HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-2002 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, November 14, 2002
Call To Order Noting the absence of Chair Vogt and Vice Chair Dwyer,
Commissioner Runk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners
Liljegren and Powell; Community Development Director Danielson, City Planner
Richards, and Council Liaison McComber. Absent: Chair Vogt and Vice Chair Dwyer.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to elect
Commissioner Runk as Acting Chair for the meeting. Carried 3 -0.
Approval of Agenda Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Acting Chair Runk, moved
to approve the Agenda with the addition of Central Business Workshop added under
Informational. Carried 3 -0.
Approve Planning Commission Minutes:
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Acting Chair Runk, moved to approve the minutes
of October 10, 2002 as amended. Carried 3 -0.
Department /Commission Liaison Reports
1. Hwy. 36 Partnership Study Mary McComber reported that the next meeting of the
partnership committee will be 6:30 p.m., November 20 at the Washington County
Government Center.
2. Other Commission / Liaison Reports: None.
Visitors /Public Comment None.
Public Hearings
Continued - Renton Homes To consider a request for planned unit
development: concept plan, general plan and site plan review for 9 unit housing
development at Oakgreen Ave. N.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of the project, reviewed correspondence
from MnDOT, the planner's report for the project and reviewed the site plan and
discussed the issue of access.
Mary McComber provided an overview of MnDOT's role with respect to the project.
Acting Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment.
Mitch Johnson, E.O.R. representing Renton Homes introduced himself and addressed
issues of current discussion in relation to MnDOT's letter and City Planner Richards
project review.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 14, 2002
Page 2 of 6
Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Acting Chair Runk, moved to close the public
hearing. Carried 3 -0.
Discussion ensued as to roadway size, Pondview Condominium street ownership, right -
of -way, and access issues.
Acting Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to forward the matter
to the City Council without a recommendation. Carried 3 -0.
2. Steve Berres To consider a request for conditional use permit allowing a
residential dwelling to be moved onto a residential lot within the city limits and a
variance for rear -yard setback.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of the project and reviewed the planning
report regarding the same. He noted that a revised site plan had been provided to the
Commission since the finalization of the planning report.
Acting Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment.
Terry Poirier - 5636 Perkins Ave. N. expressed his support for approval and stated that
the former house had been an eye sore and that Mr. Berres has put a lot of work into
the site and should be permitted to move the new home in and get the site cleaned up.
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public
hearing. Carried 3 -0.
Commissioner Powell expressed that he felt the improvement to the residential site was
a great asset to the neighborhood.
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Acting Chair Runk moved to recommend City
Council approval, subject to the following conditions:
Upon relocation, the building shall comply with the applicable requirements of
the Uniform Building Code, subject to approval of the City's Building Official.
2. A site plan showing landscape improvements is submitted and approved by the
City Arborist.
3. A performance security is provided to the City as specified in Section 401.08 of
the Ordinance, including a performance bond for grading, sodding and
landscaping of the site, the amount of which shall be set by the Building Official
at the time of building permit issuance.
4. The relocated structure is ready for occupancy within eight months from the
date of location on the site.
Carried 3 -0.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 14, 2002
Page 3 of 6
3. Denny Hecker: To consider requests for site plan review, conditional use
permit and variance to setback requirements for property located at 5980 Neal
Ave. N.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of the project, its history and reviewed the
planning report for the request for a truck and conversion van sales lot and 5,000
square foot building.
Acting Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment.
There being no comment from the audience, Commissioner Powell, seconded by
Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 3 -0.
Discussion ensued as to specific use of the site for sales only, signage visibility of
surrounding retail uses and building color scheme.
Bill Rambo - Denny Hecker Group addressed questions from the Commission and
noted that the vehicles to the lot would be coming from the Stillwater Ford location,
described how the proposed building was placed and what affect placement would have
to existing retail signage in the area, and discussed color scheme and material
composition being considered for the site.
Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Acting Chair Runk, moved to recommend City
Council approval, subject to the following conditions:
An access permit from MnDOT is required for the access onto Neal Ave. N.
2. Employees of Stillwater Ford shall park on the Stillwater Ford property. Twenty -
three stalls shall be dedicated to customer and employee parking on the subject
site. Required parking stalls shall not be used for display, storage or sales.
3. Parking stalls are required to be at least 20 feet long with drive aisles that are at
least 24 feet wide. A revised site plan, subject to City staff review and approval is
required.
4. Revised grading, drainage, and utility plans shall be submitted and are subject to
review and approval by the City Engineer and applicable watershed district.
5. A revised landscape plan must be submitted and is subject to review and approval
by the City Arborist.
6. A revised north building elevation that includes vertical design features to break up
the expanse of wall shall be provided for City staff review and approval.
7. Building material colors shall be provided for City staff and City Council review and
approval. Colors shall be primarily warm tones.
8. A revised lighting plan that complies with the City's foot -candle requirements shall
be submitted for City staff review and approval. The fixtures shall be full cut off.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 14, 2002
Page 4 of 6
9. Elevations for the trash enclosure with materials specifics shall be submitted for
City staff review and approval. Enclosure materials shall be consistent with the
principal building materials.
