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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-10-2003PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - JUNE 10, 2003 PRESENT: BILL LOE, MARILYN FORTIN, ELIZABETH WEIR, LENNY LEVER, DICK PICARD, SHARON JOHNSON, RON JOHNSON AND JERRY BROST. ALSO PRESENT: PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR LOREN KOHNEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR CHAD ADAMS AND PLANNING AND ZONING ASSISTANT SANDIE LARSON ABSENT: MARY VERBICK Chairperson Elizabeth Weir called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Ms. Weir reminded everyone that the Planning Commission was a recommending body and that the city council made final decisions. 1. W.G. ANDERSON COMPANY - 4535 WILLOW DRIVE - VARIANCES, SITE PLAN REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR BUILDING ADDITION - PUBLIC HEARING Loren Kohnen read his memo to the planning commission and put up overheads of the site/plans. He pointed out where the addition was proposed. He showed the sides of the proposed addition. Marc Anderson, president of W.G. Anderson Company, said that they were present to answer any questions that the architect could not. Mr. Anderson said they were excited about their growth and that they were a good addition to Medina. Patrick Giordana, architect, said that they want to address the building materials and modulation. He said that the square footage is larger, but the surface area is the same as their last request. 1 - Modulation - last year we had similar renderings and we proposed paint on existing and proposed. When you look at the building architecturally, modulation on just one side does not Work. WGA had done some changes to their building, awnings, etc. and did so understanding they could carry thru with this on an addition. Forcing modulation where 95% of the bulding does not have it, it just would not fit in. 2. Building material issue: Variance was approved last year with metal band around building. It is hard to understand where metal was approved and now seems unacceptable. The ordinance is trying to make sure existing building is improved (which we have done) and that the new fits in with the existing. The public hearing was opened. Sharon Johnson asked about new windows. P. Giordana said that they will let light into the warehouse and add to the building architecturally. S. Johnson asked about the office space in the SW corner. Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 1 M. Anderson said they would like to do that but it was pulled off the plans because of hardcover. He said they would really like to continue the expansion on the south side in a year or two or maybe an interior expansion. S. Johnson said she understands why modulation would not work, but travelling east on Highway 55 there is a long wall to look at. She said maybe there could be some plantings and/or thicker trees. M. Anderson said they would prefer to do something with landscaping. He said trees can be moved in the future if need be for further expansion. P. Giordana said landscaping is a much preferred option. S. Johnson said she would like to see the banding continued in the expansion. Elizabeth Weir said in looking at the plans on the west wall, she noticed some notes and wondered about them. P. Giordana said they were left over notes from last year's plans. It was discussed that the plans before the planning commission tonight were not new plans and were not complete for what the applicant was asking for. S. Johnson asked about the overhead door on the west side. M. Anderson said it is not a regular traffic door, but is used occasionally if something needs to get inside. Lenny Leuer asked to see the site plan that shows the lot to the west. He said we had discussed the easement in the NW corner of the other lot. Do we still want it? L. Kohnen said yes. L. Leuer said we should be sure and get it this time. M. Anderson said they would do that. L. Leuer said if you increase office space in the future, what about the hardcover issue. M. Anderson said with an additional 3500 square feet of office space it adds 1/2% to the hardcover and with the additional land from the Willow Drive ROW, we will meet the ordinance. Marilyn Fortin asked if new office space would be to the west of where it is now and Marc said yes. Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 2 Bill Loe said additional office space would be added in 1-2 years? M. Anderson said possibly, it depends on our growth. E. Weir said she is worrying about the modulation, that it has implications for us and is afraid it would be setting a precedent. She asked if the applicant could come forward with other ideas. L. Kohnen said that modulation has nothing to do with paint or building materials. P. Giordana said that there are 5 elements listed in modulation in the ordinance; #3 says cornices and that is what the metal band is; #5 talks of building elevation and the windows, building materials and colors do that. L. Kohnen reminded the planning commission of two other instances where the city required modulation. E. Weir asked the applicants if they could come back with complete plans. She said she could not believe it will bother the function of the building to move each panel 2' or so and asked if that would work. L. Kohnen said yes. L. Leuer said that a year ago we had the discussion that when they expanded further there would be a jog in the wall. S. Johnson asked if they could use a false front. P. Giordana said they would have to use stucco and that would not look very good. E. Weir said our job is to go by the city ordinances. Dick Picard 1 - staff and applicant differ on the exterior of the building; 2 - He said he is uneasy with not seeing anything on the lighting; 3 - Willow Drive ROW - it is not chiseled in stone that it will be given to WGA and if it is not they will be over the hardcover requirement; 4 - the west wall is a very long wall and trees look skimpy for that amount of space. P. Giordana said they are willing to deal with the lighting level and they are open to landscaping on the west fagade. He said it is an aesthetic issue. E. Weir asked if there were further expansion would the two lots be combined. M. Anderson said there would have to be further expansion for them to do that.. Jerry Brost asked if the additional property from the ROW does not occur, would you combine and re -plat now? Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 3 P. Giordana said if they are backed into a corner they could lop off some parking area. E. Weir asked about building materials as stated in the ordinance requirements. L. Kohnen said he suggested brick. P. Giordana said the key is the metal band - if we count that we exceed the requirement by 8-9%. There was discussion on the metal band, if it was the same as copper, glass, etc. M. Anderson asked if in the other situations where modulation was required if the buildings were new of if they were expansions. L. Kohnen said they were new. M. Anderson said doesn't the fact that we are an existing building make a difference? He said they have been in Medina for 17 years and we want to make the addition look appropriate and we are creating modulation with colors, etc. E. Weir said that the ordinance applies to both new and existing buildings. She said she feels something could be done on the west wall without compromising any future expansion. She said she would like to see some attempt made at modulation before this goes to the council, maybe work it out with staff L. Leuer said that the building is very visible from Highway 55. L. Kohnen wanted to know why things have changed since their previous application. He said scope and size of project has changed, it is much larger. He said staff is following the ordinance. That is all we can do, we cannot grant variances at the convenience of the applicant. L. Leuer said we are recognizing that you have been here (in the city) for a long time. He said: #1 - he is not opposed to the variance on the north side; #2 - loading docks on Willow Drive, we recognize that is how the building was set up. He said we are not being hard nosed about this, but several of us are not willing to let that long west wall be without modulation. M. Anderson said the that City has saved lots of money on mitigation because we worked with them in getting it together for the intersection. We want to be good neighbors and we want this project to go forward. He said we supply lots of jobs, etc. He requested a five minute break. During the break Elizabeth Weir asked that item #4 be added to the agenda, discussion of building materials, finished metals, etc. Moved by Sharon Johnson and seconded by Ron Johnson to add Item #4 to the agenda. Motion passed. Meeting resumed at 8:02 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 4 M. Anderson said that we want to keep this process going with the Planning Commission's blessing. He asked that they look at the plan of the west wall and stated that they would bump out each colored area by 1 foot for modulation. There was discussion of how to modulate. E. Weir said she would like to see the plan redone like it will be for the council. There was discussion on what could be done with modulation, louvers, overhead door, etc. E. Weir said that it really seems like the plans are incomplete and they really should be finished for this to go forward. She said it would be wise for the applicant to request that this be tabled and come back to the planing commission in July with complete plans. She asked the applicant if they would consider it, because it was not our role to do the planning here. M. Anderson said if we are dealing with modulation we said what we would do. E. Weir said they would like to see plans on paper on what they propose. M. Anderson said what if we agree to the modulation on each of the light colored panels. E. Weir said it is normal for us to have a complete application and know what we are dealing with. She said personally she would not send this forward to the council until