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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 10-25 PCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA OCTOBER 25, 2018 1. CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Christensen at 7:04 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Chair Randall Christensen, Commissioners Jack MacMillan, Stephen Schonning, Rochelle Sweeney were present. Commissioners Alexander Koenig and Susan Tade were absent and excused. Commissioner Abraham Rizvi was absent and unexcused. City Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh, and Selina Pesta, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. were also present. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA — OCTOBER 25, 2018 There was a motion by Commissioner MacMillan, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to approve the agenda for the October 25, 2018 meeting as submitted above. The motion passed unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 There was a motion by Commissioner Sweeney, seconded by Commissioner MacMillan, to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2018 meeting as submitted above. The motion passed unanimously. 5. 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. 6. PLANNING APPLICATION ITEMS 6a) Planning Commission Application No. 2018-018 (Public Hearing) Applicant: Simone Chambliss (Jambo Africa, Inc.) Project Address: 1601 Freeway Boulevard Summary: The Applicant is requesting approval of a Special Use Permit to allow for live entertainment within an existing 6,200- square foot restaurant. PC Minutes 10-25-18 -1- Chair Christensen introduced Application No. 2018-018, consideration of a Special Use Permit to allow for live entertainment within an existing 6,200 -square foot restaurant, located at 1601 Freeway Boulevard (See Planning Commission Reports dated 10-25-2018 for Application No. 2018-018.) City Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh introduced the item, reviewed the background, and presented the request. Ms. McIntosh also described Jambo Africa as being located within a C2 Commerce District, noting Section 35-322. Ms. McIntosh explained the standards of a special use permit and gave simple overview of the restaurant, indicating where the bar, stage and dance area are located. Ms. McIntosh stated Planning Staff recommends the Planning Commission provide a recommendation to the City Council to approve Planning Application No. 2018-018, for the Subject Property located at 1601 Freeway Boulevard, so long as the Applicant complies with the conditions noted in the Planning Staff report and also similar in the Resolution. Chair Christensen asked if the Applicant wished to step forward and make a statement or add anything to the staff presentation. Simone Chambliss, Jambo Africa Inc., thanked the Commission and gave background on her restaurant, Jambo Africa. Ms. Chambliss stated she believes she is doing a great thing for the diverse community of Brooklyn Center, especially for immigrants in the community. Ms. Chambliss also stated she would like all families to come into her establishment and enjoy themselves. OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENTS — APPLICATION NO. 2018-018 Chair Christensen recognized residents in the audience who wished to speak on this matter and called for comments from the public. There was a motion by Commissioner MacMillan, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2018-018, at 7:17 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember April Graves noted that she supports the applicant and sees Jambo Africa as a great place to have live musicians to help spread culture and diversity in the City. Scott Anderson, 1600 Freeway Boulevard, stated he has concerns for parking and would not like the applicant's customers parking in the 1600 Freeway Boulevard lot. Ms. Chambliss asked if customers could park in the lot if she provided insurance. Mr. Anderson stated he would not like them parking there due to the busy highway and the potential of trash being left in the lot. MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS (HEARING) PC Minutes 10-25-18 -2- There was a motion by Commissioner MacMillan, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2018-018. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Christensen called for questions and comments from Commissioners. Commissioner MacMillan asked if the City allowed for Earle Brown Bowl to have entertainment. Ms. McIntosh stated that they did. Commissioner Schonning asked the applicant what type of African food is served at the establishment. Ms. Chambliss addressed this question by letting the Commission know she serves East and Wester African food, Liberian and Kenyan. Chair Christensen asked about traffic and parking, stating that he has drove past the building with a full parking lot. He also stated his concern with the door near the stage and the possibility of customers spilling into the parking lot. Ms. Chambliss stated that this door is not the main door, but only present for emergencies. Chair Christensen asked the applicant the hours of operation on Sunday. Ms. Chambliss stated that the band would stop at 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2018-018 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2018-018 SUBMITTED BY Samone Chambliss, Jambo Africa Inc. There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney, to approve Planning Commission RESOLUTION NO. 2018-018. Voting in favor: Chair Christensen, Commissioners MacMillan, Schonning, and Sweeney. And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its November 13, 2018 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. 