HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2009 Planning Commission PacketCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, August 13, 2009
7:00 p.m. — City Hall Council Chambers
I. Call to Order:
I1. Agenda Approval:
Ill. Approve Minutes of June 11, 2009: (1)
IV. Department / Commission Liaison / Other Reports:
V. Visitors /Public Comment: This is an opportunity for the public to address the Commission
with questions or concerns regarding items not on the agenda.
Please limit comments to three minutes.
VI. Public Hearings: None.
VII. New Business:
A. Design Guidelines (2)
B. Sign Regulations /Special Events and Destination Retail Highway District (3)
Vlll. Old Business:
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Planning Commission Meetings
September 10, 2009 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
October 8, 2009 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
November 12, 2009 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
B. Council Representative August — Commissioner Liljegren
September —Vice Chair Bye
October — Chair Wasescha
X. Adjournment.
ENCLOSURE
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, June 112009
Call to Order: Chair Wasescha called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present:
Commissioners Bye, LeRoux, Liljegren and Powell; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner
Richards and Commission Liaison Runk.
Agenda Approval:
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to approve the Agenda as
presented. Carried 5 — 0.
Approve Minutes of May 14, 2009: Commissioner LeRoux, seconded by Vice Chair Bye,
moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried 5 — 0.
Department /Commission Liaison & Other Reports: None.
Visitors /Public Comment: None.
Public Hearings:
A. McDonald's Restaurant to consider requests of Franchise Realty Interstate and
McDonald's U.S.A., LLC for a drive - through Conditional Use Permit and a setback
Variance related to the removal and reconstruction of McDonald's Restaurant located
at 14546 60 St. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the June 4, 2009 planning report and provided an issue analysis
and discussed items to the request and concluded his report with a staff recommendation,
subject to the conditions noted within the report.
Brief discussion ensued among the Planning Commission as to delivery times, design guidelines
requirements, building location and parking arrangement.
Chair Wasescha opened the hearing and invited the applicant and any visitors to speak.
Dale Shimek Area Manager for McDonalds U.S.A., LLC introduced himself and noted that the store
operator was present in the audience also. Mr. Shimek addressed the conditions within the
planning report and addressed questions from the Commission and discussed issues related to
trash removal and enclosure, delivery times, lighting of the building and overall site, mechanical
equipment screening, canopy and roofing colors, burying of overhead distribution lines along 60
St. N., canopy /building lighting, and building materials.
Mr. Shimek and the store operator discussed the importance of keeping the existing freestanding
sign as part of the re- constructed site in that it serves as a visual for people traveling along the
Hwy. to see the location and have ample time to exit the roadway to stop there.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 11, 2009
Page 2 of 5
Other issues discussed by Mr. Shimek and the Planning Commission included wall signage numbers
and the possibility of location two of the three proposed on the front fagade rather than all three
on separate facades.
There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Chair Wasescha closed the public hearing and
asked the Commission for comments.
Commission comment was had as to the conditions as reviewed by City Planner Richards with
discussion to the issues of burying the overhead power lines at 60 St. N. , accessory lighting to
the building, building material colors and the freestanding sign. Commissioner Power inquired as
to how long the business would be down for the reconstruction. The applicant responded that 90
days down was anticipated for the project.
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Chair Wasescha, moved to recommend City Council approval of
the requests subject to the conditions noted within the June 4, 2009 planning report, as amended,
specifically that:
The applicant shall provide a snow removal plan subject to review and approval of City
staff.
2. The applicant shall provide a revised photometric and lighting plan that complies with the
provisions of Section 401.15.13.7.4 of the Zoning Ordinance. All light fixtures, including
those within the building and visible through the windows, shall be full cut off and
compliant with the Zoning Ordinance.
3. The applicant shall provide section drawings of the roof top units for City Council review
indicating that adequate screening is provided for all mechanical equipment.
4. All noise generated from the store shall be compliant with Section 401.15.13.11 of the
Zoning Ordinance.
5. 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
applicable watershed district.
6. The applicant shall bury the overhead distribution lines along 60 Street North relative to
its property. The timing of that improvement shall be coordinated with the burying of
distribution lines in the area between Oakgreen and Osgood Avenues, along 60 Street
North at such time as that project is undertaken either by the City or MnDOT. The
applicant shall escrow sufficient funds, as specified by the City Engineer, to complete the
improvement or execute an agreement with the City consenting that the City /MnDOT will
complete the work and petition for the public improvement, waiving notice of public
hearing and assessments, as required under Minnesota Statute 429.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 11, 2009
Page 3 of S
7. The applicant shall provide a revised color forth e metal canopies subject to review of the
approval of the City Council. The canopy color shall be a more neutral color to match the
materials found in the building.
