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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-2003 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS k, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, September 11, 2003 Call To Order Vice Chair Runk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Coininissioners Liljegren and Oswald. City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Putz -Yang and Commission Liaison McComber. Absent: Chair Dwyer and Commissioner Powell. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Coirunissioner Oswald, moved to approve the Agenda as amended, reversing the order of public hearings. Carried 3 -0. Approve Minutes: Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liliegren, moved to approve the Minutes of August 14, 2003 as presented. Carried 3 -0. Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports A. Commission Liaison None. B. Other: None. Visitors /Public Comment Ann Wasescha of 5675 Newberry Ave. inquired as to the whereabouts of the public hearing notification signs that were to be put in place for public hearing notification. She noted that she hadn't seen theirs in some tune and pointed out that the signage allows for folks beyond the scope of the public hearing mailing to be made aware of activity occurring. She stated that she would appreciate this being looked into. Brief discussion ensued as to the required 350' radius for public hearing notification mailing and wondered whether or not an entire neighborhood could be notified, when they are likely be to be affected by an action. Discussion also included extending the notification radius and where it is that the line needs to be drawn for public notification. Public Hearings A. Mena.rd's Expansion To consider requests for site plan review, zoning district amendment, subdivision, setback variance and conditional use perinit for expanded warehouse and garden center 5800 Krueger Lane, N. City Planner Putz -Yang reviewed the request by Menard's for proposed warehouse expansion, noted prior approvals granted by the City for their current facility, reviewed the planning report for the application and provided the Commission with an issue analysis. Vice Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment. There were a number of visitors from the Autumn Ridge neighborhood to address and discuss a variety of issues. Tom Richards — 5620 Newgate Circle N. — asked for explanation of what cul -de -sac was for and stated that 58 St. is already difficult to access and that he does not want to see an increase in traffic or curb cuts. Planning Commission Minutes September 11, 2003 Page 2 of 5 Ann Wasescha — 5675 Newberry Ave. N. — addressed the cul -de -sac, noting a previously approved easement as part of the Rainbow Foods Service Station approvals. She does not want to see increased traffic on 58th St. or any additional curb cuts. She feels that the curb cut at Neal Ave. should be able to service the site and would like to have a traffic study done if any additional curb cuts are to be considered. She stated that the land owner /developer should be presenting development plan before asking the city to approve access and asked the Commission to put the roadway issue aside until a development plan is put in place. Tim Dwyer — 5670 Newgate Circle N. — does not want to see an increase in either residential or commercial traffic, wants restrictions put in place for noise, traffic and vehicle weight. Mr. Dwyer would also like to see some "slow down" options placed on 58th St and the existing landscape vegetation attended to and new proposed landscaping /screening consistent with existing. Kirk Schultz — 5660 Newgate Circle N. — asked that the lighting be reviewed. He would like to see current lighting be compliant to current city standards. He added that the light spread during Winter months is bothersome. He feels that store /truck delivery times should be addressed for noise reduction and that sanitation haulers should also be addressed with respect to their tune of visit and noise. Mr. Schultz also noted that he would like to see current design guideline standards adhered to. John Larson — 5795 Newberry Ave. N. — expressed his concern as to traffic noise volume and as to the difficulty of accessing and exiting 58th St. safely. He would prefer to see no additional access points or increase in traffic and suggested that the speed be lowered. Warren Wasescha — 5675 Newberry Ave. N. — questioned the rationale and hardship for the chain link fence, resulting in removal of the existing screening between the business and the neighborhood. Mr. Wasescha is not in favor of the cul -de -sac and is concerned about the impact of traffic in the area. Lisa Cervantez — 5775 Newberry Ave. N. — is concerned about the traffic flow and volume; she is not in favor of the cul -de -sac. Tom Hart — 5790 Newberry Ave. N. — asked if access to the north side, between ponding area and Krueger Lane had been considered or would be feasible. With respect to the cul -de -sac, Mr. Hart is opposed to an increase of traffic at 58t St. and queried if it would be possible to have an access road placed between the former Rainbow Foods store and the Ford auto dealership. Mark Lee of Menard's Inc. was present and addressed the Commission and addressed the questions and concerns expressed by visitors to the public hearing and the conditions noted within the planning report. Mr. Lee addressed questions throughout the public hearing as issues arose. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 3 -0. Lengthy discussion ensued as to all of the issues presented by visitors to the public hearing and the conditions of the planning report, as well as the existing irrigation system, siding possibilities, area development/ developer improvement requirements, proposed building relocation, traffic impact and approval of preliminary plat without a recommendation on the cul -de -sac. Planning Commission Minutes September 11, 2003 Pagc 3 of 5 Commissioner Oswald, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to recommend City Council approval of the rezoning from Open Space Conservation to B -2, General Business District. Carried 3 -0. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to recommend City Council approval of the preliminary plat to divide property and add it to the existing Menard's site. