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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 01-26 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 January 26, 1978 Call to Order: The Planning Commission met in study session and was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Chairman Gilbert Engdahl . Roll Call : Chairman Engdahl , Commissioners Malecki, Jacobson, Sazama, Hawes and Book. Also present were Director of Public Works James Merila, Director of Planning and Inspection Blair Tremere and Planning Aide Laurie Thompson. Approve Minutes Motion by Commissioner Hawes seconded by Commissioner January 12, 1978 Malecki to approve the minutes of the January 12, 1978. meeting as submitted. The motion passed' unanimously. Erection of Chairman Pro tem It was the consenus of the Commission to defer the election of the Chairman Pro tem until later in the meeting. Application No. 78001 Following the Chairman's explanation, the first item (Bob Ryan Oldstown) of business was consideration of Application No. 78001 submitted by Bob Ryan Oldstown. The Secretary introduced the application stating the applicant sought special use site and building plan approval for a used car sales facility at 6700 Brooklyn Boulevard, and he reviewed a transparency of the area. The Secretary further explained that on June 23, 1975, the City Council had approved Application No. 75001 also submitted by this applicant for site improvements and upgrading. He commented that most of the work comprehended under that application had been completed and that the City holds a Performance Agreement and supporting financial guarantee to assure their completion. He explained that the present application was essen- tially for building plan approval for an approximate 1 ,000 sq. ft. used car sales building to be located north of the existing building. He stated a canopy was proposed to connect the building to the main sales building. He stated that because car dealers are special uses in the C-2 District, the application represented an amendment of the special use permit for the dealership. He stated that the plans comprehended the slight amendment and completion of the already approved site improvements and that no further site improvements were proposed. Chairman Engdahl inquired whether the new building would create an increase in the number of employees and change the amount of required parking. The Secretary responded that the building was intended to be for the use of the salesman in writing up used car sales and that there would be no additional employees according to the applicant. -1- 1-26-78 . . 4 Chairman Engdahl recognized Mr. Janis Blumentals, representing the applicant, who showed conceptual elevations and site plans. A discussion ensued relative to the plans. Chairman Engdahl inquired as to the height of the canopy. Mr. Blumentals responded that it would be about 9 ft. in height and have a, flat metal roof. Commissioner Sazama questioned whether there would be any signs on the canopy. Mr. Blumentals responded that the signery had not yet been determined. He explained that the building exterior was to be comparable to the ex- terior of the existing building and would be concrete or stucco. The Secretary stated that all signery would be subject to the Sign Ordinance and that the Ordinance restricted signery on a canopy. Chairman Engdahl questioned whether there would be any change in the traffic flow. Mr. Blumentals responded there would not. The Secretary added that minor changes in the delineation would improve the traffic flow. In response to a question by Chairman Engdahl, the Secretary stated that the rear screen fence was maintained in good repair. . Chairman Engdahl announced that a public hearing had Public Hearing been scheduled and recognized the resident of 6720 Grimes Avenue North, .who inquired as to the location of the proposed building. Mr. Blumentals responded that it would be north of the existing building and stated that there would be no additional entrances or exits onto the site. Chairman Engdahl also recognized the resident of 6715 Grimes Avenue North who stated she frequently heard music over the public address system late at night and asked whether any- thing could be done about this. The Secretary responded that the situation would be looked into before the application was heard by the City Council . There was a motion by Commissioner Jacobson seconded by Commissioner Sazama to close the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. Following further discussion there was a motion by Recommend Approval of Commission Jacobson seconded by Commissioner Book to Application No. 78001 recommend approval of Application No. 78001 submitted (Bob Ryan Oldstown) by Bob Ryan Oldstown 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. Related site improvements shall be comprehended under the Performance Agreement and supporting financial guarantee dated June 3, 1975. The motion passed unanimously. The next item of consideration was Application No. Application No. 78002 78002 submitted by Summit State Bank of Richfield. (Summit State Bank of The Secretary introduced the item, stating the Richfield) applicant sought a special use permit for a remote banking facility, a C-2 (Commercial ) use, in an I-1 (Industrial Park) zone. He stated the facility was proposed to be located at 6100 Summit Drive on- the Earle Brown Farm in the nonconforming office building. He reviewed a transparency of the general area and one of the Earle Brown Farm, showing the location of the office building in relation to the other Farm buildings. 