HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20080324City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – March 24, 2008 Page 1 of 4
Hastings Planning Commission
March 24, 2008
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Vice-Chair Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call
1.
Commissioners Present: Hiedeman, McInnis, Peine, Schmitt, Stevens, Zeyen
Commissioners Absent: Truax
Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman
Associate Planner Kari Barker
Approval of Minutes
2. –March 10, 2008
Motion by McInnis to approve the March 10, 2008, meeting minutes. Seconded by
Stevens.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
OTHER ACTIONS
Reinardy, Tom –
3.Variance #2008-07 – Spiral Pizza Signage – 420 Vermillion Street.
Associate Planner Kari Barker gave the staff report.
Craig Breitsprecher, LaCrosse Sign Company, stated that extenuating circumstances
make a variance necessary. He explained that a monument sign would result in one of
the two driveways on site being compromised along with safety and visibility issues.
Breitsprecher explained that a pole sign was necessary to maximize visibility.
Commissioner Stevens inquired into the size and height of the current and proposed sign.
Associate Planner Barker stated that staff estimates the current sign to be at 28 square
feet while the new sign is proposed to be 41 square feet. She stated that the new sign
would be two feet lower in height than the existing sign.
Breitsprecher stated that moving the pole would allow a center pole mount sign to be
utilized. He further stated that adherence to the code would cause a hardship because the
drive access would have to be closed to allow a monument sign.
Commissioner McInnis questioned who owned the property to the west. Thomas
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – March 24, 2008 Page 2 of 4
Reinardy, applicant, explained that the gravel parking lot belonged to him.
Commissioner McInnis questioned if an entrance could be made on the west side of the
building. Reinardy explained this would be difficult due to the layout of the interior of
the building. He stated the building would need major alterations to create a new
entrance.
Commissioner Zeyen asked if the signage included a reader board on the bottom.
Breitsprecher confirmed this.
Commissioner Zeyen asked if the new sign would hang into the right-of-way and if
MnDot would have any issues with the sign placement. Planning Director Hinzman
stated that he was unsure of MnDot’s rules and regulations regarding the right-of-way.
Breitsprecher stated that the sign would not be in the easement.
Commissioner Zeyen inquired if the reader board would be useless when coming from
the north due to lack of visibility. Breitsprecher stated this was incorrect. Commissioner
Zeyen asked if cars going thirty miles per hour would be able to read the sign.
Breitsprecher stated these cars would be able to read the sign.
Commissioner Stevens questioned if the pole could be replaced if it was deteriorated.
Planning Director Hinzman confirmed this per the City Attorney as it was interpreted
under state statue. Breitsprecher stated that the existing pole was not acceptable
structurally nor are the materials it is made from.
Commissioner Schmitt stated that there is not a need for a variance if there is a
conforming sign that would work in the location. Associate Planner Barker explained
that the Sign Code allows roof signs in locations where a freestanding or wall sign is
prohibitive.
Commissioner Schmitt asked if there was a motion. Commissioner Stevens asked for the
options to be explained. Planning Director Hinzman stated that there were two variances
to consider. He explained that the first variance would be to allow the existing pole sign
to be physically moved a couple feet to the west. The second variance would be for
intensification of the sign face. Planning Director Hinzman acknowledged that a
monument sign in the location would be difficult. However, he stated staff would allow
the pole to be replaced and the existing sign to be refaced.
Commissioner Zeyen asked if the roof sign could be removed as a part of approval.
Planning Director Hinzman stated he was unsure if a connection could be made for the
removal of the roof sign.
Commissioner McInnis made a motion to go along with staff’s recommendation to deny
the variance. As a part of the motion, replacement of the pole would be allowed but the
size of the sign could not be increased. McInnis stated his motion was due to his belief
that the sign message would not be fully viewed.
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – March 24, 2008 Page 3 of 4
Commissioner Zeyen seconded the motion.
Planning Director Hinzman asked for clarification if the motion included denial of both
parts of the variance request. Commissioner McInnis stated that the motion was to deny
both variance requests.
Action by Planning Commission:
Motion by McInnis to deny the variance for Spiral Pizza Signage. Seconded by Zeyen.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5 (McInnis, Zeyen, Hiedeman, Peine, and Stevens), Nays 1
(Schmitt). Motion carried.
Bennis, Scott –
4.Site Plan - #2008-06 – Construction of a four stall garage – 2301 Oak
Street.
Associate Planner Kari Barker gave a staff report.
Planning Director Hinzman noted that the agenda stated the item was a site plan and a
variance request. He clarified that there was not a variance request for this item.
Commissioner Zeyen questioned if the exterior materials needed to be fire rated.
Planning Director Hinzman stated that he knew the building materials needed to be fire
rated, but was unsure if the siding needed to be fire rated.
Commissioner Zeyen asked how the proposed brown pine siding could be an acceptable
material as the building is completely brick. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the
requirements for materials on accessory structures are less restrictive than on principal
structures. He also stated that the material is comparable to what is on similar garages in
town.
Action by Planning Commission:
Motion by Stevens to approve the site plan for construction of a four stall garage.
Seconded by McInnis; motion passed unanimously.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried.
Adjournment
5.
Motion by Zeyen to adjourn the March 24, 2008, Planning Commission meeting.
Seconded by Hiedeman.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – March 24, 2008 Page 4 of 4
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Kari Barker
Associate Planner