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to recommend City Council approval of a conditional use permit (to allow expansion of open and outdoor storage) and variances; 1) from the 40 -foot front yard variance to allow the lumberyard entrance canopy as close as 28 feet from the east property line, 2) from the 10 -foot parking setback requirement to allow parking as close as three feet from the east property line and 3) from the fence height regulations to allow expansion of a 14- foot -high fence /storage rack surrounding the outdoor storage area and construction of a wrought iron fence west of the principal building, subject to the following conditions: The applicant submit a revised preliminary plat and a final plat that combines the proposed expansion area with the existing Menard's property. 2. Signage be installed to direct delivery trucks to use the north entrance on Krueger Lane, which will allow adequate truck maneuvering space. 3. Materials stored or stacked in the storage yard may not exceed a height of 14 feet and may be only minimally visible from outside of the storage yard. 4. Tree replacement and the landscape plan are subject to review and approval by the City Arborist. All exterior site lighting be dimmed after 11:00 p.m. The "in" and "out" signs on the lumberyard entrance canopy be revised to not exceed four square feet in area. 7. All signs on the lumberyard entrance canopy comply with sign illumination requirements. If external lighting is proposed, there shall be no exposed light sources or fixtures unless decorative fixtures are utilized and the light source is fully concealed and diffused. If the sign is internally illuminated, there shall be illumination of the text only. No new flag -like banners are allowed on the property; therefore, the proposed banners on the entrance gate canopy shall be eliminated. 9. The City reserves the right to require the applicant to reduce the output volume of the public address system or require the implementation of a radio pager system for all employees should the public address system become a public nuisance. Planning Commission Minutes September 11, 2003 Pagc 4 of 5 10 Delivery, unloading, and movement of goods shall be limited to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10:00 a.m, to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays. 11. A retaining wall shall be constructed between the stormwater pond and the lumberyard. Construction drawings of the retaining wall shall be submitted to the City Engineer for review and approval. 12. Grading and utility plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer. 13. Storm water management is subject to review and approval by the City Engineer and Browns Creek Watershed District. 14. The south and west sides of the proposed warehouse building shall be sided with vertical wood siding that matches the screening structures. The roof shall be a dark green color to blend with the surroundings. 15. An updated lighting plan for the entire site, including both existing and proposed lights, shall be submitted subject to City review and approval. 16. The decorative lighting west of the building be eliminated. 17. Yard and soffit lights be mounted horizontally (at a 90- degree angle to the wall or pole) and be a full cutoff design with the lens not extending below the fixture. 18. The cul -de -sac west of the building be eliminated and a traffic study be completed. Carried 3 -0. B. Continued: Dvorak — Rear Yard Setback Variance To consider a request for a variance for rear yard setback at 5898 Olinda Ave. N. City Planner Putz -Yang reviewed the staff recommendation for denial of the request for variance, based on lack of hardship and reminded the Commission, that if they elected to move forward with a recommendation for approval, they should consider the precedence being established for future requests. Vice Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment. Mike Dvorak the applicant, was present and addressed the Commission. Mr. Dvorak expressed that his hardship is the location of his home on the lot and the setback requirement. He pointed out that with receipt of the variance, his home with the screen porch added, would still be 20 feet from the rear lot line and that it would still be further away from the rear lot line that any of his neighbors. Mr. Dvorak read and presented the Commission with a petition, signed by his neighbors, supporting approval of his variance request. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 3 -0. Planning Commission Minutes September 11, 2003 Page 5 of 5 Discussion ensued as to the matter of hardship, situations created not of owners making, practicality of other options suggested and the matter of establishing precedence in considering a recommendation for approval. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request for variance. Hardship being based upon (a) the property being unique in regard to its shallowness; (b) the physical constraints of the property not being a result of actions by the applicants; (c) that proposed alternative locations for the proposed home addition are not practical; and the property's excessive front yard setback results in a limited rear yard area. Carried 3 -0. New Business None. Old Business A. Central Business District Workshop Follow up of joint workshop with City Council and Planning Commission. Commission Liaison McComber provided a brief recap and reviewed the City Planner proposal for proposed changes to the Central Business District. McComber asked the Commission for recommendations to City Council regarding the proposal. Brief discussion ensued as to the tasks noted within the City Planner's proposal. Coirunissioner Oswald, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend that City Council continue with the current Central Business District Design Guidelines in the proposed B -4, Limited Business District. Carried 3 -0. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to recommend that City Council continue with the current, more restrictive, guidelines in drafting the R -4, Limited General Business District. Carried 3 -0. Informational A. Next Meeting October 9, 2003 — 7:00p.m. B. Council Representative September — Commissioner Powell October — Commissioner Runic Adjournment Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to adjourn at 9:55 p.m. Carried 3 -0. Respectfully submitted, _JP e A. Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: October 9, 2003. 5 -0