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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-14-1998PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - APRIL 14, 1998 PRESENT: KATHY COOK, ELIZABETH WEIR, ANNE HEIDEMAN, CAROLYN SMITH, SUSIE MACKAY AND LENNY LEUR. BRUCE WORKMAN ARRIVED AT 7:43 PM AND JERRY BROST ARRIVED AT 8:13 PM. ALSO PRESENT, SANDIE LARSON, PLANNING AND ZONING ASSISTANT. ABSENT: FRANK MIGNONE Chairperson Anne Heideman called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. 1. MINUTES OF MARCH 10, 1998 MOVED BY ELIZABETH WEIR AND SECONDED BY CAROLYN SMITH TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING AS CORRECTED. MOTION PASSED. MOVED BY ELIZABETH WEIR AND SECONDED BY CAROLYN SMITH TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED. 2. TOM AND LORRI UNDERWOOD - 1325 ELSINORE CIRCLE - FRONT YARD SET -BACK VARIANCE - 7:41 P.M. Sandie Larson went over the memo concerning the application and put up an overhead of the site. Carolyn Smith talked of the tree ordinance that was being discussed and said that even though it was not in effect yet, would the applicants be willing to replace trees, It was stated that no trees would be coming down if this application was approved as presented. Lenny Leuer said that he viewed the site and the tree north of the house which was about a 24" tree, 8-10 feet from the house. This is the one tree that would be impacted by adding to the north of the house. Tom Underwood said that tree and one in front would have to come down. Lenny Leuer said that one is only a 6" caliper tree. He said that he sees the request for the variance for the garage and house, but isn't there room for a detached garage that would not require a variance. 1 Lorri Underwood said there probably was. L. Leuer said that he questioned the hardship. He was reminded that this was a corner lot and Lenny said there was no other reason. Susie Mackay said that in Minnesota it is reasonable to have an attached garage, especially since they already have an attached garage. Carolyn Smith asked if they could consider personal preference and Anne Heideman said not as a hardship. Bruce Workman asked how the proposal would affect sight lines. A. Heideman said that it will not affect seeing traffic coming on Elsinore. B. Workman said if no variance was granted they would need a detached garage. C. Smith said she would prefer that no trees come down. S. Larson read the code on criteria for variances. Kathy Cook said it was not the planning commission's job to layout a design. MOVED BY SUSIE MACKAY AND SECONDED BY CAROLYN SMITH TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF A 5' FRONT YARD SET -BACK VARIANCE FOR TOM AND LORRI UNDERWOOD AT 1325 ELSINORE CIRCLE WITH THE FOLOWING HARDSHIPS: 1. Location of the house 2. Corner lot 3. Other variances have been granted in Medina Morningside on corner lots. Lenny Leuer wanted it recognized that the house faces Elsinore Circle and on the Morningside side, this is still over normal side set back. MOTION PASSED. 3. KIMMES PROPERTIES - FLAGSHIP TECHNOLOGIES - 3985 COUNTY ROAD 116 - RE-ZONING/RE-PLAT/CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - PUBLIC HEARING - 8:04 P.M. Sandie Larson went over the memo to the planning commission, explaining the application and stated that the re -zoning would be the first issue to deal with, then the re -plat and then the conditional use permit. 2 Mark Anderson, vice-president for development, Lundgren Brothers, said that most of his comments would deal with the conditional use permit and said he was trying to understand about the re -zoning and asked what that change would allow them. Anne Heideman said just sewer and water availability. MOVED BY CAROLYN SMITH AND SECONDED BY KATHY COOK TO RECOMMEND THE RE -ZONING OF 3985 COUNTY ROAD 116 AND THE PARCEL TO THE WEST AND SOUTH FROM RURAL COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL TO URBAN INDUSTRIAL. MOTION PASSED. Lenny Leuer and Anne Heideman asked about the dotted line on the border of TC Monorail. Brian Houwman, architect, said that there was some discrepancy in the boundary lines, but that it had been straightened out. MOVED BY KATHY COOK AND SECONDED BY ELIZABETH WEIR TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT SUBJECT TO: 1. Easements per city engineer 2. Easements per Hennepin County 3. Proper delineation of all wetlands 4. All drainage easements to be reviewed by city staff prior to final plat. Lenny Leuer wanted to know if there was additional drainage easement to be incorporated into the plat because of the ditch to 55. Staff will check. MOTION PASSED. Brian Houwman presented the plans for the site to the planning commission. He questioned the need for the screening between the residential and the industrial. He also asked about the possibility of a road coming in farther to the north and `T down to theirs. There was talk of stopping the screening where the existing house is. B. Houwman talked to turning the building around so that the offices would face the north and the docks to the south. The planning commission liked that idea. Lenny Leuer said that it would minimize excavating if the building was turned around. Brad Bainey said the best reason was because of the excavating. 3 Mark Anderson said that Lundgren's position was they would rather be looking at offices than looking at trucks. A. Heideman asked if the tenants would stay on the west side of the building. B. Houwman showed the exterior of the building. He said there would be glass on the east side of the building and they were also looking at some glass on the back side and yes the tenants would stay on the west side. L. Leuer said that he did not think that we should give them the option of which way the building should face. Bruce Workman said it is hard to approve something without knowing what the final plan would look like (the orientation of the building). A. Heideman said that she recommends tabling the application until the final plan is presented at the next planning commission meeting. B. Bainey said that rather than have it tabled, this is what we are presenting, what we have with us tonight. Susie Mackay asked about the height of the building and it was pointed out on the plan. Carolyn Smith said that facing south there is some sunlight. We should also be asking for energy conservation. B. Houwman said that there will skylights throughout the warehouse. M. Anderson said that under a conditional