HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-13 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
- PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday,August 13,2013—Oak Park Heights City Hall
Call to Order&Welcome Commissioner Jim Kremer: Chair Bye called the meeting to
order at 6:15 p.m. and welcomed new Commissioner Jim Kremer.
Present: Commissioners Anthony, Bye, Kremer,Nelson, and Thurmes; City Planner
Richards. Absent: City Administrator Johnson and Commission Liaison Runk.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Nelson,moved to approve the Agenda
as presented. Carried 5 - 0.
III. Approval of May 16, 2013 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner Thurmes, seconded by Commissioner Anthony,moved to approve the
minutes as presented. Carried 5 - 0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: None.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. Hassis Paintworks: Consider request for Conditional Use Permit to allow boat repair
at 5625 Memorial Ave. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the July 3, 2013 planning report regarding the
request for boat body repair operation and gel coat repair at 5625/5645 Memorial
Ave. N.
Commission discussion ensued as to whether or not boat storage would occur outside
the building and if so if there was a limited to how many may be stored and whether
or not the applicant had contacted Washington County to learn whether or not a
hazardous waste generators license was required for their business operation.
Chair Bye opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to comment.
Chris Hassis—Hassis Paintworks addressed the Commission questions and discussed
the nature of work performed by his business. Mr. Hassis stated that work would be
schedule for each week so that there would not be outside storage of boats and that he
had not yet contacted Washington County to determine whether or not a hazardous
waste generators license would be required.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 13, 2013
Page 2 of 5
There being no visitor comment to the public hearing, Chair Bye closed the public
hearing.
Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Kremer,moved to recommend
the City Council approve the request, subject to the conditions within the July 3,
2013 planning report, specifically:
1. All boat repair activities shall be limited to within the principal structure and the
service and delivery doors shall be kept closed except when vehicles are being
moved in and out of the building.
2. There shall be no exterior storage of materials on site. All storage shall be
internal to the building.
3. The business approved is for marine fiberglass and gel coat repair, detailing,
striping,installing decals,and replacing any damaged parts on the body of boats.
If the business expands from what was originally approved,the applicant shall
make a request in writing to the City Administrator with documentation. The
City Administrator shall determine if the expansion of the activity shall require an
amended CUP.
4. The business shall not offer the sale or storage of boats.
5. All noise created from operations on site shall be in conformance with Section
401.15.B.11 of the Zoning Ordinance.
6. All mechanical equipment installed outside of the building shall be screened in
accordance with Section 401.15.E.10.e of the Zoning Ordinance.
7. All trash and recycling shall be stored in the building or within the designated
trash enclosures for the building.
8. All proposed signage shall be in compliance with Section 401.15.G of the Zoning
Ordinance.
9. The applicant shall receive and retain, if required, a Hazardous Generators
license from Washington County.
Carried 5—0.
B. Pizza Ranch: Consider requests for Site Plan&Design Guidelines Review, Rezoning
from 0, Open Space Zoning District to B-2, General Business Zoning District,
Conditional Use Permit for number par parking stalls and to allow a pick-up window
for proposed Pizza Ranch restaurant, located at 13045 60th St. N. (East of Americlnn
Hotel).
Planning Commission Minutes
August 13,2013
Page 3 of 5
City Planner Richards reviewed the August 8, 2013 planning report related to
the requests. Discussion ensued as to entrance and pick up areas related to safety
traffic/pedestrian safety. It was noted that there is a designated driveway for the pick-
up window and that the Americlnn General Manager has communicated that they did
have an opportunity to review the proposed plan are in favor of approval.
Ernest Swanson—Pizza Ranch owner introduced himself as a long-time resident of
the St. Croix Valley and drew attention to his family in the audience, who he
indicated would be running the restaurant,noting that the business is a family
business.
Joey Wendinger—I& S Group,project architect and engineer, introduced himself
and addressed questions and concerns related to project with the Commission. Mr.
