Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/2009CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 18, 2009 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Churchill at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Jeannine Churchill, Tom Melander, David Schindler, Tim Burke, Ken Alwin; Frank Blundetto arrived at 7:05 p.m. Members Absent: Keith Diekmann Staff Present: Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist, City Planner Tom Lovelcase, Associate City Planner Margaret Dykes, City Attorney Shazon Hills, Assistant City Engineer David Bennett and Department Assistant. Barbara Wolff 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Churchill asked if there were any changes to the agenda. There being none, she called for approval ofthe agenda. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler, to approve the agenda, The motion carried 5-0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2009 Chair Churchill asked if there were any changes to the minutes. There being none, she called for approval of the minutes. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Commissioner Alwin, to recommend approval of the minutes of the January 14, 2009, meeting. The motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Schindler abstained. 4. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING The Commission nominated and elected officer positions amongst themselves. The officers, given only one nomination for each office, were accepted by unanimous consent under Robert's Rules of Order: MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler to accept the following positions: Jeannine Churchill will continue to serve another year as Chair. Thomas Melander will continue to serve another year as.Vice-Chair. S:\planning\PLANCOMM\2009 agenda & minutes\031809m.doc • David Schindler will continue to serve another year as Secretary. The motion carved 5-0. MOTION: Commissioner Melander moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler to readopt the mission statement taken from the Planning Commission Information Handbook. The motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved; seconded by Commissioner Schindler to readopt the guiding by-laws taken from the Planning Commission Information Handbook. The motion carried 5-0. 5. PUBLIC REARING --NONE-- 6. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. Marathon Gas Station - Consider a sign variance to allow for the installation of an additional ground sign for display of fuel prices in the East Valley Plaza shopping center. Associate City Planner Margaret Dykes stated that the applicant is requesting a variance to install an additional ground sign at the Marathon store at East Valley Plaza to list fuel prices. The applicant recently purchased the convenience store, which is part of the multi-tenant East Valley Plaza. The convenience store sells gasoline. They are requesting a variance to install an additional. ground sign so that they may post the price of fuel. The sign code perrnits one pylon or ground sign for East Valley Plaza not to exceed 110 sq. ft. When East Valley Plaza was constructed in the late 1980s, there was one ground sign that listed only the name of the center. Additional signage for posting fuel sales was not considered. It appears this was done because the center was primarily to serve residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and signage was restricted so that it would not impact those neighborhoods. The ground sign for the center was relocated when Walgreens was constructed in 2005. There is now a pylon for tenants of the center located on Pilot Knob Road. The existing pylon for the center is 12' tall and has 77 sq. ft. of copy area; the center is ailowed a 110 sq. ft. pylon. The pylon is constructed of face brick and rock face block. For the last 20 years, the owners of the convenience store have posted the price of fuel on the gas pumps. The applicant is now saying this configuration is no longer adequate for their business. They would like to have a larger ground sign along 140t'' Street West that shows the price of motor fuel sales. No other signage is requested. The applicant could place a price sign on the building, but the sign would be blocked by Walgreens if located on the west side of the building, and would face residences if located on the north side of the building. If a ground sign were placed perpendicular to the road, it would be visible but also less S:\planning\PLANCOMM\2009 agenda & minutes\031&09mdoc likely to impact the neighborhood to the north. Additionally, a ground sign along 140th Street West would be closer to the convenience store than the existing pylon, though this is an option for the applicant. Staff believes the subject store does not have the same advantages as other convenience stores with respect to price signs. It is the only convenience store that does not. have fuel prices listed on a pylon or ground sign. Because there is some additional signage that could be used by the center pylon, staff recommends that if the ground sign for the convenience store is approved, it not be any larger than 30 sq. ft., no taller than 6' from grade, and constructed of the same materials as the center pylon. Additionally, staff recommends the sign contain no other copy except the price of fuel, and that all lighting for the sign be fumed off when the store is closed. This would also mean the center sign could not be any lazger than it is currently. Dykes asked for any questions or comments from the Commission. Hearing no comments from the Commission, Chair Churchill asked the petitioners if they would like to anything. Elias Saman, 12508 Norway Circle, thanked the Commission for the opportunity to be a part of the community. He stated that they will provide good customer service, and quality food and gasoline. Heather Saman, 12508 Norway Circle, stated that since the store is slightly obscured and at a lower level than the other buildmgs, a sign with gasoline prices would help. to drive business into the store. Chair Churchill hearing no further comments from the Commission asked for a motion. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Commissioner Blundetto, to recommend approval of a variance for the construction of a ground sign for the convenience store at East Valley Plaza, 14050 Pilot Knob Road, Suite 172, subject to all applicable City codes and standards, and the following conditions: a. The grourtd sign shall list only the price of fuel sold by the convenience store. b. The sign shall be no taller than 6' as measured from grade and shall not exceed 30 sq. ft. c: The sign shall be constructed of brick and rock face block, and appear similar to the existing pylon for East Valley Plaza. d. The sign shall be operational only during business hours. The motion carried 6-0. 7. OTHER BUSINESS A. Update on 2030 Comprehensive Plan Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist stated that at its March 12, 2009, meeting, the City Council approved a contract with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc., to perform the second phase of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan update. Nordquist stated that the previous consultant, Rusty S:\ptanning\PLANCOMM\2009 agenda & minutes\031809mdoc Fifield, is no longer with Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc., although Brad Scheib will be assisting the City to complete the work. The first phase of the project was completed when the draft final plan was distributed to neighboring cities and other affected agencies for review and comment on November 21, 2008; comments aze due back to the City on May 21, 2009. Once the agency comments are returned to the City, a few final tasks must be completed before the final document can be submitted to the Metropolitan Council. If the public would like to view a copy of the draft 2030 Comprehensive Plan, they can access that at www.citvofapplevalley.org. Phase II Tasks: The phase two portion of the project will include the following tasks: 1. Develop materials including press releases, website articles, and other forms of publicity to announce the final project schedule and upcoming public meetings. 2. Prepare materials for and coordinate two open house meetings to help educate and receive comments from Apple Valley residents, land owners and businesses concerning the Comprehensive Plan. 3. Conduct a public hearing in coordination with City staff as required by state law. 4. Assist in the prepazation of responses to public comments and make final modifications to the plan document based upon responses received. 5. Make presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council concerning the final plan document. It is expected that the consultant will attend up to two Planning Commission meetings, one informal and one regular City Council meeting. Attendance at additional Planning Commission and City Council meetings maybe needed. 6. Submit the fmal approved document to the Metropolitan Council. by the required deadlines. 7. If the City deems it necessary, assist in any plan modifications required by the Metropolitan Council. Design and assist in the launch of a web-based citizen's guide of the updated 2030 Comprehensive Plan to be hosted on the City's website. Phase II Project Schedule: The following project schedule has been established in order to meet the required deadlines: • Mazch 12: City Council Authorization of 2009 Services with Hoisington Koegler, 8 p.m. • Mazch 13: Press release and website announcements of schedule. (HKGi) • March 25: Open House/Q&A, Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m: to 8 p.m. (Staff & Consultant) • Apri14: Remodeling Fair, staff only to promote April and May schedule, informal discussion and Q&A, Western Service Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Staff) • Apri120: Open House/Q&A, Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Staff & Consultant) May 6: Public hearing held by Planning Commission at 7 p.m. (PC, Staff & Consultant) • May 14: Informal Discussion with City Council, 6:30 p.m. (CC, Staff & Consultant) • May 20: Second Planning Commission meeting (if needed) at 7 p.m. (PC, Staff & Consultant) • May 28: City Council authorizes submission to Metropolitan Council, 8 p.m. (CC, Staff & Consultant) S:\planning\PLANCOMM\2009 agenda & minutes\031809m.doc Planning Commission Meetings: A public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission on May 6, 2009, to formally receive comments on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan update. If the Planning Commission needs to extend the public hearing to a second meeting, it would be held on May 20, 2009. It will be necessary for the City Council to formally review and approve the document no later than their May 28, 2009, meeting. The tight schedule is necessary because the deadline for submitting the Comprehensive Plan to the Metropolitan Council is May 29, 2009. Recommended Action: No action by the Planning Commission is necessary. This is an informational item. B. Review of the Upcoming Schedule and other Updates Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist stated that although the past few Planning Commission meetings have been cancelled, staff is working on items that will come before the Planning. Commission in the near future. Building permits have been applied for the Walmart expansion and for the transit facility. Nordquist stated that there will be a Bus Rapid Transit ground moving event on Tuesday, April 14tH at 2 p.m. Federal and state officials will be in attendance. The Planning Commission played a role in helping to guide its design, location and imposed requirements. The Apple Valley Transit Stafion will be a nice facility and Nordquist invited the Commissioners to attend the event. 8. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further comments from the Planning Staff or Planning Commission, Chair Churchill asked for a motion to adjoum. MOTION: Commissioner Schindler moved, seconded by Commissioner Burke; to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 p.m. The motion carried 6-0. S:\planning\PLANCOMM\2009 agenda & minutes\031809m.doc