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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 09-26 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 SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Burfeind at 7:09 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Scott Burfeind, Commissioners Randall Christensen, Carlos Morgan, and Stephen Schonning 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. Benjamin Freedman and Michael Parks were absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —AUGUST 29, 2013 There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Schonning to approve the minutes of the August 29, 2013 meeting as submitted. 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. 2013-018 GATLIN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY Chair Burfeind introduced Application No. 2013-018, a request for Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment approval to amend the previously approved Master Plan and PUD Plans for the Shingle Creek Crossing Planned Unit Development (dated August 2012), which includes four separate amendment components. (Refer to Planning Report dated 9-26-13 on Application No. 2013-018). Mr. Benetti explained the PUD Amendment involves the removal of the 169,555 sq. ft. Brookdale Mall Food Court building and redevelopment of the site. This 4th Amendment allows modifications to the approved Shingle Creek Crossing PUD Plans, to include the following: • The proposed removal of the former Brookdale Mall's 169,555 sq. ft. "Food Court" building and replacing and redeveloping the 14.60 acre site with ten new individual retail store buildings consisting of 108,901 sq. ft. of new building area; along with the addition of two new stand-alone restaurant pad sites labeled Building Pad Sites R and T, consisting of 5,400 sq. ft. and 2,800 sq. ft., respectively(address: 1300 Shingle Creek Crossing); • The proposed replatting of lot lines between Building Pad Sites A and B and the reconfiguration of parking and driveway areas between both sites (addresses: 1450 and 1480 Shingle Creek Crossing); PC Minutes 9-26-13 Page 1 • Allow an increase to the planned building size on Building Pad Site D (1090 Shingle Creek Crossing) from 8,400 sq. ft. to 11,200 sq. ft. and the reconfiguration of parking and driveway areas between Bldg. Sites G and D; and • A proposed text amendment to the approved Shingle Creek Crossing PUD Agreement to grant flexibility to the Developer in the placement of outdoor screened trash enclosures throughout the site. Mr. Benetti reviewed the history of the recently approved amendments to the Shingle Creek Crossing development plans as well as the new proposed Master Plan. Commissioner Christensen asked if tenants were known for Pad Sites R and T. Mr. Benetti explained the plans are conceptual and a tenant has not been identified, however, one of the pads is shown with a drive-thru window. He added approval of this application is for a conceptual plan and the details will be reviewed through separate site and building plan approval process, which will come later. Mr. Eitel explained the location of Pads R and T provide for excess parking and the plan also shows pedestrian connectivity between the buildings on the site, centered around the Wal-Mart site which maintains walkability and is critical to the success of the project. Commissioner Morgan asked if they could point out how this process is different from other projects in the city as they have evolved. Mr. Eitel replied this has been different based on original plans to keep part of the old Brookdale Mall and now it has been decided to create a separation between Sears and the new buildings. He added this has evolved by creating a main link access by the Sears entry onto the site surrounding Wal-Mart which will be a main drive area rather than an alley. Commissioner Christensen stated he understands the complications involved with making this work; however, he feels they keep promoting a drive-thru without a specific destination and the vision of what Brookdale was is antiquated. He added we are trying to create a destination and putting drive-thru's in does not accomplish this vision. Commissioner Christensen stated he feels the area around Xerxes should include signage with a berm that welcomes people to Shingle Creek Crossing in big letters that provides a bigger screen and gives it a look to get people to know what Shingle Creek Crossing is or how it will be developed. He added he would like to see the "blue" highway [public information] signs indicating `Brookdale Mall" to be replaced with "Shingle Creek Crossing" identification signs. He is opposed to putting up signs that advertise "space available". Christiansen added the City and the Developer need advertise and better promote "this is the place to be..." or it will sit stagnant for many years. Commissioner Schonning stated as far as greenery is concerned, he hopes the area will not look like the area east of Wal-Mart, which is unkempt and not maintained. He further stated if there is going to be a berm or a fence, it has to be kept up so the land is attractive and desirable. He feels the appearance in the area near Wal-Mart and the new day-lighted creek is unacceptable. PC Minutes 9-26-13 Page 2 Mr. Luke Payne, Kimley-Horn and Associates stated the area mentioned by Commissioner Schonning is not irrigated and has only been seeded and there have been many challenges in maintaining it. The Developer is aware of this maintenance issues and is addressing those with the City. Chair Burfeind stated he spoke with staff regarding screening of the area and applauds staff for putting together the information so quickly. He added he likes staff's recommendation for a 4 ft. berm with an 8 to 10 ft. fence and heavy landscaping, which equates to a 12 to 14 ft. screened area, which he finds acceptable, given the alternative of having no buildings in place to provide the screening. He added those areas should be irrigated and maintained and would like the theme continued throughout the site. Chair Burfeind continued by stating this PUD