Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 11-20 PCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION NOVEMBER 20, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Rahn at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sean Rahn, Commissioners Kara Kuykendall, Stan Leino, Michael Parks, Tim Roche and Della Young were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Commissioner Rachel Lund was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -NOVEMBER 13, 2008 There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2008 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. Commissioner Leino abstained as he was not present at the meeting. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Rahn explained the Planning Commission's role as an advisory body. One of the Commission's functions is to hold public hearings. In the matters concerned in these hearings, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final decisions in these matters. APPLICATION NO. 2008-008 OSSEO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 279 Chair Rahn introduced Application No. 2008-008, a request for Special Use Permit Amendment for parking lot screening. Mr. Warren presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal. This application was reviewed by the Planning Commission and a public hearing conducted on October 30, 2008 at which time the matter was laid over to give the School District time to consider a modified plan that would shift the entrance to the parking lot to the south as was suggested during the meeting. (See Planning Commission Information Sheets dated 10-30-08 and 11-20-08 for Application No. 2008-008, attached.) It was suggested during the public hearing portion of the October 30, 2008 meeting that the School District consider shifting the entrance to the 70`h/Perry intersection area. The public hearing was closed at that meeting and the school district was requested to review such a possible relocation. Mr. Warren explained that informational notices have been sent to those receiving notice of the Planning Commission's October 30, 2008 public hearing. He added that the Planning Commission may choose to reopen the public hearing on this matter. Page 1 11-20-08 PUBLIC HEARING - APPLICATION NO. 2008-008 There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Leino, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2008-008, at 7:21p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Rahn called for comments from the public. Mr. Carlstrom came before the Commission for questions. Commissioner Roche asked what kind of irrigation system would be installed around the new parking lot area. Mr. Carlstrom responded that an irrigation system would be installed around the berm and around the perimeter of the building to maintain landscaping on the site. Commissioner Parks asked Mr. Carlstrom how the informational meeting went with the neighbors. Mr. Carlstrom responded that the neighbors would rather not see the parking lot but felt that the meeting had been favorable and the neighbors were willing to accept the revisions to the layout. Commissioner Leino asked what the district's plan is for maintaining the property. Mr. Carlstrom explained that the school district has a five year repaving plan for its buildings and this building was scheduled for repaving which is what precipitated this plan to better utilize the site. Chair Rahn stated to the applicant that he appreciates the effort the school district made in meeting with the neighbors regarding changes to the proposed plan. Mr. Ken Herman, 7001 Perry Avenue North, stated that the way the plan is set up, there will be lights going into his two bedrooms. He added that he cannot figure out why this is being proposed for a parking lot since most of the parking lot at the school is often empty. Mr. Herman stated again that he does not see why the parking lot has to be there. Commissioner Roche further asked how many adults would be using the facilities. Ms. Julie Pierce, representing the Osseo School District, responded that there are about 40 adults using the facility and many of them drive together, walk or use the bus while utilizing programs during the daytime. She added that one of the major reasons for relocating this parking lot has to do with safety and security of the students and noted that the program would be conducted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Commissioner Roche stated that if the north parking lot was used, then there would be no issue with car lights in the parking lot. She stated there are no plans to operate the program in the evening. Commissioner Young asked why the basketball court had been removed. Mr. Carlstrom stated it was related to lack of use and maintenance issues. Terry McDevitt, 7007 Perry Avenue North, asked about the existing parking lot for the adult education programs and stated that she feels that there is no reason that people cannot park in the existing lot and walk around the building to the other entrance since the parking lot is never full. Page 2 11-20-08 Ms. Julie Pierce stated again that the school district is concerned with safety and liability of the students and wants to assure separation between the Adult programs and Early Childhood program and that is the reason for the proposed parking lot. Commissioner Roche stated that he feels the school district is asphalt happy with the Willow Lane site and feels there is no need to add additional parking to the site. He added, however, that just because the Planning Commission might not agree with the proposal, does not by itself constitute a reason to recommend denial of the request. No other persons from the public appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on Application No. 2008-008. Commissioner Roche asked if a condition of approval could be added requiring irrigation on the site to maintain the landscaping on the site. Mr. Warren explained that underground irrigation is not an ordinance requirement in residential zoning districts as it is in Commercial and Industrial Districts. For this reason he would not recommend such a condition. He noted that the School District representative indicated that they would provide this and that it will be part of the record. There is no reason to believe that they will not provide irrigation. Chair Rahn stated that he feels that the Planning Commission should not impose a condition of approval that cannot be enforced and should not do so in this case. Mr. Herman asked if the entrance to the parking lot could be brought down to 70th Avenue North. Mr. Warren explained that the staff report indicated that doing so would require relocating a trail and crosswalks, possibly shifting of the ball fields and other significant change e on the site. Such changes would probably lead to additional parking spaces being added and th site would have additional hard surface area and would have to be reviewed by the Shingle Cree Watershed Management Commission. Also, separate Park and Recreation Commission and Cit Council review and approval of the changes and a cross access agreement would be necessary adding additional review time to the project. Mr. Herman stated that he doesn't feel that this parking lot should go in at all. Mr. Warren pointed out that if the parking lot is not added to the south, people utilizing the south end of the building will probably park on the street instead for convenience. s k y CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Following further discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2008-008, at 7:41p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO., There was a motion by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Kuykendall, to recommend to the City Council that it approve Application No. 2008-008, submitted by Osseo Independent School District No. 279 subject to the following conditions: Page 3 11-20-08 The Special Use Permit Amendment acknowledges appropriate parking lot screening consistent with Section 35-711 of the city's zoning ordinance. 2. The Special Use Permit Amendment acknowledges adult education uses as appropriate uses within the zoning classification of the city's zoning ordinance. 3. Grading, drainage, curbing and parking lot plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer prior to issuance of permits for the project. 4. Building permits for the proposed parking lot improvements are subject to the approval of the Building Official prior to the issuance of building permits. 5. The applicant shall provide appropriate erosion and sediment control devices on the site during construction as approved by the City Engineering Department. 6. All work performed and materials used for construction of parking lot, sidewalk and curb and gutter improvements, shall conform to the City of Brooklyn Center's current Standard Specifications and Details. 7. The Special Use Permit Amendment is subject to all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations. Any violation thereof could be grounds for revocation. 8. Lighting on the property shall be consistent with Section 35-712 of the City Ordinances with respect to light intensity and avoidance of light glare. Voting in favor: Chair Rahn, Commissioners Kuykendall, Leino, and Parks. The motion passed. Commissioner Roche voted against. Commissioner Young abstained. The Council will consider the application at its December 8, 2008 meeting. The applicant must be present. Major changes to the application as reviewed by the Planning Commission will require that the application be returned to the Commission for reconsideration. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Warren announced that Commissioner Leino stated that he desires to be reappointed to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Roche stated that he would like to have the City Council address attendance at Commission meetings and added he feels that the continued absence of a Commission Member should be followed up on. Mr. Warren stated that the standards for all advisory commissions is three absences from meetings and a member can be removed. Attendance information is provided annually to the Mayor for his review. 1 Page 4 11-20-08 Chair Rahn stated that he would like the issue addressed so that if a Commissioner is continually absence, it is important to have the person replaced so there can be full attendance at meetings. Commissioner Leino stated that he agrees that this information should be reviewed by the Mayor so that private contact can be made with the Commission Member to determine their intent. Chair Rahn stated his interest in having a joint meeting with City Council as done in the past. There was a discussion by the Commission Members regarding the process of filling vacant positions on the Planning Commission. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Young, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. 401" Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass Page 5 11-20-08