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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-15 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 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, Ju ie • ultman Pla ni g & Code Enforcement Officer Approved by the Planning Commission: April 12, 2012