Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 08-15 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 AUGUST 15,2013 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Burfeind at 7:08 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Scott Burfeind, Commissioners Randall Christensen, Benjamin Freedman, Carlos Morgan, and Stephen Schonning were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission Tim Benetti, Director of Business & Development Gary Eitel, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Michael Parks was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —JULY 25, 2013 There was a motion by Commissioner Christensen, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to approve the minutes of the July 25, 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. 2013-013 - ODYSSEY ACADEMY SCHOOL—SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGN Chair Burfeind introduced Application No. 2013-013, a request for Special Use Permit approval (pursuant to City Code Section 34-140; Subpart 3.1)),to allow a new dynamic message sign(DMS) with a public use located in an RI One Family Residence District, located at 6201 Noble Avenue North. (Refer to Planning Commission Report dated 8-15-13 on Application No. 2013-013.) Mr. Benetti provided a history of the school site and explained a public use is allowed to have one freestanding sign not to exceed 36 sq. ft. and no more than 10 ft. above ground level. He added properties with two or more street frontages are entitled to a second sign of the same size or may elect to have one single freestanding sign not to exceed 72 sq. ft. and 15 ft. in height. Mr. Benetti provided an overview of the new ordinance standards and stated the proposed sign will meet the required standards including size, distance from adjacent residential dwellings, and the eight second message duration. PUBLIC HEARING—APPLICATION NO. 2013-013 There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2013-013, at 7:13 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. PC Minutes 8-15-13 Page 1 Chair Burfeind called for comments from the public. Ms. Elizabeth Muellner, 6124 Noble Avenue North asked for clarification on the location of the sign since she is concerned about the sign blocking the view of oncoming traffic. Mr. Benetti replied the sign will be located inside the fence and sidewalk and will not block the view of any traffic. Pastor Ezra J. FaggdTt, Sr. of Unity Temple Church, asked if the requirements for the school district sign are the same as required for their church's existing sign. Mr. Benetti explained the school district sign is required to meet the new standards recently established and the existing sign at the church must meet the current, newly adopted sign ordinance especially regarding the requirement that the sign message remain static for eight seconds and must also have dimming technology. Mr. Benetti added the city has had no complaints about the sign at the church. Commissioner Morgan arrived at 7:19 p.m. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2013-013. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners interposed no objections to the approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2013-14 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2013-013 SUBMITTED BY ODYSSEY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO INSTALL A NEW DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGN (DMS) WITH A PUBLIC USE IN THE R-1 ONE FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT, LOCATED AT 6201 NOBLE AVENUE NORTH. There was a motion by Commissioner Christensen, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2013-14. Voting in favor: Chair Burfeind, Commissioners Christensen, Freedman, Morgan, and Schonning And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its August 26, 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. PC Minutes 8-15-13 Page 2 APPLICATION NO. 2013-014 - EVERGREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL—SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGN Chair Burfeind introduced Application No. 2013-014, a request for Special Use Permit (pursuant to City Code Section 34-140; Subpart 3.1)), to allow a new dynamic message sign (DMS) with a public use located in an RI One-Family Residence District, located at 7020 Dupont Avenue North. (Refer to Planning Commission Report dated 8-15-13 on Application No. 2013-014.) Mr. Benetti provided background information for the school and described existing signage on the site and the applicant's desire to replace it with a new 4.6 ft. by 7.85 ft. monument style sign. Mr. Benetti provided an overview of the new ordinance standards and stated the proposed sign will meet the required standards including size, distance from adjacent residential dwellings, and the eight second message duration. Commissioner Freedman asked for clarification on the multi-colored sign as indicated in the drawings provided. Mr. Benetti responded that the submitted cut-sheet or diagram of the proposed DMS is only illustrative of the possible colors that can be produced by the new sign. Benetti further stated that even though multi-colored messages or text is possible with this sign, no part of the message may flash, travel, twinkle or move, and he believes the sign will not be multi-colored but rather one static color to emit messages. All requirements and standards of the City's Sign Code will be enforced as part of this sign approval. PUBLIC HEARING—APPLICATION NO. 2013-014 There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2013-014, at 7:25 