HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 02-12 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 MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in a regular meeting and was called to order by Chair Willson at 7:38
p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Willson, Commissioners Graydon Boeck, Mark Holmes, and Rex Newman were present.
Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald
Warren and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Arlene Bergfalk. Commissioners Donald
Booth and Dianne Reem were excused.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 29, 1997
There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Boeck,to approve the
minutes of the January 29, 1997 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Holmes abstained since he did not attend 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. 97003 (SUNLITE PROPERTIES)
Chair Willson introduced Application No. 97001,a request to amend the Planned Unit Development
approval previously granted to Sunlite Properties under Application No. 96002 on March 25, 1996.
The proposed development for an office/industrial building is on a 6.25 acre site located west of
Parkway Circle, north of the Hilton Hotel.
The Secretary presented the staff report using overhead transparencies to show the location and site
and building plans for the new proposal. (See Planning Commission Application Information Sheet
for Application No. 97003 dated 2-12-97 attached.)
Mr. Warren stated the current application is similar to the March 1996 plan for development of the
property. Significant changes from the previous plan include construction of a larger facility(73,903
sq.ft.vs.previous 69,778 sq.ft.); shift of the building location to the east by 25 feet(which provides
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access and parking around the entire building); and construction of 12 loading docks on the south
side of the building to accommodate each tenant space (rather than centralized loading spaces
provided under the 1996 proposal).
The applicant anticipates that 25 percent of the building will be office occupancy and the remainder
will be industrial or warehouse space. Mr. Warren reviewed the access and parking plans of the
proposal noting that 20 spaces along the north property line are dedicated as off-site accessory
parking for the sole use of the adjoining property through an encumbrance filed with Hennepin
County.
Mr. Warren detailed the grading, landscaping, lighting and trash plans and described the building
exterior. The previously approved drainage and wetland mitigation plans for the westerly side of
the building remain the same. The Watershed Management Commission has reviewed and approved
the storm water plan for the property. Mr. Warren reported that the 5 outstanding condition
requirements outlined in the City Engineer's memorandum dated 02-05-97 have been filed and
completed by the applicant. The engineer will continue discussion with the applicant regarding
concerns about roof drainage from the site directly into the storm sewer system. The proposed
building location encroaches into an existing drainage and utility easement that requires vacation
through an ordinance amendment prior to issuance of any permits for the development.
Mr. Warren stated the applicant has met the concerns expressed by the City Engineer and the staff
recommends approval of the application subject to conditions 1-16 outlined in the staff report. Mr.
Warren noted that the Planning Commission serves as the neighborhood advisory group for the
industrial park area where this Planned Unit Development is located,therefore no further referral is
required. A public hearing on the amended PUD is scheduled at this meeting.
Chair Willson called for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Boeck inquired
whether some of the conditions listed in the staff report regarding erosion and sediment control
devices and protection of the ponding and wetland areas have already been complied with given
work done relative to the previous application. Mr. Warren indicated many of the conditions are
standard regulations and may have been completed. A petition for the ordinance amendment for
easement vacation is in process. In response to Commissioner Holmes' questions, Mr. Warren
confirmed that the documentation required by the engineer has been completed and that appropriate
adjoining property owners were notified of the hearing on proposed new development,including the
Hilton Hotel owners. Commissioner Newman asked about the status of other conditions listed in
the staff report. Mr. Warren stated the City participated in the cost of performing soil corrections
on the site through tax increment financing (TIF), as an incentive associated with approval of the
original Planned Unit Development.
PUBLIC HEARING (APPLICATION NO. 97003)
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to open the
public hearing at 8:08 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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Mr. Janis Blumentals,Blumentals/Architecture Inc.,architect for the project,introduced the owners
of the property, Jerry and David Steffens. Mr. Blumentals explained that the new plan provides
space for more tenants, better parking distribution, enhanced traffic circulation, and an overall
improvement of the design of the project and building. He displayed photos of the color (red
aggregate concrete)and texture of the exterior of the building. The owner intends to proceed with
this plan and steel has been ordered.
