Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-08 PACKET 04.A.ii.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 8/8/12 10016 PREPARED BY Community Development John McCool ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Planning Commission's meetings on May 21, 2012, and June 25, 2012. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Receive and place on file the approved Planning Commission minutes for the meetings on May 21, 2012, and June 25, 2012. BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A $N /A N/A BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ❑ MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ® OTHER: Planning Commission minutes from meeting on May 21, 2012, and June 25, 2012 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS ity Administrator Date COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER DATE REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED ® PLANNING 7/23/12 ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY Li El El ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ❑ MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ® OTHER: Planning Commission minutes from meeting on May 21, 2012, and June 25, 2012 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS ity Administrator Date COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER City of Cottage Grove Planning Commission May 21, 2012 A meeting of the Planning Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 — 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, May 21, 2012, in the Council Chambers and telecast on Local Government Cable Channel 16. Call to Order Chair Rostad called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Members Present: Ken Brittain, Brian Pearson, Lise' Rediske, Jim Rostad, Maureen Ventura, Randall Wehrle Members Absent: Ryan Rambacher, Chris Reese Staff Present: John McCool, Senior Planner John M. Burbank, Senior Planner Robin Roland, Director of Finance and Community Development David Thiede, City Council Open Forum Rostad asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission on any non - agenda item. No one addressed the Commission. Approval of Agenda Ventura made a motion to approve the agenda. Brittain seconded. The motion was approved unanimously (6 -to -0 vote). Chair's Explanation of the Public Hearing Process Rostad explained the purpose of the Planning Commission, which serves in an advisory capac- ity to the City Council, and that the City Council makes all final decisions. In addition, he ex- plained the process of conducting a public hearing and requested that any person wishing to speak should go to the microphone and state their full name and address for the public record. Public Hearings and Applications 6.1 Engebretson Porch Variance —Case V12 -020 Jim and Mary Engebretson have applied for a variance to deviate from the average front yard setback requirement established in City Code Title 11- 4 -4B(3) to construct a 10 -foot by 32 -foot porch addition on the front of their house at 7810 113th Street South. Planning Commission Minutes May 21, 2012 Page 2 of 7 Burbank summarized the staff report and recommended approval based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Jim Engebretson, 7810 113th Street South, stated that the house to the west was built in 2001 and his house was built in 1974. It appears that the ordinance requirements were overlooked when the neighboring house was constructed to allow it to be built that far back. He noted that he has spoken with the neighbor and they don't have any issues with granting this variance. Rostad opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Rostad closed the public hearing. Brittain made a motion to approve the front yard setback variance for 7810 113th Street South, based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed below. Pearson seconded the motion. Findings of Fact A. The existing house was constructed beyond the 30 -foot minimum front yard setback. B. The proposed addition will bring the architecture of the home in conformance with other properties in the neighborhood that currently have front porches included in the front fagade of the home. C. The proposed addition will still comply with the 10 -foot minimum side yard setback requirement. D. The proposed addition will still comply with the 35 -foot minimum rear yard setback requirement. E. The proposed addition will not adversely impact the view of adjoining neighbors. F. The proposal is consistent with the property's reasonable use, will enhance the property's value, and is similar to the essential character of the existing house. G. The exterior building materials, design, and color scheme for the proposed addition will match the existing principal structure. H. The proposed attached addition is in harmony with the existing principal structure and other residential structures in this neighborhood. 1. The variance request is not specifically addressed in the City's Future Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan, but its residential characteristics are consistent with the low density residential land use designation for this property. J. The proposal continues a reasonable use on the property. K. The unique circumstances to the property were not created by the landowner. Planning Commission Minutes May 21, 2012 Page 3 of 7 L. The purpose of the variance is not based exclusively upon a financial hardship. M. Granting the variance should not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other landowners in the neighborhood. The proposed addition will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent properties. It will not create congestion in the public streets, become a fire danger, or endanger the public's safety. Conditions of Approval 1. The exterior construction materials and color scheme for the 10 -foot by 32 -foot addition must match the principal structure. 