HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 02-15 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
FEBRUARY 15, 1979
CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman
Hal Pierce at 8:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairman Pierce, Commissioners Malecki , Hawes, Manson, Lucht, and Erickson. Also
present were Director of Public Works James Merila, Director of Planning and
Inspection Ronald Warren and Planning Aide Gary Shallcross.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 25, 1979
Commissioner Malecki pointed out that the minutes did not note her arrival at
8:45 p.m. on January 25, 1979, and that it was she who moved that the Zoning Ordi-
nance be amended to extend the 35 ft. greenstrip provision to R5 zones. Motion
by Commissioner Malecki seconded by Commissioner Manson to approve the minutes of
the January 25, 1979 Planning Commission meeting as corrected. Voting in favor:
Chairman Pierce, Commissioners Malecki, Hawes, Manson, Lucht and Erickson. The
motion passed.
Commissioner Theis arrived at 8:06 p.m.
APPLICATION NO 79004 (Iorsunsky-Krank-Erickson/First Brookdale Bank)
Following the Chairman's explanation, the first item of consideration was Appli-
cation No. 79004 submitted by Robert Sheehy for Korsunsky-Krank-Erickson Architects,
Inc. The Secretary introduced the application and explained that on July 10, 1978,
the City Council had approved Application No. 78037, consisting of site and build-
ing plan review for a remote banking facility for the First Brookdale Bank to be
located on 59th Avenue North and Brooklyn Boulevard. The Secretary remarked that
one of the conditions of approval was that the property be replatted by formal
plat or registered land survey into a single tract or lot prior to occupancy of
the building. The applicant has submitted a proposed plat combining Lots 1 through
6, Block 5, Hipp's 3rd Addition, into a single parcel to be known as Lot 1 , Block
1 , First Brookdale Bank Addition. The Secretary also pointed out that presently
there is a drainage and utility easement running north and south through the center
of the parcel . He explained that with the development of this parcel there was
no longer a need for the easement, and that the City was in the process of vaca-
ting the easement through an ordinance amendment. He further reported that there
were various revisions that have been made to the site, building and landscaping
plans that are in keeping with the original approval of Application No. 78037, and
that the revisions would be reviewed as an informational item following the CoRi-
mission's review of the preliminary plat.
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Pierce opened the meeting for purposes of a public hearing. Noting that
no one from the neighborhood was present, Chairman Pierce called for a motion to
close the public hearing.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
Motion by Commissioner Theis seconded by Commissioner Malecki to close the public
hearing. The motion passed unanimously.
2-15-79 -1-
In a discussion regarding the traffic engineering aspects of the plan, the
Secretary and the City Engineer pointed out that the proposed plat allows
entrance only from 59th Avenue North. It was pointed out that the Comprehensive
Plan calls for the closing off of certain roadways on Brooklyn Boulevard, and
that 59th Avenue North was designated for eventual closing. The Secretary stated
that because of the existence of a nonconforming single-family residential . .
structure with a driveway on 59th Avenue North, just south of this site, it was
not feasible to close 59th Avenue North at this time. He added that the approved
layout for the bank facility does not preclude the possibility of a closing at
a future date. It was noted that it might also be possible in the future to
combine properties north and south of 59th Avenue North by creating a cul-de-sac
on 59th Avenue North, just east of Brooklyn Boulevard. The City Engineer stated
that there was a need for clearly delineating traffic patterns and that the cul-
de-sac would accomplish this. He added that the level of traffic on Brooklyn
Boulevard in this area would likely decline in the future as a result of the
completion of the north-south Freeway into Minneapolis.
The Secretary next reviewed various amendments to the site plan which were in
keeping with the original approval . In response to a number of questions from
Commissioner Hawes, Mr. Erickson, the architect for the project, explained that
the plan envisioned four drive-up lanes to be in operation at the start, with
three more to be added later upon approval by the City Council . He explained
that the function of the new remote facility was not to generate a new market
for the First Brookdale State Bank, but was rather a means of handling existing
overflow demand. Commissioner Lucht asked whether only right turns would be
allowed when exiting the site onto Brooklyn Boulevard. The Secretary replied
that both right and left turns would be allowed. Chairman Pierce added that the
plan does not allow any exiting toward Beard Avenue North through 59th Avenue
North. In response to questions from Chairman Pierce, Mr. Erickson explained
that while the building had been redesigned to be somewhat larger, the function
was essentially the same, and that more parking spaces were provided in the new
plan as a counter to the reduced stacking space for cars waiting in the drive-up
lanes. He also pointed out that the screening along Beard Avenue North was
changed to provide better screening of the site from the neighboring residential
area. The Commission then reviewed the landscape plan, which it found to be in
keeping with the previous plan. Commissioner Hawes asked whether any expansion
could be to the south by vacating 59th Avenue North. The Secretary and Mr.
