HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-2005 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, September 27, 2005
Call To Order:
Chair Runk called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Caspers, Liljegren
and Wasescha. City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison McComber. Absent:
Commissioner Dwyer and City Administrator Johnson.
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Vice Chair Liljegren, moved to approve the Agenda, as
presented. Carried 4 -0.
Approve Minutes of August 11, 2005:
Vice Chair Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Caspers, moved to approve the Minutes as
presented. Carried 4 -0.
Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports:
A. Commission Liaison
B. St. Croix Crossing Update Commission Liaison McComber reported that the recent
open houses for the bridge design were well attended. She noted that a Stakeholders
Group meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stillwater
City Hall.
C. Other
Visitors /Public Comment: There being no visitors to the meeting, Chair Runk moved to the
Public Hearings portion of the Agenda.
Public Hearings:
A. Village at Oak Park Heights - Lowe's Home Improvement To consider a request for
Planned Unit Development: Concept Plan approval for a development to be known as
Village at Oak Park Heights, including construction of a Lowe's Home Improvement
store, located south of 58"' St. and west of Oakgreen Ave. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the September 1, 2005 Planning Report to the request, provided
an issue analysis and recommended conditions in the event the Planning Commission elected to
recommend City Council approval.
Chair Runk opened the public hearing for comment at 6:11 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 27, 2005
Page 2 of 4
John Gelderman of CSM Equities introduced himself as the applicant and property developer.
Mr. Gelderman commented on the issues of the 80 -foot right -of -way and setbacks. He noted that
the property owner and representatives of Lowe's and Ozark Civil Engineering were present and
available for questions.
Tim Nolde — Green Twig LLC addressed the Commission and commented on the right -of -way
and setback issues, noting that it was possible that the property adjacent to the retail area, on the
other side of Norwich Ave., would not ultimately be residential and the 100 -foot right -of -way
unnecessary. Brief discussion ensued between Mr. Nolde and the Commission as to the matters.
There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Chair Runk, seconded by Vice Chair
Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing at 6:16 p.m. Carried 4 -0.
Commission discussion ensued as to the matters of right -of -way, setbacks, development size and
density, buffering of residential area, commercial /residential mix, access and possible cross -
connection with Walmart, relationship of project issues with adjacent Oakgreen Village
residential concept plant approval, and planning report conditions.
Vice Chair Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha, moved to recommend request
approval by City Council, subject to the amended conditions of the September 1, 2005 Planning
Report, specifically that:
A preliminary /final plat is submitted as part of the general plan of development.
2. The applicant provide a property appraisal for those areas subject to park dedication.
A public hearing shall be held for vacation of existing right -of -way and utility easements.
The development agreement shall specify the amount and terms for reimbursement to the
City for the vacated right -of -way and easements.
4. The street design of Novak Avenue shall be subject to review and approval of the City
Engineer. The project developers shall dedicate 100 feet of right -of -way for Novak Avenue
from the northerly edge of the Xcel power line easement south to 58 Street.
5. The City Engineer shall comment on the traffic analysis provided by the applicant. The
traffic circulation plan and required improvements shall be subject to review and approval
of the City Engineer.
6. The Planning Commission and Park Commission shall review the public trail and sidewalk
system for the area as part of the general plan of development stage.
7. The Planning Commission accepts a 20 foot setback for buildings adjacent to Norwich
Avenue North for concept plan approval providing the general plan of development submittal
addresses building detailing and landscaping for said buildings and setback area.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 27, 2005
Page 3 of 4
8. A 30 -foot setback from all parking and drive aisles with plans for berms, fencing and
screening be provided at the south property line of the development. The revised plans shall
be provided at the general plan of development stage.
9. The building plans for Lowe's to be submitted for general plan of development review shall
address screening of roof mechanicals.
10. Detailed tree inventory, tree preservation, and landscape plans shall be provided for general
plan of development. All parking lot islands shall be increased to at least 15 feet in width.
11 Detailed grading, drainage and utility plans shall be provided for general plan of development
review.
12. The Zoning Ordinance parking requirement of six parking spaces per 1,000 square feet may
be varied for the Lowe's portion of the development as part of the general plan of
development approvals. Applicants shall work with City staff to determine appropriate ratio
for the development.
13. The parking lot design shall be revised to comply with all Zoning Ordinance parking stall and
drive aisle dimension standards.
14. The general plan of development submittal shall address site details such as pedestrian
access, loading areas, and trash enclosures.
15. The Fire Marshal and Police Chief should review the plans and determine the accessibility
of emergency vehicles throughout the development.
16. The plat shall dedicate right -of -way for Novak Avenue and all required easements as required
by the City Engineer and City Attorney.
17. The Planning Commission and City Council shall comment on the design of Novak Avenue
including screening, landscaping and boulevards that may be required at the general plan of
development review.
18. Detailed architectural plans for the proposed buildings in the project shall be required for
general plan of development review.
19. The architectural appearance of the structures shall be subject to Design Guidelines review
as part of the general plan of development consideration.
20. The applicant shall be required to enter into a development agreement with the City subject
to review and approval of the City Attorney and City Council. All cross easements and other
easement documents required for this development shall be subject to review and approval
of the City Attorney.
Carried 4 -0.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 27, 2005
Page 4 of 4
New Business:
A. Commission Council Representation Schedule Revised schedule for review, revision and
approval.
Chair Runk volunteered to serve as Commission Liaison to the City Council for the month
of October and asked that discussion of the rest of the schedule be carried to the regular
October meeting of the Commission.
Old Business: None.
Informational:
A. Next Meeting October 13, 2005 7:00 p.m. — Regular Meeting
B. Council Representative October — Commissioner Runk
Adjournment Vice Chair Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha, moved to adjourn
at 6:51 p.m. Carried 4 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jul' A. Hultman
Planning & Code Enforcement Officer
Approved by the Planning Commission: October 13, 2005