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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-2007 Minutes' CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, May 10, 2007 Call to Order: Chair Liijegren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Wasescha, Commissioners LeRoux, Powell and Runic, City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison Abrahamson. Agenda Approval: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Carried 5 — 0. Approve Minutes of April 12, 2007: Commissioner Runk, seconded by Vice Chair Wasescha, moved to approve the Minutes as amended. Carried 5 — 0. Department /Commission Liaison & Other Reports: None. Visitors /Public Comment: None. Public Hearings: A. Wesley Investments, Inc. - Consider application for Conditional Use Permit to allow Little Victories daycare operation at 5595 Memorial Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the May 2, 2007 planning report relative to the request and provided an issue analysis for the saine and provided the Commission with a planning recommendation, with conditions for their consideration. Chair Liljegren opened the public hearing and invited public comment. Jon Whitcomb of Wesley Investments addressed the Commission and noted that the owner /operator of Little Victories is his wife. Mr. Whitcomb stated that the changes to the landscaping were minor and that he would forward the modified plan to the City Arborist. He expressed his belief that the proposed use fit the building as it also aided the other tenant uses presently in place and added that he believed the daycare will be a great asset to the City. Mr. Whitcomb noted that the only issue he had and felt needed to be addresses was the matter of signage at the site, and stated that the freestanding sign was constructed as approved and that his contractor was to have contacted the City relative to obtaining design approval and pennits for sign placement to the tenant spaces at the site. He discussed the process he has followed in responding to communication from the City in order to obtain the required permits and comply with the sign ordinance and inquired if there was an issue with the signs placed. Planning Commission Minutes May 10, 2007 Page 2 of 3 City Administrator Johnson advised Mr. Whitcomb that the public hearing was regarding the daycare use at the site and not about signage. It was clarified that Mr. Whitcomb was not seeking a signage variance as part of the public hearing and that the sign matters are handled by Julie Hultman who is the Plamiing & Code Enforcement Officer for the City and that when she is unclear about an issue she confers with the Scott Richards, who is the contracted City Planner. Brief discussion ensued as to the signs that have been installed at the site and that beyond their having been installed with a permit, the issue of concern is the daycare sign portion having an illuminated white background, which is not allowable per City zoning ordinance 401. Discussion ensued as to background colors and illumination, city zoning ordinance requirements regarding them and City of Oak Park Heights locations that have similar signs either grandfathered by the date of their installation or in violation with correction action being pursued. Commissioner Powell, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner LeRoux inquired as to the fence at the daycare. It was noted that the City has no specific fence regulations for daycare operations but that the existing fence would comply with standard city fence regulations. Mr. Whitcomb noted that the existing 5 -foot fence complied with the daycare licensing authority requirement for a fence at least 4 -feet in height. Chair Liljegren noted that a motion had been made and seconded to close the public hearing and called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried 5 — 0. Commission discussion ensued and the proposed approval conditions of the planning report discussed. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Vice Chair Wasescha, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request for a conditional use permit, allowing the daycare operation, subject to the following conditions: A sign permit shall be obtained prior to the erection of any signs on the subject site. 2. Sign pen must be obtained for existing signs on the subject site in order to verify consistency with Section 401.15.G. of the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant shall indicate the total size of the freestanding sign as it differs from the sign details in the P.U.D. application on sheet number A -1. 3. The outdoor play area location is subject to review and approval by the City Engineer. 4. A revised landscape plan shall be provided for the site of the outdoor play area and is subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. Planning Commission Minutes May 10, 2007 Page 3 of 3 5. A revised site plan shall be provided indicating the new location of the patio area and is subject to review and approval of City staff. 6. The Fire Marshall shall review and approve the building plans. 7. The applicant shall provide to the City a copy of the State license prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. Carried 5 — 0. New Business: None. Old Business: A. Comprehensive Plan Update City Planner Richards reported that the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update Committee met prior to the regular Planning Commission meeting and that review and discussion focused on the Comprehensive Plan goals, policies, mission statement sections and general goals for the City. The land use map was also review and some slight adjustment made to the same. Richards noted that the next session would likely focus on development framework. The next workshop meeting is anticipated to be held in July or August. There will not be a June workshop of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings June 14, 2007: 7:00 p.m. Regular Planning Commission Meeting (Council Chambers) B. Council Representative May — Commissioner Runk June — Commissioner LeRoux Adjournment: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, 1 t� Juli A. Hultman Planning & Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Comnssion: June 14, 2007 5 -0.