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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 12-09 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 DECEMBER 9, 1993 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chair Pro Tem Holmes at 7:35 p.m. Chair Pro Tem Mark Holmes, Commissioners Bertil Johnson, Robert Mickelson, Dianne Reem, Debra Hilstrom and Tim Willson. Also present were the Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Kathy Stratton. Chairperson Ella Sander had called to indicate she could not make it for this evening's meeting and was, therefore, excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 18, 1993 Motion by Commissioner Willson, seconded by Commissioner Reem to approve the minutes of the November 18, 1993, Planning Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chair Pro Tem Holmes, Commissioners Holmes, Mickelson, Reem and Willson. Voting against: none. Abstaining: Commissioners Hilstrom and Johnson. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSON'S EXPLANATION Chair Pro Tem Holmes explained that the Planning Commission is 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. 93016 (INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 279) Chair Pro Tem Holmes introduced the first item of business, a request from Independent School District No. 279 for site and building plan and special use permit approval for a 4,400 square foot addition to Garden City Elementary School located at 3501 65th Avenue North. The Secretary reviewed the contents of the staff report (see Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 93016, attached) and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Johnson commented this is the time to do something to dress the school and surrounding area up a bit. He said he has noticed for years as he comes down Brooklyn Boulevard the ugliness of the school and grounds and asked if there is something the City can do to make it better. 12-9-93 1 The Secretary explained the report does make reference to the Brooklyn Boulevard study which is currently in process. He said School District 279 is aware of the study and amenable to doing landscaping when the enhancement program is ready to go. Commissioner Holmes asked if the school's facade could be dressed up. Commissioner Willson suggested language be added requiring improvements to the area to be consistent with enhancements suggested by the Brooklyn Boulevard Task Force's enhancement plan. The Secretary agreed and said that would not be a problem, and could be added to the application as condition #12. Commissioner Hilstrom asked when it was proposed for the walkway to be improved and the Secretary explained that would take place along with the parking lot improvements scheduled to be accomplished by the School District. Commissioner Willson asked if the City has been given the School District's schedule on when the parking lot improvements would be done and the Secretary explained there are currently five schools scheduled for improvements first, and Garden City is not one of them. Commissioner Reem commented the dry pond is a good improvement and suggested the wording in condition #7 be changed so the School District doesn't wait ten years to make improvements. The Secretary explained the School District works on a yearly budget system and if curb and gutter improvements were required by the City at the same time as the addition, they may have to forego the addition. The Secretary suggested the City recommend the School District to submit a landscaping plan within one year that is consistent with the Brooklyn Boulevard study. Commissioner Reem suggested condition #4 be changed to require an opaque wooden gate on a metal frame. Commissioner Mickelson suggested condition #10 be expanded to include compliance with the requirements of the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission, and condition #8 read Performance Agreement rather than Performance Guarantee. Chair Pro Tem Holmes recognized representatives of School District 279 Mr. Dave Hamilton and Mr. Mark Hayes who said they would answer any questions. Commissioner Johnson asked what the impetus behind the expansion is at this time, and Mr. Hamilton said it is to bring equity to the building and update inadequate facilities. 12-9-93 2 In response to a question by Commissioner Holmes, Mr. Hamilton explained a new lunchroom is needed because currently the gymnasium is used for lunch, which means no phy-ed classes can use the gym at that time. Commissioner Willson asked if the expansion meant any classroom space is gained. Mr. Hayes responded classroom space remains the same but other space is greatly improved. Commissioner Hilstrom said it is a great inconvenience to use the gym for lunch, and she feels the addition is much needed. She also asked if anything could be done about stickers in the playground area. Mr. Hamilton explained the School District has become much more hesitant to use weed killer and herbicides because of the possible adverse affects which makes control of stickers and burrs more difficult. In response to a question by Commissioner Reem, Mr. Hamilton explained he could give no guarantee about when the parking lot or other improvements could be accomplished because of budget constraints. Mr. Hamilton explained the School District would comply with installation of a wooden gate rather than a chain link fence with slats, and also explained any asbestos would be removed with the routine proper abatement. He also offered the compromise of submitting a landscaping and improvements plan as an add/alternate plan at this time so that the School District will know costs for budgeting purposes. He said that plan could be revised when the Brooklyn Boulevard Task Force is finished creating its guidelines. He reported construction on the addition is scheduled for summer of 1994. PUBLIC HEARING(APPLICATION NO. 93016) Chair Pro Tem Holmes opened the meeting for the purpose of a public hearing on request for site and building plan and special use permit approval for a 4,400 square foot addition to Garden City Elementary School located at 3501 65th Avenue North at 8:18 p.m. He inquired if there was anyone present who wished to address the Commission, no one appeared to speak, and he entertained a motion to close the public hearing. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Hilstrom to close the public hearing at 8:18 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 93016 (INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 279) There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Hilstrom to recommend approval of Application No. 93016 submitted by Independent School District No. 279 for site and building plan and special use permit approval for a 4,400 square foot 12-9-93 3 addition to Garden City Elementary School located at 3501 65th Avenue North 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, drainage and utility plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer, prior to the issuance of permits. 3. A Site Performance Agreement shall be submitted prior to the issuance of permits to assure completion of approved site improvements. 4. Any outside trash disposal facilities and rooftop mechanical equipment shall be appropriately screened from view. The trash enclosure shall contain an opaque wood gate attached to a metal frame rather than a chain link gate with slats. 5. The building is to be equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system to meet NFPA standards and shall be connected to a central monitoring device in accordance with Chapter 5 of the City ordinances. 