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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-2003 Minutes' CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, May 8, 2003 Call To Order /Approval of Agenda Chair Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Liljegren, Runk and Powell. City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison McComber. Commissioner Powell, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4 -0. Approve Minutes: Chair Dwyer, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to approve the Minutes of April 10, 2003 as amended. Carried 4 -0. Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports A. Commission Liaison Commission Liaison McComber reported that she has requested the Hwy. 36 design recommendation to be placed on the May 13, 2003 City Council agenda for discussion. B. Other: None. Visitors /Public Comment There were no visitors to the meeting or public comment other than items upon the Agenda.. Public Hearings A. Midas - Multi- tenant Retail Building To consider requests for site plan review, zoning district text amendment and conditional use permit for a one - story, multi - tenant retail building located between Applebee's and Jerry's Auto Detail at 60"' St. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the requests, noting that the area is currently zoned CBD - Central Business District which does not include minor auto repair and that the text amendment being requested is to allow the use as a conditional use within the CBD zoning district. Richards reviewed the May 2, 2003 Planning Report for the matter and provided an issue analysis for the same. He noted that there were a number of issues remaining to be resolved and suggested the Commission consider tabling the conditional use permit and site plan review requests to allow time for their issues to be addressed. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment at 7:15 p.m. Charles Radloff for the applicant, addressed the Commission and stated that they didn't see any serious problems with the conditions of the planning report; however he was somewhat surprised at the MnDOT access decision. He stated that they had discussed the project with MnDOT and while he thought they had this area covered he would work on the issued. Mr. Radloff commented on the zoning text amendment, stating that the land had been conveyed, with a covenant that a Midas building be on the site, prior to the area being zoned CBD and that it had been their understanding that this land had been "grandfathered" and that the text amendment is a critical issue to the proposed project. Planning Commission Minutes May 8, 2003 Page 2 of 5 Peter Houser, property owner, introduced himself and responded to Commissioner Dwyer that he was aware of the potential changes to Hwy. 36 but also understood that at this time nothing in the way of changes had been firmly established. Mr. Houser stated that he has had numerous conversations with MnDOT and has been led to believe that this property would not be jeopardy with any changes to the roadway. He briefly discussed the transfer history of the property and his purchase of it in 1993 with a deed covenant that a Midas be constructed on the property, Mr. Houser has been a Midas franchisee for the past 25 years. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to close the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Commission discussion ensued as to the property deed covenant, planner's request to table the conditional use permit and site plan review, Hwy. 36 changes and potential ramifications, deadlines to act upon the applicant's request, Hwy. 36 mapping and timeline goals and general concern of potential changes and their impact upon the property being considered. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Chair Dwyer, moved to continue the public hearing to the June, 2003 meeting. Carried 4 -0. B. Kohl's : To consider a request for planned unit development: concept plan for construction of a Kohl's department store and four retail tenant spaces located East of Menards at 60`'' St. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the applicant's requests, reviewed the planning report of May 1, 2003, provided an issue analysis and offered concluding remarks and recommendations. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment at 7:40 p.m. Steve Johnson — North American Properties addressed the issue of former Kohl's applicant, AIG having not formally withdrawn from the project and explained how North American Properties became involved with the project. He offered to contact AIG representatives for formal withdrawal to simplify things if desired by the Commission. Mr. Johnson addressed the planner's reports and the conditions set forth within the same, noting that they are interested in having the future expansion included with concept approval. Discussion commenced as to setback requirements, parking ratios, construction process, timelines and relativity of project to other Kohl's developments. Issues related to landscaping, access and sidewalks was discussed as was tree removal and preservation requirements. Dan Parks — Westwood Professional Services discussed the design layout and described how they derived at the internal driveway concept as part of long term planning with future retail expansion. Planning Commission Minutes May 8, 2003 Page 3 of 5 Residents of the Autumn Ridge neighborhood were present and asked for elaboration of the traffic study relative to increased traffic at 58"' and Newgate. City Planner Richards noted that the potential changes to Hwy. 36 will reduce traffic on 58 Street. Discussion was had as to screening at site between the proposed project and the residential areas. Discussion was had as to loading dock design, delivery schedules, traffic and noise associated with store deliveries. North American Properties stated that they would provide the City with information pertaining to truck traffic and delivery. