HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-2010 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010
I. Call to Order: Chair Bye called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present:
Commissioners Dougherty, LeRoux and Powell; City Planner Licht and
Commissioner Liaison Abrahamson. Absent: Commissioner Liljegren and City
Administrator Johnson.
II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner LeRoux, seconded by Commissioner
Dougherty, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4 -0.
III. Approval of November 18, 2010 Minutes: Commissioner LeRoux, seconded by
Commissioner Dougherty, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried
4 -0.
IV. Department /Council Liaison Reports: Commission Liaison Abrahamson
noted that the City Council annual planning retreat was in the process of being
planned and that the City Council discussed having the Parks and Planning
Commission attend, along with the City consultants. Abrahamson noted that the
retreat would likely be held on a Saturday at the City Hall and that the City
Council was looking for some feedback as to whether the Planning Commission
would like to attend in whole or select representatives to attend on behalf of the
Commission. Brief discussion ensued wherein it was noted that while not
committed to having everyone attend, the Commission would like to have the
opportunity to for all to attend and asked that they be kept advised as to the date
and time as the planning progresses. Abrahamson advised the Commission that if
there were items that they would like to discuss with the City Council or the Parks
Commission as part of the retreat agenda, to please share that suggestions with
City Administrator Johnson.
V. Visitors /Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings: None.
VII. Old Business: None.
VIII. New Business:
A. AutoZone Public meeting for the purpose of site plan and design
guideline review for a proposed AutoZone retail store to be located at
13613 60 St. N.
City Planner Licht reviewed City Planner Richard's December 8, 2010
Planning Report for the proposed AutoZone project at 13613 60"' St. N.
Planner Licht provided an issue analysis and design guidelines review,
noting that staff has recommended approval subject to the conditions
contained within the report.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
December 16, 2010
Page 2 of 4
Chair Bye opened the meeting for public comment and invited the
applicant to speak.
Alan Catchpool of CEI Engineering — 2277 W. Hwy. 36, Roseville, MN,
introduced himself and noted that Jeff Kaurez of Auto Zone and
Broker, Jeff Houge were also in attendance, and provided the
Commission with a materials board for their review. Mr. Catchpool
addressed issues to landscaping, planning items and engineering items
within the planning report, noting that landscaping has been addressed,
they are working with the engineer and that they would certainly address
any other planning issues noted within the report. Mr. Catchpool further
noted that they have received watershed approval and have met with their
neighbor Jerry Schoenecker to discuss drainage concerns.
Jeff Kauerz of AutoZone, Inc — 123 S. Front St., Memphis, TN, indicated
that overall he had no problem with the conditions proposed within the
planning report though some of the considerations sought would need to
be discussed and worked through such as the LED parking lot lighting.
He, along with Mr. Catchpool, discussed issues related to the building and
the site including site lighting, sign designs and locations, site elevations,
drainage and grading — they prefer to not construct a retaining wall if
possible, and the suggestion for common space and seating at the store
entry.
Commissioner Dougherty, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux moved to
recommend City Council approval of the applicant's request subject to the
amended conditions of the December 8, 2010 Planning Report,
specifically:
1. There shall be no repair of vehicles on the premises or in the
building associated with this use.
2. The grading, drainage and utility plans shall be subject to the
review and approval of the City Engineer.
3. All lighting fixtures shall be full cut off and installed in
compliance with the lighting standards of the Zoning Ordinance.
All visible interior lighting shall also be full cut off.
4. The outdoor lighting shall be turned off one hour after closing,
except for approved security lighting.
5. The applicant shall consider the use of LED lighting for the
parking lot and building lighting.
6. The landscape plans are subject to review and approval of the City
Arborist.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
December 16, 2010
Page 3 of 4
7. Mechanical equipment that is located on the roof and visible from
street level or from neighborhood properties shall be screened with
materials that blend harmoniously with the building fayade
materials. The Building Official shall verify the final design and -
screening of the mechanical equipment.
8. The applicant shall provide plans for screening the trash enclosure
with masonry materials to match the AutoZone building subject to
review and approval of the City Planner.
9. The Planning Commission approves the alternate plan for the
freestanding sign with the brick base. The applicant shall provide
a landscape plan for the base of the sign subject to review and
approval of the City Planner.
10. The signage plan shall be revised so that the total signage on site is
less than 300 square feet.
11. The sign specifications and methods of illumination shall be
subject to review and approval of the City Planner at the time of
permitting.
12. The Planning Commission was satisfied with the sustainability
initiatives of the AutoZone project.
13. The Planning Commission was favorable to the building material
selection and colors.
14. The City Council intends to construct an eight foot bituminous trail
on the south side of 60 Street North adjacent to the AutoZone.
AutoZone agrees to a special assessment for this improvement and
does hereby waive all rights they have by Minnesota State Statutes
429.081 or otherwise challenge the amount or validity of the
assessments or procedures used by the City in levying the
assessments.
15. The applicant shall provide a trail easement, subject to review and
approval of the City Attorney for the 60 Street Trail.
16. The applicant shall provide revised plans for the common space
and seating areas at the front entrance subject to approval of the
City Planner.
17. The applicant shall provide a plan for the addition of front entrance
plantings subject to the approval of the City Planner.
18. A bike rack shall be added at the front entrance of the building.
Carried 4 — 0.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
December 16, 2010
Page 4 of 4
B. Bylaws Consider amendment to Article 5, Section B as it relates to the
regular meeting schedule of the Planning Commission.
Commission Liaison Abrahamson discussed the request before the
Commission, noting that the Commission has scheduled their meetings for
2010 and 2011 to follow the first City Council meeting of each month and
asked that the Commission provide feedback to the City Council as to
whether or not they would like to amend their Bylaws to set this as the
schedule rather than approve such a schedule by resolution each year.
Brief discussion ensued.
Commissioner Dougherty, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to
recommend that the City Council amend the Planning Commission
Bylaws to indicate that the regular meeting of the Planning Commission
shall be held at 7:00 p.m. on the Thursday immediately following the first
regular City Council meeting of each moth. Carried 4 — 0.
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings Unless noted otherwise, all meetings are at 7:00
p.m. and will be held in the Council Chambers
December 14, 2010 City Council Meeting
December 28, 2010 City Council Meeting
January 13, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting
February 10, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting
B. Council Representative December — Commissioner Bye
January — Commissioner Dougherty
February — Commissioner LeRoux
X. Adjournment:
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner LeRoux, moved to adjourn at
7:33 p.m. Carried 4 - 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Juli,Kllultman
Plating & Code Enforcement Officer
Approved by the Planning Commission: 03 -10 -2011