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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 08-15 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 AUGUST 15, 1991 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Molly Malecki at 7:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Molly Malecki, Commissioners Wallace Bernards, Lowell Ainas, Bertil Johnson, Kristen Mann and Mark Holmes. Chairperson Malecki noted that Commissioner Ella Sander would be late. Also present were Director of Planning and Inspection Ronald Warren, City Engineer Mark Maloney and Recording Secretary Mary Lou Larsen. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JULY 25, 1991 Motion by Commissioner Ainas seconded by Commissioner Mann to approve the minutes of the July 25, 1991 Planning Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairperson Malecki, Commissioners Bernards, Ainas, Johnson, Mann and Holmes. Voting against: none. The motion passed. APPLICATION NOS. 91013 AND 91014 (City of Brooklyn Center) Following the Chairperson's explanation, the Secretary introduced the first item of business, a request for site and building plan approval (Application No. 91013) to replace the existing lift station at 5450 Lyndale Avenue North with a new lift station on the same parcel and a request for special permit approval as publicly owned structures are a special use in the R2 zoning district. He stated there is also a companion application (Application No. 91014) which is a request for variance approval from the setback requirement from the Mississippi River bluff line (Critical Area regulations established by executive order of the governor in 1976) and from the setback requirement off Lyndale Avenue North. The Secretary explained that this lift station serves the east portion of the City. He noted that the Environmental Quality Board and Hennepin Parks District had been contacted and neither agency objected to the request. He stated that the Hennepin Parks District is acquiring property along the east side of Lyndale Avenue up to River Ridge Park for the Regional Trail System which will tie into the walkway/bike access with Anoka County Park District and Minneapolis Parks system. He added both agencies are aware of the odor problem and are not opposed to the relocation of the lift station. Bertil Johnson asked if assumption could be made that the odor will go away with the rebuilding of this lift station. City Engineer 8-15-91 1 Mark Maloney explained that the physical design and technology has been improved since the existing lift station was constructed in 1955. He stated that the new wet well process will not tumble over anything or mix with air which will help alleviate some of the odor problem. He added that installation of odor free equipment is very expensive, but that the proposed equipment will be 90% to 98% odor free. He stated that if odor problems arise in the future, a scrubber could be added. Commissioner Johnson asked what caused the odor problem. The Secretary and City Engineer concurred that the amount of sewage entering the system is much greater than before. The City Engineer stated that the lift station was rehabilitated in 1980, but that the flow continued to increase. Commissioner Johnson asked what is expected to happen now. The City Engineer stated that the population is dipping and that flow should stay constant during the life of the lift station. Commissioner Johnson asked what the life expectancy of the lift station would be. The City Engineer stated that it should be 50 years. He stated there are three options: 1) to rehab the existing lift station to meet OSHA requirements; 2) more extensive rehabilitation; or 3) demolish the lift station. He explained the existing lift station is not easy to access for maintenance and now is at the point that it will have to be rebuilt or repaired. Commissioner Bernards asked how much the project will cost and where the funds will come from. The City Engineer stated it would cost 1/2 million dollars and that the funds will come from public utilities funds. Commissioner Holmes stated he would like clarification as to how the lift station works. The City Engineer explained that the City has nine lift stations to take care of its sewage and briefly explained the operation. Commissioner Holmes asked if there would be much noise from the pumping. The City Engineer stated that the new lift station would be pumping under fluid and there is very little noise. The Secretary explained that the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission regulates the City's capacity of sewage that enters the system. He stated that ways are being looked at to prevent clean water from getting into the sewage system. PUBLIC HEARING (Application Nos. 91013 and 910141 Chairperson Malecki opened the meeting for a public hearing and asked whether anyone present wished to speak regarding the applications. The Secretary stated that Patricia Finstad of 5451 Lyndale Avenue North had called to say that she would be unable to attend the meeting, but wanted to express her concerns regarding the odor problem. She stated she cannot have her windows open or go outside and that she believes it is a health hazard. She also stated that she is in favor of the new lift station. Mrs. Beverly Truan, 5433 Lyndale Avenue North, addressed the Commission and stated she agreed with Mrs. Finstad's comments. She 8-15-91 2 added that when the wind is in the east the odor penetrates her home and also, that she cannot hang clothes outside. She asked when the project would begin. The City Engineer explained if the project is approved by the City Council, that bidding will begin in October and construction should begin in early spring. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Motion by Commissioner Ainas seconded by Commissioner Johnson to close the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Malecki asked how much down time there would be to switch over from the existing lift station to the new lift station. The City Engineer stated that it has to be instantaneous, possibly a 1/2 hour interval, with a bypass to ensure the switch over is complete. Commissioner Holmes asked if there is much traffic around the lift station. The City Engineer explained that the lift station is serviced by City trucks every day and by a large truck with a hoist once a month to lift out the pump for maintenance. He stated that several sizes of vehicles/equipment have to be able to enter the area which includes snow removal vehicles. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 91013 (City of Brooklyn Center) Motion by Commissioner Mann seconded by Commissioner Ainas to approve Application No. 91013 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, utility and berming plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer, prior to the issuance of permits. 3 . Any outside trash disposal facilities and rooftop mechanical equipment shall be appropriately screened from view. 4. B612 curb and gutter shall be provided around all parking and driving areas. 5. Site and building plan and special use permit approval are subject to approval of variance Application No. 91014. 6. The special use permit is granted only for the specific use proposed by the City. The use may not be altered or expanded in any way without first securing an amendment to this special use permit. 8-15-91 3 Voting in favor: Chairperson Malecki, Commissioners Bernards, Ainas, Johnson, Mann and Holmes. Voting against: none. The motion passed. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 91014 (City of Brooklyn Center) Motion by Commissioner Mann seconded by Commissioner Ainas to recommend approval of Application No. 91014 subject to the following findings: 1. The variance is necessary for the property to continue to be buildable. Relocation of the lift station is not feasible due to prohibitive costs involved in relocating utilities. 2 . The physical circumstances of the lot with its river abutment and extremely shallow depth are relatively unique in the City. Similar properties to the north have also been granted setback variances. 3 . The unique physical circumstances have not at any time been caused by the City. 4. The variance will not be detrimental to other property in the neighborhood inasmuchas it will allow for a new and relocated lift station that will eliminate the odor problem associated with the old lift station. 5. The variance is not contrary to the intent of the Critical A rea regulations which are aimed at preserving as much as possible the natural scenery along the Mississippi River corridor. The proposed screening and landscape plan appropriately fulfill this objective. Voting in favor: Chairperson Malecki, Commissioners Bernards, Ainas, Mann, Johnson and Holmes. Voting against: none. The motion passed. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) Car Wash Proposal The Secretary reviewed a memo from the planning staff regarding a forthcoming application for a gas station/convenience store/car wash on the property at the southeast corner of Highway 252 and 66th Avenue North. He asked the Commissioners for their opinions on the following four possible methods of resolving the issue of having a car wash in a separate building. He stated this does not commit the Commission to favorable approval of the application. 8-15-91 4 1) Planned Unit Development to allow two principal buildings on the same site. 2) Subdivision of the site into two parcels with shared access. 3) Variance from Section 35-414. 6 to allow a car wash in a separate building. 4) Ordinance Amendment to clarify that vehicle washing must be conducted indoors in a building of comparable quality and appearance to the principal building. A discussion ensued regarding the previous applications submitted by Fina which were approved in 1989, but did not go forward, for a gas station/convenience store/car wash at the same site. Commissioner Bernards asked what concerned the neighbors at that time. The Secretary stated they were concerned with ice buildup in streets from the car wash, noise, traffic, aesthetics and did not think it is a desirable use. He added that staff will do more research of the ordinance dealing with this type of use. It was the consensus of the Commission that an ordinance amendment to allow a car wash in a separate building would be the best possible way to proceed with the request. b) Investors Savings Bank at 5540 Brooklyn Boulevard There was a brief discussion regarding the application submitted by Investors Savings Bank which was tabled by the City Council at the applicant's request on March 11, 1991. The Secretary stated there had been some concerns regarding the space for lease use at the east end of the site for a retail clothing store with deliveries. He explained that the applicant requested approval to install a loading dock for trucks (not semi trucks) making deliveries. He noted the application would be brought back to the Council on August 26, 1991 for consideration of the revised plans. The Commission noted the proposed change and recommended that the matter be referred to the City Council with a favorable recommendation including the conditions previously included. Commissioner Sander arrived at 8:40 p.m. C) Ordinance Amending Chapter 34 of the City Ordinances Regarding the Allowable Size of Space for Lease Real Estate Signs The Secretary reported that the City Council, after much review and discussion, had amended the Sign Ordinance regarding real estate signs to allow both larger and freestanding signs. He noted, however, that the Council approved this change for only a one year period and has directed the Planning Commission to review this matter further and advise them on provisions for real estate signs 8-15-91 5 that can be adopted on a permanent basis. Concerns expressed by the Council include the permanent nature of the supposed temporary signs; the size and height of the signs; and freestanding as opposed to wall signs. He added that concerns regarding the appearance of these signs were also expressed. The Secretary also reported that the City Council would like to have a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss their concerns and the direction given for review of real estate signs. Phase I of 69th Avenue North Project City Engineer Mark Maloney gave a presentation on Phase I of the 69th Avenue North project. He stated that a press release will appear in the local newspaper explaining the first phase of the project. He explained that soil correction is scheduled to begin on August 19 involving piling of sand which will settle over winter to create the road bed. He stated the project will be completed in fall of 1992 . Commissioner Holmes asked if the overlook at Palmer Lake Park will remain. The City Engineer answered that the overlook will remain and the path will be relocated. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Mann seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Chairperson 8-15-91 6