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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010423 PC MINUTESCITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Scanlan at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Paul Scanlan, Keith Diekmann, David Schindler, Phil Mahowald, Becky Sandahl and Jeff Prewitt Member(s) Absent: Jodi Kurtz City staff members attending: City Planner Tom Lovelace, Planner Alex Sharpe, City Attorney Sharon Hills, and Department Assistant Breanna Vincent. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Scanlan asked if there were any changes to the agenda. – None. MOTION: Commissioner Schindler moved, seconded by Commissioner Diekmann, approving the agenda. Roll call vote: Ayes - 6 – Nays – 0. 3. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approval of Minutes of December 21, 2022 MOTION: Commissioner Diekmann moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler, approving the minutes of the meeting of December 21, 2022. Roll call vote: Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0 – AB – 1. 4. PUBLIC HEARING A. X-Golf On-Sale Liquor Conditional Use Permit Vice Chair Scanlan opened the public hearing. Planner Sharpe provided a brief presentation. Petitioner Ben Feret (Minnesota Capital Management) provided some additional information. There were no questions or comments from the commissioners or the public. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes January 4, 2023 Page 2 of 4 MOTION: Commissioner Diekmann moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler, to recommend approval of an on-sale liquor sales conditional use permit. Roll call vote: Ayes – 6 – Nays – 0. 5. LAND USE A. Lunds & Byerlys Sign Variance Planner Sharpe provided a brief presentation. Petitioner Brad Lis also provided additional information. Commissioner Diekmann asked why the Planning Commission should grant a variance when Mr. Lis stated that the sign would not impact their business. Mr. Lis stated that the sign would not be for advertising purposes but more so for safety and ensuring that traffic moves more efficiently. Commissioner Diekmann said there is difficulty in granting a variance for an additional sign based on a hardship or need, when he does not see one. Traffic and safety would have been addressed by the City Engineer. Mr. Lis stated that it would enhance the safety of people getting to the store. The main pylon sign would be for advertising purposes and the additional sign would provide for easier traffic flow to the site. Commissioner Mahowald asked if there is a plan to have signage on the west side of the building. Mr. Lis stated that there will be signage but it will be smaller. The other issue is that by the time people are seeing that signage, they have already gone past the building. People coming north from English Ave. will likely see it right away but not those coming from the south. Commissioner Mahowald pointed out that Target also does not have an entrance from Pilot Knob Road and though users need to use 157th to access it, there is not directional signage to guide you back towards the store. Target and Lunds & Byerlys have similar sight line issues. There are other sites in the area that are similarly set up to Lunds & Byerlys. The request may be premature and perhaps signage could be added if the need arises. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes January 4, 2023 Page 3 of 4 Planner Sharpe pointed out that Target does not have directional signage. He also stated that the applicant noted several times in their application materials that the size of the sign is not intended to have an adverse effect upon adjacent properties or be used for advertisement purposes. Commissioner Prewitt asked if there is anything that would prevent the location of the secondary monument sign from being located where the requested sign is. Mr. Lis stated that they do want that sign for advertising purposes so would like to leave it off of Pilot Knob. Vice Chair Scanlan stated that Lunds & Byerlys are a well-established brand in the Twin Cities, from the logo to how the stores are designed. Vice Chair Scanlan did agree with Commissioner Mahowald that if the project did not move forward, it could be looked at again in the future if warranted. MOTION: Commissioner Diekmann moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler, to recommend denial of a sign variance for Lunds & Byerlys to allow two ground/pylon signs where one is permitted. Roll call vote: Ayes – 6 –Nays – 0. B. Obsidian Cobblestreet Mall Planner Sharpe provided a brief presentation. The applicant was not able to attend the meeting due to the severe weather. Commissioner Schindler asked if the south elevation is the final product. Planner Sharpe stated that it is the final product. It does have 6 materials on the face and it is a fairly small building. Vice Chair Scanlan asked if the south side of the building would face the senior living facility and will the utilities be located in the rear of the building as well. Planner Sharpe stated that the rear utility rooms will be centralized and staff continues to proceed with the condition of using a landscape budget for something other than vegetation. Vice Chair Scanlan asked if Planner Sharpe had the proposed verbiage for the approval.