HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 03-14 NOTES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING TO CONSIDER
PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 89006
MARCH 14, 1989
BROOKLYN CENTER HIGH SCHOOL
No one from the Northeast Neighborhood Advisory Group attended the meeting.
Director of Planning and Inspection Ronald Warren introduced himself at
approximately 7:40 p.m. and also introduced Howard Atkins, the applicant, Hal
Pierce, the architect, and Planner Gary Shallcross. He briefly explained the
function of the Neighborhood Advisory Groups was to review rezonings and
Comprehensive Plan amendments. He stated that rezonings are evaluated based on a
set of guidelines set out in the Zoning Ordinance and were not necessarily a vote of
the neighborhood.
Mr. Warren reviewed with those present (approximately 15 to 20 neighbors of the
subject property at 66th and West River Road) a map of the neighborhood showing
streets and parcels in the area. He pointed out the area that is proposed for
rezoning by Mr. Atkins. He next showed the neighbors a reduced site plan of the
proposed gas station site that had been supplied by Fina. He also pointed out the
parcel to the east of the proposed gas station site and stated that it would serve as
some sort of buffer between the C2 parcel on the west and the residential homes on the
east side of Willow Lane. Mr. Warren explained that one of the concerns with the
proposed use was traffic movements to and from the gas station parcel. He stressed
that there would be no access onto Willow Lane and that one of the purposes of the
rezoning is to allow for a freer access onto 66th at the median opening.
There followed a lengthy discussion amongst the neighbors, the applicant and Mr.
Warren regarding the proposed rezoning. Neighbors expressed concerns regarding
traffic, noise and garbage generated by gas stations. Some stated that there is
already disturbance from the Superamerica station on the other side of Highway 252.
Planning Commissioner Ella Sander, who was also present, explained that the
existing parcel is already zoned C2 and that a gas station is permitted in that
zoning district.
There was some discussion of the buffer parcel to the east of the proposed gas
station. Mr. Hal Pierce, an architect retained by Mr. Atkins, showed a building
elevation for an office building that he said could be built on the buffer parcel.
Mr. Warren explained that the property is presently zoned R5 and that multi - family
dwellings at a density of up to 16 units per acre was permitted in the R5 zone. He
noted that, while office developments are also allowed by special use permit in the
R5 zone, there was no way to prevent an apartment development without rezoning the
property to C1. He stated that the Planning Commission had referred the question of
rezoning this parcel also to C1 to serve as a buffer between the single - family homes
and the service station use.
Complaints were expressed regarding crime in the neighborhood and traffic problems
associated with West River Road. One of the neighbors asked whether the outside
speakers at the Superamerica station could be controlled. He stated that they
could be heard across Highway 252 in the residential neighborhood along Willow Lane.
It was suggested by some of the neighbors that the proposed gas station provide
effective screening of the site from the residential neighborhood to the east. Mr.
Warren stated that the City could require screening as an appropriate element in a
site and building plan approval.
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There were different opinions expressed as to what the neighborhood's position
should be on the rezoning. One gentleman felt that it was best to deny the rezoning
and make it as difficult as possible for the gas station to locate at 66th and Highway
252. Another gentleman stated that it was likely to be built anyway and that it
might be more beneficial to the neighborhood to exact certain conditions on
screening and other operational elements of the plan. Mr. Warren noted that the car
wash would have to be part of the principal building and could not be a separate
building on the site.
There followed a discussion of problems in the neighborhood including truck traffic
from the highway construction project and problems with the apartment buildings.
The meeting ended at about 8:50 p.m.
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