Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-2001 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION Call To Order Chair Vogt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dwyer, Hedlund, Powell and Runk; City Planner Richards and Council Liaison McComber. Absent: Community Development Director Danielson. Approval of Agenda Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Runk moved to approve the Agenda with Comprehensive Plan added as item B. to New Business. Carried 5 -0. Approval of October 11 2001 Minutes Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund, moved to approve the minutes as amended. Carried 5 -0. Visitors: None. Public Hearings A. First Student To consider request for Conditional Use Permit Amendment to include the use of Building D and for the use of an above - ground fuel storage tank. City Planner Richards provided an overview of his report regarding the applicant's request for a conditional use permit amendment. He noted that the terms of the original conditional use permit are applicable and in force. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:12 p.m. Larry Phillips 5272 Stagecoach Trail, N. - Stated that he had no concern about the car wash use but expressed concern as to the placement of a fuel storage tank. His home is serviced by a well and he is concerned about fuel spillage on a day -to -day, accumulative effect, over time basis and the possibility of a large spill at some time. He inquired as to whether or not the buses had been brought up to standards for cold weather starting as required in the original conditional use permit. He indicated that he would like to know that criteria established within the original conditional use permit were being complied with and monitored prior to allowing amendments to it. Arlen Hviding, Contract Manager First Student, Inc. @ 5288 Stagecoach Trail, N. - Discussed issues related to the design, safety mechanisms, daily process and monitoring of the fuel storage facility. He answered questions as to how fueling would be handled, how the Oak Park Heights facility is designed in comparison to other First Student Inc. facility locations, how fueling would occur, and at what rate the tank would be replenished. Mr. Hviding stressed that the employees at First Student Inc. have been very safety conscious in transporting the students of the area and that he firmly believed that they would be just as much so environmentally with the fueling of their busses at the site. Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 2 of 6 Discussion ensued as to decibel levels for the wash bay, environmental policies that must be adhered to with fuel storage facilities, the number of vehicles being serviced at the facility, the typical engine and fuel tank size of the vehicles, reasoning for the applicants request and what security features were to be in place for the facility. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to close the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Additional discussion ensued as to hardship -vs- convenience nature of request, daily housekeeping and employee training to minimize fuel spills of any degree, design elements for environmental protection, and clarification of the conditions noted within the City Planner's report. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to recommend that the City Council approve the applicants request for Conditional Use Permit allowing for use of Building D as a wash bay and for placement of an 8,000 gallon above - ground fuel storage tank for on -site fueling of buses, subject to the following conditions: 1. The number of buses allowed on site shall not exceed 120 as permitted under the existing conditional use permit, issued May 25, 1999. 2. All conditions of the conditional use permit issued May 25, 1999 for the property shall remain in effect. 3. All employees dispensing fuel shall receive training for proper fueling techniques, First Student Environmental Policy and Controls, Hazardous Communication and Emergency Spill Response procedures. 4. The applicant shall submit a Notification for Above Ground Storage Tank to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency once the tank has been installed. 5. The applicant shall submit a Spill Prevention and Control Countermeasure Plan to the Environmental Protection Agency. 6. The applicant shall apply and receive a building permit from the City. 7. The applicant shall place bollards to protect the fuel tank, gas meter, and fire hydrant subject to review and approval of the Building Official. 8. The well at the northwest corner of the site shall be abandoned per State requirements. 9. The applicant shall replace all landscaping materials required under the conditional use permit issued May 25, 1999, subject to review, inspection and approval by June 15, 2002. 10. Any other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff. Carried 4 -1, Commissioner Powell opposed. Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 3 of 6 B. Stillwater Ford To consider requests for Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Variance for lighting setback and fixture height requirements. City Planner Richards noted that the applicant had requested a continuance to December to allow for more complete plans to be developed. He noted that the timeline limits for this matter was such that there would be no problem, if the Commission elected to do so. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to continue this public hearing to December. Carried 5 -0. C. Oak Park Station / S8sC Bank: To consider requests for Preliminary Plat Approval, Planned Unit Development- Concept Plan, Planned Unit Development/ Conditional Use Permit - General Plan (S8sC Bank), Design Guidelines and Site Plan Review (S8sC Bank) for proposed Oak park Station located at Memorial Ave. N. property known as the Kern Center. City Planner Richards provided an overview of his report regarding applicant's request and discussed issues of relevance and the conditions cited within his report Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 8:05 p.m. Brad Coates, Goldridge Group - Addressed the matter of public street -vs- private street; indicating that either way is fine with them but that they would like to maintain the flexibility of setbacks as they are presently. John Johnson, Project Engineer - Discussed the proposed layout of the bank and traffic patterns in relation to the bank and the development as a whole. He stated that they desired to keep the bank drive area as far away from 58th St. as possible and to keep the lots appropriately sized for the remainder of the development and their drives. Mr. Johnson noted that the development is a seven -lot project and that it is anticipated that several different types of occupants will be interested in the area. As a result the footprint of each of the respective occupants buildings, will effectuate changes to the lot sizes and the bend of the road to accommodate design needs. Discussion ensued as to issues pertaining to traffic flow, safety design elements, bank building and drive - through placement, directional signage and drive through lane width, building design, platting and phasing of the development, access points, street development and storm water ponding. