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Home My WebLink About07-11-2002 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Call To Order Chair Vogt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dwyer, Liljegren, Powell, and Runk; Community Development Director Danielson, City Planner Richards, and Council Liaison McComber. App roval of Agenda Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 5 -0. Ap prove Planning Commission Minutes° Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to approve the minutes of June 13, 2002 as presented. Carried 5 -0. Prtment /Commission Liaison Reports I. l : Mary McComber reported that the partnership committee has been discussing aspects of Hwy. 36 and interchange design options. The next meeting of the Hwy. 36 Partnership Study will be in September. 2. Other Commission Liaison Reports None. Visitors /Public Comment None. Pub Hearin s A. Steve & Lynn Thron To consider a request for variance for construction of garages for an apartment building at 14386 58th St. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicant's request and a summary of his report regarding the same. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:08 p.m. Rick Wells - 5887 Olinda Ave. N. questioned staff and the commission as to regulations regarding accessory buildings. He stated that he is concerned about the property values for his home and other single- family homes in the neighborhood. Steve Thron addressed the Commission as the applicant and stated that he thought the garages would be a parking solution. He stated that he had spoken with the neighbor across the street regarding the proposed garages and received the impression that she thought it was a good idea. He indicated that he did feel it was not fair for them to be at fault for the way the building was originally constructed. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2002 Page 2 of 6 Discussion ensued as to the size of the site, variance requirements for non - conforming lots, potential affect to property values, the desire to see the applicant work toward a better suited plan for garage space and for increased neighborhood comment. The applicant stated that he was open to any suggestions for what may be workable. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to continue the public hearing until August 8th. Carried 5 -0. B. WATE Enterprises To consider request for amendment to planned unit development for construction of a new building, on Memorial Ave. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicant's request for planned unit development amendment, for construction of one 9,600 square foot building of the same styling as the neighboring buildings. Richards reviewed his report regarding the same, noting that approval was being recommended, subject to conditions. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:08 p.m. Council Liaison McComber noted that correspondence was received by neighboring resident, _Carol Palmquist addressing her concern of truck noise during early morning and later evening hours. Wil Zintl addressed the Commission as the applicant, WATE Enterprises. He stated that the proposed building is identical to the building at 5660 Memorial Ave. N., other than the striping and detail colors. He stated that he addressed the need for a turn around with the Fire Chief, who indicated that it would not be necessary. He added that the Fire Chief would be preparing a written statement for staff. Mr. Zintl discussed several other issues of the Planner's report with the Commission and staff. He stated that he works hard to be a good neighbor and will work with the City on any areas needed and asked Council Liaison McComber to please have Carol Palmquist contact him regarding her concerns and he will work with her to find a resolution to the best of his ability. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Brief discussion ensued as the proposed building, traffic of business occupants and the conditions within the Planner's report. Chair Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend approval of the amended planned unit development to include the proposed building construction, subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall redesign the site plan to allow for a turn- around between the H.S.I. building and the proposed building if required by the Fire Chief and subject to approval of the City Engineer. 2. The landscape plan is subject to the review and approval of the City Arborist. Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2002 Page 3 of 6 3. Curb and gutter will not be required at this time around the parking and driveway areas west of the proposed building, but will be required at the time a second building is approved. 4. The lighting and photometric plans shall be consistent with the Zoning Ordinance lighting standards. 5. The grading, utility, and drainage plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer and the applicable Watershed District. 6. A development agreement between the City and applicant shall be subject to review and approval of the City Attorney. Cross easements shall be required for the joint access driveway subject to the approval of the City Attorney. 7. Any additional comments from the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff. Carried 5 -0. C. Stillwater Motors To consider request for amendment to conditional use permit for parking lot expansion. City Planner Richards provided a review of the applicant's request and his report regarding the same, noting that the requested snow removal plan has been submitted and discussing some of the issues related to earlier conditional use permit requirements. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:42 p.m. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren moved to close the public haring at 7:43 p.m. Commission discussion ensued as to earlier parking lot expansion, non - conformity of signage, and the possibility of future expansion. The applicant, D.J. Raduenz was present and answered questions from the Commission. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to recommend approval of the request for conditional use permit for parking lot expansion, subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall provide at least four handicapped accessible stalls for the customer, employees, and vehicle sales lots. 2. The applicant shall provide a snow removal plan subject to approval of City staff. 