Amendment application is essentially a preliminary plan review and is mainly for removal of the former Food Court with formal review of the site plans at future meetings. Mr. Benetti replied approving this conceptual plan application could be followed by a future application for site plan review and he would like the Commission's input regarding screening in this location on the site. Chair Burfeind stated he feels this is an overall good plan and is excited to see expansion on the east side. He further asked the Commissioners their opinion on the screening and landscaping on the site. The Commissioners offered no additional input on screening and landscaping. Chair Burfeind stated the overall PUD requires four sided architectural treatments and he asked if a first phase is considered four sided. Mr. Benetti replied the fronts of the proposed buildings do not have the same architectural design as the backs. He added that is why it is imperative that effective screening be located in this area, as this is somewhat of utilitarian area, and to require expensive architecture and materials in the area around the loading dock areas does not appear to be as critical or important as the front or more visible facades. He added it is important that this area be covered during the site plan review so these walls are not left bare and empty until all spaces are occupied and tenant improvements are made. Mr. Eitel added that the Shingle Creek Crossing PUD Agreement calls for all buildings to have four-sided architecture; and the Developer will need to demonstrate to the City that these new buildings will maintain or provide these standards nevertheless, or present alternatives or design options that must be reviewed and approved by the City. PUBLIC HEARING—APPLICATION NO. 2013-018 There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2013-018, at 8:18 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Burfeind called for comments from the public. Mr. Luke Payne, Kimley Horn and Associates, stated there are a number of housekeeping items associated with the PUD amendment including the demolition of the Food Court building. He added the Commission's comments were well taken and even at this point, as the development team, they are not sure what Gatlin's plans are for this area of the site. He stated they took notes and understand the comment made about branding the site to attract traffic and customers. PC Minutes 9-26-13 Page 3 Chair Burfeind thanked Mr. Payne for their hard work on this project and added the city and residents are passionate about this project and sincerely want it to succeed. Mr. Payne replied he appreciates the comments about the site including the Commission's vision as things move forward and they will continue to address their concerns. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2013-018. 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. 2013-18 REGARDING RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2013-018 SUBMITTED BY GATLIN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT (No 4) TO THE 2011 SHINGLE CREEK CROSSING PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner Morgan, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2013-18. Voting in favor: Chair Burfeind, Commissioners Christensen, Morgan, and Schonning And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its October 14, 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. APPLICATION NO. 2013-019—GATLIN DEVELOPMENT COPMANY Chair Burfeind introduced Application No. 2013-019, a request for Site and Building Plan approval of a new 11,200 sq. ft. multi-tenant retail commercial building for Building D pad site (Lot 1, Block 1, Shingle Creek Crossing 2nd Addition) — within the Shingle Creek Crossing Planned Unit Development Project. (Refer to Planning Report dated 9-26-13 on Application No. 2013-019). Mr. Benetti explained the new Building D is essentially the same building size and layout approval of Building L which is 11,200 sq. ft. multi-tenant building. He added one of the most noticeable differences between the original approved building and the proposed new building is the removal of the end cap drive-thru service lane. He further explained staff had reservations with the drive-thru lane and the removal of it alleviates concerns with traffic and pedestrian safety between buildings. Mr. Benetti pointed out the removal of the drive-thru allows a two- way drive aisle between Buildings G and D. The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. PC Minutes 9-26-13 Page 4 The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2013-19 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2013-019 SUBMITTED BY LOREN VAN DER SLIK ON BEHALF OF GATLIN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, APPROVING THE SITE AND BUILDING PLAN FOR PROPOSED BUILDING D, LOCATED ON LOT 1, BLOCK 1, SHINGLE CREEK CROSSING 2ND ADDITION(1090 SHINGLE CREEK CROSSING) There was a motion by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2013-19. Voting in favor: Chair Burfeind, Commissioners Christensen, Morgan, and Schonning And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed. The Council will consider the application at its October 14, 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. OTHER BUSINESS Chair Burfeind stated there is a desire among the Commission to revisit the landscape point system and a deforestation code and he recently visited with staff regarding addressing this topic in the future. Commissioner Christensen asked staff to provide recently approved applications that pertain to these issues so he can review prior to the meeting where this will be discussed. Chair Burfeind stated he agrees it would be a good idea to provide a map and addresses to the Commission. Mr. Benetti informed the Commission he will provide the requested information to the Commission and will prepare a presentation of the landscape point system and a deforestation code for a future 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 un imously. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass PC Minutes 9-26-13 Page 5