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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 09-17 PCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER fN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 1. CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Christensen at 7:01 p.m. 2. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE Secretary to the Planning Commission Tim Benetti administered the oath of office to Susan Tade. ® ROLL CALL Chair Randy Christensen, Commissioners Alexander Koenig, John MacMillan, Stephen Schonning, Rochelle Sweeney and Susan Tade were present. Commissioner Carlos Morgan was absent and unexcused. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission Tim Benetti, Director of Business & Development Gary Eitel, and Denise Bosch, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner MacMillian to approve agenda. The motion passed. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—AUGUST 3, 2015 There was a motion by Commissioner Sweeney, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2015 meeting. The motion passed. 6. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Christensen 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. 7. PLANNING APPLICATION ITEMS 7a) APPLICATION O. 2015-008; SPIRITUAL LIFE CHURCH; CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGN (DMS) WITH PC Minutes 09-17-15 -1 A PUBLIC USE IN THE C-1 SERVICE/OFFICE DISTRICT (6 865 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY) Chair Christensen introduced Application No. 2015-008, consideration of a special use permit to allow the installation of a new dynamic message sign (DMS) with a public use in the C-1 service/office district, located at 6865 Shingle Creek Parkway. Mr. Benetti provided property Iocation information and an aerial view, photos of the sign, sign dimensions, church background, sign ordinance standards and staff analysis of the special use permit. It was noted that legal notice was published in the local Sun-Post and notice letters were delivered to all neighboring properties within 350 feet of the subject site. Mr. Benetti stated Planning Staff recommends the Planning Commission provide a recommendation to the City Council to approve Planning Application No. 2015-008, Special Use Permit to Allow the Installation of a New Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) with a Public Use in the C-1 Service/Office District, with the conditions noted in the Planning Staff report and also similar in the Resolution. Chair Christensen asked about the ordinance height limits. Mr. Benetti replied. that in a C-1 public use district with more than one frontage, two 36 square foot signs are allowed. The applicant chose a 72 square foot sign. He stated that the applicant is within the overall dimension limits. Chair Christensen commented that he liked that they were going to keep the base of the sign. Pastor Judy Fornara, Pastor Joseph Fornara, and Mr. Kiril Totev attended the meeting representing Spiritual Life Church, OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENTS —APPLICATION NO. 2015-008 Chair Christensen recognized residents in the audience who wished to speak on this matter. There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner MacMillan, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2015-008, at 7:14 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Pastor Judy Fornara stated that the church is willing to program the sign to display Amber Alerts. Discussion followed regarding the process for doing this. Chair Christensen called for comments from the public. There were no individuals in attendance and no comments received at that time. (Addendum Note by PC Secretary: Mr. Al Franz, Franz Engineering, 2781 Xerxes Avenue North, called the City's Business and Development Department on September 16, 2015 to state he has no objections to the new DMS sign requested by the applicants - Spiritual Life Church.) PC Minutes 09-17-15 -2 MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT'S (HEARING) RFNIG) There was a motion by Commissioner MacMillian, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2015-008. The motion passed-unanimously. Chair Christensen called for questions and comments from Commissioners. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL, OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2015-08 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2015-008 SUBMITTED BY SPIRITUAL LIFE CHURCH FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO INSTALL A NEW DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGN (DMS) WITH A PUBLIC USE IN THE C-1 SERVICE/OFFICE DISTRICT (6865 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY) There was a motion by Commissioner Sweeney, seconded by Coni IiSSiOrler Scho ing, to n rm approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 201508. Voting in favor: Chair Christensen, Commissioners Koenig, MacMillan, Schorming, Sweeney and Tade. And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its September 28, 2015 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. Chair Christensen asked Commissioner MacMillan about the Planning Commission seminar he recently attended. Commissioner MacMillan told the Commission that the seminar contained information regarding roles and responsibilities, comprehensive plans, and the legal aspect of serving on the Planning Commission. He stated his takeaway was that every time you have a hearing you are subject to being sued if you don't handle it property. The Commission discussed the value of classes and seminars and Chair Christensen encouraged Commissioners to take advantage of educational opportunities. He stated that the Commission relies on staff but Commissioners should also be aware of issues. He also encouraged Commissioners to ask questions. He spoke about making the City of Brooklyn Center a better place and welcomed Commissioner Tade. Mr. Benetti also encouraged Commissioners to take advantage of the educational opportunities and noted that they are paid for by the City. PC Minutes 09-17-15 -3 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS 8a) PLANNING STAFF UPDATE ON ON-GOING OR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Commissioner MacMillan asked when the 60 day rule started. Mr. Benetti explained the rule and discussion followed regarding the rule. Mr. Benetti and Director of Business & Development Clary Eitel provided information and pictures of the following projects: The former Howe Fertilizer, and soon to be new Ferguson Plumbing Supply site, 4821 Xerxes Avenue North —Mr. Benetti showed a current photo of the site. The Amphitheater Project _.Mr. Eitel explained that a paver inscription policy is currently being worked on for approval by the City Council. He stated that there will be a grand opening on October 6"' at 5.30. He provided Commissioners with a flyer regarding the event. The Luther Volkswagen Site — The Commissioners discussed their approval of the displays on the site. The Opportunity Site — Mr. Eitel showed Commissioners a Maple Grove site as an example of how to tie together buildings and provide for open space; have a theme; and create space and seating capacity so people can gather for passive recreation. He suggested Commissioners visit Plymouth's Millennium Park. He talked about wanting to tie together the seven apartment buildings and make them pedestrian friendly. He stated that Commissioners will see more information on this plan between October and December. He also showed Commissioners a Maple Grove sidewalk cafe example and stated that Chipotle is looking at the old Caribou Coffee location, He showed a current picture of the Opportunity Site and talked about possible row townhouses; the history of the site; and positioning the property for re-development. Mr. Eitel talked about the C Line Project (Penn Avenue Bus Rapid Transit) and making investments into transit in relation to livable communities. Brookdale Square — Mr. Eitel reported that the City Council will consider a demolition bid for the building and that will open up the site for re-development. Mr. Eitel stated that the City Council is considering a preliminary development agreement for the site. The City would work with developer who would act as the builder and manager and the City would put in the infrastructure. Mr. Eitel stated that in October, the Planning Commission will be considering a senior housing project on the old Cars for heart site. Commissioner Koenig asked about the Kohl's building. Mr. Eitel replied that in his last conversation with the developer he was told that the developer was working on a tenant lease PC Minutes 49-17-15 -4 that would add 18,000 square feet on the building front so it would be a 50,000 square foot retail pad site. Discussion followed regarding the site's potential; possible creek configurations; and renovations at Mears Park in St. Paul. There were no other discussion items. 9. OTHER BUSINESS None at this time. 10. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Tade, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M. STATE OF MINNESOTA ) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN ) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER ) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and assigned Secretary to the Planning Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Regular Session of the Planning Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center held on September 17, 2015. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the Planning Commission approved said minutes at its October 1, 2015 regular meeting. Tim Benetti, Secretary Randall Christensen, Chair PC Minutes 09-17-15 -5