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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/1995CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 19, 1995 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Alan Felkner. Members Present: Alan Felkner, Dave Swanson, Kazen Edgeton, Paul Oberg, Diane Nagler, and Frank Blundetto. Members Absent: Mazcia Gowling. Staff Present: Rick Kelley, Kathy Bodmer, Tom Lovelace, Keith Gordon and Mike Dougherty. Others Present: See the sign-in sheet. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Felkner asked Staff and the Commission members if they had any changes to the proposed agenda.. There being none, he called for its approval MOTION: Member Nagler moved,. seconded by Member Blundetto, to approve the draft agenda as submitted. The motion carried 6 - 0. 3. APPROVAL OF JUNE 21, 1995 MINUTES Chair Felkner asked Staff and the Commission members if they had any changes to the draft minutes submitted in the packet. There being none, he called for their approval. MOTION: Member Oberg moved, seconded by Member Nagler, to approve the minutes of June 21, 1995 as submitted. The motion carried 6 - 0. 4. CONSENT ITEMS - None - 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Planned Development No. 409 Amendment by AVC Partnership Chair Felkner opened the public hearing with the standard remarks. At this point, Member Swanson stated that he was stepping down from the Commission for this item because the development proposal is located immediately adjacent to his place of business and might be impacted. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 2 Assistant Planner Tom Lovelace introduced the item. He noted that it was located on the southeast comer of Galaxie Avenue and 145th Street West. The property is currently guided on the Comprehensive Plan for limited industrial uses and is zoned under a planned unit development for a mixture of general business, limited business, and certain very limited retail uses. He noted that the property to the north is developing for townhomes, and that residential uses existed on the opposite side of Galaxie Avenue. The proposal is to consider an amendment to the planned. development that would allow convenience, grocery, and motor fuel sales, as well as caz wash. uses on the property. Mr. Lovelace then introduced Charles Novak, azchitect and representative of the petitioner, to make the presentation concerning the proposed development. Mr. Novak offered more detail concerning the development proposal. He noted that the site is located just west of the existing Apple Valley Collision. Auto Repair and. Body Shop, and duectly north of Lampert's Lumber pazking lot. He noted that the building on the westernmost portion of the property adjacent to Galaxie Avenue would be a convenience grocery store with gas pumps covered by a canopy. There would also be a second building located between the convenience grocery store and the existing body shop that would be used for auto service uses. He stated that at this point, they have not identified the specific uses for the auto service building. Mr. Novak referred to the site plan, and said that they were proposing closing the north driveway access to the Lampert's Lumber facility, and creating. a shared driveway access for LamperYs and their development proposal to have access onto Galaxie Avenue. They would also have access onto 145th Street. Mr. Novak stated. that. they were proposing.: to use. the same building materials for the convenience grocery and auto service building as had. been used: on the Apple Valley Collision building, This was a concrete block material, which would. be painted. in different. shades of gray. In addition, the convenience grocery store would have accents of red and white, since these are the "trademark colors" of Total Gasoline. Mr. Novak stated that with the new housing being constructed north of 145th Street that this convenience grocery and motor fuel sales use would provide a service and fill a need. Jim Anderson, the property owner, then approached the Commission. He stated that he is also the owner of Apple Valley Collision. He reiterated that they have not yet reached a decision on who the auto service tenants would be, but that he would continue to own r_hat building. IY would be his intent to sell the Total Gasoline and convenience store building to that operator. Gary Thorsen then approached the Commission. He stated that he is the proposed owner and operator of the Total Gasoline and convenience store. He distributed photographs of some of his other stores. The closest store he owns has been in Rosemount since 1979. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 3 Commissioner Edgeton asked what the hours of operation would be at this facility. Mr. Thorsen stated that it is his desire to operate the facility 24 hours a day if it is approved. He said that 24 hour operation is what he has at his other facilities. Commissioner Oberg asked what type of lighting was being proposed. Mr. Thorsen stated that the building and canopy signage would be lit internally, but that the canopy and building fascia itself would. not be lit. There would be some site lighting. Mr. Oberg asked about the type of site lighting that would be proposed, and specifically whether there would be high intensity lights along Galaxie Avenue and. 145th Street. Mr. Thorsen said that he would use downcast lighting fixtures that would be located on his property, and not in the boulevard area. It is his desire to only light his property and not the adjacent