Carried 2 -1, Commissioner Powell opposed.
4. AIG: To consider a request for planned unit development: concept plan for
commercial construction south of 60th St., west of Oakgreen Ave., and east of
Applebee's, located within the Central Business District.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of the proposed Kohl's and associated
retail entities project and noted various issues associated with the request.
Acting Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment.
Larry Langhor - AIG Properties provided a brief history of AIG's experience in
commercial retail development and summarized the challenges presented by this
project and its location. He noted that, assuming approval, construction would
commence September 2003 and the store would open October 2004.
Tom Raduenz - REI discussed some of the specifics of the project, the site plan, plans
of construction and what could be expected if approved. Mr. Raduenz addressed
questions presented to him during his presentation.
Terry Poirier - 5636 Perkins Ave. N. stated that he has been part of the committee that
has been discussing future changes to Hwy. 36 and expressed his concern about
future changes of the service roads and access along Hwy. 36 and how this plan would
fit with any changes. It was noted that MnDOT has not yet determined specific
changes.
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public
hearing. Carried 3 -0.
City Planner Richards provided additional comment and review of the over parking on
the lot and distributed and reviewed a list of preliminary conditions for the Commission
to consider.
Discussion ensued as to the potential roadway changes, conditions of approval and
time frame for process.
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend City
Council approval, subject to the following conditions:
The City finds the proposed concept plan, building and parking arrangements to
be acceptable.
2. The City recognize the site plan's failure to comply with the CBD Design
Guidelines and determine an appropriate means to address such condition (i.e.,
Guideline amendment to exclude the subject property or repeal of the
Guidelines) .
Planning Commission Minutes
November 14, 2002
Page 5 of 6
3. Novak Ave. be extended southward along the sites eastern boundary to 58th
Street.
4. Norwich Ave. be extended southward to provide public street access to proposed
Outlot 2.
5. Street right -of -way, which underlies the project and will not be used for public
streets shall be formally vacated with the understanding that the applicant shall
compensate the City for such vacation, the terms of which shall be specified in a
forthcoming development agreement.
6. Two easterly access points to Wal -Mart to be provided from extended Norwich
Ave.
7. A traffic study identifying the amount of traffic generated by the proposed use as
well as traffic capacity of the area street network be completed subject to review
by the City Engineer.
8. At least 40 stalls of the proposed 1,014 parking stalls on the concept plan shall
be shown as proof of parking and constructed as green space and trails.
9. Recognizing the site's excessive parking supply, the proposed east /west trailway
be enhanced to lie within an expanded and landscaped greenway corridor.
10. Valley Senior Services Alliance (VSSA) grant off -site ponding for the project. If
VSSA does not grant such ponding allowance, the concept plan shall be
resubmitted with required on -site ponding areas.
11. A utility plan be submitted subject to review and approval by the City Engineer.
As part of such plan, the developer shall be responsible for the following:
a. Burying the existing power line along Highway 36 (at the developer's
expense)
b. Verifying utility locations.
12. Sidewalks/ trails shall be provided in the following areas:
a. Along at least one side of Norwich Ave., continue to 58th St.
b. Along at least one side of Novak Ave.
C. Within the east /west greenway corridor between the Kohl's store and
outlot building.
Carried 3 -0.
4. Continued - 401 Ordinance Amendment: To consider amendment to City
of Oak Park Heights Ordinance 401 as it pertains to signage.
City Planner Richards provided a brief history of the proposed amendment and
reviewed changes made to the proposed amendment.
Acting Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 14, 2002
Page 6 of 6
Their being no comment from the audience, Commissioner Powell, seconded by
Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing . Carried 3 -0.
Discussion ensued as to various aspects of the sign ordinance revision including,
methods of enforcement and making the public aware of the regulations.
Acting Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend city
Council approve Ordinance 401 as amended and to include map change west of Hwy.
36.
Carried 3 -0.
New Business
Council Meeting Representation Schedule:
Acting Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to carry item to
December meeting for discussion. Carried 3 -0.
Old Business None.
Informational/ Update
Updated Planning Commission Membership Information:
Community Development Director Danielson informed the Commission that this was
for their information only.
Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Acting Chair Runk, moved to receive the
information as prepared by Community Development Secretary Hultman. Carried 3 -0.
2. Central Business District Joint Workshop with Council, Planning and Parks
Commission.
Community Development Director Danielson informed the Commission that a joint
workshop had been scheduled by the City Council to be held with the Planning
Commission and Parks Commission at 5:15 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2003 at City
Hall for the purpose of discussing the Central Business District.
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Acting Chair Runk, moved to receive the information
as presented by Community Development Director Danielson. Carried 3 -0.
Adjournment Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to
adjourn at 9:07 p.m. Carried 3 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
C " K.. 41 1
Julie Hultman
Community Development
Approved by the Planning Commission: 1- 16 -03. 5 -0