05-05-2009 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2009 Members Present: Chair Scott, Commissioners Anderson, Ives, Lemke, Staul and Westberg Members Absent: None Staff Present: Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manger; Chris Leeseberg, Park Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Scott 2. Consider 5/5/09 Special Planning Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER WESTBERG AND SECONDED, BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE MAY 5, 2009 SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Planning Commission Representative to Attend May 11; 2009 Special City Council Meeting 5 p.m. Chair Scott will attend the May 11, 2009 Ciry Council meeting. 4.1. Request by Ken Dehn/Monte Howerton for Waiver of Moratorium Ordinance. Public He- acing Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report. He explained how the moratorium affects the request, noting that a provision of the interim ordinance allows the Ciry Council to waive the moratorium ordinance in cases of undue hardship. He further explained how undue hardship is determined when considering a variance, and why staff does not feel the request meets these criteria. Chair Scott opened the public hearing. Ken Dehn, owner of the subject property -explained his concerns with the plan proposed by staff, especially with the islands in the parking lot. Monte Howerton, applicant -Stated that the proposed use could have been allowed by conditional use permit prior to the moratorium, and that the property had this same use for many years. He stated that if the property were fenced, the adjacent body shop would have no access. He stated that parking for the pet shop would also be impacted by the changes being recommended by staff. Mr. Howerton stated that the moratorium does not expire until June 2na, and that the next few weeks were critical to his business. He noted that approximately 70 percent of sales for this type of business are conducted by July 4~. He stated that he hopes to capture 20 percent of sales between now and July 4~.