Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/17/1992PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY June 17, 1992 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Alan Felkner called the June 17, 1992 meeting of the City of Apple Valley Planning Commission to order at 7 :35 p.m. Members Present: Frank Blundetto, Jim Norris, Alan Felkner, Eugene Kitzman, Jeannine Churchill, and Karen Edgeton. Members Absent: Marcia Gowling. Staff Present: Richard Kelley, Meg McMonigal, Scott Hickok, and Lon Anne. Others Present: See the sign -in sheet. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A revised agenda was distributed that showed Item #4, the presentation of the Minnesota Zoological Gardens Revised Master Plan, as a presentation, not as a Consent Agenda Item. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JUNE 3, 1992 MOTION: Member Kitzman moved, seconded by Member Churchill, to approve the minutes of the June 3, 1992 meeting as submitted. The motion carried 5 - 0, with one abstention (Norris). 4. PRESENTATION A. Presentation of Minnesota Zoological Gardens Revised Master Plan LOCATION: 13000 Zoo Boulevard PETITIONER: Minnesota Zoological Gardens (PC92- 053 -P) Roberta Sladky from the Minnesota Zoo presented the plan that was approved by the Zoo Board in February. She noted that the Zoo is unique in that it holds so much land that is undeveloped. The Zoo hired Hammel, Green & Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA) to develop the Land Use Plan as a guidebook for planning policies. They asked HGA to emphasize the mission and philosophy of the Zoo, including both the exhibits and the educational aspect of the Zoo. Ms. Sladky said the approach that HGA took was to let the land speak. She noted the drama of the suburban growth surrounding the Zoo. HGA generated computer maps and overlaid them in order to develop the Land Use Plan. The items they looked at include: visual Planning Commission Minutes June 17, 1992 Page 2 assessment, vegetation, steep slopes, hydrology, pedestrian and visitor space, animal exhibits and service areas, soils, utilities and vehicular circulation. The plan contains guidelines for future expansion that take into account the carrying capacity of the land and the goal of maintaining the existing landscape. The layered maps produced a composite to look at the developable land within the Zoo. The plan advises the most appropriate use for specific areas which the plan terms neighborhoods. The ultimate outcome is similar to a Zoning Plan, Ms. Sladky said. In addition, HGA developed several scenarios for future development of the Zoo. Associate Planner McMonigal asked how many visitors the Zoo has annually. Ms. Sladky said over one million last year, with a goal of two million by the year 2000. Commissioner Edgeton asked if the plan addresses the impact of those additional visitors on the surrounding road system. Ms. Sladky said that it does not address that issue, although it does offer some suggestions on internal circulation. Chair Felkner asked what the Zoo's relationship with the City is. Ms. Sladky indicated that she is not the person to answer that question and was standing in for Connie Braziel this evening. Ms. Sladky was the staff liaison for developing the land use plan. Commissioner Norris asked if there is an implementation plan to accompany this document. Ms. Sladky said there is no such document. Commissioner Norris asked about the recent article in the paper describing the Zoo. Ms. Sladky replied that study was done by Strategic Leisure, which looked at creating a different look for the Zoo and changing the image of the Zoo. Some of the ideas included: face lifting, improving traffic and visitor flow, and changing the food service. Commissioner Norris asked how the Zoo plans will influence the surrounding area. He said the City has a genuine interest in what takes place within the Zoo, and thinks the Zoo also has an interest in what takes place in the surrounding communities. Ms. Sladky answered that this plan is just the beginning of their planning process. Chair Felkner asked if this plan would be going to the City Council. Ms. McMonigal told him that this was being presented to the Planning Commission only at this time for informational purposes. Commissioner Felkner asked about traffic plans for the area. Ms. Sladky responded that there has been some talk of remote parking facilities. Commissioner Blundetto asked about waste water drainage. Project Engineer Lon Anne replied that the waste water drains through the Eagan Municipal Sanitary Sewer System. Ms. Sladky indicated that they had been looking into their storm water drainage with both the DNR and the City of Apple Valley. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Sladky for her presentation. Planning Commission Minutes June 24, 1992 Page 3 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Conditional Use Permit f or Outdoor Display /Sales /Storage - Coast to Coast LOCATION: 7537 West 148th Street PETITIONER: Jim Ahern (PC92- 050 -C) STAFF REPORT: June 17, 1992 by Scott Hickok Associate Planner Scott Hickok gave a brief presentation on the request for a conditional use permit to allow outdoor sales and display for new and used lawn and garden equipment to be placed outside the front of the store. A second element of the request was to allow outdoor storage of materials behind the building. He noted that the retail business district does not allow open storage as requested. Mr. Ahern would like to allow lawn and garden equipment to be rolled outside of the store daily. All displays for sell or rent are placed on the sidewalk area south of Coast to Coast. The Staff recommended approval of the conditional use permit to allow open sales and display south of the Coast to Coast store with the following conditions: 1} The merchandise being displayed shall be placed so that it allows a minimum of 48" of clear sidewalk below the canopy, a 48" path through the island display area south of the covered walkway and no closer than 48" to the principal customer entrance /exit at the southern building face (see exhibit for specific dimensions). 2) This display area shall be keep free from all of the material except the lawn and garden equipment for which the request has been made. 3) Any additional display materials must be reviewed by Staff, the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council. 4) All outside storage north of Coast to Coast be discontinued or screened in accordance with code section Al -55. 