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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-2011 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 26, 2011— Oak Park Heights City Hall Call to Order: Chair Bye called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners LeRoux, Powell and Squyres; City Planner Richards, City Administrator Johnson and Commission Liaison Abrahamson. Not Present: Commissioner Dougherty. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner LeRoux, seconded by Commissioner Squyres, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 3 - 0. III. Approval of June 16, 2011 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the minutes as presented. Carried 4 - 0. IV. Department/Commission Liaison / Other Reports: None. V. Visitors /Public Comment: None. VI. Public Hearings: None. VII. New Business: A. Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill —13625 60 St. N.: Site Plan & Design Guidelines Review. City Planner Richards reviewed the planning report noting Applebee's proposal for exterior upgrades and interior updating to their existing restaurant and that they were seeking design guidelines approval for those changes. The applicant provided a building materials and color sample board for review. Brief discussion ensued as to the existing pylon sign design and original approval. Chair Bye invited the application and members of the audience to address the Commission. Randy Carr, Applebee's Director of Operations for Minnesota and Western Wisconsin introduced himself, along with Oak Park Heights Applebee's General Manager, Jay Noseworthy and Construction Superintendent Steve Townsend. Mr. Carr noted that site updating was occurring at 17 locations this year and that updating the same number of sites was anticipated for 2012. Discussion ensued among the Commission and the applicant as to matters such as changing the pylon sign to a monument sign, sign height, visibility, colors and building materials compatibility, whether the existing pylon sign pole could be used in such an alteration, landscaping alterations that would be required, and whether or not such an alteration was financially feasible. Planning Commission Minutes July 26, 2011 Page 2 of 4 It was noted that the proposed awnings design incorporated LED light fixtures and that the bulbs would not be visible and that the awning panel is to be comprised of a solid metal material. The incorporated lighting would serve as wash lighting upon the awnings and that no light would shine through the awnings. Richards inquired whether the applicant had any concerns with the trail conditions or other conditions recommended within his report and asked that they discuss sustainability initiatives built into the project. Review and discussion of the recommended conditions and incorporated sustainability initiatives ensued. Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Vice -Chair LeRoux, moved to recommend City Council approval, as set forth in the July 7, 2011 planning report as amended; specifically that: 1. 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. The lighting specifications shall be subject to review and approval of the City Planner at the time of permitting. 2. The outdoor lighting shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for approved security lighting. 3. The freestanding pylon sign shall be retained as is or if the sign structure or signage be changed, then the sign be constructed as a monument and be brought into conformance with the current sign standards of a 20 foot height and a maximum of 100 square feet of signage. 4. The Planning Commission is favorable to allowing the light wash of the awning of the LED fixtures. 5. The sign specifications and methods of illumination shall be subject to review and approval of the City Planner at the time of permitting. 6. Mechanical equipment that is located on the roof and is visible from street level or from neighborhood properties shall be screened with materials that blend harmoniously with the building facade materials. 7. The Planning Commission is favorable to the sustainability initiatives discussed by the applicant for the project. 8. The Planning Commission is favorable to the building material and colors selection board presented to them by the applicant. Planning Commission Minutes July 26, 2011 Page 3 of 4 9. The City Council intends to construct an eight foot bituminous trail on the south side of 60 Street North, adjacent to Applebee's. Applebee's agrees to a special assessment for this improvement and does hereby waive all rights they may 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. 10. The applicant shall provide a plan with a location of the trail and a trail easement, subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer and City Attorney. 11. A bike rack shall be added at the front entrance of the building. Carried 4 — 0. VIII. Old Business: A. Zoning Ordinance 401.30: to review B -2, General Business District performance standards related to energy efficiency, green space and building standards. City Planner Richards reviewed the July 7, 2011 Planning Report and briefly reviewed earlier discussions to amending the B -2, General Business District including a conditional use permit allowance for structures to exceed three stories and 35 feet. Richards asked that the Commission review the proposed language and consider whether the B -4, Limited Business District CUP allowance should also be changed to add the proposed additional conditions and whether the allowance should also be added to the B -3, Highway Business and Warehousing District. Discussion ensued as to the suggested conditions and considerations of the planning report including establishing setback maximums versus minimums as a design tool and its potential applicability for use in Oak Park Heights. Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend City Council approval of: 1. Zoning Ordinance amendment as presented by the City Planner in his July 7, 2011 planning report, including the changes to the B -3, Highway Business and Warehousing and B -4, Limited Business Districts. 2. Zoning Ordinance amendment adding conditional permit use allowances for buildings in excess of three stories or 35 feet within the B -2, General Business District, the B -3, Highway Business and Warehousing District and amending the B -4 Limited Business District, P -I, Public- Institutional District, and R -B, Residential- Business Transitional District accordingly. Carried 4 — 0. Planning Commission Minutes July 26, 2011 Page 4 of 4 IX. Informational: • A. Upcoming Meetings: • Tuesday, July 26, 2011 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m. /City Hall • Tuesday, July 26, 2011 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall • Thursday, August 11, 2011 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. /City Hall • Tuesday, August 23, 2011 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall B. Council Representative: • Tuesday, July 26, 2011 — Vice Chair LeRoux • Tuesday, August 23, 2011 — Commissioner Powell X. Adjourn: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Squyres, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Carried 4 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Ju ' Hultman Planning & Code Enforcement Officer Approved by the Planning Commission: 09 -15 -2011