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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/17/1994CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 1994 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Alan Felkner. Members Present: Frank Blundetto, Karen Edgeton, Alan Felkner, Len Miller, Marcia Gowling. Members Absent: Jeannine Churchill, James Cady. Staff Present: John Gretz, John Kragness, Mike Dougherty, Keith Gordon, and Planning Consultants Alan Kretman and Jeff Smyser. Others Present: See the sign -in sheet. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Felkner asked Staff if there were any changes to the agenda. Staff responded that there were none. MOTION Edgeton moved, seconded by Blundetto, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 5 - 0. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 3, 1994 Chair Felkner asked Staff if there were any corrections to the minutes. Staff responded that there were none. MOTION Edgeton moved, seconded by Blundetto, to approve the minutes of August 3, 1994, as submitted. The motion carried 3 - 0, with 2 abstentions ( Felkner, Gowling). 4. CONSENT ITEMS - None - Planning Commission Minutes August 17, 1994 Page 2 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Site Plan Review and Preliminary Plat for 28 multiple residential units - Nordic Woods 17th Planning Consultant Alan Kretman presented this item. He displayed a series of overhead transparencies that illustrated the site and the development proposal. This site is located on the southeast corner of Galaxie Avenue and McAndrews Road and is designated for multiple residential use. Current zoning of the site allows 6 to 15 units per acre. This development as proposed is at a density of 12 units per acre, consisting of 28 condominium units. There would be one 14 -unit building in the center of the development and seven 2 -unit buildings on the outlying areas. Kretman pointed out his concerns, including adequate setbacks to the single family addition; the need for common open space; the need for additional guest parking. The recommendation is to create a space for guest parking and provide common open space, as well as a trail connection. A 35 -foot setback to the public right of way is preferred. One variance has been granted previously in that regard. Other issues include the selection of appropriate plant materials and grading modifications required by the City Engineer. Chair Felkner opened the floor to questions from the Commissioners. Blundetto asked where the six guest parking spaces came from. Kretman responded that this refers to the 13 units (six on the northeast and seven to the south) which lack adequate parking based on the typical 1/2 stall per unit. Gowling asked if setback variances would be needed along Galaxie Avenue. Kretman responded that this is consistent with what has been done in the past. Edgeton asked if that was because variances had been granted in the past. Kretman replied affirmatively. Felkner asked about percentage of green space. Kretman replied there is roughly two acres of open space, or about 60 %. Blundetto reiterated the importance of knowing the exact amount of green space. Kretman replied he would get that information. Gowling asked if from the rear lot to the road was right -of -way. Kretman responded, yes. Edgeton asked if the large building in the center as proposed was an apartment type. Kretman responded that it was a townhome style of condominium which is another form of ownership -- space ownership versus land ownership. Planning Commission Minutes August 17, 1994 Page 3 Felkner asked if the applicant was looking for action on this item tonight. The applicant responded that they would like building to occur this season. Kretman recommended that the Commission act in two weeks. Member Miller commented that the 14 -plex floor plan shows an individual entrance for each unit and that the drawings seem to reflect a main entrance. Kretman responded that the applicant is welcome to address that issue. From his review, it appears there are single entrances for each unit. Felkner asked if there were any other questions for Staff. The petitioner was represented by Jeff McDonald of E. G. Rud. He distributed a revised landscape plan, a revised grading plan, and a revised preliminary plat. Forrest Harstad, the petitioner, remarked that this development is the same product as that proposed at 138th and Cedar, except that they have extended an 8 -unit building into a 14- unit building. Mr. McDonald proceeded to describe the modular units in detail. He noted that they could be configured into any number of units. Blundetto asked if it is that easy, why there are no drawings indicative of a 14 -unit building. Harstad responded that it costs $3,000 to do a drawing of a 14 -unit plex. He distributed a brochure showing a floor plan of the modular units. Discussion continued regarding configuration of the units, as well as green space. Edgeton asked if a 14 -unit building was appropriate for the density requirements. Kretman responded that the configuration doesn't matter if the density is met, which in this case it is. Chair Felkner reviewed the expectations of the Commission regarding petitioners and asked for public input. Mary Gainey of 6834 132nd Street Court asked that the townhome dwellers be considered in the landscaping plans, in addition to those single family dwellers. She also expressed concern about the increase in traffic due to the zoo, the new school, etc. She felt it inappropriate to put that many people into that particular space and was concerned about green space and noise as well. Kretman responded that the density allowance was 12 plus units per acre. Gainey also questioned whether the buffer to McAndrews was truly significant. The public hearing was held open. Planning Commission Minutes August 17, 1994 Page 4 5B. Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit for On -sale Liquor - Class I Restaurant (East Side Mario's) and Addition to Best Buy Planning Consultant Jeff Smyser presented this item. He noted that the proposed project is compatible with both the comprehensive land use plan and the current zoning designation. This proposal includes an 8400 s.f. addition to the existing Best Buy store, an attached s.f. building for future retail, and a 7400 s.f. restaurant with an additional area of outdoor patio seating. Remaining to be addressed are the appearance in height of fence surrounding the outdoor patio, and also the emergency access from the outdoor patio. Staff recommended an access change utilizing the existing curb cut as the main access to the restaurant site and eliminating the southern driveway off the service road. The parking stalls as drawn are not large enough, but there is sufficient space to meet the parking code requirements. A signage plan has not yet been submitted. Recommendations are noted on the written report. Chair Felkner asked if the petitioner was looking for action on this item tonight. Smyser responded affirmatively. Blundetto commented on a pylon sign. Smyser noted that there is a sign indicated on the southeast corner of the restaurant site. Felkner questioned how comfortable Staff was in asking for action on this item this evening, noting that a sign plan is not available, and there is a question of access and service bay area which may change. Gowling asked where the delivery and trash areas are. Smyser pointed out the locations on the drawings. Chair Felkner asked for petitioner comments. The petitioner was represented by Greg Madsen of Ryan Companies. He noted that the same brick and accent striping as Best Buy will be utilized for the retail addition. They will work with Staff on additional screening recommendations. Access is the main issue. The petitioner feels that 100 foot access to the east, centralizing the curb cut, would actually lessen traffic problems rather than create them. Blundetto asked for clarification of the entrance for delivery. Jim Greupner of East Side Mario's responded that their supplier Sysco will accommodate them with the size of vehicle most appropriate to the site. He also noted that the finish of the building will be the same all the way around, thereby making it attractive on every side. He emphasized the Planning Commission Minutes August 17, 1994 Page 5 importance of the original access proposed on 153rd Street. He also noted that the patio fence will be about 3 feet in height, painted to match the rest of the building and will comply with Staff recommendations. Felkner asked for clarification as to what access East Side Mario's desires, and what access Staff is recommending. Edgeton felt that East Side Mario's access request was reasonable. John Gretz stated that Staff would be comfortable with what is shown in the original plan as long as there were no problems with the middle lane, and if the traffic engineer concurs. City Engineer Keith Gordon noted that there is a signalized intersection to Cub Foods and Target Greatland, and it's only about 150 feet to the proposed East Side Mario's entrance. That is a very small distance to allow for left turns into a signalized intersection and opposing left -hand turns into the restaurant site. Gretz suggested a possible compromise by sliding the original entrance down a short distance. Discussion ensued regarding the access and what the restaurant will offer. Edgeton asked the petitioner if Staff recommendations could be worked out. Greupner replied that the only major issue was the access. All others are details that can be worked out. Greupner showed photographs illustrating the interior of the restaurant. There were no comments from the public. The public hearing was closed and a 10- minute recess was taken. The meeting reconvened at 8:45 p.m. John Gretz deferred to City Attorney Mike Dougherty for Staff recommendations. Dougherty responded that City Staff believes it would be appropriate for the traffic engineer to determine the point of access. If the access designation does not impact the building and its location on the site, this issue could move forward as proposed. Edgeton asked under what conditions the issue would be brought back to the Planning Commission. Dougherty responded that building orientation change would bring the issue back to the Planning Commission. The petitioner has no problems with any other items. Planning Commission Minutes August 17, 1994 Page 6 MOTION Edgeton moved to approve the site plan review, contingent on the conditions stated in the Staff report, with the exception of item number 4, an access as reviewed by the Engineer. Blundetto seconded the motion, and the motion carried 5 - 0. MOTION Edgeton moved that the conditional use permit for on -sale liquor at Class I Restaurant be granted with the conditions stated in the written report.. Blundetto seconded the motion, which carried 5 - 0. 