5) All signs at Coast to Coast must comply with the Apple Valley Sign Code. Staff further recommended denial of a conditional use permit to store materials outside to the north of the Coast to Coast store, as the code does not provide for open storage in a retail business district. Chair Felkner asked if this conditional use permit would be limited to lawn and garden equipment. He asked if snow blowers would be included in this definition. He also asked if window signs would be allowed. Mr. Ahern from Coast to Coast said that he can comply with the conditions as recommended by the Staff, although he will have some difficulty meeting the condition in the rear of the building. Planning Commission Minutes June 17, 1992 Page 4 Chairman Felkner asked if the Commission would be willing to act on this item tonight. Commissioner Churchill asked if they could approve the display and asked that Mr. Ahern continue to work with the Staff on the storage in the back part of the store. Commissioner Edgeton asked if the permit could include snowblowers to be displayed. Chair Felkner opened the hearing to the public. No one was present to speak. The public hearing was closed. MOTION: Commissioner Churchill moved to approve the conditional use permit subject to the conditions outlined in the report including allowing snowblowers to be displayed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Blundetto. The motion carried 6 - 0. This item will be on the City Council agenda on June 25, 1992. B. Zoning Text Revisions - Accessory Uses and Conditional Use Permits for Outdoor Display, Sales, and Storage LOCATION: City of Apple Valley PETITIONER: City of Apple Valley (PC92- 042 -0) STAFF REPORT: June 17, 1992 by Richard Kelley City Planner Richard Kelley presented the report dated June 17, 1992 regarding the zoning text revisions for accessory uses and conditional use permits for... This Public Hearing was set at the direction of the City Council to look at the possibility of having permitted accessory uses for outdoor display and sales rather than requiring a conditional use permit. With an accessory use permit, any commercial operation could have a substantial amount of display outside a business. Kelley suggested at the next meeting, the Staff would give site plans of existing buildings along with an idea of what it could look like with outdoor sales occurring. Kelley said there are two things to look at: (1) the aesthetics and (2) the duty of the City to the merchants to have a streamlined process. He said the attempt of this public hearing is to try and find a new medium between those two items. Commissioner asked how this proposed change compares with the conditional use permits that the Planning Commission has processed. Kelley responded that the Coast to Coast fits, except for that as passed Coast to Coast permit allows for displaying merchandise the whole length of the building. Commissioner Kitzman asked about glass windows. Kelley clarified that display could be allowed below the knee wall. He indicated that he will work on clarifying that language for the next meeting. Commissioner Edgeton asked about the conditions on sign permits. Kelley responded that often displays will be used as a mobile sign rather than simply a sign on a display. He indicated that he can clarify that language as well. Commissioner Churchill asked about the requirement for removable racks or carts. She was told the reason they are suggested to be required is to avoid stacking boxes and pallets outdoors. The intent is to both enhance the appearance and to facilitate moving the items in and out of a store. Planning Commission Minutes June 17, 1992 Page 5 Chair Felkner opened the hearing to the public. No one was present to speak. The hearing was closed. No action was taken. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Sketch Plan Discussion for Matchett Property - Located in the Southeast Corner of Trunk Highway #77 and Galaxie Avenue City Planner Richard Kelley presented some information on the Matchett property, noting its location and the designation on the Comprehensive Plan for up to 12 units per acre for residential development. He noted what had been developed and /or planned for on the surrounding properties. Eleanor Matchett addressed the Commission indicating that she thinks there is a need for affordable housing in the community that is both safe and attractive. The idea is to have units that are wood and brick. She thinks this area would be convenient for families with children because there is a school and park nearby, as well as a bike trail and playground. She hopes such a development would enhance Apple Valley. Eleanor introduced her grandson, Mark Fuller. Mr, Fuller asked if the development could be phased. He indicated that the plan is for 32 units made up of three 8- plexes and two 4- plexes. They would like to extend the street into a tear -drop type cul -de -sac. Mr. Kelley indicated that it could be phased, but the cul -de -sac would need to be constructed right away. Mr. Fuller indicated that the exterior would be brick and cedar. Mr. Kelley indicated that this type of development would have a density of about 10 units per acre and is "just about ideal" land use for this site. The Planning Commissioners suggested that the petitioner proceed with the plans. B. Review Newly Released Census Statistics Associate Planner McMonigal, presented a series of the most recently released census statistics. These included information on levels of income, levels of education, commute to work, length of residence, size of residence, etc. She indicated that these statistics will be used as a basis for updating the City's land use and housing plan. In general, Apple Valley has very high levels of education, participation in the work force and income. Apple Valley also has a very high level of persons who drive to work alone. The age distribution for the City shows a cross in the age 20 to 24 year old, with the largest levels being in the 30 - 44 year old range and in the 0 - 15 year old range. These combinations show the family makeup of the community. McMonigal concluded by noting that these are the existing characteristics of the community and in the future land use and housing planning, the Planning Commissioners should consider what they want the community to look like in the future and how our planning processes can reflect that. Planning Commission Minutes June 17, 1992 Page 6 8. OTHER BUSINESS A. Distribution of 1992 -99 Capital Improvements Plan Document The 1992 -99 Capital Improvements Plan was distributed in its final form. The plan was approved by the City Council March. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.