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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2008 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, April 10, 2008 Call to Order: Chair Liljegren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners LeRoux, Powell, Runk and Vice -Chair Wasescha; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison Abrahamson. Agenda Approval: Vice -Chair Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Carried 5 — 0. Approve Minutes of February 21, 2008: Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried 5 — 0. Department /Commission Liaison & Other Reports: Commissioner Runk updated the Commission as to the work - session the City Hall Advisory Committee and the City council had relative the City Hall facility options. He noted that ultimately there were five options discussed and voted upon. All but the option to construct a new City Hall north of the current building, which passed 7 -1, failed. Accordingly the Committee presented their recommendation to the City Council that a new City Hall be constructed to the north of the existing City Hall building for 6.3 million dollars. Runk noted that Commission Liaison Abrahamson had suggested looking into the Montanari building on 60 St., which in foreclosure and under the banks ownership and that the City Council would be touring the building to assess the viability of the structure for a City Hall. Runk and Abrahamson clarified that the City Council would hold a public hearing regarding the Committee's recommendation for new City Hall construction as well as the matter of a related fund levy. Visitors /Public Comment: None. Public Hearings: A. 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update Consider approval of the updated 2008 City of Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan. City Planner Richards noted that the update is due this year and briefly reviewed the work of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee over the past year. He thanked everyone involved for their dedication and hard work. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2008 Page 2 of 6 Richard provided a short summary of the plan composition and issued discussed to each, including land use, zoning, transit and growth forecasting. Commission discussion ensued as to the approval process and Metropolitan Council's deadline for submission. Chair Liljegren opened the public hearing and invited comment. There being no visitor wishing to speak, Chair Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 — 0. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to recommend City Council approval of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan as updated. Carried 5 — 0. B. Continued: Anchobaypro /Oakgreen Village Phase 1, Planned Unit Development Amendment and Phase 2, Concept and General Plan Approval, Preliminary and Final Plat City Planner Richards reviewed the April 3, 2008 planning report, provided an issue analysis, and discussed the same. Richards noted staff recommendation that any approval be contingent upon receipt of more architecturally acceptable building plans and materials being received and subject to several proposed conditions. Chair Liljegren opened the public hearing and invited comment. Todd Erickson of F.F.E. representing the developer addressed the Commission as to the request based upon market feedback received by the developer for larger living spaces. Erickson stated that he believed the developer would be open to having his architect provide additional information. Discussion ensued as to conditions within the planning report, driveway design to newly design units, architectural appearance, phase II status of the overall development, play area, gazebo, and related. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to close the public comment portion of the public hearing. Carried 5 — 0. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Vice -Chair Wasescha moved to continue the public hearing discussion to May in order to allow the applicant to provide additional architectural detail and possible tot -lot information, subject to the conditions outlined in the planning report. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2008 Page 3 of 6 C. Little Pony Pre - School & Child Care Conditional User Permit for daycare /group nursery use as part of Little Pony pre - school and child care operations at 5850 Omaha Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the April 2, 2008 planning report regarding the request of Little Pony Pre - school and Child Care for a Conditional Use Permit, allowing the daycare /group nursery operation within the B -2, General Business zoning district. Richards provided an issue analysis, and recommended several conditions should the Commission vote to recommend City Council approval of the request. Richards noted that a letter was received from Hope Adoption with respect to sound transmission, wherein they indicated that they did not feel that sound- proofing was necessary as they experienced no sound problem with the equipment from the former laundry /dry cleaning business that was in the space. Chair Liljegren opened the public hearing and invited comment. Connie Carlson, Mya Bohan and Cory Mohwinkel co- owners of Little Pony Pre - school and Child Care introduced themselves to the Commission. Connie address the question of screening to the playground, noting that the former daycare from a number of years ago had an approximately eight -foot privacy fence that extend three - quarters of the way around the play area space that was in good condition and that they were working with Hope Adoption to complete the space enclosure to meet their license requirements and to avoid blocking off the ramp area for handicap access to the Hope Adoption offices. Connie clarified that the sign background at they pylon sign is white but that it will not be illuminated, adding that Hope Adoption does not illuminate the pylon sign. Vice -Chair Wasescha noted the intended hours of operation and pointed out that it can be dark at both 6:00 o'clock a.m. and 6:00 o'clock p.m., and encouraged them to take this into consideration when they are designing their signs. