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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-2001 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES • , nFERFrI 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 Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to approve the Agenda with 24 -Hour Gas Station Operation added as item A. to Old Business. Carried 5 -0. Approval of November 8 2001 Minutes Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to approve the minutes as amended. Carried 5 -0. Visitors None. Public Hearings A. Continued - Stillwater Ford To consider request for Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Variance for lighting setback and fixture height requirements. City Planner Richards provided a review the of the applicants request for a conditional use permit amendment and variance and reviewed his report regarding the same. He also noted a correspondence received from a resident of Autumn Hills neighborhood, expressing opposition in making exceptions to the lighting standards established by the City. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment. The applicant was present and addressed issues noted in the planner's report and responded to questions from the Commission. Discussion ensued as to matters related to the request and concerns were voiced regarding the same. Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend that the City Council approve the applicants request for Amended Conditional Use Permit and lighting variance, subject to the following conditions: 1. All freestanding light fixtures shall be replaced with fixtures and light sources that do not exceed a total height of 25 feet. 2. The five floodlights shall be removed. No additional flood lighting of the building fagade or sales lot shall be allowed. Planning Commission Minutes December 13, 2001 Page 2 of 4 3. The lighting plan shall be revised to reflect a light intensity in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance requirements. All fixtures shall be installed such that the light intensity is compliant with the Zoning Ordinance requirements. The applicant shall provide proof of compliance once all of the lighting fixtures are installed on site. 4. The Planning Commission recommended and the City Council approve a variance and amended CUP to allow the eight freestanding fixtures to remain at less than the 10 -foot setback requirement. 5. Any other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff Carried 5 -0. B. Oppidan /Oak Park Ponds To consider request for Signage Variance. City Planner Richards provided a review the of the applicants request for a sign variance and reviewed his report regarding the same. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment. The applicant was present and expressed tenants concern for visibility of their business signage. He stated that he felt the Pony Express Auto Wash signage obstructs the visibility of the signage at Oak Park Ponds and is seeking to do whatever possible to increase their visibility. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Discussion ensued as to ordinance requirements regarding signage in the front and /or rear of buildings, visibility of business signage in Oak Park Heights and neighboring communities, site -line issues, lighting and related issues. Commissioner Runk moved to recommend variance approval, subject to conditions of Planner's report. Motion died for lack of a second. Continued discussion ensued as to larger signs being requested for rear of building in comparison to those of business front signage, pre- maturity of allowing deviance from ordinance requirements without thorough review of the ordinance itself, amounts of signage technically feasible to other business if approved, and potential size limitations for rear building signage. Planning Commission Minutes December 13, 2001 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to approve variance request, subject to the following conditions: 1. The pylon sign shall be allowed to be increased in size to a maximum of 310 square feet and contain individual tenant identification. 2. The pylon sign must remain a maximum of 30 feet in heights. 3. A 150 square foot Rainbow sign be allowed on the northeast corner of the Rainbow Foods building. 4. One added wall sign not to exceed 65 square feet shall be allowed for each tenant space on the building which backs up to 58th Street. 5. The wall light fixtures on the north side of the Rainbow Foods building shall be retrofitted to be compliant with Zoning Ordinance lighting requirements. 6. All other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff. Carried 4 -1, Commissioner Hedlund opposed. C. Montanari Homes To consider requests for Site Plan Review and Planned Unit Development: Concept Plan for 9 -unit office complex at 13481 60th St. N. City Planner Richards reviewed applicant's requested and provided an overview of his report regarding the same, noting issues of concern and his recommendation that the Commission comment on the site plan and issued but hold any consideration of the request until additional information is received from the applicant. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment. Bart Montanari- Montanari Homes addressed issues presented within the planning report and addressed questions from the Commission and provided information to them for their use. Doug Peterson - Eagles 94 Club stated that he was in attendance to learn what was taking place and expressed that the Eagles 94 Club was open to working with Mr. Montanari toward finding a mutually workable resolution. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to continue this matter to January 10, 2001 to allow applicant to work through issues. Carried 5 -0. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes December 13, 2001 Page 4 of 4 New Business A. Commissioner Resi . lri ation Chair Vogt read and presented Resolution of Recognition to Chuck Hedlund and thanked him for his contribution to the Commission. B. Commission Vacancy Schedule Interview Time and Date Commissioner Runk, seconded by Chair Vogt, moved to recommend that the City Council approve January 3, 2002 - 6:00 p.m. as the date and time for interview of Planning Commission applicants. Carried 5 -0 Old Business A. 24 -Hour Gas Station Operation: Commissioner Runk noted that the gasoline pumps at Superamerica on 60th Street could become 24 hour operational and suggested that the Commission should take a look at the whether or not 24 hours gasoline service, without attendants, is permitted. Brief discussion on the matter was held, wherein it was noted that staff should bring this to the City Council if they deemed it to be appropriate. Informational / Update A. 2002 Parks 8s Planning Meeting/Representation Schedule The Commission acknowledged receipt of schedule and made no changes to the same. Adjournment Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Hedlund, moved to adjourn at 9:12 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Julie Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: 1- 10 -02. 5 -0.