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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2003 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, August 14, 2003 Call To Order Chair Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Oswald, Runk and Powell. City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison McComber. Absent: Commissioner Liljegren. Approval of Agenda: Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Chair Dwyer, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4 -0. Approve Minutes: Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to approve the Minutes of July 10, 2003 as presented. Carried 4 -0. Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports A. Commission Li aison: McComber informed the Commission that the Hwy. 36 Advisory Committee was to resume meeting soon regarding the roadway mapping and environmental impact. McComber discussed the estimated timing for the mapping and addressed questions from the Commission as to process. B. Other: None. Visitors /Public Comment: None. Public Hearings A. Continued: Midas - Multi- tenant Retail Building To consider requests for site plan review 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 noted that the City Council acted to deny change to the Central Business District zoning that would allow minor auto. He stated that the City, has received correspondence, on behalf of the applicant, requesting a continuance to August 26, 2003. Richards pointed out that a regular scheduled meeting of the Commission was not scheduled until September and discussed additional information needed to the site plan that would not include a Midas in order for a proposed project at this site to be considered. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment. There being no visitors to the public hearing Commissioner Powell, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4 -0. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to recommend City Council denial of the applicant's request for site plan review and conditional use permit. Carried 4 -0. Planning Commission Minutes August 14, 2003 Page 2 of 7 B. Snyder's PUD Amendment To consider a request for planned unit development amendment for redevelopment of existing strip mall, located at the corner of Osgood Ave. N. and 60` St. N., for a one- story, multi- tenant retail building. City Planner Richards reviewed his report, discussing some of the site history and providing an issue analysis. Richards discussed issues related to the project, including parking, drive through, hours of operation, design guidelines, signage, lighting and such. The Commission is being asked to consider approval subject to the conditions within the planning report. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment. Roland Swenson of JSSH Architects, Mpls. introduced himself as working on behalf of the applicant with respect to design and planning of the proposed project. Mr. Swenson provided a brief overview of the proposed project, discussing building and landscape elements as well as providing a sample of the proposed exterior building material. Mr. Swenson also addressed questions as to the existing pylon sign and alterations to it. Dave Leonard of Snyder's Drug discussed the sign in relation to the former St. Croix Mall lease agreements of tenants still operating at the site. He stated that they would work with the City to find a mutually satisfying design for the signage. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4 -0. Discussion ensued as to the pylon sign and what would be required to bring it into conformance with City Ordinance requirement and still service its businesses. Hwy. 36 and the 60`'' St. frontage road modification potentials were noted as an issue to be considered. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Chair Dwyer, moved to recommend City Council approval subject to conditions of the August 5, 2003 Planning Report, specifically: Proof of ownership by C & H Properties must be provided, or SC Mall LLC must provide written authorization for the application. 2. The applicant must provide color elevations and building material samples for Planning Commission review and approval. Details of the existing freestanding sign must be provided and plans for bringing the sign into conformance with Section 401.15.G of the Zoning Ordinance must be submitted for City review and approval. The freestanding sign shall not exceed 100 square feet and a height of 20 feet. The freestanding sign base shall be surrounded with a landscape planter at least three feet in height and constructed of materials to match the principal building. The planter shall contain decorative shrubbery and /or flower materials. Planning Commission Minutes August 14, 2003 Page 3 of 7 4. A revised wall sign plan must be submitted for City review and approval. The plan must include a maximum of two wall signs. In addition, on- premises directional signs, each not exceeding four square feet in area, may be allowed to identify the pharmacy drive through. 5. The total cumulative sign area of wall and freestanding signs, except for on- premises directional signs, shall not exceed 300 square feet. 6. The landscape plan is subject to City Arborist review and approval. 