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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 08-16 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 AUGUST 16, 2012 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Rahn at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sean Rahn, Commissioners Scott Burfeind, Kara Kuykendall, Stan Leino, Carlos Morgan, Michael Parks, and Stephen Schonning were present. Also present were Councilmember Carol Kleven, Director of Business & Development, Gary Eitel, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—AUGUST 2, 2012 There was a motion by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Kuykendall,to approve the minutes of the August 2, 2012 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. Commissioner Burfeind abstained as he was not at the meeting. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Rahn 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.2012-017 OMAR ABUISNAINEH Chair Rahn introduced Application No. 2012-017, consideration of a Planned Unit Development proposing the rezoning of certain properties from C1 (Service/Office) District and C2 (Commerce) District to a new PUD/C2 (Planned Unit Development/Commerce) District, along with Development/Site Plan approval of a parking lot expansion for a restaurant use, for the property addressed as 6901 and 6915 Brooklyn Boulevard. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 8-16-12 for Application No. 2012-017.) Mr. Eitel explained this property was the former Starbuck Coffee restaurant site, approved in 2006 and completed in 2007. The original intent of the building was to accommodate a new Starbucks coffee shop along with one or two other speculative retail/service tenants. These tenant spaces never materialized and the Starbucks closed down in 2010 after three years of business. The main parcel is 0.58 acres (25,414 sq. ft.) in area and is currently zoned C2 (Commerce). The adjacent 6915 Brooklyn Boulevard is a 0.22 acre (9,635 sq. ft.) lot, which used to contain a small residential dwelling and is zoned C 1 (Service-Office). He further explained the applicant is proposing a new "Slim's Pizza" restaurant with indoor seating and drive-thru service and is currently remodeling the building. In order to provide additional parking,the applicant acquired the property to the north of the subject site. Page 1 8-16-12 Mr. Eitel added the applicant is seeking approval to allow a less than 15 ft. parking setback and green-strip requirement along a public street and to allow a substantial reduction to the required 35-foot buffer requirements where a C2 development abuts an R1 district. He described other developments where less than 15 ft. green strip along Brooklyn Boulevard have been allowed along a major thoroughfare where decorative screen walls or other screening devices have been used. He further stated the benefit of this PUD will provide a new single zoning over the two parcels and provide flexibility for redevelopment/expansion of the site. The combining of these two parcels will be considered under separate application. Mr. Eitel stated the development plans call for leaving the main building intact and the primary improvements to be made include adding 25 new parking stalls on the newly acquired lot at 6915 Brooklyn Boulevard; extending and installing new screening fence and landscaping along the westerly and northerly perimeters of the site;and closing off the old driveway that served 6915 Brooklyn Boulevard creating 38 parking stalls to serve the site. Mr. Eitel explained vehicles entering the site from Brooklyn Boulevard will have the ability to go straight, left or right and locate a parking space. Vehicles using the drive-thru service lane will need to turn right, maneuver around the northerly parking drive-aisle and enter into the re- established drive-thru lane along the westerly boundary of the subject site. Vehicles that enter from the south will have no option but to turn right into the parking area. He added the drive-up lane will remain on the west side of the building and be maintained as a one-way drive. Carlos Morgan arrived at 7:20 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING—APPLICATION NO. 2012-017 There was a motion by Commissioner Leino, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2012-017, at 7:37 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Rahn called for comments from the public. The applicant Omar Abuisnaineh, introduced himself to the Commission. Mr. Parks asked if the applicant had any concerns with access to the site. Mr. Abuisnaineh replied that he had a discussion with the County regarding access on the site and he has talked to the other property owners along Brooklyn Boulevard regarding possible acquisition of their properties. He added that he worked with the City to attain the proposed layout. He added that he has another restaurant in New Hope and does not plan for outdoor seating at this time. He also stated that they sell burgers, pizzas and specialize in sandwiches and he feels it is the right concept and right location for his business to be successful. Mr. Adam Ray, 6920 Lee Avenue North, stated he lives kiddie-corner to the home they are tearing down. He questions what the noise level will be with a parking lot in his backyard. He also has concerns with the driving access. He explained this lot has limited access back onto Page 2 8-16-12 Brooklyn Boulevard and he sees people making U-turns down his street and turning around on his block. He added that he and his neighbor had a conversation with the contractor and were told that a fence would be replaced immediately and it has been two weeks and there is no fence. He has now been told the fence will be the last thing put back on the site. He added he has also talked with City Planner Tim Benetti regarding the fence issues. He would also like to know the hours of operation and the expected timeline to open for business. Mr. Abuisnaineh apologized to the resident for any miscommunication regarding the fence. He stated there had been an issue with the County Engineers regarding water shut off which caused a delay in the removal of the house. However, they have applied for a demo permit and will check into getting a temporary fence installed. He also acknowledged potential issues with traffic on Lee Avenue. He