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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/05/2018 Minutes CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Burke at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Ken Alwin, Tim Burke, Keith Diekmann, Jodi Kurtz, and David Schindler. Members Absent: Tom Melander and Paul Scanlan. Staff Present: City Attorney Sharon Hills, City Engineer Brandon Anderson, City Planner Tom Lovelace, Planner Kathy Bodmer, Planner/Economic Development Specialist Alex Sharpe and Department Assistant Joan Murphy. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice-Chair Burke asked if there were any changes to the agenda. MOTION: Commissioner Alwin moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann, approving the agenda. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. 3. CONSENT ITEMS MOTION: Commissioner Alwin moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann, approving the minutes of the meeting of August 15, 2018. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. MOTION: Commissioner Alwin moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann, recommending approval of Wings Financial building signs with conditions. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Impervious Coverage Ordinance PC16-02-Z Vice-Chair Burke opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. Planner Kathy Bodmer stated the Planning Commission was first introduced to this item in 2016. She provided a history of an ordinance amending building coverage and impervious surface coverage in 2016 when a public hearing was held to consider amendments to PD-342, Zone 1 in the Scottsbriar neighborhood east of Johnny Cake Ridge Road between 142nd and 144th Streets W. A property owner wanted to construct an addition onto his single family home. The PD zoning district contained a requirement restricting building coverage to 20% of the lot area but had no requirement for maximum impervious coverage. The applicant had planned to replace a patio with the building addition. The problem was, the property had a building coverage of 27% before the proposed addition. Further review of PD-342 revealed that several properties in the PD were in a CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes September 5, 2018 Page 2 of 6 similar situation with building coverage in excess of the 20% requirement. The scope of the review was expanded to other single family and two-family properties in planned development zoning districts and similar issues were noted. She added that Jessica Schaum, the City's Natural Resources Coordinator, states that impervious surfaces block water from infiltrating into the ground, increasing the volume and rate of stormwater runoff. The increased stormwater volume worsens flooding, degrades water quality, and impedes groundwater replenishment. Apple Valley currently has four lakes listed as the "Impaired waters" due to excess nutrients. Jessica states that the City is required to reduce pollution to these lakes, (and our entire stormwater system) according to state and federal water regulations to improve water quality. Residential properties zoned "R" have been restricted to a maximum of 35% impervious surface area on a lot since 2004. However, of the 10,540 total single family properties in Apple Valley (as of May 2018), approximately 4,000 (38%) are zoned "PD" (Planned Development). Each PD has its own coverage and setback requirements, but most regulate building coverage and contain no provision for impervious surface coverage. To address water quality concerns and to help address homeowner's interest in making improvements to their properties, staff recommends amending the PDs to address this concern. The draft ordinance amends several sections of Chapter 155 related to impervious surface coverage. The planned development zoning districts for one-family and two-family developments are amended so that the reader is directed to the impervious coverage portion of the code. The SH- Shoreland Overlay impervious coverage is also amended to make it consistent with State Law. Commissioner Diekmann asked if this would include all the single-family homes in Apple Valley. Ms. Bodmer answered yes as of last year and all single-family homes unless it is a Planned Development zoning which in that case each development could then has its own coverage. Commissioner Diekmann asked how many other planned developments do that. City Planner Tom Lovelace replied that some houses in Cobblestone Lake could be 35% to 45% coverage due to the large stormwater pond in the middle of the development. Other developments would be Quarry Ponds and Regents Point which took into account smaller lots and larger homes. Commissioner Diekmann asked about the definition of impervious surface as it calls out and asked if an infiltration basin surface be considered impervious surface because it slows the natural infiltration. Ms. Bodmer replied that the goal is to get at things that prevent. City Engineer Brandon Anderson said they have excluded water bodies. Infiltration basins and rain gardens that they are promoting still promote the infiltration of water. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes September 5, 2018 Page 3 of 6 City Attorney Sharon Hills added that the objective or propose of this ordinance is to deal with runoff so that things are not running off but soaking down. They go into the basins and now they are soaking down into the ground. Not running off and into the system. Vice-Chair Burke closed the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. 5. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. McCormick Computer Resale PC18-21-VB Planner Kathy Bodmer stated R.J. Ryan Construction submitted revised plans for the McCormick Computer Resale expansion project at 14925 Energy Way to address issues identified at the August 15, 2018, Planning Commission meeting. McCormick wishes to expand their existing 20,640 sq. ft. manufacturing/warehouse facility by constructing a 23,700 sq. ft. addition. When completed, the building will be 44,340 sq. ft. Three variances are requested in connection with the project. Two are needed to allow the delivery dock doors on the north elevation facing Energy Way and one setback variance is needed for the building setback from CSAH 42 to maintain the current building alignment. The building was originally constructed in 1994 and is approximately 20,640 sq. ft. When the building was constructed, sketch plans were provided which demonstrated how the building could be expanded in the future without the need for variances. The petitioner states that the property owner seeks to construct a larger addition than previously planned to maximize the development potential of the property. Variances are requested to allow the dock doors on the north elevation. A setback variance is requested to reduce the building setback from CSAH 42 from 50' to 30' so that the building keeps its current alignment along County Road 42. The petitioner proposes to add a second access drive to Energy Way on the northwest corner of the site. The building is proposed to be expanded to the west with two saw tooth dock bays added on the north side of the building facing Energy Way. Parking is added along the west side of the building. Several issues that were identified with the previous plans have been addressed with the revised plans. By keeping most of the landscape screening boulevard along Energy Way, there is sufficient screening provided for the addition. No changes are made to the existing dumpster enclosure. Revised floor plans were provided that help to refine the parking calculation for the project; 90 spaces are required, 87 spaces are shown with proof-of-parking available. A parking lot island is provided to help break up the parking lot paving. The remaining outstanding issues will be addressed at the time of application of the building permit. Discussion followed. