HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-2008 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Call to Order:
Chair Liljegren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Vice -Chair Wasescha and
Commissioners LeRoux, Powell and Runk; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards
and Commission Liaison Abrahamson.
Agenda Approval:
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to approve the Agenda as
presented. Carried 5 — 0.
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Vice Chair Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to approve the Minutes as
presented. Carried 5 — 0.
Department /Commission Liaison & Other Reports:
Council Liaison Abrahamson and City Administrator Johnson informed the Commission of
Architect Randy Engle visiting the City Council meeting recently relating to the City Hall building
project and updated them as to the activities on this end to date. Rough dates for the process
were noted as having bids out in January, the opened in February and potentially occupancy at
the end of 2009. It was noted that once a concept building plan has been approved an open
house would be held.
Visitors /Public Comment: None.
Public Hearings:
A. Continued to September 11, 2008 e Xcel Energy, Inc. Conditional Use Permit
Amendment to allow vertical expansion of the A.S. King Fly Ash Disposal site, known as
the Moelter Fly Ash Site, located S. of Hwy. 36 and W. of Beach Rd.
City Planner Richards noted that no new information had been received from the applicant and
that information was anticipated for the public hearing to be continued at the November
Planning Commission meeting. It was noted that property owners will be notified by mail
when it is known that the matter will be on the Agenda for hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2008
Page 2 of 6
B. Stillwater Crossings To consider request for Site Plan Review, Design Guidelines Review
and Planned Unit Development Amendment to allow a drive through Snyder's Drug
prescription window at the south side of the building, located west of Osgood Ave. N.
and within the Stillwater Crossing retail center.
City Planner Richards reviewed the Planning Report to the request, provided an issue analysis,
as well as recommend conditions for consideration as part of any approval the Commission
may recommend to the City Council
Chair Liljegren opened the hearing for public comment.
Dave Leonard Vice President Real Estate /Store Development for Snyders Drug Stores introduced
himself and made addressed questions related to vehicle stacking at the drive - through window
and its location.
City Administrator Johnson discussed boulder placement, landscaping at the site and vehicle
barrier at the curb of the site.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Liljegren moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 —0.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend City Council
approve the request, subject to the following conditions:
1. A curb island be placed extending west from the building to allow for at least one stacking
space.
2. The use of outdoor lighting for parking lots serving commercial and industrial businesses
shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for approved security lighting.
3. The pharmacy drive - through sign on the canopy is permissible but cannot be back lit.
4. Signs in the B -2 District may only be illuminated during business hours, or until 11:00 PM,
whichever is later.
5. The applicant shall provide a plan for landscaping and providing an effective barrier system
for vehicles that jump the curb at the shopping center entrance off of Osgood Avenue. The
plan shall be subject to review and approval of City staff.
Carried 5 — 0.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2008
Page 3 of 6
C. M & I Bank To consider requests for Site Plan Review, Design Guidelines Review and
Signage Variance to allow a third wall sign for proposed M & I Bank construction located
at 60 St. N. and E. of Jerry's Auto Body.
City Planner Richards reviewed the October 3, 2008 Planning Report to the request, provided
an issue analysis, as well as recommend conditions for consideration as part of any approval
the Commission may recommend to the City Council
Chair Liljegren opened the hearing for public comment.
Sean Lathrop of KKE Architects, representing M & I Bank, introduced himself to the
Commission and addressed questions related to the signage and lighting for the site.
Jerry Schoenecker of Jerry's Auto Body and neighbor to the project site address the
Commission and inquired as to setbacks and the proposed retaining wall at the site, noting the
elevation differences between his property and the applicant's property.
Mark Anderson of MFRA, Civil Engineers for the project, introduced himself to the Commission
and discussed sites grading plan, retaining wall and drainage plan.
Chair Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5
—0.
Discussion ensued as to the sites grading, signage, lighting and the recommended conditions
within the planning report.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to recommend City Council
approval of the request, subject to the amended conditions of the planning report, specifically:
The site plan (C- 3.01A) indicates the first drive -in unit has 174 feet of stacking, and the
second drive -in unit has 198 feet of stacking. There is no indication of the stacking space
for the third drive -in unit. Clarification should be made regarding the stacking space.
2. The stall depth and aisle width do not meet the minimum requirements for parking stalls
that are at a 60 degree angle and 9 feet, 6 inches wide. Adjustments shall be made to the
parking area in order to meet the Ordinance requirements.