6. Plan approval is exclusive of all signery which is subject to Chapter 34 of the City Ordinances. 7. B612 curb and gutter around all parking and driving areas shall be deferred until the parking lot facilities at the school are upgraded based upon the school district's plan for scheduled improvements, which shall be accomplished within the next ten years. 8. The applicant shall submit an as-built survey of the property, improvements and service lines, prior to the release of the Performance Agreement. 9. The property owner shall enter into an easement and agreement for maintenance and inspection of utility and storm drainage systems, prior to the issuance of permits. 10. The storm drainage system shall be approved by and be in compliance with conditions set by the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission prior to the issuance of permits for this project. 11. The ponding areas required as part of the storm drainage plan shall be protected by an approved easement. The easement documents shall be executed and filed with Hennepin County prior to the issuance of permits. 12. Within one year the applicant shall provide an updated landscaping plan consistent with the landscaping enhancements recommended by the Brooklyn Boulevard Task Force. 12-9-93 4 Voting in favor: Chair Pro Tern Holmes, Commissioners Hilstrom, Johnson, Mickelson, Reem and Willson. Voting against: none. The motion passed. There was a brief recess called at 8:30 and the Planning Commission reconvened at 8:46. APPLICATION NO. 93017 (INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 279) Chair Pro Tem Holmes introduced the next item of business, a request from Independent School District No. 279 for site and building plan and special use permit approval for a 2,800 square foot addition to Orchard Lane Elementary School located at 6201 Noble Avenue North. The Secretary reviewed the contents of the staff report (see Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 93017,attached) and offered to answer any questions. Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Hayes also returned to answer questions. Commissioner Willson asked where the elevator was to be and how much of it will stick up on the roof. Mr. Hayes showed the location of the elevator and explained two feet of the equipment would be visible on the roof, but adequate screening would be provided. Commissioner Holmes asked about asbestos and was told by Mr. Hamilton any asbestos disturbed would be handled with routine proper abatement. Mr. Hayes explained Orchard Lane is the only two story elementary school in District 279 and these changes to the school are needed to provide for updated handicap access and to meet NFPA standards. Commissioner Holmes asked who owns the neighboring property where the pond would go. The Secretary responded it is the Brook Park Baptist Church. He noted the Church and other property in this area would benefit from the addition of the pond as well as the school. Mr. Hayes pointed out some extra landscaping on the site plan that seemed unnecessary to meet requirements. He suggested that particular part of the plan be eliminated and money diverted to meeting the conditions forthcoming from the Brooklyn Boulevard study as mentioned in Planning Commission Application 93016. The Commission agreed that was acceptable and asked Mr. Hayes to submit a revised plan. Commissioner Mickelson suggested the same changes to conditions in Application 93016 be made to Application 93017. PUBLIC HEARING (APPLICATION NO. 93017) Chair Pro Tern Holmes opened the meeting for the purpose of a public hearing on request for site and building plan and special use permit approval for a 2,800 square foot addition to Orchard Lane Elementary School located at 6201 Noble Avenue North at 9:02 p.m. He 12-9-93 5 inquired if there was anyone present who wished to address the Commission, no one appeared to speak, and he entertained a motion to close the public hearing. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Hilstrom to close the public hearing at 9:02 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 93017 (INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 279) There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Willson to recommend approval of Application No. 93017 submitted by Independent School District No. 279 for site and building plan and special use permit approval for a 2,800 square foot addition to Orchard Lane Elementary School located at 6201 Noble Avenue North 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, drainage and utility plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer, prior to the issuance of permits. 3. A Site Performance Agreement shall be submitted prior to the issuance of permits to assure completion of approved site improvements. 4. Any outside trash disposal facilities and rooftop mechanical equipment shall be appropriately screened from view. The trash enclosure shall contain an opaque wood gate attached to a metal frame rather than a chain link gate with slats. 5. The building is to be equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system to meet NFPA standards and shall be connected to a central monitoring device in accordance with Chapter 5 of the City ordinances. 6. Plan approval is exclusive of all signery which is subject to Chapter 34 of the City Ordinances. 7. B612 curb and gutter around all parking and driving areas shall be deferred until the parking lot facilities at the school are upgraded based upon the school district's plan for scheduled improvements, which shall be accomplished within the next ten years. 8. The applicant shall submit an as-built survey of the property, improvements and service lines, prior to the release of the Performance Agreement. 9. The property owner shall enter into an easement and agreement for maintenance and inspection of utility and storm drainage systems, prior to the issuance of permits. 12-9-93 6 10. The storm drainage system shall be approved by and be in compliance with conditions set by the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission prior to the issuance of permits for this project. 11. Ponding areas required as part of the storm drainage plan shall be protected by an approved easement. The easement documents shall be executed and filed with Hennepin County prior to the issuance of permits. 12. The landscape plan shall be revised to eliminate extra landscaping so that funds will be diverted to providing additional landscaping along Brooklyn Boulevard at the Garden City Elementary School site. Voting in favor: Chair Pro Tern Holmes, Commissioners Hilstrom, Johnson, Mickelson, Reem and Willson. Voting against: none. The motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS a. 1994 Planning Commission Meeting Schedule The Secretary submitted a proposed schedule for Planning Commission meetings in 1994 and explained it was a guideline to go by but changes could be made if necessary. All Commissioners agreed the schedule would work well as a guideline, and no action was necessary. The Secretary gave a brief and informal update on the status of projects that had formerly been before the Planning Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Hilstrom to adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission. The motion passed unam ously. The Planning 6 Commission adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Chairperson Recorded and transcribed by: Kathy Stratton Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 12-9-93 7 1 1