Erickson responded that this type of expansion was a possibility.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 79004 (Korsunsky-Krank-Erickson/First
Brookdale Bank)
Motion by Commissioner Hawes seconded by Commissioner Malecki to approve Manning
Commission Application No. 79004 subject to the following conditions:
1 . Final plat is subject to review by the City Engineer.
2. Final plat is subject to the requirements of Chapter 15 of
the City Ordinances.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Malecki, Theis, Pierce, Hawes, Manson, Lucht and
Erickson. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously.
APPLICATION NO. 79005 (Hodne/Stageberg Partners, Inc., Architects/Hennepin County
Library
The next item of consideration was Application No. 79005, site and building pan
approval for the Hennepin County Regional Library Center, submitted by Hodne/
Stageberg Partners, Inc., Architects on behalf of the Hennepin County Library
Board. The Secretary introduced the proposal for the Library Center to be
located on an approximate 10'acre site westerly of Shingle Creek Parkway, south
of the Shingle Creek Towers Highrise Apartment Building.
2-15-79 -2-
The Secretary indicated that the site is bounded on the west by City park
- property and on the south by a large tract of land zoned R7. The regional
library center will also contain a license center, social services office and
county court and administrative offices.
The Secretary commented that access to the site is provided through a common
driveway with the Shingle Creek Towers apartment complex at Summit Drive while
access on the -south is through a common driveway at -John Martin Drive. He added
that appropriate driveway and pedestrian easements had been obtained and as part
of the easement agreement for the south drive, the County has agreed to maintain
a mall triangular piece of property (which is not part of the County property)
to ated northeasterly of the south drive and that this area will be landscaped as
pa ,t of the entire site.
Th Secretary pointed out that the building is approximately 54,500 sq. ft. and
that the proper amount of parking spaces has been provided. The layout of the
building provides an access to the library area, the license and social services
of ice through a common entrance. The county court and administrative offices,
although a part of the same building, has a separate entrance area and does not
pr vide public access through the building to the other areas. The Secretary
we it on to discuss the exterior treatment of the building and the provisions for
wa kways and pedestrian access to and within the library site. He pointed out
th t a walkway is proposed along both the north and south driveway areas to pro-
vide pedestrian access to the main entry area. The walkway between the parking
lot and the regional library facility would also tie into the Central Park pro-
posed walkway system. In addition, a bikeway/walkway along the north property
line would tie Central Park into the sidewalk system proposed for Summit Drive
which would link up with a 'pedestrian bridge over T.H. 100 at approximately 59th
Avenue North.
The Secretary then gave a lengthy explanation of the landscape plan for the site.
uo Aicncccad ±he nrnnncal for a mixtl_Ire of sod and prairie arass. Sod would
utllt:rc11 ly UC Ii1J 1,aa ICU CLY VUIIU Nai niiiy Ci llu uriv lily qua, u .Ci�y ...: :: ••
side of the building and along Shingle Creek Parkway and the proposal is for
prairie grass to be planted in a large open area primarily in the east and south-
easteriy portions of the site. He explained that prairie grass is a long grass
containing wild flowers and is not maintained in a normal sense, being cut approxi-
mately once a year. The applicant proposed to provide underground irrigation for
the sodded areas only and not for the area designated for prairie grass. He
stated that the Zoning Ordinance requires an underground irrigation system to
facilitate site landscaping and green areas, and that the staff feels that the
area designated for prairie grass should be irrigated as well . Another concern
the Secretary mentioned was the provision for additional trees in the main parking
lot to provide some visual ',breakup of the large blacktopped area. In conclusion,
the Secretary discussed the applicant's proposal of an amphitheater to be shown
as an add-alternate, meaning that if the bid price is in excess of the building
budget, this item would be deleted. The applicant has also indicated that other
revisions to the site and building plan might be necessary as a result of budget .
constraints, but these revisions would only be made after careful discussions
with the City of Brooklyn Center.
The Commission then asked a number of questions concerning access to and traffic
across and within the proposed library site. In response to questions from Com-
missioner Hawes and Chairman Pierce, the City Engineer stated that the primary
entrance to the site would be from Summit Drive and John Martin Drive as well .
