Chairman Pro-Tem Thorpe called the Brier Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:02:04 PM.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT:                                  Commissioner DeMorett, Rosman, Scott, Weston and Thorpe.

ABSENT:                                    Commissioner Marley and Jonart.

STAFF:                                       City Planner Gaudette, City Attorney Rod Kaseguma

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Chairman Pro-Tem Thorpe opened for consideration approval of the February 17, 2016 Planning Commission minutes. Commissioner Rosman made a MOTION to approve the February 17, 2016 Planning Commission minutes.  Commissioner Scott SECONDED. Motion Carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.

PUBLIC REQUESTS & ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

A. Chairman Pro-Tem Thorpe opened the Public Hearing for Conditional Use Permit #CUP16-01 requesting a secondary dwelling unit for Claire McClenny and the Estate of Lindsay McClenny located at 3607 214^th St SW at 7:04:44 PM.

City Planner Gaudette gave an overview of the permit with a recommendation of approval with conditions to City Council.

Edward McClenny representative of the McClenny Estate, gave an overview of the McClenny family history in the City of Brier and the reasons for the Conditional Use Permit.

Vladan Milosavljevic of Brier, is in support of this Conditional Use Permit.

The Public Hearing was closed at 7:15:55 PM.

Commissioner DeMorett made a MOTION to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit #CUP16-01 requesting a secondary dwelling unit with conditions listed in the Staff report to City Council. Commissioner Scott SECONDED. Motion carried.

Chairman Pro-Tem Thorpe called a recess for approximately 5 minutes, to hang drawings for the next Public Hearing at 7:17:04 PM.

Chairman Pro-Tem Thorpe resumed the meeting at 7:23:40 PM.

B. Chairman Pro-Tem Thorpe opened for review Variance #V15-01 requesting a building to be approximately 10 feet higher than the allowed height limit for Vladan Milosavljevic at 23005 27^th Ave W. City Planner Gaudette gave an overview of the permit with a recommendation of denial to City Council.

The applicant Vladan Milosavljevic brought a model of the proposed building. He explained the building will be a place of worship for him and his family. Acoustically the height of the domes need to be as proposed.

Chairman Pro-Tem Thorpe opened the Public Hearing for Variance #V15-01 at 7:31:40 PM.

Tom Hansen of Brier, feels the property can and should be used within the rules of Brier Municipal code, he would like to see this Variance denied.

Dave Johnson of Brier, is neutral about the Variance.

Grace Sortland of Brier, would like to see the Variance denied, it would look out of place.

Preston Behan of Brier, is concerned the proposed height would infringe on his privacy as his property is behind the applicants, he wants to see this Variance denied.

David Emmons of Brier, his home faces the applicants property and feels the proposed height does not fit the neighborhood.

Lynne Emmons of Brier, stated Brier is a single family environment. She is not in favor of this Variance.

Gary Shull of Brier, does not have a problem with the proposed height.

Theodore Cox of Brier, does not have a problem with the proposed height.

Mary Ann Baltich of Brier, said once you approve one height Variance, how many more will there be to eventually lose the rural environment. She does not support this Variance.

Dave King of Brier, is not in favor of this Variance, the structure will stick out like a sore thumb.

Vladan Milosavljevic said the domes on the building would be no larger then two small trees. The proposed height is calculated from the Orthodox Bible.

City Planner Gaudette acknowledged the applicant just answered a question the City had asked him for several times. City Attorney Kaseguma explained to the Commission the focus of the Commissioners is to decide if all the Variance Criteria is being met or not met. 

The Commission asked clarifying questions.

Commissioner Weston asked is lowering the ground elevation of the building an option, what screening will be provided, will any other buildings be on the property.

Commissioner Thorpe asked where in the Orthodox Bible does it say this is the required height, are they absolute measurements, are all structures of this religion this size.

City Attorney Kaseguma suggested the Commission ask for a written detailed explanation from the applicant as to why the height is required and then continue the hearing within a reasonable time.

The Commissioners asked City Planner Gaudette to further explain in detail each criterion in the Variance.

City Attorney Kaseguma informed the Commission that the applicant has not provided enough information to make a recommendation.

Commissioner Weston made a MOTION to extend the public hearing to March 30, 2016 at 7:00 PM and request that more information from the applicant be provided and submitted by March 23, 2016, and have the City staff provide more information on how the applicant is compliant with each criterion. There was discussion. Commissioner Weston withdrew her motion.

David King of Brier, asked why the Commission is discussing the Bible. The Bible does not dictate the Brier Municipal Code.

Dave Johnson of Brier, asked if a basement was an option.

Mary Ann Baltich of Brier, asked if the applicant says the height requirement is required for how he prays, how is it he can make do with the building he has now.

Vladan Milosavljevic feels he has the right to religious freedom to build this structure.

Commissioner Weston made a MOTION to continue the Public Hearing to March 30, 2016 at 7:00 PM, requesting more detailed justification on the minimum height requirement in writing by March 23, 2016 to be submitted by the applicant, and have City staff provide more information on the eight Variance criteria by March 28, 2016 to the Planning Commission. Commissioner DeMorett SECONDED. Motion carried.

The Public Hearing was continued to March 30, 2016 for 7:00 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Commissioner Weston made a MOTION to adjourn. Commissioner Rosman SECONDED. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:48:33 PM.