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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 07-26 PCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION JULY 26, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Rahn at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sean Rahn, Commissioners Gary Ford, Michael Parks, and Tim Roche were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Commissioners Rachel Lund and Della Young were absent and excused. Commissioner Boeck was absent and unexcused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 28.2007 There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Ford, to approve the minutes of the June 28, 2007 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. 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. 2007-013 BRAD SCHUMACHER Chair Rahn introduced Application No. 2007-013, a request for Site and Building plan approval for a six stall garage at the apartment located at 5240 Drew Avenue North. The footprint of the garage is 30 ft. by 44 ft. or 1,320 sq. ft. Two existing parking spaces will be eliminated and the parking lot will be expanded to the south to access the three east facing garage stalls. Mr. Warren presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 7-26-07, attached.) Commissioner Roche inquired as to the finished height of the garage. Mr. Warren stated that the maximum height for an accessory structure is 16 ft. and the plans showed that the garage would be less than that. The applicant, Brad Schumacher, addressed the Commission and pointed out where he planned to plant additional trees on the site. There was no further discussion regarding the application. 7-26-07 Page 1 ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 2007-013 - BRAD SCHUMACHER There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to recommend to the City Council that it approve Application No. 2007-013, submitted by Brad Schumacher, for Site and Building approval for a six stall garage at the apartment located at 5240 Drew Avenue North, subject to the following considerations: The building plans are subject to review by the Building Official with respect to applicable codes prior to the issuance of permits. 2. Grading and drainage plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer prior to the issuance of permits. 3. The plans shall be modified in the following manner: a. The maximum driveway width for the new driveway onto Drew Avenue to be no more than 24 ft. wide at the property line. b. To show the location of the relocated trash enclosure to be provided with an opaque screening device at least 6 ft. high to include a solid screen gate. 4. The applicant shall obtain a driveway permit from the Engineering Department for the proposed access onto Drew Avenue North. Voting in favor: Chair Rahn, Commissioners Ford, Parks, and Roche. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its August 13, 2007 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- BROOKLYN CENTER ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL ZONING ISSUES Mr. Warren explained that the Brooklyn Center City Council had received a written request from the Brooklyn Center School District to consider allowing an Alternative Learning Center in the Industrial Park zoning district located at the Palmer Lake Plaza building located at 6850, 6860 and 6870 Shingle Creek Parkway. Mr. Warren stated that Alternative Learning Centers are generally for those students unable to learn in a typical school setting. Mr. Warren described details regarding the history of this topic to enable the Commission to possibly recommend an ordinance amendment relative to this request. He pointed out that the City Council had referred the matter to the Planning Commission for review, comment and recommendation. Mr. Tom Schinnick, representing the Brooklyn Center School District, explained that the Alternative Learning Center is currently housed at the Brooklyn Center High School and they only have space for 50 students but could be serving nearly 100 students. He further stated that by moving the center into the Industrial Zone it would allow them to expand and serve additional students. 7-26-07 Page 2 Mr. Warren clarified to the Commission that their role is to make a decision on how to handle the request to allow school uses such as an Alternative Learning Center in the Industrial Zone. He suggested that the Commission clearly define what type of education uses would be allowed in the commercial and industrial zones when considering this ordinance amendment since currently elementary and secondary education uses are not allowed in the commercial or industrial districts. Mr. Warren also stated that the State requires that an alternative learning center must be located within the boundaries of the school district that is conducting the school and that is why the Brooklyn Center School District has been unable to rent or lease space for this use in churches or other areas in the city that would allow this type of use since they are located within a different school district. The Commission came to a consensus that City Staff should further research this topic to provide them with additional information regarding a possible ordinance amendment. In particular they requested information on how other communities mentioned in the Superintendent's letter that are located in commercial areas address location and land use issues. There was further discussion among the Commission regarding this matter. Mr. Warren indicated that he hoped to have this item back on the August study session. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeti~g adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass 7-26-07 Page 3