7. The two proposed pole lights next to the east parking lot must be relocated to be no closer than ten feet from the property line. A photometric plan must be submitted that complies with Section 401.15.B.7.d. of the Zoning Ordinance. Light standards may not exceed 25 feet from the parking lot surface to the top of the light fixture. The lenses must be revised to be flat. The proposed wall lights must be revised so that the luminare contains a cutoff that directs and cuts off the light at an angle of 90 degrees or less. 10. The exterior wall treatment of the proposed dumpster enclosure shall be similar and /or complement the principal building. Details must be submitted for City staff review and approval. 11. The location of the sanitary sewer line in relation to the proposed building addition is subject to review and approval by the Building Official. 12. Grading and drainage issues are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer and the Middle St. Croix Watershed District. Carried 4 -0. C. Kohl's PUD — General Plan To consider a request for planned unit development: general plan for construction of a Kohl's department store and four retail tenant spaces and rezoning from O, Open Space to B -2, General Business, located East of Menard's at 60` St. N. City Planner Richards reviewed his report, provided an issue analysis and discussed the conditions within his report for the request. The Commission is being asked to consider approval subject to the conditions within the planning report. Brief discussion ensued as to signage, parking and possibilities of a bus stop /unloading area. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment. Planning Commission Minutes August 14, 2003 Page 4 of 7 . Jay Scott of North American Properties introduced himself as the project developer for the proposed project. Mr. Scott shared a materials board with the Commission and addressed the subject of a transit hub. Mr. Scott stated that they generally do not plan a transit hub as part of a project but have coordinated such stops with the transit authority at other locations. He stated that he would be willing to follow through with a communication to this end if desired. He addressed Commission questions and discussed 58"' Street truck traffic, access to the site off of 58` St. and trail access to the retail center. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Chair Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 4 -0. Discussion ensued as to planning report conditions, pedestrian travel and safety to retail center area and across from 58` St. The Commission stated that they would like to see staff work with the applicant on this and noted that they endorse looking at a Norell Ave. access as opposed to Krueger Lane. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to recommend City Council approval of requests for final plat and rezoning to B -2, subject to the amended conditions of the August 7, 2003 Planning Report, specifically: A. Approval of the rezoning of the subject property from O, Open Space Conservation to B -2, General Business District. B. Approval of the "Shoppes of Oak Park Heights" final plat subject to the following conditions: 1. The City approve the PUD General Plan. 2. The City Engineer, City Attorney and MnDot find the final plat to be acceptable. An access easement be acquired from the City to accommodate the proposed northerly Norell Avenue access to the property. C. Approval of the PUD General Plan subject to the following conditions: 1. The City approve the rezoning of the property to a B -2, General Business designation with a planned unit development overlay. 2. The City approve the proposed final plat. 3. The submitted traffic analysis is found to be acceptable by the City Engineer. 4. The six handicap stalls located along the east /west drive aisle directly north of the building be relocated to the interior of the parking lot. 5. A snow storage plan shall be submitted for City staff review and approval. Planning Commission Minutes August 14, 2003 Page 5 of 7 6. The grading and drainage plan shall be subject to review and approval of the Browns Creek Watershed District and the City Engineer. All required storm water improvements and /or payments shall be outlined in the development contract. 7. The utility plan is subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 8. The Parks Commission provide comment on the need for additional trails and sidewalks within the right —of -way of Krueger Lane and marked crosswalks on 58` Street at Krueger Lane. If a sidewalk is required by the City, it shall be constructed at the applicant's expense and subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 9. The applicant provide color building elevations and building material samples for Planning Commission and City Council review and approval. 10. The grading and placement of a retaining wall adjacent to the transmission line towers shall be subject to written approval of Xcel Energy. 11. City staff and the applicant shall determine if the truck access to 58"' Street North shall be removed. 12. Seasonal planters be provided directly north of the four retail stores within the sidewalk area. 13. A landscape planter containing decorative shrubbery and /or flower materials be provided at the base of the proposed freestanding sign. 14. The landscape plan be subject to review and approval by the City Arborist. 