the planning commission knows for sure what they are dealing with. M. Anderson said this is very difficult for us. This is our 2nd time here. E. Weir said this application is different than last time. M. Anderson said no, the wall space is the same. E. Weir said that you have to appreciate how difficult this is for us. You can choose to go forward to the council, bur remember that if it is denied at the council you cannot reapply for a year. She told the applicants that it would be better to come back to the planning commission with complete plans. She said that she was delighted that their company was growing, it is good for you and it is good for the city. L. Kohnen told the applicants that they would not be losing any time if they came back to the planning commission in July. If the applicant comes back to the planning commission on July 8th, it could still go the council on July 15th if we get some updated plans next week. D. Picard said that seems fair to the planning commission. E. Weir said she feels it is wisest to table. Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 5 Review of variance requests: 1. Setback - 30' - Straw vote - o.k. 2. Building materials - Liz said we did say metal band was o.k. - straw vote - o.k. 3. Modulation - Liz - not comfortable with plan - straw vote - all agreed with Liz 4. Hardcover - will not address this until vacation of ROW is handled at council meeting - Lenny said if land is not given to WGA, there is no hardship for a variance 5. Easements - 2 required - NW corner of west lot and for cul de sac on fire road - this will be worked out with staff. L. Kohnen said that there needs to be a hardship for variances and not wanting something does not make it a hardship. Greg Michael, Olson General Contractors, asked about the easements L. Leuer said that they need to be shown on your plans. G. Michael said we agree we will provide them, we are just not sure exactly where. L. Leuer said to work with staff on it. M. Anderson asked that their application be tabled. MOVED BY JERRY BROST AND SECONDED BY SHARON JOHNSON TO TABLE THE WALTER G. ANDERSON COMPANY APPLICATION UNTIL MORE COMPLETE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE. MOTION PASSED. 2. REVIEW OF PARKS TRAIL PLAN Galen Bruer, Park Commission chair and park commissioner Robin Reid were present. A map of the trails was put up on the overhead. Galen Bruer said that Robin had been a big help in getting this plan together and had done all the editing. He said that the trails in red were the highest priority, blue moderately high, green moderately low. Galen said that they were looking for comments from the planning commission. He also stated that money was the biggest issue. He said when the final document is done, the planning commission will have this for reference. Dick Picard asked if the trails were all purpose trails. G. Bruer said that trails that are for roller blading and bicycles are shown paved. There was discussion on how trails are used. Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 6 Sharon Johnson said that this was a wonderful document and she appreciated all the work that has gone into this. D. Picard also complimented the good work. Elizabeth Weir said that she agreed with how the trails were prioritized. There was discussion of the County Road 19 trail. G. Bruer said that a number of cities had mentioned the need (want) for a trail on County Road 19. He said his personal view was that park fees should be used in the area where they come from. There was discussion of budgeting and funding for parks and trails. Jerry Brost said that his thoughts for trails revolve around horseback riding. G. Bruer said that he did not envision horseback riding on paved trails, so basically on the gravel trails. He said he would encourage the existing 'private' horse trails be used for that activity. There was further discussion of horse trails. It was stated that the comprehensive plan map and the new trail map would be part of the final document. G. Bruer said that the planning commission has done what he wanted and that was give lots of feedback. 4. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE 833.07 - BUILDING MATERIALS Elizabeth Weir said that she recommends that we add after copper - 'factory finished metal'. Loren Kohnen said that copper is maintenance free and other metals are not. Lenny Leuer said that we do not want to give in on the use of 'pole type materials' for more than 20% of the building The consensus was to leave the ordinance as is. 5. MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 2003 There were a few grammatical errors corrected. Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 7 MOVED BY LENNY LEUER AND SECONDED BY RON JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED. MOTION PASSED. MOVED BY LENNY LEUER AND SECONDED BY JERRY BROST TO ADJOURN. MOTION PASSED. Meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m. Planning and Zoning Assistant Date Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 2003 8