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 — 0. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request for Conditional Use Permit, subject to the following conditions: A site plan for the outdoor play area, as well as details on fencing, shall be provided by the applicant and be subject to City staff review and approval. One disability accessible parking stall, which is van accessible, shall be added to the front entrance of the building. 3. A sign permit shall be approved by City staff prior to erection of any signs on the subject site. All signage shall be lit in conformance with the sign requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2008 Page 4 of 6 4. All remodeling plans and building permits shall be subject to review and approval of the Building Official. 5. All required State licenses shall be obtained by the applicant and provided to the City prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Carried 5 — 0. D. Friends of St. Croix Preparatory Academy Interim Use and B -2 Zoning District Amendment to allow school use as an interim use at 14781 59 St. N. City Planner Richards noted that the request includes a zoning district amendment identifying school uses as an interim use in the B -2, General Business zoning district and an interim use request for St. Croix Preparatory to occupy the lower level of the former Herberger's space at the Andersen Corporation office facility while they are in the process of construction their new school building in Baytown Township. Richards reviewed the April 2, 2008 planning reports regarding the requests, provided an issue analysis, and recommended several conditions to the interim use permit should the Commission vote to recommend City Council approval of the requests. Chair Liljegren opened the public hearing and invited comment. Carroll Davis - Johnson of St. Croix Preparatory Academy responded to questions related to parking area spaces reconfiguration with the placement of the temporary play area placement at the rear lower level parking area, along side the retaining wall. John Gutierrez, Executive Director of Friends of St. Croix Preparatory Academy explained that the difference between St. Croix Preparatory Academy and Friends of St. Croix Preparatory Academy noting that the Academy is a charter school and that Friends of St. Croix Preparatory act as the owner of the Academy. Mr. Gutierrez noted that the request is to use the space for the duration of time during which their new school building is constructed in Baytown Township and advised the Commission that approvals and agreements were now in place for the facility construction and financing. Ground is expected to be broken and construction commenced in August of this year. John and Carroll addressed inquires as to signage, bus traffic, drop off and collection locations, times and process, noting that traffic plans have been discussed with Andersen Corporation as well. Chair Liljegren, seconded by Vice -Chair Wasescha moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 —0. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2008 Page 5 of 6 Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Runk moved recommend City Council approve an amendment to the B -2, General Business zoning district, listing school uses as an interim use within the zoning district. Carried 4 — 0 — 1, Commissioner LeRoux abstaining. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Liljegren moved to recommend City Council approval of the request for Interim Use as requested by the applicant, subject to the following conditions: 1. The City Council approves a Zoning Ordinance amendment for Section 401.30.0 to allow private and public elementary, junior or senior high schools for a time not to exceed two years as an interim use in the B -2, General Business District. 2. The interim use shall expire two years from the date of City Council approval. 3. The applicant shall apply for and receive a sign permit for the proposed wall sign. 4. The applicant shall provide an example of temporary playground fencing materials that will be used, subject to review and approval of City staff. 5. All Building and Fire Code requirements for schools shall be addressed and approved by the Building Official and Fire Marshall for the City of Oak Park Heights. 6. The City Engineer shall review and approve the traffic flow plan. Carried 4 — 0 —1, Commissioner LeRoux abstaining. New Business: None. Old Business: None. Informational: A. Commission Annual Meeting Information Information received. No action required. B. Upcoming Meetings May 8, 2008 7:00 p.m. - Regular Planning Commission Meeting (Council Chambers) Commissioner Runk informed the Commission that he would not be in attendance at the May meeting. C. Council Representative April — Commissioner LeRoux May — Commissioner Powell Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2008 Page 6 of 6 Adjournment: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Vice -chair Wasescha, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, L�. {�.z .., 1. f'y ("�'(7ti� --•'� i7 Julie A. Hultman Planning & Code Enforcement Officer Approved by the Planning Commission: May 8, 2008. 4 -0.