HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 29 2012 PC meeting minutes
PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, May 29, 2012
1. Call to Order:
Chairman Phelan called the May 29, 2012 Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Those
present were Commissioners, Roszak, Blahnik, Hite, Phelan, and Spieler, Community and Economic
Development Director Dan Rogness and Community Development Specialist Casey McCabe.
2. Approval of Agenda:
MOTION BY ROSZAK, SECONDED BY SPIELER TO APPROVE THE MAY 29, 2012 MEETING
AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
VOTE: Ayes, Spieler, Roszak, Phelan, Hite and Blahnik. The Motion carried.
3. Consider Approval of May 14, 2012 Meeting Minutes:
Phelan made a correction to item number three from the May 14, 2012 meeting minutes, which was the
Consideration of Approval of the April 23, 2012 Meeting Minutes. Members Phelan and Hite were
absent from the April 23, 2012 Planning Commission meeting and abstained from voting on the
approval of the April 23, 2012 meeting minutes during the May 14, 2012 meeting.
MOTION BY BLAHNIK, SECONDED BY HITE TO APPROVE THE MAY 14, 2012 MEETING
MINUTES WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ITEM NUMBER THREE AS INDICATED.
VOTE: Ayes, Roszak, Hite, Phelan Blahnik, and Spieler. The Motion carried.
4. Public Hearings:
A. # EP 12-115 Welsch Deck Variance. Bob Welsch is requesting a Variance from the minimum
lakeshore setback on a General Development lake in the R-1 (Low Density Residential) Zoning District.
The subject property is located on the northern shores of Lower Prior Lake, south of Greenway Avenue,
and west of Shady Beach Trail; subject property address is 6424 Conroy Street NE, Prior Lake, MN.
Rogness
provided an overview of the property and presented staff’s report indicating Bob Welsch,
owner of the subject property, is requesting a variance in order to allow for the construction of a balcony
on his single family property located at 6424 Conroy Street NE.
Rogness
indicated the applicant has an existing lower level deck on the property but the property has
no upper level deck. The applicant received approval of a variance form the lakeshore setback to
construct a 7’ X 18’ upper level balcony at the rear of the house in November 2011. The previously
approved variance was to allow construction of a cantilever style balcony from the existing house;
however, due to structural engineering challenges with that proposed balcony, the applicant would like
to alter the balcony design and setback. The applicant now proposes to construct an 8’3” X 18’ balcony
with two wooden posts to support the deck, rather than the cantilever option.
Rogness
shared current exterior property photographs with the commission andpresented the
commission with the existing and proposed structure setbacks from the Ordinary High Water (OHW)
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elevation of Prior Lake (904 elevation). The existing house is setback 31.8’, the existing lower level
deck is setback 14.1’, and the revised balcony design is proposed to be set back 23.6’ from the OHW.
Rogness
provided an overview of Prior Lake’s City Ordinances related to setback requirements for
residential structures and reviewed the variance criteria detailed in Section 1108.400 of Prior Lake’s
City Code.
Rogness
stated a similar variance was granted by the Planning Commission in November 2011. This
proposed variance request will allow for the balcony to be constructed 1’3” closer to the OHW than was
approved in November 2011; however, the intent of the balcony has not changed.
Applicant Bob Welsch, 6424 Conroy Street NE
stated the cantilever style deck proposed with the
previously approved variance request could not be built as initially proposed due to structural
engineering concerns. Mr. Welsch stated the balcony will only have access from the interior of the
home. Mr. Welsch added the balcony is a part of an overall plan to improve the property; additional
owner enhancements include landscaping improvements and replacing a dilapidated boat house at the
adjacent property, which is also owned by Mr. Welsch.
Commissioner Questions:
Blahnik
asked for clarification that the balcony will not have a stairwell access.
Applicant Welsch
stated the balcony will not have a stairwell access.
MOTION BY PHELAN SECOND BY BLAHNIK TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:15 P.M.
VOTE: Ayes, Spieler, Roszak, Phelan, Hite and Blahnik. The Motion carried.
No one wished to speak at the Public Hearing.
A MOTION BY PHELAN SECOND BY SPIELER TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:16 P.M.
VOTE: Ayes, Spieler, Roszak, Phelan, Hite and Blahnik. The Motion carried.
Commissioner Comments and Questions:
Spieler
stated the previous design looked nice and he will be supporting the variance request.
Roszak
stated that he will be supporting the variance request as the request is similar to the previously
approved variance.
Hite
stated that modifications seem reasonable and necessary to support the deck.
Blahnik
stated that practical difficulties exist and he will be supporting this.
Phelan
stated that practical difficulties exist and he will be supporting the variance.
A MOTION BY BLAHNIK SECOND BY HITE TO APPROVE THE VARIANCE FROM THE MINIMUM
LAKESHORE STRUCTURE SETBACK OF A GENERAL DEVELOPMENT LAKE IN THE R-1 (LOW
DENSITY RESIDENTIAL) ZONING DISTRICT TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A BALCONY.
VOTE: Ayes, Phelan, Roszak, Blahnik, Hite, and Spieler. The Motion carried.
5. Old Business:
None
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6. New Business:
None
7. Announcements and Correspondence:
Rogness
provided an update of recent City Council discussions and decisions from the May 21, 2012
City Council meeting, including: a public hearing related to the vacation of utility easements within
Rademacher’s First Addition, accepting of bids and awarding contract for the downtown gateway
signage to be installed near the Arcadia Avenue / CR 21 intersection, report on a potential City/County
joint agreement for a watershed facility, City Council approvals on the appointment of Attorneys Richard
Rosow and Mark Girouard, and an overview of the Downtown South Study and related committees.
8. Adjournment:
MOTION BY PHELAN SECONDED BY HITE TO ADJORN THE MEETING.
VOTE: Ayes, Phelan, Hite, Blahnik, Roszak, and Spieler. The Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Submitted by: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist
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