04-11-88 PC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
April 11, 1988
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 by Chair Prazak at 7:05 P.M.
Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, Lewis, McAleese, McCracken-Hunt,
Prazak, and Russell. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and
Development, Alda Wilkinson, City Planner, and Gloria Anderson, Planning Secretary.
I. .APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 28, 1988
Commissioner Leppik suggested that the last sentence on page 3 of the minutes
should read as follows: "Commissioner Russell voted against the recommendation
for approval because she felt the number of pets on the premises for grooming
during any one day should be limited to three."
It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner,
and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 28, 1988 meeting as
corrected.
II. RESET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT: Mui Li Wan, Inc.
LOCATION: 2300 Nevada Avenue North
REQUEST: Conditional Use Permit to Allow Food Processing
That Involves "cooking, heating, smoking, soaking
or marinating" in an Industrial Zoning District
This item was introduced by Chair Prazak and reviewed by City Planner Wilkinson
who stated the applicant requested this hearing be postponed to allow more time
for revisions to the site plan.. The Planning Commission reset the date for the
informal public hearing for consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for Mui Li
Wan, Inc. to April 25, 1988.
III. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PLAT OF VALLEY .SQUARE THIRD ADDITION
APPLICANT: City of Golden Valley
LOCATION: Golden Valley Road Between Winnetka Avenue North
and Wisconsin Avenue North
REQUEST: Approval of the Preliminary Plat of Valley Square
Third Addition
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
April 11, 1988
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IV. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PLAT OF GOLDEN VALLEY CIVIC CENTER
APPLICANT: City of Golden Valley
LOCATION: 7800 Golden Valley Road
REQUEST: Approval of the Preliminary Plat of Golden Valley
Civic Center
The above two items were introduced by Chair Prazak and reviewed by Director
Grimes. The Planning Commission set April 25, 1988 as the date for the Informal
Public Hearing to consider the Preliminary Plat of Valley Square Third Addition
and the Preliminary Plat of Golden Valley Civic Center.
V. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING
APPLICANT: Marc Teren
LOCATION: 120 Meadow Lane North
REQUEST: Rezoning from the Residential (Single-Family)
to the Two-Family Residential (R-2) Zoning District
VI. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY PLAT OF TEREN ADDITION
APPLICANT: Marc Teren
LOCATION: 120 Meadow Lane North
REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Plat of Teren Addition to
A11ow for Zero Lot Line Division
Chair Prazak introduced the above two items and asked fora review of the staff
report. Director Grimes reviewed the request for rezoning from the Residential
(Single-Family) to the Two-Family (R-2) Zoning District which would allow the
proponent to then split the property with a zero lot line. He stated the the
property met, and in some cases exceeded, the requirements for square footage
and setbacks fora two-family. home and that he felt the two-family home would
not change the low-density character of the neighborhood. Director Grimes also
stated that the proponent had provided a covenant that provided for .maintenance
of the two separately owned units. He also noted that the plans for the dwell-
ing as presented could be a part of this covenant to assure the neighborhood
that what they were shown would actually be constructed and not some other less
desirable plan. He said the staff recommended approval of the rezon ing and Plat
of Teren Addition.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
April 11, 1988
Page 3
Commissioner Lewis asked if the two units would share a driveway. Director
Grimes explained that they would share the driveway. The back lot would own the
driveway and the front lot would have an easement over the driveway.
Mr. Marc Teren, the. proponent, was present. Mr. Teren stated he planned to
renovate the home that is presently on the lot and construct another home which
would be attached to the back of the present home. He stated he choose to do
this rather than split the lot and have two single-family homes as he felt that
by adding to the home located in the middle of the lot he would be able to save
the landscaping and other features of the lot. Mr. Teren stated that the view
of the property from Meadow-Lane would be that of a large, expensive single home
and that the back portion would not be visible from the street. He noted that
the present market value of the property is $145,000 and that the homes he plans
to construct would have a market value of approximately $250,000 to $300,000
each. Mr. Teren noted that he plans to live in the back unit anal sell the front
unit.
Chair Prazak asked Mr. Teren what the view on either side of the property was.
Mr. Teren provided pictures for the Planning Commission to review and it was
noted that only one house could be seen through the trees.
After a brief discussion and clarification of Mr. Teren's remarks, Chair Prazak
opened the Informal Public Hearing.