8. The canopies, building trim, and building facade lighting shall be subject to review and
approval of the City Council.
9. The Planning Commission was favorable to the building design and building materials. The
applicant shall provide building material samples for City Council review.
10. The applicant shall remove the existing freestanding sign and replace it with a sign
compliant with the signage requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant shall
provide photos from Highway 36 of the sign for City Council review.
11. The Planning Commission recommended a variance for a total of three wall signs, one on
the west facing facade and two on the north facing facade, with either the "M" or
"McDonald's" being the choice of the applicant.
12. The ordinance allows two directional signs as long as they do not exceed 12 square feet.
The applicant shall be allowed two directional signs at the 60 Street North entrance.
13. Outdoor lighting for the parking areas shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for
approved security lighting.
14. The landscape plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Arborist.
15. Any additional comments or conditions of the City Council, Planning Commission, or City
staff.
Carried 5 — 0.
B. Xcel Energy to consider request of Northern States Power d /b /a Xcel Energy for a
Conditional Use Permit Amendment for construction of a fly ash transfer facility
building as part of the A.S. King Plant Rehabilitation project, located at 1103 King Plant
Rd.
City Planner Richards reviewed the June 4, 2009 planning report and provided an issue analysis
and discussed items to the request and concluded his report with a staff recommendation,
subject to the conditions noted within the report.
Chair Wasescha invited Commission discussion. There being none Chair Wasescha opened the
hearing and invited the applicant and any visitors to speak.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 11, 2009
Page 4 of 5
Manny Castillo of Xcel Energy's Environmental Services division addressed the Commission and
noted that the request is part of the pollution reduction methods process implemented at the A.S.
King plant as part of the M.E. R. P. project. He explained the dewatering process and noted that
the water used would be re- routed back through the plant for use and that the transfer facility
building would make the process more manageable and also allow for a storage area for other
acids they use. Mr. Castillo provided photos of other sites using the process. Making himself
available for questions, Mr. Castillo noted the present of Project Manger, Tom Donahue and John
Wertish of Xcel Energy in the audience.
Commission discussion ensued with Mr. Castillo, wherein he noted that MN legislation has halted
all new landfills within the State, that the dewatering process makes the ash easier to transfer to
the Moelter Fly Ash landfill site and that MN rules does not permit any liquid material to be placed
to a landfill.
There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Chair Wasescha closed the public hearing and
asked the Commission for comments. It was noted that the request seemed pretty straight
forward and clear. City Administrator Johnson noted that as part of the M.E.R.P. compliance,
sometime in July or later this year the sites lighting will be inspected for compliance.
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend City Council
approval of the request, subject to the conditions noted within the June 4, 2009 planning report,
specifically that:
Any freestanding or building lighting shall be in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance and
subject to review and approval of City staff.
2. Any grading and drainage plans shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer
and applicable watershed district.
3. The City will not require conformance with the Design Guidelines for the project.
4. The plans are subject to review and approval of the Department of Natural Resources and
any other state or federal regulating agency, if applicable.
Carried 5 — 0.
New Business: None.
Old Business: None.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 11, 2009
Page 5 of 5
Informational:
A. Upcoming Planning Commission Meetings:
July 9, 2009 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
August 13, 2009 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
September 10, 2009 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
B. Council Representative June — Commissioner LeRoux
July — Commissioner Powell
August — Commissioner Liljegren
Adjournment: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Vice Chair Bye, moved to adjourn the
meeting at 7:32 p.m. Carried 5 — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Hultman
Planning & Code Enforcement Officer
Approved by the Planning Commission:
ENCLOSURE 2
NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC.
Ir 4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Telephone: 763.231.2555 Facsimile: 763.231.2561 planners @nacplanning.com
MEMORANDUM
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: August 5, 2009
RE: Oak Park Heights Design Guidelines Update —
Planning Commission Meeting
FILE NO: 798.17
Following the August 13, 2009 City Council /Planning Commission workshop on the
Design Guidelines, the Planning Commission should discuss the work program for the
update and the background information that has been provided. If there are additional
cities to be researched for design guidelines, please let me know. Additionally, if there
are photos that you may have of good commercial design or ideas of where staff should
take photos, please inform us.
The joint City Council /Planning Commission workshop should help define the project
and the issues that must be addressed as we update the Design Guidelines. The
meetings next Thursday night will be an important first step in the update process.
ENCLOSURE 3
NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC.
4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Telephone: 763.231.2555 Facsimile: 763.231.2561 plan nersCa'nacplanning.com
MEMORANDUM
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: August 5, 2009
RE: Oak Park Heights — Special Event Signage / Destination
Retail Highway District
FILE NO: 798.04 — 09.03
The City Council has requested that the Planning Commission review options for
allowing additional signage, or types of signs not currently allowed, for the Stillwater
Motors dealership at 5900 Stillwater Boulevard. The owner of Stillwater Motors has
requested that the City consider options, in particular an electronic reader
board /animated sign with changeable messages that could be visible off of Highway 5
or Highway 36. Currently, animated signs are not allowed other than time and
temperature signs.
