HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/15/2007CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MINiJTES
August 15, 2007
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair
Jeannine Churchill at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Jeannine Churchill, Tom Melander, Thomas Helgeson and Frank
Blundetto
Members Absent: David Schindler, Tim Burke and Keith Diekmanh
Staff Present: Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist, City Planner Tom
Lovelace, City Attorney Sharon 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.
Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist stated that Amcon Design &
Construction Company have requested to withdraw their sketch plan review for the
proposed Office Depot represented as Item 6A on the Agenda.
MOTION: Commissioner Melander moved, seconded by Commissioner Helgeson, to
approve the changes to the agenda. The motion carried 4-0.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 1, 2007
Chair Churchill-asked if there were any changes to the minutes. There being none, she
called for approval of the minutes.
MOTION: Commissioner Melander moved, seconded by Commissioner Helgeson, to
recommend approval of the minutes of the August 1, 2007, meeting. The motion carried
4-0.
4. 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE/ACTIONS
Chair Churchill stated that before the Commission moved forward she would like to extend
the Commissioner's sympathies to those involved in the bridge collapse of 35W, which took
place shortly before the previous meeting. Commissioner Blundetto was called out as part
of the emergency response team. This incident illustrates that when looking at the 2030
Comprehensive Plan Update, it is critical to consider the City's infrastructure as it is today
and where it will be in the future. The Commission extends our heartfelt sympathy to those
that have lost loved ones, those that have been recovering and to the City of Minneapolis as
they continue to move forward.
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Nordquist presented a Power Point presentation that encompassed the issues, challenges and
opportunities that were provided by the Planning Commission, Planning staff and City
management from the previous week's kick-off with the City's consultant, Hoisington-
Koegler Group, Inc.
Nordquist invited the viewing audience to participate and to-add their comments to the list.
The public is free to submit their comments via email at commdev(uci.ap~le-valley.mn.us.
Melander asked that a copy of the presentation be forwazded to each Commissioner. Chair
Churchill also requested to receive an electronic copy as well.
Nordquist stated that he will provide this each time moving forward.
Nordquist asked for comments on scheduling a September 5, 2007 work session from 5:30-
6:50 pmbefore the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting.
Chair Churchill stated the informal meeting will start even if all members are not able to be
there right at 5:30pm.
5. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS
A. Staples Store -Consideration of a site plan building permit authorization to allow
for the construction of a 20,389 sq. ft. retail building.
City Planner Tom Lovelace stated that the petitioner is requesting a site plan building permit
authorization approval for the construction of a 20,389 sq. ft. Staples office products store
on a 2.34 acre lot. It would be located at 14969 Florence Trail in the Fischer Market Place
development. The Staples store would be compatible as stated in the plan development
ordinance.
Lovelace stated that the developer provided revised plans after reviewing staff's comments
and recommendations.
Lovelace summarized the revised plans.
• The original site plan indicated 113 parking spaces. Staff calculated that a minimum
of 116 spaces would be needed. The applicant revised the plan to include 117
parking spaces.
• The original site plan indicated issues with the sizes and dimensions of the parking
spaces and drive aisles. The applicant revised the plan to increase the parking spaces
to 20 feet and the drive aisles now meet the minimum requirements.
• The original site plan placed the trash enclosure within a drainage and utility
easement. It has been relocated to the east of the loading dock area.
• The original site plan indicated an 8 ft. tall wall to screen the receiving dock. The
staff report indicated a 13 %2 ft. tall wall. The applicant revised the plan to show an
11 ft. high wall to screen the receiving dock. Although the ordinance does not
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specifically set a height requirement, it does state that it should be adequately
screened from traffic and. along any roadway.
The staff report indicated a need for a fire hydrant in the general location. The
applicant revised the plan and located one in the southwest comer of the plan.
