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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2001 MinutesM • Thursday, August 9, 2001 Call To Order Chair Vogt called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dwyer, Hedlund, Powell and Runk; Community Development Director Danielson; City Planner Richards; and Council Liaison McComber. Welcome New Commissioner - Mark Powel Chair Vogt welcomed Mark Powell to the Planning Commission Approval of Agenda Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 5 -0. Approval of July 12, 2001 Minutes Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund, moved to approve the minutes with language and typographical changes. Carried 5 -0. Visitors: None. Public Hearineas: A. D.D.D., L.L.C. Planned Unit Development Amendment Reques Consideration of request to amend Planned Unit Development to allow for a change to site plan at 5525 Memorial Ave. N. City Planner Richards stated that D.D.D., L.L.C. has submitted a request to amend their C.U.P. and P.U.D. to allow access on the Northerly side of their West building and removal of the center island between the buildings to allow for easier backing of delivery trucks. The removal of the island would create a 20 -ft wide passageway. Planner Richards informed the Commission that the Valley Branch Watershed District has contacted D.D.D., L.L.C. and has told them to deepen their pond by two feet to deal with runoff water. Planner Richards also recommended that the trash enclosures be larger in order to accommodate several more dumpsters, so that the buildings may handle increased amounts of garbage with ease. Chair Vogt opened the public hearing 7:08 p.m. and invited comment from the public. Steve Contineza of D.D.D., L.L.C. took this time to address the Commission, stating that he wished they had listened to the commission to begin with. Several potential renters had viewed the site and were confused by the lack of access from the rear of the buildings. He also reiterated that the Valley Branch Watershed District approved of the increased surface area as long as the pond was made deeper. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to close the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes August 9, 2001 Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to recommend the development amendment to the City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights with the following conditions: 1. The driveway access at the north side of the westerly building shall be at least 20 ft wide. 2. The storm water pond shall be constructed compliant with recommendations of the Valley Branch Watershed District and the City Engineer. 3. The trash enclosure shall be sized to accommodate at least two dumpsters and shall be constructed of materials similar to the principal buildings on site. 4. All conditions of the CUP /PUD and site plan approval made by the City Council at their April 24, 2001 meeting shall be complied with by the applicants. B. Sigstad Carpets — Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permi For construction of retail carpet sales /warehouse and leased space at 60th St. N. in the Central Business District. City Planner Richards stated that the City received a request for a C.U.P. to install a four -tenant retail facility in the Central Business District, which would comply with the set design guidelines. The facility would be built in two phases. Stormwater will be an issue on site, and while the city plans to construct ponds at some point, onsite stormwater ponds will need to be constructed in phase one, in addition to three retail spaces. The plan is consistent, zoning is appropriate, and City Planner Richards likes the building setbacks. Planner Richards confirmed that this is close to what was originally envisioned. Planner Richards acknowledged that there were some variations between the design guidelines and the zoning ordinance, but the guidelines were set up to prevail in conflicts with the zoning ordinance. Planner Richards informed the commission that there is a 40ft easement on 60th street, so the buildings in the CBD will not be as close to the road as originally proposed in the design guidelines, but the space will be utilized by parking. The building itself will be 20ft, and will appear taller with a two -story appearance. A variety of building materials will be used, as well as colors. It is unlikely that either the street or the sidewalk be constructed this year, but initial grading might be possible this fall /winter. City Arborist Widin made several comments on the landscape plan pertaining to tree varieties and abundance. Planner Richards also called the issues of access to the Commission's attention. The main entrance to the facility should be 150' from 60th as opposed to the proposed 60' due to the length of the semi trucks and the possibilities of blocking traffic. An application will be submitted to the MNDOT to allow temporary access from 60th street during the construction of the facility, and keep one access point as truck -only access. Planning Commission Minutes August 9, 2001 Page 3 of 5 Planner Richards then stated that there would be fewer parking spaces in the proposed development, but there would be more on street parking. Community Development Director Danielson stated that many parking lots have been built for after Thanksgiving and Christmas day capacities and are otherwise underused. The smaller parking lot size designated by the Design Guidelines will limit the amount of surface parking which might be required in a more suburban development. Discussion was held on the chronology of the Zoning Ordinance, Design Guidelines, and the Urban Design Study. Director Danielson provided a brief history of the three documents for the Commission. Commissioner Hedlund requested a clarification on what the ordinance specifically requires. Discussion was held on the number of stalls required; 120 and 125 by ordinance and 69 75 by the design guidelines. A variance would not be required, as a lesser standard could by applied through a C.U.P. Chair Vogt opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. and invited comment from the public. Jeff Hensel of Greystone Construction addressed the Commission and asked to discuss jumbo brick. Maple Grove has the only type of development like the Central Business District in the area, and jumbo brick was used in its construction. He felt that jumbo brick would be appropriate in large building developments such as this with Sigstad's Carpets. