Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Regular Meeting City Hall Council Chambers 7: 00 p. m. Commissioners Present: Chair Christopher Nelson; Commissioners Marilyn Meinke, Dave Lewis, Scott Safe, and Deanna Sheely Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Samantha Tix Cardell and Shelby Mendoza Others Present: Steve Kohn, Assistant Planning Director; Dustin Schulenberg, Council Liaison 1. Call to Order Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7: 00 p. m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Motion to Excuse Absent Commission Members A motion was made by Commissioner Safe, seconded by Commissioner Meinke and unanimously carried, to excuse the absence of Commissioners Tix Cardell and Mendoza. 4. Approval of Agenda Chair Nelson requested a correction for Agenda Item # 6 to read Approve Minutes of March 17, 2015, Planning Commission Meeting. Chair Nelson also requested the addition of an item to the Status Report. He requested that Assistant Planning Director Kohn provide an update with regard to the Barn Bluff Cultural Landscape Report and the G. A. Carlson Lime Kiln Historical Structure Report. A motion was made by Commissioner Sheely, seconded by Commissioner Lewis and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended. 5. Public Comment Period No one came forward to speak. 6. Approve Minutes of March 17, 2015, Planning Commission Meeting A motion was made by Commissioner Meinke, seconded by Commissioner Lewis and unanimously carried, to approve the meeting minutes. 7. Public Hearing: Consider Variance Request by Ken Smith, 1735 West Fourth Street, to construct a 754 square foot detached garage with a two foot (2') side yard setback and an eight foot (8') setback from the property' s principal structure. Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 1 of 5
Assistant Planning Director Kohn provided background information with regard to the proposed garage construction and variance request due to practical difficulties encountered related to the configuration of the property, uniqueness of the area, and the width of the property. Assistant Director Kohn indicated that there are no other feasible locations on the property for a garage this size, adding that the Planning Commission may wish to consider whether a garage of this size constitutes reasonable use of the property. Neighboring property owners have expressed no concerns related to the proposal. City staff had no concerns related to public safety or public welfare and would support approval of the variance request. Council Liaison Schulenberg inquired with regard to setbacks, and Assistant Director Kohn provided rationale regarding setback and building code requirements. Commissioner Sheely inquired as to how much square footage would be sacrificed if the garage was constructed smaller than requested in order to meet setback requirements. Assistant Director indicated that the garage would lose three feet in width, making car storage difficult. Chair Nelson reviewed the Public Hearing procedure and opened the Public Hearing at 7: 18 p. m. Ken Smith, 1735 West Fourth Street, Red Wing, provided additional comment with regard to the size and location of the proposed garage. Commissioner Lewis inquired with regard to whether Public Works utilizes the property for piling up snow. Mr. Smith indicated that the property would no longer be available for this purpose. Commissioner Lewis inquired with regard to the concrete apron, and Mr. Smith provided clarification. A motion was made by Commissioner Safe, seconded by Commissioner Lewis and unanimously carried, to close the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was closed at 7: 21 p. m. Chair Nelson commented with regard to challenges related to the tight configuration of the property and spoke in support of approving the variance request. Commissioner Sheely inquired with regard to the locations of neighboring property access, and Mr. Smith provided clarification. Commissioner Sheely inquired as to planned purposes for the garage space. Mr. Smith indicated that the garage would be utilized to store personal vehicles. Commissioner Lewis commented with regard to the uniqueness of the area and spoke in support of approving the variance request. A motion was made by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Meinke and unanimously carried, to recommend approval of the variance request as submitted. The variance request will be placed on the agenda for the April 27 City Council meeting. 8. Review of Heritage Preservation Commission Proposed South End Residential Historic/Conservation District Designation. Chair Nelson reviewed a City Code requirement that states that when a site or area is proposed to be designated as a historic district or neighborhood conservation Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 2 of 5
district by the Heritage Preservation Commission, the proposal should be forwarded to the Planning Commission for review and comments related to zoning and the Comprehensive Plan. Assistant Planning Director Kohn provided background information and described the proposed district area. A neighborhood meeting for discussion of the proposal is scheduled on April 28. All 72 affected property owners along with owners of property located within 350 feet of the proposed district have been notified of this meeting and invited to attend. The differences between a historic district and a conservation district designation were discussed. Assistant Director Kohn described the period of significance as the late 1800' s to approximately 1941. Assistant Director Kohn referenced the Comprehensive Plan, which supports the creation of additional historic and conservation districts within the City. These designations provide regulatory tools and educational resources to help assure that historic properties are properly cared for and any renovations are done correctly. Assistant Director Kohn indicated that zoning impacts would be minimal. He reported that the proposal does appear to be compatible with the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances. He added that the Planning Commission may wish to comment with regard to a preference for a historic versus conservation district designation. Commissioner Safe inquired with