Minutes - Planning Commission - 11/07/2019

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onto the applicant’s property and flushing out opossum and raccoons from under the junk vehicles. He stated that when they installed the fence, they had to trim their trees, which opened the view to the dumpsters, garbage trucks, junk vehicles, trailers and boat. He stated that he recently completed patio and deck improvements which now look out onto the applicant’s property. He stated that his complaint is not with the business itself but the view from his property. He noted that perhaps a privacy fence could be installed to better screen the activity, along with cleanup of the site. Mr. Berglund stated that the photograph on display right now it outdated as they have begun the cleanup process after the discussions with staff. He explained that the dumpsters are not holding trash but are provided to new customers. Commissioner VanScoy referenced the dumpsters and asked the number of dumpsters on the property. Mr. Birchem estimated six or seven dumpsters and 50 trash bins. Commissioner VanScoy asked if those could be stored in a different location. Mr. Birchem stated that he could find a place to put the dumpsters and most of the carts. He noted that the neighbor behind him allows his dog to run wild. He stated that the dog is not supposed to be on his property. Motion by Commissioner VanScoy, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to close the public hearing. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Bauer, Commissioners VanScoy, Anderson, Gengler, Peters, and Woestehoff. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Johnson. Chairperson Bauer closed the public hearing closed at 7:38 p.m. Commission Business Commissioner Woestehoff stated that this would set a very bad precedent in terms of outdoor storage and the number of items allowed onsite. He commented that this property could not be compared to the commercial property across the street because that property is most likely not zoned R-1. City Planner Anderson commented that the property across the street is zoned R-1. He noted that about ten years ago that property came to the attention of the City in a similar manner through code enforcement and that applicant went through a similar process. He noted that the City Council ultimately approved a home occupation permit for that site. Chairperson Bauer asked for clarification on what was done in that case, as there seems to be some similarities between the two and specifically why this request would not meet the same standards. Planning Commission/ November 7, 2019 Page 5 of 11