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to close the public hearing at 8:14 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Commission discussion ensued as to the Commission's desire to see parking reduced, conditions language to review and reduce parking requirements, 10 foot setback requirement, landscaping designing with a 5:1 ratio for parking and the Commission's desire to see the applicant and staff work together to determine an appropriate parking ratio for the site. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend City Council concept plan approval, subject to the following conditions: 1. The City finds that the proposed concept plan, building and parking arrangement to be acceptable. 2. Rezoning of the property to B -2 with a planned unit development overlay would occur concurrently with the general plan of development approval. Concept plan approval includes the proposed 19,200 square foot Kohl's expansion. 4. The access to Norell Avenue may be moved north pending approval by Wal -Mart of an access easement and approval of the City Engineer. The City Engineer shall comment on the traffic analysis provided by the applicant. The traffic circulation plan and required improvements shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. The grading and drainage plan shall be subject to review and approval of the Brown's Creek Watershed District and the City Engineer. All required stormwater improvements and /or payments shall be outlined in the general plan approval and the development contract. 7. The Zoning Ordinance parking requirement of six parking spaces per 1,000 square feet may be varied for this development as part of the General Plan of Development approvals. Applicants shall work with City staff to determine appropriate ratio for the development. Parking stalls that are in excess of the requirements for this development may be shown on the site plan as proof of parking and landscaped appropriately. Planning Commission Minutes May 8, 2003 Page 4 of 5 The concept utility plan is subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. The Parks Commission shall comment on the need for additional trails and sidewalks on /or adjacent to the subject site. Sidewalk connections along Norell Avenue and Krueger Lane to 58` Street with crosswalks should be considered. 10. The general plan shall address adequate berms, fences and landscaping along 58`' Street and Krueger Lane to screen the loading dock areas. 11. The architectural appearance of the structure shall be subject to Design Guidelines review as part of the general plan of development consideration. 12. Detailed plans related to lighting, signage and landscaping shall be subject to review as part of the general plan of development consideration. 13. The grading and placement of a retaining wall adjacent to the transmission line towers shall be subject to written approval of Xcel Energy. 14. The applicant shall be required to enter into a development contract with the City subject to review and approval of the City Attorney and City Council. All cross easements and other easement documents required for this development shall be subject to review and approval of the City Attorney. Carried 4 -0. C. Zoning Ordinance Amendment To consider amendments to the Oak Park Heights Zoning Ordinance relating to voting requirements, application schedule and review periods. City Planner Richards reviewed the May 1, 2003 planning report regarding the proposed amendment and discussed voting requirements and language for the proposed changes. Commission discussion ensued as to the language changes, majority- voting requirements and some suggested text clarification was made. The Commission expressed its desire to see information more complete and to have the Commission and the City Council closer to the same page for review information. The Commission also expressed its desire to see developers in earlier to allow more time for their requests to be processed. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment. There were no visitors to the public hearing. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Chair Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4 -0. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to forward to the City Council, recommending approval, subject to staff recommendations. Carried 4 -0. Planning Commission Minutes May 8, 2003 Page 5 of 5 New Business A. Recommend Planning Commission Appointment Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren moved to recommend that the City Council reappoint Mike Runk to a 3 -year planning commission term. Carried 3 -0 -1, Runk abstained. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren moved to recommend that the City Council appoint Chuck Oswald to a 3 -year planning commission term, effective May 31, 2003. Carried 4 -0. B. Select June Council Representative Brief discussion ensued, wherein Chair Dwyer stated that he would serve as the Planning Commission representative to the City Council for the month of June. Chair Dwyer ask that the Commission be provided with a current schedule for Council representation. Old Business: None. Informational A. Next Meeting June 12, 2003 - 7:OOp.m. B. Council Representative May - Vice Chair Runk June - Chair Dwyer C. Montanari Homes City Planner Richards noted that Montanari Homes was moving forward with their project and that there were some changes made to the original plan which will be reviewed by the City Council at their May 13, 2003 meeting. Adjournment Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to adjourn at 9:01 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Respectfully submitted, Ju ie A. Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: June 12, 2003. 5 -0