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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-08 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, December 8,2016—Oak Park Heights City Hall Call to Order: Chair Kremer called the meeting to order. Present: Commissioners Anthony, Kremer,Nelson& Quale; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards, and Commission Liaison Runk. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Nelson,moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4—0. III. Approval of September 15, 2016 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Quale, moved to approved the Minutes as presented. Carried 3 - 0. IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: City Administrator Johnson noted posting of Commission vacancy to fill the seat recently vacated by Dan Thurmes was done in the City Newsletter as well as posted at City Hall and to the City website. V. Visitors/Public Comment: None. VI. Public Hearings: A. Range 082—5717 Memorial Ave. N..: Property Subdivision, Design Guidelines & Site Plan Review to allow an Indoor Shooting Range. City Planner Richards reviewed and discussed the December 1, 2016 Planning to the request,noting that the City Council did approve the same request on August 25, 2015 and that this approval lapsed, necessitating re-approval by City Ordinance. Richards noted further that the plans presented have not changed significantly from those remitted and approved in 2015. Brief discussion ensued as to what changes have been made from the previous plan. It was noted that signage changes have been made. Chair Kremer opened the hearing and invited public comment. Steve Erban of Out of the Box Architecture introduced himself as the Architect to the project and noted that the project had been delayed due to financial matters and stated that there were no changes from the previous approval except for signage. Mr. Erban shared a sample of the concrete material proposed for use in the exterior composition and discussed how the building exterior will appear visually. Planning Commission Minutes December 8,2016 Page 2 of 4 When asked about the signage, Mr. Erban discussed the proposed location for two freestanding signs and noted that as of yet they were working on their design, including how they will be illuminated. Mr. Erban indicated that they hoped to have the plans finalize soon with ground breaking in the Spring of 2017. He estimated that construction would be four to five months from start to completion. There being no public comment to the public hearing, Chair Kremer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Quale,moved to recommend that the City Council approve the request, subject to the conditions of the December 1, 2016 Planning Report; specifically, as follows: 1. The site plan shall be subject to review and approval of the Fire Marshal. 2. The landscape plan shall be subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. 3. 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 Browns Creek Watershed District. 4. All lighting 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 security lighting. 5. A photometric plan is required for City staff review and approval. 6. All mechanical equipment on the roof or on the site shall be fully screened in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. 7. 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. 8. All signs shall be designed to comply with the Zoning Ordinance requirements for fixture cut off and illumination. 9. The Planning Commission recommends the building design with the lack of glass transparency on the Memorial Avenue building elevation. 10. The Planning Commission recommends the building design and materials as presented. Planning Commission Minutes December 8,2016 Page 3 of 4 11. If additional parking is required for the gun range use,the City Council may require the curb and pavement to complete the proof of parking stalls. Carried 4 - 0. VII. New Business: A. Consider 2016 Meeting Schedule& Council Meeting Representation Schedule. General discussion was had as to the schedule presented. City Planner Richards noted that the months where Thurmes is noted would be replaced by the new Commissioner, when appointed. The Commission Liaison role to the City Council was discussed. Typically, the Commission Liaison attends the second City Council meeting of the month to represent the Planning Commission on matters recommended the Commission. Chair Kremer noted that typically the liaison has not done much in this role. City Administrator Johnson explained that the liaison role was created because the City Council desires to have their perspective and it creates an open door between the two bodies for communication. Chair Kremer noted that he would like to see more involvement from the liaison in providing a Planning Commission perspective at the City Council meetings and added that if a Commissioner is unable to attend the City Council meeting they are assigned to, to let City Administrator Johnson know and that he or another Commissioner will attempt to cover the meeting. There were no amendments to the presented schedule of meetings of Commission Liaison representation. B. Oak Park Heights—Comprehensive Plan 2040. City Planner Richards reviewed his December 1, 2016 Memorandum discussing the objective in the updating of the plan,noting that he was currently working with the City Engineer to develop a work program with timeline and budget. He noted that the update process is anticipated to take one year from start of work to Metropolitan Council approval. City Administrator Johnson that the Comprehensive Plan is a ten-year requirement and that is has a number of elements such as transportation, housing,recreation and such that are required and others that are optional such as sustainability,walkability and such. He expressed that the forecasting numbers seemed a bit high,but that those were elements to be discussed as part of the updating process. Johnson added that while they have not yet had any conversation, it is possible that the City Council may wish to include additional public members as part of the process. Chair Kremer questioned how they arrived at their forecasted projections. Discussion ensued as to the same,the plan composition and how it is utilized, how the data really doesn't fit with Oak Park Heights as the City is limited in area for residential growth, and the situations Lake Elmo have dealt with in regard to population growth demands established by Metropolitan Council. Planning Commission Minutes December 8,2016 Page 4 of 4 VIII. Old Business: None. Commissioner Anthony inquired as to the status of Palmer Station project. City Administrator Johnson updated the Commission as to a recent request from the applicant for a third extension to their approval timeline that was being forward to the City Council for consideration at their next meeting. He added that the Development Agreement was to have been signed by the end of 2016 and ground broken in the Spring of 2017 and that presently, none of that is pending. Chair Kremer encouraged a discussion of the property's upkeep if the City Council considers an extension. City Administrator Johnson noted that there is some tree trimming/removal planned and that at such point the ground hardens up will occur. Chair Kremer noted that there were a number of questions and concerns expressed regarding water and hardscaping issued when the applicant had their public hearing before the Planning Commission. He asked the Commission if they wanted to request the City Council have the applicant return to the Planning Commission prior to granting them an additional extension. Brief discussion was had with City Administrator Johnson stating that the Planning Commissions concerns will be made known to the City Council and that it is possible that the City Council will require they return to Planning Commission and that it is yet unknown if the City Council will wish to consider a third extension. IX. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings: • Tuesday, December 13, 2016 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall • Tuesday, January 10, 2017 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall • Thursday, January 12, 2017 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m./City Hall • Tuesday, January 24, 2017 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall B. Council Representative • Tuesday, December 13, 2016—Commissioner • Tuesday, January 24, 2017—Commissioner Anthony X. Adjourn. Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Nelson,moved to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Carried 4—0. Respectfully submitted, ict_ Juli , ultman Planning&Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission:January 12,2017,4-0