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Home My WebLink About1976 10-28 PCM ~- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION OCTOBER 28, 1976 CITY HALL Call to Order: The Planning Commission met in study session and was called to order at 8:10 p.m. by Chairman Robert Foreman. Roll Call: Chairman Foreman, Commissioners Engdahl , Scott, Jacobson, Horan and Kohrt. Also present was Director of Planning and Inspection Blair Tremere. Approve Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner 10-14-76 Jacobson to approve the minutes of the October 14, 1976 meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Foreman, Commissioners Jacobson, Scott, and Horan. Not voting: Commissioners Kohrt and Engdahl . It was stated that they were not present for that meeting. The motion passed. Application No. 76056 Following the Chairman's explanation the first item of (T. L. Willard) business was consideration of Application No. 76.056 submitted by T. -L. Willard. It was introduced by the Secretary who stated the applicant seeks a special use permit for a gainful home occupation involving the use of a unique accessory structure and related equipment at 6825 Drew Avenue Forth. The Secretary referred to a letter submitted to the file by the applicant as well as descriptive literature relative to the type of equipment which would be used. He briefly explained the use involved greenhouse-like structure which would contain the year-round gardening activity known as hydroponic gardening. He stated this system involved the use of liquid nutrients rather than soil . He stated the tubular steel and plastic greenhouse structure involved the use of two-18 inch diameter exhaust fans at one end of the building. He also noted the area of the proposed 16' x 32' greenhouse was within the ordinance area limitations for accessory buildings and that it would be located in the rear yard. Chairman Foreman then recognized Mr. Willard who elabo- rated upon the nature of the proposed use stating that it was family-oriented and would involve no person out- side of the resident family. He stated that while no retail sales would occur on the premises it was the expectation that produce grown in the facility in excess of what was consumed by his family would be wholesaled to produce retailers in the area. A brief discussion ensued between the applicant and Commissioner Horan as to the nature of the lights used in the facility and the type of fans which would be used. Commissioner Scott also inquired as to the nature of the pickup of the excess produce by the retailers. i•lr. Willard stated the lights were minimal , but could be shut off if necessary, and that the fans produced a low level of noise. He said he had discussed the proposed use with his neighbors and especially the neighbor next door closest to the location of the fans, and that he ' had assured the neighbor proper steps would be taken to minimize and eliminate the noise if it should be a problem. Pierce Arrives Commissioner Pierce arrived at 8:35 p.m. -1- 10-28-76 Commissioner Horan inquired how the applicant proposed to resolve possible noise problems and Mr. Willard responded that several corrective steps were possible, if needed: shielding the fan with a hood-type deflector; lowering the speed of the fan; or, ultimately, erecting a fence or screen wall in such a' matter as to effectively contain any noise from the fans within the property as per the zoning ordinance requirements Commissioner Jacobson inquired as to the structural nature of the proposed greenhouse, specifically, refer- ring to building code snow load requirements. The Secretary explained that the Building Official had con- sulted with the State Building Division and that the proposed greenhouse structure was permitted within the building code as a nonhabitable building and Mr. Willard also explained that the constant air movement and heat dissipation from the building would minimize any effects of snow or ice. Chairman Foreman opened the public hearing stating that Public Hearing neighboring property owners ,within 150 feet of the applicant's premises had been notified. He recognized the resident of 6812 Ewing Avenue North. He stated concern as to an inoperable vehicle .stored in the applicant's yard as well as several other areas in the neighborhood and suggested that the proposed use and equipment could generate a less than desirable situation. Chairman Foreman also recognized the resident of 6818 Ewing Avenue North. He commented that the applicant had pursued other hobbies over the years which some neighbors considered nuisances. He also stated concern as to the applicant's use of his yard and presented photographs he had taken of the applicant's property. He noted particular concern with an unlicensed and allegedly inoperable vehicle stored in the applicant's rear yard. Motion by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Close Public Hearing Pierce to close the public hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Foreman inquired as to the foundation for the concerns of the neighbors, and the applicant responded that he was aware of the objections of the two neighbors who were recognized. He stated that he had made an effort to inform all of the immediate neighbors of the proposed use and he also acknow- ledged that his son owned an unlicensed truck for which he was seeking an engine so that it could be rebuilt as a classic or antique vehicle. The Secretary stated that the matter of possible junk vehicle could be pursued under the appropriate ordi- nance, but that it in itself did not have direct bearing on the merits of the proposed special use. The Secretary explained that the ordinance required a determination that the proposed special use was clearly secondary and incidental to the residential character of the premises and would not have a detrimental effect on the neighborhood. Following further discussion, there was a motion by Recommend Approval , Commissioner Horan, seconded by Commissioner Kohrt, of Application Pao. to recommend approval of Application No. 76056 76056 submitted by T. L. Willard, 6825 Drew Avenue North. (T. L. Willard) Voting in favor: Chairman Foreman, Commissioners Jacobson, Scott, Pierce, Horan and Kohrt. Voting against: Commissioner Engdahl . The motion passed. Chairman Foreman explained to the applicant that the special use permit was subject to review by the City should any problems develop with respect to maintenance of the use or un esirable external effects such as noise or li- t. 10-28-76 -2- Application No. 74012 The next item of business was review of building plan (Coachman Diversified) amendment to Application No. 74012 as submitted by Coachman Diversified, Inc. The Secretary stated that the applicant owned the speculative building at 6660 Shingle Creek Parkway and proposed a tenancy which involves the parking of vehicles inside the building and the installation of several overhead garage doors on the east side of the building. The Secretary reviewed the amended elevation plan as well as the proposed floor layout for the proposed use. He also referred to correspondence submitted to the file detailing the nature of the proposed use and the.concept of recycling the waste water from the vehicle washing which would then be used in the mixing of chemicals carried by the. vehicles to lawns which-were serviced by the tenant, Chemlawn, Inc. Chairman Foreman recognized Mr. Jay Wick, who repre- sented the applicant, and a brief discussion ensued. Recommend Approval of Following further discussion, there was a motion by Application No. 74012 Commissioner Engdahl , seconded by Commissioner (Coachman. Diversified) Jacobson to recommend approval of the amended building plan to Application No. 74012 submitted by Coachman Diversified as well as the proposed tenancy by Chemlawn, Inc. subject to the condition that building plans are approved by the Building Official prior to the issuance of permits. The motion passed unanimously. Other Business: In other business the Secretary briefly reviewed the proposed site plan comprehending the expansion of parking for the Group Health Clinic at 69th and Lee Avenues North. The Secretary stated the original plan approval comprehended future parking expansion. He stated the City Engineer was working with the engineer on the project as to details involving the parking lot delineators and traffic flow. In other business the Secretary reminded the Commission that a tour of the City had been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Saturday, November 6, 1976, and that a joint meeting with the City Council had been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 1976. Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Engdahl , seconded by Commissioner Jacobson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Chairman -3- 10-28-76 � � . }: i I II �� I i i 1