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November 2012 |
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Holly Kreft, Victoria's Planner and Community Development Director, presented eight policy questions for Council to review and discuss with the Planning Commission that evening, regarding the zoning ordinance. Holly also brought to the evening a two-foot high pile of papers and folders representing details of the proposed modifications and clarificateions related to a revised zoning ordinance, should city councilmembers wish to read or review them in detail. The eight policy questions and discussion at the joint workshop went as follows: 1) Do we want to allow growth in rural areas not yet serviced by city water and sewer? "We would like feedback from the council," said Holly. "The Planning Commission recommended no subdivisions in unsewered areas." However, she said there might be consideration for a community sewer. For example, the large Marsh Lake Hunt Club property is unsewered. Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "I believe this would encourage us to develop where there is sewer and water." Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "I think we do need to have some flexibility," suggesting that a property owner may want to build one house rather than a development of houses on a property. 2) Do we want to encourage accessory dwelling units? The question is related to allowing another home on a property as a subsidiary dwelling. Said Holly, "We've had a request for this type of use. The Planning Commission said that an accessory dwelling should be limited to caretakers and relatives. Is that the correct direction we should be going? This allows an accessory dwelling as a conditional use." Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'm probably in the minority, but I think it's very difficult to enforce. You get complaints about how the property is really being used." Said Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "As long as it's limited to caretakers and relatives, I think it's fine." Planning Commissioner Michelle Siegert pointed out that the home along with the accessory building would always need to be sold together and not separately." Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "I don't understand the purpose of not being able to sell two units on a 50-acre parcel separately if they have their own driveways and their own setbacks." Said Commissioner Siegert, "Typically, the best way would be to do a lot split and not call it an accessory building." City Attorney Mike Norton spoke of an "interim use" as an alternate way to get around a lot split or accessory dwelling. "They would have to come back to the city for a new use," he said. "If you do a conditional use, it could be there forever." Explained Planning Commissioner Todd Triethart, "I don't want to see it [an accessory dwelling] as a rental property. It's okay to take care of a mother in law or a college son or daughter, but not as a rental unit to their buddies. My mind is focused on non-rental uses." Holly pointed out that the property owner would normally sell the accessory dwelling as an amenity with their home. Commented Attorney Norton, "I'm not sure what all the conditions would be so that it doesn't become a rental unit." 3) Do we want to allow on-premise digital signage? "That means full color digital signage with animation on-premise," explained Holly. "The Planning Commission has recommended to not allow off-premise digital signage, basically billboards. The questions that keep coming up are related to on-premise digital signs which are currently not allowed. There are currently none in Victoria today." In describing a digital sign, Holly explained that "it is more or less a TV screen to flash specials." It is different than and LED sign like at the bank or the Catholic Church, which is permitted. In general councilmembers recommended against digital signage. 4) Do we want to encourage home-based businesses that don't impact neighborhoods? Said Holly, "Victoria has the highest percentage of telecommuters. How do you encourage them without negatively impacting neighborhoods?" She said the Planning Commission grouped home-based businesses into those with no impact or those with minor impact to a neighborhood. Those with minor impact would require a permit that would not stay with a property upon sale of the property. She explained that "minor impact" would mean having an employee, for example, and there are other specific examples in the proposed ordinance. Said Commissioner James Donadio, "It's hard to predict what a home-based business might be like in five years." 5) Do we want to continue stringent setbacks on lakeshore property and vegetation clearing? Said Holly, "Victoria has one of the more stringent setbacks on Lake Minnetonka. The Planning Commission is recommending we stay at 100 feet for all lakes."
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