08-27-1991 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. .. 1t Planning Commission Mintues August 27, 1991 Page 3 the permitted and conditional uses that would be allowed in the C-3/Highway Commercial district, if it were approved. Bill Nesheim, 2700 Hidden Creek Lane, Minnetonka, stated he was at the meeting to voice their opposition on behalf of Precision Arts, Inc., employee pension plan owners who own the majority of the property west of the affected property. He stated that changing the zoning would affect the salability of their property. This would affect the benefits of the pension plan owners who are mostly elderly people. He further stated that single family homes would be more suitahl e for the area. This zone change will greatly affect the people who need the income from the sale of that property. He stated that they were strongly opposed to the zone change request. Vice Chair Nadeau closed the public hearing. Commissioner Eberley was concerned with the preservation of trees on the six parcels. She asked staff what the landscape ordinance states as far as preservation of trees. Mr. Rohlf stated that the landscape ordinance tries to save existing trees by giving credit towards the tree planting requirements. He stated that there is a large amount of oak wilt in this area which would have to be removed. Mr. Rohlf further stated that both the R-2b and C-3 zoning is considered intensive development, therefore, a majority of the trees would have to be removed under either scenario. Commissioner Eberley stated that the zone change goes with the property ann not the people. She stated that she was concerned that there has not been any discussion regarding a PUD. Mr. Rohlf stated that the request is to consider C-3 zoning, not a PUD. Commissioner VanValkenburg stated that by looking at the map and how things have developed in Elk River, the property looks like it's best suited for commercial. He stated that he was sensitive to the possible negative affect on the values of the property from an investment standpoint. He felt that the abutting property values would be increased from an investors standpoint because of the step down in zoning. COMMISSIONER VANVALKENBURG MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE ZONE CHANGE REQUEST BY MULTIPLE PETITIONERS FROM R-2B/TOWNHOUSES AND MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO C-3/HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL. FURTHER THAT THE LAND USE MAP IS ALSO ADJUSTED TO REFLECT HB/HIGHWAY BUSINESS. COMMISSIONER BISCHOFF SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Commissioner Eberley stated that she agreed with Commissioner VanValkenburg that it made sense that this property is best suited for commercial. She felt that this was highly visible property and needed some preservation as far as the quality of the development and the preservation of the rural image of the community. Commissioner Eberley further stated that she would like to see the property develop as a whole and felt it was impossible to guarantee it under the current proposal. She was further concerned with the preservation of the trees.