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes September 5, 2018 Page 4 of 6 MOTION: Commissioner Alwin moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann recommending approval of a variance from § 155.234(B) and § 155.354(2) to allow construction of loading docks on the north side of the building facing Energy Way, set back 78' from the right-of-way line, based on the following findings and subject to the following conditions: Findings: 1. Dock doors on the north side of the building are preferred to provide better visibility for truck drivers to maneuver within the site and access the loading docks. 2. Dock doors on the north side of the building will help to separate delivery traffic from customer and employee traffic. 3. The existing mature landscape screening boulevard will be maintained and the docks set at a 30 degree angle from the street which will screen the loading area from Energy Way. 4. The City's Comprehensive Plan states the City's goal is to retain current businesses and to assist companies with expansion where appropriate. McCormick states the angled docks on the north side of the building will help them to gain the much needed additional space they require for their growing business. Conditions: 1. The 40' bermed and landscaped screening yard shall be maintained abutting Energy Way to screen the view of the dock doors from the right-of-way. 2. The dock doors shall be designed in a "saw-tooth" configuration to help reduce the view of the loading docks from Energy Way. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. MOTION: Commissioner Alwin moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann recommending approval of setback variance reducing the building setback from County Road 42 from 50' to 30' finding that a 30' setback maintains the existing building alignment along CSAH 42. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. MOTION: Commissioner Alwin moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann recommending approval of a site plan and give building permit authorization to construct a 23,700 sq. ft. addition, subject to compliance with all City Codes and the following conditions: 1. The plans shall be revised to address the issues identified in the City Engineer's memo of August 9, 2018. 2. Civil drawings are subject to final review and approval by the City Engineer prior to issuance of the building permit. 3. No site work or tree removal shall be conducted until a Natural Resources Management Permit (NRMP) has been issued. 4. The petitioner shall provide a nursery bid list at the time of application of the building permit that confirms the value of the landscape plantings meet or CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes September 5, 2018 Page 5 of 6 exceed 2-1/2% of the value of the construction of the addition based on Means Construction Data. If credit is requested for preservation of existing mature landscaping, the applicant shall submit a report from a professional arborist confirming the value of the saved trees. 5. No sign approval is given at this time. A separate sign permit must be obtained prior to the installation of any signs on the site. 6. The petitioner shall supply information at the time of application of the building permit to confirm all rooftop and ground mounted mechanical units are properly screened. 7. A six foot (6') sidewalk shall be installed along Energy Way, in accordance with the City's construction requirements. 8. Landscape plans are subject to final review and approval by the Natural Resources Coordinator prior to issuance of the building permit. 9. Additional varieties of deciduous trees shall be planted on the site. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. B. Apple Valley Self-Storage PC18-23-FB Planner/Economic Development Specialist Alex Sharpe stated he did not recommend the Planning Commission act on the item tonight because there are a number of corrections to the plans that need to be addressed. He said Apple Valley Storage is seeking site plan and building permit authorization on the vacant parcel located at the northeast corner of Upper 147th Street and Evendale Way. A total of 6 buildings are proposed totaling 57,200 sq. ft. of cold self-storage. The site is generally located north of Uponor, east of Lifeworks, and south east of Wasatch Storage. This property is required to be final platted prior to issuance of the site plan and building permit authorization. The Planning Commission does not review final plats, but to understand the project will be provided details of the platting process. The property is zoned "I-1" (Limited Industrial), which permits self-storage when totally enclosed by a structure. The goal of the zoning district is to create an area with access to transportation corridors, that is appropriate for manufacturing and warehousing. Typically, the zone is not adjacent to residential property, but in this case is immediately adjacent. Due to this, impacts from the uses must be mitigated to a larger extent, mostly through screening. This has been achieved on other industrial sites with a mixed species vegetation screening. He stated the site will be accessed from the cul-de-sac on Evendale Way, and will not have access directly into Upper 147th. A total of 6 buildings are proposed on site, with drive isle accesses between them. Parking on the site is limited, but most of the units will be accessed via parallel parking in the drive isle area. An office area is proposed in the west building, but is not displayed on the site plan. The site is proposed to be fenced with 6 foot black vinyl coated chain link. He noted concerns brought forth by the Natural Resources Coordinator and reviewed the elevations and any concerns by Engineering and the Fire Department. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes September 5, 2018 Page 6 of 6 Discussion followed. 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Review of upcoming schedule and other updates. City Planner Tom Lovelace stated that the next regular Planning Commission meeting would take place Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further comments from the Planning Staff or Planning Commission, Vice -Chair Burke asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Commissioner Schindler moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. Respectfully Submitted. Jo fMurphy, Planning Jepa, ent Assistant Approve by thk Apple Valley Planning Commission on q lo 1 ---, ,, Tim Burke, Burke, Vice -Chair c