public streets. He said that they do believe that they need to have light for security purposes. and to discourage loitering on the property. Commissioner Edgeton noted that the site plan indicates the location of a pylon sign. She asked if there was any design for that pylon sign yet. Mr. Thorsen stated that they are not that far in the design process. Mr. Novak stated that the sign would be designed and fabricated to meet the current Apple Valley sign ordinance. He also noted that the site lighting would.. be on short light poles, using a metal halide luminary, and that the design would be the result of controlled photometrics to provide for a uniform lighting across the site with a sharp cutoff at the property boundaries. Chair Felkner referred to the combined entrance with LamperYs onto Galaxie Avenue. He asked if the petitioner had spoken with Lampert's Lumber concerning this access. Mr. Novak stated that they have spoken to Lampert's Lumber, and that they might wish to increase the size of the driveway throat from 35 feet to about 40 feet in width. He said they may also consider some additional adjustments to vary the width of the entry and exit lanes on the driveway. Commissioner Oberg asked Staff about the status of 145th Street. It currently dead ends about one quarter mile east of Galaxie Avenue. Community Development Director Rick Kelley responded by stating that there are no firm plans to run the road much farther than about an additional quarter mile. He did note, however, ±hat there is a large amount of undeveloped light industrial land in that area, and it is conceivable that the development of that property will necessitate a much further roadway extension. Commissioner Oberg asked if the parking requirements for convenience store use have been met on the proposed site plan. Assistant Planner Tom Lovelace stated that they have not done a detailed analysis of the site plan at this time, since this is still at the rezoning hearing state, but that it appears to meet the ordinance in terms of the minimum spaces Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 4 required. Mr. Novak stated that the number of parking stalls do in fact meet the ordinance requirements for retail use. Tom Lovelace noted that in addition to the parking requirements for convenience grocery, the auto service building has potential of accommodating a wide variety of auto service uses, many of which have different ratios for parking requirements. Chair Felkner noted that this planned unit development zoning ordinance specifically excludes the use of property for motor fuel sales or convenience grocery store operations. He noted that the purpose of this exclusion was to discourage intense commercial uses along the east side of Galaxie Avenue in order to minimize traffic impacts upon that street. Mr. Thorsen said that his busiest store is located in Bloomington, and has about 1,200 customer visits per day. Mr. Novak stated that one of the reasons that a Total Convenience Grocery Store and Fuel Sales operation was selected for this property was that some of the other convenience operations such as Super America or Holiday Stores generate a much. higher level of traffic. He said that the Total Convenience Store would provide neighborhood service, but still be compatible with the neighborhood. Chair Felkner asked that for the next meeting staff provide information relative to the traffic generation of the proposed use versus the current pernutted uses. Commissioner Blundetto asked if the 1,200 approximate customer visits per day was what the petitioner was expecting. at this store as well. Mr. Thorsen said that this store would probably have slightly greater customer visits than the Bloomington store. Commissioner Nagler referred to the landscape plan and asked the petitioner how he felt this would fit in with the adjacent residential uses. Mr. Novak stated that they were selecting landscape materials to tie into the landscaping at the existing Apple Valley Collision building located duectly to the east. He said that they were proposing a series of boulevard trees, as well as dense evergreens adjacent to the LamperYs lot on the south. Also, there would be foundation plantings around the buildings. Chair Felkner stated that it looked to him like more plantings were being placed adjacent to the Lampert's pazking lot than along the streets that were adjacent to the residential areas. Mr. Novak stated that while it was true there were more plantings, they were smaller plantings. They can make adjus±merts to the landscape plan to meet the Planning Commission's concerns. There being no further Commissioner questions of the petitioner, Chair Felkner then asked Staff to offer a critique of the development proposal. Assistant Planner Tom Lovelace stated that he was not intending to offer a detailed review of the site plan since this stage of the development review needs to be centered around the proposed rezoning.. He noted that the current Comprehensive Plan designation Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 5 on the property is, light industrial, and that the proposed planned development rezoning is not consistent with that category; if the rezoning is to be approved, the Comprehensive Plan should probably also be amended. He noted that the new housing development located directly north of 145th Street was at one time designated as a limited industrial use as well, and that its new current use as housing would seem to justify the reevaluation of the uses on the south side of 145th Street. He said that the