HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-23 Planning Commission Meeting MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, April 23, 2020 – Oak Park Heights City Hall
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic. The meeting was conducted online via Zoom,
following the provisions of Minnesota Statute § 13D.021 members of the public were permitted to
remotely listen to the meeting via their notification to the City for attendance to log in, as provided in
13D.021, Subd. 3.
I. Call to Order:
Chair Freeman called the meeting to order @ 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Kremer,
VanDyke and White; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and City
Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to approve the
Agenda as presented. Carried. 4-0.
III. Approval of March 12, 2020 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Kremer, moved to approve the Amended
Minutes as presented. Carried 4- 0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison / Other Reports: Councilmember Liaison Representative
Liljegren had nothing to report. City Administrator Johnson noted that the City Council
would be discussing appointments to the Allen S. King Advisory Panel at their upcoming
meeting and discussed the status of City Council discussion of Planning Commission
Bylaws and the upcoming Planning Commission application deadline approaching and
applicant status to date.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. Zephyr Group LLP: Review and consider request from Mark Fuhr of Zephyr
Group LLP for the site currently known as Pony Express Auto Wash, requesting
Design Guidelines / Site Plan Review and an Amended Conditional Use Permit
for proposed site and building design changes at 5970 Neal Ave. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the April 15, 2020 Planning Report to the request
seeking Conditional Use Permit Amendment for site changes and Design Guidelines /
Site Plan Review to the Pony Express Auto Wash which is being rebranded to Sudz Car
Wash. The proposed changes to the site include changing of the buildings siding
material, signage alterations, the addition of outdoor vacuum stations and an increase to
the parking lot size.
Planning Commission Minutes
April 23, 2020
Page 2 of 4
Richards provided an issue analysis and discussed the same, noting that a revised site
plan had been received earlier in the day and that Valley Creek Watershed District
review and approval will be required as a result of changes to the ponding area.
Richards further noted that the received lighting photometric only went as far as the
curb and that it could be updated by the lighting designer/contractor for compliance
review.
Discussion ensued as to the ownership of the property where the freestanding sign is
placed, curbing and ground work, pond and watershed approval requirement.
Chair Freeman invited comment from the applicant.
Mark Fuhr of Zephyr Group, LLP, the applicant, responded to questions regarding site
drainage, noted that the added parking does not infringe upon the pond and discussed
grade work in the area of the pond that affected it, requiring watershed district review
and approval.
Chair Freeman opened the public hearing at 6:20 p.m.
There were no visitors to the public hearing. Discussion ensued among the
Commission and the applicant with regard to the design and appearance of the proposed
exterior siding material, site aesthetics and the importance of maintaining a clean
appearance to the site.
Mr. Fuhr clarified that he was the owner/operator of the site and discussed the
sanitation maintenance program for the vacuum station are. He further discussed the
quality of the material used for the vacuum construction and the material quality of the
canopy proposed for the vacuum station area.
Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to close the
public hearing. Carried 4-0.
Brief conversation was had as to the overall appearance proposed and as to the
proposed monument sign design.
Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to
recommend City Council approval of the request, subject to the amended conditions of
the April 15, 2020 Planning Report, specifically, that:
1. The grading and drainage plans shall be subject to the review and approval of
the City Engineer. Wetland mitigation plans shall be submitted and completed
by the Applicant subject to the approval of the Valley Branch Watershed
District.
Planning Commission Minutes
April 23, 2020
Page 3 of 4
2. If the vacuum system creates noise issues for surrounding businesses, the City
Council may require the Applicant to take additional sound dampening
measures.
3. The light fixtures for the vacuum canopy shall be fully cut off with all light
directed toward the ground. No light shall shine through the canopy cover.
4. The light fixtures for the pay station shall be fully cut off with all light directed
toward the ground. No light shall shine through the canopy cover.
5. All lighting fixtures shall be full cut off and installed in compliance with the
lighting standards of the Zoning Ordinance. The total height of the ground
mounted light fixtures shall not exceed 25 feet. A revised photometric plan
shall be required indicating the light intensity to all property lines.
6. The outdoor lighting shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for
approved security lighting.
7. Mechanical equipment that is located on the roof or visible from street level or
from neighborhood properties shall be screened with materials that blend
harmoniously with the building façade materials.
8. The monument sign plan shall be revised so that the reader board sign is no
more than 35 percent of the total sign face.
9. All signage shall be subject to final review and approval of City Staff for
conformance with Zoning Ordinance standards. The sign lighting should be
designed such that only the text and logo portions of the signs are to be lit at
night. Staff shall approve the lighting specifications for signs at the time of
permitting.
10. The Planning Commission was favorable of the building material selection and
colors.
Carried 4-0.
VII. New Business: None.
VIII. Old Business: None.
Planning Commission Minutes
April 23, 2020
Page 4 of 4
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, April 28, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, May 12, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, May 14, 2020 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, May 26, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, April 28, 2020 – Commissioner Kremer
• Tuesday, May 26, 2020 – Commissioner White
• Tuesday, June 23 – Commissioner VanDyke
X. Adjourn:
Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to adjourn at 6:34 p.m.
Carried 4– 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Hultman
Planning & Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission: 05/14/2020 4-0