Wendinger provided photos of the type of decorative lighting that they are proposing
at the restaurant and with respect to the conditions of the planning report, noted that
they are not in favor of the condition that requires the pylon sign to be change to a
monument sign.
Discussion ensued as to signage design, locations, visibility, electronic reader board
signs, pylon signs in place at existing businesses, and the importance of adequate
signage for business needs.
Additional discussion was had as to electronic reader board signs, which City Planner
Richards noted were not allowed by City Ordinance. Commissioner Nelson stated
that she felt that the sign ordinance should be reviewed for their consideration and
inquired as to the process to have such review undertaken. Richards stated that that if
the Commission desired such a review,the process would be for them to direct staff
to consider such a review, adding that because it would be an ordinance amendment,
a public hearing would also be required.
Chair Bye inquired what type of sign they would be seeking if no restrictions were
placed. Mr. Wendinger stated that the proposed pylon sign is the Pizza Ranch
default sign.
Mr. Wendinger provided the Commission with a materials sample board and
discussed the drive through island and aisle composition, status of easement
agreements with the Americlnn, issues relative to pedestrian access, the adjacent
wetland and energy efficiency elements to the project.
Chair Bye opened the public hearing.
There being no visitor comment to the public hearing, Chair Bye closed the public
hearing.
Review and discussion of the conditions within the planning report ensued.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 13, 2013
Page 4 of 5
Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Kremer,moved to recommend
the City Council approve the request, subject to the conditions within the August 8,
2013 planning report, as amended, specifically:
1. All grading,drainage,erosion control,and utility plans are subject to review and
approval of the City Engineer. Stormwater plans are also subject to review and
approval of the Brown's Creek Watershed District.
2. All light fixtures shall be full cut off,compliant with the height requirements,and
be consistent with Section 401.15.B.7 of the Zoning Ordinance as it relates to
lighting requirements.
3. The Planning Commission recommends the use of the proposed decorative light
fixtures and the lighting of the building's architectural features.
4. The Planning Commission recommends the building design and materials.
5. The trash enclosure shall be redesigned with matching wood gates.
6. All mechanical equipment on the roof or on site shall be fully screened in
accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
7. The Applicant shall provide a snow removal plan or indicate if the snow will be
hauled off site.
8. The Applicant shall be allowed to install the proposed pylon sign with a raised
planter in compliance with the sign requirements. The applicant shall provide a
plan for the sign planter subject to approval of City Staff.
9. The Applicant shall remove the Pizza Ranch logo on the proposed blade sign.
10. The Applicant shall provide pedestrian access through the site from 60th Street to
the south property line.
11. Outdoor lighting for the parking areas shall be turned off one hour after closing,
except for approved security lighting.
12. All signs shall be designed to comply with the Zoning Ordinance requirements
for internal illumination.
13. The landscape plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the City
Arborist.
14. Building entrance plantings shall be required. The applicant shall revise the
landscape plan or provide seasonal planters at the main entrance of the building.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 13,2013
Page 5 of 5
15. A bike rack should be identified on the site plan and placed on site.
Carried 5 —0.
VII. New Business:
A. Electronic Message Boards: As a result of discussion within the Pizza Ranch public
hearing and members of the Commission desiring a review of the City sign ordinance
for their consideration,the Commission directed a request to City Staff to consider
review the sign ordinance in relation to electronic message boards and possible
ordinance amendment.
VIII. Old Business: None.
IX. Informational: Commissioner Anthony provided a reminder that the Party In the Park was
coming up and is going to be an ice cream social,held at Brekke Park on Sunday, September
9, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, August 13, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, August 27, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, September 12, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, September 10, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, September 24, 2013 —Commissioner Kremer
X. Adjourn: Chair Bye adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
Carried 5—0.
Respectfully submitted,
Juli: ultman, CBO
Planning& Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission: 09-12-13