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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 06-14 PCM Amended 6 -29 -01 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 JUNE 14, 2001 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Pro Tem Boeck at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Pro Tem Graydon Boeck, Commissioners Sean Rahn, Dianne Reem, Rex Newman, and Stephen Erdmann. Chair Tim Willson and Commissioner John Whitehead were absent and excused. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, Public Works Director Diane Spector, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Nancy Czajkowski. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MAY 31, 2001 There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Reem, to approve the minutes of the May 31, 2001 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. Commissioners Erdmann and Rahn abstained. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Pro Tem Boeck 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. 2001 -014 (ARCHITECTURAL ALLIANCE) Chair Pro Tem Boeck introduced Application No. 2001 -014, a request from Architectural Alliance on behalf of Medtronic; Inc. to seek Site and Building Plan approval to construct a 2,505 square foot covered walkway structure to be built in the parking lot between 6700 Shingle Creek Parkway and 6800 Shingle Creek Parkway, two buildings owned by Medtronic. Mr. Warren presented the staff report using overhead transparencies to describe the location of the property and the proposal. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 6/14/01 for Application No. 2001 -014 attached.) The proposed plan is to construct an approximate 13 -foot wide by 193 -foot long enclosed walkway running in a north/south direction in the approximate center of the parking lot between the two buildings. The facility would be a metal and glass structure, approximately 9 feet in height along the sides and about 13 foot high at the peak of the gable roof. It is in the same location as an at -grade walkway running through the parking lot, which is separated from a drive lane by various concrete planters. Staff recommends approval subject to five conditions. Commissioner Newman asked about the fire sprinkler system. Mr. Warren responded the ordinance discusses buildings and this enclosed walkway could be classified as a structure. He stated it is not designed for occupancy of a continued nature. He noted the Fire Chief does not feel this structure is a high fire risk. He added it does not affect any other buildings and is made out of non - flammable 6 -14 -01 Page 1 materials. He stated that if the structure would ever be connected to any other buildings it would need to be retrofitted by a fire sprinkler system. Commissioner Rahn asked about lighting for the area and whether there are lights along the walkway currently. Mr. Warren responded no. He indicated the parking lot light standards at various locations in the parking lot. He noted it would be lit internally as well. Commissioner Erdmann asked about the curb cuts on the on the east /west sides. Mr. Warren responded that language refers to a ramp. He stated the side elevations show that the walkway would be stepped down. He noted it would be ramped so handicapped individuals would be accommodated. He added there are cuts into the ramp so it would be at the same grade as the parking lot. Commissioner Reem referenced the end of the walkway before the berm and asked if it could be extended without coming back before the Commission. Mr. Warren responded that if the applicant decided to extend the walkway and tie into the building they would make an additional submission. He stated that submission would need to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Chair Pro Tem Boeck asked if the applicant would lose any parking spaces to the north. Mr. Warren responded they would lose one or two parking spots, but there is excess parking available. Commissioner Erdmann asked if the walkway was expanded to the north by a canopy covered walkway, would it come before the Planning Commission for review. Mr. Warren responded a canopy would only require a building permit and not Planning Commission review or approval. Mr. Peter Vesterholt, the architect for the project, and Mr. Don Wolfe of Medtronic, Inc. introduced themselves. Mr. Wolfe stated as Medtronic, Inc.'s presence grows in the north building they have more traffic going back and forth between the buildings. He noted a rough survey showed about 300 trips a day. Commissioner Reem asked about the adequacy of the lighting. Mr. Wolfe responded there would be internal lighting and internal security cameras. He stated there are emergency boxes on each end of the walkway. He noted each box contains a red button, which with just a push rings security. He added the walkway is open seven days a week, 24 hours day. He stated there are a number of shifts that go round the clock seven days a week. He noted there is also an emergency response kit in the walkway. Commissioner Erdmann asked about the material used for the windows on the walkway. Mr. Vesterholt responded the windows are high enough so that they are not required to have safety glass under the City Code. Commissioner Newman asked whether smoking would be allowed in the walkway and whether the walkway would house transients. Mr. Wolfe responded no. He stated Medtronic, Inc. does not allow smoking on its property unless it is in an individual's car. He noted there is sufficient lighting to monitor and keep out transients. The Chair Pro Tem called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. 6 -14 -01 Page 2 ACTION TO APPROVE OF APPLICATION NO. 2001-014 (ARCHITECTURAL ALLIANCE) There was a motion by Commissioner Erdmann, seconded by Commissioner Newman, to recommend to the Council that it approve Application No. 2001 -014, submitted by Architectural Alliance on behalf of Medtronic, Inc., for site and building plan approval to construct a 2,505 square foot covered walkway structure to be built in the parking lot between 6700 Shingle Creek Parkway and 6800 Shingle Creek Parkway, two buildings owned by Medtronic, 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. Grading and drainage plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer prior to the issuance of permits. 