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Burfeind called for comments from the public. Ms. Jo Ellen Kloehn, 6927 Dupont Avenue N, asked if anyone knows why the school wants this type of sign. Chair Burfeind stated these types of signs are the new trend and that more uses are switching to this type of technology due to the lower costs and flexibility in providing additional messages. Mr. Benetti added the school district indicated the electronic signs allow ease in giving out multiple messaging and the letters do not have to be changed manually. He further stated the messaging is regulated with strict standards. Chair Burfeind added the school district provided information with their application stating the new sign is integral to their outreach initiative which allows them to communicate to the entire school community. Chair Burfeind also gave an explanation of the process involved in researching and studying these signs to allow them in public areas neighboring residential neighborhoods. Ms. Kloehn asked if there is any recourse if the signs become disruptive. Mr. Benetti replied the city would like to know as soon as possible if there are any issues with the sign so they can address it immediately with the school. He added the school district plans to turn the sign off at certain times and plans to be a good neighbor with regards to the sign. Mr. Greg Rendall, representing Sign Source, stated they started this process one year ago and are looking forward to being able to provide messages to parents and students with an easier method PC Minutes 8-15-13 Page 3 for changing and displaying the sign and he is confident the sign will not disrupt the residential neighbors. He also confirmed Evergreen School's intent to be environmentally and energy conscientious in reducing hours of operation or turning off the sign during certain hours and over the summertime due to inactivity during these periods. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2013-014. 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. 2013-15 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2013-014 SUBMITTED BY EVERGREEN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO INSTALL A NEW DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGN (DMS) WITH A PUBLIC USE IN THE R-1 ONE FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT, LOCATED AT 7020 DUPONT AVENUE NORTH. There was a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2013-15. Voting in favor: Chair Burfeind, Commissioners Christensen, Freedman, Morgan, and Schonning And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its August 26, 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 - CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER'S PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS TO CITY CODE CHAPTER 35 (ZONING) i. Section 35-900 (DEFINITIONS) regarding the redefinitions of "Front Yards", "Rear Yards"and "Side Yards"; and ii. Adding new Section 35-400.1 (LOT COVERAGE AND IMPERVIOUS SURFACES); and X. Consideration in allowing encroachments into front yard setback areas in residential zoned areas for steps, stoops, ramps, landings, porticos, ramps, open decks, open or closed porches, and/or similar. Mr. Benetti explained the information provided to the Commission related to proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 35 regarding defining yards, adding a new section regarding PC Minutes 8-15-13 Page 4 requirements for lot coverage and impervious surfaces and also allowing encroachments in front yard setbacks for steps, stoops, ramps, etc. Commissioner Christensen asked if pools would count towards the statement that `No more than 50 percent of the area of the front yard may be covered by an impervious surface' or `Lot coverage of Impervious Surfaces may not exceed 50 percent of the lot area.' Mr. Benetti replied that he would check into that and respond back to the Commission. Mr. Benetti further reviewed the proposed amendment regarding the placement of waste containers, specifically the requirement that all garbage cans may not be located in the front yard area, cannot be visible from any public street and cannot be out before 4 p.m. the day prior to pick up. Commissioner Christensen asked about the requirement that garbage cans be in the garage or in an enclosure at least 48 inches from the main structure. Mr. Benetti replied the city ultimately wants garbage cans moved into garages and not be visible from the street. Commissioner Christensen pointed out some numbers from the city survey taken regarding garbage can requirements. Mr. Benetti replied these issues had been studied for almost two years and part of that process involved input from the residents. Commissioner Christensen stated he wanted the minutes to reflect he is against the 48-inch setback requirement and the screening requirement for waste containers. Mr. Benetti continued by reviewing driveway parking area requirements as well as what types of vehicles (recreational) can be parked in a residential area. He also reviewed a proposal regarding non-conforming driveways and parking areas that are gravel and how they must be maintained. OTHER BUSINESS - STAFF UPDATES ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS FROM THE AUGUST 12, 2013 MEETING Mr. Benetti explained the Land Use Amendment for Luther and the PUD/Rezoning for Luther were approved. He added the final site and building plan and final plat will be on the August 29, 2013 Planning Commission meeting. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. 6ehair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass PC Minutes 8-15-13 Page 5