added the hours of operation will be 11:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. and they hope to be ready to open end of September once the final plat is approved and the additional parking lot can be created. Mr. Eitel acknowledged there can be delays with a project when dealing with the contractors and permits to work within the County right-of-way. Commissioner Burfeind asked if there would be liquor served. Mr. Abuisnaineh stated this is a family business and no alcohol will be served. Commissioner Kuykendall asked if a temporary construction fence could be installed. Mr. Abuisnaineh replied that he would be happy to do that. There was further discussion regarding the traffic flow along Lee Avenue North going south once leaving the site to get back on to Brooklyn Boulevard heading north. It was suggested by the Commission that a sign be placed that would discourage traffic from going down Lee, north of 691h Avenue North, which is a dead end. Marty Bornholdt, 6939 Lee Avenue North, stated that they have concerns with safety and increased traffic on Lee Avenue North in their neighborhood. She stated she is in favor of the business opening up but would like to see the traffic issues addressed. Mr. Eitel responded that most of the parking will be to the north of the property and many people may find it easier to exit off Brooklyn Boulevard rather than 69th Avenue North. Commissioner Kuykendall stated that with limited ingress and egress to the site, it might be helpful to install directional signs to encourage people leaving the site to take the best route. Commissioner Burfeind suggested keeping all traffic leaving the site use Brooklyn Boulevard only. Mr. Eitel further explained the traffic layout and flow along both 691h Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard including clarifying both roads are County roads. Commissioner Leino stated that he doesn't see an easy solution to these issues but is in favor of moving this proposal forward. He added he agrees that it would be helpful to add signage to guide people back onto northbound Brooklyn Boulevard. Page 3 8-16-12 Mr. Abuisnaineh stated he will put up a temporary fence once the house is demoed and grading is complete until the permanent one can be installed in October. Mr. Gene Wright, 15100 Stone Road, Minnetonka, asked about the hours of operation and when the lights will be on. Mr. Abuisnaineh replied they plan to be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the lights will only be on when the restaurant is open. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Parks , seconded by Commissioner Kuykendall, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2012-017. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Parks stated that they want the business to be conducive to the residents in the area and also to be successful. He added that he feels a traffic study would be a good idea for this site to keep the traffic off the residential streets. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2012-18 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2012-017, SUBMITTED BY OMAR ABUISNAINEH TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6901 - 6915 BROOKLYN BOULEVARD FROM C-1 (SERVICE/OFFICE) AND C-2 (COMMERCE) TO PUD/C-2 (PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT—COMMERCE) DISTRICT AND APPROVE A NEW DEVELOPMENT/SITE PLAN There was a motion by Commissioner Leino, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2012-18. Voting in favor: Chair Rahn, Commissioners, Burfeind, Kuykendall, Leino, Morgan, Parks and Schonning And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its August 27, 2012 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. APPLICATION NO. 2012-018 OMAR ABUISNAINEH Chair Rahn introduced Application No. 2012-018, consideration of proposed Preliminary Plat of MONTY ADDITION, for the property located at the northwest corner of Brooklyn Boulevard and 69th Avenue North, and addressed as 6901 and 6915 Brooklyn Boulevard. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 8-16-12 for Application No. 2012-018.) Page 4 8-16-12 Mr. Eitel explained the proposed preliminary plat is for the two properties located at the northwest corner of Brooklyn Boulevard and 69th Avenue North and they are identified as 6901 Brooklyn Boulevard and 6915 Brooklyn Boulevard. The plat proposes a new Lot 1, Block 1, MONTY ADDITION. He added the applicant acquired the residential property to the north (6915) of this site, for purposes of expanding the parking for the benefit of the new restaurant. Mr. Eitel described how the applicant was required to combine the two parcels as part of this redevelopment project. He added the main parcel (6901 Brooklyn Blvd) is the former Starbuck's and retail business building, consisting of 0.58 acres (or 25,414 sf.); and is currently situated in the C2 (Commerce) district. The adjacent 6915 Brooklyn Boulevard is a 0.22 acre (9,635 sf.) lot, which previously had a small residential dwelling, and is zoned Cl (Service-Office) district creating a combined area of 0.8 acres. PUBLIC HEARING—APPLICATION NO 2012-018 There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2012-018, at 8:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Rahn called for comments from the public. No one came forward for the public hearing on Application No. 2012-018. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Leino, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2012-018. 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 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2012-19 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2012-018 SUBMITTED BY OMAR ABUISNAINEH A REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT OF MONTY ADDITION FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6901 AND 6915 BROOKLYN BOULEVARD There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2012-19. i Voting in favor: Chair Rahn, Commissioners Burfeind, Kuykendall, Leino, Morgan, Parks and Schonning And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its August 27, 2012 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. Page 5 8-16-12 DISCUSSION ITEM There were no discussion items. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Leino, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass Page 6 8-16-12