After Shingle Creek Parkway is extended across Interstate 694, signals will be
put in at Summit Drive.
2-15-79 -3-
In response to a question from Commissioners Hawes, the City Engineer explained
that the pond on the site will serve as a settling basin for run-off from the
parking lot and that water would be piped from the pond to Shingle Creek. Com-
missioner Erickson asked whether there would be a walkway from 63rd Avenue North
through the park to the library site. The Secretary replied that such a walkway
was planned. The City Engineer, in answer to questions from Commissioners Theis
and Erickson, explained that the walkway system through Central Park, would be
undergoing construction at the same time as the library and would be ready at
the time the library was completed. He pointed out that the present bridge across
Shingle Creek would be scrapped and that three new bridges were being designed.
In response to Chairman Pierce, the City Engineer explained that Shingle Creek
is being relocated, but that it would come within 100 feet of the library site
after its redirection. The Commission then engaged the architects for Hodne/
Stageberg in a lengthy discussion of the landscape treatment. Commissioner
Lucht asked whether anything could be done to break, up the large blacktopped
parking lot. The Secretary responded that trees or additional plantings could
be planted on one large island on the northwest corner of the lot. However,
there is little that can be done with the lot as a whole because of space con-
straints. Commissioner Erickson asked what percent of the landscaped area would
be sod as opposed to prairie grass. The applicant's landscape architect respond-
ed that three acres of the site would be prairie grass and the remainder (approxi-
mately 4 acres) would be sod.
At that point, Architect Jeff Scherer took issue with the Secretary's condition
for approval of the plan requiring underground irrigation for the area treated
with prairie grass. He explained that Minnesota prairie grass must not be irri-
gated since that would destroy the prairie grass and lead to nothing but weeds.,
Irrigation is something that is appropriate, he went on, for sod and blue grass
areas. This is why most of thel° State has been taken over by blue grass as opposed
to Prairie macs. Prairie he cnntin-at', flnurichac in Minnasotalc natural
eIIV tl UIIIII�IfI Galt.( has no (feed UI '4.1--t,I 1 ic-la l I11C1111L&IICl11CC. llie Jell Cl.aly I CJ�Jl111UCU
that the City's policy concerning irrigation is simply aimed at maintaining all
landscaped areas. The Secretary went on to suggest the City could perhaps con-
sider holding a performance bond until the prairie grass took hold in lieu of
waving the irrigation requirement. Chairman Pierce added that the ordinance ad-
dressed sodded areas primarily. He also recalled that the City had not required
an underground irrigation system for the Post Office because it was contended
that such a system was not needed because the below grade area would contain a
clay shelf which would retain moisture. He stated that this concept has not yet
proved successful and the City is concerned about maintaining green areas. The
applicant contended that prairie grass was appropriate for the site in question,
and that the County Library System always does a thorough job regarding site-
ma i ntena nce.
The applicant then showed a number of slides which illustrated the types of
flowers and grasses that grow in Minnesota prairie grass. The slides showed the
sequence of growth which the prairie grass follows over a period of three to
, four years as it takes hold. In response to a question from Commissioner Hawes
regarding maintenance, the landscape architect replied that prairie grass re-
quires no watering and need be mowed only once a year. In response to a concern
voiced by Commissioner Erickson that the prairie grass is located right next to
a playground, the landscape architect stated that the prairie grass would serve
as an educational tool for young people to teach them about the Minnesota prairies
before settlement by farmers. Commissioner Theis asked how long it would be before
the prairie grass reached maturity. He replied that by the third growing season
the grass would reach maturity but would continue to grow. Commissioner Hawes
asked how high the grass would.get. The landscape architect answered that the
type of prairie grass planted around the pond would grow to roughly waist height
while the prairie grass planted on the rest of the site would be mature at knee
height.
2-15-79 4-
The Secretary recommended that the performance agreement with the County extend
for a period sufficient to determine the viability of the prairie grass. Chair-
man Pierce added that the intent of the Zoning Ordinance is to help maintain
landscaped areas and should not be read as a- rigid rule where it is not appropri-
ate. Commissioner Lucht stated that he was in favor of the prairie grass and
against requiring irrigation. He stated that he would. favor holding a bond from
three to five years. Commissioner -Lucht briefly discussed the types of grasses
and flowers proposed for the site with the architects.
