HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-2003 MinutesPC CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, October 9, 2003
Call To Order Chair Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Vice Chair
Runk, Commissioners Liljegren, Oswald and Powell. City Administrator Johnson, City Planner
Richards and Commission Liaison McComber.
Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to
approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 5 -0.
Approve Minutes: Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to approve the
Minutes of September 11, 2003 as amended. Carried 5 -0.
Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports
A. Commission Liaison McComber reported that the Hwy. 36 subcommittee had met
regarding the button hook designs and provided a brief overview of the meeting discussion,
noting that public hearings are expected sometime in November. She will continue to keep
the Commission informed.
B. Other:
City Administrator Johnson provided a follow up to an inquiry made at the September
meeting of the Commission, regarding public hearing notification sign posting and
methods of notification. He reviewed a memo, prepared by city staff, describing the
variety of tools currently used to notify the general public of a public hearing. He noted
that there are very few public hearing notification signs, that they were put in place for
this months public hearings, and added that city staff will work to keep the signs in good
order and have them posted.
Visitors /Public Comment None.
Public Hearings
As the applicant for the first scheduled public hearing was not present at this time of the meeting,
Chair Dwyer directed that this portion of the meeting begin with the second scheduled matter for
public hearing.
A. Nextel Communications — Conditional Use Permit To consider a request for conditional
use permit for placement of a personal communication service facility and equipment
shelter at an existing public lattice tower at Xcel Energy Structure No. 11, located at
13735 60" St. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the request for co- location of personal wireless service antennas on
an existing utility structure and to construct an accessory equipment building. Richards reviewed the
planning report on the matter and provided the Commission with an issue analysis.
Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2003
Page 2 of 6
Steve Katkov of Site Acquisition Consultants, L.P., representing Nextel Communications was
present and addressed the planning report and discussed the conditions of the same. He discussed
the regulations they must adhere to with the Federal Communications Commission as to operation
of the service and made himself available for questions.
City Planner Richards addressed Mr. Katkov's concern with conditions 13 and 18 of the report and
stated that condition 18 language is part of the City's Ordinance, drafted by the City Attorney.
Richards suggested a wording amendment to condition 13 and leaving condition 18 as written to
permit Council to remove condition 18 should the City Attorney find it is not needed. It will be
noted that the applicant has requested removal of condition 18.
Chair Dwyer, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0.
Commission discussion ensued as to the antenna ordinance and as to the proposed project being
requested in relation to the Central Business District, where it is located.
Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend City Council
approval of the conditional use permit, subject to the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall submit a current FCC License.
2. The applicant shall provide an easement for the proposed ice bridge if deemed necessary by the
City Attorney.
3. The antennas and mounting frame shall not extend more than eight (8) feet above the existing
Xcel Energy tower (Structure #11) as indicated by the submitted plans (128 feet total height of
tower with antennas and antenna mounting frame).
4. No more than twelve (12) antennas shall be installed.
5. The fence shall not be greater than six (6) feet in height if installed on the property line. There
shall not be any barbed wire at the top of the fence. The fence shall be moved close enough
to the equipment building to permit landscaping within the site to screen the equipment
building. All fencing shall comply with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
6. In the event that 59th Street is extended past the proposed site, the access shall be realigned to
connect to 59th Street. The cost of the realignment shall be the responsibility of the owner and
operator of the antenna(s).
7. All antennas shall be constructed in compliance with City building and electrical codes.
8. Structural design, mounting and installation of the antenna(s) shall be in compliance with
manufacturer's specifications.
9. All antenna support structures shall be reasonably protected against climbing.
10. No advertising message shall be affixed to the antenna structure. The base of the antenna
support structure shall be posted with signs stating "Danger High Voltage" on all sides.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2003
Page 3 of 6
11. Antennas shall not be artificially illuminated and must not display strobe lights unless required
by law or by a governmental agency to protect the public's health and safety.
12. Antennas shall be designed to blend into the surrounding environment through the use of color
and camouflaging architectural treatment, except in instances where the color is dictated by
federal or state authorities.
13. Antennas shall be subject to state and federal regulations pertaining to non - ionizing radiation
and other health hazards related to such facilities. If new, more restrictive standards are
adopted, antennas shall be brought into compliance with the new standards by the owner and
operator. The cost of verification of compliance shall be the responsibility of the owner and
operator of the antenna(s).
14. No part of any antenna, lines, cable, equipment, wires or braces shall at any time extend across
or over any part of the right -of -way, public street, highway, sidewalk or property line.
15. All metal components shall be constructed of or treated with corrosive resistant material.
16. All antennas and support structures shall be reasonably insured for injury and property damage
caused by collapse or other catastrophic failure.
17. The accessory building shall have a brick exterior and gabled roof and shall be screened from
view by landscaping in accordance with the recommendations of the City Arborist.
18. At least annually, or as required by the City Attorney, and at each time a new user is added to
a support structure, the owner or operator shall provide the City with a report from a registered
engineer that the antenna(s) comply with all applicable regulations regarding emission of
radiation and electromagnetic waves.
