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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 07-25 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 JULY 25, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Burfeind at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Burfeind, Commissioners Randall Christensen, Benjamin Freedman, Carlos Morgan, and Michael Parks were present. Also present were Councilmember Carol Kleven, Secretary to the Planning Commission Tim Benetti, Director of Business & Development Gary Eitel, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Stephen Schonning was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-JULY 11, 2013 There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2013 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Burfeind explained the Planning Commission's role as an advisory body. One of the Commission's functions is to hold public hearings. In the matters concerned in these hearings, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final decisions in these matters. APPLICATION NO. 2013-012 RECREATION FIRE &MIRACLES MINISTRIES CHURCH Chair Burfeind introduced Application No. 2013-012, a request for Special Use Permit approval to operate a church in an existing commercial office/warehouse facility, situated in the PUD/I-1 (Planned Unit Development/Industrial Park) zoning district located at 6601 Shingle Creek Parkway. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 7-25-13 for Application No. 2013-012.) Mr. Benetti explained the applicants plan to lease 4,477 sq. ft. of the available building space and will use the office area for church activities and the warehouse area for storage and supplies. He added they expect less than 100 people during their busiest times. Mr. Benetti reviewed the Standards for Special Use Permits and described how the standards could be met through approval of the application. Commissioner Christensen referenced the occupancy load indicated 357 people (based on the Code Review plan sheet). Mr. Benetti responded the occupancy load has not been officially reviewed or accepted yet; as the City's Building Official makes the final determination. Mr. Page 1 7-25-13 Benetti further stated that occupancy load is usually based on State Building Code allowances for certain, identifiable areas of a building. Even though the space to be leased by the church indicates a high level of occupancy, their special use narrative only indicated up to 100 seats would be provided. Commissioner Christensen then followed up by asking if a wedding was performed, would they be able to have a reception. Mr. Benetti replied the applicant would need to secure various foods and liquor license permits from the City Clerk in order to hold a reception that served food or alcohol (or both); but the narrative did not include this and the city does not feel that this activity will take place at this location. Commissioner Morgan asked if food could be served. Mr. Benetti responded that is not part of the approval process at this time. He added if there were a full service food or liquor provided, they would need to get a permit or license as required by the City and County regulations. Commissioner Morgan also referred the occupancy load on the plan. Mr. Benetti explained the number was submitted by an architect to be reviewed by the Building Official based on the size of the space to be occupied and the designated occupancy type. He added the applicant indicated the current size of their membership is small and they do not anticipate growing to a large number in the near future. Mr. Benetti further explained the applicant should be able to meet parking demands based on the time of day and off hours they will occupy the space related to other uses in the building. PUBLIC HEARING—APPLICATION NO. 2013-012 There was a motion by Commissioner Christensen, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2013-012, at 7:22 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Burfeind called for comments from the public. Ms. Jessica Harstad, representing the applicant, stated alcohol cannot be brought into the building and their average attendance is about 76. Typically the church activities do not take place until after 6:00 p.m. which allows for other businesses in the area to leave without causing any traffic or parking issues. She added they will not be holding any receptions in the building, only wedding ceremonies. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2013-012. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2013-13 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING Page 2 7-25-13 COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 012 SUBMITTED BY RECREATION FIRE AND MIRACLES MINISTRIES CHURCH FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A PLACE OF RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY IN THE PUD/I-1 ZONE (6601 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY) There was a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2013-13. Voting in favor: Chair Burfeind, Commissioners Christensen, Freedman, Morgan, and Parks And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the special use permit application at its August 12, 2013 meeting. The applicant must be present. Major changes to the application as reviewed by the Planning Commission will require that the application be returned to the Commission for reconsideration. DISCUSSION ITEM There were no discussion items. OTHER BUSINESS-JULY 22 2013 COUNCIL UPDATES Mr. Benetti reviewed items approved by the City Council at their July 22, 2013 meeting including the Luther Company applications. Mr. Benetti further described the plan for landscaping and explained they are working with the Luther Company on placement and design of the fence/screening and other landscaping on the site including retaining some of the existing healthy trees. He added that the Luther Company is willing to work with the city to have a minimal impact on the neighboring properties regarding landscaping, screening and lighting on the site. Chair Burfeind stated he was pleased that Luther was willing to turn down the lights on the parking lot to eliminate the bright lights. He added if staff is identifying certain trees to protect, he suggested that Luther emphasis protecting those trees on the plan. Mr. Benetti emphasized that the plan that will be brought back to the Commission will be very clear about landscaping on the property. Mr. Benetti stated the City Council was pleased with the recent Architectural Design and Land Use Guidelines presented by the Planning Commission. There was a brief discussion regarding the status of Shingle Creek Crossing and various tenants expected to occupy. Commissioner Christensen stated he feels there is no "branding" or name recognition in this new development area, and it is hard to identify the Shingle Creek Crossing development when traveling along Hwy 100. He added it would be nice to add something that `screams' to people Page 3 7-25-13 what is happening in the area to identify Shingle Creek Crossing and what the place offers. He suggested the City work in partnership with the developer to create an image. Chair Burfeind stated he agrees that creating an image and branding Shingle Creek Crossing is important and he added he is disappointed to see Discount Tire as part of this development since in the initial stages of planning, much more desirable businesses and restaurants were presented as part of the Shingle Creek Crossing development. Mr. Eitel responded he feels the same way; however, this use is not restricted by the PUD and the developer has had difficulties in siting businesses on the Xerxes Avenue portion of the development and obtaining interest by full service/sit down type restaurants. He added Mr. Gatlin has leases signed for retail uses within Building D that do not involve a drive up window. Mr. Eitel stated Maranatha is considering scheduling a tour of the facility in October before the residents make the move into the new facility in November. The demolition of the existing nursing home is scheduled to occur this winter with phases I & II of the project being completed by spring 2014. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass Page 4 7-25-13