HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/10/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
OCTOBER 5, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Claudia Johnston-Madison, Torrey Kanne,
Richard Person, Carl Robertson,
Joe Tatalovich, Ethan Rickert (youth member)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lynne Carper, Lisa Peilen
STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Gary Morrison, Clint Pires, Cindy Walsh
1. Call to Order – Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of August 17, 2016
Commissioner Tatalovich made a motion to approve the minutes of August 17,
2016. Commissioner Kanne seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a
vote of 4-0-1 (Robertson abstained).
3. Public Hearings
A. Conditional Use Permit and Variance for Communication Tower
Location: 2501 State Highway 100 S.
Applicant: City of St. Louis Park
Case No.: 16-37-CUP and 16-38-VAR
Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He
explained that the City of St. Louis Park is the applicant, however the property is
Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School (BSM). The City is requesting a
Conditional Use Permit to allow a communication tower that is 70 feet in height,
and a variance to allow the communication tower to be 106 feet from the property
line instead of the required 140 foot minimum setback. The purpose of the
antenna is to relay signals transmitted from water meters installed in the northeast
portion of the city.
Mr. Morrison reviewed conditions applied to communication towers.
Mr. Morrison reviewed findings for the variance request.
Mr. Morrison discussed the neighborhood meeting held on September 6, 2016.
Mr. Morrison noted that city staff Clint Pires, Chief Information Officer, and
Cindy Walsh, Operations and Recreation Director, were present to answer
questions.
Official Minutes
Planning Commission
October 5, 2016
Page 2
Commissioner Tatalovich asked about the selection of that particular light tower
for the antenna.
Mr. Pires responded that the selection was based on BSM’s preference to
minimize damage to the ground of the athletic field itself, due to equipment
needed for installation of the antenna.
Commissioner Kanne asked the location of current antenna which is not able to
receive a signal. She asked if the new location had been tested.
Mr. Pires said a propagation study was conducted for the meter reading program.
Engineers looked at topography and came up with specific areas that they thought
would best support the reading from the meters. The three elevated water towers
were chosen. But, problems occurred with readings located at the periphery of
the city.
Commissioner Robertson asked Mr. Morrison to discuss the code requirement for
setback being twice the distance of the height of the tower.
Mr. Morrison said the criteria can relate to the collapse radius and relates to
aesthetic impacts. In this case there is an existing pole with several light fixtures
on top of it and the antenna itself is only 10 feet above that with a diameter of 2
inches.
Mr. Pires showed the Commission the antenna pole which would be used.
Chair Johnston-Madison opened the public hearing. The Chair read a letter into
the record from Conlan Law Group on behalf of client Joan Solomon, 2317 West
Ridge Lane, opposing the requests and stating that practical difficulties do not
exist which would necessitate a variance from existing city setbacks. As no one
was present wishing to speak the Chair closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Person asked if Ms. Solomon’s property is the closest residence to
the pole.
Mr. Morrison responded that is correct.
Commissioner Robertson stated that being there is an existing pole there,
absolutely no one is going to notice the addition of the antennae, and it does not
cause any problems.
Commissioner Robertson made a motion recommending approval of the
Conditional Use Permit and variance, subject to conditions recommended by staff.
Official Minutes
Planning Commission
October 5, 2016
Page 3
Commissioner Tatalovich seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote
of 5-0.
4. Other Business
A. Zoning Ordinance Amendment pertaining to Fences
tabled on July 20, 2016)
Applicant: City of St. Louis Park
Case No.: 16-28-Z
Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. The
amendment proposes to establish and clarify materials that can be used to
construct a fence. He discussed the Commission’s earlier review and study
session discussion of the proposed amendments.
Chair Johnston-Madison asked for more detail about decorative fencing.
Mr. Morrison said the rationale is to capture materials that aren’t typically used
for boundary fencing.
Commissioner Robertson made a motion recommending approval of the Zoning
Ordinance Amendment pertaining to fences as recommended by staff.
Commissioner Kanne seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-
0.
5. Communications
Gary Morrison spoke about an upcoming open street event, Walk and Talk, at
Walker and Lake Streets on October 8.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sells
Recording Secretary