Commissioner Boeck expressed concern regarding the roof drainage plans and questioned the
methods whereby the integrity of a 72" pipe may be compromised. Mr. Blumentals stated that
discussions continue with the City Engineer regarding the drainage problems on the site in an effort
to resolve the difficulties, and Mr. Warren indicated that building permits would not be issued until
the Engineer is satisfied with the plans.
Mr. Jerry Steffens, owner of Sunlite Properties, stated that funding for soil correction on the site
include $460,000 from TIF, $650,000 of private funds with an additional $69,000 to be expended
prior to completion. He described the drainage patterns on the site and reiterated that the issues have
been discussed thoroughly with the City Engineer. Although tenants have not yet been acquired,the
new building is designed primarily for warehousing and manufacturing operations. The loading
docks will accommodate 65 foot semitrailers.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING(APPLICATION NO. 970031
There was a motion by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Newman,to close the
public hearing at 8:25 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Chair Willson called for additional discussion or questions. There were no further questions.
Following discussion,the Commissioners did not interpose objections to the amended Planned Unit
Development proposal as submitted by Sunlite Properties III.
ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 97003
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Newman,to recommend
to the Council that it approve Application No. 97003, a request submitted by Sunlite Properties III
to amend the Planned Unit Development approval granted under Application No. 96002, 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, drainage and utility plans are subject to review and approval by the City
Engineer prior to the issuance of building permits.
3. A 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 insure the completion of site improvements.
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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.
7. Plan approval is exclusive of all signery which is subject to Chapter 34 of the City
Ordinances.
8. B-612 curb and gutter shall be provided around all parking and driving areas.
9. The applicant shall submit an as-built survey of the property, improvements and
utility service lines prior to the release of the performance guarantee.
10. 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.
11. The applicant shall provide appropriate erosion and sediment control devices on the
site during construction as approved by the Engineering Department.
12. the following additional financial guarantees will be deposited with the City Engineer
by the applicant:
A. A $2,500 cash surety as required by the Wetland Conservation Act.
B. A $5,000 cash surety to insure completion of required wetland monitoring.
13. Ponding areas required as part of the storm drainage plan shall be protected by an
approved easement. The easement document shall be executed and filed with
Hennepin County.
14. The 20 parking stalls indicated on the north side shall be dedicated as off-site
accessory parking for the sole use of the adjoining property to the north. Said
declaration shall be filed with the title to the properties prior to the issuance of
permits.
15. All work performed and materials used for construction of utilities shall conform to
the City of Brooklyn Center's current standard specifications and details.
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16. An ordinance amendment vacating a portion of the drainage and utility easement on
this property affected by the proposed building expansion shall be accomplished
prior to the issuance of building permits for this project.
Voting for: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Holmes, and Newman. The motion passed
unanimously.
The Council will consider the recommendation at its Monday, February 24, 1997 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.
APPLICATION NO. 97004 (LINE DRIVE BATTING CAGES)
Mr. Warren informed the Commissioners that the applicant requested that Application No. 97004
be tabled. According to the applicant,the owner of the building decided against leasing property for
the intended use under that application.
The Commissioners acknowledged the application and the tabling request. Mr. Warren indicated
the application will be held for 60 days to allow the applicant time to find another location. If no
location is found within that time,the matter will be brought back to the Commission for a formal
disposition.
ACTION REGARDING APPLICATION NO. 97004
There was a motion by Commissioner Beck, seconded by Commissioner Holmes to table
consideration of Application No. 97004,Line Driving Batting Cages,as requested by the applicant.
Voting for: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Holmes, and Newman. The motion passed
unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Warren reviewed the status of development projects in the City. The next Commission meeting
will be on Wednesday, February 26, 1997.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Holmes,to adjourn the
Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:35
p.m.
r
Chair
Recorded and transcribed by:
Arlene Bergfalk
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TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial
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