regard to financial assistance available to property owners in either a historic or conservation district. Assistant Director Kohn indicated that the HRA may provide assistance with certain types of project funding, but added that typically more funding assistance is available for commercial properties as opposed to residential properties. Commissioner Safe commented that the regulations associated with a historic or conservation designation may result in adverse impacts on some property owners. will be a topic of discussion during the upcoming neighborhood meeting. Assistant Director Kohn stated that this Commissioner Meinke spoke in support of the less strict conservation district designation, especially in light of the fact that the West District has been similarly designated. Assistant Director Kohn commented that paint colors are never reviewed. Commissioner Lewis requested further clarification of the differences between the historic and conservation district designation. Assistant Director Kohn indicated that the main difference between the two designations is the level of review required and provided examples. He indicated that properties with a historic district designation would be subject to additional regulations and receive a higher level of review than those with a conservation district designation, although there is room for flexibility. Assistant Director Kohn referenced the recommendations of the State Historic Preservation Office ( SHPO), which expressed a preference for a historic district designation but no objection to a conservation district designation. Commissioner Sheely inquired whether the West District would ever be considered for a historic district designation. Assistant Director Kohn indicated that some West District property owners expressed opposition to a historic district designation during Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 3 of 5
a neighborhood meeting held in 2011. He discussed the design review process and preservation program guidelines for both types of districts. Assistant Director Kohn indicated that the Heritage Preservation Commission is requesting comments from the Planning Commission with regard to compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances. In addition, the HPC would appreciate receiving an opinion related to whether a historic or conservation district designation is preferred by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Sheely spoke in support of a conservation district designation, in order to be consistent with the already established conservation district designation for a nearby residential area. A motion was made by Commissioner Sheely, seconded by Commissioner Meinke and unanimously carried, that the Planning Commission supports designating this area as a conservation district and that the proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 9. Status Report Assistant Director Kohn asked Commissioners if they had any questions regarding the Status Report, as provided by Planning Director Brian Peterson. A. Main Street Reconstruction Update. B. Levee Road and Trail Project Update. C. Laurie Budensiek, et al., rezoning application for property located near the intersection of Featherstone Road and Bench Street from 1-1 Light Industrial to AR Agriculture Residential. Council Liaison Schulenberg commented with regard to the City Council' s denial of the proposed rezoning application. A two- thirds majority vote was required for approval, which was not received. Chair Nelson inquired with regard to approval of a historic versus conservation district designation. Assistant Director Kohn indicated his opinion that a simple majority vote would be required for approval, according to the preservation ordinance. D. Housing Study. E. Old West Main Street Master Plan. Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 4 of 5
F. Community Solar Garden. Council Liaison Schulenberg provided an update with regard to the fiscal analysis. G. City Strategic Plan Process. A meeting has been scheduled on May 19 from 5: 00 to 7: 00 p. m., during which the Planning Committee would facilitate a strategic planning brainstorming session with representatives from other City boards and commissions. Commissioners indicated that they would be able to be in attendance. H. Planning Commission Agendas Moving to Paperless. Assistant Director Kohn inquired with regard to whether Commissioners already own personal ipads that they would wish to use for Planning Commission activities; otherwise the City will purchase ipads for Commissioner use. Commissioners indicated their preferences in this regard. I. Barn Bluff and G. A. Carlson Lime Kiln Reports. Assistant Director Kohn provided an update. A $66, 000 grant was approved toward a historic structure study in order to move forward with stabilization and preservation of the site. The City plans to apply for $200,000 in Legacy grant funding toward the restoration project. Assistant Director Kohn reviewed the Barn Bluff Master Plan, with the lime kiln serving as the focal point for a new trailhead base and other amenity improvements planned for the area. Assistant Director Kohn also discussed the Cultural Landscape Report for Barn Bluff. The Heritage Preservation Commission has planned an event that will feature a presentation of this information in conjunction with the HPC award ceremony on May 28 at the Pottery Museum of Red Wing. 10. Commissioner Concerns Chair Nelson discussed the purpose of this agenda item, suggesting that perhaps this might be better termed as Old Business. Assistant Director Kohn suggested Other Business or Commissioner Concerns as appropriate agenda descriptions for this portion of the meeting. He added that this agenda item provides an opportunity for Commissioners to discuss something not on the agenda or bring up something that they would like addressed in the future. Chair Nelson expressed appreciation with regard to Planning Commissioners' willingness to participate in lengthy meeting discussions. 11. Adiournment A motion was made by Commissioner Lewis seconded by Commissioner Sheely and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting. Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8: 12 p. m. Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 5 of 5