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. 5 -0. Discussion was held on the truck -only access, and Mr. Hensel again addressed the commission. He stated that car traffic would be limited with curb and gutter. Commissioner Powell suggested that the truck access be limited to East access only. He stated that the trucks might have difficulty making the turn on Oakgreen Avenue, and risk blocking traffic. Discussion was held on the size of jumbo bricks, and it was concluded that jumbo bricks were close to double the size of regular bricks. Planner Richards felt that the jumbo bricks were proportional and were appropriate for developments such as Sigstad Carpets. Director Danielson informed the Commission of a Met Council grant that the City of Oak Park Heights recently applied for, which could award $65,000 to the City of Oak Park Heights to remove the Auto Salvage Yard. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, motioned that jumbo brick meets the intent of the Design Guidelines for medium box development in the Central Business District and to approve access from 60th and the unnamed street contingent on approval of all access points and permits from the MNDOT. 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes August 9, 2001 Page 4 of 5 C. Continued: Walgreen's Pharmacy Conditional Use Permit Variance and Sit Plan Review To consider a conditional use permit request, variance, and site plan review for construction of a Walgreen's Pharmacy at 6061 Osgood Ave. Community Development Director Danielson informed the Commission that she had spoken with Walgreen's representatives and expressed that the Commission was concerned with the lack of new materials. Walgreen's representatives requested that the issue be continued to the September meeting. Chair Vogt opened the public hearing at 7:57 and invited comment from the public. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to continue the public hearing to the September Planning Commission meeting. 5 -0. D. Continued: Sprint Conditional Use Permit and Height Varianc To consider a conditional use permit request for construction of a 160' telecommunications monopole and height variance request at 5920 Memorial Ave. N. Community Development Director Danielson informed the Commission of a request to withdraw the request for the C.U.P. and height variance at 5920 Memorial Ave. N., and that City Staff recommended to allow the withdrawal. Chair Vogt opened the public hearing at 7:59 and invited comment from the public Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing at 7:59 p.m. Commissioner Runk, seconded by commissioner Vogt, moved to acknowledge receipt of the letter withdrawing the application. 5 -0. Discussion was held on the average length of the public hearing process. Community Development Director Danielson informed the Commission that the process normally takes one and one -half to two months. New Business None. Old Business A. Sign Ordinance Information: 1. City of Woodbury 2. City of South St. Paul 3. City of Maple Grove 4. City of St. Paul 5. City of Roseville Community Development Director Danielson stated that staff began researching and presented highlighted sections to the Commission. Planning Commission Minutes August 9, 2001 Page 5 of 5 Commissioner Hedlund inquired as to what was the next step in the process. Director Danielson replied that the next step would be to bring experts to a workshop/ listening station, or perhaps have separate meetings for each. City Planner Richards stated that the process of goal setting might be helpful, and proposed having each commissioner decide which signs were their most and least favorite, and work from there. Chair Vogt took around 80 pictures of signs in Oak Park Heights and found many illegal real estate and promotional signs. He also found that there was no commonality to the city signs. He stated that he felt it would be worthwhile to meet in a workshop to discuss what was wrong with the signs and the ordinance. Chair Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to hold a two -hour workshop prior to the September 13th Planning Meeting, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 5 -0. Informational / Ubdate: A. Zoning Ordinance Clarification - 401.150 -9: Community Development Director Danielson stated that the issue here is concerned with the definition of the light source. Zoning Ordinance 401.15 -9 states that the light source must be within 25 ft of the ground, but does not require the pole itself to be a maximum of 25 ft. Discussion was held as to the possible implications of changing the ordinance or leaving without changes. Possible uses for the higher poles were discussed at length. Chair Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved that the ordinance needs no alteration. 5 -0. Chair Vogt continued, stating that the uses for the extended pole may be defined by clarifications in the sign ordinance. Community Development Director Danielson informed the Commission of an upcoming Public Art Symposium on Sunday, September 15th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free, but Commissioners must call (612) 870 -3202. Adjournment Commissioner Runk, seconded by Dwyer, moved to adjourn at 8:33 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Scott Johnson Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: September 13, 2001