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund, moved to close the public hearing at 8:49 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer moved to recommend City Council approval of the preliminary plat /planned unit development, concept plan, and vacation of easements approval of a seven lot commercial subdivision entitled "Oak Park Station," subject to the following conditions: 1. Legal descriptions of the easements to be vacated in Kern Center and Kern Center 2nd Addition are provided by the applicant subject to approval of the City Engineer and City Attorney. It is recommended that the City Council set a public hearing to consider vacation of the easements. 2. The Planning Commission recommends that the proposed street within the development be dedicated and constructed as a public street. 3. The City Engineer and the applicable watershed district or authority provide comment and recommendation in regard to drainage, storm water ponding, and utility issues. 4. A temporary cul -de -sac is provided at the public street's southern terminus at the first phase of development. 5. As a condition of final plat approval, the applicant enter into a development agreement with the City. 6. The easements for the storm water drainage areas are subject to review and approval of the City Engineer and City Attorney. 7. As a condition of final plat approval, connection fees (for water, sewer and sanitary sewer) for all lots which comprise the proposed subdivision shall be paid. 8. A 25 -foot curb to building setback shall be required for all development within the project. 9. All other comments of the City Council, Planning Commission and City staff. It is further recommended that City Council approve final plat, planned unit development/ conditional use permit to allow a 6,000 square foot bank (with drive - through lanes) upon Lot 1, Block 1, Oak Park Station, subject to the following conditions: 1. The access to the public street is subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 2. A "do not enter" sign shall be installed near the southeast corner of the bank building so that vehicles do not enter the drive - through area from the parking area. Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 5 of 6 3. The setback of the building from the curb of the proposed street is maintained at 25 feet. 4. The site shall be provided with 40 parking stalls and five proof of parking stalls. 5. Specific building material colors are specified and found to be acceptable by the City. 6. The sidewalk is extended from the north side of the building to the proposed street. The Parks Commission shall review the need for additional sidewalks on 58th Street and Memorial Avenue. 7. All site lighting shall meet Zoning Ordinance requirements, is hooded and directed such that the source of the light is not visible from surrounding properties and rights -of -way. A revised plan shall be submitted that complies with all ordinance requirements subject to City staff review and approval. 8. The revised landscape plan shall be subject to review and approval by the City Arborist. 9. The area identification sign is located within an easement and the applicant provide a plan to ensure maintenance of the sign. 10. Details related to proposed wall signage are submitted subject to City approval. All signage shall conform to the Zoning Ordinance requirements. 11. The City Engineer provide comment and recommendation in regard to grading and drainage issues. 12. The City Engineer provide comment and recommendation in regard to utility issues. 13. A development agreement shall be required as part of the approvals subject to City Council and City Attorney review and approval. 14. All other conditions of the City Council, Planning Commission and City staff. Carried 5 -0. New Business A. Hwy. 36 Partnership Study Committee - Appointment of Representative(s): City Planner Richards reviewed Community Development Director Danielsons memo relative the formation of a Hwy. 36 Partnership Study Committee and asked for two members of the Planning Commission to volunteer to serve on the committee. Chair Vogt and Commissioner Powell volunteered to serve on the committee. Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 6 of 6 Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Vogt, moved to recommend City Council approval of Chair Vogt and Commissioner Powell as Planning Commission representatives to the Hwy. 36 Partnership Study Committee. Carried 5 -0. B. Comprehensive Plan Chair Vogt inquired of the Commission as to whether or not they felt the Comprehensive Plan should be reviewed in light of earlier events regarding the Village area east of Stagecoach Trail and to clarify potential annexation districts. Discussion was held as to the funding availability for this; wherein it was determined that 2002 would be a good time to look at the plan to ensure its applicability. Old Business A. Signage Subcommittee - Formation/ Membership: City Planner Richards noted that the Commission packet enclosure was self - explanatory and that representatives would be notified when the committee is organized and ready to begin. It is anticipated that the first meeting of this committee would occur in January 2002. Informational/ Update None. Adjournment Commissioner Powell seconded by Hedlund, moved to adjourn at 9:04 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respe ctfully submitted, 1 !�I Julie Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: 12 -13 -01