There are two remaining outstanding issues:
• The need for agreement from the adjacent property owner, the former Krispy Kreme,
in order to shift the existing driveway and raised curbs farther north, approximately
60 ft., to provide cross access and sharing of parking.
• There is a water main in the drainage and utility easement that serves the former
Krispy Kreme and would serve the new proposed Staples store.. Once the main
provides service to two buildings, access must be provided for the Public Works staff
for maintenance. If an easement cannot be provided, the line would need to be
relocated.
If the Planning Commission concurs, staff is recommending approval of the following:
• Written verification from the property owner of Lot 2, Block 1, Fischer Market Place
2nd Addltlon
• The receiving dock screen wall shall be a minimum height of 13 %z ft.
• , An agreement between the City and property owner to provide access to the water
main service for maintenance
• Revisions made to the grading and utilities plans
• Revisions made to the landscape plan
Commissioner Blundetto asked if the recommendations on the screen were different from
what they received in their packets.
Lovelace responded yes, although he only eliminated the recommendations that the
applicant has fulfilled with the revised plans.
Chair Churchill asked if the petitioner would like to add anykhing to the presentation.
Lee Hoffrnan of Capital Growth MM stepped forward to state that his company is
responsible for the Fischer Market Place. The Staples store is the country's largest and most
well regarded office supply store. They operate 1,550 stores nationwide. The chain is
planning a series of five stores to be in operation in the Spring of 2008. Urider this
timeframe, their design team is available to comply with City code.
Chair Churchill asked if they have any objections to the recommendations that Lovelace
outlined in his presentation.
Hoffinan responded no. If given the time, they will be able to respond to the changes
requested. Regarding the verification with the owner of the former I~rispy Kreme, they are
in contact and are in the process of drawing up a formal document.
Commissioner Melander asked if there was any restrictive covenant attached to the site line
where it could not beblocked. -
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Hoffrnan stated there is a sight line, and they turned the building so that it doesn't violate the
view corridor.
MOTION: Commissioner Melander moved, seconded by Commissioner Burke, to approve
the site plan building permit authorization to allow for construction of a 20,389 sq. ft. retail
building on Lot 1; Block 1, Fischer Market Place 8th Addition, in conformance with the
revised plans dated August 14, 2007, subject to the following conditions: 1. Written
verification from the property owner of Lot 2, Block 1, Fischer Market Place 8~' Addition
that states that they have no objection to the relocation of the common internal drive shall be
required prior fo the City Council approval; 2. The receiving dock screen wall shall be a
minimum height of 13 % ft; an agreement between the City and the property owner shall be
executed, that will provide access for maintenance purposes to the existing water main
service on the site. If no agreement is executed, the owner shall be required to plug the
exiting service stub and gain access to public water from an alternate site; 3. Revisions shall
be made to the grading and utilities plans in accordance with the Assistant City Engineer's
recommendations as set forth in his memo dated August 10, 2007; 4. Revisions shall be
made to the landscape plan in accordance with the Natural Resource Coordinator's
recommendations asset forth in his memo dated August 10, 2007. The motion carried 4-0.
Chair Churchill mentioned that this will move onto City Council at the meeting on August
23, 2007.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Churchill asked if there was any other business
Melander stated that at the previous meeting Chair Churchill was very lavish in her praise of
Commissioner Diekmann and himself in preparation of the handbook for the Planning
Commission, neglecting to mention her contributions. Chair Churchill did the lion's share
of the work and the praise ought to be directed towards Chair Churchill.
Chair Churchill thanked Commissioner Melander, and said the praise is shared willingly and
gladly.
Chair Churchill announced that the Commissioner's next meeting will be September 5th at 7
pm. hi advance of that meeting, the Planning Commission will be meeting at 5:30pm for an
informal meeting to work on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
There being no other business, Chair Churchill asked for a motion of adjournment.
MOTION: Commissioner Blundetto moved, seconded by Commissioner Helgeson, to
adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m. The motion carried 4-0.
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