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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/2003CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 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, James Hadley, Tom Melander, Alan Duff, Jeannine Churchill, David Schindler, and Tim Burke Members Absent: None Staff Present: Community Development Director Rick Kelley, City Attorney Sharon Hills, City Planner Tom Lovelace, Assistant Planner Margaret Dykes, 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: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Melander, to approve the Agenda. The motion carried 7-0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 19, 2003 Edgeton asked if there were any changes to the minutes. Commissioner Duff had an amendment to item SA, Public Hearing, Dahle Oaks Rezoning. Duff would like the minutes to reflect the following: "Commissioner Duff requested staff review the impact of rezoning for the neighbors to the south of the proposed development. Duff also would like to see how the road would be developed with 5 homes on the property versus 8 homes." Edgeton called for approval of the minutes as amended. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Melander, to approve the minutes of November 19, 2003, as amended. The motion carried 7-0. 4. CONSENT ITEMS None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. Remax Office Building -Site P1anBuilding Permit Authorization to Allow Construction of a 15,000 sq. ft. Office Building on 3.5 Acres Assistant Planner Margaret Dykes presented the request from WCL Associates/Remax Real Estate for site plan building permit authorization for a 15,000 sq. ft. office building to be located in the commercial portion of the Legacy Development. Dykes reported the building is to be located on Block 4 as listed in the Central Village Plan design guidelines. The building is a standard block type, abuts the easements on both the west and south side property lines, and has two stories with the first floor of the building being used as office space rather than retail. Dykes stated that although the use if different from what is stated in the design guidelines, when the preliminary plat was approved for The Legacy of Apple Valley 3rd Addition, the Planning Commission and City Council agreed that office uses could be placed on the first floor of the building to be constructed on Lot 3 provided the first floor of the building have aretail-like appearance. Dykes stated that it was staff's opinion that the revised building and site plans substantially comply with the design guidelines. Dykes reviewed an earlier iteration of the building by the Commission. At the public hearing on November 5, 2003, the Planning Commission stated that it did not think the proposed office building complied with the Central Village Plan and asked the applicant to consider redesigning the building elevations and landscaping. The applicant requested the Commission table the item to give them more time to respond to the Commission's concerns. The submitted revised plans show athree-story tower to be placed at the southwest corner of the building to serve as an anchor to the building. The main entrance to the building is to be located on the west side of Galaxie Avenue, which complies with the design guidelines. A secondary entrance will be located on the east side of the building facing the parking lot. Hardscape will connect with City sidewalks on all sides of the building; however, the sidewalk on the east side of the building does not comply with the zoning ordinance. Dykes recommended the landscaped area abutting the sidewalk be reduced by 18 inches to comply with the ordinance. The landscape plan shows hardscape around the majority of the area on the west and south sides of the building. The plans show a mix of concrete and brick pavers. Two (2) 30" high walls that could be used for seating delineate small garden areas on the west side of the building. The plan shows a bench and an area for public art on the southeast comer of the site. Two small sodded areas are shown on the north side of the building and one small sodded area on the southeast side of the building The Commission discussed the building elevations that were included in the packet. Some of the building features include first floor windows located on the east and west sides of the building extended to grade, athree-story tower with stucco-edifice, and frosted back-lit glass panes. In addition, the building massing is broken up so that the building has the appearance of growing over time. Commissioner Hadley requested clarification from Dykes' earlier statement that the building was to have "brick". Dykes stated that the correct word was "block", and that block represents the type of building rather than the building material. Chair Edgeton requested the previous elevations be reviewed in conjunction with the revised elevations for comparison. Edgeton indicated that she is still not pleased with the north end of the building and she is not sure whether the tower on the top of the building is decorative enough to make a statement for the entire building. Edgeton also stated the building does not look like retail as stated in the design guidelines. She suggested that adding canopies might dress the building up somewhat and give it a retail appearance. Edgeton feels that this particular corner of the Central Village Plan is so critical in making a statement for the rest of the development that it must be in compliance with the design guidelines. Commissioner Schindler feels the revised plans are a great improvement over the previous plans but stated the north section looks "too square" and needs to be dressed up. Edgeton would like to see the building have a plaza feeling on the north end of the building. Commissioner Duff reiterated Edgeton's suggestion for adding canopies. Dave Clark, the architect for the project, stated they would consider it. Commissioner Hadley asked about the flat roof on the entrance to the building. Clark indicated. they are considering lattice for the small entry in front of the building to allow sunlight to come through. The Commission suggested Clark work on something other than lattice for the entrance. Commissioner Melander questioned the variety of colors proposed for the building. Clazk indicated he was trying to tie the colors in with the previously approved Enjoy! Restaurant and also give the impression that the building has grown over time. After a lengthy discussion of the proposed plans, Dykes indicated that staff was recommending approval of the project. MOTION: Commissioner Churchill moved, seconded by Hadley, to approve the site plan building permit authorization for an approximately 15,000 sq. ft. office building as shown on the site plan received in City offices November 24, 2003, subject to adherence to applicable City codes and the following conditions: a. No building permit, except a footing and foundation permit, shall be issued for Lot 3, Block 1, of the proposed The Legacy of Apple Valley 3Ta Addition until the final plat is filed with Dakota County, and all the conditions of the required executed Development Agreement have been met by the applicant. b. No building permit shall be issued until a Natural Resources Management Permit has been obtained. c. A nursery bid list shall be submitted that confirms the landscape materials, imgation system, decorative paving and other common area amenities meet or exceed 2.5% of the value of the construction of the building based on Means Construction Data. d. The applicant shall work with City staff to address the north end of the building to add amenities that are within the spirit and intention of the design guidelines. The motion carried 7-0. The Commission reiterated the need for the applicant to continue working with staff to make sure they are in compliance with the design guidelines and incorporate some of the recommended changes and concerns presented by the Commission. 7. OTHER BUSINESS A. Consider Adoption of Meeting Calendar for 2004 Community Development Director Rick Kelley presented a draft calendar for the 2004 Planning Commission meeting dates and the associated application deadlines. Unless the Commission has modifications to the proposed calendar, staff recommended the Commission approve the calendar. MOTION: Commissioner Hadley moved, seconded by Churchill, to adopt the 2004 Planning Commission meeting calendar. The motion carried 7-0. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Churchill moved, seconded by Schindler, to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.