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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 05-29 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 29, 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 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 Brian Walker was excused. Commissioner Mark Holmes entered the meeting at 8:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -MAY 1. 1997 There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Newman,to approve the minutes of the May 1, 1997 meeting, as submitted. 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. APPLICATION NO. 97006 (SPIRITUAL LIFE CHURCH) Chair Willson introduced Application No. 97006, a request submitted by the Spiritual Life Church for site and building plan approval to construct a 900 seat church building on 4.4. acres of vacant property located at the southwest quadrant of Shingle Creek Parkway and Xerxes Avenue North. The Commission initially considered this application at it's April 17 meeting,however action was tabled pending submission of additional information. (See April 17 Commission meeting minutes and April 14 Planning Commission Application Information Sheet.) Mr. Warren presented the staff report and described the location and the revised site and building plans for the proposed development. Religious uses are permitted in the C-1 zoning district in which the property is located. (See attached Planning Commission Application Information Sheet for Application No. 97006 dated 5-29-97.) As previously requested by the Commission,the applicant submitted revised site and landscape plans and a grading, drainage and utility plan. A wetland delineation report prepared for the Church indicates that previous development and site grading left a small remnant of a wetland on the south edge of the site, therefore the remaining existing 408 sq. ft. dry stormwater basin is exempt from the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act since it does not meet the required delineation criteria. Review of this exemption shall be conducted by the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission under the joint powers act. The applicant has remitted the required fee to the Watershed. Mr. Warren described the modifications to the access drives. The access at the northwest corner of the site aligns with an existing drive on the opposite side of Freeway Boulevard. The Xerxes Avenue access aligns with the access on the east side of Xerxes Avenue. Although the southerly access on Freeway Boulevard does not align with the townhouse access in that location, the City Engineer recommends no alteration given the nature of the use of the Church site and the existing townhomes. The applicant's parking plan on the site meets requirements adequately and the lot access, located at the east end of the site, aligns with the access drive on the opposite side of Xerxes Avenue, and provides a large greenstrip along Shingle Creek Parkway. The drainage and grading and utility plans were described. Mr.Warren reviewed the City Engineer's May 27 memorandum regarding the drainage and grading plan/report which has been submitted to the Watershed Commission. Preliminary discussions with the Watershed indicate that the documentation in the report is adequate and exemption from the wetland criteria is justified. Mr. Warren stated that according to the applicant's architect the certificate of exemption can be administratively executed by the Watershed possibly prior to the Council's June 9 expected consideration of this application. Sanitary sewer and water to the church building will be provided along the north side of the building and tied into existing lines within the Shingle Creek Parkway right-of-way. Agreements with the City for these services are required. The applicant's revised landscape plan with 396 landscape points on the property meets the Planning Commission's point system and provides appropriate distribution of plantings around the site. The exterior of the building consists of white or cream colored textured decorative concrete with a tinted reflectorized glazed curtain wall at the main building entrance. Exterior glazing, frames and flashings will be a plum color. Fourteen lighting standards on 20 foot high poles on the site will be provided with devices to restrict glare and intensities, as required. The staff recommends approval of the revised site and building plans, subject to 14 conditions, contained in the staff report. The applicant waived its right to receive final approval within 60 days of application filing because its initial plans were not sufficient for the Commission to make a favorable recommendation within that time frame. Chair Willson called for questions on the revised plans. 5-29-97 2 Commissioner Boeck suggested additional clarifying language to conditions 11 and 12 in the staff report. The Commissioners agreed to the changes. Commissioner Boeck expressed concern that the ponding facilities will not be properly cared for since the site is exempt from Watershed agency regulations. He urged the applicant to nonetheless pay reasonable attention to the appropriate maintenance of the ponds to preserve water quality. Mr. Warren indicated that considerations of the Watershed Commission during previous development and grading on the larger property may include maintenance of the detention pond. The City Engineer will be asked to investigate whether such provisions are in place. Mr. Steve Binek, architect for the project, stated the ponds will be primarily dry and will be mowed and maintained. Commissioner Boeck suggested the applicant may wish to consider additional screening/landscaping/berming on the street sides of the northerly pond. According to the architect, completion of the development is expected by December 1997. In response to an inquiry regarding daily occupancy in the building,Pastor Judy Fornara explained the eight staff members work Monday through Friday during the day and religious events occur some weekday evenings as well as Sundays. She added that special events conducted by the denomination bring out-of-town visitors who will occupy local hotels/motels and other services in the community. Following its discussion,the Commission did not interpose objections to the site and building plans for the Spiritual Life Church, subject to the 14 conditions, as presented by the Secretary. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Reem,to recommend to the Council that it approve Application No. 97006, a request submitted by Spiritual Life Church for site and building plan approval to construct a church on land located at the southwest quadrant of Shingle Creek Parkway and Xerxes Avenue North, subject to the following conditions: 1. The 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 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 approved site improvements. 4. Any outside trash disposal facilities and roof-top or on-ground mechanical equipment shall be appropriately screened from view. 5-29-97 3 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 signage 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 enter into an easement and agreement for maintenance and inspection of utility and storm drainage systems prior to the issuance of permits. 10. The applicant shall provide appropriate erosion and sediment control devices on the site during construction as approved by the City Engineering Department. 11. All work performed and materials used for construction of utilities, driveways and parking areas shall conform to the City of Brooklyn Center's current standard specifications and details. 12. The grading plan shall be modified prior to the issuance of building permits to indicate the berming area used to screen the parking lot from the townhomes on the opposite side of Freeway Boulevard on the west side of the site property. 13. The Certification of Exemption to the Wetland Conservation Act recommended in the applicant's wetland report,prepared by McCombs Frank Roos Associates, Inc., is subject to the approval of the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission and shall be issued prior to the issuance of building permits for this project. 14. Ponding areas shall be protected by appropriate easements as approved by the City Engineer. Voting for: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Newman, and Reem. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the recommendation at its Monday,June 9, 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. OTHER BUSINESS 5-29-97 4 Mr. Warren responded to Commissioner Reem's questions regarding the status of the Rainbow/Walgreen development,future plans of the 63rd Avenue liquor store and fire station, and the 50's Grill response to the recommended parking plan related to their small expansion. Mr. Warren noted the Council recently directed the Commission to review the ordinance regarding accessory buildings in residential districts. The Secretary reviewed the current regulations and applicable State Statute. The Commissioners participated in a preliminary discussion on the ordinance to provide the Secretary a basis to prepare draft ordinance language to reflect the Commissioners' views and concerns on potential revisions. In addition, the Commission is directed to consider further limitations regarding the location of pawnshops with respect to adjacent properties. The Commissioners agreed to discuss these topics at its June 26 study session. Chair Willson informed the Secretary and the Commissioners that he will be absent from the June 12 Commission meeting to attend his wife's college graduation ceremonies. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Holmes,to adjourn the Planning Commission study session. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. a � Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Arlene Bergfalk Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 5-29-97 5