Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 09-12 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 SEPTEMBER 12, 1996 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chair Willson at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Tim Willson, Commissioners Donald Booth, Mark Holmes, and Dianne Reem were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Arlene Bergfalk. Commissioner Graydon Boeck was excused. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE Mr. Warren introduced the newly appointed Planning Commissioners. He administered Oaths of Office to Mr. Brian Walker who fills the remainder of a term expiring December 31, 1996, and to Mr. Rex Newman who fills the remainder of a term expiring December 31, 1997. Commissioners Walker and Newman assumed their positions as Commissioners and began participation in the meeting at this point. Both Commissioners are eligible for reappointment to the Commission when their respective terms expire. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 29. 1996 There was a motion by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Chair Willson,to approve the minutes of the August 29, 1996 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioners Booth,Newman, Reem and Walker abstained. CHAIRPERSON'S EXPLANATION Chair Willson 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. 96014 (ITEN CHEVROLET) Chair Willson introduced Application No. 96014,a request from Iten Chevrolet for site and building plan approval and a special use permit to construct a 40'x 80' addition to the Iten dealership at 6701 Brooklyn Boulevard. The Secretary presented the staff report using overhead transparencies to show the location and site plans for the building addition. (See details in Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 96014 dated 9-12-96.) A special use permit is required to construct this building because the property is zoned C-2 and the sale of motor vehicles at retail is a special use in that 9-12-96 1 zoning district. The addition will house a new service write-up area for the dealership. A new entrance to the showroom also will be constructed at the east end of the existing building. Because the City is considering an area-wide drainage pond that would meet the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission's requirements, Mr. Warren explained that the applicant requested deferment of certain required watershed improvements on the site. The City Engineer has been informed by the watershed commission that such deferment is appropriate. The staff,therefore, recommends deferral of the drainage-related improvements. The applicant also requests deferment of required landscaping because of the plans to widen and improve Brooklyn Boulevard in this area in 1998. Because of the need to provide green strip and landscaping along Brooklyn Boulevard for that project, the applicant requests that all required landscaping be completed in conjunction with the City/County improvement project. Mr. Warren stated that the applicant did not submit a formal landscape plan, but submitted a memorandum calculating the number of trees and shrubs required to meet the required points under the City's landscape point system. However,a letter from Mr.Marty Iten is forthcoming to affirm Iten's intent to participate in the Brooklyn Boulevard landscape improvement project. The staff recommends approval of landscaping deferment because it would be appropriate given the anticipated improvement plans and would be consistent with a similar deferment recommended by the Planning Commission in 1993 related to an addition to the Ryan Olds property on Brooklyn Boulevard. The Secretary recommended approval of a special use permit and site and building plans for Iten Chevrolet subject to the conditions outlined in the staff memorandum. Commissioner Reem inquired whether there was any new information from Hennepin County regarding the 1998 improvement plans. Mr. Warren explained that to date an agreement between the County and the City has not been finalized. He reviewed the coordination necessary for the project between the County,the City,and MnDOT, each having specific responsibilities. The City needs an appropriate one-year lead time to acquire the necessary property for widening of the Boulevard, therefore final agreement should be reached this year. Some of the funding for the project comes from Federal grants which are also time sensitive. The Commissioners discussed the effect the 15' greenstrip would have on parking and it was determined that although re-configuration of the parking areas would be necessary, the property would still meet the City's parking ordinance. Mr. Warren noted that acquisition of land for widening the Boulevard will come from the east side rather than from the Iten property (west side). PUBLIC HEARING(APPLICATION NO. 96014) There was a motion by Commissioner Booth, seconded by Commissioner Reem,to open the public hearing on Application No. 96014 at 8:08 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Steve Binek, architect representing Iten Chevrolet, reiterated that a deferral of landscaping is requested because of the Brooklyn Boulevard improvement project proposed for 1998. He explained that without a design from the County/City for landscaping under that project it is difficult to provide 9-12-96 2 a formal plan for the Iten property at this time. Mr. Marty Iten said his letter of intent to comply with the project landscape plan will be received by the City on September 13, 1996. Mr. Iten believes that until a definitive plan for private/public landscaping is available, it is difficult to provide a specific plan for landscaping related to this application. Mr. Iten pointed out additional shrubs were incorporated during installation of a new sign on the property this summer. He supported the Brooklyn Boulevard improvement plan which would enhance and benefit the dealership. The Commissioners considered the possibility of deferring landscaping related to this application and a reasonable time frame for completion of landscaping should the Brooklyn Boulevard improvement project not come to fruition. The basic reasons for landscaping in urban areas were reviewed. Messrs. Binek and Iten responded to questions from the Commissioners regarding possible distribution and placement of the trees and shrubs required on the property under the point system. The Commissioners agreed that deferral of a landscape plan at this time was appropriate. The Commission requested that before a building permit is issued to the applicant, an agreement be signed stating that a landscaping plan will be submitted to the Planning Commission within 90 days upon determination that the Brooklyn Boulevard project will not commence in 1998. In addition, the Commissioners suggested that the applicant consider providing some landscaping on a volunteer basis in connection with its current construction plans. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Chair Willson called for further comments from the public. There was a motion by Commissioner Booth, seconded by Commissioner Reem, to close the public hearing at 8:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO 96014 There was a motion by Commissioner Booth, seconded by Commissioner Holmes,to recommend to the Council that it approve Application No. 96014, submitted by Iten Chevrolet, 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 permits. 2. The building addition is to be equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system to meet all NFPA standards and shall be connected to a central monitoring device in accordance with Chapter 5 of the City Ordinances. 3. Plan approval is exclusive of all signery which is subject to Chapter 34 of the City Ordinances. 4. A Special Use Permit is granted to the applicant for the addition as proposed by the plans. Any expansion or alteration of these plans shall require an additional amendment to this Special Use Permit. 9-12-96 3 5. This Special Use Permit is subject to all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations, any violation thereof, could be grounds for revocation. 6. Landscape improvements consistent with the landscape point system may be deferred for installation to the time of the Brooklyn Boulevard widening project proposed for 1998. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall enter into an agreement acknowledging their responsibility to provide said landscaping and assuring that it will be completed in conjunction with other landscape improvements proposed for the 1998 project or submit a formal landscape plan within 90 days of a determination that the 1998 project will not go forward. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Booth, Holmes,Newman, Reem and Walker. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the recommendation at its September 23, 1996 meeting. The applicant must be present. Major changes to the application as reviewed by the Commissioners will require that the application be returned to the Commission for re-consideration. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Warren reviewed progress on various projects within the City. The current geographic representation of the Commissioners was noted. Chair Willson pointed out that Commissioners may wish to attend neighborhood meetings including those outside their specific area of representation. The Commission's next meeting will be on September 26, 1996. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Booth,to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Arlene Bergfalk Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 9-12-96 4