Mr. Al Anderson, .125 North Meadow Lane, stated he was against the rezoning as it
would probably set a precedent for other properties in the neighborhood. He
also questioned the fact that at the present time a day care was being .operated
from this property and had concerns about the traffic. He also questioned the
fence that was shown on the site plan.
Mr. Teren responded to Mr. Anderson's concerns. He stated no business would be
operated out of his home and that he would be willing to add this stipulation to
the Covenants. He also noted that any fence would be in conformance with the
City's regulations and codes.
Ms. Mary Gooderl, 4015 Roanoke Circle, was concerned that a precedent for
rezoning would be created if this were rezoned and that it would have a negative
impact on the area.
Ms. Pam Lott, 220 Sunnyridge Lane, stated Mr. Teren had a beautiful plan but
setting a precedent in this area was a bad idea.
Mr. Peter Grant, 5011 Colonial Drive, stated he had just purchased the lot at
210 Sunnyridge Circle and was planning to build a home there. He too was
concerned that building this twin home would seta precedent.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
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Mrs. Lysyj, 400.4 Roanoke Circle, stated she had lived here for 26 years- and
enjoyed the spaciousness of the lots. She objected to this home as it would
make the area look crowded.
Mr. Stan .Kugler, 4240 Glenwood Avenue, stated he did not oppose the project.
Mr. Charlie Weber said he had just signed to purchase the property at 200
Sunnyridge Lane. He felt that building a twin home on this property would take
away from the character of the neighborhood.
Mr. Pat O'Meara, 206 Sunnyridge Circle, stated he felt the proponent's plans
were nice but objects to splitting the lot fora twin home. He said he purchased
his house under the assumption this was an area of single homes and was against
this rezoning because of the precedent it would set.
Mr. Bill Wood, 208 Sunnyridge Circle, said he had moved in about one year ago.
He noted that in his former home they had a shared driveway and it caused many
problems. He liked the single-family zoning in this area and hoped it would
remain that way.
Mr. John Stockman, 204 Sunnyridge Lane., noted that many lots in this area were
the size of this lot and other owners may want to divide their lots. He said he
was against this rezoning and lot split as it would diminish his property value..
Chair Prazak introduced a letter received from Mr. Bruce Monick, 4215 Poplar
Drive, who stated that a twin home on this property would be the beginning of an
unfavorable transition in the makeup of the neighborhood and result in a change
of the overall character of the area and requested the Planning Commission to
turn down the request for rezoning.
The Informal Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Leppik stated it would not be possible to guarantee this type of
division. would not happen again, that every homeowner should be allowed to do
what they want with their property to the full extent of the law. She stated
she felt this would be spot zoning and a very bad idea.
Commissioner McCracken-Hunt noted that if anyone chose to separate large lots
into two single lots there would be no justification to turn them down provided
they met all the requirements of the Subdivision Regulations. She indicated she
objected to the zero lot line but would not object to .two single family lots.
Commissioner Kapsner stated he would not support the rezoning as he considered
it spot zoning and would not want to see it in his neighborhood.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
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Commissioner Russell said she felt the zero lot line home proposed was well
planned and would be an addition to the neighborhood and she would rather see
the one twin home than two separate homes.. She said she was against the
rezoning because she considered it spot zoning and because of the precedent it
would set.
Commissioner McAleese said he did not favor the rezoning as it would. not serve
the welfare of the neighborhood or the City, but felt this would be better than
two single homes. He urged the neighbors to reconsider their opinions.
Commissioner Lewis stated that the existing house did need upgrading but she
would vote against the rezoning because of the zero lot line division.
Commissioner Leppik questioned whether the City would want spot zoning for R-2
in an area where there were no other duplexes.
Chair Prazak agreed that there was no rationale for rezoning this property.
It was moved by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner McAleese, and
motion .carried unanimously to recommend City Council denial of the request by
Mr. Marc Teren to rezone the property located at 120 Meadow Lane from the
Residential (Single-Family) to the Two-Family Residential (R-2) Zoning District.
It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, and
motion carried unanimously to table the request for approval of the Preliminary
Plat of Teren Addition until such time that the proponent submits a new-plat.
Commissioner McAleese wanted the record to indicate that he felt a shared
driveway is a bad idea which would cause problems.
VII. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Commissioner Kapsner provided a report on the April 5, 1988 City Council meeting.
VIII. AMENDMENTS TO ZONING CODE - DISH ANTENNAS
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to direct staff to prepare
amendments to the Zoning Code to provide for dish antennas as a conditional use.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
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