- DRAFT –

SUNFISH LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING – NOVEMBER 18, 2009

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

Attendants:

      Chair:  Andrea McCue.

      Commissioners:   Arnulf Svendsen and JoAnne Wahlstrom.

City Planner:  Laurie Smith           
City Clerk: Catherine Iago
Commissioner Tom Schlehuber arrived at 7:10 p.m. and Commissioner Tom Votel was absent.

I.    CALL TO ORDER:   Chair Andrea McCue opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.    

II.  MINUTES:  Chair McCue asked if there were any additions or corrections to the October 21, 2009 minutes and there was no response.
     
Commissioner Svendsen moved to approve the October 21, 2009 Planning Commission minutes as submitted, seconded by Commissioner Wahlstrom and carried.  3-0

III. Public Hearing:  Consideration of Zoning Ordinance Amendment Relating to the Review of Invasive Species:

Chair McCue introduced the agenda item and opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. She stated for the record that there were no members of the general public in attendance for the public hearing.  She asked Planner Smith to read the proposed amendment for the Commission.

Planner Smith read the proposed ordinance amending Section 1202.02.1 (Definitions) to include the definition for Invasive Species and Section 1208.03.B (Site and Building Plan – Procedures) to include an additional requirement listed as No. 5 which states that the city Forester will make an assessment of invasive species at a building site and a copy of the assessment will be given to the property owner, the Planning Commission and City Council.  It further states that the property will also be given education materials relating to invasive species control.

Commissioner Tom Schlehuber arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Commissioner Svendsen asked what type of request the proposed requirement listed as No. 5 would be listed under.

The Planner explained that the requirement would be listed under the Major Review portion of the Zoning Ordinance.

Chair McCue noted that includes new building sites and other applications that are reviewed by the Commission and Council. 

Commissioner Schlehuber asked if it would be possible to also place a requirement under the Minor Review section that provides some type of educational pamphlet with information on controlling invasive species.

Planner Smith stated that if Council agrees, they could direct her to distribute those information materials as part of the Minor Review application packet even though an assessment of the property is not required for Minor Reviews.

Chair McCue asked if the Commission had previously discussed the distribution of informational materials and Planner Smith responded that there was discussion relating to amending the development booklet of information that she distributes with all applications. 

Commissioner Svendsen asked if the materials could be sent to people who purchase existing homes.

Planner Smith indicated that she is not aware of property transfers or purchases unless the new owner contacts her regarding an application for the property.

Chair McCue commented that the Mayor may be aware of new residents and it may be possible for her to distribute information on invasive species as part of a “welcome wagon” packet of information.

Chair McCue asked if the requirement for the Planner to distribute an informational brochure should be included as part of the proposed amendment.

Commissioner Svendsen pointed out that the Commission cannot revise the proposed amendment without conducting another public hearing.

Commissioner Schlehuber asked if the Commission could make a recommended to Council that the Planner be directed to distribute the information with all applications.

Planner Smith responded yes and explained that if Council agrees the information should be sent with all pertinent Minor Review applications, they can require her to do so by direction. She suggested that the Commission may wish to determine which Minor Review applications should be included.

After a brief discussion the Commission noted that the Forester was preparing an assessment sheet and informational materials relating to Major Review applications; they suggested that the Planner work with the Forester and Council to determine what type of Minor Review application might benefit from distribution of the informational materials. 

Chair McCue asked if there were any further comments and there was no response.

Commissioner Wahlstrom moved to close the public hearing and recommend that Council adopt the Proposed Ordinance Amending the Definitions Section and the Site and Building Plan Review Procedures Section Relating to Invasive Species as presented by the Planner, seconded by Commissioner Schlehuber and carried. (4-0)

Commissioner Schlehuber moved to request that Council direct the Planner to work with the City Forester to provide and distribute educational materials relating to invasive species in conjunction with Minor Review applications, seconded by Commissioner McCue and carried. (4-0)

IV. SIGN ORDINANCE DISCUSSION:  Planner Smith explained that she received a complaint relating to a banner sign that was placed at St. Anne’s Church. In checking she found that the sign was due to the fact that St. Anne’s was renting space to another church and the banner sign was being used as an advertisement for the other church. She explained that the current ordinance does not allow a banner sign without Council approval of a Special Permit for the sign. She also noted that the current ordinance only allows such signs in the right-of-way and most cities do not allow signs in the right-of-way since it inhibits working on utilities and snowplowing activities.

The Planner advised that if Council had approved the banner sign under the current ordinance it would have had to be placed in the right-of-way and since Highway 110 is a State highway, the City would not have the authority to allow the sign placement in the right-of-way.

Planner Smith further pointed out that currently the sign ordinance does not limit the number of signs that may be placed on a parcel. She suggested that the Commission may wish to consider removing the language that allows signs in the City right-of-way and also limit the number of freestanding signs on a parcel. Another item the Commission may wish to limit is the square footage of signs.  She suggested that the Commission could either make recommendations on these issues or they could review and complete an entire restructure of the sign ordinance.

The Planner stated she had provided copies of sign ordinances from the cities of Excelsior, Otsego and Medina for comparison purposes as these cities most closely reflect the general philosophy of Sunfish Lake.
Commissioner Svendsen suggested cleaning up the sign ordinance relating to placement of the signs and the number and noted that the procedures to gain Council approval for temporary signs is already in place.

Commissioner Wahlstrom noted that other churches also will request banner signs for special events held at their facilities, such as Bible School.

Chair McCue asked if the churches had been educated on what is required for temporary signs and suggested that it might be wise to send them a copy of the sign ordinance for future reference.

Planner Smith pointed out that she was unsure if the churches are aware of the sign ordinance requirements; however, upon notification of the complaint received, St. Anne’s Church did remove the sign. She indicated that once the revisions are made she would send information to all the churches.

Chair McCue suggested that the City of Medina’s ordinance limits the number of days for temporary signs to 21 days; she supported incorporation the limitation on temporary signs. Commissioners Wahlstrom, Schlehuber and Svendsen concurred.

There was discussion relating to sign size and whether or not 100 sq. ft. signage it appropriate.

Chair McCue commented that she believes the sign definitions in the City of Medina’s ordinance are well done and also the section on sign area.

Planner Smith suggested that she could review the ordinance examples from the three cities and prepare minor amendments regarding sign definitions, number limitations, and placement of signs that would best relate to Sunfish Lake for Commission review.

The Commission concurred to direct the Planner to prepare revisions as discussed for the sign ordinance for review at a future meeting. 

V.  OTHER/NEW BUSINESS:    Chair McCue asked the Planner if any applications had been submitted for the December meeting and the Planner responded no.

The Commission concurred to cancel the December meeting.

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

VI. ADJOURN:          Commissioner Wahlstrom moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Svendsen and carried. (4-0)
Respectfully submitted,

______________________

Catherine Iago, City Clerk