SUNFISH LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING – MAY 16, 2018

7:00 P.M. – ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH


Attendants:

Chair: Tom Hendrickson

Commissioners: Ginny Beckett, Alan Spaulding and Shannon Nelson
City Planner: Ryan Grittman

City Clerk: Cathy Iago

Absent: Commissioner Shari Hansen

1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. ADOPT AGENDA: Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any additions to the agenda and there was no response.

Commissioner Beckett moved to adopt the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Nelson and carried (4-0)

3. APPROVE MINUTES FEBRUARY 21, 2018: Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the February 21, 2018 Planning Minutes.

Commissioner Beckett noted a grammatical error on page 1, under the Public Hearing, in the first sentence the word “open” should be changed to “opened”.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any further comments or corrections and there was no response.

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the February 21, 2018 minutes as corrected, seconded by Commissioner Spaulding and carried. (4-0)

4. PUBLIC HEARING: A. Major Site and Building Plan Review and TWO (2) Variances, 2570 Delaware Avenue, Jeremy Segal: Chair Hendrickson opened the meeting for the purpose of a Public Hearing to review the Major Site and Building Plan and Variance application for the property located at 2570 Delaware Avenue. He explained the Planner would first review the application and then he would open the Public Hearing for comments from the audience. He asked that anyone wishing to speak provide their name and address, or their relationship to the applicant.

Planner Grittman referred to his report dated May 9, 2018 and explained the request is for approval of a Major Site and Building Plan Review and two (2) variances to allow construction of an addition to the existing home located at 2570 Delaware Avenue. He stated that the variances relate to the proposed addition being located entirely within the shoreland setback of 200 ft. and that the addition would also encroach on the side yard setback on the south side of the property. He stated the shoreland setback would be approximately 35 ft. and the side yard setback would be 21.2 ft. He stated the property has lake frontage on Hornbeam Lake and is subject to both the R-1, Single Family Residential District and the Shoreland Overlay District standards in the Zoning Ordinance.

The Planner explained that the Public Hearing notice was not published in the City’s official newspaper in time to meet the requirements for conducting the hearing this evening. He advised that the Commissioner could hear the information this evening, but should not take formal action on the matter. He stated that the Commission would have to schedule a Special Meeting prior to the June 5, Council meeting, at which time they could make a formal recommendation to Council.

Chair Hendrickson asked if the Commission should take action to table this matter to the Special Meeting date and time after reviewing the information and the Planner responded yes.

Planner Grittman referred the Commission to the R-1 District Standards chart and advised that the property is 3.9-acres in size and that the Net Lot Area, excluding wetlands and steep slopes, meets the 2.5-acres requirement. He stated that there is an existing accessory structure on the lot that the applicant plans to demolish. He noted that the applicant submitted a light plan for the addition and that the lights would be located primarily around the front entry area and the rear of the property on the lake side. He explained that some ground mounted lighting around the home is also proposed. He noted that the Zoning Code states that any lights which cast any light onto residential property or over public water shall not exceed one-foot candle as measured from the edge of water abutting the subject property. He advised that upon installation of the lighting, staff would review the lights to insure they meet these standards.

The Planner stated that the applicant proposes to replace the existing driveway with bituminous surface and that the plans were submitted to the Fire Chief for review. He noted there were no comments received from the Fire Chief.

Planner Grittman explained that applicant submitted a Landscape Plan which was reviewed by the City Forester. He stated that seven (7) or eight (8) trees would be removed from the site and the Forester recommended replacement of the trees at 150%, or two trees for each one removed. He further explained that the applicant proposes to plant eleven (11) or twelve (12) trees along the driveway which would be in compliance with the Forester’s recommendation. He noted that the property appears to be well screened from the home located to the south and that no additional screening had been proposed at this time, however, the Commission may discuss adding additional screening.

The Planner advised that there do not appear to be issues with the existing well or septic systems on the property and that approval could be subject to review and\or comments by the City’s Septic Inspector.

Planner Grittman explained that architectural design of the structure would match the existing home and he noted that the in order to meet the definition of a single-family dwelling, the home must have a continuous perimeter foundation and roof. He explained that the addition would only be accessible from the outside and includes a bedroom and bathroom, and, therefore, does not qualify as a dwelling unit since no cooking and dining area is included.

