HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-13 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday,March 13,2014—Oak Park Heights City Hall
Call to Order: Chair Bye called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioners Anthony, Bye, Kremer, and Thurmes; City Administrator Johnson,
City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison Liljegren. Absent: Commissioner Nelson.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner Anthony,moved to approve the Agenda
as presented. Carried 4 - 0.
III. Approval of December 12, 2013 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner Anthony,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:
A. Hall Gateway Building: Consider requests for Site Plan&Design Guidelines
Review and Conditional Use Permit for number of parking spaces related to Hall
Gateway Building construction, located at 13999 60th St. N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the March 5, 2014 planning report related to the
requests, which entails demolition of the existing structure at the site and
reconstruction of a new multi-tenant building.
Commission discussion ensued as setbacks related to parking and other site
amenities,right-of-way easements, requirements for MNDOT access permit,building
entry planting and placement of a bicycle rack.
Chair Bye opened the hearing for public comment.
Commission discussion continued as to the parking lot and the right-of-way
easements with Roger Tomten of ARCHNET who introduced himself as the architect
to the project.
Mark Johnson of Derrick Builders introduced himself as the builder to the project
and responded to the Commission that the start date of the project is anticipated for
late April,with completion in late September—early October.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 13,2014
Page 2 of 4
Discussion ensued as to pedestrian access, parking space calculations and methods of
construction and site design related to sustainability. Mark Johnson noted that the
building will be demolished and that they will be salvaging or recycling all materials
that they are able to. Mr. Johnson stated that some of the things incorporated to the
building design are a light roof color, installation of highly efficient appliances and
windows installed for daylighting of the space to provide energy efficiency to the
structure.
Chair Bye inquired if there were other visitors in the audience who wished to speak.
There being no visitors to the public hearing, Chair Bye closed the hearing.
City Administrator Johnson readdressed the matter of the right-of-way easements and
parking lot setbacks. He discussed a potential 10-foot setback from the MNDOT
right-of-way as a proactive measure to avoid potential future conflict with the
Minnesota Department of Transportation. Commission discussion ensued as to this
matter,wherein City Planner Richards suggested a condition be added to any
approval recommendation that requires the applicant to consult the City Engineer to
determine the right-of-way and to determine if there are any issued with the parking
lot setbacks.
Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner Anthony,moved to recommend
the City Council approve the requests, subject to the amended conditions of the
March 5, 2014 Planning Report, specifically that:
1. All grading, drainage, erosion control, and utility plans are subject to review
and approval of the City Engineer. Storm water plans are also subject to
review and approval of the Middles St. Croix Watershed Water Management
Organization.
2. The Applicant shall obtain a driveway access permit from the Minnesota
Department of Transportation.
3. All light fixtures shall be full cut off, compliance with the height
requirements, and be consistent with Section 401.15.B.7 of the Zoning
Ordinance as it relates to lighting requirements.
4. The Planning Commission was favorable to the building design and the
building materials. The applicant provided building material samples for
Planning Commission review.
5. All mechanical equipment on the roof or on the site.shall be fully screened in
accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
6. The Applicant shall replace the existing pylon sign with a monument sign
compliant with the signage requirements of the Design Guidelines.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 13,2014
Page 3 of 4
7. The Applicant shall work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation
to provide pedestrian access through the site from 60th Street to the building
sidewalk. The pedestrian access shall be subject to approval of the City
Engineer.
8. Outdoor lighting for the parking areas shall be turned off one hour after
closing, except for approved security lighting.
9. All signs shall be designed to comply with the Zoning Ordinance
requirements for internal illumination.
10. The landscape plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the City
Arborist.
11. The Applicant shall provide additional information and update the layout plan
as to the location of the Minnesota Department of Transportation right-of-
way easements. City staff shall determine if a variance is required for a
parking setback based upon the Zoning Ordinance requirements.
12. A bicycle rack should be identified on the site plan and placed on site.
13. The Planning Commission was favorable with the methods of construction
and site design as they relate to Design Guidelines and sustainability.
Carried 4-0.
VII. New Business: None.
VIII. Old Business: None
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, March 25, 2014 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, April 8, 2014 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday,April 10, 2014 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday,April 22, 2014 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, March 25, 2014—Commissioner Nelson
• Tuesday, April 22, 2014 —Commissioner Thurmes
Planning Commission Minutes
March 13, 2014
Page 4 of 4
X. Adjourn: Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Chair Bye,moved to adjourn the
meeting at 7:48 p.m. Carried 4—0.
Res a ectfully submitted,
Ju ie u tman
Pl. g& Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission:April 10,2014