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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-2002 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, April 11, 2002 Call To Order Chair Vogt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Liljegren, Powell, and Runk; Community Development Director Danielson, City Planner Richards, and Council Liaison McComber. Absent: Commissioner Dwyer. Approval of Agenda Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4 -0. Approve Planning Commission Minutes Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to approve the minutes of March 4, 2002 as presented. Carried 4 -0. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to approve the minutes of March 14, 2002 with typographical corrections to #3 and #11 on page 3. Carried 4 -0. Department /Commission Liaison Reports Signage Subcommittee Chuck Dougherty reported that the subcommittee had concluded their meetings and that they identified nineteen items, which will be presented, along with their suggestions, to the Commission for their review and consideration for proposed ordinance amendment. He noted that the subcommittee would be happy to meet with the Planning Commission at a workshop regarding the suggestions should they desire to do so. Chair Vogt extended thanks to the members of the subcommittee and to Community Development Director Danielson for working with them. Vogt presented Mr. Dougherty, Mike Runk and Mary McComber with certificates of appreciation. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to receive report. Carried 4 -0. Certificates will be mailed to those subcommittee members not present to receive theirs personally. A public hearing for consideration of amending ordinance 401, as it pertains to signage will be held May 9th at 7:00 p.m. 2. Hwy. 36 Partnership Study Mary McComber reported that design styles have been narrowed to three options. She briefly described the three style options and reported that the next meeting of the Hwy. 36 Partnership Study is scheduled for May 8th. An open house, to be held at Stillwater Area High School, is also scheduled for May 22nd from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. McComber indicated that an artistic rendition of the parkway concept should be available, along with the three design styles, for viewing at that time. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to receive report. Carried 4 -0. Planning Commission Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 2 of 7 3. Other Commission / Liaison Reports None. Visitors /Public Comment: Patrick Estes - 5770 Oakgreen Ave., N. expressed his concern for pedestrian safety on Oakgreen Avenue. He stated that he believed it unsafe for pedestrians to walk on or cross the street and that he would like to see measures taken to improve safety on the street and decrease its traffic volume. Public HearinLys: A. St. Croix Mail LLC To consider requests for planned unit development amendment and site plan review for exterior improvements at 5909 Omaha Ave. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicant's requests and discussed essential elements of the project. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:21 p.m. Marc Partridge Andersen Corporation Project Architect, introduced himself and addressed questions from the Commission, including future plans for the facility, landscaping, and estimated number of employees upon completion of the project. Mr. Partridge clarified issues within the Planners Report with City Planner Richards and Community Development Director Danielson. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Carried 4 -0. The Commission discussed conditions of planning report, including parking requirement. Chair Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to recommend that the City Council approve the applicant's request for planned unit development amendment, allowing exterior improvements, subject to the conditions within the April 4, 2002 City Planner's report, as follows: 1. The portion of the receiving area canopy within the Xcel Energy easement is subject to review and approval by Xcel Energy. 2. All mall building wall light fixtures must be retrofitted to be full cutoff. 3. Grading and drainage issues are subject to review and approval of the City Engineer and review of the applicable watershed authority if required. 4. Any changes to existing utilities or construction over existing utility service lines is subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. Carried 4 -0. Discussion ensued as to site improvements for the area, including Swager Park area. Planning Commission Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 3 of 7 Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to encourage the City Council and Andersen Corporation to work together to identify opportunities and shared interests regarding the future development of the site. Carried 4 -0. B. Continued: Anthony Lodge To consider request for conditional use permit, allowing major auto repair and outdoor auto sales at 14621 60th St. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview and history of past uses within the B -2, General Business District and described the proposed use for the building, noting specific requirements as per the City's Ordinances. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:39 p.m. Tony Lodge introduced himself as the applicant, clarified the lighting condition within the planning report and made himself available for questions. Chair Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to close the public hearing at 7:41 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Brief discussion ensued as to the conditions of the planning report, including lighting requirements, Arborist comments and signage considerations. Chair Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend that the City Council approve the applicant's request for conditional use permit, allowing major auto repair and outdoor auto sales at 14621 60th St. N., subject to the conditions within the April 4, 2002 City Planner's report, as follows: The outdoor sales area shall be limited to not more than three parking stalls. 2. All automobile repair activities shall be conducted within the principle structure and the doors to the service bays kept closed except when vehicles are being moved in or out of the service bays. 3. The landscape plan and existing plant materials are subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. 4. The bituminous parking surface and concrete curb are subject to Zoning Ordinance requirements and the review and approval of the City Engineer. 5. The exterior lighting to include wall mounted and freestanding light fixtures shall be retrofitted to conform to Section 401. IS. B.7 of the Zoning Ordinance. 6. There shall be no exterior storage of automobile parts, parts cars, or related items on the site. All storage shall be internal to the building. Any cars to be stored outside of the building shall be in full working order. 7. All noise created from operations on the site shall be in conformance with Section 401.15.B.11 of the Zoning Ordinance. Planning Commission Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 4 of 7 8. The automotive repair and any food operations shall be totally separated including all ventilation systems and storage of materials in conformance with the requirements of the Washington County Department of Health, Environment and Land Management, and the Building Official. 9. The applicant shall receive and retain a Hazardous Waste Generators License from Washington County, if required. 10. The applicant shall receive and retain an air discharge permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, if required. 11. All signage shall be subject to Section 401.15.G.9 of the Zoning Ordinance. 12. The applicant shall provide building plans and elevations for the improvements subject to review and approval of the Building Official. Carried 4 -0. C. Continued. - McKean Square rest: To consider a request for a planned unit development: concept plan for Phase II, Boutwell's Landing, located south of Norwich Pkwy. and Nolan Ave. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicant's request and summary of issues. He asked for Commission recommendation as to how they would prefer to move forward with this request. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:53 p.m. Allen Black - Valley Senior Services Alliance addressed issues of planner's report and reviewed the amended plan for the project area, noting changes made, including widening of the streets and inclusion of emergency vehicle access at cul-de-sac in SE corner. He indicated that they would still be seeking variances for setbacks Discussion ensued as to the applicants desire to move forward with current plan irrespective of the McKean East outcome in Baytown Township and shared services agreement. Additional discussion was had as to the roadway placement and access points and the possibility of continuing this hearing, along with the others related to it, to a special meeting no later than approximately two weeks out. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend continuance of the public hearing to a special meeting with a date no later than approximately two weeks from the date of April 11, 2002. Carried 4 -0. Chair Vogt called for a ten- minute break. Planning Commission Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 5 of 7 D. Continued - Oakgreen Tillage To`rrnhomes To consider requests for a planned unit development: concept plan, conditional use permit and zoning amendment from O, open space to R -3, multiple family residential for the construction of a multi- family housing development, located north and south of 58th St. N. and west of Oakgreen Ave. N. City Planner Richards provided a summary of the applicants' request and issues, including, comprehensive plan, street, tax increment financing, building orientation, and development south of 58th St. N. Allen Black - Valley Senior Services Alliance discussed changes to site plan for this area, noting that the building orientation has been adjusted. Discussion ensued as to sedimentation basin, park dedication and stormwater ponding issues, curb cuts, access, number of units, etc. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 8:46 p.m. Pam Hamre - 13887 56 St. N. stated that her comments were in respect to all of the applications for the area and that she did not feel that the proposals were smart growth. She expressed her dislike of so many trees needing to be removed, her concern about the proposed density and building heights and questioned where families and children fit into the proposed design. Chris Diedrich - 13910 56th St. N. stated that he would like to see better use of berming and expressed that he would prefer to see this project not approved. Mauritz Anderson - 13902 56th St. N. expressed his concern about the pond elevations and noted that he felt the pond levels were already a problem for the neighborhood. He is also concerned with the access points on the roadways in relation to pedestrian safety and traffic volume and speed. He dislikes the feeling of his neighborhood being closed in by higher density neighborhoods. Velessa Caspers 13950 - 56th St. N. is opposed to the layout and encouraged consideration of no new buildings south of 58th St. