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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/1989dorreefea' doloY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY NOVEMBER 15, 1989 1. CALL TO ORDER The November 15, 1989 meeting of the Apple Valley Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Robert Erickson at 7:33 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the City of Apple Valley City Hall. Members Present: Chairman Erickson, Members Felkner, Kleckner, Sterling, Gowling, and Weldon. Members Absent: Member Carlson. Park Committee Members Present: Ann Wyllie and Greg Kopischke. Staff Present: Richard Kelley, Meg McMonigal, Kurt Chatfield, Keith Gordon, Randy Johnson, and Dennis Welsch. Others Present: See the sign -in sheet. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The agenda was approved after adding Item 6A, Williams Pipeline variance request to the consent agenda. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 1, 1989 The minutes of the November 1, 1989 meeting were approved as submitted. 4. CONSENT AGENDA (One motion sends items needing no discussion on to the City Council with the staff recommendations.) A. Williams Pipeline Company Building Materials Variance LOCATION: 6451 - 150th Street West, Apple Valley, Minnesota PETITIONER: Leggette, Brashears and Graham, Inc. (PC89- 078 -V) MOTION: A motion was made by Member Weldon, seconded by Member Sterling, to recommend approval of the consent agenda, which consisted of a Williams Pipeline building variance request. The motion carried unanimously 5 - 0. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Park and Recreation Development Plan LOCATION: City of Apple Valley, Minnesota PETITIONER: City of Apple Valley (PC89- 076 -P) STAFF REPORT: November 15, 1989 by Associate Planner Meg McMonigal Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 1989 Page 2 Associate Planner Meg McMonigal reviewed the five -year park plan for 1990 through 1994 and noted that it was the framework for further decision making by elected and appointed officials. Park Director Randy Johnson introduced Park Committee Members Ann Wyllie and Greg Kopischke. Mr. Johnson provided an overview of the existing park system, consisting of 42 parks and a total of 624 acres. Planning Commission Member Felkner entered the meeting. Mr. Johnson noted that.lthere are three areas with inadequate parks to serve the population. Those included: Pennock at 139th; Apple Ponds area; and the gravel mine area. He noted that the recreation program staff estimates that there were over 166,200 user occasions during the calendar year of 1988. Mr. Johnson stated that the system is used very heavily and is considered one of the best park systems in the metropolitan area. Association Planner McMonigal reviewed the goals and policies of the plan on a section by section basis and Mr. Johnson explained the National and City standards within the proposed plan. Member Kleckner asked if all work authorized by the recent bond issue had been completed and was within budget. Mr. Johnson responded that all work had been completed and that the City was $90,000 short of paying for all improvements with the bond issue itself. Chairman Erickson asked if the current City subdivision regulations requiring cash dedication in lieu of park land was adequate. He felt the current dedication may be low by comparison to other communities. He also requested clarification regarding the Apple Ponds Park dedication. City Planner Richard Kelley stated that the agreement allows the City to either acquire land or continue to accept park cash dedications. Chairman Erickson noted that the future Athletic Complex, which is nearby the Apple Ponds subdivision, is not a substitute for a neighborhood park in the area and that the Apple Ponds area is isolated from the rest of the community and should have its own park. Associate Planner Meg McMonigal described the ten policies listed in the plan. Member Kleckner asked for clarification regarding the $500,000 park fund to be used for improvements in the future. Mr. Johnson responded that the interest from the $500,000 park trust fund will be used on a continuing basis to make improvements to the existing parks. Member Erickson stated, that in his opinion, the park system was a very good system - one which the City should be proud of. He asked for clarification regarding the definition of "school parks" in the plans. Mr. Johnson noted that a school park is park land shared by a school and the City, such as the Valley Middle School. Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 1989 Page 3 Member Felkner asked for clarification and a comparison of the National Park Standards with the current City of Apple Valley standards. Mr. Johnson stated that these comparisons will be available at the December 20th meeting when the Park Committee and Park Staff report back to the Planning Commission with a recommendation on the plan. Member Sterling asked for clarification regarding pathways along Galaxie Avenue. Associate Planner Meg McMonigal noted that those will be included in the transportation section of the comprehensive plan. Chairman Erickson asked for public comments on the park plan amendment. There were none. Member Sterling asked for clarification regarding ice rinks at Wildwood and Cedar Knolls. Mr. Johnson stated that ice rinks and tennis courts, as shown in the plan, should have a service radius of one mile instead of the maps in the plan which illustrate a one -half mile radius. A general discussion ensued regarding the comparability of the Apple Valley park system and ballfields with those of other communities. Some discussion related to the priority for use within the City. Mr. Johnson responded that the teams that play on ballfields in Apple Valley are given priority when members of the team live or work in the community. Chairman Erickson stated that the public hearing was left open until the December 20, 1989 meeting of the Planning Commission when further comments and recommendations will be received from the staff, public, and