The Planner stated that staff recommends approval of the Major Site & Building Plan request subject to the eight (8) conditions as listed on pages 10 and 11 in the Planner’s report and as follows:

1. Adhere to the City Engineer’s recommendations for construction as listed in his reports dated April 23 and 25, 2018 and

address any follow-up recommendations from the Engineer;

2. Obtain a building permit prior to commencing construction;

3. Upon installation, any lights which cast light on residential property or over public water shall not exceed one-foot candle

(meter reading) as measured from said property or edge of water abutting the property. All ground mounted lighting shall

be aimed away from the Lake and neighboring property;

4. Applicants shall contact Planning staff to arrange pre-construction and post-construction site visits to confirm that site and

building plans and approval conditions have been implemented. These inspections are separate from other inspections that

are necessary by the City Building Inspector, Septic System Inspector, Engineer or other individuals. The cost of site

inspections is $75.00 each and payment is the responsibility of the property owner;

5. Applicants shall adhere to any and all recommendations by the Fire Chief related to driveway access and fire code

regulations;

6. Applicants shall adhere to all recommendations for erosion control;

7. The City Council approves the metal roof material and color;

8. Applicants work with the City Forester and adhere to any recommendations for tree replacement.

Planner Grittman explained that the applicant proposes a metal roof for the structure which is not listed in the City Code as an approved building material, therefore, City Council approval is needed for its use. He stated that he asked the applicant to bring a sample of the roofing material for viewing. He also noted that the City does allow steel lap siding as an approved siding material and that a more thorough Building Code review would be conducted with the submission of a building permit application.

The Planner offered to respond to questions.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any comments or questions from the Commissioners.

Commissioner Beckett asked if the entire home would be re-roofed with the metal roofing material.

Planner Grittman responded yes and explained that the applicant plans to do the entire home and addition with the same siding, stucco and roof and that the decking would match the other materials.

Commissioner Beckett asked how the continual foundation would work since there is a breezeway between the home and the addition.

The Planner explained that the foundation would be placed to connect both structures and that it would be either cinder block or concrete.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there was a cross section of the drawings that would show the foundation.

Architect Matt Byers, of Plaad, LLC, stated he is the architect for the project and he explained that there would be a foundation under the deck area to support the structure and that the foundation would connect the home and the addition.

Commissioner Beckett asked if the addition would be placed on slab and the architect responded yes.

Commissioner Spaulding commented that in his opinion the 50 ft. setback on the south side of the property is substantial. He asked if notification to the neighboring properties had been sent correctly and in time to attend this meeting.

Planner Grittman explained that the notification to neighbors was sent correctly and that one neighbor, Scott Spaeth, had called to ask some questions relating to the project.

Commissioner Spaulding pointed out that by granting this variance it may be somewhat prohibitive and impactful if the home to the south of this property wanted to expand in the future.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any further comments or questions and there was no response.

Chair Hendrickson open the public hearing for comments from the audience.

Jeremy Segal, applicant, stated he appreciates the Commissioner’s time to review this project. He stated that he had retained a great architect for the project and that he had been planning this addition for four (4) years. He explained that he had also completed an interior remodel of the home and now wanted to remodel the exterior.

Michael and Crystal Boyle, 2566 Delaware Avenue, were present and Michael stated that they own the property to the south of this home and that they support the project.

Architect Matt Byers explained that the variance was based on his attempt to avoid the ponding areas and septic tank locations when considering placement of the proposed addition on the property.

Commissioner Spaulding explained that his comments related more to the size of the variance rather than the placement of the addition.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there were any further comments from the audience and, hearing no response, closed the public hearing. He asked if there were any further questions from the Commission and there was no response.

Chair Hendrickson moved to table the application for a Major Site and Building Plan Review and Two (2) Variances for property located at 2570 Delaware Avenue and to Schedule a Special Planning Commission Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on June 5, 2018 to receive public comments and make a formal recommendation with findings of fact to Council, seconded by Commissioner Spaulding and carried. (4-0)

OTHER/NEW BUSINESS: Chair Hendrickson asked if there was any other items for discussion this evening

Commissioner Spaulding explained that he noticed the high water level and substantial amount of drainage coming from Sunfish Lake onto the adjacent property on his way to the meeting this evening.

Commissioner Nelson explained that the outlet for the lake does not work properly and that the City had proposed to make improvements to the outlet as part of the proposed Charlton Road improvement project.

There was discussion relating to the proposed Sunfish Lake outlet improvement project, issues with the drainage from the lake and costly maintenance of the outlet.

Clerk Iago advised Commissioners that Council scheduled two (2) public hearings for the Sunfish Lake Outlet and Charlton Road Improvement projects at their June 5, 2018 meeting if they wished to have further information.

Chair Hendrickson asked if there was any further business and there was no response.

ADJOURN: Commissioner Spaulding moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m., seconded by Chair Hendrickson and carried. (4-0)

Respectfully submitted,

________________________

Catherine Iago, City Clerk