Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 10-23 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 CITY HALL OCTOBER 23, 1975 Call to Order. The Planning Commission met in study session and was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by Chairman Ca,r-i Grass. Roll Call : Chairman Gross, Commissioners Foreman, Scott, Engdahl , Pierce, Horan , and Jacobson. Also present was [lirfgctor of Planning and Inspection Blair Tremere. Approval of Minutes: Discussion ensued as to the October 9, 1975 minutes 10-9-75 as submitted. Commissioner Horan offered corrections to the minutes on Page two and Page four. Com- missioner Foreman offered a revision to the minutes on Page three, All of the corrections involved con- sideration of Planning Commission Application No. 75035. The Secretary stated that upon approval , the corrections would be made and the revised pages would be dis- t r-i b ut$d. Motion by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Pierce to approve the minutes of the October 9, 1975 meeting as corrected. Voting in favor were: Chairman Gross , Commissioners Foreman, Scott, Engdahl , Pierce and Horan. Not voting: Commissioner Jacobson who ex- plained that she was not present at that meeting. The motion passed, Continued Consideration The first item of business was continued consideration of Application No. 75038 of Planning Commission Application No. 75038, sub- (James McCann) mitted by Mr. James McCann, 3319 - 49th Avenue North. The Secretary explained the item had been tabled at the October 9 meeting to permit additional staff re- view as to the nature of the applicant' s business activity on the premises. The Secretary explained that subsequent to the appli- cant's filing for a variance to permit construction of an accessory building, it had been determined the application was more appropriately a request to ex- pand an existing structure related to a special use, which had certain nonconforming characteristics, namely outside storage of equipment. Extensive discussion ensued and the Secretary sum- marized the issue as being a review and reaffirmation of an existing special use. He stated that the pro- posed construction was within the ordinance structural standards and could serve to eliminate outside storage and activity. In further discussion of the unique circumstances of the location and size of the property, Chairman Gross recognized the applicant who stated that he had no in- tent to expand his business , but rather sought enclosed apace in which to conduct minor repair activity and storage. Commissioner Engdahl commented that the request was essentially permission to build a structure related to a special use, which like all special uses, is sub- ject to periodic review by the City. He stated that in his opinion, the additional enclosed space would -1- 10/23/75 eliminate much of the nonconforming characteristics of the activity. The Secretary also explained that the applicant had an unlicensed fuel storage facility and gasoline pump on the premises. He stated the matter had been referred to the City Clerk and that the primary con- cern was that the facility be subject to regular inspection, to assure compliance with safety codes and regulations. Following further discussion , there was a motion Action Recommending Approval by Commissioner Engdahl seconded by Commissioner of Application No. 75038 Foreman to recommend approval of Planning Com- (James McCann) missioner Application No. 75038, granting per- mission to build the proposed garage addition related to a special use subject to the following conditions: 1 . There shall be no vehicular access related to the landscape business from 49th Avenue North. 2. Evidence of current cross-easements to the rear of the parcel shall be kept on file with the City. 3. Fuel storage facility shall be inspected and licensed according to the requirements of Chapter 23. 4. All equipment and vehicles related to the landscape business shall be stored in the garage or screened from view of neighboring properties. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting recessed at 9:00 p.m. and resumed Recess at 9:25 p.m. :n other business, following the arrival of the Other Business: Director of Public Works, the Secretary stated that a special meeting had been scheduled for October 30, for purposes of reviewing a staff analysis of ordinance parking requirement's for office buildings. He briefly reviewed the basis for the study, dating back to early 1974. The Director of Public Works stated that the study would be available prior to the October 30 meeting and he reviewed the methodology used in analyzing the existing parking requirements, both in Brooklyn Center and in several other metropolitan munici- palities. He stated there was evidence that the present ordinance requirements for office buildings could be modified to the extent of requiring fewer spaces in the case of larger office buildings , while adhering to the intent of the ordinance to provide for adequate parking. A brief discussion ensued and the Secretary asked whether the Commission had additional questions which could be treated in the study. Commissioner Engdahl suggested that perhaps other single-tqnant office buildings in the metro area could be re- viewed as well as a survey as to the availability of mass transit to the office complexes included in- the engineering survey. -2- 10/23/75 Commissioner Foreman recalled that data had been presented to the Commission earlier relative to a scheme which comprehended provision for compact and subcompact vehicles in existing parking lots. The Director of Public Works stated that such data was being reviewed in support- of the criteria for determining the required amount of parking spaces , since it had a potential impact on existing businesses in meeting or exceeding the established standards. The Secretary stated that such informa- tion was available and would be reviewed, In other business, extensive discussion ensued as to the City Council action on October 20, directing Planning Commission review of two specific issues which had been discussed by the Commission during its general review of the Comprehensive Plana He stated the issues were the land use and subdivision policies in the Southeast Neighborhood, and the Zoning Ordinance setback standards as they related to water front properties. The Secretary explained that while both items had been pending before the Commission for some time as a matter of general review and discussion in terms of the Comprehensive Plan, the Council 's position was that each issue merited review and recommendations regarding the feasibility of existing ordinance standards or amendments. Establish Ad-hoc During further discussion Chairman Gross established Committees the following subcommittees responsible for coordi- nating through him and the Secretary, a study of each specific topic: water front property setbacks: Commissioner Foreman (Chairman) , Commissioners Scott and Pierce; Southeast Neighborhood land use and sub- division standards: Commissioner Engdahl (Chairman) , Commissioners Jacobson and Horan. The Secretary stated the staff was to accumulate the basic data available and make it available to each of the subcommittees as soon as possible. Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Scott seconded by Commissioner Foreman to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission meeting ad- journed at 11 : 15 p.m. Chairman -3- 10/23/75 1 1