6b) Planning Commission Application No. 2018-018 (Public Hearing) Applicant: Jim Langevin (on behalf of Brooklyn Center Community Schools) Project Address: 5951 Earle Brown Drive Summary: The Applicant is requesting approval of an Interim Use Permit that would allow for the temporary relocation of the PC Minutes 10-25-18 -3- Brooklyn Center STEAM High School to a C2 (Commerce) District zoned property within the Central Commerce Overlay District through September 2020. This request is associated with previously approved plans to remodel interior and exterior portions of the existing Brooklyn Center STEAM Middle and High School property, located at 6500 Humboldt Avenue North. Temporary relocation of the High School would allow for a more efficient construction timeline and cause less of an impact on the student learning environment. Approval of the requested Interim Use Permit requires that certain Zoning Amendments be made in conjunction with this request to allow for the temporary school use. Chair Christensen introduced Application No. 2018-019, consideration of an Interim Use Permit, located at 5951 Earle Brown Drive. (See Planning Commission Reports dated 10-25- 20-18for Application No. 2018-019.) Ms. McIntosh introduced the item, reviewed the background, and presented the request. Ms. McIntosh stated that the current elementary and secondary educational use are not permitted in the C2 or Central Commerce Overlay Districts. On October 22, 2018, the City Council Resolution adopted Interim Regulations while the Applicant works through the City approval process. At the November 12, 2018 City Council meeting, the Council will review IUP requests and hold first reading for the Zoning Amendment Request. On December 10, 2018, the City Council will hold the second reading and public hearing for the Zoning Amendment Request. Ms. McIntosh clarified that this timeline will take place if the current request is approved. Ms. McIntosh stated that the Council will need to know specifics of the request including where the school will be located, the transportation plan, the number of staff and students, and a parking and circulation plan. Ms. McIntosh also noted that the reason to have a temporary school and how long it would be in use, along with extra exterior modifications will also need to be noted in the request. Ms. McIntosh stated that Assistant City Engineer, Andrew Hogg, conducted a review of the application submission and its documents. It was noted that heads on the irrigation system were not working and will need to be addressed correctly. Comments from Mr. Hogg can be found in the memorandum to City Staff dated October 22, 2018, attached hereto Exhibit D. Ms. McIntosh stated Planning Staff recommends the Planning Commission provide a recommendation to the City Council to approve Planning Application No. 2018-019, for the Subject Property located at 5951 Earle Brown Drive, so long as the Applicant complies with the conditions noted in the Planning Staff report and also similar in the Resolution. Chair Christensen asked if the Applicant wished to step forward and make a statement or add anything to the staff presentation. Jim Langevin, Brooklyn Center Community Schools, addressed the request of allowing for temporary school use and an Interim Use Permit to temporarily relocate the Brooklyn Center STEAM High School. PC Minutes 10-25-18 -4- OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENTS — APPLICATION NO. 2018-019 Chair Christensen recognized residents in the audience who wished to speak on this matter, and called for comments from the public. There was a motion by Commissioner MacMillan, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2018-019, at 8:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. There were no other individuals in attendance who wished to make comments at this time MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS (HEARING) There was a motion by Commissioner Sweeney, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2018-019. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Christensen called for questions and comments from Commissioners. Commissioner MacMillan asked if there will be security at this location. Mr. Langevin stated there will be a single entrance and will provide the same amount of security that is at the current school. Chair Christensen addressed parking and traffic and whether there will be a semi -permeant sign going up at the location. Mr. Langevin stated there will be a sign added over the current sign on the location. This sign will be taken down after completion of the school. Commissioner Schonning asked if there will be shuttles provided to the students. Mr. Langevin noted that students will only attend core classes at this location, other elective classes will be taken at the main school. Mr. Langevin stated a transportation manager is currently working on a shuttle route. Commissioner Schonning asked how lunch will be prepared for students at the Earle Brown location. Mr. Langevin stated lunches will be prepped at the current school and boxed over to the new location. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2018-019 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2018-019 SUBMITTED BY JIM LANGEVIN There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner MacMillan, to approve Planning Commission RESOLUTION NO. 2018-019. Voting in favor: Chair Christensen, Commissioners MacMillan, Schonning, and Sweeney. PC Minutes 10-25-18 -5- And the following voted against the same: None The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its November 13, 2018 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. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7a) City Council Meeting Updates (September and October 2018) Ms. McIntosh presented actions taken at the last City Council meeting including the passing of T21. Ms. McIntosh stated that this will restrict the age to buy tobacco in the City, limitation to flavored tobacco and e -cigarettes and the number of tobacco licenses. Ms. McIntosh also stated that the chicken ordinance had passed, the rental ordinance was changed, and applicant's request from the previous City Council meeting. 7b) Upcoming Planning Commission Items Commissioner MacMillan addressed permit fees within the City. Commissioner MacMillan analyzed permit fees in surrounding areas and believes Brooklyn Center is charging too high of fees. Commissioner MacMillan would like to see the City review permit fees. Ms. McIntosh indicated that changing the permit fees may be a discussion item at the beginning of 2019. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner MacMillan stated that Commissioner Rizvi's spot on the Commission is open. The City Manager will forward this opening to the Mayor. There were no Other Business items. 9. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner MacMillan, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Ginny McIntosh, Secretary PC Minutes 10-25-18 -6- rf _� Ran Christensen, Chair