Commissioner Theis inquired of the architects as to the point at which the success
of the prairie grass would be determined.- The architects replied that their own
professional judgment would be at the County's disposal to determine when the
prairie grass had reached maturity. In response to questions from Chairman Pierce,
the applicant stated that the amphitheater would not accommodate large gatherings,
but would be a place for eating lunch -and small informal gatherings. At that
point, Flora Rogge, a member of the Library Board commented in favor of the Library
plan,. and commended the architects for their work on the project. She stated that
the amphitheater was planned for small dramatic productions and was not intended
to draw large crowds of people. In response to further questions from Chairman
Pierce, Mr. Scherer assured the Commission that any significant changes in the
plan resulting from budget constraints would be brought before the Commission.
Commissioner Hawes asked whether there was room for possible future expansion, .to
which Mr. Scherer responded that expansion was possible for the library and
social services office to the extent of about 12,000 square feet which would re-
quire a need for more parking area. He added that the large parking lot to the
south was a costly aspect of the project, and that the ability to store plowed
snow on the site was an economical feature.
The Secretary recommended that the irrigation requirements for the prairie grass
be .'replaced with an extended performance agreement for three years after completion
of construction. Commissioner Theis asked whether the bond would cover the cost
r J.J.• •r �6 r,�l I The Secretary 4. .".. 1 :. +"a, the 6...0..1..
vl �CiuJ i 1 WIC Ni a ii is yi"a�� C- 1 CU. he Sec et.at y r epl ed �itu� �i�c uviiuo arc
reduced only as progress is mace in meeting the performance requirea.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APP!ICATION NO. 79005
Motion by Commissioner Lucht seconded by Commissioner Manson to approve Appli-
cation No. 79005 submitted by Hodne/Stageberg Partners, Inc. , Architects 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
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 Performance Agreement and supporting financial guarantee
(in an amount to be determined by the City Manager) shall be
submitted to assure completion of approved site improvements.
4. The building shall be equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing
system to meet NFPA Standard No. 13 and shall be connected to an
.approved central monitoring system' in accordance with Chapter 5
of the City Ordinances.
5. Any outside trash disposal facilities and/or rooftop mechanical
equipment shall be appropriately screened from view.
6. All landscaped areas shall be equipped with an underground
irrigation system with the exception of prairie grass areas.
2-15-79 -5- -
A portion of the Performance bond shall be held for four years
after installation of the prairie grass to assure its viability.
7. Plan approval acknowledges the proposed amphitheater as an add-
alternate, meaning it could -be deleted if the bid price is in
excess of the building budget, provided the proposed area would
be treated with sod and an irrigation system.
8. Any revisions to the building and landscaped areas are subject
to review and approval by the City of Brooklyn Center.
9. The large island in the northwest corner of the parking lot shall
be given a landscaped treatment to include trees compatible with
the proposed landscape plan and shall be 22" to 3" in diameter.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Malecki , Theis, Pierce, Hawes, Manson, Lucht and
Erickson. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously.
RECESS
The Planning Commission recessed at 10:09 p.m. and resumed at 10:33 p.m.
APPLICATION NO. 79006 (Arvid 'Elness Architects for Dale Tile Company)
The next item of consideration Was Application No. 79006 su muted by Arvid Elness
Architects, Inc. for Dale Tile Company. The Secretary reviewed the site and building
plan for an *approximate 32,000 square foot warehouse, showroom and office on a site `
located on the north side of Lakebreeze Avenue North, just west of the present Dale
- Tile Company. The Secretary stated that the proposed plan comprehends using a portion
of the present. Dale Tile Company site. Replatting .of this area to shift the present
cap tl-rl\/ tr NAryt ;Npl� The Eccr toN /
r. r... \� . ..y;.. , .. \ e_ ., _. °__. J nvplaino� that arro�c to thn city
is proposed LU be via two curb cuts Uff LdkebreeLe Adeime,ytfte oflC
1Y 1 ilg VlV Lit G cdS
being a common entrance with Dale Tile Company. Common access and cross driving
easements are required along the easterly portion of the proposed site to accommodate
this plan. Approximately 22,000 square feet of the building is designed for ware-
house and approximately 9,900 square feet for office and showroom area. The Secretary
noted some drainage problems on the west side of the site. Revisions have been re-
quested to provide on-site drainage. These revisions have some effect on applicant's
long-range plans for expansion of.the building to the west. The Secretary suggested
that it might be possible to work out the drainage problem through a common agreement
with Davies Water Company located'! to the west of the site. One solution would be a
drainage easement encompassing the portion of the Davies site and the proposed Dale
Tile site. The necessary easements could be obtained along with the replatting of
the area. As a result, the Secretary added, expansion is not comprehended in the
present plan, but could only take place upon resolution of the drainage problem. In
conclusion, the Secretary mentioned that the applicant proposes a scored concrete
block building with a clear sealer and baked enamel roof panel , and added that the
Commission may wish to review this treatment to determine if it is in keeping with
past approvals.
o
The Commission then discussed the subject of drainage for the site. The City Engineer
reported that the problem was,being examined and that some common arrangement with
Davies Water Company could probably be worked out.
