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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 04-29 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 APRIL 29, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Pro Tern Parks at 7:04 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Pro Tern Parks, Commissioners JoAnn Campbell- Sudduth, Kara Kuykendall, Stan Leino and Carlos Morgan were present. Also present were Planning Commission Secretary Gary Eitel, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Chair Sean Rahn was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — APRIL 15, 2010 There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Campbell- Sudduth, to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2010 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. Commissioner Morgan abstained since he was not present at the meeting. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Pro Tern Parks 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. 2010 -007 — VANGUARD CONSTRUCTION, INC. Chair Pro Tern Parks introduced Application No. 2010 -007, a request from Vanguard Construction, Inc. for PUD Amendment and Site & Building Plan approval for construction of 6,757 sq. ft. multi - tenant retail /commercial building on a 38,707 sq. ft. located at the northeast quadrant of Brooklyn Boulevard and 69` Avenue North. Mr. Eitel presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 4 -29 -10 for Application No. 2010 -007 and the Director of Public Works memo dated 4- 29 -10, attached.) He further explained that the original development plan approved in 2002, included for Lot 1, a SA Service Station with car wash (3,960 sq. ft.), Lot 2, a 4,230 sq. ft. restaurant, retail, office building, Lot 3, a 21,500 sq. ft. multi - tenant commercial building, and Lot 4, a Culver's Restaurant (4,538 sq. ft.). Mr. Eitel pointed out that the proposed amendment to the previously approved plan indicates a larger foot print and reorientation of the building to face Brooklyn Boulevard. He added that the plan allows for five tenant spaces and a drive up window for a potential restaurant. 4 -29 -10 Page 1 i There was discussion among the Commission regarding their concerns with additional traffic and traffic flow around the site and in and out of the site with the addition of a restaurant type use particularly along 70 and Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Eitel commented on the City's Engineer's recommendation to shift the northern entrance drive approximately 30 ft. to the north, to align with the SA entrance. Commissioner Leino arrived at 7:53 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING — APPLICATION NO. 2010 -007 There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Morgan, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2010 -007 at 7:54 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Pro Tern Parks called for comments from the public. Mr. Jeff Benedict, representing Vanguard Construction, stated that some good suggestions were made and they will deal with increased traffic by using directional signs on the site. He added that it is anticipated that traffic will move on and off the site along 70 Avenue without adding any additional egress and ingress points. He added that after review and suggestion from the City Engineer, he agress that it is an improvement to the plan to move the entrance 30 ft. to the north. They are open to the suggestions made and will make adjustments to their design of the site. Commissioner Kuykendall stated that one reason for heavy traffic on 70 Avenue is due to customers going to SA from Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Benedict stated that they can deal with the traffic around the site as long as it is safe. Mr. Eitel explained that a recent traffic study recognized traffic concerns with the Brooklyn Boulevard and 69 Avenue intersection, the east bound traffic on 69 Avenue, making a left turn movement to get to the freeway, is stacking and is requiring more than one signal light to unload. He added that this is a very busy corner with lots of activity at peak hours of the day. Chair Pro Tern Parks expressed his concern with the location of the drive up window and trash containers which could contribute to traffic flow concerns. He added that he did not like the location of the trash containers. Mr. Benedict replied that there will not be trash containers, but rather a trash enclosure, made out of the same material as the building, built as part of the building, and it will not be an eyesore. Commissioner Campbell- Sudduth asked if there had been a traffic study done in this area. Mr. Benedict replied that there is no traffic study accompanying this application but acknowledges that while this area is busy, this new building will not create a substantial increase to traffic. It will be a good addition to the community and a product that the City will be proud of. Mr. Ziad Zahran, 1500 20 Avenue NW, New Brighton, stated that he will be the owner of the property. He is excited to be a part of the community and is flexible and willing to work with the community. He added that traffic is a critical issue and the points made about 70 and Brooklyn Boulevard are valid. He has looked at this area for his business for over three years and is excited about