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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 09-26 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 STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in a study session called to order by Chair Willson at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Tim Willson, Commissioners Graydon Boeck, Rex Newman,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 Mark Holmes entered the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Commissioners Donald Booth and Brian Walker were excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 12 1996 There was a motion by Commissioner Reem, seconded by Commissioner Newman, to approve the minutes of the September 12, 1996 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Boeck abstained as he was not at that meeting. CHAIR'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. 96015 (LANDFORM ENGINEERING COMPANY) Chair Willson introduced Application No. 96015, a request from Landform Engineering Company for preliminary plat approval to subdivide into two lots the property located at the northeast corner of 63rd Avenue North and Brooklyn Boulevard. The Secretary presented the staff repott using overhead transparencies to show the location of the site and to delineate the parcels created by subdivision for the Rainbow Food Store redevelopment project. (See details in Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 96015 dated 9-26-96 which is attached.) After demolition of the existing building on the site, newly constructed buildings include the proposed Rainbow Food Store and two other free-standing structures. The purpose of the subdivision is to create two lots on the property. The proposed new legal description is Lots 1 and 2, Block 1 Rainbow's Garden City Addition. Lot 1, the site of the Walgreen's Pharmacy, will be 9-26-96 1 70,316 square feet. Lot 2,will be 540,780 square feet, and contain the Rainbow store,another retail outlet, and a second freestanding building for Hollywood Video/Great Clips occupancy. Mr. Warren stated the proposed plat requires cross parking and cross access agreements between the two lots to allow free access over the site. It is also suggested that an existing 30' roadway easement for Beard Avenue North be dedicated as street right-of-way. These issues must be addressed in the final plat. With respect to parking, Mr. Warren stated the existing property provides more than the required number of parking spaces. However, he explained that when Lot 1 is superimposed over the site plan approved for the project, the site is short 19 parking spaces of the minimum required for the pharmacy building. The applicant has been informed of options to address this issue: 1)the property line may be altered to include 19 more spaces on Lot 1 or 2) a Special Use Permit may be applied for to allow for off-site accessory parking on Lot 2 and encumbered for the sole use of Lot 1. Mr. Warren stated the applicant chose option 2 and has filed a Planning Commission application for a Special Use Permit. Mr. Warren indicated the Preliminary Plat application is in order, subject to 5 conditions outlined in the staff report. However,because of the Special Use Permit application received to deal with the parking issue and associated public hearing,Mr.Warren recommended tabling action and continuing the public hearing on the Preliminary Plat subdivision request until the Commission reviews the Special Use Permit application. Action on both the Preliminary Plat and Special Use Permit applications can be completed at the Commission's October 17 meeting. The Secretary noted the applicant requested a waiver of the 60-day filing requirement. Mr. Warren recommended the public hearing announced for this meeting be conducted. Chair Willson called for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Boeck expressed concern that site plan details such as resolution of the pharmacy drive-up window access discussed at the 6-27-96 Commission meeting, easement dedication, cross access agreements, and parking information are not complete and available to the Commission in conjunction with this application. PUBLIC HEARING (APPLICATION NO. 96015) There was a motion by Commissioner:Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Boeck, to open the public hearing on Application No. 96015 at 7:58 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Darren Lazan, representing Landform Engineering Company, Wayzata MN, explained that while details are important, purchase agreements containing specific descriptions defining the lot lines for the 2 lots are currently being negotiated between the concerned parties. It has been determined that to amend the agreements to change lot lines to provide for required parking for Lot 1 would significantly impede the process. Mr. Lazan reiterated that the legal title documents when filed with Hennepin County will include description of the parking spaces encumbered for the sole use of Lot 1. 9-26-96 2 In addition,Mr. Warren explained that details referred to by Commissioner Boeck are customarily included in the final plat material presented for approval by the City Council. He noted that final plat applications are submitted directly to the City Council for consideration and action. Mr.Lazan requested that action on the preliminary plat application be tabled until it can be combined with consideration of the Special Use Permit application. It is anticipated that complete information will be available for the Commission's October 17 meeting. Mr. Lazan reported that discussions continue with Hennepin County and the City regarding construction of turn lanes on Brooklyn Boulevard. Ms. Jenna Sellers, project architect, reported that demolition of the existing building on the site is temporarily delayed until environmental issues are resolved with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Notwithstanding this delay, the developer expects demolition to begin shortly so construction can start in November 1996. ACTION TO TABLE CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION NO 96015 AND TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING At 8:20 p.m., there was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Reem, to continue the public hearing and to table action on Application No. 96015, submitted by Landform Engineering Company, to the Commission's October 17 meeting. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Holmes,Newman, and Reem. The motion passed unanimously. APPLICATION NO 96016 (DOUGLAS METAL SPECIALTIES) Chair Willson introduced Application No. 96016, a request for site and building plan approval from John Hunerberg, Hunerberg Construction Company,on behalf of Douglas Metal Specialties, 4912 France Avenue North. I The Secretary presented the staff report using overhead transparencies to show the location and site and building plans for two additions. (See details in Planning Commission Information Sheet for Application No. 96016 dated-9-26-96 which is attached.) A 1,250 square foot addition will be constructed at the rear of Building A and a 550 square foot addition to Building B will enclose the loading area and provide an overhead door on the east side of that building. The plan does not require review by the Watershed Management Commission. The City Engineer recommends that curb and gutter be provided along the east end of the site with a mid-point break to allow surface drainage into the T.H. 100 right-of-way which is the established drainage pattern on the site. In addition, it is recommended that major repair or an overlay of paving on the site be considered. Adequate landscaping is planned, however, it is recommended that underground irrigation be installed in areas currently lacking irrigation. Parking, provided by parallel and angled spaces totaling 23, meets requirements. 9-26-96 ; The applicant also plans a major face lift to the exterior and the roof of Building A that will complement the exterior and roof on the new addition to Building B, and a canopy will be built over the front building entrance. The staff recommends approval of Application No. 96016 subject to the conditions outlined in the 9-26-96 staff memorandum. Chair Willson called for questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners discussed the landscaping and screening, lighting,the lot size, outdoor storage, fire and safety equipment access, condition of the paved surface on the site, and parking. Mr. John Hunerberg, Hunerberg Construction Company, representing Douglas Metal Specialties, acknowledged that while parking may be considered unorthodox, it is not a problem because there are only 10-15 employees. A handicapped parking space will be designated near the office entryway. The applicant indicated that some improvement of the paving is planned and explained that the company is anxious to improve its buildings and overall image in the neighborhood. Mr. Hunerberg stated that an outdoor holding area is sometimes used for temporary storage of steel/materials on a short-term basis during the day. The Commissioners interposed no objections to the applicant's plans subject to the conditions outlined by the staff with an added condition to require a designated marked handicapped parking space. It was noted that plans for repair of the paved surface of the site will be finalized during the building permit process. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 96106 There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to recommend to the Council that it approve Application No. 96016, submitted by John Hunerberg, Hunerberg Construction Company,on behalf of Douglas Metal Specialties,4912 France Avenue North, 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. Grading and drainage 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 based on cost estimates shall be submitted prior to the issuance of permits to assure the completion of site improvements. 4. Any outside trash disposal facilities shall be appropriately screened from view. 5. An underground irrigation system shall be installed in all landscaped areas to facilitate site maintenance. 9-26-96 4 6. Plan approval is exclusive of signery which is subject to Chapter 34 of the City Ordinances. 7. B-612 curb and gutter shall be provided at the east end of the parking lot to assist site drainage in this area. 8. One existing parking space shall be designated for handicapped parking with the proper signage. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Holmes,Newman, and Reem. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the recommendation at its Tuesday, October 15, 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 The Commission's next meeting will be on October 17, 1996. Commissioner Mark Holmes informed the Secretary and the Commissioners that he is unable to attend that meeting. Mr. Warren announced that the Commissioners will join the City Councilmembers in a meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 1996, at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room B, City Hall. The agenda includes discussion of the plans and timetable for updating the City's Comprehensive Plan and appointment of the Comprehensive Plan Task Force. Arlene Bergfalk agreed to serve as Recording Secretary for this joint meeting. The Commissioners agreed to cancel the study session previously scheduled for Thursday, October -311, 1996. With respect to the geographic representation of the Commissioners, Chair Willson recommended that Commissioner Brian Walker be designated to represent the Northeast Neighborhood and Commissioner Rex Newman be designated to represent the West Central Neighborhood. The Commissioners concurred with the recommendations. Currently, Commissioner Mark Holmes represents the Northwest Neighborhood; Commissioner Graydon Boeck represents the Southwest Neighborhood; Commissioner Donald Booth represents the Southeast Neighborhood; and Commissioner Dianne Reem represents the Central Neighborhood. Chair Willson stated the Commissioners are not precluded from attending neighborhood meetings outside their respective designated areas at their discretion. 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 8:55 p.m. 9-26-96 5 e . Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Arlene Bergfalk TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 9-26-96 6