Staff has reviewed this issue and would recommend that the Planning Commission
discuss a number of potential options. Stillwater Motors is zoned B -3 District and is in
the Destination Retail Highway District under the Sign Regulations of the City. A map of
the District and the specific regulations for the Destination Retail Highway District are
attached.
1. Establish new sign regulations within the B -3, Highway Business and Warehouse
District.
2. Establish new sign regulations within the Destination Retail Highway Sign
District.
3. Expand the time allowances for special events. This could be for the entire City
or specifically for the B -3 District or Destination Retail Highway Sign District (see
Zoning Ordinance section attached).
4. Allow for animated signs with reasonable conditions City -wide, within the B -3
District, or within the Destination Retail Highway Sign District.
P. Signs and /or posts which are tacked onto trees, fences, utility poles or other
such permanent supports, except safety signs and signs found on fences of
athletic facilities
q. All signs over four hundred (400) square feet in area.
401.15.G.8. SPECIAL EVENTS.
a. Sign Permit Required. No special event shall be held without first obtaining
a sign permit.
19 b. Number of Events. The business or applicant in all business and industrial
zoning districts, as well as each public and institutional use in residential
districts, shall be allowed five (5) special events per calendar year. The total
number of special event days in a calendar year shall not exceed fifty (50)
days for any applicant, business, or public and institutional use. Once the
time period has expired for a special event the applicant shall wait the same
number of days that the sign permit was issued to start a new special event.
C. Permitted Signs and Displays. The signs and displays described below are
permitted for special events in addition to the maximum allowable sign area,
provided they are professionally done and the following standards are met
and complied with:
1) Small Balloons.
a) The size of small balloons or a group of connected balloons
shall not exceed two (2) feet as the largest dimension, except
that balloon arches not exceeding eight (8) feet in height shall
be allowed.
b) Small balloons may be multi colored and incorporate logos and
messages.
C) Helium balloons shall be refilled daily.
2) Tents.
a) Tents, including all ties, ropes, stakes, etc., shall be located
entirely upon the permittee's property and shall comply with the
City's setback requirements for accessory buildings.
3) Bannerettes.
a) Bannerettes may be used on light standards or flag poles.
15 -58
b) No more than one (1) ban nerette shall be allowed per standard
or pole.
C) Bannerettes shall be smaller than any United States flag on the
property, and shall not be flown at a height greater than any
United States flag allowed on the property.
4) Banners.
a) Banners may be attached to poles, tents, and buildings,
provided that are well secured and are prevented from being
blown around uncontrollably by the wind.
b) No more than two (2) banners shall be allowed.
C) Banners shall not be larger than one hundred (100) square feet
or higher than the wall of the principal building on the lot.
5) Search lights.
a) Search lights as regulated in Section 401.15.B.7.g.1) of this
Ordinance.
d. Prohibited Signs and Displays for Special Events. The signs or displays
described below are prohibited for special events:
1) Animated signs, light bulb strings, pennants, portable signs, ribbons,
and streamers.
2) Displays or special features on any landscaped areas or on roofs.
3) Aerial rides.
4) Large balloons or collections of small balloons exceeding two (2) feet
in diameter, except for balloon arches not exceeding eight (8) feet in
height.
5) Additional lighting that does not meet this Ordinance.
6) Any sign or display in the public right -of -way.
7) Air inflatable devices.
e. Sign Permit Requirements for Special Event Lot Decorations. Before
any special event signs or decorations shall be permitted to be used for an
event, the responsible property owner or organization shall submit a
15 -59
completed application for a sign permit with the City. In addition to other
requirements, the applicant shall show that when the event is held, adequate
parking area will continue to exist, even though a portion of required parking
spaces may be used to celebrate the event. Only after the City issues the
sign permit, may a business display the special event signs and decorations.
Violations.
1) It is a violation for any person, company, or organization to provide,
erect or display any beacons, balloons or other advertising device
which is not in conformity with the provisions of this Section.
2) Special event signs and decorations not removed by the last day of
the special event.
401.15.G.9. DISTRICT REGULATIONS.
a. R -1, R -1A, R -113, RAC, Single Family Residential and R -2, Low to
Medium Density Residential Districts. Except as otherwise provided in
this Ordinance, signs in these districts shall be limited to:
1) One (1) sign for each unit in a single and two family residential
dwelling not exceeding two (2) square feet in area per surface. Lots
abutting more than one (1) right -of -way shall be allowed one (1) sign
not to exceed two (2) square feet in area per frontage.