Comprehensive Plan goals do include the provision of small neighborhood convenience center areas in relative close proximity to residential neighborhoods in order to provide an alternative toward using the automobile for certain daily retail needs. On the other hand, Galaxie Avenue carries a relatively high level of traffic, and the potential of impact on this road also needs to be evaluated. He noted that other neighborhood commercial projects are located at four-way controlled intersections rather than athree-way uncontrolled intersection such as this. The additional traffic movements that would be attracted to this site, if it were to be used for neighborhood convenience retail and motor fuel sales, would probably impact the capacity and safety of Galaxie Avenue. The rezoning request before the Commission is to allow the proposed convenience grocery and motor fuel sales as a permitted use; if in fact this use is to be established on the site, Staff believes that it should be a conditional use so that more performance standazds can be established to limit the potential impacts. He said that motor fuel sales and convenience grocery are conditional uses in retail business areas as well, so it would be treated in the same fashion. Chair Fellrner asked which areas in the. City aze designated in the. Comprehensive Plan for neighborhood commercial uses. Mr. Lovelace stated. that there is one Iocated at 140th Street and Pilot Knob. Road, several. along the ring route. area: in the central .business district, one at Gazdenview Drive and County Road 42, at County Road 11 and Palamino Drive, at Palomino Drive and Germaine, and also an existing one at 140th Street and Galaxie Avenue. Chair Felkner then opened the public hearing to audience comments. James Jacobson of 14490 Gannon Way approached the Commission. He said that it was his understanding that there was previously a 100 foot minimum setback or buffer required along Galaxie Avenue to keep the light industrial uses further away from the residential uses on the opposite side where he lives. He said that in his opinion, the City should be censider_'ng closing or reducing the rurYber of driveway accesses onto Galaxie Avenue rather than the addition of one. He said that as it is now, he has to wait a significant time to be able to turn off of 145th Street onto Galaxie Avenue, and that this development would simply add more traffic He also questioned if additional fire protection might be necessary for a motor fuel sales operation to be located next to a lumber yard. He said that their neighborhood would be impacted by the glaze of the site lighting, as well as noxious. gasoline fumes. He asked that the rezoning be denied. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 6 Chair Felkner asked Staff to supply the Commission with traffic counts on the adjacent streets. Melissa Read of 14440 Gannon Way approached the Commission. She stated that in her opinion, there were already plenty of convenience grocery stores in the general vicinity. She said that as a real estate agent, she thinks that this rezoning and development proposal would have an adverse effect on the custom townhomes to be built on the north side of 145th Street. She also is concerned about traffic safety and the safety of children who would be attracted to a convenience grocery store operation. She thinks that a much more limited commercial use, such as a daycare, would be appropriate on the site and would provide a more needed service to the neighborhood. Andy Elaskey of Andy's Market approached the Commission. He said that he owns and operates the Andy's Convenience and Motor Fuel Sales facility at 140th Street and Galaxie Avenue, and is very familiar with the local traffic patterns. He stated that the residential development being constructed to the north is a low density townhome design, and it would not be compatible with the Total Convenience Mart. He said that the 24 hour operation aspect is specifically not compatible, nor are the red and white bright colors being. proposed. He noted that his facility was required to be constructed using an earthtone color and not allowed to operate 24 hours a day. Dan Ncholsen of 14399 Embry Path approached the Commission. He stated that he does. not live anywhere near the proposed development, but felt that the proposal was important enough to come and speak before the Commission. He said that near his current home there are two 24 hour a day motor fuel sales and convenience grocery operations within a quarter mile, and it'is not a desirable situation. for him.. He said that. there are currently plenty of existing. convenience grocery and motor fuel sales. operations in close proximity to the 145th Street-Galaxie Avenue intersection so that there does not need to be an additional facility constructed. These types of uses generate a lot of traffic, and there is enough traffic on Galaxie Avenue as it is. Chair Felkner asked that Staff prepare a display illustrating the location and distances of other similar facilities from the proposed site. Tom Ernst of 14421 Gannon Way approached the Commission. He said that he could only echo what has already been said this evening. He is concerned as well about traffic flow on Galaxie Avenue and the safety of small children. They are all drawn to stores like this, and he would be concerned about them trying ±o cross Galaxie Avenue. He believes that if this were to be approved, many young families in his neighborhood would be placed at risk. He believes that limited industrial uses on the site are okay. He said that there are plenty of convenience stores close to their neighborhood, as well as plenty of car washes. James Pochardt of 14449 Gannon Way approached the Commission. He said that there is already a problem of teenagers hanging out around downtown during the evening hours and that this would. be a similar attractive nuisance. He was also concerned about the traffic levels and safety along Galaxie Avenue, which is a 45 mile per hour street. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 7 Andy Elaskey of Andy's Market said that he had not seen a hearing notice sign placed on the site. Mr. Elaskey was informed that mailed notices had been sent out, and that a sign should have been placed on the site to notify passersby. Staff will check. Dan Nicholsen also asked that Planning Commission agendas be made available to citizens on line with personal computers. Paula Funk of 14501 Galaxie Avenue said. that her driveway currently goes onto Galaxie, and that it is very difficult for her to leave her own driveway. She said that this development proposal would simply add more traffic and increase the noise from trucks and traffic. Chair Felkner then closed the public hearing with the standard remarks. He explained that there would be no action taken this evening, and that at the subsequent Planning Commission meeting information would be presented that will hopefully answer all of the questions raised this evening. He said that if the Planning. Commission is comfortable with the information presented at -that time, they will then make a recommendation. Their recommendation would then be taken to the City Council for final disposition. He noted that the next Planning. Commission meeting is on August 2, 1995, and that any written comments concerning the proposal. be sent directly to City Staff. Chair Felkner then called a "recess ih place" so that members of the audience not having interest in the subsequent planning agenda items would have an opportunity to leave. Commissioner Swanson rejoined the Commission at this time. 6. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. White Oak Ridge Residential Variance This item remains tabled at this time. B. Diamond Path Townhomes II Assistant Planner Kathy Bodmer introduced the item which consists of a rezoning, preliminary plat, site plan and building permit review, and setback variances for a townhome development. The property is generally located in the southwest corner of Diamond Path and Pilot Knob Road at the dead end of Echo Lane. :t is being proposed by Heritage Development for construction of Gardner Brothers townhome units. The initial proposal had been for 26 dwelling units. A proposal at this time has been reduced to 14 dwelling units based upon additional soil exploration and testing. More of the site had been discovered to be unbuildable in a cost effective manner than had been originally thought. No action is being requested this evening, as the developer still needs to prepare a revised grading plan and more detailed site development estimates before they would be willing to proceed. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page S Tom Bisch of Heritage Development approached the Commission. He noted that the current development proposal is for seven two unit twin home buildings for a total of 14 dwelling units. The current site plan is trying to utilize all of the buildable property which contains unaltered soils in order to minimize site development costs, as well as to provide for accommodation of a City cul-de-sac at the dead end of Ecbo Lane. He said that the green space is over the 60% City standard, and that with the current plan no wetlands would have to be altered so there would be no mitigation required. He said they would be constructing the buildings to meet the 50% City brick standard, and that the landscaping would. meet or exceed the 2-1/2% requirement. The current density now approaches the density of a single family development. He said that with the reduced density and the high site development costs, this appears to be a very marginal project for them, and it is possible that they may not be able to move ahead with it. He said that by reducing the number of dwelling units much more of the existing vegetation on the south and north sides of the property would be saved. Commissioner Oberg noted that the developer had been referring to what is called "Concept B" in their Planning Commission packet. There was also a "Concept A", and he asked if that was still being considered. Mr. Bisch stated that the "Concept A" site plan has been eliminated. If they proceed,. it will be only with the "Concept B" layout. He said one of the reasons for this is they have determined that the townhouse market in Apple Valley currently is much stronger in the upper bracket price ranges, so that a two unit townhome development would be much more marketable. Commissioner Edgeton said that she still has a concern about the straight line layout for the units on the south side of Echo. Lane. She asked if the reason for this was due. primarily to Boor soils and wetlands.