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Home My WebLink About2010-06-10 PC Recommending ResolutionA RECOMMENDING RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE REQUEST BY ALDI INC. FOR A PRELIMINARY/FINAL PLAT, SITE PLAN, DESIGN GUIDELINES REVIEW AND VARIANCE FOR TWO ADDITIONAL WALL SIGNS FOR A GROCERY STORE AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF 60 STREET SHOULD BE APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS WHEREAS, the City of Oak Park Heights has received a request from Aldi Inc. for a preliminary/final plat, site plan, Design Guidelines review and a variance for two additional wall signs for a grocery store at the southeast corner of 60 Street North and Nova Scotia Avenue; and after having conducted a public hearing relative thereto, the Planning Commission of Oak Park Heights makes the following findings of fact: 1. The real property affected by said application is legally described as follows, to wit: and and SEE ATTACHMENT A 2. The applicant has submitted an application and supporting documentation to the Community Development Department consisting of the following items: SEE ATTACHMENT B 3. The property is zoned B-4 Limited Business District in which retail grocery stores are a permitted use; and 4 The site had not been previously platted and now requires a preliminary and final plat. The property will be platted as Aldi Addition; and 5. The applicants have requested a sign variance to allow for two additional wall signs on the building; and 6. City staff prepared a planning report dated June 3, 2010 reviewing the request; and 5. Said report recommended approval of the preliminary/final plat, site plan, Design Guidelines review and variance for two additional wall signs subject to the fulfillment of conditions; and 6. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at their June 10, 2010 meeting, took comments from the applicants, closed the public hearing, and made the following recommendation: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING: A. The application submitted by Aldi Inc. for a preliminary/final plat, site plan, Design Guidelines review and a variance for two additional wall signs for a grocery store at the southeast corner of 60 Street North and Nova Scotia Avenue and affecting the real property as follows: SEE ATTACHMENT A The Planning Commission recommends to the City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights approval of the variance for the two wall signs subject to the following findings of fact: 1. The applicants have proposed a total of four wall signs, two each on two facades of the building. 2. The total square footage of signage, including the monument sign is 185 square feet, or 115 square feet less than the maximum allowed. 3. Two of the requested signs read "Food Market" which is considered more for informational purposes rather than advertising. 4. The two additional wall signs ensure visibility and identification of the food store from both east and west bound traffic on Highway 36. The approvals are subject to the following conditions: The final plat and development agreement shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer and the City Attorney. 2. The cash park dedication amount shall be calculated by the City and shall be required prior to recording the final plat. 3. The Planning Commission was favorable to the location of and the screening for the loading dock. 4. The grading, drainage and utility plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. 5. All lighting fixtures shall be full cut off and installed in compliance with the lighting standards of the Zoning Ordinance. All visible interior lighting shall also be full cut off. 6. The outdoor lighting shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for approved security lighting. 7. The landscape plans are subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. 8. The Planning Commission recommends the sign variance for two additional wall signs, each on different facades and not exceeding 22 square feet each. 9. Mechanical equipment that is located on the roof and visible from street level or from neighborhood properties shall be screened with materials that blend harmoniously with the building facade materials. The Planning Commission was favorable to the screening devices. 10. The City does not object to Aldi's plan to install a conduit in the 60 �' Street Right of Way to facilitate the possible burial of xcel distribution power lines located adjacent to the site. installation of the conduit and lines shall be subject to the approval of the City Engineer. 11. The Planning Commission was favorable to the sustainability initiatives proposed by the applicant. 12. The Planning Commission recommended that the applicant revise the building elevations to include decorative caps on each of the vertical column details. 13. The Planning Commission was favorable to the building material selection and colors. 14. The Planning Commission recommended the addition of seating areas at the front entrance. 3 15. The applicant shall provide a plan for the addition of front entrance plantings subject to review and approval of City Staff. 16. A bike rack shall be added at the front entrance of the building. Recommended by the Planning Commission of the City of Oak Park Heights this 10 day of June, 2010. ATT Eric A. lson, City Administrator Legal Description: ATTACHMENT A Preliminary & Final Plat, Site Plan, Design Guidelines Review & Variance for Two Additional Wall Signs Aldi, Inc. - Grocery Store 13733 60 St. N. Washington County GEO Code: 05.029,20.11.0042 The West 300.00 feet of the East 1013.00 feet of the North 325MO feet of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 5, Township 29 North, Range 20 West, Washington County, Minnesota, as measured at a right angle to the East line and the North line of said Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter. (Torrens Property Torrens Certificate of Title No. 62084). Physical Address: 13733 60t1 St. N., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Required Approvals: Planning Commission City Council ATTACHMENT B Preliminary & Final Plat, Site Plan, Design Guidelines Review & Variance for Two Additional Wall Signs Aldi, Inc. - Grocery Store 13733 60th St. N. Application Materials • Application Form • Fees O Plan Sets (3 Large Scale Sets /20 11X17 Sets) O Written Narrative and Graphic Materials Explaining Proposal • Mailing List from Washington County (500 from subject property) Proof of Ownership or Authorization to Proceed • Property Tax Statement(s)/Legal Description(s) Conference With City Staff Upon Application Sub mittal: May 19, 2010 . Public Hearing: June 10, 2010 Majority Vote Majority Vote Variance -- Lapse of Approval: Unless the City Council specifically approves a different time when action is officially taken on the request, the variance shall become null and void twelve (12) months after the date of approval, unless the property owner or applicant has substantially started the construction of any building structure, addition or alteration, or use requested as part of this variance. The property owner shall have the right to submit an application to extend the approval of a variance to the Zoning Administrator not less than thirty (30) days before the expiration of said approval. (401.4.0 .1 — 401.4.C.2)