6. LAND USE /ACTION ITEMS A. Planned Development Zoning Amendment for Alternative Environmental High School and Preliminary Plat for 1 Institutional Lot John Gretz noted that the City of Apple Valley fills the role of implementer in this project involving ISD #196, Dakota County, and the City of Apple Valley. The School District and architects have been forced to put together an alternate plan because of requirements by the bonding company prohibiting construction of the parking lot over the pipeline easement. Doug Danks of HGA Architects, representing the petitioner, showed a revised site plan. The alternate plan endorsed by ISD #196 includes combining some of the parking area with some turnaround functions. In response to comments and Staff recommendations at the previous public hearing, the following changes are proposed: 1) Increase the number of parking stalls from 205 to 225. 2) Two parking lots will exist, both closer to the main building. 3) There is a balance of the parking lot with 110 stalls to the south and west, and 115 to the north and east. 4) Because of the environmental theme, everyone involved is trying to minimize the hard surface areas. With that in mind, the parties are working to get an agreement to designate Zoo Lot E as available for overflow parking. Gowling asked that the entrance and drives be shown on the plan. Edgeton asked how access would be gained to the second parking lot. Danks replied that entrance would be made through the Zoo. There has been some discussion about reopening the entrance formerly available from Johnny Cake Ridge Road. Planning Commission Minutes August 17, 1994 Page 7 Felkner asked for feelings of the School District in regard to the proximity of the two parking lots. Danks noted that the topography does not allow a drive behind the building to connect the two parking lots. No parking can occur over the pipeline per the bonding company. Tom Goodwin of ISD #196 noted that they would have to be creative as to the instructions to parents and visitors as to where to park and how to access those areas. Gretz noted that it would be possible to redo the access from Johnny Cake. Edgeton asked how the City felt about emergency access. Gretz replied that the Fire Marshall had reviewed the plans and they were adequate. Danks noted there is also adequate access through the formal courtyard. Edgeton asked for Staff recommendations. Gretz responded that Staff recommends approval of this project. MOTION Gowling moved to approve the planned development zoning amendment to include an alternative environmental high school. Edgeton seconded, and the motion carried 5 - 0. MOTION Gowling moved to approve the preliminary plat for one institutional lot. Edgeton seconded, and the motion carried 5 - 0. MOTION Gowling moved to approve the site plan and building permit authorization of the alternative environmental high school. Edgeton seconded, and the motion carried 5 - 0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Development Checklist Felkner suggested that Staff utilize the development checklist for a period of one month and report to the Commission for feedback. B. Variance Discussion John Gretz noted that 90% of variances could be eliminated if a condition was added to allow a certain percentage of the building to extend into the setback. Felkner directed Staff to prepare a draft indicative of same. Planning Commission Minutes August 17, 1994 Page 8 C. Ethics Legislation The ethics legislation was briefly discussed. responded that the best policy is to "just say no." 8. OTHER BUSINESS City Attorney Mike Dougherty A. Consider Resolution Finding the Alternative Environmental High School Development and Ice Arena Addition Consistent with the Overall City's Comprehensive Plan and Eligible for Inclusion in TIF Master Development District. John Gretz noted that this resolution is simply to enable the Economic Development Authority to sell bonds to finance the projects indicated. Mike Dougherty noted that the resolution itself simply places the property into the development district. MOTION Miller moved to adopt the resolution finding the alternative environmental high school development and ice arena addition consistent with the overall City's comprehensive plan and eligible for inclusion in TIF Master Development District. Gowling seconded and the motion carried 5 - 0. 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Edgeton moved to adjourn. Blundetto seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.