08-16-2007 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PEQUOT LAKES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING August 16,2007 PRESENT: Bill Habein, Tom Adams, Mark Hallan, Scott Pederson, Dean Williams, Tom Woog, and John Derksen. ABSENT: Roger Varilek. STAFF: Charles Marohn, City Planner and Dawn Bittner, Zoning Administrator. COUNCIL LIAISON: Craig Nagel and Tom Ryan. (Councilman Oraskovich arrived at approximately 8:30 to replace Councilman Nagel who needed to leave.) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Woog at 6:30 p.m. Applicant: Lonesome Cottage Furniture Company Applicant requests a Conditional Use Permit for Exterior Storage. Mr. Marohn explained the Staff Report. Applicant, Brandon Andersen, was present. The site plan indicates an 8-foot fence. The Ordinance restricts the fence to 84 inches. Finding of Fact No. 5 needs to have the word"Use" inserted. Mr. Andersen stated that the fence is for security and does not have a problem with a 7-foot fence. There was no public comment. Screening of the exterior storage from the proposed alternate alignment of the highway was discussed. The fence was not intended to be screening. The fence should be screened with trees, evergreen rather than leaf-on trees,to provide year round screening. The height of the trees should be determined by the height of highway, which is unknown at this time. Mr. Woog reminded Mr. Andersen that the project disturbs over an acre and he will need to apply for an MPCA construction stormwater permit. Mr. Pederson stated that the operation is in the Industrial Park and a 7-foot or 8-foot fence is not an issue. There is tree screening along Morehouse. A motion was made by Tom Adams, seconded by Scott Pederson,to approve the Conditional Use Permit,based on the following Findings of Fact: 1. The proposed use of exterior storage is an appropriate use in the Light Industrial district,which allows exterior storage as a conditional use. Minutes I Pequot Lakes Planning Commission August 16, 2007