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HomeMy WebLinkAbout122122 PC MINUTESCITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 21, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair Kurtz at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Jodi Kurtz, Paul Scanlan, Becky Sandahl, Phil Mahowald and Jeff Prewitt Member(s) Absent: Keith Diekmann, David Schindler City staff members attending: City Planner Tom Lovelace, Planner Kathy Bodmer, City Engineer Brandon Anderson, Public Works Director Matt Saam, City Attorney Brian Wisdorf, and Department Assistant Breanna Vincent. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kurtz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. – None. MOTION: Commissioner Mahowald moved, seconded by Commissioner Scanlan, approving the agenda. Roll call vote: Ayes - 5 – Nays - 0. 3. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approval of Minutes of December 7, 2022 MOTION: Commissioner Mahowald moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, approving the minutes of the meeting of December 7, 2022. Roll call vote: Ayes – 4 – Nays – 0 – AB – 1. 4. PUBLIC HEARING None 5. LAND USE A. Central Maintenance Facility – 2022 Expansion Planner Bodmer provided a brief presentation. Chair Kurtz asked if the project would be starting in the spring or summer as there is a lot of traffic with its proximity to Eastview. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes December 21, 2022 Page 2 of 6 Public Works Director Matt Saam stated that there is an improvement to the police facility that currently stores all of the police squad cars, that is not yet ready to bid until likely the spring. Mr. Saam anticipates that there will be construction during the summer months as well as the school year of whichever year the project begins. Public Works Director Saam provided a brief presentation on the project. Architect Thomas Stromsodt (Oertel Architects) provided some renderings for the project. Commissioner Mahowald asked if there were areas along the western side of the property that were already consistent with the variance request. Planner Bodmer stated that rather than maximizing where they really need the turning room, the idea was to keep a straight curb to keep it easier for plowing. Commissioner Mahowald asked if there were any concerns from residents along the west side. Planner Bodmer said that Public Works conducted a neighborhood meeting and Public Works Director Saam stated that there were no concerns from those who attended. Commissioner Mahowald asked if the additions are adequate to meet our needs for the long term needs of the City. PW Director Saam advised that Oertel Architects conducted a study on population projections, additional street mileage, etc. and feel confident that this facility will meet the needs. Chair Kurtz asked if the City owns the land south of the property. PW Director Saam stated that the City does not own it but is speaking with the property owner. Commissioner Scanlan observed that this project is timely given the fact that the City is approaching build-out. Commissioner Scanlan stated that architecturally, the project looks great. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to recommend approval of a variance to allow building coverage to increase from 20% to 22%, based on findings 1-4. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes December 21, 2022 Page 3 of 6 MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to recommend approval of a variance to reduce the setback for the parking lot addition from 140th St. W. from 20’ to 10’, based on findings 1-4. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to recommend approval of a variance to reduce the setback for the drive/circulation lane from Flagstaff Ave from 20’to 5’, based on findings 1- 4. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to recommend approval of a variance to reduce the setback for the drive/circulation lane from the west property line from 20’to 5’, based on findings 1-6. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to recommend approval of a site plan/building permit authorization for demolition of warm storage building, remodeling of existing CMF and new construction and additions totaling 45,500 sq. ft. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to recommend approval of the draft resolution finding proposed Capital Improvements to CMF consistent with 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. B. Orchard Place 4th Addition City Planner Lovelace provided a brief presentation. Commissioner Scanlan asked if the sidewalk connections and extra screening would be part of the approval process. City Planner Lovelace stated that it would be part of the recommendation. Chair Kurtz stated that the buildings look nice. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, to recommend approval of the subdivision of 18.9 acres into two lots and two outlots, subject to conditions 1-5. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes December 21, 2022 Page 4 of 6 MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, to recommend approval of the rezoning of Lot 1, Block 1, Orchard Place 4th Addition from “SG” to “RB”. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays– 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, to recommend approval of the rezoning of Lot 2, Block 1, Orchard Place 4th Addition from “SG” to “RB”. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays– 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, to recommend approval of the site plan/building permit authorization to allow for construction of a veterinary clinic on Lot 1, Block 1, Orchard Place 4th Addition, subject to conditions 1-10 in the staff report. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays– 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, to recommend approval of the subdivision of 18.9 acres into two lots and two outlots, subject to conditions 1-5. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahowald, to recommend approval of the site plan/building permit authorization to allow for construction of a medical office building on Lot 2, Block 1, Orchard Place 4th Addition, subject to conditions 1-4 in the staff report. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays– 0. C. Adams/Kent Detached Shed Variance Planner Bodmer provided a brief presentation. Chair Kurtz asked if the shed could have been placed in the southwest corner of the property. Planner Bodmer stated it could have been placed there. Commissioner Prewitt asked Planner Bodmer to expand on the loss or impact of having something placed within a setback area. Planner Bodmer stated that setbacks are set for numerous reasons. Corner lots require a 20’ side setback for any buildings to allow for visibility, clearance, snow storage, etc. although a fence could go up to the property line. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes December 21, 2022 Page 5 of 6 Commissioner Scanlan stated that the Commission has remained fairly consistent with setback variances and asked if Planner Bodmer could explain the reasoning for a practical difficulty. Planner Bodmer said that practical difficulties many times have to deal with physical difficulties such as a ravine or mature trees that are needing to be avoided. In this instance, the petitioner has made the case that the setback is 20’, though Planner Bodmer states that this setback is in place throughout the City. A practical difficulty is not a factor of convenience. Petitioners Eric Adams and Maryn Kent provided some additional reasoning for the current placement of the shed. Commissioner Mahowald stated that this would not meet the definition of a practical difficulty but he can see where this would not be a bad area for it since there is screening with the evergreens. Chair Kurtz agreed that it is a difficult decision to vote on. Commissioner Scanlan asked if each commissioner should give their reasoning after the vote is made. Planner Bodmer stated that the reasoning can be made as part of the motion. Commissioner Scanlan agreed with other commissioners that this situation is tough as they do need to abide by the practical difficulty requirement. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to recommend denial of the variance to reduce the side yard setback for a 195.5 sq. ft. detached shed from 20’ to 12’ because the petitioners failed to provide a practical difficulty that necessitates the issuance of the variance. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays– 0. 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Review of Upcoming Schedule and Other Updates The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 4, 2022, 7:00 p.m. The next City Council meeting is Thursday, December 22, 2022, 7:00 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kurtz asked for a motion to adjourn.