HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-13 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
i;1.- - PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday,August 13,2015—Oak Park Heights City Hall
Call to Order: Chair Kremer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioners Anthony, Bye, Nelson, and Kremer; City Planner Richards, City
Administrator Johnson and Commission Liaison Liljegren. Absent: Commissioner Thurmes.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Bye,moved to approve the Agenda as
presented. Carried 4—0.
III. Approval of July 9, 2015 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner Bye, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, moved to approve the Minutes as
presented. Carried 4 - 0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison / Other Reports: City Administrator Johnson provided an
update to roadway reconstruction work to the northeast portion of the City, noting that it is
expected to wrap up by or in October. He also noted the former Amoco station at the corner of
60th St. & Osgood Ave. was recently demolished.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. Range 082—xxxx Memorial Ave. N. Subdivision, Site Plan&Design Guidelines
Review, Allowing an Indoor Shooting Range at Memorial Ave. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the August 6, 2015 planning report to the request for
a proposed indoor shooting range and related retail component and provided an issue
analysis to the same, noting updated information was received by the applicant and
has been provided to the Commission for the public hearing.
Brief discussion was had as to whether or not there was the potential to expand the
range activity to outside of the building, requirements for architectural interest to the
structure and inclusion of a bicycle rack at the site.
Chair Kremer opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to address the
Commission.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 13,2015
Page 2 of 4
Steve Erban of Out of the Box Architecture— 11200 Stillwater Blvd, #103, Lake
Elmo, MN 55042 introduced himself as the architect to the project, representing the
owners of the project.
Mr. Erban noted that he and the project owners are all local and discussed the
structure exterior design elements with regard to aesthetics, functionality and
sustainability, sharing building material samples.
Mr. Erban made himself available for questions and responded to Commission
inquiry as to interior transition from retail area to shooting area, noting that the
shooting range will be visible through insulated,bullet proof glass. Erban reviewed
the process of controls used for moving within the building, classroom spaces and
how the view at the Memorial entry will be designed and landscaped.
Commissioner Nelson left the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Chair Kremer asked if there were any further questions or if there were any visitors
to the audience who wished to speak. There being none, Chair Kremer closed the
public hearing.
Chair Kremer noted that Commissioner Nelson had to leave; however left
communication that she supported the project.
Commissioner Bye, seconded by Commissioner Anthony, moved to recommend the
City Council approval, subject to the amended conditions of the August 6, 2015
Planning Report, specifically that:
1. The preliminary and final plat shall be subject to review and approval of the
City Attorney and City Engineer.
2. The site plan shall be subject to review and approval of the Fire Marshall.
3. The landscape plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the City
Arborist. Additional landscaping shall be added along the fence line of the
northwest elevation.
4. All grading, drainage, erosion control, and utility plans are subject to review
and approval of the City Engineer. Storm water plans are also subject to
review and approval of the Valley Branch Watershed District.
5. All light fixtures shall be full cut off, compliant with the height requirements,
and be consistent with Section 401.15.B.7 of the Zoning Ordinance as it
relates to lighting requirements. Outdoor lighting for the parking areas shall
be turned off one hour after closing, except for approved security lighting.
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August 13, 2015
Page 3 of 4
6. A photometric plan is required for City staff review and approval.
7. All mechanical equipment on the roof or on the site shall be fully screened in
accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
8. Sound levels generated from the site shall be in compliance with Section
401.15.B.11 of the City Zoning Ordinance. All of the gun range activity is to
be conducted indoors. There will be no range activity outside of the building.
9. All signs shall be designed to comply with the Zoning Ordinance
requirements for cut off and illumination.
10. The Planning Commission was favorable to the building materials. The
applicant shall provide building material samples for City Council review.
11. The City shall reserve the right to obtain easements, at no cost, along
Memorial Avenue North to allow for potential trail construction.
12. A bike rack should be identified on the site plan and placed on site.
Carried 3 —0.
VII. New Business: None.
VIII. Old Business:
A. Oak Park Heights— Sign Revisions:
City Planner Richards reviewed his Memorandum of August 6, 2015 and discussed
changes made to the revised draft of sign ordinance 401.15.G.
Discussion commenced as to the language related to definitions, regulation of content
situations, special event permitted and prohibited signs and displays—clarifying the
use of banners/bannerettes and allowing, to some extent, air inflatable devices,
animated signs, dynamic display signs, electronic graphic display signs, Multivision
signs, light bulb strings, portable signs, ribbons, and streamers for special event
periods.
The area currently considered retail-highway district was discussed. Planner
Richards stated that he would provide a map for the Commission to review
at their next meeting. Discussion was had as to whether or not to allow specific .
standards for auto, truck and other motorized vehicle sales lots and potentially
removing the number of signs requirement and working with the square footage of
allowable sign requirements.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 13,2015
Page 4 of 4
Commissioner Kremer suggested the Commission review the material again and that
review of City Planner Richards changes and questions be addressed at the next
meeting, with scheduling of the public hearing to follow. The Commission
complimented Richards on his work to amending the ordinance.
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, August 25, 2015 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, September 8, 2015 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, September 10, 201 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, September 22, 2015 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, August 25, 2015 —Commissioner Anthony
• Tuesday, September 22, 2015 —Commissioner Bye
• Tuesday, October 27, 2015—Commissioner Kremer
X. Adjourn. Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Bye,moved to adjourn
at 8:15 p.m. Carried 3 —0.
Respectfully submitted,
Juli Hultman
Planning& Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission:09-10-15 4-0.