HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-2012 Planning Commission Meeting Packet CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012
7:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of March 15, 2012 Meeting Minutes (1)
IV. Department / Commission Liaison / Other Reports
V. Visitors/Public Comment
This is an opportunity for the public to address the Commission with questions or concerns
on issues not part of the regular agenda. (Please limit comments to three minutes)
VI. Public Hearings
A. Continued: Stillwater Motors — 5900 Stillwater Blvd. N.: Consider requests
for CUP Amendment Allowing Retrofit of Building Exterior, Deferment of
Deadline for Upgrading Curbing and Lighting, Design Guidelines and Site
Plan Review. (2)
VII. Old Business
VIII. New Business
IX. Informational
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, April 24, 2012 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall
• Tuesday, May 8, 2012 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall
• Thursday, May 10, 2012 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. /City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, April 24, 2012 — Commissioner Squyres
• Tuesday, May 22, 2012 — Commissioner Bye
X. Adjourn.
ENCLOSURE CLOSURE 1
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
•
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
•
Thursday, March 15, 2012 — Oak Park Heights City Hall
Call to Order: Chair Bye called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners
Squyres and Powell; City Planner Richards, City Administrator Johnson and Commission
Liaison Abrahamson. Absent: Commissioner Dougherty and LeRoux.
II. Adjourn Regular Meeting & Call Annual Meeting to Order: Chair Bye adjourned the
regular meeting and called the annual meeting to order.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed and discussed the memo enclosed within the meeting
packet regarding Commission term appointments and the election of Chair and Vice Chair as
per the Planning Commission Bylaws. Johnson noted that Commissioner Powell was not
seeking reappointment at the culmination of his term in May and thanked him for his
contribution to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend the City
Council:
1. Reappoint Jennifer Bye to a second 3 -year term, beginning June 1, 2012 and expiring
May 31, 2015; and
2. Appoint Chuck LeRoux to a special one -year extension term, beginning June 1, 2012
and expiring May 31, 2013.
Carried 3 -0.
Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to nominate Jennifer
Bye to a second two -year term as Planning Commission Chair, beginning March 31, 2012
and expiring March 31, 2014. Carried 3 — 0.
Commissioner Bye, seconded by Commissioner Squyres, moved to nominate Chuck
Dougherty to a two -year term as Planning Commission Vice Chair, beginning March 31,
2012 and expiring March 31, 2014. Carried 3 — 0.
III. Adjourn Annual Meeting & Reconvene Regular Meeting: Chair Bye adjourned the annual
meeting and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:07 p.m.
IV. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Squyres, moved to
approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 3 - 0.
V. Approval of January 12, 2012 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Squyres, seconded by
Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the minutes as presented. Carried 3 - 0.
VI. Department /Commission Liaison / Other Reports: Commission Liaison Abrahamson
updated the Commission as to President Obama's having signed the Bill exempting the St.
Croix River Crossing project from the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 15, 2012
Page 2 of 3
VII. Visitors /Public Comment: None.
VIII. Public Hearings:
A. Stillwater Motors — 5900 Stillwater Blvd. N.: Consider requests for CUP
Amendment Allowing Retrofit of Building Exterior, Deferment of Deadline for
Upgrading Curbing and Lighting, Design Guidelines and Site Plan Review.
City Planner Richards reviewed the March 8, 2012 planning report as to the requests for
conditional use permit amendment to allow an extension of the timeline for required
improvements to curbing and lighting at the dealership and design guidelines review to a
proposed retrofit of the building to be consistent with the current branded image of
Chevrolet.
Richards provided the Commission with background information as to the request and
related prior approvals granted to the dealership. He discussed the proposed project,
providing an issue analysis and review of Design Guideline elements in relation to the
proposal. Richards presented the Commission with a staff recommendation and proposed
conditions.
Chair Bye opened the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. and invited the applicant to speak.
Ward Sessing of Sessing Architects - introduced himself as representing D.J. Raduenz and
Stillwater Motors and thanked City staff and consultants for working with them. Mr.
Sessing stated that they understand the challenges before them and are excited about the
project, and encouraged the Commission to consider it.
Sessing addressed questions from the Commission and discussed facets of the project
including the Chevrolet branding program, design, environmental and energy efficiency
elements of the proposed project, the current condition of the existing building structure.
Sessing distributed color samples for the proposed changes to the building exterior, noting
that the existing building is in good condition and that the proposed changes are to meet
Chevrolet brand image, with the color being consistent around the building. He noted that
the design team strived toward sustainability and that design would be more consistent with
Oak Park Heights guidelines.
Chair Bye invited others in audience to speak. There being no visitors to the audience
wishing to speak to the public hearing, Chair Bye closed the public hearing at 7:36 p.m.
