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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 05-01 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 MAY 1, 1997 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in a study session called to order by Chair Tim Willson at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Willson,Commissioners Graydon Boeck,Rex Newman,and Brian Walker 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 was excused. Commissioner Dianne Reem entered the meeting at 7:48 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -APRIL 17, 1997 Commissioner Boeck requested that condition number 14,page 6, line 4, of the April 17 minutes, be corrected to read: "14. All drainage shall be handled and held on the site." (Corrected language underscored.} There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Newman, to approve the minutes of the April 17, 1997, as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. 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. REVIEW DRAFT CHAPTER 35 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS AND FACILITIES Chair Willson introduced the proposed Chapter 35 ordinance amendment. He referred to a trade journal article "How to Manage Antenna Proliferation" (distributed at the meeting). The author's experience supports the strategies proposed for regulating antenna locations and construction contained in the draft amendment. Mr. Warren explained that the ordinance amendment offered is based on the Commission's discussion of this proposal at its March 13, 1997 meeting and review by the City Attorney. The amendment adds a new Section 35-415 "Special Requirements for Telecommunications Towers and Telecommunications Facilities" to chapter 35 of the City ordinance to establish standards for constructing, locating, and disguising telecommunication towers and facilities in the City. Such facilities will be allowed in the C-lA, C-2, I-1 and I-2 zoning districts with a permit from the building official and antennae can be placed in any zoning district on an existing building as a permitted use provided that building or structure is at least 75 ft. high. In addition,the new section permits telecommunications facilities to be attached to City water towers with the appropriate lease agreement and building permit. The staff recommends approval of the ordinance amendment for Council consideration and final approval. The Commissioners considered the draft ordinance. Discussion points included clarification regarding height of antenna and towers,advertising, accessory uses, and provision for removal upon abandonment of such facilities. Mr. Warren responded to Commissioners' questions. It was acknowledged that the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandates that local governments facilitate requests for construction of such equipment within their jurisdictions. Following discussion, the Commissioners did not interpose objections to the draft ordinance as presented. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Walker,to recommend to the Council that it approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 35 of the City Ordinances regarding Telecommunications Towers and Telecommunications Facilities, as drafted by the Secretary. Voting for: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Booth, Reem, and Walker. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the recommendation at its Monday, May 12, 1997 meeting. REVIEW DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 35 REGARDING BUILDINGS IN R-1 AND R-2 DISTRICTS Chair Willson introduced the proposed amendment regarding buildings in R-1 and R-2 districts. Mr. Warren referred to the Commission's April 17 discussion regarding the city's policy to not allow sewer hook-ups to an accessory building in the RI and R2(residential)districts. He pointed out that the City's long-standing policy, administered by the building official, to prohibit such sewer connections is defensible. However, in response to the Commission's request that such ban be included in city ordinances,the proposed amendment amends chapter 35 by adding a new provision in section 35-530: "No accessory building shall be provided with sanitary sewer facilities." The amendment includes renumbering the existing provisions in the section. The staff recommends approval of the ordinance amendment for Council consideration and final approval. The Commissioners considered the amendment. Other provisions of the ordinance were discussed. The secretary responded to questions and explained the relevancy of the new language within the ordinance. Commissioner Newman suggested that modification of the allowable size of accessory buildings may be appropriate for future discussion. Following discussion, the Commissioners interposed no objections to the proposed ordinance amendment. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 5-1-97 2 There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Reem,to recommend to the Council that it approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 35 of the City Ordinances Regarding Buildings in RI and R2 Districts, as drafted by the Secretary. Voting for: Chair Willson,Commissioners Boeck,Newman,Reem,and Walker. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the recommendation at its Monday,May 12, 1997 meeting. 50'S GRILL Mr. Warren used a transparency to show the location of a small addition planned by the owner of the 50's Grill, 5524 Brooklyn Boulevard, to increase the size of a previous expansion of the restaurant's cooler facility. He explained that although the new construction will eliminate one parking space for the restaurant,the proposal adequately meets requirements for granting a building permit. He stated that the permit will provide that at the City's discretionary request,a parking space be constructed on the north east corner of the property to meet the minimum parking requirements. Following discussion,the Commissioners unanimously supported the recommended staff action as described by Mr. Warren to allow the 50's Grill to expand it's cooler size and meet the required parking on the property,rather than require the owner to remove a seating space from the restaurant business and agreed that a building permit could be issued without the submission of a site and building plan application for this minor addition. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Warren responded to questions regarding the Rainbow/Walgreen development at 63rd and Brooklyn Boulevard. The Comprehensive Plan Update Task Force meets on Monday,May 5, 1997, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The next meeting of the Planning Commission will be Thursday, May 15, 1997. Chair Willson informed the Secretary and the Commissioners that he will be absent from the May 15 Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Walker,to adjourn the Planning Commission study session. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Arlene Bergfalk Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 5-1-97 3 I 1 1