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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-02 PC MINUTESCITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 2, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair Kurtz at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Jodi Kurtz, Paul Scanlan, Dave Schindler, Phil Mahowald, Becky Sandahl, and Douglas Hlas Member(s) Absent: Jeff Prewitt City staff members attending: City Planner Terri Dill, Assistant City Engineer Evan Acosta, Associate Planner Sydnee Stroeing, City Attorney Sharon Hills, and Department Assistant Breanna Vincent. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kurtz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. – None. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler, approving the agenda. Roll call vote: Ayes - 6 – Nays – 0. 3. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approval of Minutes of June 18, 2025 MOTION: Commissioner Sandahl moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, approving the minutes of June 18, 2025. Roll call vote: Ayes - 6 – Nays – 0. 4. PUBLIC HEARING A. Snap Fitness Extended Hours Conditional Use Permit Chair Kurtz opened the public hearing. Associate Planner Stroeing provided a brief presentation. Chair Kurtz asked if the CVS there previously was open 24 hours. Associate Planner Stroeing stated that no approved CUPs were found for the CVS so it does not appear that they were open 24 hours at any time. Commissioner Scanlan asked what Kwik Trip’s hours were. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2025 Page 2 of 8 Associate Planner Stroeing stated that their CUP allows them to be open 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Commissioner Scanlan asked if Kwik Trip has had any comments regarding the request. Associate Planner Stroeing stated that no public comments have been received. Commissioner Scanlan asked if the property was designed to have an outlot. Associate Planner Stroeing stated that the site to the west was intended to have two multi-tenant strip centers which did not develop. There has been no correspondence currently for any further development on that land besides the existing parking lot. Commissioner Sandahl asked what the City defines as “normal hours of operation”. Associate Planner Stroeing stated that the City Code does not define this but generally speaking it would be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Commissioner Sandahl opined that the conditions should have the hours of operation defined. Commissioner Hlas asked if the parking lot lighting is included in the “nonessential lighting” noted in the conditions. Associate Planner Stroeing said that the parking lot lights can stay on as they are used for security and are defined as essential lighting. Commissioner Scanlan stated his concerns for allowing the 24-hour operation and that other businesses in the area could come forward with the same request. Commissioner Scanlan stated that the hours of operation that Kwik Trip has currently may be a better resolution. Chair Kurtz asked if the project would still move forward if the 24-hour operation is denied or would they look for a new location. Associate Planner Stroeing deferred to the applicant but stated that the 24-hour operation is Snap Fitness’ standard business model. There are a couple of other fitness centers in Apple Valley operating 24 hours though one is across Cedar Avenue from a townhouse development and the other is in a commercial area. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2025 Page 3 of 8 Commissioner Mahowald asked what the staffed hours for the facility would be as the email included in the staff report states that deliveries will occur during staffed hours. Associate Planner Stroeing deferred to the applicant but stated that deliveries typically occur around 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Mahowald noted that the same email states that there are typically less than 25 people who use the facility from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Is that total over that period? Associate Planner Stroeing said it is likely total but that the applicant can expand further. The applicant, Geoff Wyatt, stated that they are moving from their current location in Rosemount and abuts a residential area. They were open 24 hours at that location too. The referenced 25 people using the facility would be total from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with the majority of that being in the 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. timeframe. The staffed hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. The facility receives only one delivery every two weeks. Mr. Wyatt noted that the parking lot lighting has been off since the building has been vacant and there have been several instances of loitering and illegal dumping so the lights have been turned back on to deter. The facility plans to also have surveillance cameras. There are no plans to develop the land west of the site. Mr. Wyatt also stated that there is a privacy fence running along the west side of the site presumably to block some lighting to the residential area. Commissioner Scanlan stated that while there are no plans for further develop the outlot, eventually someone will want to build something on it. Mr. Wyatt stated that the City’s setbacks would deter any meaningful development on that land. Residents Steve Mohs (15076 Dunwood Trl.) and Renee Kubes (15088 Dunwood Trl.) stated their opposition to the CUP due to concerns with lighting and noise disruptions to the neighboring residential development. Mr. Mohs and Ms. Kubes stated that the privacy fence does not adequately block lighting. They also shared concerns over people using the gym who are not members. Chair Kurtz asked if the applicant could replace the fence with a vinyl one. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2025 Page 4 of 8 Mr. Wyatt stated that he is not the property owner but would be willing to do what is in his control. Regarding the concern of non-members using the gym, Mr. Wyatt said they will be deploying an AI system within the facility which will alert staff of non-members using the gym. He also stated that they are planning to change the color temperature of the bulb lighting to be less intrusive and more muted. Chair Kurtz asked if it would be possible to put signs asking people to park on the north side of the site to limit any noise concerns. Mr. Wyatt said they would be open to that. Commissioner Mahowald added that another option would be to zone the parking lot lights so that only the north side of the lot is lit overnight. Mr. Wyatt stated that it is possible, though the trash enclosure is located on the south side of the lot and there would likely be more dumping if there is no lighting. Commissioner Mahowald asked if there are any code prohibitions to the lighting staying on overnight. Associate Planner Stroeing stated that there is no shutoff requirement in code. There are only provisions regarding where it is casted and the number of foot candles. Chair Kurtz asked if there are any Snap Fitness locations nearby which are not 24 hours and asked about any snow plowing considerations. Mr. Wyatt stated there are none that are not open 24 hours. They would be amenable to any noise considerations regarding snow plowing and could add provisions regarding hours of operation for their landscaping company. Commissioner Scanlan asked for clarification on signage. Associate Planner Stroeing stated that there is a free-standing sign located in the northeast corner of the site and a sign permit has been submitted for signage to be placed on the north and west building faces. Commissioner Scanlan opined that a formal lighting plan may be beneficial prior to the Commission making any recommendations. Commissioner Schindler stated he did not see any issue with the 24 hours of operation but did have some concerns about lighting. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2025 Page 5 of 8 City Planner Dill advised the Commission that on a business site, they are allowed to have lighting on 24 hours a day for security purposes and limiting their lighting could have negative effects. Chair Kurtz asked for confirmation that the lighting is already on 24 hours a day and no additional lighting is proposed. City Planner Dill stated that is correct. Commissioner Hlas agreed with Commissioner Scanlan on seeing a lighting plan. Chair Kurtz disagreed as the lighting is not changing and is already on the site. Commissioner Sandahl also disagreed with requiring a lighting plan as there are no issues with the current lighting and the applicant is willing to work with the City on getting less lighting where possible. Commissioner Schindler stated that the lights are on 24 hours regardless and is not a factor. Chair Kurtz asked for details on the interior lighting. Mr. Wyatt clarified on the signage, that there will be no sign on the west side of the building, only on the north side and on the east towards Kwik Trip. Regarding interior lighting, there are no windows on the south side of the property, one window is going to be boarded up and the rest are for private offices which are used during normal business hours. Resident Mr. Mohs stated that the top of the building is glass and lighting is visible through those upper windows. Chair Kurtz asked if glass at the top of the building could be boarded up so that none shines through. Mr. Wyatt stated that there is no glass that exceeds the height of 12’ in that building. He said that the resident is likely referring to the crown lighting and this can be controlled independently of the parking lot lights. One issue to note is that the parking lot lights are set further back from the building to account for some of the downward crown lighting. With no further comments, Chair Kurtz closed the public hearing. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2025 Page 6 of 8 MOTION: Commissioner Sandahl moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, to recommend approval of a conditional use permit to allow 24-hour operation of a Snap Fitness facility at 15115 Dove Trail subject to conditions 1 through 4 with the condition 1 reading “Deliveries and loading associated with the operations of Snap Fitness shall be done during normal hours of operation during 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.” and condition 2 reading “All nonessential exterior lighting shall be turned off after normal hours of operation at 10:30 p.m.” Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 1 (Scanlan). B. Village of Founders Circle 3rd Addition - Picklehall Chair Kurtz opened the public hearing. City Planner Dill provided a brief presentation. Commissioner Scanlan asked if there are any parking concerns with the dealership. City Planner Dill stated that the two uses will utilize the lots at different times. There are no parking issues anticipated by City staff. The applicants, Randy Motilall and Nate Golin, were present for questions. Chair Kurtz asked if there are any other locations. Mr. Motilall stated that this is a standalone business but there are similar facilities around the Twin Cities. Mainly in northern Minneapolis. Commissioner Sandahl commended the architecture involved. Commissioner Scanlan stated that the project seems to be a good fit for the location and asked what the timeframe for opening is. Mr. Motilall stated that they are hoping to be operational by December. Commissioner Schindler asked if there was space for viewing the games. Mr. Golin stated that there will be an overlook balcony for viewing as well as a large window in the food hall. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2025 Page 7 of 8 MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Hlas, to recommend approval of an ordinance amending Article 31, Planned Development No. 739. Roll call vote: Ayes – 6 – Nays – 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Hlas, to recommend approval of a final plat for Village of Founders Circle 3rd Addition. Roll call vote: Ayes – 6 – Nays – 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Hlas, to recommend approval of a Site Plan and Building Permit Authorization subject to conditions 1 through 19 in the staff report. Roll call vote: Ayes – 6 – Nays – 0. 5. LAND USE A. Provide Direction to Staff on Public Hearings for Variance Applications The Planning Commission agreed to hold a public hearing for all variance applications. 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Review of Upcoming Schedule and Other Updates The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 7:00 p.m. The next City Council meeting is Thursday, July 10, 2025, 7:00 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kurtz asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Commissioner Schindler moved, seconded by Commissioner Scanlan, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Roll call vote: Ayes – 6 – Nays – 0.