3. The applicants shall provide a connection from the trail to the site /building.
4. A revised Photometric Plan shall be submitted that indicates the foot candle readings to
the center line of 60 Street North to determine that the intensity requirements are met.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2008
Page 4 of 6
Outdoor lighting forth e parking areas shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for
approved security lighting.
The Landscape Plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Arborist.
The applicant shall provide additional information on the two non - cutoff decorative
fixtures, including light intensity, for City Council review.
8. The additional freestanding monument sign — "M & I Bank— Drive -Up Banking ATM" is not
allowed in that additional freestanding sign requirements are not met (i.e., the gross area
of the signs, when added together with all other freestanding and wall sign area, exceeds
the maximum allowable sign area established for the lot).
9. The Ordinance only allows two directional signs that do not count towards the maximum
allowable sign area as long as they do not exceed twelve square feet. Therefore only two
of the four proposed directional signs shall be allowed.
10. The Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Plan shall be subject to the review and
approval by the City Engineer.
11. The applicant shall bury the overhead distribution lines along 60 Street North. The timing
of that improvement shall be coordinated with the burying of distribution lines in front of
Lowe's along 60 Street North. The applicant shall escrow sufficient funds, as specified by
the City Engineer, to complete the improvement or agree that the City will complete the
work and petition for the public improvement, waiving notice of public hearing and
assessments, as required under Minnesota Statute 429.
D. Special Event Signage To consider amendment to Zoning Ordinance 401.15.G. as it
relates to special event signage, including potential increase to number of events and
duration.
City Planner Richards reviewed the Planning Commission discussion from September 11, 2008
on the issue and noted the proposed revised language amendment is a result of that
discussion. Richards noted that the change essentially increased the number of events from
three to five and left the total duration of event days at 30 days per calendar year.
Noting there were no visitors to the meeting in the audience, Chair Liljegren opened the public
hearing and stated for the record that written comments had been received from D.J. Raduenz
of Stillwater Motors, Ann Whitcomb of Little Victories Child Care and Gloria WahrenBrock of
Massage Envy.
Administrator Johnson noted that notices of the hearing were mailed to every business within
the City. Discussion ensued as the intent of the amendment to allow greater flexibility for
businesses, how the ordinance compares to those in other communities and the special event
permit requirement being for each event held.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2008
Page 5 of 6
Commissioner LeRoux, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to recommend the City Council
approve amendment of Zoning Ordinance section 401.15.G.8, Special Events to allow more
flexibility in allowing special events, specifically to expand the number of special events
allowed in a calendar year, and specifically amending section 8.b or Zoning Ordinance
401.15.G. as follows:
Number of Events. The business or applicant in all business and industrial zoning districts,
as well as each public and institutional use in residential districts, shall be allowed five (5)
special events per calendar year. The total number of special event days in a calendar year
shall not exceed thirty (30) days for any applicant, business, or public and institutional use.
Once the time period has expired for a special event the applicant shall wait the same
number of days that the sign permit was issued to start a new special event.
Carried 5 — 0.
E. Accessory Buildings To consider amendment to Zoning Ordinance 401.15.D. as it relates
to accessory buildings, uses and equipment.
City Planner Richards reviewed the Planning Commission discussion from September 11, 2008
on the issue and noted the proposed revised language amendment is a result of that
discussion. He noted that the amendment offers flexibility to the provisions related to
accessory buildings such as their location, setbacks, height, lot coverage and number through a
conditional use permit versus a variance.
At this time, he advised the Commission that if they found the language acceptable, they
would need to make a recommendation to the City Council for approval.
Chair Liljegren opened the hearing for public comment. There being no visitors, Commissioner
Runk, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 — 0.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to recommend the City
Council approve amendment of Zoning Ordinance section 401.15.D, Accessory Buildings, Uses
and Equipment to allow certain provisions of the section to be varied by conditional use permit
as presented by City Planner Richards.
Carried 5 — 0.
New Business. None.
Old Business: None.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2008
Page 6 of 6
Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings
November 13, 2008: 7:00 p.m. — Regular Planning Commission Meeting
(Council Chambers)
B. Council Representative October — Commissioner Powell
November — Chair Liljegren
Adjournment: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to
adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Carried 5 — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Hultman
I
Planning & Code Enforcement Officer
Approved by the Planning Commission: 12 -11 -08