HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-28 PACKET 06.4.STAFF REPORT CASE: CUP2016-020
ITEM: 6.4
PUBLIC MEETING DATE: 3/28/16 TENTATIVE COUNCIL REVIEW DATE: 4/6/16
APPLICATION
APPLICANT: Rahn Home Services
REQUEST: A conditional use permit to operate heating and air conditioning,
plumbing, and electrical businesses with outdoor parking of commercial
vehicles.
SITE DATA
LOCATION:
ZONING:
GUIDED LAND USE
11825 West Point Douglas Road South
B-3, General Business District
Commercial
LAND USE OF ADJACENT PROPERTIES: CURRENT
NORTH:
Highway 61
EAST:
Park/Open Space
SOUTH:
Rural Residential
WEST:
Commercial
SIZE: N/A
DENSITY: N/A
RECOMMENDATION
GUIDED
Highway 61
Park/Open Space
Rural Residential
Commercial
Approval, subject to the conditions stipulated in this staff report.
Cottage COTTAGE GROVE PLANNING DIVISION
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Planning Staff Contact: John M. Burbank, Senior Planner; 651-458-2825; iburbank(@cottage-grove.org
Application Accepted:. 2/26/16 60 -Day Review Deadline: 4/25/16
City of Cottage Grove Planning Division • 12800 Ravine Parkway South • Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Planning Staff Report
Rahn Home Services
Planning Case No. CUP2016-020
March 28, 2016
Proposal
Rahn Home Services has applied for a conditional use permit to operate heating and air condi-
tioning, plumbing, and electrical businesses with outdoor parking of commercial vehicles at
11825 West Point Douglas Road South. A narrative from the applicant on the proposed use is
attached.
Location Map
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Planning Staff Report — CU P2016-020
Rahn Home Services
March 28, 2016
Page 2 of 7
Submital Documentation
The site plan that was submitted with the application was prepared by Kemper and Associates
Inc., on March 15, 2001, for a previous application related to the site. The plan identifies the
existing site conditions.
Review Schedule
The application was received on February 22, 2016.
The application was deemed complete on February 26, 2016.
The 60 -day application review expires on April 25, 2016.
The 120 -day review extension date is June 24, 2016, if exercised.
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Planning Considerations
Comprehensive Plan — Future Land Use Designation
The future land use map in the City's Future Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan shows this prop-
erty is guided Commercial. The proposed development is consistent with that designation.
Zoning
This parcel is currently zoned B-3, General Business District. The proposed use is consistent
with that zoning designation. The recent adoption of Ordinance 958 established that electrical,
heating, plumbing, appliances, upholstery, or air conditioning sales and service shops that have
Planning Staff Report — CUP2016-020
Rahn Home Services
March 28, 2016
Page 3 of 7
more than five commercial vehicles parked outside a building or storage of equipment, supplies
or materials outside a building be permitted as a conditional use.
Existing Site Conditions
The site currently has a 2,150 square foot office building, a large utility building, septic fields,
stormwater ponds, existing bituminous parking lot, and a gravel parking area.
Existing Site Detail
Setbacks
The minimum setbacks for the site would not be impacted by this proposed use.
Planning Staff Report— CUP2016-020
Rahn Home Services
March 28, 2016
Page 4 of 7
Architecture
The proposal does not trigger any of the City's minimum architectural requirements.
Utilities
The subject property is located outside of Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) and is
served by private well and septic. It is recommended that the existing septic system be in-
spected for conformance to State and County requirements, and that it is adequately sized to
serve the proposed use. The City's Technical Review Committee recommended that the ware-
house shop area building not include a connection to the septic system.
Parking
The current parking on the site is 22 standard spaces and one ADA space. The minimum park-
ing standard of 17 spaces is calculated at one parking space per 150 square feet of office
space. Handicapped parking stalls must be constructed per building code requirements. No ad-
ditional parking improvements are proposed. All commercial vehicle parking on the site should
be limited to the area behind the fenced area identified on the site plan. Based on previous
zoning actions related to this commercial district, it is recommended that the gravel
drive/access/parking area be improved with bituminous within one year of approval of the CUP.
Traffic/Access
No modifications to the site access were proposed in conjunction with the application.
Pedestrian Access
The proposed reuse of the property does not include any modifications or additions related to
the sidewalks on the site. It is recommended that sidewalk and parking lot connections meet
ADA requirements.
Planning Staff Report — CUP2016-020
Rahn Home Services
March 28, 2016
Page 5 of 7
Surface Water Management
The proposed reuse of the property will not trigger any modifications to the site in relation to
surface water management.
Tree Preservation
Several trees and shrubs within the site development are proposed to be removed by the pro-
posed expansion of the use on the site. Removed trees should be replanted on site.
Signage
All signage needs to be in compliance with City ordinances or an approved comprehensive sign
plan for the site.
Landscaping
The site plan does not include any landscaping improvements. It is recommended that a land-
scaping plan identifying additional trees and vegetative screening be completed for the site prior
to the item being reviewed by the City Council. Whenever an existing use on a property comes
before the City for review, the practice has been to ensure that the landscaping is healthy and
maintained.
Area Charges
No action required.
Park Dedication
No action required.
Lighting
All new and existing lighting on the site shall not exceed .5 foot candle at the property line.
Conditional Use Permit
Ordinance Requirements
When reviewing conditional use permits, the Planning Commission and City Council looks to
Title 11-2-9F, Criteria for Issuance of Conditional Use Permits, as the guiding doctrine for
review. This section states that in granting a CUP, the City Council shall find that:
The use will be in conformity with the City's Comprehensive Plan and with the purpose, intent
and applicable standards of this Title.