2. The property owner must complete a building permit application and submit detailed construction plans for the proposed addition. A building permit must be issued by the City before construction starts. Motion passed unanimously (6 -to -0 vote). 6.2 Stonehenge USA Project —CUP12 -021 Stonehenge USA has applied for a conditional use permit to remodel the vacant commercial structure at 7210 East Point Douglas Road South for a health and physical exercise club that will occupy more than 34,500 square feet of gross floor area. A drive - through drop -off facility is proposed as part of a Goodwill store, which also requires a conditional use permit. The entire project proposes the re -use of the commercial structure and property formerly owned by Home Depot. Several commercial tenant spaces will be created with this project. McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Brittain asked what the exterior lighting footcandles at the property line are currently. McCool responded he does not know. Brittain asked if the shrubs by Hollywood Video drive towards the main road will be monitored for height issues. McCool responded that the City will continue monitoring the site line at this access drive. Brittain suggested that a different plant be used to landscape the parking lot islands since the previous shrubs died. David Carland, Executive Vice President and Randy Rauwerdink, Director of Development Services for Stonehenge USA, 6007 Culligan Way, Minnetonka, were in attendance. Garland stated that they have been working on this project for nine months. He believes they have addressed the concerns raised in the letters from the neighbor. He explained that LA Fitness is the primary tenant and wants to be in the end unit due to parking needs, and Petco requires that they are a certain distance from any fitness facility because of parking conflicts. The location of these two business meets both of their criteria. Brittain asked about the noise levels when the trash compactor is operating, and if hours of operation would limit that impact. Rauwerdink responded that occurs when the business is open and Goodwill has fairly limited business hours. He noted that it is a fully enclosed Planning Commission Minutes May 21, 2012 Page 4 of 7 compactor. He does not have any decibel levels but could provide that later. It was noted that Rainbow Foods has a trash compactor. Ventura asked about the timeline for the redevelopment. Garland responded that they will start construction this summer and should be finished by the end of the year or shortly thereafter. Rostad asked if there had been discussions on providing access to this development from farther east on 80th Street. Roland stated that had been preliminarily discussed, but the developer has not requested that access at this time. Garland stated that they reviewed this additional access scenario in the conceptual design process, but concluded that it would not dramatically improve the prospects for business so they did not pursue it any further. Wehrle noted that there was concern expressed about delivery trucks and asked if that would happen mostly during business hours. Rauwerdink explained that there would be very limited truck activity compared to what historically has happened on the site. Goodwill does not have a receiving dock; the product in the store is customer generated through the drop - off lane. The single overhead door behind Goodwill is for a trailer that will be dropped once a week. When donations come into the store, the products go onto the sales floor, into the limited backroom space, or onto the empty trailer. Once a week a tractor will drop an empty trailer and remove the full trailer. The Petco operation receives deliveries from a corporate factory warehouse, not from individual vendors. Typical Petco stores of this size receive about two trucks per week from the corporate distribution center during business hours. Rostad opened the public hearing. Therese Alverson, 8198 Heath Avenue South, stated that her backyard overlooks the project. In general, they have no issues with the project or construction, but they are concerned about the noise from trucks. She explained that the majority of trees planted as the sound barrier have died because they were never watered. She requested that those trees be replanted to help mitigate the noise from the extra traffic. Garland stated that the truck court for this project will have very light use. LA Fitness will have no truck traffic, Goodwill has the trailer pick -up once a week, and Petco gets deliveries twice a week. He stated that the developer will work with the neighbors on any lighting and noise issues. No one else spoke. Rostad closed the public hearing. Brittain asked if replanting the trees between the neighborhood and the commercial site could be looked into. McCool stated yes, noting that some of the trees died due to too much shade from the mature trees in the area. Rostad noted that he drove through that area and many of the arborvitaes at the LA Fitness end seem to be in good condition but they get thinner further down. McCool pointed out the trees are bigger where there is sunlight and smaller where they are shaded, and planting more arborvitaes may not work because of the tree canopy, but staff would look to see if there is a better placement for more trees. Burbank stated that shade tolerant plantings could also be explored. Rediske stated she is concerned about people driving too