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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-14 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, February 14, 2013 — Oak Park Heights City Hall I. Call to Order: Chair Bye called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Commissioners Anthony, Bye, and Thurmes; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison Runk. Absent: Commissioners LeRoux and Nelson. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Thurmes, seconded by Commissioner Anthony, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 3 - 0. III. Adjourn to Work Session — Planning Commission Vacancy Interviews: Chair Bye adjourned to the work session. IV. Reconvene Regular Meeting: Chair Bye reconvene the regular meeting. A. Commission Appointment Recommendation: Discuss and make recommendation for appointment to Planning Commission vacancy. Chair Bye noted that a work session had been held for continued interview of Planning Commission applicants Jim Kremer and Guy Sederski for one Commission opening in June. Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Thurmes, moved to recommend City Council appointment of Jim Kremer to the Planning Commission, with a term to commence in June. Carried 3 - 0. V. Approval of December January 10, 2013 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Thurmes, seconded by Commissioner Anthony, moved to approve the minutes as presented. Carried 3 - 0. VI. Department/Commission Liaison / Other Reports: None VII. Visitors /Public Comment: None. VIII. Public Hearings: A. Fury Motors (Leonard Investments): Consider amendments to Interim Use Permit to allow an additional freestanding 24 -foot sign at the building entry with one sign and a total of six signs, including the one proposed to the freestanding sign at Fury Motors, located at 14702 60 St. N. Planning Commission Minutes February 14, 2013 Page 2 of 5 City Planner Richards reviewed the February 6, 2013 planning report regarding the request for additional signage related to the addition of Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram to the Jeep line at the site. Chair Bye invited the applicant to address the Commission. Matt Floerke, Fury Sales Manager introduced himself. Mr. Floerke indicated that he had no issue with the planning report and responded to questions from the Commission related to the proposed height of the Chrysler Arch freestanding sign, the process of dealership signage packaging, potential use of the arch sign at the time they rebuild on the site, and what comparable signage is at their other locations. 1 Chair Bye opened the hearing for public comment. Commission discussion ensued as to the arch sign as an architectural element, the height of sign, and illumination as part of its composition. There being no comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Thurmes, seconded by Commissioner Anthony, moved to recommend the City Council approve the request for additional signage subject to the conditions as noted within the February 6, 2013 planning report, specifically: 1. The Interim Use allowances for signage shall be limited to three years from the date of City Council approval of the Interim Use Permit for the dealership (October 23, 2012). The applicant may request an extension of the Interim Use Permit by the City Council prior to its expiration. 2. The City will not require conformance with the Design Guidelines as part of the Interim Use approval. 3. The plan for the freestanding sign at the front entrance shall be revised so that the structure is no more than 20 feet in height. Based upon the requirements of Chrysler Group, the City Council shall determine whether the sign needs to be 24 feet in height. 4. The sign specifications and methods of illumination shall be subject to review and approval of the City Planner at the time of permitting. Carried3 -0. B. Zoning Ordinance 401: Consider amendments allowing animal daycare, limited overnight care & associated services as an accessory use in Zoning Districts B -2, B -4 and those areas zoned Commercial Planned Unit Development (PUD). Planning Commission Minutes February 14, 2013 Page 3 of 5 City Planner Richards reviewed the February 6, 2013 planning report related to allowing animal daycare, limited overnight care & associated services as an accessory use in zoning districts B -2, B -4, and those zoned commercial planned unit development (PUD). Brief discussion ensued as to whether there were any other businesses in Oak Park Heights that the ordinance amendment would apply to, why overnight stays were limited to seven consecutive nights, and how compliance would be monitored. Chair Bye opened the hearing for public comment. Dan Lodge of Paws and Claws introduced himself as the owner of the business operation and noted that it is his hope to relocate his existing Stillwater business to the Oak Park Heights location that affords him more space and better visibility. Mr. Lodge also operates a Paws and Claws in Hudson and has operated there for the past eight years. Mr. Lodge discussed the business operation, where the guests are exercised in the indoor open area of the business. The site is always staff monitored and guests are never left unattended. At any time staff brings a guest outdoors, they are leashed. Mr. Lodge addressed questions from the Commission as to overnight stay durations, guest accommodations and such. City Administrator Johnson clarified that Mr. Lodge approached the City regarding relocation of his business and that the City Ordinances did not provide direction to follow an approval process. After discussion with Mr. Lodge, staff determined that such use should be discussed as a potential use for Mr. Lodge as well as other potential business operations in the future. The proposed amendment is to serve as a vehicle for consideration of Mr. Lodge's request and for those of potential future business operations of other applicants. There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Chair Bye closed the hearing. Continued Commission discussion ensued as to the possibility of an outside fenced area, leashing of guest, reasonable stay durations and the proposed ordinance amendment language. Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Thurmes, moved to recommend the City Council approve amendments allowing animal daycare, limited overnight care & associated services as an accessory use in Zoning Districts B -2, B -4 and those areas zoned Commercial Planned Unit Development (PUD) as outlined in the February 6, 2013 Planning Report, with changes to 401.30.D and 401.301.D section 4 a, c, and f, which sections shall specifically read as follows: Planning Commission Minutes February 14, 2013 Page 4 of 5 4. a. Overnight boarding of an animal shall be limited to no more than fourteen consecutive nights. c. Facilities on a site shall not be open to the public between the hours of 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM unless otherwise allowed by formal action of the City Council. f. Animals shall be leashed at all times they are outside of the building. Carried3 -0. IX. New Business: A. Redevelopment Planning —12969 60 St. N. Options. Joe Boone of The Excelsior Group visited with the Planning Commission and discussed some of the work they have attended to at the former Hecker Automotive building to get it up and running. Mr. Boone shared conversation with the Commission as to potential tenant uses for the site, including but not limited to retail and/or fitness use. Mr. Boone noted that market feedback for retail use as the site has been good and that they plan to use as much of the existing building as possible, adding that it's large square footage and ceiling heights create potential for use opportunities. The Commission did share their thoughts as to uses that create opportunity for all age groups in Oak Park Heights and surrounding community. When asked if there were any concerns with the zoning ordinance related to the site and their planning, Mr. Boone indicated that there were no present concerns. B. Vice Chair: Nominate and elect Vice Chair to fulfill outgoing Vice -Chair term to commence January, 2013 and culminate March, 2014. Commissioner Thurmes, seconded by Chair Bye, moved to nominate Commissioner Robin Anthony as Vice Chair with a term commencing immediately and culminating March 31, 2014. Carried 3 — 0. X. Old Business: None. Planning Commission Minutes February 14, 2013 Page 5 of 5 XI. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings: • Tuesday, February 26, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall • Tuesday, March 5, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall • Thursday, March 14, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. /City Hall • Tuesday, March 26, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. /City Hall B. Council Representative • Tuesday, February 26, 2013 — Commissioner Anthony • Tuesday, March 26, 2013 — Commissioner Bye • Tuesday, April 23, 2013 — Commissioner LeRoux XII. Adjourn: Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Thurmes, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Carried 3— 0. Respectfully submitted, Ju Hultman P1 ing & Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission: 05 -16 -2013