use permit this body does have architectural power. He stated that before he was with Lundgren's he worked in Industrial design and clients would rather have southerly exposure for trucks for the snow and ice melting. He questioned: • Type of precast material? - Several panels smooth, with about 4 colors • Height of building: - 24' clear • Width of landscaping area to the north? - 20' • Retaining wall: - Brian showed the plan and explained that it would be 6' at it's tallest point Mark stated that Lundgren's has investing a great deal o money in Medina and they ask that the city does not give them 23' of a truck court in the back of us (Foxberry Farms). He said that he hoped this would be denied with this design and suggests that the applicant come back with a design with the offices to the north. Jerry Brost asked what if there would be total blockage? M. Anderson said if you could do that - fine, but that would require a substantial berm. 4 A. Heideman said that we are in the position of wishing to be fair to both, but there are no promises at this point. The public hearing was closed at 9:04 p.m. MOVED BY CAROLYN SMITH AND SECONDED BY BRUCE WORKMAN TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR AN OFFICE/MANUFACTURING/WAREHOUSE FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITONS: 1. Primary condition - the building to be rotated 180°. There was considerable discussion about the rotating of the building with the note that the original idea for the rotating came from the applicant. With a straw vote of the planning commission 6 were for the rotating and 2 against. 2. Staff to look into the landscaping so that future destruction is not needed for future road. 3. All conditions and recommendations contained in letter from city engineer. 4. No exterior storage. 5. All signs to meet code. 6. Any trash containers must be enclosed on all sides with the same type of construction materials as building and located on the west side of the building. 7. All roof top equipment must be screened with prefinished metal or wood approved by staff. 8. The north property line which adjoins Rural Residential zoned property requires complete screening that is compatible with the 30' easement in city engineer's letter and with the screening consisting of a double row of 7' Black Hills spruce trees spaced a maximum of 12' apart with trees staggered. 9. All screening and landscaping to be maintained. 10. parking spaces required are 85 as per applicants stated number of employees. 11. All exterior lighting to be shoe box style with all sides enclosed except the bottom with the lens or light source not visible from any property lines and light to be downcast only. 12. If exterior lighting is proposed above the loading dock doors it must be placed no higher than 2' above the top of the door. 13. Hennepin County roads to approve driveway location and by pass lane design at county Road 116. 14. Elm Creek Watershed to approve drainage plan. 15. All driveways, loading areas and parking be constructed and paved to a 9 ton standard, (exception - 5 ton design for auto parking area at the south(north if building is rotated) side of the building. This exception to be approved by the Hamel Fire Department). 16. Hamel Fire Department to review building and site plans. 17. Fire hydrant to be placed at County Road 116 and driveway. 18. Guardrails (42") be provided at top of all retaining walls. 19. All retaining walls be designed by registered professional engineer. 20.Applicant to provide a letter of credit to the City of Medina in an amount to be determined by the city engineer for utilities and site improvements. 5 21. Development agreement to be signed by agreement provided by city attorney. 22.AII buildings on residential property to be removed, including foundations. 23. Water wells to be abandoned by a licensed well contractor and record of abandonment to be provided to the City. 24.Any septic on residential property to be properly abandoned as per MPCA and City of Medina and record of abandonment to be provided to the City. 25. No outside bells or loudspeakers allowed. 26. Proper and approved erosion controls be installed on site before any construction or site work begins. 27.AII sewer and water lines and connections be approved and inspected by city engineer. 28. DNR Wildlife Division to be contacted for buffer planting around NURP pond. 29.Water conservation practices must be observed. 30. Hazardous waste plan required with approval from Hennepin County, MPCA and the city. MOTION PASSED WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTING: PLANNING COMMISSIONER AYE NAY REASON FOR NAY VOTE KATHY COOK X SUSIE MACKAY X ELIZABETH WEIR X ANNE HEIDEMAN X CAROLYN SMITH X ORIENTATION OF BUILDING AS SHOWN JERRY BROST X LENNY LEUER X BRUCE WORKMAN X Carolyn Smith said that she does not want any applicant to feel we are telling them what to do, but would encourage them to talk to staff about the orientation of the building. 4. SIGN ORDINANCE - PUBLIC HEARING - 10:07 P.M. MOVED BY ANNE HEIDEMAN AND SECONDED BY JERRY BROST THAT THIS BE MOVED TO THE CITY COUNCIL. There was discussion of certain items and language in the draft ordinance. It was stated that staff and attorney address the language, the use of murals as signs, or are they signs, the number of signs per property allowed and the square footage of signs. Some of the other concerns included: Questions on pylon signs and their height, why there was a discrepancy in 815.13, subd. 2 in the height and size of signs, why is there a blank in 815.13 - there was a question of writing in windows, does that constitute a sign, murals, are they signs or art? - want definition of pylon and what can be on one pole. 6 The original motion was withdrawn. MOVED BY BRUCE WORKMAN AND SECONDED BY JERRY BROST TO TABLE THE SIGN ORDINANCE TO THE NEXT MEETING. MOTION PASSED. 5. TREE ORDINANCE Susie Mackay read the comment from Alan Olson of the DNR on the draft copy. The comments were very favorable. This will go to the city council for discussion and then public hearing. 6. JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL MEETING It was decided to ask the city council to set up a joint meeting to discuss the comprehensive plan update on either Tuesday May 26th or Wednesday May 27tn MOVED BY SUSIE MACKAY AND SECONDED BY BRUCE WORKMAN TO ADJOURN. MOTION PASSED. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11 P.M. Planning and Zoning Assistant Date 7