this location. He feels that Culver's has enough parking and he doesn't see a problem. However, when 4 -29 -10 Page 2 he exits the shopping center, sometimes it is difficult to get out onto 69 Avenue. He stated his reasons for putting the drive up window on the side instead of the back of the building is so that cars can be properly stacked during peak hours and he is attempting the best utilization of the plan to allow for leasing out additional spaces to other tenants. Mr. Zahran stated that he anticipates three stores and one restaurant will occupy the building. Commissioner Leino stated that the Commission is not in a position to micro manage what restaurant goes on the site but feels this is a huge opportunity for this corner of the city to complete development. He feels that the traffic issues are minor compared to some other locations in the city. He added that putting the drive up on the north end, makes a better flow to exit off the site from the drive up area. Commissioner Morgan stated that many communities would love to have an area in their city that is so busy that there might be traffic issues. He added that traffic issues will work themselves out. Commissioner Leino asked about the anticipated construction schedule. Mr. Benedict responded that if they receive all necessary approvals from the Planning Commission and City Council, they expect to break ground by June 1, 2010 and construction will take about four months. No other persons from the public appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on Application No. 2010 -007. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Leino, seconded by Commissioner Kuykendall, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2010 -007 at 8:23 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair Pro Tem called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. Mr. Eitel noted the site plan has identified the location of a freestanding'business sign that is not allowed by the PUD agreement. The PUD approval allowed two freestanding signs on the two lots fronting Brooklyn Boulevard and two identification signs for the overall PUD. A Boulevard market sign is located within the 69 landscaped node; however, the second sign was not constructed within the 70` Avenue landscaped node. He also added that he wanted the Commission to be aware that staff is reviewing the sign ordinance relative to promotional sales events, grand openings, etc. and will be discussing with the businesses in shopping centers an effective means to advertise, without the use of portable signs. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION No. 2010 -04 There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Morgan, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2010 -04 regarding the recommended disposition of Planning Commission Application No. 2010 -007, submitted by Vanguard Construction, Inc. for PUD Amendment and Site & Building plan approval. 4 -29 -10 Page 3 Voting in favor: Chair Pro Tern Parks, Commissioners Campbell- Sudduth, Kuykendall, Leino, and Morgan. And the following voted against the same: None Whereupon said resolution as declared duly passed and adopted. Resolution No. 2010 -04 is made part of these minutes by attachment. The Council will consider the application at its May 10, 2010 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS Review of Section 35 -800 Administrative Use Permits — Outdoor Sales Markets for Minnesota Grown Produce, Fruits, Plants Flowers, and Herbs Mr. Eitel explained to the Commission that he has been approached about the possibility of allowing a Farmer's Market to be operated in the city at the Sun Foods Location (63 and Brooklyn Boulevard), as well as two other locations. This process would require an amendment to Chapter 35 of the City Ordinances that would include a definition to allow the sale of garden merchandise and produce under the Administrative Land Use permit process. This would be similar to permits issued for seasonal garden centers. There was discussion among the Commission regarding what types of products would be allowed within the scope of a Farmer's Market and how to define proper language to specifically describe those products without excluding such products as honey, dairy and meats. Suggestions were made by the Commission to incorporate language that would include produce, fruits, plants, flowers, herbs and other farm products. The Commission also discussed incorporating language in the ordinance to allow an outdoor Farmer's Market on vacant commercial land, which is not currently allowed. Mr. Eitel responded that he will consult with the City Attorney for proper language and report back to the Commission. There was also a brief discussion about the Bass Lake Road and 57` Avenue Trail Connections incorporating a connection from the Shingle Creek Regional Trail, Twin Lakes Regional Trail and the Mississippi Regional Trail along the 57` Avenue Corridor, possible future improvements to Brooklyn Boulevard and a planning study being proposed to the 53 Avenue corridor to Humboldt Avenue. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Leino, seconded by Commissioner Campbell- Sudduth, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. 4 -29 -10 Page 4 Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass 4 -29 -10 Page 5