2) Any multiple dwelling structure with three (3) or more units shall be
allowed one (1) monument sign, not to exceed six (6) feet in height or
one (1) wall sign, the aggregate square footage of sign space shall not
exceed thirty -two (32) square feet.
3) Other non - residential uses permitted or conditionally permitted in the
R -1, R -1A, R -113, R -1C, and R -2 Districts shall be allowed one
monument sign, not to exceed eight (8) feet in height and one (1) wall
sign, the aggregate square footage of sign space shall not exceed
forty (40) square feet. The signs shall not be illuminated except by
conditional use permit as provided for in Section 401.03 of this
Ordinance.
4) One (1) freestanding sign, not to exceed six (6) feet in height or one
(1) wall sign, the aggregate square footage of sign space shall not
exceed four (4) square feet shall be allowed for home occupations as
provided for in Section 401.15.M of this Ordinance, and day care
nursery facilities as provided for in Section 401.15.N of this
Ordinance. The sign shall not be illuminated except by conditional
use permit as provided for in Section 401.03 of this Ordinance.
15 -60
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401.15.G.10 SPECIAL DISTRICT PROVISIONS.
a. Motor Fuel Station.
1) Signs for motor fuel stations shall be regulated by the single
occupancy business structure sign provisions for the zoning district in
which the station is located.
2) Pump island signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet per pump.
3) Portable signs shall not be allowed.
4) The area of all displays and /or signs shall be counted against the total
sign area allowed for the site, which includes both freestanding and
wall sign allowances.
b. Destination Retail Highway Sign District. Signs and sign allowances, in
addition to the sign allowances for single and multiple occupancy signs of this
Ordinance, shall be allowed within the Destination Retail Highway Sign
District as identified on maps on file at City Hall.
1) Freestanding Signs.
a) One (1) freestanding sign for business developments as part of
an approved planned unit development not exceeding two
hundred (200) square feet with a maximum height of forty (40)
feet. The sign faces shall be oriented toward Highway 36 and
Highway 5 and away from residential developments. The
freestanding sign base shall be surrounded with a landscape
planter at least three (3) feet in height and constructed of
materials to match the principal building. The planter shall
contain decorative shrubbery and /or flower materials that are
maintained on a regular basis.
b) For single occupancy lots and business developments as part
of an approved planned unit development, the allowances for
freestanding signs found in Section 401.15.G.9 of this
Ordinance shall be increased to allow one (1) sign not
exceeding one hundred fifty (150) square feet and a maximum
height of thirty (30) feet. The freestanding sign base shall be
surrounded with a landscape planter at least three (3) feet in
height and constructed of materials to match the principal
building. The planter shall contain decorative shrubbery and /or
flower materials that are maintained on a regular basis.
2) Wall Signs. For single occupancy lots and business developments as
part of an approved planned unit development, maximum allowable
sign area allowances found in Section 401.15.G.9 of this Ordinance
15 -66
shall be increased to eighteen (18) percent for allowable sign area
based upon percentage and five hundred (500) square feet of
maximum allowable sign area per lot.
C. Single Occupancy Retail Stores Exceeding One Hundred Thousand
(100,000) Square Feet. The following maximum specifications shall apply
for single occupancy commercial structures of one hundred thousand
(100,000) square feet of floor area or more:
1) Freestanding Signs. The freestanding sign allowances found in
Section 401.15.G.9 of this Ordinance shall be increased to allow one
(1) freestanding sign not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet and
a maximum height of thirty (30) feet.
2) Wall Signs. Maximum allowable sign area allowances found in
Section 401.15.G.9 of this Ordinance shall be increased to eighteen
(18) percent for allowable sign area based upon percentage and five
hundred (500) square feet of maximum allowable sign area per lot.
d. Multiple Occupancy Business Buildings, Industrial Buildings, and Lots.
1) When a single principal building is devoted to two (2) or more
businesses or industrial uses, or a lot will contain more than one (1)
single occupancy building as part of an approved planned unit
development, a comprehensive sign plan shall be required subject to
review as to whether the plan is consistent with the sign regulations.
The plan and sign allowances shall be subject to the following:
a) A comprehensive sign plan is submitted which includes all of
the following information:
(1) A site plan to scale showing the location of lot lines,
building structures, parking areas, existing and
proposed signs, and any other physical features of the
area included within the comprehensive sign plan.
(2) Elevations to scale of building or buildings included
within the comprehensive sign plan including the
location of existing or proposed wall signs.
(3) To scale plans for all existing and proposed signs of an
type included within the comprehensive sign plan
indicating area, dimensions, height, materials, colors,
and means of illumination (if any).
2) The maximum individual sign sizes for multiple occupancy buildings
and individual businesses that may display a sign shall not exceed the
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