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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 11-14 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 NOVEMBER 14, 2001 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair ProTem Graydon Boeck at 7:50 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Pro Tern Graydon Boeck, Rex Newman, Sean Rahn, and John Whitehead were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Stephen Erdmann and Dianne Reem were absent and excused. Chair Tim Willson arrived at 8:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 13, 2001 There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Whitehead, to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2001 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. 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. Mr. Warren asked if the Planning Commission members whose terms will expire on December 31, 2001 are interested in reappointment to the Commission. Commissioners Newman and Whitehead answered in the affirmative. Commissioner Erdmann was absent and Mr. Warren will contact him about his interest in reappointment. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE CENTRAL COMMERCIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT Mr. Warren presented to the Planning Commission an overview of an ordinance establishing the Central Commercial Overlay District. The area proposed is the area bounded by Highway 100 on the east, Brooklyn Boulevard on the west, to a point approximately 445' northerly of the intersection of County Road 10 and Brooklyn Boulevard then east to Shingle Creek Parkway, then along the north side of the Brookdale Square Center to John Martin Drive, then back to Highway 100. He explained that the District is geared towards the way the City is currently zoned. The underlying zones will still remain in this area and existing uses will continue to be allowable under the proposed ordinance. It has been recommended to establish the Central Commerce Overlay District to protect the area from some uses that the City Council believes are 11 -14 -01 Page 1 not appropriate in this area such as sauna establishments, massage establishments, currency exchanges, pawn shops and secondhand goods dealers. No such uses currently exist in this area. The area currently contains current redevelopment such as the Brookdale PUD and the previously redeveloped area at Brookdale Corner (Cub redevelopment site). Mr. Warren further explained that the City recently had to acquire the property at 5801 Xerxes Avenue (the old Jerry's site) to prevent this type of use at this location. Commissioner Rahn asked why uses such as those mentioned are considered inappropriate at the Jerry's site but are allowed in the Northbrook Shopping Center. Mr. Warren responded that these uses must be allowed somewhere in the City and the licensing regulations for these businesses limit these types of uses in certain areas. Since these uses are already allowed in an area such as Northbrook, the ordinance could not be changed to disallow the type of use. Commissioner Rahn responded that he feels there may be businesses that the City does not want near Brookdale that are being pushed into other areas such as Northbrook which is surrounded by a residential area. Commissioner Boeck stated that the purpose of this ordinance is to maintain the integrity of the area surrounding Brookdale. Mr. Warren added that establishing this area also opens up the opportunity in the overlay area for development requirements not required in other areas and that the existing underlying zoning designations remain the same and the existing uses would be allowed. It is believed that the overlay ordinance will better protect the efforts being made in the Central Commercial area. There was discussion by the Commission members about the wording in Section 35 -2240. Mr. Warren explained that the ordinance had been drafted by the City Attorney. He also noted that it is designed so that other appropriate requirements or regulations could be added at sometime in the future. There was a motion by Commissioner Rahn to add the Northbrook Shopping Center at 57 and Logan Avenues to the area being established as within the Central Commerce Overlay District. Chair Willson asked for a second to the motion. The motion died due to lack of a second. There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Willson, to recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance establishing the Central Commercial Overlay District. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Newman, Rahn and Whitehead. The motion passed unanimously. COMMERCIAL ZONING REORGANIZATION Mr. Warren next presented to the Planning Commission for review and discussion an overview of a draft commercial zoning reorganization. This draft ordinance proposal would allow for four zoning districts: C -1 (Neighborhood Commercial District), C -2 (Brooklyn Boulevard 11 -14 -01 Page 2 Commercail District), C -3 (Central Commercial District), and C -4 (Highway Commercial District). The proposed reorganization shuffles uses so that they are based more on location. One change includes limitations in the C -1 zone for businesses such as gas stations and certain eating establishments. He added that fast food restaurants would not be allowed in the C -I zone but would be allowed in the C -2, C -3 and C -4. A discussion followed regarding outside storage associated with certain uses. Mr. Warren explained that similar uses would be allowed in both C -I and C -3 zoned property, however, outside storage is not allowed in C -I even with appropriate screening provided. Chair Willson suggested a change to the proposed ordinance in Section 35 -320, Subdivision Ia, to remove all references to "no outside storage is allowed" in the C -1 (Neighborhood Commercial District). It was the consensus of the Commission to make this change. Mr. Warren stated that Commissioner Erdmann had a concern with uses such as recreation and amusement places in the C -2 zone since they require such a large parcel of land. Commissioner Erdmann felt that perhaps they should be limited to the C -3 and C -4 zones only. Chair Willson responded that it has been a long term plan to combine parcels of land along Brooklyn Boulevard (which would be in the proposed C -2 zone) to create larger parcels for commercial developments. It was the consensus of the Commission that such uses listed in the ordinance would be appropriate along Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Warren described the area of 53 and Dupont, which contains an auto repair business, and suggested that it remain a non - conforming use as it does not seem to fit the requirements for any proposed zoning district with the current business that is there. Mr. Warren added that this ordinance amendment abandons the requirement for a 35 ft. green strip along major thoroughfares and replaces it with a 15 ft. green strip requirement. He also stated that mini storage facilities have not been allowed in the past in any commercial zoning district. With this change, they would only be allowed in C -4 (Highway Commercial) zone. Commissioner Newman commented about a change to the proposed permitted uses in the C -I district. He suggested under item h, "electrical repair service shops, radio and television repair service shops" be eliminated and replaced with "consumer electronics ". It was the consensus of the Commission to make this change. Commissioner Newman suggested that under Section 35 -411 any reference to the requirement for trees at new nursing homes be eliminated. Mr. Warren was in agreement noting the landscape point system generally provides for adequate landscape requirements for all new construction. Commissioner Rahn asked Mr. Warren if Super America at 57 and Logan is a special use in that zoning district. Mr. Warren responded that Super America is a Special Use in the C -2 zone 11 -14 -01 Page 3 and is considered a non - conforming use because it abuts R -1 zoned property. The only way Super America could expand is under a PUD rezoning. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Newman, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass 11 -14 -01 Page 4