HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 09-28 PCM MINUTES 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
SEPTEMBER 28, 2006
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Willson at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Tim Willson, Commissioners Graydon Boeck, Sean Rahn, 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 Gary
Ford and Rachel Lund were absent and excused. Commissioner Michael Parks was absent and
unexcused.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — AUGUST 17.2006
There was a motion by Commissioner Graydon Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Roche, to
approve the minutes of the August 17, 2006 meeting as submitted. The motion passed.
CHAIR'S EXPLANATION
Chair Willson 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. 2006 -011 HARVESTIME GLOBAL MINISTRY
Chair Willson introduced Application No. 2006 -011, a request for Special Use Permit approval
to allow a church use in an I -1 zone at 6820 Shingle Creek Parkway. The proposed use is a
permitted use in the C -1 and C -2 zoning districts. This use is also an allowable use in the I -1
zone through the special use permit process.
Mr. Warren presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal.
(See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 9 -28 -06 for Application No. 2006 -011,
attached.)
PUBLIC HEARING — APPLICATION NO. 2006 -011
There was a motion by Commissioner Rahn, seconded by Commissioner Boeck, to open the
public hearing on Application No. 2006 -011, at 7:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Chair Willson called for comments from the public.
Ms. Hawa Diggs, 10015 Elm Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, representing the applicant
Harvestime Global Ministry addressed the Commission. Commissioner Rahn inquired if the
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applicant would be doing any cooking on site associated with the use of the fellowship area. The
applicant responded that they use a catering service. Commissioner Roche asked when the
church became incorporated. Ms. Diggs responded that they were incorporated in December
2004. She added that their pastor has traveled worldwide and the size of their membership is 90.
Commissioner Roche asked for confirmation that the church is non - denominational. Ms. Diggs
confirmed that they are non - denominational.
Chair Willson asked how the church is structured. Ms. Diggs responded that there is a pastor,
assistant pastor, committees, administration and finance persons, the same as any other church
structure.
Ms. Holly Beckstrom, 4059 Penn Avenue North, introduced herself to the Commission and
stated she is one of the pastors of Harvestime Global Ministry and is here to show support for the
application.
No other persons from the public appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on
Application No. 2006 -011.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Boeck, to close the
public hearing on Application No. 2006 -011, at 7:39 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Roche asked about the current vacancy rate in the building that the applicant is
proposing to occupy. Mr. Warren responded that the plan submitted appears to show three other
vacant spaces in the building. Commissioner Roche asked for further clarification on whether or
not this use makes the building tax exempt. Mr. Warren explained that the owner pays taxes on
the entire building and allowing this use would not make the building tax exempt. He also
pointed out that zoning and tax law are two separate issues and an application cannot be denied
based on the fact that it might create a tax exempt situation.
Commissioner Rahn asked if there were any adult uses in the Industrial zone. Mr. Warren
responded that there are not. He further explained that if an adult use were proposed in the same
building it could not be denied based on the fact that the church use had been established in the
Industrial zone.
The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application.
ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 2006 -011 —
HARVESTIME GLOBAL MINISTRY
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to recommend
to the City Council that it approve Application No. 2006 -011, submitted by Harvestime Global
Ministry for a Special Use Permit to operate a church in an I -1 zone at 6820 Shingle Creek
Parkway, subject to the following conditions:
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1. The special use permit is issued for a place of religious assembly and associated uses
at this location. No other uses, not comprehended by this application shall be
permitted as part of this special use permit. Any expansion or major alteration to the
use shall be subject to an amendment to this special use permit.
2. This special use permit is subject to all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
Any violation, thereof, may be grounds for revocation.
3. Tenant improvement plans are subject to review and approval by the Building
Official with respect to applicable codes through the building permit process.
4. Special use approval is exclusive of all signery which is subject to the provisions of
Chapter 34 of the city ordinances and the city's sign policy with respect to 69
Avenue North.
Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Rahn and Roche. The motion
passed unanimously.
The Council will consider the application at its October 9, 2006 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.
Following the approval of the application there was discussion among the Commission regarding
the appropriateness of discussing tax exempt issues related to proposals presented to the
Planning Commission during a public hearing.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to adjourn the
Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at
8:10 P.M.
Chair
Recorded and transcribed by:
Rebecca Crass
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