The Commission went on to discuss the landscaping and exterior of the building. In
response to a question from Chairman Pierce, the architect stated that the color
fastness for the black enamel plates was guaranteed for 20 years. Concerning the
operation on the site, the representative from Dale Tile explained that there would •
be a very modest amount of retail sales carried on at the new location. As time
progressed, he explained, the operations carried on in the existing building would
be moved to the new building, and more space in the old building would gradually be
2-15-79 -6-
rented out. He pointed out that the showroom would be open two evenings a week
and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Chairman Pierce and Commissioner Hawes voiced the concern that unless the masonry
on the outside of the building turned .out right, there might be a need for a pigmented
sealer to achieve uniformity of color on the building exterior.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 79006 (Arvid Elness Architects/Dale Tile Co.)
Motion by Commissioner Malecki seconded by Commissioner Hawes to approve Application
No. 79006 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 permits.
3. A Performance Agreement and supporting financial guarantee (in an amount
. to be determined by the City Manager) shall be submitted -to assure comp-
letion of approved site improvements.
4. The building shall be equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing
system to meet NFPA Standard No. 13 and shall be connected to an
approved central monitoring system in accordance with Chapter 5 of
the City Ordinances.
5. Any outside trash disposal facilities and/or rooftop mechanical
equipment shall be appropriately screened from view.
6. All landscaped areas shall be equipped with an underground irrigation
system.
7. Joint access and cross driving easement agreements relating to the
easterly portions of the site are subject to approval by- the City
Engineer prior to the issuance of permits.
8. The property is subject to the submission of a preliminary plat
prior to the issuance of building permits,- and subject to final
plat approval prior to the issuance of occupancy permits.
9. Where the plan submitted indicates seed, it shall be replaced
with sod.
10. Major trees on the boulevard shall be 22 to 3 inches in diameter
instead of the 2 inch diameter indicated on the submitted plans.
11 . The exterior of the building shall be treated in such a manner
to provide a uniform color.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Malecki , Theis, Pierce, Hawes, Manson, Lucht and
Erickson. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously.
$HOPPERS CITY PROPOSAL FOR REPLAT
The Secretary then raised as an informational item a proposed replat by Shoppers
City to allow the creation of two lots in the west parking lot. These two lots
were proposed for development by two drive-up restaurants, a Wendy's Restaurant
and a Rax Restaurant.
2-1.5-79 -7-
The Secretary stated a number of concerns over the proposed site. Among them
the 35 ft. greenstrip requirement, the adjustment of the existing chain link
fence along the north property line and the flow of traffic within the area
proposed for replat. Commissioners Malecki , Lucht and Erickson voiced concern
over the crowded conditions they had experienced at similar operations in the
past. Chairman Pierce voiced a general concern that driving lanes be •delineated
clearly so as to facilitate the flow of traffic. The Secretary commented on the
need for parking for the three sites and stated that it seems that enough -parking
for the three sites could be provided. The City Engineer stated that it would
be better from a traffic engineering standpoint to separate the traffic from
Shoppers City from the traffic entering the two restaurants, but that, on the
basis of precedent, the City would have difficulty enforcing this requirement.
Chairman Pierce stated that the "stacking" problem was the central issue. Com-
missioner Theis suggested that the south curb cut along Brooklyn Boulevard could
be moved further north and that one of the restaurants could be moved south of
this south curb cut. The Secretary added that if the restaurant created a bad traffic
situation, the City might be forced to extend the median on Brooklyn Boulevard
further north. The Commission continued to discuss the problem of traffic_ flow
without reaching any definite conclusion.-
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Hawes seconded by Commissioner Malecki to adjourn the
meeting of the Planning Commission. Voting to adjourn: Commissioners Malecki,
Theis, Pierce, Manson, Lucht and Erickson. Voting against: none. The Planning
Commission adjourned at 12:15 a.m.
2-15-79 -8