fast around the rear of the building to the Goodwill donation area. She suggested installing speed bumps or speed limit signs. Planning Commission Minutes May 21, 2012 Page 5 of 7 Rauwerdink responded that as vehicles exit the drop -off lane, they will be encouraged to make a left hand turn so they don't progress down the back side of the adjacent retail center. He explained that area is the truck court for the entire shopping center and is controlled by reciprocal easement agreements, so there is a limit on what can be physically modified. He stated that speed limit and directional signage would be installed. Garland suggested adding a condition that traffic behind the building would be monitored and dealt with if there were any problems. Wehrle expressed concern about people dropping off items and junk during non - business hours. Rauwerdink stated that Goodwill has a vendor that circulates all of the sites to police and pick up products. He noted that the drop off area is in front of the store so it is visible, and the stores are always staffed when it is open. There will also be an overhead door that encloses the entire drop off area when the store is closed. Brittain made a motion to approve the conditional use permit for a health and physical exercise club and drive- through drop -off facility at 7210 East Point Douglas Road, subject to the conditions listed below. Ventura seconded. 1. No other free - standing sign is erected on Lot 2, Block 1 of Grove Plaza 2nd Addition. 2. The wall, monument, and pylon signs shown on Stonehenge USA's development plans with the May 7, 2012 revision date are accepted. The landowner and future tenants must file a building permit application for all exterior wall, pylon, and monument signs. Building permits must be issued before any construction begins or before any sign is installed. 3. All applicable permits (i.e., building, electrical, signs, etc.) shall be applied for and issued by the City before beginning any work or construction. Detailed construction plans must be reviewed and approved by the Building Official and Fire Marshall. 4. Class I commercial vehicles (i.e. semi- trucks /trailers, tandem trucks, large delivery trucks, etc.) shall not park or be stored in the customer parking areas or along the designated truck entrance%xit drive that parallels the southeast boundary line of Lots 1 and 2, Block 1 of Grove Plaza 2nd Addition. Class I commercial vehicles are permitted to park in the designated dock areas for the period of time to load or unload. Unattended vehicles are prohibited from running. Lights on the vehicle must be shut off once the vehicle is parked at the dock. 5. Exterior lighting for security purposes and illuminating the parking lot must deflect light downward and away from adjoining residential properties and public streets. The existing exterior light fixtures along the rear wall of the building must either be replaced with downward directed lighting fixtures or mount shields to the existing fixtures to direct the light downward. 6. The exterior walls of all trash enclosures shall be constructed with the same exterior materials and color as the principal structure and contain an opaque gate. Planning Commission Minutes May 21, 2012 Page 6 of 7 7. A revised landscaping plan showing the additional landscaping along the front of the building must be submitted to the Planning Division. Installation of the additional landscaping materials must be completed in a timely fashion. A letter of credit in the amount of 150 percent of the landscape estimate shall be submitted to the City as required by City ordinance (Title 11- 6 -6(0). The financial guarantee shall be in effect for one year from the date of installation to ensure all plantings are healthy after one winter season. 8. Dead or unhealthy plant materials existing on the site must be replaced at the same time the new plantings are installed. 9. Roof -top mechanical units shall be screened as required in Title 11- 6- 4(B)(2) of the City's Zoning Ordinance. If panels are used for screening, the color must be complimentary to the exterior color scheme of the principal structure. 10. The existing eight -foot high wooden residential neighborhood must be repaired /replaced in a timely manner. fence, trees, and shrubs abutting the maintained in good condition and 11. Outdoor speaker systems (e.g. paging, intercom, etc.) are prohibited. 12. The developer agrees to dedicate to the City without cost to the City all drainage and utility easements that are necessary for any public utility that needs to constructed on the site. Construction of any public utility must utilize the City's detail plates. 13.All storm sewer pipes must be reinforced concrete pipe. 14. The building's finished floor elevation must be a minimum of one foot above the proposed new parking area along the east side of the building. 15. Details must be provided to Building Inspections, Public Works, and City Engineer for any private utility that will be disconnected and abandoned. 16. The entrance for the Goodwill Store donation drop -off shall be a solid garage door painted a color that matches the adjoining exterior wall. 17. Bicycle racks must be installed on the west side of the Petco Store, between the Goodwill and current vacant retail space, and near the front entrance of the LA Fitness Center. The color of the bike racks must all be the same and designed as an invented "U," saddleback, or triangular hitch and post. All other City bicycle parking guidelines must be complied with. Motion passed unanimously (6 -to -0 vote). Discussion Items Planning Commission Minutes May 21, 2012 Page 7 of 7 ►f�C7i -- Approval of Planning Commission Minutes from April 23, 2012 Ventura made a motion to approve the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting on April 23, 2012. Wehrle seconded. The motion passed unanimously (6 -to -0 vote). Reports 9.1 Recap of May City Council Meetings Thiede reported that on May 2 the City Council approved the Werner Electric wind turbine, and on May 16 they approved the final plat for Pinecliff 5th Addition, the accessory structure exterior text amendment, the commercial zoning district text amendment, and the home occupation text amendment. 