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1985 01 23 MINUTES CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION e JANUARY 23, 1985 Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Members Present James Thompson, Thomas Merz, Ladd Conrad, Bill Ryan, and Mike Thompson. Members Absent Susan Albee and Howard Noziska PUBLIC HEARING Conditional Use Permit Request #85-1 for a wholesale nursery on property zoned R-la, Agricultural Residence District and located at 9150 Great Plains Blvd., Mark VanHoff, applicant. Public Present Mark VanHoff 10550 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. e Dacy explained that the applicant is intending to operate a wholesale nursery at 9150 Great Plains Boulevard. She stated that the applicant intends on using the existing driveway and structures as indicated on the site plan. She noted that the proposed location of the facilities will be screened by vegeta- tion on the south and screened to the north by the slope of the land. She also stated that the applicant intends to locate vege- tation along Great Plains Boulevard and along the southern por- tion of the parcel. She stated that the proposed use would not have an adverse impact on surrounding properties and the existing access from Great Plains Boulevard appears to be adequate for vehicles that will be entering and leaving the site. She also indicated that the applicant's activity will be limited to licensed nurserymen and not the general public. Mark VanHoff noted that when the Zoning Ordinance Amendment for wholesale nurseries as conditional uses, the Planning Commission was concerned about retail sales from the premises. He stated that the only clientele would be licensed nurserymen such as retailers and local landscapers. He also noted that the Commission was concerned about the traffic flow into the nursery. He stated that the operation would have a possible total of 75 to 100 accounts and would generate approximately 7 to 10 customers daily. He also wanted the Commission to know that they only har- vest in the spring and fall and the storage would be for these crops (burlapped) until sold. He also noted that the greenhouse would be used for a propagation facility to take clippings, root them and then plant outside. e Planning Commission Minutes January 23, 1985 page 2 e M. Thompson moved, seconded by J. Thompson to close the public hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried. After the explanation from the applicant, the Commissioners did not feel that this activity would be detrimental to the surrounding properties. J. Thompson moved, seconded by M. Thompson, that the Planning Commission recommends the City Council approve Conditional Use Permit Request #85-1 to locate a wholesale nursery at 9150 Great Plains Boulevard as depicted on the site plan labeled as Attachment #3. All voted in favor and the motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING Final plan Amendment Request #79-2 for Near Mountain planned Unit Development on property zoned p-1, planned Residential Development and located along Chanhassen Road, Near Mountain Partnership, applicant. Public Present Peter Pflaum Rick Sathre e Mike Pf laum Olsen stated that the applicant is proposing to increase the Type B area by 19 lots in exchange for 13 Type A lots and 6 condomium units. She also noted that, in addition, the street alignment and shape of the ponding areas have changed slightly but will not impact the design and would allow for a better lot layout. She explained that development is taking place in the Type C area where the front and side yard setbacks are 25' and 5'/10'. The developers intend to continue these setbacks into the Type B area. She stated that staff believes the reduced setbacks can be continued into the Type B area without adversely impacting the surrounding property. She also noted that staff is recommending that a berm be continued along the Type B area and also would like the developers to further discuss with staff their phasing plan for Near Mountain. Lundgren Brothers Construction Peter pflaum explained that as they develop the project, they are getting more of an idea of how they want the different type of homes to be phased together smoothly. He stated that they have decided to change the line between the Type B and Type A phases because of a natural tree line or wooded area and by doing that are dropping 13 larger lots (Type A) and 6 condominium units and adding 19 Type Blots. e Conrad moved, seconded by Merz to close the public hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried. e Planning Commission Minutes January 23, 1985 Page 3 Merz moved, seconded by J. Thompson, that the Planning Commission recommend the City Council approve the Final Development plan Amendment as depicted on the sathre-Bergquist, Inc. proposed Amended plan dated January 14, 1985 with the following con- ditions: 1. That the major north-south and east-west roadways have a 50 foot wide right-of-way and a 32 foot wide street section. 2. That the existing berm located on the property south of the Type C area be continued along the south boundary of the Type B. 3. The applicant work with staff on the phasing plan as the final pats are processed. All voted in favor and the motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Sign Variance Request #85-1 for two temporary advertising signs located at the prairie House Family Restaurant, 501 West 79th Street, Ted Korzenowski, applicant. e Public Present Ted Korzenowski applicant Dacy explained that the applicant is seeking two variances; a free standing sign to be located on his property in front or near the existing city sign and an advertising sign to be located along Highway 5 on the site where the Chanhassen Center is located. She stated that the applicant intends that signs be erected for one year. She indicated that the applicant in his letter to the Planning Commission stated that additional signage is necessary to attract and direct traffic off the highway. She noted that the applicant now has a free standing sign as per- mitted by the ordinance. She explained that the intent of the sign regulations is to insure a proper balance between the number of signs and the number of buildings located on a particular property. She also added that off-site advertising signs are specifically prohibited to prevent the proliferation of signs advertising businesses in other locations of the city. She also stated that temporary signage for advertising purposes could result in other requests by other businesses in the community. She stated that staff recommends the variance be denied and that the applicant should consider working with the Chamber of Commerce in the redesign of the existing City sign. e Ted Korzenowski asked if any of the Commissioners were at the Downtown Forum. He stated that most of the recommendations were that the sign ordinance should be revised for Chanhassen which e Planning Commission Minutes January 23, 1985 Page 4 brought a round of applauds. He stated that this should tell the Commission that the sign ordinance should be looked at. He also stated that the concensus was that the business area is suffering because of the sign ordinance. He stated that the ordinance is causing him a hardship because he is not getting the traffic into his restaurant. He stated that the traffic coming from the east cannot see his sign until they go by it because of the city sign. He stated that the city sign is in violation of the ordinance because it is too big and also the sign is on his property. He stated that the restaurant business is tough and he needs a cer- tain volume to exist and has to rely on a certain amount of traf- fic. He added that he only wants the sign temporarily until he gets his business built up. Conrad stated that he doesn't know if a sign would be the answer or if it is because of access. J. Thompson felt that access was the biggest problem for busi- nesses. He stated that if they allowed one person to have a tem- porary sign, then 15 more signs will be coming and pretty soon it will look like the Las Vegas strip and we don't want that. e Ted Korzenowski asked why the ordinance allows for a variance if the city won't issue one? He stated that obviously someone thought under some circumstances, a variance would be granted and he felt that the Commissioners should look at the circumstances instead of just saying no. He stated that he likes to analyze the situation before a decision is made. M. Thompson stated that staff has analyzed the situation. The Commissioners felt that no real hardship exists in this case and stated that if they approved this variance, all of the other businesses in Chanhasssen would be in for a sign variance also. At this point Mr. Korzenowski left the meeting. M. Thompson moved, seconded by J. Thompson to deny Sign Permit Variance Request #85-1 because the sign ordinance is not imposing a hardship on the applicant. All voted in favor and the motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Conrad moved, seconded by J. Thompson to approve the January 9, 1985 minutes as written. All voted in favor and the motion carried. e Conrad moved, seconded by M. Thompson to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion carried.