1-26-78 -2- a _ The Secretary stated that the Earle Brown Farm had been designated a State Historical Site, and added that whil.e the exact location of the designated site would have to be verified, it was believed that the tract on which the office building was located was not i eluded in the designation. He continued that re- platting of the site would be required in order to adjust the property line to include the entire service road turn-around. He stated that it would also be required to formally vacate the tract of land which was originally to be Earle Brown Drive and include it in the replatting. The Secretary stated that the applicant had indicated the location of the banking facility in the Earle Brown Office Building would be "temporary" and, therefore, had proposed "temporary" site improvements on the site plan. The Commission reviewed the proposed site plan and a discussion ensued relative to the property line ad- justment and the temporary site improvements. The Secretary stated that the proposed temporary improve- ments would consist of such things as bituminous curbing in the parking areas. He stated that the permanent improvements such as concrete curb and gutter could be deferred for a definite length of time to be set by the Commission and the City Council . Commissioner Hawes inquired as to who would be re- sponsible for maintenance of the roadway. The Secretary responded that it was a private roadway and would be maintained by the owner. Chairman Engdahl inquired whether a fire sprinkler system would be required in the building. The Secretary responded that the building was approximately 6,000 sq. ft. in area, and if it were new construction, the sprinkler system would be required. He continued that it had been the Commission's policy to require a sprinkler system upon major remodeling of an existing building, and that the Commission would have to determine whether it would be appropriate to approve an alter- native fire protection system, such as a combination heat and smoke detection system connected to the City central alarm system. Commissioner Jacobson inquired whether or not a sprinkler system could be easily installed. The Secretary responded that a system could be installed, but it was uncertain whether it was structurally or economically feasible. The Secretary commented that none of the buildings on the Earle Brown Farm were connected to public utili- ties. He stated that City sewer and water were avail. able to this area and that connection would be re- quired. He continued the applicant had indicated that they would prefer to defer connection to available storm sewer until such time as other permanent site improvements were made. He also commented that security lighting would be required on the site. Chairman Engdahl recognized Mr. Bruins, President of Summit State Bank of Richfield, who represented the pplicant. Mr. Bruins explained that the bank was sking that permanent improvements be deferred because hey did not expect the facility to operate in the ffice building for longer than three years. He stated hat if the facility were sucessful it was anticipated hat it would move into a larger building at another ocation in the Industrial Park. He reviewed some ossible concepts for sites where the bank facility ight relocate in the future. -3- 1-26-78 He continued that the farm office building was idea} for the remote banking facility in its initial stage. _ He stated the applicant's concern that the character of the building be maintained. He explained that in order to install a fire sprinkling system in the building, the pipes would have to be run below the ce i ling which woul d dest r oy the aesthetics of the building nterior, and that an exemption would be 9 P requested. He also briefly explained the nature of a remote banking facility. He stated that no branch banking was permitted in the State of Minnesota, but that the Legislature had recently passed a law which permitted two remote facilities to be located within 25 miles of the home bank. He stated that a remote facility can do virtually everything that a: home bank can do. In response to a question from Chairman Engdahl , he stated that the r emote facility wou ld not be an independent entity, but would be an ex- tension of the home bank, Summit State Bank of I Richfield. Chairman Engdahl inquired whether there were any problem with providing handicapped accessibility on the site. The architect, Mr. Blumentals, showed the handicapped access indicated on the plans which included a ramp from the parking area to the buildiao. Chairman Engdahl announced a public hearing had been Public Hearing scheduled. It was noted that the Brooklyn Center Industrial Park owner of the site and representative of the applicant, was the only notified property owner. There was a motion by Commissioner Jacobson seconded Close Public Hearing by Commissioner Malecki to close the public hearing. I The motion .assed unanimously. Y Further discussion ensued relative to the application. Commissioner Hawes questioned whether the officz building was located on part of the historic site. ' Mr. Roger Newstrum, President of the Brooklyn Center Industrial Park and Vice President of the Summit State Bank of Richfield, stated that it was not. He con tinned, that the corporation had not sought historical designation and explained that this was done on a State level