3. The structure is not required to have a fire sprinkler system at this time. Fire extinguishers i a e Fire Chief. shall be provided m a number and location approved b y t h 4. The applicant shall provide appropriate protection for doorway openings adjacent to drive lanes as well as appropriate cautionary signs. 5. The building permit for this structure shall not be issued until the final plat comprehended under Planning Commission Application No. 2001 -002 has been filed with Hennepin County. Voting in favor: Chair Pro Tem Boeck, Commissioners Erdmann, Newman, Rahn, and Reem. The motion passed. The Council will consider the recommendation at its June 25, 2001 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. PRESENTATION — WATERSHED SECOND GENERATION PLAN Chair Pro Tern Boeck introduced Ms. Diane Spector, Public Works Director for a presentation of the Watershed Second Generation Plan. Ms. Spector reviewed the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions. She gave a brief history of the Watersheds and a presentation of possible goals for the next ten years: Watershed Wide Goals 1. Preserve and protect water quality in lakes 2. As upstream communities develop, monitor discharge between communities 3. Control erosion of Shingle Creek and Mississippi Riverbanks 4. Protect groundwater quality 5. Address chloride issue in Shingle Creek Local Goals 6 -14 -01 Page 3 1. Improve water quality in Twin Lakes 2. Improve storage capacity of Palmer Lake 3. Continue upgrading storm sewer system 4. Monitor and improve capacity of Shingle Creek 5. Plan for long -term pond maintenance. Commissioner Rahn asked about water quality and the chloride issue. Ms. Spector responded the Watershed Commissions have been monitoring the water quality of Shingle Creek for several years at three locations. She stated they also have locations in Shingle Creek and the Mississippi River at which they engage in the study of macroinvertebrates. She noted certain kinds of macroinvertebrates live only in clean water and some live only in dirty water. She added the researches have found that Shingle Creek is typical of an urban stream and is somewhat dirty. Commissioner Reem stated Shingle Creek has progressively gotten unsightly. She noted she has seen it stagnant with debris in it. Ms. Spector stated by saying it is dirty she is not referencing the clarity of the water. She noted it means the total phosphorus levels are slightly higher than they would like the creek to have. She added the term is more a reflection of it being stagnant. She stated it refers more to the amount of the water flow than the quality of the water. Chair Pro Tern Boeck stated as the area develops and the ground is covered with houses, streets, and driveways, all of the water is running off into the stormwater systems. He noted this is making Shingle Creek a perched conduit. He added there is nothing to provide flow any more. He stated the ground water table used to be much higher. He noted the flow is going to be more and more a product of rainfall. Ms. Spector stated one of those testing sites was a United States Geological Survey (USGS) water testing station. She noted the USGS did some through investigations and reported the data to a statewide data warehouse. She added one of their findings was that during certain times of the year Shingle Creek has elevated amounts of chloride. She stated the elevated chloride levels strongly correlated to the use of road salt. She noted several other watersheds also had elevated levels of chloride. She added an evaluation is in progress of a metro wide study. Commissioner Erdmann asked about the storage capacity of Palmer Lake and Shingle Creek. Ms. Spector responded there have been 11 storm sewer outlets into the Palmer Lake basin for many years. She stated these outlets have conveyed a lot of sand and sediment. She noted there is also some organic materials that decompose and cover the bottom of the lake. She added a ridge has been built up around the lake where the storm sewers are. She stated the lake used to be three or four feet deep and now it is 6 to 12 inches deep. She noted they are building stormwater ponds on the east and west side of the lake. She added the outlets would discharge water into the ponds so that the sediments could settle out before the water goes into the lake. She stated there are areas of the lake, which need dredging. She noted they would clear out channels so the water could move faster. She stated in Shingle Creek they have some sandbars that need to be cleared out for additional water flow. She noted it would also improve the aesthetics of Shingle Creek. Commissioner Newman asked about phosphate free fertilizer. He stated that for fine gardeners this is an 6 -14 -01 Page 4 important issue. He noted that perhaps all the residents need is some additional education on this issue. He added he would rather see voluntary compliance rather than mandatory compliance. Ms. Spector responded the city might not have a choice. She stated there might be a statewide band on phosphate fertilizer. She noted several communities have done it and found that after the readjustment period the ban was very effective. Commissioner Newman stated this would be an extensive study, but they were only given 30 days to respond. Ms. Spector responded tonight was just a chance to review some of the issues, which are of importance to the Commission. She stated the next step would be to have a very large public meeting, which is scheduled for early August. She noted the Commissioners would be invited to that session so there was time to discuss it further. Commissioner Reem stated the maintenance upkeep issue for the ponds has to be addressed at some point. Ms. Spector responded it is in the city's local management plan. She stated the Watershed has established its standards and policies. She noted they have inspected all the ponds and are in the process of sending out compliance letters to the owners of the ponds both private and public. She added they have set a policy to inspect the ponds every year and send compliance letters out. She stated the property owner has the responsibility to correct the ponds. Chair Pro Tem Boeck noted it was a good session. He asked the Commissioners to think seriously about being at the August meeting. The Chair Pro Tem called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Reem, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Nancy Czajkowski Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 6 -14 -01 Page 5