the Park Committee. He expressed his thanks to the Park Committee, Ann Wyllie, Greg Kopischke, and Randy Johnson for attending the meeting. The public hearing was closed. B. Residential Designations Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan LOCATION: City of Apple Valley, Minnesota PETITIONER: City of Apple Valley (PC89- 077 -P) STAFF REPORT: November 15, 1989 by City Planner Richard Kelley City Planner Richard Kelley provided background information regarding the changes proposed for residential land uses within the comprehensive plan. He noted that in the past, the City has used the designations "D -I", "D -II", "D- III ", and "D -IV ". These would be changed to designations "SF", "LD ", "MD ", and "HD ", respectively. He also noted the "D -II" area in the original plan, which were developed for single - family homes, would change to "SF" in the new plan, but areas designated as "D- II" in the old plan, which are either vacant or contain townhouses, would remain "LD" in the new plan. Chairman Erickson asked for comments from the public. There were none. The public hearing was closed. Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 1989 Page 4 MOTION: A motion was made by Member Sterling, seconded by Member Gowling, to recommend approval of the amendments to the comprehensive plan to add new designations for residential areas. The motion carried unanimously 6 - 0. C. Zoning Amendment - "RB" Car Washes LOCATION: City of Apple Valley, Minnesota PETITIONER: City of Apple Valley (PC89- 074 -0) STAFF REPORT: November 15, 1989 by City Planner Richard Kelley City Planner Richard Kelley presented information regarding the need to update the City's zoning text to provide for car wash operations as conditional uses within retail business zones. The staff recommended that such car washes be allowed within a retail business zone as a conditional use with a public hearing required. Member Kleckner asked for clarification regarding the required landscape standards and whether the Staff and Planning Commission would have some discretion from those standards. Chairman Erickson asked for comment from the public. There was none. Member Sterling asked if there are currently any free standing car washes in retail business zones. Staff responded there are none. Chairman Erickson closed the public hearing. No action was taken. D. Preliminary Plat Review for East Valley Plaza 2nd Addition LOCATION: Southwest Corner of 140th Street W. and Essex Avenue PETITIONER: McLaughlin - Lykken Enterprises and BMB Investments (PC89 - 055 -SZ) STAFF REPORT: November 15, 1989 by City Planner Richard Kelley City Planner Richard Kelley presented a staff and recommendation report regarding the preliminary plat for mixed commercial development in an area located in the southwest corner of 140th Street and Essex Avenue. The plat currently consists of one lot and four outlots. He summarized the Staff concerns related to the preliminary plat as follows: 1. The street name of 141st Street should be changed so that a numbered street does not intersect another numbered street. 2. The intersection of Upper 141st Street West and Essex Avenue should be aligned to a 90 intersection. Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 1989 Page 5 3. No direct driveway access to 140th Street West should be allowed. 4. The preliminary plat should allow for replatting of the outlots into lots and blocks with no additional public hearings as long as no new streets are necessary to be dedicated. The proposed street and lot alignment create an internal road system, which helps isolate the more intense commercial uses from abutting residential districts. Outlots C and D are currently zoned "A" for agricultural uses and are subject to future rezoning hearings before they can be built upon. A general discussion among the Planning Commission members ensued regarding the uses along Essex Avenue and on the proposed lots within the subdivision. Mr. Jay Blanchard, 18708 Jasmine Way, Lakeville, expressed no problems with the re- alignment of Upper 141st Street and Essex Avenue. There was no further comment from the public. The public hearing was closed and no action was taken at this time. E. Conditional Use - East Valley Car Wash; Site Plan LOCATION: Southeast Corner of 141st Street and Upper 141st Street PETITIONER: Jay Blanchard (PC89- 073 -BC) STAFF REPORT: November 15, 1989 by City Planner Richard Kelley City Planner Richard Kelley provided a background review on a request by Jay Blanchard to establish a four -lane car wash to be located in a retail business zone. A conditional use permit is required for both the car wash use and for an exterior masonry material other than brick, because a decorative concrete block is proposed. He noted that the site meets the proposed criteria for a car wash conditional use permit in a retail business zone and that the site plan meets the criteria for alternate exterior building materials as a conditional use, because of the colors and type of materials used on the East Valley Plaza. Mr. Kelley stated that the parking setback and vehicle parking stacking requirements are not met and will have to be adjusted to allow for at least four vehicles to stack behind each lane and one to be parked in front of each car wash lane (five total). He also noted that trash dumpsters or other suitable solutions will need to be addressed in the site plan. Mr. Jay Blanchard, 18708 Jasmine Way, Lakeville, stated that the project will use a blue -gray waffle block and rock face block with a light Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 1989 Page 6 blue trim. He stated that the building will meet the City's required setbacks of fifteen feet (15') on the side and front yards, but will have difficulty meeting a ninety foot (90') stacking distance at the rear of the building and suggested that instead of five vehicles at the back of the building, it is more appropriate to have one vehicle parked at the car wash exit and four vehicles at the entrance. He stated that there will be no trash dumpsters on the