He stated that it was his understanding that the historical designation does not impede redevelop- ment of the site by the owner. Commissioner Pierce arrived at 9:20 p.m. Commissioner Pierce Arrives In response to a comment b Commissioner Book concerning P Y 9 the configuration of the parcel , Mr. Newstrum explained that the location of the original lines of the.parcel s were largely speculative and that the intent was to 9 Y P readjust the lines when specific development proposals name in. In response to a question from Commissioner Hawes, Mr. Newstrum responded that no immediate develop- ment was proposed for the area west of the service road. Commissioner Pierce questioned the use the building would be put to after the bank moved to another part of the Industrial/Commercial Park. Mr. Newstrum responded it would be used as Brooklyn Center Industrial Park offices once again. He explained that the Brooklyn Center Industrial Park as owner of the Summit State Bank of Richfield wanted to locate a bank facility in Brooklyn Center on the Earle Brown Farm. He stated it was the applicant's intent to conform to all regulations and re- quirements and, as much as possible, to maintain the character of the building. He again reviewed the appli- cant's concern with the installation of a fire sprinkler system. He stated the building was constructed of re- inforced ' concrete and probably had a very high fire resistant rating. 1-26-78 -4- Mr. Blumentals reviewed the improvements the applicant would like to have deferred. These included: permanent parking lot improvements; underground sprinkler systems; and installation of storm sewer system. Commissioner Pierce suggested that a time limit be put on all temporary improvements. In response ,to a question from Chairman Engdahl , the Secretary stated a drainage plan had not yet been submitted and would have to be reviewed by the City Engineer before it could be determined whether installation of the storm sewer system could be deferred. In a response to a question by Commissioner Hawes, Mr. Newstrum explained that the bituminuous mat around the building was intended to be used as employee parking. The Secretary stated that temporary rolled bituminous curbing would have to be installed. Chairman Engdahl commented that the only variance-like issued involved would be from the policy requiring a fire sprinkler system, and that all other variance type requests were actually requests to defer per- manent improvements. He reiterated his concern that the improvements be deferred for a definite period of time. The City Engineer commented that all permanent improve- ments would be comprehended under the Performance Agreement and supporting financial guarantee, and that if the facility were still located in the office building after a definite period, permanent improve- ments would have to be installed. brief discussion ensued relative to the possibility of approving an alternative fire protection system in recognition of the desirability of maintaining the esthetics of the building interior. Chairman Engdahl stated it would be the responsibility of the applicant to show the Commission that the proposed alternative as comparable to an approved fire sprinkling system. Table Application No. 78002 There was a motion by Commissioner Sazama seconded by (Summit State Bank of Richfield) ommissioner Jacobson to table Application No. 78002 ubmitted by the Summit State Bank of Richfield to ermit the applicant time to submit addtional site- lans, and to develop a definite proposal with City taff, for the deferral of permanent improvements. Recess The Planning Commission recessed at 9:55 p.m. and resumed at 10:10 p.m, Election of Chairman Pro .tem ommissioner Jacobson withdrew her name from the allot and moved to unanimously elect Harold Pierce hairman Pro tem. The motion was seconded by Comis ioner Sazama. It passed unanimously. Other Business n other business, the Planning Commission reviewed Its 1978 meeting schedule. The Secretary stated a opy of the schedule would be made available to the ommissioners at the next meeting. he Commission briefly reviewed the status of the eighborhoods Groups. It was suggested that an in- ormational meeting be held with the Planning Com- ision and the Neighborhood Groups soon in order to iscuss input into the Comprehensive Planning process. -5- 1-26-78 The Commission also briefly reviewed a conceptual plan presented by Environmental Community Services for trash disposal containers on which advertising space be sold and which could be located throughout the City. It was the consensus of the Commission that such a concept did not appear to be consistent with the Sign Ordinance and would require further review. The Secretary presented conceptual drawings of a com- mercial development proposed for the R-3 tract west of Brooklyn Boulevard just south of the City limits. He stated the developer had indicated preference for two tracts, one to be zoned C-1 (Service/Office and one to be zoned C-2 (Commercial ) . It was the consensus of the Commission that this would represent spot and split zoning, and would not be appropriate. Commissioner Book raised the point that since the parcel was zoned R-3 (Multiple Family Residential ) the proposal would also have to be reviewed from the standpoint of the housing issue. Motion by Commissioner Book seconded by Commissioner Adjournment Jacobson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission adjourned at 11 :20 p.m. Chairman 1-26-78 -6-