- Mr. Bisch responded that that was the case.. Commissioner Edgeton said that perhaps the row effect could be ameliorated by staggering: the setbacks differently on every other building. Mr. Bisch says that he thinks they may be able to do that, but would not be able to actually angle the building because of the poor soils. Chair Felkner stated that he also would prefer staggered setbacks. to break up the row effect. Firmin Alexander of 12837 Eastview Curve approached the Commission. He stated that he had spoken at the public hearing at the previous meeting stating his opposition to the proposed layout. He said that he considers th?s 1_ayout a much superior design, a_n_d that if the Forester's report were followed concerning the grading plan and saving of vegetation, he would be in support of the project, as would the other residents of the adjacent townhome neighborhood. Chair Felkner stated that if the density is now lower, the City might wish to consider an M-1 or an M-Z zoning category rather than the M-3 initially requested. Kathy Bodmer said that she will check the actual density calculations for the lower density project. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 9 City Attorney Mike Dougherty noted that any rezoning action would have to comply with the original zoning notice, which was published in the olTicial newspaper. 6C. Cedar Ridge Medical Clinic Sign Variance Assistant Planner Kathy Bodmer introduced the item which is located on the northeast corner of Cedar Avenue and 157th Street. The property is currently zoned under a planned unit development for institutional uses such as a medical clinic. The property owner wishes to receive a sign variance to increase the size of the monument sign from 60 square feet to 160 square feet, and to receive approval for a variance to allow a building sign to be constructed on the north face of the building adjacent to what could become a multifamily building in the future. Ray Pirannen approached the Commission. He introduced himself as the Assistant Property Director for Fairview Hospitals, and stated that he is responsible for x1124 of the freestanding clinics associated with the organization. He said that the current project at this site has been designed and constructed with a residential character to act as a transition from the residential uses to the south and east to the quasi institutional and limited business units expected on the north. He said that as part of their request, they are willing to forego the building sign on the front side of the. building adjacent to 157th Street, to which the ordinance entitles them, They would also: agree to remove the sign on the north face, if in fact a multifamily residential building were constructed there. He noted that. the sign would not be located above the eaves line of the building, but on the eaves fascia itself. He said that concerning the monument sign; they would move the monument farther to the north, away from. the corner of 157th and Cedar Avenue to avoid any possible negative impacts on the residential uses. located. on the south side of 157th Street. One of the reasons they are asking for a 160 square foot sign there, is that they would not be using their full entitlement of building. signage. Kathy Bodmer then reviewed the building sign requirements for the Commission, as well as the permitted uses in the planned unit development to the north, Of particular concern was the size of the proposed monument sign of 160 square feet, versus the 60 square foot sign provided for multi-tenant professional buildings in the ordinance. Conmussioner Edgeton asked if the signage was presented at the time that the site plan and building permit was reviewed. Staff responded that this was not included with the building plans. Commissioner Edgeton stated that in her opinion the signage plan should always be submitted with the b~~ilding pla^.. Commissioner Nagler asked about the size of the building monument sign at Norwest Bank, which is also a limited business or institutional district. Rick Kelley responded that that is a single tenant building, and that the monument is 40 square feet in size. Commissioner Nagler then asked about the sign at Group Health, a similar medical clinic. She was informed that that sign was also a 40 square foot sign. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 10 Commissioner Blundetto asked how large the pylon sign was at the Ryan Real Estate building. Rick Kelley stated that he believed it was 110 square feet. Commissioner Edgeton asked the petitioner what he felt the hardship was in order to receive a variance to the sign regulations. Mr. Pirannen stated that they had received many comments from the patrons of the building on the difficulty in locating. it at their first visit. He said that the current monument sign lists the four primary tenants, and that there aze also numerous specialists practicing in the building. Commissioner Edgeton asked the petitioner if he was aware of the sign. ordinance requirements when the building plans were drawn. Mr. Piraanen stated that he does not remember. Commissioner Blundetto stated that. based on past actions and denials for sign variances, he would be very uncomfortable voting for more signage on this building without a better understanding of what the final result would. look like.. Commissioner Nagler asked the petitioner if he knew that the existing 40 squaee foot monument sign could be expanded to 60 square feet. Mr. Piirainen stated that he knew that. Chair Felkner noted that the 160 square foot request is four times larger than the existing sign. Comnssioner Oberg also noted that the exhibit of the proposed sign has blank space on it, and asked if it could not be reduced in total area. Mr. Piirainen stated that. the blank space was intended to provide for identification of other tenants;: as well as the future building expansion (10,000 square feet. Chair Felkner stated that having a prominent address number on the sign or on the building is also very effective. Mr. Piirainen stated