Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-2006 Minutesr; CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, ;Tune 8, 2006 Call to Order / Approval of Agenda: Chair Runk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners LeRoux, Liljegren and Powell; City Planner Richards, City Administrator Johnson and Commission Liaison Doerr, Absent: Commissioner Wasescha. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the Agenda, as presented. Carried 4 -0 Welcome Commissioners LeRoux and Powell: Chair Runk welcomed new Commissioner Chuck LeRoux and returning Commissioner Mark Powell. Approve Minutes of May 11, 2006: Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried 4 -0 Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports: A. Co mmission Liaison Liaison Doerr reported that Government Training Service had an upcoming The Basics of Planning & Zoning seminar scheduled. Doerr pointed out the value of this seminar and asked that Eric Johnson be contacted by any Commissioner wishing to attend so that they could be registered. B. St. Croix Crossing Update Commission Liaison Doerr reported: ® That the final Stakeholders meeting is scheduled for July 17, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Stillwater City hall and that the meeting is open to the public. That the Final Envirorunental Impact Study was not out yet but was expected very soon, noting that information regarding the study had been mass mailed. Visitors /Public Comment: None. Public Hearings: A. Memorial Office Condominiums (Wesley Investmen Inc): P.U.D. — Concept and General Plan for an office condominium development located at 5595 Memorial Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the planning report as to the request for two 14,720 sq. ft. office condominiums and discussed his recommendation for the same. Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment. The applicant, .Ion Whitcomb, discussed the process of the site purchase and the current design. Mr. Whitcomb provided samples of the building materials and discussed their placement. Mr. Whitcomb noted that they will own the buildings as well as develop them and that the nature of their design is to allow the greatest amount of tenant flexibility possible. The plan has been submitted as condo style for future possibilities of office space sale, which he noted is a current market trend in office space. Mr. Whitcomb addressed questions from the Commission as to drive area, trash enclosure, delivery trucks, landscaping and more. Planning Commission Minutes June 8, 2006 Page 2 of 3 There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4 -0 Discussion ensued as to various project elements, including the requirement of full cut off lighting. Chair Runk noted that Commissioner Wasescha provided written continent and shared the same. Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend City Council approval, subject to the following conditions: The grading, drainage and utility plans are subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. 2. The proposed signage for the site shall be consistent with Section 401.15.G of the Zoning Ordinance and the sign designs and dimensions submitted by the applicant. A sign permit shall be obtained prior to the erection of any signs on the subject site. The applicant shall resubmit landscape plans that shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Arborist. 4. Mounted pole height for the proposed parking area lights shall not exceed 25 feet. All freestanding and building lighting shall comply with the lighting regulations found in Section 401.15.8.7 of the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant shall provide three additional parking spaces including one handicap accessible space. The site plan shall be subject to City staff approval. 6. The applicant shall revise the proposed parking lot design to demonstrate at least 22 foot wide drive aisles in all areas. The site plan shall be subject to City Engineer approval. 7. All parking stalls shall be 9 feet by 20 feet or 9 feet by 18 feet provided there is ample room for a two foot overhang, subject to approval of the City Engineer. Carried 4 -0 New Business: None. Old Business: A. Sign Ordinance Flag & Banner Provisions Continued Discussion 1. Flag Etiquette 2. Revised Ordinance Commission Liaison Doerr explained how discussion of flags has come about with its tie into the city sign ordinance and shared discussion with the Commission as to the article Following Flag Etiquette, which was prepared by a League of Minnesota Cities staff attorney. Planning Commission Minutes June 8, 2006 Page 3 of 3 City Planner Richards discussed the general basis for review of the current sign ordinance and its enforcement. Richards reviewed the revised language to Ordinance 401, Section 15.G as it relates to signs, noting that content regulating signage content has been removed to comply with freedom of speech regulations. He further noted that the draft did not yet include any revisions to temporary signage or flag requirements, which he anticipated revising after the discussion at this meeting. Commission discussion ensued as to the flag provisions, etiquette, flag provision violations and enforcement possibilities. It was noted that it is not the intent to ban U.S. flags but rather promote proper etiquette of their display if they are going to be placed into use. Additional discussion ensued as to the revised ordinance language, how balloons fit into the ordinance for temporary signage /advertisement, how any flag regulation is going to be managed in residential areas, enforcement, general process of refinement and adoption of a new ordinance, and status of the mega billboard issue. Richards will prepare a refined draft of the language and have it reviewed by the City Attorney. Commission Liaison Doerr stated that he would like to have the City Council receive written comment from the City Attorney as to the ordinance language. Discussion will continue at the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission. Informational: Chair Runk noted that the Commission would be updating the Commission City Council Representation Schedule at their next meeting and for the benefit of the new members and the audience explained the process of having a Planning Commissioner available at the City Council meeting following the Planning Commission meeting to address any questions as to the Planning Commissions recommendation and such. A. Next Meeting July 13, 2006 7:00 p.m. — Regular Meeting B. Council Representative June — Commissioner Wasescha July — Commissioner Runk Adjournment: Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to adjourn at 7:08 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Respectfully submitted, A X0..0 Juli A. Hultman Planning & Code Enforcement Officer Approved by the Planning Commission: 7 -13 -06