15. Trash handling locations shall be indicated on the site plan. Trash receptacles shall be located within enclosures and not be visible to surrounding public streets subject to review and approval of City staff. 16. Outside storage on the property (including trailers) shall be prohibited. 17. All wall signs not exceed 15 percent of the area of an applicable facade or 300 square feet in size. 18. The proposed freestanding sign be reduced in size from 150 to 100 square feet. 19. The City finds the percentage of glass illustrated upon the proposed building elevations (approximately 9 percent) to be acceptable. Planning Commission Minutes August 14, 2003 Page 6 of 7 20. The future Kohl's expansion of 19,200 square feet is found to be acceptable with this approval. The expansion plans shall be submitted to City staff for review and approval subject to compliance with the Zoning Ordinance and this general plan approval. 21. The applicant 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. D. Dvorak Rear Yard Setback Variance To consider a request for a variance for a rear yard setback at 5989 Olinda Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed his report and provided an issue analysis for the request, noting that there is no hardship shown. He added that the zoning ordinance would permit a free standing screen porch to be constructed as an accessory building. He briefly discussed that the accessory building could be connected to the deck as long as there were no breezeway or roof cover constructed that would attach it to the main house. Due to the lack of hardship shown, the Commission is being asked to consider denial of the request. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment. Mike Dvorak introduced himself as the applicant and a 28 -year resident of the community. He inquired as to whether or not the City received any objections to his request. It was noted that none had been received. Mr. Dvorak stated that he could not understand the logic of being able to build a free standing screen porch, which would bring him closer to his property line versus that of one connected to his home which would be further away from the property line. He discussed how access to the porch would occur from the home if built off the home. He added that he spoke with one of his neighbors, who is a property appraiser, about the concept of building a freestanding porch versus one off the home. He stated his neighbor did not see the logic in building a separate structure. Discussion ensued as to the original placement of the home on the property, similar placement throughout the neighborhood, hardship possibility based upon location of home on lot, setback issues and possibilities of other locations for a screen porch or room for growth. Discussion was also had as to the concept of deck design and a screen porch structure attached to it. Chair Dwyer expressed that he is interested in looking at a hardship versus having a deck with a screen porch but prior to creating precedence he would like more information about the neighboring lots. Chair Dwyer noted that based upon the Commission's charter requirements, they are forced to deny the request based on lack of a hardship being shown. However if there is a case for hardship he expressed his willingness to look at the neighborhood as a whole. Planning Commission Minutes August 14, 2003 Page 7 of 7 Commissioner Powell, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to continue the public hearing to September to allow time for additional information to be provided. Carried 4 -0. Discussion ensued as to information the Commission would like to see in September, including that of setbacks of neighboring homes, zoning regulations in place at time home was constructed. The Commissioners will take a closer look at neighborhood prior to the September meeting. New Business A. Central Business District Request for joint work session with City Council. McComber stated that the City Council would like to meet with the Planning Commission to discuss the Central Business District development and discussed possible meeting dates and times. Commission consensus was to schedule the work session for 5:30 p.m., August 28, 2003. Carried 4 -0. Old Business A. Routson Motors /Denny Hecker - 14702 60`" St. N. Status of former Amoco site and signage issues. Richards informed the Commission that Hecker has been conducting business operations at the former Amoco site that signage has been installed and office space created within the building structure. Operating such as they are requires a conditional use permit as well as permits for work done to the site. Richards will prepare a letter to Mr. Hecker regarding the violations of City Ordinance requirements. Informational McComber noted the Hwy. 36 "prepare to stop" flashers were removed and that she is working to learn why. City Administrator Johnson provided an update on the former Rainbow Foods store vacancy. It was noted that Dollar Tree store has left the Oak Park Ponds retail center. A. Next Meeting September 11, 2003 - 7:00p.m. B. Council Representative August - Commissioner Liljegren September - Commissioner Powell Adjournment Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, ��A�� =li_, t - fit Jul1i A. Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: 09- 11 -03. Carried 3 -0