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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 11-15 PCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 15, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Rahn at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sean Rahn, Commissioners 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. Rachel Lund was absent and unexcused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Leino, to approve the minutes of the September 27, 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. 2007-017 - THE LUTHER COMPANIES, Chair Rahn introduced Application No. 2007-017, a request for Special Use Permit approval for an off-site accessory parking facility at 4435 68`h Avenue North for the storage of vehicle inventory related to the Luther car dealerships in the area. The Luther Companies have recently acquired the property and are proposing to utilize it in conjunction with their automobile dealership operations in this area. Mr. Warren presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 11-15-07 for Application No. 2007-017, attached.) The applicant's proposal is to utilize the old school bus storage facility and the existing black topped area for parking and storage of inventory vehicles related to the Luther car dealerships. Commissioner Parks asked about for clarification regarding special use permit requirements as they relate to this application. Mr. Warren explained the need for special use permit approval since there is to be outside parking and storage on the site under the category of off-site accessory parking. Page 1 11-15-07 Commissioner Young asked about traffic congestion related to this site. MT. Warren responded that there should not be any traffic problems related to the site. There will be occasional unloading and loading of vehicles and transport to the sales lot. Unloading of vehicles should be done on-site rather than in the public streets. PUBLIC HEARING - APPLICATION NO. 2007-017 There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Young, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2007-017, at 7:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Rahn called for comments from the public. Ms. Linda McGinty, representing The Luther Companies, introduced herself to the Commission and thanked them for reviewing their request. She explained that it is often difficult for the dealership to accommodate outside storage needs and with the acquisition of this property, it will allow them to better conduct their business by having their inventory closer to the area where sales are conducted. Commissioner Leino asked the applicant if they are concerned about security on the back lot. Ms. McGinty responded that they are evaluating lighting and security on the site and will increase lighting if it seems inadequate. She added that there is a fence around the perimeter of the site as well. Commissioner Parks asked the applicant if they have any plans to increase parking on their property. Ms. McGinty responded that they feel this is a very valuable piece of property and they do not have any plans to add to the site with additional parking. No other persons from the public appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on Application No. 2007-016. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Young, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2007-017, at 7:29 p.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. 2007-017 - THE LUTHER COMPANIES There was a motion by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Roche, to recommend to the City Council that it approve Application No. 2007-017, submitted by the Luther Companies for an off-site accessory parking facility at 4435 68 h Avenue North for the storage of vehicle inventory related to the Luther car dealerships in the area subject to the following conditions: 1. A special use permit is granted for off-site accessory parking, storage of vehicle Page 2 11-15-07 inventory and vehicle fueling associated with the Luther automobile dealerships in the immediate area. No sales or servicing of vehicles, other than fueling, is permitted on this off-site lot at 4435 68th Avenue North. 2. All vehicle parking and storage shall be confined to the building on the premises or improved asphalt areas on the site. 3. The special use permit is subject to all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations. Any violation, thereof, may be grounds for revocation. 4. The applicant shall apply for and be issued a Certificate of Occupancy and be required to comply with any applicable building code regulations as approved by the Building Official. Voting in favor: Chair Rahn, Commissioners Leino, Parks, Roche and Young. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its November 26, 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-EXPIRATION OF COMMISSION MEMBERS TERMS, Mr. Warren stated to the Commission that the City Clerk has requested confirmation regarding reappointments to the Planning Commission. Appointments will expire on December 31, 2007 for Commissioners Lund, Parks and Roche. Commissioner Parks and Roche stated they would like to continue to serve on the Planning Commission. Mr. Warren stated that he will contact Commissioner Lund regarding her interest in continuing to serve on the Planning Commission. Mr. Warren stated that the November 29, 2007 meeting had been canceled. Chair Rahn stated that he will be unable to attend the December 13, 2007 meeting. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Young, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Chair' Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass Page 3 11-15-07