that currently the address number is not located on the monument sign; but on the front of the building. Commissioner Swanson stated that he believes a 160 square foot sign would very large, and compared it to the Cub Foods sign on Cedar. He did. not think that size would be appropriate at this location. Chair Felkner stated that he would be walling to hold this item over to a subsequent meeting for more documentation, but was particulazly concerned that a hardship demonstration would be necessary in order for them to show that all businesses are being treated fairly. Commissioner Nagler asked Staff if the placement of the sign on the west face of the building would be in accordance with the sign ordinance. Kathy Bodmer stated that while there is a multifamily residential use established on the west side of Cedar Avenue, there Planning Commission Minutes July 19,1995 Page 11 is a significant enough buffer between that multifamily building and the roadway to allow a sign to be placed there. Chair Felkner asked the Commission what their sentiments were concerning a building sign on the north face. Commissioner Edgeton stated that she felt it would be appropriate, as long as there was an agreement to remove the sign if a multifamIly building were constructed on that vacant property. City Attorney Mike Dougherty noted that. conditions can be imposed on a variance such as this. Commissioner Blundetto asked that the petitioner provide some additional exhibits to better illustrate what the sgnage would look like if it were to be approved.. Commissioner Swanson also asked that a photo of the existing building be presented. Commissioner Blundetto left the meeting at this time. 6D. Foxmoore Ridge Setback Variance Assistant Planner Kathy Bodmer introduced the item. The location of the Foxmoore Ridge Townhome neighborhood is on the southeast corner of 140th Street and Essex Avenue. The address of the specific unit requesting the variance is 14007 Essex Court. A 40 foot setback is required from. building to building, and the petitioner wishes to expand the four season porch, necessitating an 8 foot variance. This would result in a 32 foot setback from the outside corner of the porch addition to the adjacent building. Walter Gibis, representing the petitioner, stated. that he is the draftsman for the proposed porch addition. He illustrated a floor plan. showing how the addition would work. He said that it would not be possible for them to place the porch addition on the north side of the structure because the roof gabling and valley gutters run in the opposite direction. Betty Johnson, the townhome unit owner, stated that their neighbors have signed a letter stating that they do not object to the addition as proposed. She also pointed out that the porch on the building duecfly behind them is located on the front of the structure rather than the back, and that there would be a separation greater than 40 feet from porch to porch. Ernest Johnson approached the Commission and stated that he was a former building contractor in outstate Minnesota. Mr. Johnson offered the Commission some history on his building contractor experiences, again reiterating that it would not be possible to build on the north side of the building. The Commission had a general discussion concerning the procedure for a porch or building addition to be .constructed on commonly owned land maintained by the homeowner's association. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 12 Chair Felkner and Commissioner Oberg asked the City Attorney precisely what type of approval would be necessary from the Association. City Attorney Mike Dougherty noted that the City could approve this variance, and if the Association did not allow it, it simply would not get built. It would not be necessary to hold up approval of the variance in order to wait for the Association to act. Commissioner Nagler asked what the hardship was. There was a general discussion concerning the orientation of the roof gable and. valley gutters, and it was felt that that did qualify as a hardship. MOTION: Member Swanson moved, seconded by Member Oberg, to recommend approval of the 8 foot variance as requested, subject to approval of the townhome association for construction upon common property. There was. a general discussion concerning City Building Inspection Department review of the issue of the roof gabling and valley gutter orientation. The motion cazried 4 - 1 (Nagler). 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Quarterly Work Sessions. Community Development Director Rick Kelley noted that at the last work session the members of the Commission indicated a desire to meet on a quarterly basis to review policy issues. and discuss other City business that was indirectly related to the activities of the Commission. Staff was requested. to place on the regular agenda, one month prior to the quarterly meeting,. a notation about the. quarterly work session, and to submit a suggested list of topics for discussion at the work session. 8. OTHER BUSINESS A. Sketch Plan for Dakota Rental Assistant Planner Tom Lovelace introduced the item by identifying the site to which Dakota Rental wishes to relocate, the northeast comer of Pennock Avenue and 146th Street West. This property is currently guided on the Comprehensive Plan for Retail Business and is also zoned for Retail Business. The current zoning ordinance stipulates that rental opera±ions, such as Dakota Rental, are permit±ed only in a general business or light industrial zoning district. If the Commission determines that the proposed location for Dakota Rental is appropriate, there would really be two options. First, the Comprehensive Plan and zoning map could be amended to change the site to a General Business category. Or, number two, the zoning ordinance concerning the list of uses in a Retail Business zone could be amended to include rental operations. Mr. Lovelace noted that the petitioner has brought a revised site plan different from the draft plan included in the Planning Commission packet. Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 13 Ron Chapman approached the Commission. He stated that he is the current owner of Dakota Rental, and he recognized that their current location has become undersized for the type of business that they do. He said that the rental industry has changed dramatically from the image presented in the late 50's and early 60's, and that he considers most of what they do to actually be a Retail Business. He said that in the past about 20% of rental business was considered retail, but that the current industry standards. classify in excess of 50% of their business as retail. As an example,. he noted that when an individual comes in to rent an item, such as a floor sander, they also are purchasing from the same vendor all of the supplies associated with doing that work, such as stain, varnish, clean up tools, rags, etcetera. He said that none of these retail materials are things that can be placed out of doors, but have to be located within a building, similar to a retail store. They aze not proposing any type of outdoor storage or chain link fence, with the exception of a place to store the rental moving vans. Mr. Chapman then displayed a rendering of the building and the site that he is proposing, looking from the northwest. Commissioner Edgeton asked where the rental trucks would be proposed to be located. Mr. Chapman stated that he knows that right now, because his site is so undersized, he is causing a problem for the community, and acknowledges that it is a bad situation. There aze so many trucks that they are often parked on the lawn or sometimes on the street. He said that at his proposed location he intends to park them on the west side of the property, located behind the building and adjacent to the property line abutting the American Legion. parking lot. He also said that he currently has 7 to 8 employees who aze forced to park on the street. At this site they would be able to park in a much larger parking lot. Mr. Chapman stated that he has been looking for an alternate location for some time when he found out that these three lots. would be available: to purchase in the very same neighborhood as his current operation. He said that this is an important consideration for him because if he moved to another area in the community already zoned for a retail shop operation,. he estimates he would loose at least 30% of his. current business. Commissioner Nagler asked about the proposed building materials. Mr. Chapman stated that the predominant building material would be a masonry (stucco) with some brick trim. Commissioner Nagler asked about the draft plan in the Plamung Commission packet that referred to this as a "metal building." Mr. Chapman stated that that is referring to the framework of the building only. Chair Felkner asked if the stucco being proposed would meet the City's building materials requirements in commercial districts. Mr. Lovelace noted that the building materials. under a conditional use permit can be negotiated somewhat based on the types of building materials being used on the adjacent buildings. He noted that the Evergreens Residential Care Facility located on the opposite of Pennock Avenue was required to have brick on the side that faces the commercial activities and Pennock Avenue, but was allowed to have an aluminum or vinyl siding on the side facing the residential azea. He believes that Planning Commission Minutes July 19, 1995 Page 14 a similar approach might be used here where brick could be required adjacent to the public streets, but some other material provided for on the opposite elevations. There was a general discussion among the Commission on transition uses, such as Evergreen, and the appropriate combination of exterior building materials. Commissioner Edgeton asked Staff about the history of the classification of rental operations in General Business zoning districts. Community Development Duector Rick Kelley stated that the current zoning ordinance classifying rental operations as a General Business use existed prior to the 1970's. Tom Lovelace noted that the Cityies of Eagan and Burnsville had recently changed their zoning code to provide for rental operations within retail business areas. The City of Eagan does continue to have a conditional use permit requirement for outdoor motor vehicle storage. Commissioner Swanson asked the petitioner about the site plan that had been included in the Planning Commission packet showing the parking lot as being half asphalt and half gravel. Mr. Chapman stated that it is their intent to have an all asphalt parking lot with no gravel. They would construct a concrete pad at the drop- off area. MOTION: Member Edgeton moved, secorded by Member Oberg, to direct Staff to set a public hearing to consider an amendment to the City zoning ordinance to provide for rental operations within Retail Business zoning districts. The motion carried 5 - 0. 9. ADJOURNII~NT Commissioner Swanson moved, seconded by Commissioner Nagler, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5 - Q meeting adjourned. at 9:43 p.m.