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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 12-15 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 REGULAR SESSION DECEMBER 15, 2005 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Willson at 7:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Tim Willson, Commissioners Graydon Boeck, Rachel Lund, Rex Newman, and Sean Rahn were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Commissioner Tim Roche and Eric Berns were absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — NOVEMBER 17, 2005 There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Lund, to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2005 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. 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. 2005 -018 SPIRITUAL LIFE MINISTRIES Chair Willson introduced Application No. 2005 -018, a request from Spiritual Life Ministries for Site and Building Plan approval and a Special Use Permit to establish a Bible College and construct a 7,583 sq. ft. upper floor addition to the existing Spiritual Life Church facility at 6865 Shingle Creek Parkway. The addition will house and accommodate a Bible College providing adult religious education for 200 to 250 persons. The church was planned with a possible future expansion and will not affect existing improvements. Mr. Warren presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal. See Planning ommission Information Sheet dated 12 -15 -05 for Application No. 2005 -018, g pp attached.) Commissioner Lund asked for clarification on the hours that the classroom instruction will be conducted. Mr. Warren responded that the applicant has indicated that classes would be held during the week, not on weekends. 12 -15 -05 Page 1 PUBLIC HEARING — APPLICATION NO. 2005 -018 There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Newman, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2005 -018, at 7:48 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Willson called for comments from the public. Pastor Joseph Fornara, 6865 Shingle Creek Parkway, asked for the Commission's consideration and hoped for a favorable review. He explained that this venture is a natural outgrowth of their ministry, one that would grow larger over a period of time. They have been accepted by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, however, to be approved by the Department of Education and receive accreditation as a four year Bible College, they must have their building plans available and be ready to build immediately. Commissioner Boeck inquired as to what specific standards qualify this facility as a college. Pastor Joseph Fornara responded that the school will receive national accreditation under the Department of Education. He further explained that the school itself is a training center and they have been teaching the Bible for 29 years. Spiritual Life Ministries discovered that accreditation associates were looking into what they did for quality and whether certain standards were being met. He added that under the accreditation standards there are requirements as to how many professors they have with certain degrees, certain hours of classroom instruction and other standards. This process follows that they will in time become a four year accredited college. Commissioner Lund asked about the proposed school's accreditation. Pastor Fornara responded that they have been accepted for accreditation by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and further explained that most classes will be held in the evening or on Saturday mornings and there will be no conflict with classes interfering with church services. Commissioner Lund asked about meals for the students. Pastor Fornara stated that meals would not be provided to the students. Pastor Judy Foranara, 6865 Shingle Creek Parkway, introduced herself and explained that about 20 years ago Spiritual Life Ministries started their training process. She added that one of the requirements for the accreditation process was that they must build and maintain a library within the building. She noted that Spiritual Life Ministries is currently a feeder program for other four year programs since they currently only offer a two year program. This will allow them to offer the four year program to students and they anticipate government funding for the student's tuition through this program. Mr. Marcus Blue, representative of the church, stated that he has worked on the previous construction of the church structure and explained that they plan to continue with the existing exterior look and architecture. No other persons from the public appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on Application No. 2005 -018. 12 -15 -05 Page 2 CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Lund, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2005 -018, at 8:02 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. 2005 -018 SPIRITUAL LIFE MINISTRIES There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to recommend to the City Council that it approve Application No. 2005 -018, submitted by Spiritual Life Ministries for a Special Use Permit to establish a Bible College and Site and Building Plan approval for a 7,583 sq. ft. addition to the Spiritual Life Church, 6865 Shingle Creek Parkway subject to the following conditions: 1. The building plans are subject to review and approval by the Building Official with respect to applicable codes prior to the issuance of permits. 2. Any altered grading, drainage or utility plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer prior to the issuance of permits. 3. The building additions are to be equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system to meet NFPA standards and shall be connected to a central monitoring device in accordance with Chapter 5 of the city ordinances. 4. The applicant shall provide appropriate erosion and sediment control devices on site during construction as approved by the city Engineering Department. 5. The special use permit is granted for a bible college within the meaning of an educational use as provided for in Section 35 -320, Subdivision 3d of the City's zoning ordinance. Any change in this use not comprehended by this application or permitted under the zoning ordinance will require approval of an amendment to this special use permit. 6. The special use permit is subject to all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations and any violation thereof shall be grounds for revocation. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners, Boeck, Lund, Newman, and Rahn. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its January 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. 12 -15 -05 Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS — 2006 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE, Mr. Warren discussed the proposed 2006 Planning Commission meeting schedule with the Commission and pointed out some dates that might be changed due to conflicts. He added that he would keep the Commission informed of any changes to the meeting schedule. Commissioner Rahn posed a question regarding the 7:30 p.m. Planning Commission meeting time. There was discussion by the Commission regarding the meeting time. There was a motion by Commissioner Lund, seconded by Commissioner Rahn to change the Planning Commission meeting time to 7:00 p.m. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Lund, and Rahn. Voting against: Commissioner Boeck Abstaining: Commissioner Newman The motion passed. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Lund, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. ' Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass i 12 -15 -05 Page 4