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend continuance of the public hearing to a special meeting with a date no later than approximately two weeks from the date of April 11, 2002. Carried 4 -0. Commission discussion ensued wherein Commissioner Powell voiced, for the record, as a citizen, that he too would like to see the area south of 58th Street kept as open space. Discussion continued regarding traffic and roadway improvements for the area north of 58th Street, public versus private streets and overall density, comprehensive plan aspects, rezoning possibilities, ponding elevations, the desire to have input from the Parks Commission, and the desire to receive comment from the City Engineer regarding ponding elevations and traffic issues. Planning Commission Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 6 of 7 E. Continued - Oakgreen Village Villas To consider requests for a planned unit development: concept plan and. conditional use permit for the construction of a multi - family housing development, located north of 58th St. N. and west of Oakgreen Ave. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicants' request and a summary of the issues, including CBD planning, streets and building orientation. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 9:16 p.m. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend continuance of the public hearing to a special meeting with a date no later than approximately two weeks from the date of April 11, 2002. Carried 4 -0. F. Continued - Oakgreen Village Apartments To consider requests for a planned unit development: concept plan and conditional use permit for the construction of a multi - family housing development located north of 58th St. N. and west of Oakgreen Ave. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicants' request and a summary of the issues, including streets, building orientation and building height. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 9:35 p.m. Allen Black - Valley Senior Services Alliance discussed elevations and architectural elements for this area and discussed how the design can affect traffic patterns and volume. Dick Gacke - 13964 56th St. N. stated that he liked the building design, but did not like the height of them and that he was also concerned with the pond elevations and flooding. David Dye - Dominium discussed the reasoning for building placement and exposures, including the issues of elevation for the same. Velessa Caspers - 13950 - 56th St. N. applauded the City for what has been done with the Boutwell's Landing project so far and stated that she felt it has turned out beautiful. She stated that she realized that discussions were being held on individual projects but also that the project should be dealt with as a whole, in that the enormity of the project felt overwhelming. She suggested that perhaps the project should be slowed down to see how some of the commercial aspects and what has already been put in place pans out. Norma Anderson - 13902 56th St. N. stated that she felt the building design was good but that she did not feel the style and height blended with the existing neighborhoods. She is also concerned about springs being located where the underground parking is being proposed. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend continuance of the public hearing to a special meeting with a date no later than approximately two weeks from the date of April 11, 2002. Carried 4 -0. Planning Commission Minutes April 11, 2002 Page 7 of 7 New Business 1. Joint Worksession With City Council It was the Commission's consensus that there was no need for additional comment at this time. 2. Special Meeting Sch.edu.lin : In light of the public hearing discussion and motions to hold special meeting for public hearings continued, discussion was held as to a specific date for the same. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend Monday, May 6, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. as the date and time for special meeting. Carried 4 -0. Community Development Director Danielson advised the Commission that June 14th was the deadline to comply with the 120 -day requirement to act upon the applications. Old Business 1. _ylaws Commission Liaison McComber addressed the Commission as to differences between the bylaws and the way the actual commission meeting is operating. She noted that the bylaws indicate a different agenda forma, which states that a roll call will be made at the meeting and that a secretary will be provided at the meetings. She suggested that minor changes be made to include these items. Discussion commenced wherein the Commission indicated that they found the current Agenda format and meeting procedure to be fine. They further indicated that they felt the secretary requirement was complied with, as Community Director Danielson records motions made at the meeting and Community Development Secretary Hultman prepares the Minutes from the video tape of the meeting. Informational/ Update None. Adjournment Commissioner Runk, seconded by Liljegren, moved to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Respectfully submitted, Julie Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: May 9, 2002. 4 -0.