3. The lighting plan shall be revised to comply with all Zoning Ordinance standards subject to approval of City staff. 4. The grading and drainage plans are subject to review and approval of the City Engineer and the applicable Watershed District. Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2002 Page 4 of 6 5. The Planning Commission should recommend and the City Council approve any changes to conditions 7 and 11 of the conditional use permit, signed on November 8, 2000 for the employee parking lot. 6. The landscape plan is subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. 7. Any other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council or City staff. Carried 5 -0 D. Malley Senior Services Alliance consider request for amendment to planned unit development, allowing for mechanical enclosure/ landscape screening. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the request, including the City Council's request to provide a recommendation on the decorative light fixtures and the screening for ground mechanical devices for the main campus building. Richard's reviewed his report regarding the same. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:58 p.m. K Hooge of Sr. Housing Partners introduced himself and made himself available for questions. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to close the public hearing at 7:59 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Discussion ensued as to design of enclosure and nature of required screening. Chair Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend City Council approval of the amended planned unit development for the site plan change, approval of the decorative carriage style lights as installed on the building, and approval of the plans for the mechanical screening enclosures, subject to the following conditions: The trash enclosure shall be screened with additional landscaping as approved by the City Arborist. 2. Any other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council or City staff. Carried 5 -0. E. Walgreen's To consider request for amendment to the conditional use permit at 6061 Osgood Ave. N. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the request for amendment to site plan and conditional use permit, allowing the width of the drive through lane to be expanded from 12 feet to 16 feet. He reviewed his report regarding the same. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 8:06 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2002 Page 5 of 6 John Kohler of Semper Development provided the Commission with an update as to the proposed changes to the site and provided them with photos of landscaping for their convenience. Community Development Director Danielson noted comments received from Jeanne And erson regarding the site as it relates to traffic in the area. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing at 8:09 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request for amendment, subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall redesign the site plan to illustrate a 24 -foot wide drive lane and a 4 -foot wide sidewalk along the west side of the building. 2. The applicant shall grant the City a public access easement for a sidewalk adjacent to Osgood Avenue, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney. 3. This amended approval is subject to all the original conditions of approval as outlined in the original conditional use permit, dated May 31, 2002. 4. Condition number 11 of the original resolution shall be amended to read as follows, "This Conditional Use Permit requires that any change in the use of the property must comply with the City Ordinances and parking standards in place at the time the use changes." 5. The revised landscape plan is subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. Carried 5 -0. F. Continued - Oakgreen `tillage 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. Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 8:15 p.m. Ken Hooge of Sr. Housing Partners summarized the site changes and process to date. He stated that they have been working to assemble a plan that works for both the City and for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. He noted that they are still working on the tot lot location. Mr. Hooge addressed a number of questions from the Commission and staff and walked through a schematic plan, briefly describing road alignments in relation to the existing roadways around the proposed project. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to continue the public hearing to the August meeting of the Planning Commission. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2002 Page 6 of 6 Chair Vogt called for a five- minute recess, after which the meeting reconvened G. Continued - 401 Ordinance Amendment: To consider amendment to City of Oak Park Heights Ordinance 401 as it pertains to signage. City Planner Richards provided an overview of the City Sign Ordinance draft status and recapped the ongoing public hearing for the same. Richards asked the Commission for the preference in direction to proceed. Chair Vogt opened hearing for public comment at 8:24 p.m. There being no visitors in the audience to address the matter, discussion ensued as to the need for public comment, timing of meetings and draft completion, draft composition for review, alternatives for soliciting greater feedback. Community Development Director Danielson stated that staff would send a mailing to Oak Park Heights businesses informing them that the issue is being discussed and that their comments are welcome. Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to continue the public hearing to Planning Commission meeting of August 8, 2002. Carried 5 -0. New Business None. Old Business None. Informational/ Update 1. Superamerica 24 -Hour Fueling Commissioner Runk noted that at an earlier meeting, the Commission told an applicant that they could not have 24 -hour fueling service. Since that time, he has commented on the new pumps installed at Superamerica at 60th St. N. and Omaha Ave. He has now observed that their sign advertises 24 -hour fuel service is now available. Adjournment Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to adjourn at 8:58 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, J ie Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: