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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2003CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 15, 2003 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to Order by Chair Karen Edgeton at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Karen Edgeton, David Schindler, James Hadley, Jeannine Churchill, Tim Burke, and Tom Melander Members Absent: None Staff Present: Community Development Director Richazd Kelley, City Planner Tom Lovelace, City Attorney Sharon Hills, Assistant Planner Kathy Bodmer, and Assistant City Engineer Jacob Fick 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Edgeton asked if there were any changes to the Agenda. There being none, she called for its approval. MOTION: Hadley moved, seconded by Churchill, to approve the Agenda. The motion carried 6-0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 18, 2002 Edgeton asked if there were any changes to the minutes. There being none, she called for their approval. MOTION: Hadley moved, seconded by Churchill, to approve the minutes. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Melander abstaining. 4. CONSENT ITEMS None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. Hillcrest Acres Lot 3, Retail Site P1anBuilding Permit Authorization City Planner Tom Lovelace presented the request from New World Enterprises, Ltd., for site plan building permit authorization, to allow for the construction of a 4,672, sq. ft. (83.5/88.5 ft. X 54 ft.) multi tenant building on a 1.14 acre site, within the Hillcrest Acres development, Lot 1, Block 3. Lovelace reported the plan indicates 47 surface parking spaces, which exceeds the minimum number of spaces required by the zoning code by 20 spaces. Two handicapped parking spaces are also included. Access to the site will be via one driveway off a private internal street, located directly adjacent to the south of the site. Commissioner Hadley questioned whether the 47 parking spaces could accommodate the types ofbusinesses that could potentially occupy the space. Lovelace responded it appears there would be some type of restaurant occupying the space and the proposed parking is sufficient. Eric Pedersen, the petitioner, confirmed that the site would be a restaurant. Commissioner Hadley asked if outdoor patio areas or the popularity of the restaurant is taken into consideration when parking is calculated. Lovelace stated that neither is taken into consideration when calculating parking but could be considered in the future when reviewing the ordmance. Chair Edgeton also suggested that staff review the number of parking spaces as it relates to future expansion of a site. Lovelace reported the site plan indicates a 300-sq. ft. outdoor patio adjacent to the northeast comer of the building. A total of 141 seats could be established in this building for a restaurant. Lovelace requested the applicant install decorative fencing around the perimeter of the outdoor patio area to provide a barrier between the patio and parking lot drive isle. The site plan indicates the drive aisles along the east and west side of the building are 27 feet wide and 25 feet wide along the south side of the building. Lovelace recommended these drive aisle widths be reduced to 24 feet, which would allow for more green space along the east property line and a foundation planting area around the perimeter of the building. Lovelace reconunended the parking lot islands by either side of the entrance and along the west side of the building be reduced from 20 feet as proposed on the site plan to 15 ft. eliminating vehicles jumping the island curbs and making accessibility to the adjacent parking spaces less awkward. Commissioner Churchill is concerned about the pedestrian crosswalk and the traffic movement into the Home Depot site. She suggested a crosswalk between these two sites need to be provided. Eric Pedersen, the petitioner, indicated that a sidewalk along the west end of Home Depot would be a pedestrian crosswalk. Lovelace reported the site has been graded as part of the mass grading for the Hillcrest Acres/Home Depot development and, therefore, minimal grading prior to construction will be needed. The City Engineer has also reviewed the plan and did not identify any significant issues. The exterior finish proposed would be a combination of brick, stucco, and rock face block, which is in compliance with the planned development ordinance and applicable city codes. Awnings would be used to accent the building's exterior. A false second story with false windows and shutters would be on the building to enhance the appearance. The plans do not identify the location of any of the building's mechanical systems. These systems would have to be properly screened in accordance with City code. The City's Natural Resources Coordinator has reviewed the landscape plan. His comments are included in the report to the Commission along with his recommendations. Lovelace recommended approval of this prof ect with the conditions outlined in his staff report to the Commission. MOTION: Coxnxnissioner Churchill moved, seconded by Hadley, to recommend approval of the site plan building permit authorization to allow for the construction of a 4,672 sq. ft. retail building on Lot 3, Block 1, Hillcrest Acres, subject to adhering to applicable city codes and to the following conditions: • Reducing drive aisles along the west, south and east sides of the building to 24 feet. • Reducing the parking lot islands located at either side of the entrance and along the west side of the building from 20 feet to 15 feet. • Revising the landscape plan as per the Natural Resource Coordinator's January 10, 2003, memo. • Installing decorative fencing around the perimeter of any outdoor patio area. • Making a pedestrian connection from the sidewalk along the south side of the property to the building as per staff's recommendation. The motion passed 6-0. B. Apple Valley Town Offices City Planner Tom Lovelace presented the request from Manley Land Development for site plan building permit authorization to construct eleven (11) office and office/warehouse buildings vazying in size totaling 66,202 sq. ft. Lovelace reported the site is located along the west side of Energy Way just north of County Road 42 and would include Outlot B, Valley Business Park, and an unplatted parcel directly adjacent to County Road #42. The property would require combining the platting of the two parcels into one lot. No building construction may occur until the replatting process has been completed. Lovelace reported the site plan identifies 303 surface parking spaces, which meets the minimum number of spaces required by the zoning code. Three driveways along Energy Way would provide access to the buildings. Lovelace is suggesting the applicant make an adjustment to the most southerly driveway to make it more perpendicular to Energy Way. Buildings 1-6 will be anoffice/warehouse design with a rear loading area, buildings 7 and 8 would be office buildings with minimal storage capacity and. buildings 9-11 will be used strictly as office space. No loading areas are proposed for buildings 7-11. With only two trash enclosures identified on the property, Lovelace is recommending additional trash enclosures be strategically placed throughout the site. He feels that two trash enclosures are inadequate for the number of buildings proposed. The trash enclosures also need to be constructed of the same materials as the buildings. A 35-foot drainage and utility easement is located directly adjacent to the north of the south property line of Outlot B, which has a 12" sanitary sewer and 54" storm sewer line. In addition, Building 11 encroaches up to 15 feet into that easement. The City does not allow structures to be constructed in an easement and is recommending the relocation of Building 11. Commissioner Churchill asked that because there can't be structures over an easement, is there any problem with parking or a paved surface over an easement? Lovelace indicated there are no problems with paved surfaces over an easement. Commissioner Churchill questioned whether or not there is enough room between buildings if Building 11 is shifted. Lovelace stated it would have to meet code before a permit is granted. Chair Edgeton suggested the applicant submit a request for a variance rather than eliminating a building if there is a problem with shifting the building. Lovelace stated that the grading of the site plan and municipal services have been reviewed by the City's Engineer and his recommendations are included in this report. One of the recommendations is an infiltration pond to handle a''/z inch rainfall. The applicant, Frank 4 Blundetto of Manley Land Development, requested a more detailed explanation of the infiltration pond. Assistant City Engineer Jacob Fick explained the need for the pond. Lovelace is requesting the applicant make the necessary revisions as per the Engineer's comments. The elevations indicate brick and stucco as the primary exterior finish material for the buildings. Chair Edgeton stated that she would prefer a combination of building materials to avoid too much sameness. There was a discussion as to whether or not hardi plank could be used for variation but because it requires painting, it is not a suitable option. Stucco was also suggested. Blundetto indicated that he would work with staff to see if there are any options for variation of the materials. The applicant did not identify the location of the building's mechanicals on the site plan. These need to be identified and properly screened in accordance with City code. The City's Natural Resources Coordinator has reviewed the landscape plan and recommended some revisions. These revisions should be made as per the Natural Resources Coordinator's comments. Lovelace recommended approval of this project with the conditions outlined in his written report to the Commission. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Churchill, to recommend approval of the site plan building permit authorization to allow for construction of 11 buildings totaling 66,202 sq. ft. on Outlot B, Valley Business Park, and a one acre unplatted parcel, located directly south of Outlot B, subject to adhering to applicable city codes and to the following conditions: • No building permit shall be issued until the two parcels have been legally combined, platted, and rezoned. • Building 11 shall be relocated outside of the existing 35-foot drainage and utility easement • The most southerly driveway shall be modified to be perpendicular to Energy Way. • Revisions to the landscape plan shall be made as per the Natural Resources Coordinator's comments that are outlined in his January 10, 2003 memo. • Revisions to the site plan shall be made as per the Assistant Engineer's comments that are outlined in his January 9, 2003, memo. • Additional trash enclosures, strategically placed throughout the site, shall be incorporated into the plan. • Any modifications to allow for the construction of a City well on the site shall be integrated into the project's final plans. The motion carried 6-0. C. Christ Church -Interim Use Permit to Allow for Placement of a Temporary Office Trailer Tabled at the request of the Petitioner. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. Sketch Plan for Accessory Apartment in a Single Family Home Kathy Bodmer, Assistant Planner, presented the sketch plan review from Pat and Fritz Dolejs, of a proposed accessory dwelling unit to be constructed onto their existing home located at 12756 Denmark Avenue. The property is zoned "R-1"which permits one dwelling unit per lot. The property is 1.33 acres. Bodmer reported the City code does not currently allow the construction of an accessory apartment or dwelling unit within a single family home in any "R" zoning district. The Dolejses wish to construct a second dwelling unit on to their existing home, which they intend to occupy. A daughter and her family would then move into the existing home. The proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is 1,998 sq. ft. and would contain a master suite, den guest bedroom, full kitchen, dining area and loving room on the main level. The lower level of the proposed ADU would contain a shop, storage room, and an additional attached but separate two-stall garage. In addition, the Dolejses plan to add a second story onto their existing home for the primary residence. In total, the primary residence would have 5,227 sq. ft. of floor area, while the ADU would have 3,996 sq. ft. of floor area. The ADU is 76% of the size of the primary residence. Bodmer reported with the aging of the baby boomers, an increasing number of people exploring alternative housing options for family members and this type of demand is expected to continue to increase. Bodmer stated there are several issues and options to consider if the City is interested in pursuing an ordinance that allows accessory dwelling units (ADU's). Bodmer listed some of these options and issues in her report to the Commission. Bodmer indicated the property owners are present to get feedback from the Planning Commission to see if this is a viable option before they make formal application for an ordinance amendment. r. After some discussion, Commissioner Churchill stated she would encourage uses like this. Commissioner Melander concurred. They both feel that it solves problems in a lot of different areas. Commissioner Burke also agrees. The Commission requested that staff begin drafting an ordinance that could support accessory dwelling units. Some of the criteria to be considered would be understanding the City's goals, restrictive covenants in neighborhoods, neighbors who might be opposed, family vs. non-family, services being provided, should it be owner occupied, etc. Commissioner Schindler suggested taking a look at other areas such as Minnetonka and see what their ordinance is in relation to this subject. Chair Edgeton suggested staff see if this type of request could be done on a conditional use permit basis. Dan Ruzicka, representing the petitioner, expressed his concerns to the Commission and stated he would like to see an amendment to the ordinance to allow this type of dwelling unit. The Commission informed Ruzicka they have directed staff to draft an ordinance for their review. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Melander, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. The motion carved 6-0.