9.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries None 9.3 Planning Commission Requests Rostad asked for an update on the Hollywood Video site. Staff responded there was nothing to report at this time. Wehrle asked about the Walmart public hearing delay. Burbank stated that the public hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 25, 2012. The reason that it was rescheduled was to answer additional questions regarding stormwater, traffic, and easements for roadways. Rostad announced that Rambacher was not in attendance due to the birth of his daughter today. Adjournment Ventura made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Wehrle seconded. Motion passed unanimously (6 -to -0 vote). The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. City of Cottage Grove Planning Commission June 25, 2012 A meeting of the Planning Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 — 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, June 25, 2012, in the Council Chambers and telecast on Local Government Cable Channel 16. Call to Order Chair Rostad called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Lise' Rediske, Chris Reese, Jim Rostad, Randall Wehrle Members Absent: Ken Brittain, Brian Pearson, Ryan Rambacher, Maureen Ventura Staff Present: John McCool, Senior Planner David Thiede, City Council Rostad noted that there is not a quorum so the Planning Commission will not take action on any of the agenda items. However, the Commission will still hold the public hearing. .- -M Rostad asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission on any non - agenda item. No one addressed the Commission. Chair's Explanation of the Public Hearing Process Rostad explained the purpose of the Planning Commission, which serves in an advisory capac- ity to the City Council, and that the City Council makes all final decisions. In addition, he ex- plained the process of conducting a public hearing and requested that any person wishing to speak should go to the microphone and state their full name and address for the public record. Public Hearings and Applications 6.1 Boehm Shed Variance — Case V12 -022 DuWayne and Donna Boehm applied for a variance to allow a shed to be setback six feet from the rear property line when ten feet is required and placement of a structure on an easement at 8270 Jody Lane South. Planning Commission Minutes June 25, 2012 Page 2 of 3 McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions in the staff report. There were no questions or comments from the Planning Commission on this application. Rostad opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Rostad closed the public hearing. Rostad proposed that the application be sent directly to the City Council without any Planning Commission action, due to the lack of a quorum. McCool explained that staff would provide to the City Council an explanation as to why there is no recommendation from the Planning Commission. It would also be explained that the public hearing was held, there was no public testimony, and there is a letter of support from Public Works and the City Engineer for this application. If the City Council has concerns or additional questions, they can refer the matter back to the Planning Commission at a future meeting for a recommendation or they could approve or deny the application. Discussion Items None Approval of Planning Commission Minutes from May 21, 2012 Due to the lack of a quorum, the Planning Commission will approve the May 21, 2012, minutes at their meeting on July 23, 2012. 9.1 Recap of June City Council Meetings Thiede reported that a one -year extension to the final plat for Oak Cove was approved. He noted that this would be the last extension for this subdivision and if they do not start building before the deadline, the developers will need to file a preliminary plat application. Pond improvements will be done at Woodridge Park. The Pinecliff 5th Addition final plat and development agreement were approved. As part of that, a portion of Ideal Avenue will be vacated. Reese asked about the timeline for the new park. Thiede stated that the Council approved the first part of Sunnyhill Park, which includes the playground. McCool stated that the west half will be developed as the first phase, and if development occurs on the east side of old Ideal Avenue, the park would expand by an additional three acres. The Council also approved the conditional use permit for the re -use of the Home Depot site. 9.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries None 9.3 Planning Commission Requests Rediske asked for an update on Walmart. McCool stated that it is tentatively scheduled for the July 23 Planning Commission meeting, but staff is still waiting for more information. Planning Commission Minutes June 25, 2012 Page 3 of 3 Reese asked when the splash pad in Highlands Park will open. Thiede stated that it should be open for the Fourth of July; the grand opening is on July 13. Rostad asked about the old Hollywood Video site. Thiede stated that there has been a preliminary discussion with Famous Dave's. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.