site, but there will be enclosed trash receptacles, including 55 gallon drums recessed into the ground with covers at each car vacuum station. Chairman Erickson asked for clarification regarding the waste receptacle collection times. Mr. Blanchard noted that he currently collects trash at the East Valley Plaza twice a week. Member Kleckner asked whether the staff could develop an agreement to include a need for future trash masters or enclosed storage. Mr. Kelley noted that the current ordinance requires any trash master to either be enclosed or placed inside the building, but does not require the use of a trash master; no agreement is necessary. A general discussion ensued regarding the site planning details, including the blue metal cap around the building and the roof top equipment. In regard to the stacking of vehicles at the car wash, Mr. Kelley stated that four spaces would be adequate at the entrance, plus an additional spacing at the exit and if necessary, a Proof of Parking Agreement. The staff noted that the current landscape plan needs to be upgraded to include a landscape materials list, which must equal or exceed 2.5% of the building cost. Chairman Erickson asked for public comment at the public hearing. There was none. The public hearing was closed. No action was taken. F. Conditional Use - Northstar Waterworks Outdoor Storage; Site Plan LOCATION: North of County Road 42, East of Johnny Cake Ridge Road PETITIONER: VenStar Corporation (PC89- 075 -BC) STAFF REPORT: October 25, 1989 by Associate Planner Meg McMonigal Associate Planner Meg McMonigal reviewed the site plans for a 20 acre project as proposed by VenStar Corporation to include construction of a 16,300 square foot warehouse and 4,800 square feet of office space. As part of this operation, the VenStar Corporation proposes an outdoor storage area of 100,000 square feet, which requires a conditional use permit within the City zoning code. Of the 100,000 square feet, 86,400 Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 1989 Page 7 square feet would be unpaved with the balance to be paved for storage and parking. A six foot high fence would be erected around the entire site with vines planted along the fence line on Johnny Cake Ridge Road. No plat was necessary on this site since the site is 20 acres in size and the State Statutes allow for any parcel of record larger than 5 acres to remain unplatted. The materials for the site would be tipup, pre -cast panels. Staff noted that the outdoor storage area is similar in many respects to the Centel storage and warehouse building located on 151st Street. Staff recommended that the conditional use permit be authorized with the following conditions: A soil sterilant be used. A concrete curb be installed around the perimeter of the site. 3. The six foot high fence be installed around the storage area. 4. The site plan be approved and the building permit authorized. 5. Additional winter landscaping be planted along Johnny Cake Ridge Road. 6. Paint materials not be added to the surface of the building, but rather into the material of the concrete tipup panels. Ms. McMonigal noted that there are 35 parking spaces on the site. There will only be 17 employees. There appears to be adequate parking and adequate expansion on the site for additional parking as the building expands. Dave Ericksmoen, VenStar architect, stated that the exterior color the building will be light gray with a dark blue trim around the top and dark bronze window trim. The natural color of the tipup, pre -cast panels will be gray in color. In addition, VenStar proposes to coat the exterior of the building with a gray paint to provide for even coloring throughout the exterior of the building, similar to other VenStar buildings. The VenStar architects are concerned about the uniformity of the color of exposed concrete and prefer to cover it with a continuous coat of gray color sealant. Mr. Ericksmoen noted that he had no objections to planting additional evergreens along the front property line and noted that the fence line, in coordination with the newly established berms and landscaping, will almost completely screen the proposed fence line for the storage area. He also stated that he had no problem with concrete curbs along the north and east sides of the project, but on the south and west sides of the project, the storage area may expand or contract and he requested that this area be Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 1989 Page 8 considered an exterior variable storage area with no curb on the south and west sides. He explained that any expansion of the building will be to the west. Chairman Erickson asked for comment from the public. There was no comment. The public hearing was closed. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Gowling, seconded by Member Sterling, to recommend approval of the conditional use permit as per the Staff requirements to allow for exterior storage, but deleting the curb requirement for the south and west sides. The motion carried unanimously 6 -0 MOTION: A motion was made by Member Gowling, seconded by Member Felkner, to recommend approval of the site plan and the building with a pre -cast concrete tipup panel exterior, adding additional landscape, as needed, along the berms as required by City standards. The motion carried unanimously 6 - 0. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Weldon, seconded by Member Gowling, to recommend approval of a variance to allow for a gray surface sealant on the exterior of the natural gray concrete tipup panels for panel protection and color consistency. The motion carried unanimously 6 - 0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS - Verbal Reports None 8. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Erickson explained the distribution of a paper flyer regarding sewer maintenance. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:09 p.m. Members Weldon and Kleckner asked to attend the next GTS seminar. Staff will attempt to register the two members for this session to be held in late November. kg