Commission discussion ensued as to the current building design versus the proposed and site
signage reflecting hometown recognition. Commissioner Squyres indicated that he felt that
closer adherence to the City's Design Guidelines was needed. Chair Bye indicated that she
would like to see additional facade drawings. The conditions of the planning report were
reviewed.
Mr. Sessing asked the Commission to consider a continuance to allow him and his client
additional time to work with staff on issues noted within the planning report.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 15, 2012
Page 3 of 3
Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Commissioner Powell moved to continue the public
hearing to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Carried 3 — 0.
IX. New Business:
A. Planning Commission Vacancy: Set date and time for Planning Commission
Applicant Interviews.
Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Commissioner Powell, directed that staff advertise for
Planning Commission applicants, with an application deadline of Friday, April 27, 2012; and
that applicant interviews be scheduled prior to the May 10, 2012 Planning Commission
meeting, commencing no earlier than 6:00 p.m. Carried 3 — 0.
B. Amend 2012 Meeting & Commission Representation Schedule to comply with
Planning Commission Bylaws.
Commissioner Squyres, seconded by Commissioner Powell moved to approve the amended
2012 Planning Commission Meeting schedule, aligning the March and August meeting dates
to the Planning Commission Bylaws and following the first regular City Council meeting of
the month. Carried 3 — 0.
X. Old Business: None.
XI. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, March 27, 2012 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall
• Thursday, April 12, 2012 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. /City Hall
• Tuesday, April 24, 2012 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall
B. Council Representative:
• Tuesday, March 27, 2012 — Commissioner Powell
• Tuesday, April 24, 2012 — Commissioner Squyres
XII. Adjourn: Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Squyres, moved to
adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Carried 3 — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Hultman
Planning & Code Enforcement Officer
Approved by the Planning Commission:
TPC 3601 Thurston Avenue N, Suite 100
Anoka, MN 55303
Phone: 783.231.5840
Facsimile: 783.427.0520
TPC@PlanningCo. com
PLANNING REPORT
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: April 5, 2012
RE: Oak Park Heights — Stillwater Motors — Conditional Use Permit
Amendment and Design Guidelines Review — 5900 Stillwater
Blvd North
TPC FILE: 236.02 — 12.01
BACKGROUND
Daniel Raduenz, representing Raduenz Dealership Properties LLC has made
application for improvements at the Stillwater Motors dealership located at 5900
Stillwater Blvd North. The application includes requests for a Conditional Use Permit
amendment and Design Guidelines review. The Conditional Use Permit amendment is
requested to allow for an extension of the timeline for required improvements to the
dealership. The Design Guidelines review is required to allow retrofit of the building to
be consistent with the current banded image of Chevrolet.
The Planning Commission addressed this application at their March 15, 2012 meeting.
They did not have an issue with the extension of the timeline for the required
improvements, but were in agreement that the remodel of the building to fit the
Chevrolet image was not consistent with the Design Guidelines. The applicants asked
for additional time to review the plans so that they could bring forward a plan that would
be consistent with the Guidelines. The Planning Commission continued the public
hearing and consideration of this matter to the April 12, 2012 meeting.
Since that meeting, representatives of Stillwater Motors have been working on
alternative designs. Please find as attached a narrative and revised designs for
Planning Commission review. The Planning Commission should review these carefully
to determine which best complies with the Design Guidelines.
EXHIBITS
The review is based upon the following submittals:
Exhibit 1: Stillwater Motors Exterior Options Narrative
Exhibit 2: Option 1
Exhibit 3: Option 2
Exhibit 4: Option 3
REVISED BUILDING PERSPECTIVES
Ward Sessing, the project architect, has provided a narrative indicating the exterior
options for Stillwater Motors listed in the order of preference:
"Option 1: Original proposal as submitted.
Option 2: Original proposal less any color changes to existing stucco or precast concrete panels
(they remain earth tone) Metal panel colors immediately adjacent to the entry (at showroom)
changed to comply with Chevrolet branding colors. Front entry remains in its current
configuration (Not expanded in size or width). Change the existing silver metal panel banding to
Chevrolet Blue.
Option 3: Changing color of metal panels at existing entry (Not expanded in size or width) to
Chevrolet Blue and change the existing silver metal panel banding to Chevrolet Blue."
Please note that their first option is the original submittal that was reviewed in the
Planning Report dated March 8, 2012. That option was not recommended by City Staff
or favorably received by the Planning Commission at their March 15, 2012 meeting.
This continues as an option that the City Staff cannot support based upon the Design
Guidelines.
The applicant's second choice is to replace /repaint the front entry panels in a Chevrolet
Blue, maintain the canopy in silver, and replace /repaint the panels on either side of the
front entry to silver. The existing stucco and precast concrete surfaces would not be
painted white but would remain in the earth tone colors. Blue banding would be added
over the windows along the south and east facades of the building. The applicants
would keep the window framing in the current bronze color.
