this plat on
the property values and the City's responsibility to the homeowners in the area
to maintain their property values. The homeowners stated they realized the
plat met the City's Zoning Code requirements but that some discretion should be
used as to the effect it would have on the neighborhood.
Chair Prazak closed the informal public hearing.
Commissioner Leppik stated support for approval of the proposed plat of King
Hill based on conformance with City Code requirements. Commissioner Leppik
pointed out that sizes and widths of proposed lots not only meet City
requirements but go beyond minimal requirements. Commissioner Leppik further
explained that she does not see any overwhelming justification for turning down
the property owner's legitimate request for approval of a proposal which meets
all City Code requirements.
Commissioner Russell stated she felt assured that homes built on these lots
would be similar in size, quality and value as what is presently in the
neighborhood.
Commissioners Lewis and McCracken-Hunt stated that they would recommend approval
as the plat met the requirements of the City Zoning Code for size and land use.
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Golden Valley Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1987
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Chair Prazak stated he was inclined to not recommend approval of this plat due
to the disparity with the size of Lot 5 and that a rearrangement of the
property lines could be made more attractive to neighbors.
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik and seconded by Commissioner Russell to
recommend City Council approval of the Preliminary Plat of King Hill subject to
the following conditions:-
1. A drainage plan be approved by the City Engineer before final plat
approval.
2. All utility and drainage easements required by the City Engineer be shown
on the final plat.
3. A park dedication fee of $400 each for Lots 1, 2, 3 and 5 be submitted
before final plat approval.
4. The subdivider submit the Abstract of Title to the City Attorney for review
before final plat approval. The cost of the review will be paid by the
subdivider before final plat approval.
Upon vote the motion carried 4 to 1. Chairman Prazak voted against the
recommendation for approval.
III. .REPORT ON OCTOBER 6, 1987 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The report on the October 6, 1987 City Council meeting was postponed to the
next Planning Commission meeting due to the fact that Commissioner Kapsner, who
represented the Planning Commission at the Council meeting, was absent.
IV. APA CONFERENCE REPORTS
City Planner Alda Wilkinson provided the Planning Commission with a report on
sessions attended at the APA Conference, and Planning Commissioners received a
written report from Commissioner McAleese on the APA Conference.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
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