HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-13 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, August 13, 2020 – Oak Park Heights City Hall
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:
Chair Freeman called the meeting to order @ 6:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioners VanDenburgh, VanDyke and White; City Administrator Johnson,
City Planner Richards, and City Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner VanDenburgh, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to approve the
Agenda as presented. Carried 4-0.
III. Approval of July 23, 2020 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to approve the Minutes
as presented. Carried 4-0.
IV. Department / Commission Liaison / Other Reports:
City Councilmember Representative Liljegren updated the Commission as to recent
meetings, including interviews of Police Chief candidates to fill the position when Chief of
Police DeRosier retires at the year end.
City Administrator Johnson noted that the first meeting of the Allen S. King Plant
Decommissioning & Reuse Advisory Panel was coming up.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. Minnehaha Properties LLC: Review and consider application from Minnehaha
Properties LLC for a Conditional Use Permit to allow outside school bus storage and
maintenance at 5280-5288 Stagecoach Trail N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the August 6, 2020 Planning Report to the request,
seeking a Conditional Use Permit to allow outside school bus storage and maintenance.
Richards provided an issue analysis and discussed the same.
Brief Commission discussion ensued as to parking adequacy, no parking upon
Stagecoach Trail and, whether or not the use was being planned for and ongoing or a
temporary capacity.
Chair Freeman invited the Applicant to speak.
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August 13, 2020
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Idiris Mohamud introduced himself as the applicant and owner of Minnehaha
Properties. Mr. Mohamud noted some of the improvements that have been undertaken
at the site, to the trees and light shielding, and described the general plan of use
proposed for the site. Mr. Mohamud indicated that he had no issues with the conditions
within the planning report.
Pete Mikhail of LeVander, Gillen & Miller, P.A. introduced himself as Counsel for
ISD #834, and also introduced others in the audience from and on behalf of the school
district and made himself and them available for questions.
Chair Freeman opened the public hearing at 6:23 p.m. and invited comment to the
public hearing. There being none, Commissioner VanDenburgh, seconded by
Commissioner VanDyke, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4-0.
Discussion ensued as to the berm and tree screening, fueling plan and intention of the
use being long term or short term.
Amy Monicken - MTN Transportation Sr. Contract Manager, discussed the fueling and
above-ground tank placement plan. She noted that the plan is to have a 2,500-gallon
fuel truck that stays on site, in the area where the former fuel tanks were and to have
two fuel tanks placed to the secure area where the former tanks were placed. The
pumps from the previous operation are still on site but are not functional. The former
tanks were also removed. She responded to questions regarding potential fuel spill
mitigation with the proposed fueling plan.
Pete Mikhail addressed the question of the intended length of use at the site, noting
that the school district has significant investment at the Lake Elmo site and touched on
the status of activity that led to the site not being utilized. He noted that the plan is to
stay as long as needed to operate, while getting the Lake Elmo site approved for
operation. They currently have a one-year lease with option for three additional one-
year lease renewals.
City Planner Richards clarified that public notification of the hearing was mailed to all
property owners within a 500-foot radius of the location. It was also clarified that ISD
#834 would be the sole renter of the entire site, giving them a larger area to operate than
the former bus garage operation had.
Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to recommend
City Council approval of the request, subject to the conditions of the August 6, 2020
Planning Report, specifically, that:
1. The number of buses allowed to be on site shall not exceed 100. No trucks or
semi-trailers shall be parked on site.
2. All employees dispensing fuel shall receive training for proper fueling
techniques, including emergency spill operations.
3. The Applicant shall submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and
Notification for Above Ground Storage Tanks to the MPCA.
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August 13, 2020
Page 3 of 4
4. The Applicant shall submit a Spill Prevention and Control Countermeasure Plan
to the EPA and to the City, if required.
5. The Applicant shall receive and retain a Hazardous Waste Generators License
from Washington County for the maintenance operation.
6. The Applicant shall comply with all Building Code requirements for the fuel
tanks and installation of a paint booth. A Building Permit shall be required from
the City for the fuel tank and the paint booth installation.
7. Block heaters and heater plugs shall be installed on all buses operated out of the
facility at 5280 and 5288 Stagecoach Trail before commencement of operations.
8. An operations plan shall be developed and enforced, subject to the review
and approval of City Staff, requiring all buses shall be backed into their
respective parking spaces at the end of the day’s operation.
9. A rapid entry lock box shall be installed at the entrance gate to provide
police, fire and emergency service access.
10. Any changes to the grading, drainage and utilities shall be subject to the
review and approval of the City Engineer.
11. All lighting fixtures shall be full cut off and provided with shields in
compliance with the lighting standards of the Zoning Ordinance.
12. The outdoor lighting shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for
approved security lighting.
13. The City Arborist should comment if there are any tree maintenance issues or
if additional trees should be added for screening and the Applicant shall take
appropriate corrective measures.
14. Signage shall be subject to review and approval of City Staff for
conformance with Zoning Ordinance standards.
15. All noise generated from the business shall be compliant with Section
401.15.B.11 of the Zoning Ordinance. No vehicle repair shall be conducted
outside. The service doors to the building shall be closed at all times, except
when vehicles are moved in and out of the service bays.
16. Mechanical equipment that is located on the roof or visible from street level
or from neighboring properties shall be screened with materials that blend
harmoniously with the building façade materials and in accordance with
Section 401.15.E.10.e of the Zoning Ordinance.
17. There shall be no outside storage, including trash, recycling, tires and vehicle
parts unless enclosed with a screen.
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August 13, 2020
Page 4 of 4
18. Hours of operation shall be limited to 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through
Friday and from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday.
19. No vehicle parking shall be allowed on Stagecoach Trail.
20. Emergency vehicle access and business operations related to fuel dispensing
shall be subject to review of the Police Chief and the Fire Marshal.
21. All Conditional Use Permits previously issued by the City of Oak Park
Heights for 5280 and 5288 Stagecoach Trail North shall be deemed revoked
and cancelled as part of an in consideration of the grant of this new
Conditional Use Permit.
Carried 4-0.
VII. New Business: None.
VIII. Old Business: None.
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, August 25, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, September 8, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, September 10, 2020 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, September 22, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, October 8, 2020 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, October 13, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, October 27, 2020 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, August 25 – Commissioner VanDyke
• Tuesday, September 22, 2020 – Commissioner Van Denburgh
• Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – Commissioner – White
X. Adjourn:
Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to adjourn at 6:40 p.m.
Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Hultman
Planning & Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission: 09-10-2020 / 4-0