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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-2003 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, November 13, 2003 Call To Order Chair Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Runk, Conunissioners Liljegren, Oswald and Powell. City Administrator Johnson, and City Planner Richards. Absent: Commission Liaison McComber. Approval of Agenda: Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 5 -0. Approve Minutes: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to approve the Minutes of October 9, 2003 as amended, correcting typographical error. Carried 5 -0. Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports A. Commission Liaison B. Hwy. 36 Subcommittee City Administrator Johnson reported as to a recent meeting of the City Councils for Oak Park Heights and Stillwater, S.R.F. and the Hwy. 36 MnDOT group. He noted several locations that the amended scoping document was available for viewing at and added that a public hearing on the document is to be held in early December. C. Other: Visitors /Public Comment None. Public Hearings A. Oak Park Marketplace ® Planned Unit Development: Concept Plan & Conditional Use Permit To consider a request for planned unit development: concept plan for construction of two fast food restaurant structures for KFC /A &W and Taco Johns /Steak Escape, to be known as Oak Park Marketplace and conditional use permit for curb cut openings and parking. Proposed project located North of TCF Bank at Neal Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the November 7, 2003 planning report and provided an issue analysis as related to the request. Richards noted that there were significant issues as to the building design and parking CUP and reviewed recommended conditions for consideration should the Commission feel comfortable with the proposed parking and elect to make a recommendation for approval. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for comment from the applicant. Louis Galland one of the applicants introduced himself as a resident of the community and introduced his partner Walt Cressman and Architect, Alan Kretman of Proterra Design Associates, Inc., who discussed issues to the project with the Commission. Issues of discussion included parking, traffic level, access, signage, design standards and the proposed elements of each of the buildings being proposed. Mr. Galland assisted with discussion of anticipated business and traffic volume. Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2003 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Kretman noted and described the sidewalks system within the proposed project for pedestrian travel. He stated that he feels the site is a multi -mode destination and that it has been designed to work well with foot traffic, bicycles and motorists. Chair Dwyer opened the public hearing for audience comment. There being no visitors to comment, Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Commission and applicant discussion ensued as to signage (design and number), business identity, parking and traffic flow. It was expressed that the general design of building elements and amount of entity branding and color made the area feel very busy. Lengthy discussion was had as to the building color selections and logo designs and what could be done to tone the site down in general and provide some continuity. Mr. Galland, Mr. Cressman and Mr. K retman all expressed their willingness to address the Commissions concerns quickly and would do whatever necessary to accommodate the concerns. The Commission expressed their desire to receive new drawings with the colors and business branding changed to better meet the criteria of the City Design Guidelines and showing their placement at the site and to also see samples of the brick and awning colors. Continued discussion occurred as to the outlook for the business site in the event one or more of the businesses does not do well, concern about the volume of red shades and the contrast of the two business bandings. Timelines for process were discussed wherein the Commission elected to hold a special meeting if the items requested could be provided and issues of concern addressed in time. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to continue public hearing discussion to a special meeting on Tuesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. Carried 5 -0. New Business A. Planning Commission Alternate Position Review of draft Ordinance 210.02 as forwarded by City Council. City Administrator Johnson discussed the background issue, prompting the proposal for alternate positions to ensure majority attendance at all scheduled meetings. Johnson inquired as to the interest of the Commission for alternates. Discussion ensued, wherein the Commission inquired if the Council had expressed concern of planning commission not having quorums, when and how an alternate would be utilized and what would seemingly be entailed to facilitate a process where an informed alternate would be available. The Commission expressed that they feel they have done well by having quorums and that it would be tough to have someone volunteer, on short notice, for a meeting and for them to be current with the issues at hand. There was discussion of having the commission liaison serve as the back up. The Commission stated that they felt the commission liaison would better serve as an alternate as they are already at the meetings and receive the communications relative to the issues being discussed. Another possibility was discussed, wherein commission members on both parks and planning could set up a rotation schedule and cover for the opposite commission on an "as need" basis. Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2003 Page 3 of 3 City Administrator Johnson stated that he would share their comments with the City Council and that as the matter is further looked into he would keep thetas informed. B. Review and Approval of 2004 MeetinV and Council Representation Schedule Chair Dwyer reviewed the schedule as proposed and noted that the November meeting date and public hearing submittal date for the November meeting were changed from the regular rotation due to a government Holiday, in which the City offices would be closed. He asked the Convnission for their comment. Commmissioncr Powell, seconded by Comtmissioner Oswald, moved to accept the schedule for 2004 as presented. Carried 5 -0. Old Business None Informational A. Next Meeting November 18, 2003 — 7:00 p.m. - Special Meeting December 11, 2003 — 7:00 p.m. — Regular Meeting B. Council Representative November — Commissioner Oswald December — Chair Dwyer Adjournment Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to adjourn at 9:06 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, �. i Julie A. Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: 01-08-04.5-0