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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2007 Minutesr; CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, August 9, 2007 Call to Order: Chair Liljegren called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Wasescha, Commissioners LeRoux, Powell and Runk; 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 July 12, 2007: Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried 5 — 0. Department /Commission Liaison & Other Reports: None. Visitors /Public Comment: None. Public Hearings: A. Continued - Bremer Bank — Consider application for Planned Unit Development: General Plan, Site Plan/Design Guideline Review and Variance to Sign Ordinance requirements for proposed Bremer Bank operation located S. of 60 St. N. and W. of Nova Scotia Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the July 6, 2007 planning report relative to the request and provided an issue analysis for the same and provided the Commission with a planning recommendation, with conditions for their consideration. It was noted that this public hearing was continued at the request of the applicant and that the public hearing had been opened for public comment prior to the hearing being continued at the July 12, 2007 Planning Commission meeting. Chair Liljegren opened the public hearing and invited public comment. Kathy Fitzenberger of Bremer Bank provided a brief history of Bremer Bank and is operations, noting that Bremer Bank is owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Charitable Foundation. Tom Naughtin of Bremer Bank addressed matters related to signage, noting the importance of corporate branding to the bank. He stated that they have their own monument sign at each of their bank in every community they are located and that whether or not they will b permitted to be upon the multi- tenant "Lowes" monument sign is not know as they have not received either an approval or denial from the developer of the retail area for placement. Brief discussion was held by the Commission as to signs, their placement, sign visibility and the potential limitations of the existing multi- tenant sign in place. Planning Commission Minutes August 9. 2007 Page 2 MA Eric Reiners of Weldman Sperides Architects discussed the entrance and exiting aisles directional signage, noting that such signage would be part of their full signage package submitted to the City, public trail system access concerns due to vehicle traffic and grade sloping at the site. Commission discussion ensued as to the importance of safe pedestrian travel in the area due to the existing volume of pedestrian travel and the anticipated increase of pedestrian travel to the area as it becomes more developed. Discussion was had as to the pedestrian trails, etc. in place and planned to give the applicant a clearer understanding of the condition in the planning report requiring the trail connection to their site. Related to the monument sign, the question of whether or not Lowes would be agreeable to having the existing sign swapped out with the applicant being placed at the top in light of the prominence of Lowe's building sign. Jeff Almsted of Frauenshuh Companies, the developer for Bremer Bank addressed the question posed as to the swapping out the multi- tenant sign, discussing overall visibility of the site and their request for their own corporate brand monument sign. Mr. Almsted also discussed the design /placement of the building signage. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Discussion ensued as to planning report conditions related to lighting, signage placement and size allowances, drive aisle widths, parking lot lighting, and pedestrian access. City Planner Richards reviewed and discussed each condition of the planning report. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request for Planned Unit Development General Plan, site plan review and variance for a third wall sign and recommended denial of the request for a monument sign. The approval recommendation being subject to the following conditions: The property owners shall finish the construction of the private road with curb and gutter along the property line of the subject property. 2. The outdoor lighting for the parking lot shall be turned off one -hour after closing, except for approved security lighting or as directed in the Planned Unit Development approvals. The lighting shall be arranged to deflect light away from adjoining or public right -of- way, so that the luminaire shall contain a cut -off, which directs and cuts off the light at an angle of 90 degrees or less. The maximum height above the ground grade permitted for light sources to be mounted on a pole is 25 feet. 4. The trash receptacle shall be fully screened from view of the adjacent property to the west. Additional landscaping shall be added between the trash receptacle and the property line to the west. Planning Commission Minutes August 9, 2007 Page 3 oi'4 The Landscape Plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Arborist. 6. If any of the mechanical equipment located upon the roof is visible from the street level or from neighborhood properties, it shall be screened with a material designed to blend harmoniously with the building fayade materials. 7. A revised Parking Plan shall be submitted that indicates the following: a). The east and west driveways shall be signed, indicating that the east is entrance only and that west is exit only. All directional signage shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer; b). The concrete curb setback shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer; c). The Site Plan shall be updated to indicate a sidewalk entrance into the parking lot for pedestrian access to the bank; preferably along the east side of the property near the handicap parking and is subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer; and d). Due to the significant amount of impervious surface, staff is recommending that the parking area on the south side of the property be shifted to the north approximately two fee to ensure the drive aisle width requirement of 24 feet is met. This will add increased green space to the subject property. The address sign numbers shall be metal, glass, plastic or other durable material. The numbers shall not be less than 3.5 inches in height, in a contrasting color to the base or made of some reflective material, and so placed to be easily seen from the roadway. 9. The Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. Carried 5 -0. New Business: A. Oakgreen Village — Nova Scotia Villas: Proposed modification to approved Oakgreen Village plan for townhouse units at Nova Scotia and around pond perimeter. City Planner Richards reviewed the August 2, 2007 planning report relative to the request for exterior elevation and interior layout design change for 31 townhouse units, facing 58 "' St. N., in the previously approved Oakgreen Village Development, and noted that staff recommended approval subject to conditions within the planning report. Brief discussion ensued as to the exterior alterations and material samples provided by the applicant were reviewed. Planning Commission Minutes August 9, 2007 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request, subject to the following continent /conditions: 1. The Planning Commission is favorable to the building design and materials provided on the plans for the 31 housing units to be known as Nova Scotia Villas. 2. All securities and provisions of the Oakgreen Village planned unit development and the development agreement shall apply to the 31 housing units to be known as Nova Scotia Villas. 3. Any changes to building elevations, driveway locations, landscaping, lighting or other site improvements from the original Oakgreen Village planned unit development shall be subject to review and approval of City staff. Carried 5 -0. Old Business: None. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings September 13, 2007: 6:30 p.m. — Comprehensive Plan Update Committee - (Large Conference Room) 7:30 p.m. - Regular Planning Commission Meeting - (Council Chambers) B. Council Representative August — Commissioner Liljegren September — Commissioner Wasescha Adjournment: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Vice Chair Wasescha, moved to adjourn the meeting. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Planning & Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission: 09- 13 -07. 3.0