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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971 10-21 PCM Minutes of the Proceedings of the Planning Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center in the County of Hennepin and State of Minnesota October 21, 1971 The Planning Commission met in study session and was called to order by Chairman Robert Jensen at 8:07 P.M. Roll Call: Chairman Robert Jensen, Commissioners Karl Schuller, Paul Ditter, Cecelia Scott, Robert Grosshans and Henry Bogucki. Staff members present were: Tom Loucks and James Merila. Following the Chairman's explanation, the first item of business wasPlanning Commission Application No. 71039 submitted by Brooklyn Center Industrial Park, Inc. The item was introduced by Mr. Merila who commented that the Planning Commission had tabled the matter October 7, 1971, to allow the staff additional time to review the matter and bring it before the Commission with recommendations related to the widening of a portion of Tract R to 45 feet to allow additional snow storage. Mr. Merila then reviewed the survey document and noted that it appeared that the 35 foot roadway width as submitted could be maintained on the proposed registered land survey providing a 10 foot snow storage and green strip easement is provided. Mr. Merila then proceeded to review a legal description that would satisfy that requirement. Following a brief discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Ditter and seconded by Commissioner Scott to recommend approval of planning Commission Application No. 71039 subject to the following conditions: 1. That the southwesterly extremity of the south- easterly property line of Tract Q shall be pivoted upon the John Martin Drive property corner approxi- mately 10 feet northwesterly to provide a 10 foot strip of land between the property line and the proposed roadway on Tract R; 2. That a 6 foot strip of land on the south boundary of Tract Q be reserved by easement as . a snow storage area for the proposed roadway on Tract R. This area shall be maintained as a green strip, but would not prohibit the installation of a driveway to cross such strip of land; 3. That the following documents be filed with the Register of Titles Office: a. A document conveying an easement for drive- way purposes to Tract Q and S of the Registered Land Survey from Tract R with said document reflecting who will be responsible for the general maintenance such as snow plowing, patching, seal coating, etc. ; 4. That a legal document convey Tract 0 and Z to the City for street purposes; 5. That all present and proposed utility easements be delineated on the Registered band Survey document. 1 �i 1 -2- Those voting in favor thereof were: Chairman Robert Jensen, Commissioners Henry Bogucki, Karl Schuller, Paul Ditter, and Cecelia Scott; not voting: Commissioner Grosshans. Motion carried. The next item of business was Planning Commission Application No. 71042 submitted by Boyer Palmer. The item was introduced by Mr. Loucks who indicated that the applicant is requesting that the north 48 feet of Tract A, Registered Land Survey No. 1192 (commonly described as being located at 6101 Beard Avenue North) be rezoned from R5 to R4 to accommodate the construction of a two family dwelling. It was noted that the parcel in question is part of the existing 24 unit apartment building and is being utilized for density purposes for that development. It was further commented that the applicant has stated in his opinion that the property in question has no functional relationship with the existing multiple development and is simply a residual strip of land that should be utilized for some purpose. He further contends that the neighborhood could best be served by allowing a development on the parcel and to that end is requesting the R4 zoning classification. A discussion ensued at which time the affected property owners brought to the attention of the Planning Commission that the property in question has been a perpetual problem for the neigh- borhood because of its isolation from the existing 24 unit apart- ment building and its use as an access point between Beard Avenue and the Burger King Restaurant located on Brooklyn Boulevard. it was indicated that the property has been poorly maintained and has served as a gathering place for youths and generally intended to be a very disruptive influence on the neighborhood. Chairman Jensen then commented that the parcel in question was approved as a landscaped open area for the 24 unit apartment development and he was very concerned that it has not been main- tained as such and disturbed that the applicant has not con- structed and maintained the area as originally proposed and is now attempting to develop it for a different purpose. Commissioner Bogucki commented that in addition to the rezoning application, there are some related variances that can not be separated from the zoning matter and noted that if the property would be rezoned, the Commission would then be compelled to grant a density variance for the existing 24 unit apartment development. He then commented that in addition to the density variance for the existing units, that the applicant is also requesting lot width variances, square footage, lot area variance and setback variances, and in view of these concitions associated with the application, there is little question that the parcel is severely substandard in nature and would not be appropriate . to be rezoned. Further discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and the affected residents in regard to the alleged problems with the site and the desirability to remedy them. Chairman Jensen then indicated that it should be noted for the record that the applicant was properly notified of the meeting and failed to appear to present his arguments for the rezoning matter. ., . .y , :. _ ,- .. _ �, , . .. a.:: :y �,_ ,.j.. -3- Following further brief discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Schuller and seconded by Commissioner Dogucki to recommend denial of Planning Commission Application No. 71042 because the property in question is of a substandard character, and would therefore serve as a detriment to the principles of the Zoning Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Loucks then indicated that under Application Nos. 71043, 71044 and 71045, the applicant is requesting a density variance in the amount of 7,100 square feet or three dwelling units for the existing 24 unit apartment development on the site, a 52 foot lot width variance, a 5,496 square foot lot area variance and a five foot sideyard setback variance. The Planning Commission then briefly reviewed the matter at which time a motion was made by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner Grosshans to recommend denial of Application Nos. 71043, 71044 and 71045 because the applicant is unable to show hardship which would warrant granting such substantial variances. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. - Loucks then introduced Planning Commission Application No. 71046 indicating that the applicant is requesting site and building plan approval for a two family dwelling to be located on the parcel in the 6100 block of Beard Avenue North. Following a brief discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Ditter and seconded by Commissioner Scott to recommend denial of Planning Commission Application No. 71046 because the site plan is not in order subject to the requirements set forth in the Zoning Ordinance, and because the matter is a mute point in view of the Planning Commission action to recommend denial of the rezoning and variance matters related to the property in question. The motion carried unanimously. Chairman Jensen then commented that the Commission had been reviewing the sign ordinance in the past several months to determine if there are any needed changes and suggested that before the Commission proceeded further, it would be well to get a consensus to determine if there is a desire on the part of the Commission to allow larger signs in a proposed expressway oriented zone that has been previously recommended to the City Council. Chairman Jensen then polled the Commission members in regard to the advisability of allowing larger signs in a proposed expressway oriented zone. Commissioners Schuller and Bogucki indicated that they felt the sign ordinance was adequate at this time and did not see a need for larger signs in any zone and indicated they would specifi- cally oppose any move to allow larger signs in the expressway oriented zone. Chairman Jensen, Commissioners Grosshans, Ditter and Scott indicated that it appeared that some consideration should be given to allowing larger signs in a proposed expressway oriented zone and therefore felt that further information should be made available upon which to make that determination. A discussion then ensued related to trite, .a for height and size of signs for such a zone. It was the consensus of the 1 1 -4- Commission to direct the staff to prepare some additional infor- mation related to sign size, height and setback for a proposed expressway oriented zone. Motion was made by Commissioner Schuller and seconded by Commissioner Scott to approve the Planning Commission minutes of October 7, 1971, as submitted. Those voting in favor were: Chairman Jensen, Commissioners Schuller, Ditter, Scott and Bogucki; not voting: Commissioner Grosshans. Motion carried. Motion was made by Commissioner Grosshans and seconded by Commissioner Ditter to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. tfJ� Chai 1 1 1