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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 04-14 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 APRIL 14, 1994 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Willson at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Tim Willson, Commissioners Donald Booth, Mark Holmes, Robert Mickelson, and Dianne Reem. Also present were the Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Barbara Collman. Commissioner Ella Sander was excused and Commissioner Debra Hilstrom and called to indicate she would be arriving later. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 17. 1994 There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Reem to approve the minutes of the March 17, 1994, Planning Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. REVISE AGENDA Chairperson Willson requested the addition of another item of business under #7 on the agenda. It was explained that the Commission needs to recommend appointment of one of its members to sit on the Northeast Transportation Corridor Task Force. The Commission agreed to the agenda addition. CHAIRPERSON'S EXPLANATION Chairperson Willson explained 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. 94002 (BROOKDALE CAR WASH) Chairperson Willson introduced the first item of business, a request from Brookdale Car Wash for special use permit and site and building plan approval to construct a 5,149 square foot addition to the Brookdale Car Wash at 5500 Brooklyn Boulevard. 4-14-94 1 The Secretary presented the staff report, used overhead transparencies to show the location and detail (see Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 94002, attached). The Secretary then noted that he had received a call on April 14, 1994, from Tom Warner of Goodyear expressing his support for the expansion and addition to Brookdale Car Wash. The Secretary stated that a public hearing has been scheduled and notices have been sent. The Secretary stated that the applicant, Mr. Stephen T. Graham, and the architect, Mr. Blumentals, were in attendance at this meeting. The Secretary then invited questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Holmes inquired as to the arrangements for the use of the private road and whether all the business owners have an agreement for its use. The Secretary responded that the business owners abutting on the private roadway share costs for maintenance and have access rights to it. Commissioner Holmes also asked whether Brookdale Car Wash in still in the business of selling gasoline. The Secretary responded that gas is no longer sold and the tanks have been removed. Commissioner Holmes questioned whether the amount of traffic on the private road will be a problem and whether all ingoing and outgoing traffic should be routed. The Secretary stated that the nature of the road, the staggering of patrons entering and exiting, and the presence of a stop sign make it unnecessary to route traffic in that manner. Commissioner Reem asked whether the identification signs will remain in place. The Secretary replied that, to his knowledge, they would. Commissioner Reem expressed concern about the canopy being too close to the street. The Secretary stated that the canopy is an allowed encroachment into building setback area, but there are limitations on the use of a sign on the canopy. Chairperson Willson asked whether the windows will be anti-glare. The Secretary remarked that there is no indication that they are tinted and he is not aware of any problem existing with sunlight. Commissioner Mickelson expressed concern about cars being stacked up waiting. The Secretary said that based on the amount of stacking space provided and the history of the operation, that he did not anticipate cars to be stacked out to the private road. 4-14-94 2 PUBLIC HEARING (APPLICATION NO. 94002) Chairperson Willson asked for a motion to open the public hearing on the request for special use permit and site and building plan approval to operate construct a 5,149 square foot addition to the Brookdale Car Wash at 5500 Brooklyn Boulevard at 8:06 p.m. There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Holmes to open the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Willson asked if there was anyone present who wished to address the Commission. Chairperson Willson then called upon the applicant, Stephen T. Graham, to come forward. Chairperson Willson asked Mr. Graham if he was aware of the proviso which had been recently added to the list of conditions for other applications on Brooklyn Boulevard. This proviso states: "Within one year, the applicant shall provide an updated landscaping plan consistent with the landscaping enhancements recommended by the Brooklyn Boulevard task force." Mr. Graham answered that he was aware of the proviso and would be happy to cooperate with it. Chairperson Willson noted that this provision should be added to this application. The Secretary commented that the two shade trees planned are in line with the Brooklyn Boulevard updates. Commissioner Reem commented that the area looks nice and asked Mr. Graham whether the hill will remain. Mr. Graham answered yes, he just did some work on the retaining wall and may expand it. Commissioner Reem questioned the moving of three pine trees. Mr. Graham explained that the trees must be removed from their current location and the plan is to transplant them rather than lose them altogether. It is questionable whether they can be transplanted but they want to attempt it. The Secretary stated the applicant understands the three trees will be replaced if they are not successfully transplanted. Commissioner Reem noted that cars will be going through at three wide and wondered whether the time has increased. Mr. Graham stated that the basic wash will not be changed; they are just adding services. The business does not expect to do a considerably larger number of cars, just to offer different services to the customers. He was asked if cars are often backed up and responded that waiting cars have only backed up into the street on approximately four or five days over the last five years. The patrons decide whether or not to wait based on the line. Commissioner Mickelson asked whether the lighting will be indirect. Mr. Blumentals stated that the lighting will be shielded and will be under the canopy. He also stated that there will not be spotlights. There will be lights on poles. Commissioner Booth also asked whether 4-14-94 3 the exit doors would remain open all day or would be open and close. He was told that would depend on the weather; in winter, they would probably be closed. Commissioner Booth commented that he likes the heated apron. Commissioner Holmes questioned whether there is enough parking planned for employees. Mr. Graham responded that he does not anticipate this to be a problem as most employees in the busy season are high school students who ride the bus or bike to work. Commissioner Hilstrom arrived at 8:15 p.m. Chairperson Willson called for any more questions for the applicant or for anyone else to speak at the public hearing. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Reem to close the public hearing at 8:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 94002 (BROOKDALE CAR WASH,) There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Booth to recommend approval of Application No.94002 submitted by Brookdale Car Wash for special use permit and site and building plan approval to operate construct a 5,149 square foot addition to the Brookdale Car Wash at 5500 Brooklyn Boulevard subject to the following conditions: 1. Building plans are subject to review and approval by the Building Official with respect to applicable codes prior to the issuance of permit. 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 and supporting financial guarantee (in an amount to be determined by the City Manager) shall be submitted prior to the issuance of permits. 4. Any outside trash disposal facilities and rooftop or on ground mechanical equipment shall be appropriately screened from view. 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. An underground irrigation system shall be installed in all landscaped areas to facilitate site maintenance. 4-14-94 4 There was a motion by Commissioner Hilstrom and seconded by Commissioner Mickelson that the members of the Planning Commission, City Council and Financial Commission receive training in tax increment financing to better deal with the issues. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Willson asked for a volunteer to serve on the Northeast Transportation Corridor Task Force. Following discussion, Chairperson Willson volunteered to serve on the Committee. There was a motion by Commissioner Hilstrom and seconded by Commissioner Holmes to recommend Chairperson Willson be appointed to the Northeast Transportation Corridor Task Force. The motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Willson requested that two business items be covered at the next meeting (which is a study session), one concerning Brookdale Square Shopping Center, and one concerning the Lutheran Church of the Master on 69th Avenue. There was discussion concerning the freedom of speech/opinion sign issue. The Secretary will be working on the language for this issue. There was an informal discussion on current projects in progress, including the Cinema, Mobil, Phillips 66 and Westbrook Mall, and a baseball field. There was also discussion about the quality of the copies of the minutes. It was mentioned that if the April 28 study session is now a work session, another time may need to be scheduled for a study session. The next meeting of the Planning Commission will be April 28, 1994. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Mickelson and seconded by Commissioner Hilstrom to adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:08 p.m. yL Chairperson Recorded and transcribed by: Barbara Collman Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 4-14-94 7 1 1