This is an option that changes the panels to a different color. Within the Design
Guidelines review of their original proposal, the most significant diversions from
complying with the standards were the proposed colors and the change of building
materials to surfaces that were not compliant. This proposal, while not preferable,
2
consists of changing the building materials from a compliant to non compliant color.
The Planning Commission should comment.
The third choice of the applicants is to replace /repaint only the front entry in the blue,
maintain the canopy silver and add blue banding over the windows and along the south
and east facades of the building. The windows would be retained in the current bronze
color with this option.
The third option is the least problematic and most compliant with the Design Guidelines.
The changes would be limited to only the front entry and with limited blue color banding
on the south and east facades. City Staff could support this option in that the Design
Guidelines allows for some flexibility in color especially as an accent and not as a
primary building color.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Please find below the applicable Design Guidelines standards related to building color,
materials and franchise architecture. A review of the full Design Guidelines for this
project is found in the March 8, 2012 Planning Report.
Architectural Guidelines.
Building Materials and Colors
All Districts
Building Colors
Building colors should accent, blend with, or complement the surroundings. Principal
building colors should generally consist of neutral or muted colors with low reflectance.
"Warm- toned" colors are encouraged because of their year -round appeal. No more than
three principal colors should be used on a facade or individual storefront. Bright or
primary colors are acceptable when determined through the design and review process
to be appropriate for the site and building use.
Commercial Districts
Building Materials
All buildings should be constructed of high - quality materials:
The primary building materials should cover at least 60 percent of the facade.
The materials must be integrally colored and may consist of brick, natural stone,
precast concrete units, architectural precast concrete panels or glass.
• Secondary building materials should cover no more than 30 percent of the
facade and may consist of decorative block, fiber cement board, stucco or EFIS.
Accent materials may be used on up to 10 percent of any of the building's
facades. These materials may include door and window frames, lintels, cornices,
architectural metalwork, glass block, copper flashing or similar materials.
3
• Roof materials that are acceptable include prefinished metal with a flat
standing seam, untreated copper, slate and asphalt.
Prohibited Materials
Unadorned, plain or painted concrete block.
Unadorned, precast concrete panels.
Aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, asphalt or fiberboard (masonite) siding.
• Building color wraps or neon as a building accent.
Franchise Architecture
Franchise establishments typically desire a specific architectural motif in order to
emphasize consistency in their network and attract regular customers. In many cases,
this standardized architecture conflicts with a unique regional architecture and character
desired for the community. There are ways, however, of incorporating the franchise's
desire signage and even some building treatments, while still encouraging the basic
principles of commercial building design listed above. Franchises or national chains
should follow these guidelines to create context - sensitive buildings that are sustainable
and reusable.
Drive - through canopies and accessory structures, when required, shall be constructed
of the same materials as the primary building, with the same level of architectural quality
and detailing.
CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATION
Based upon the preceding review, Staff would recommend that the Planning
Commission favorably consider the request for the timeline extension with the
conditions listed below. Further, Staff would recommend that the Planning Commission
favorably consider the Option 3 design of the building. The change is only to the entry
of the building. They should also discuss Option 2 in that it is a change of color for a
larger portion of the building. The color is changing as is possibly, the building material.
Any change to a building surface should be to a building material that is compliant in
type and color, which this is not.
City Staff would recommend the Conditional Use Permit Amendment be approved with
the following conditions.
1. All parking setbacks, curbs and stormwater drainage systems, in the
northeast and southeast corners of the site, shall be constructed and
brought into compliance with the Zoning Regulations no later than August
31, 2018.
2. All other conditions approved on July 22, 2008 by the City Council in
Resolution 08 -07 -31 and recorded with the Conditional Use Permit and
Variance for Raduenz Dealership Properties LLC shall remain in effect.
4
The design of the building should be approved with the following conditions:
1. The Planning Commission recommends Option _ dated April 5, 2012.
2. All signage shall comply with the approvals granted on July 26, 2005 with
a total of 10 wall signs and no more than 655 square feet of signage.
5
EXHIBIT - 1
Stillwater Motors Exterior options
(Listed in order of preference)
4.5.12
Option 1: Original proposal as submitted
Option 2: Original proposal less any color changes to existing stucco or precast concrete
panels (they remain earth tone) Metal panel colors immediately adjacent to the entry (at
showroom) changed to comply with Chevrolet branding colors. Front entry remains in its
current configuration (Not expanded in size or width). Change the existing silver metal
panel banding to Chevrolet Blue.
Option 3: Changing color of metal panels at existing entry (Not expanded in size or
width) to Chevrolet Blue and change the existing silver metal panel banding to Chevrolet
Blue.
414
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EXHIBIT - 3
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