2. The use shall be located, designed, maintained and operated to be compatible with the existing
or intended character of that zoning district in which it is located.
3. The use shall not depreciate values of surrounding property.
4. The use shall not be hazardous, detrimental or disturbing to present and potential surrounding
land uses due to noises, glare, smoke, dust, odor, fumes, water pollution, vibration, general
unsightliness or other nuisances.
5. The use shall generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets as defined by the trans-
portation element of the Comprehensive Plan. The use shall not create traffic congestion,
unsafe access or parking needs that will cause inconveniences to the adjoining properties.
Planning Staff Report- CUP2016-020
Rahn Home Services
March 28, 2016
Page 6 of 7
6. The use shall be served adequately by essential public services, such as streets, police, fire
protection and utilities.
7. The use shall not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities
and services and shall not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the City.
8. The use shall preserve and incorporate the site's important natural and scenic features into the
development design.
9. The use shall cause minimal adverse environmental effects.
10. The use shall not adversely affect the potential development of adjacent vacant land.
The City's Technical Review Committee reviewed this application under those criteria. The
Committee found the CUP criteria could be met and the conditional use permit for the requested
reuse of the property should be approved, subject to conditions. The applicant's response to the
ordinance criteria is attached.
Public Hearing Notices
The public hearing notice was published in the South Washington County Bulletin on March 16,
2016. Public meeting notices were mailed to the 13 property owners who are within 500 feet of
the property on March 16, 2016.
Summary
A. The proposed use is compliant with the City's Future Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
B. The proposed use is permitted as a conditional use under the current zoning classification
for the property.
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council approve a conditional use permit
to operate heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical businesses with outdoor park-
ing of commercial vehicles at 11825 West Point Douglas Road South, subject to the following
conditions.
All applicable permits (i.e.; building, electrical, grading, sign, right-of-way, mechanical) must
be completed, submitted, and approved by the City prior to the commencement of any con-
struction activities.
2. A landscaping plan shall be submitted to the City for review and approval prior to the appli-
cation being placed on the City Council agenda. Prior to building permit application, a
detailed landscaping and irrigation plan that meets the approval of the Community Devel-
opment Department shall be submitted.
The vegetative plantings within the landscaping plan shall be reviewed and approved by the
City Forester for consistency with requirements for a healthy urban forest.
Planning Staff Report — CUP2016-020
Rahn Home Services
March 28, 2016
Page 7 of 7
4. Prior to building permit application, a bona fide cost estimate of the landscaping improve-
ments must be submitted in conjunction with a letter of credit approved by the City in the
amount of 150 percent of such estimate. Upon completion of the landscaping requirements,
the applicant must in writing inform the City that said improvements have been completed.
The City will retain 30 percent of the financial guarantee for a period of one year from the
date of notice to insure the survival of the plantings and the required as -built survey has
been submitted. No building permits will be issued until the required financial guarantee has
been received and accepted by the City.
5. The landscaping shall be installed as per the approved landscape plan and continually
maintained in a live vegetative state, kept free of refuse and debris, and replaced when
necessary. Dead plant materials must be replaced with live plantings.
6. Any grading on the site requires a grading permit and a grading and erosion control plan
for the site that complies with NPDES II Permit requirements. Erosion control devices
must be installed prior to commencement of any grading activity. Erosion control must be
performed in accordance with the recommended practices of the "Minnesota Construc-
tion Site Erosion and Sediment Control Planning Handbook" and the conditions stipulated
in Title 10-5-8, Erosion Control During Construction, of the City's Subdivision Ordinance.
7. Prior to any grading being completed onsite, a grading escrow shall be posted with the
City, and a preconstruction meeting shall be held with the City.
8. Handicapped parking stalls must be installed per building code requirements.
9. Sidewalk and parking lot connections shall meet ADA requirements.
10. All new and existing lighting on the site must not exceed .5 foot candle at the property
line.
11. All commercial vehicle parking on the site should be limited to the area behind the
fenced area identified on the site plan.
12. Exterior storage shall be prohibited on the site.
13. Any violations of the approving resolution may trigger review of the use by the City Coun-
cil and be cause for possible amendments to or revocation of the interim conditional use
permit.
Prepared by:
John M Burbank, AICP
Senior Planner
Attachments:
Project Plan Set
Narrative from the Applicant
Exhibit B
Proposal for Conditional Use Permit
The Applicant, Rahn Home Services, Inc. ("Rahn"), has entered into a purchase agreement with
Central Bank to purchase the property located at 11825 West Point Douglas Road South, Cottage
Grove, MN (the "Property")i As pati of its due diligence during its contingency period, Rahn is
applying for a conditional use permit to operate the following business on the Property:
Rahn is made up of three businesses: (1) a heating and air conditioning company with 13 service
techs and 4 installers (One Hour Heating and Air; 80% of total business), (2) a plumbing
business with 4 plumbers (Ben Franklin Plumbing; 13% of total business), and (3) an electrical
business with 3 electricians (Mister Sparky Electric; 7% of total business). Rahn also has 16
administrative office persormel, On each business day, the field employees (HVAC service techs
and installers, plumbers, and electricians) are dispatched from their homes to make service calls
to customers' houses. Only the HVAC installers will leave their trucks at the office and come in
to load up for the day.
The main business of all three companies is residential service, replacement and retail sales.
Most of the retail sales are done at a customer's house, however, some retail sales may be made
to walk -fn customers at the Property, The warehouse space on the Property will be used for
stocking parts and equipment for repair and sale. Rahn will not be manufacturing anything at the
Property. All equipment is purchased and then installed. Rahn will not conduct or perform any
repair services on the Properly in the office or warehouse. All repairs are done at the customer's
house.
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