19. All obsolete and unused antennas and antenna support structures shall be removed within
twelve (12) months of cessation of operation at the site, unless an exemption is granted by the
Zoning Administrator in accordance with the Oak Park Heights City Code. After the facilities
are removed, the site shall be restored to its original or an improved condition.
20. Grading and utility plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer (as
applicable).
21. Storm water management is subject to review and approval by the City Engineer and Browns
Creek Watershed District (as applicable).
22. The applicant shall provide to the City written documentation /lease agreement from Xcel
Energy that allows placement of the Nextel antennas on the utility support structure.
Carried 5 -0.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2003
Page 4 of 6
B. Denny Hecker Conversion Van Center — Conditional Use Permit To consider a request
for conditional use permit for expanded retail auto sales at Denny Hecker Conversion Van
Center, located at 14738 60 St. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the request, noting situation of applicant having moved into site
prior to request and explained requirement for conditional use permit to operate business. Richards
reviewed the planning report on the matter, provided the Commission with an issue analysis, and
discussed suggested conditions should the Commission elect to recommend approval.
Vice Chair Runk opened the hearing for public comment.
Bill Rambo — Denny Hecker Automotive Group the applicant, was present and addressed the
Commission as to the planning report and the conditions within. Mr. Rambo stated that they would
like to keep signage on the front canopy and keep the canopy itself as it does provide shelter from
the elements and it will be expensive to remove. He added that life of business is uncertain with the
bridge and highway changes in discussion. Mr. Rambo stated that they have tried to fix the building
up and make it look good.
Discussion ensued as to signage allowance and how the same is affected with combining the two
property sites, site ownership issues in relation to pump area issues being resolved, setbacks,
landscaping and canopy.
Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing. Carried
5 -0.
Continued discussion was had as to the matter of the 10' setback requirement.
Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Chair Dwyer, moved to recommend City Council approval of the
conditional use permit, subject to the following conditions:
The City finds that the project is consistent with the conditional use permit criteria found in
Section 401.30.E of the Zoning Ordinance.
2. The subject property at 14738 60 Street North be combined with the main dealership property
at 14702 60 11, Street North in compliance with Section 402, the Subdivision Ordinance. The lot
combination shall be completed within 30 days following the City Council approval of the
conditional use permit.
3. No repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be allowed on the subject property at 14738 60
Street North.
4. No signage shall be allowed on the subject property at 14738 60th Street North. The existing
signage on the canopy shall be removed within 30 days following City Council approval of the
conditional use permit.
5. The applicant shall submit a revised site plan indicating a 10 foot driveway and parking area
setback, parking areas, vehicle display areas, and access drives with concrete curb and gutter,
subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. The parking lot and required landscape
improvements shall be completed no later than June 15, 2004.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2003
Page 5 of 6
The grading and drainage plan shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer.
The applicant shall reopen the driveway access to Osgood Avenue.
A landscape plan shall be submitted by the applicant, subject to review and approval of the City
Arborist.
9. The applicant shall submit a revised lighting photometric plan with all site lighting subject to
review and approval by the City.
10. Light shields shall be installed on the under canopy lights by December 15, 2003.
11. The use of an exterior broadcast paging system shall not be used on the subject property at
14738 60` Street North or at the main dealership property at 14702 60th Street North.
12. The site plan shall designate a total of four off -street parking stalls for employees and customers,
at least one of which must be disability accessible on the subject property at 14738 60th Street
North.
13. The building shall be inspected by the Building Official to determine if a building permit is
necessary for the completed improvements.
14. The applicant shall research the 12 foot easement on the west property line and W illin i Street
right -of -way. The applicant shall be required to vacate the easements and right -of -way if
required by the City Attorney.
15. Written documentation of closure is provided by the MPCA related to the contamination issues
at 14738 60 Street North.
16. Architectural lighting on the existing building at 14738 60tH Street North shall be dimmed at
night to a level that is acceptable to the City.
Carried 5 -0.
New Business None.
Old Business
A. Central Business District Comprehensive Plan, Rezoning and Design Guidelines Proposal.
City Planner Richards discussed the memo enclosed within the Commission meeting packet regarding
the creation of a new B -4, Business District and discussed some of the circumstances that have
prompted the suggestion for creation of the new zoning district classification.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 9, 2003
Page 6 of 6
Richards asked the Commission to clarify their desire to have the existing CBD, Central Business
District Design Guidelines apply the new B -4, Business District zoning classification. He stated that
the B -4 zoning will utilize B -2 classification lot sizes, setbacks and other performance standards. No
auto repair will be permitted.
Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to recommend that City Council consider
creation of the proposed B -4 Zoning District as recommended. Carried 5 -0.
Brief discussion was had as to road changes, right -of -way and consideration of a building moratorium
for the area during the period of discussion of this change and rezoning of the area.
Informational
A. Next Meeting October 9, 2003 — 7:00p.m.
B. Council Representative October — Commissioner Runk
November — Commissioner Oswald
Adjournment Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to adjourn
at 8:02 p.m. Carried 5 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
f
Julie A. Hultman
Community Development
Approved by the Plamiing Commission: 11- 13 -03. 5 -0