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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/02/2005CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 2, 2005 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to Order by Vice Chair Jeannine Churchill at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Jeannine Churchill, Jim Hadley, Tim Burke, Thomas Helgeson, David Schindler and Tom Melander Members Absent: Karen Edgeton Staff Present: Community Development Director Rick Kelley, City Planner Tom Lovelace, City Attorney Sharon Hills, Associate City Planner Kathy Bodmer and Assistant City Engineer Colin Manson 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Churchill asked if there were any changes to the Agenda. There being none, she called for its approval. MOTION: Commissioner Hadley moved, seconded by Helgeson, to approve the Agenda. The motion carried 6-0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 19, 2005 Vice Chair Churchill asked if there were any changes to the minutes. There being none, she called for its approval. MOTION: Commissioner Hadley moved, seconded by Helgeson, to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2005, meeting. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioners Schindler and Melander abstaining. 4. CONSENT ITEMS None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. Early Childhood Learning Center -Consideration of a Variance to Allow for Alternative Exterior Finish Building Materials for a Commercial Building City Planner Tom Lovelace presented the request from Hoffinan Development, Inc., requesting a variance to allow for an alternative exterior finish building material for a 22,920 sq. ft. commercial building located at 5800 149th Street West. Lovelace reported the applicant is requesting a variance from the City code 155.346(b)(4) that states "Industrial building shall have a vertical exposed exterior finish of 100% non-combustible, non-degradable and maintenance-free construction materials (such as face brick, natural stone or decorative concrete block but excluding construction materials as sheet or corrugated aluminum, iron, plain or painted concrete block or similar)". The applicant would like to install a metal panel material over the existing precast concrete panels along the north, south, and east sides of the building. Lovelace reported the building has cracks and the cracks in the building have allowed water to enter in and seep down into the interior of the building. The seepage is causing a variety of problems that can at times prohibit reasonable use of some of the classrooms. Lovelace stated that it is too late to use sealant or caulk to protect the building from water seepage. Some samples of the building material are on the Times Square building, Anchor Bank, Target and Office Max. Another example of the building that has used this primary exterior finish is the new IKEA furniture store located in Bloomington. Lovelace reported that staff is recommending approval of the variance. In addition, staff is also exploring the possibility of amending the zoning ordinance that would include these types of materials in industrial and commercial areas. Commissioner Melander inquired if the cracks are actually in the building or are they surface cracks. Melander wanted to make sure that the material is not just a "band aid" to cover up the problem. Lovelace stated that the material proposed is not just a cover up but a long term solution. The east side (back) of the building will not be covered with the new material. Commissioner Helgeson discussed the possibility of requiring the applicant to cover the back side of the building so that it is consistent with the rest of the building for aesthetic reasons. Lovelace stated the back side of the building did not incur any damage. Commissioner Churchill stated that since the back side does not face a street, coverage of the back would not be necessary. Commissioner Hadley asked about the installation of the panels. Kevin Hoffman, representing the applicant, explained the installation process. Bill Griffith, also representing the applicant, informed the Commission that the building owners thoroughly investigated options for addressing the water leakage problem and with the help of Braun Intertech, they came up with this material as a solution. The material is maintenance free and will create a water barrier and allow air flow with space between. In response to Commissioner Helgeson's concern about covering the entire building, Griffith explained that the east elevation is a solid tip-up panel with no windows. The east side did not experience any damage and therefore, the applicant is requesting it not be covered. Lovelace stated that staff is recommending approval of this request. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Melander, to approve a variance to allow for stucco embossed flush metal panels as an exterior fmish material for the north, west and south elevations of the building located at 5800 149th Street West, due to the special condition of the building created by the cracks in the exterior finish of the precast panels that prevents the landowner from utilizing their property in a reasonable manner, subject to the following: • Installation of the panels shall be in conformance with the elevation drawings dated November 10, 2004. • The panels shall be coated or anodized with anon-reflective, glare- free finish. The motion carried 6-0. B. Walgreens Drug Store -Consider Subdivision and Site Plan/Building Permit Authorization for a Proposed Free-standing Walgreens Drug Store Associate City Planner Kathy Bodmer presented the request from Walgreens to subdivide an existing 6.9 acre parcel into two lots. Lot 1 would be 5.4 acres and contain the existing East Valley Plaza shopping center. Lot 2 would be 1.4 acres and would be the location of the new Walgreens store. The site is located on the corner of Pilot Knob Road and 140th Street West. A public hearing for this item was held at the January 19, 2005, Planning Commission meeting. Several issues were raised by staff, the Commission, and the public. The applicant has modified the plans to address the issues brought forth during the public hearing. Bodmer included a copy of revised plans in her report to the Commission. In addition, Bodmer gave a synopsis of the questions and concerns that were raised. The site plan shows that the Walgreens store will be constructed on the northwest corner of the East V alley Plaza property. The main entrance will be on the northeast corner of the building. A drive-thru will be located on the west side of the building. No new access drives are proposed into the new lot, so access will be gained from the existing East Valley Plaza entrances off of 140th Street West and Pilot Knob Road. Islands will be added to the parking lot to help direct the flow oftraffic with;n the lot. The construction of the store will remove some of the existing parking spaces at the center and then add some parking demand. In total, parking for both the Walgreens and the East Valley Plaza site will be approximately 19 spaces short of the required number of spaces. The petitioner had previously proposed to remedy this situation by proposing to restrip the parking spaces in the East Valley Plaza site from a width of 10' to 9' which is allowed under the code. This would result in a gain of 18 spaces. Staff is recommending that rather than restriping the parking area, the City may wish to require aproof-of-parking agreement that states that additional parking is available and will be installed if the City determines that additional parking is necessary on the site. The plan shows a 3,500 sq. ft. basement area to be constructed for storage. The City will need to be assured that this space will not be converted to office space or other uses in the future that could create the need for additional parking spaces. The City's Traffic Engineer, Glen Van Wormer, reviewed the proposed development plans and stated that overall traffic flow within the shopping center area should function satisfactorily. The petitioner incorporated the specific changes suggested by Van Wormer into the revised plans. Commissioner Churchill requested staffpoint out to the applicant that signage approval is not part of this process and would have to be submitted under a separate process. Commissioner Melander thanked John Kohler, of Semper Development, for doing such a thorough job addressing the issues and concerns that were brought forth during the public hearing. Bodmer reported that staff finds that the proposed development substantially complies with the requirements of the zoning code and is recommending approval of the project. MOTION: Commissioner Helgeson moved, seconded by Hadley, to recommend approval of a subdivision by preliminary plat of the East Valley Plaza 4`~' Addition, into two parcels as indicated on the plans received January 26, 2005 at City Offices, in accordance with all City Codes and with the following conditions: • The petitioner shall submit an executed cross-access and cross- parking agreement for the two properties prior to release of the plat for recording. The motion carried 6-0. MOTION: Commissioner Helgeson moved, seconded by Hadley, to recommend approval of the site plan and give buildings permit authorization to construct an 11,000 sq. ft. Walgreens Store on L,ot 2, Block 1, of the proposed East Valley Plaza 4`h Addition, as depicted on the plans received in City Offices on January 26, 2005, and in accordance with all City Codes and Construction Standards and the following conditions: • The petitioner shall submit a nursery bid list at the time of application for the building permit that confirms that the landscape plantings meet or exceed 2-1/2% of the value of the construction of the building based on Means Construction Data. • The owners of the East Valley Plaza shopping center shall execute a proof-of-parking agreement that states that they will restripe the parking lot if additional parking spaces are needed in the future. This agreement shall be submitted at the time of application for the building permit. • Existing trees that are removed in conjunction with the development of the site shall be replaced on atree-for-tree basis. • The petitioner shall modify the utilities plan in accordance with the Assistant City Engineer's memo of January 27,2005. • The petitioner shall submit a lighting plan at the time of application of the building permit that has been signed by a registered professional engineer who is authorized to sign lighting plans in the State of Minnesota. • No sign permit approvals are given at this time. A separate application and fees must be submitted and approved before the construction of any signs on the site. The motion carried 6-0. C. Harmony Commons -Consideration of Site P1anBuilding Permit Authorization for Three Multi-story Buildings on a 2.5 Acre Parcel Postponed until receipt of revised plans. OTHER BUSINESS None. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Melander moved, seconded by Helgeson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m.