HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Packet 07-17-20191 of 6 Proposed Minutes Meeting of June 19, 2019
Proposed Minutes
Planning Commission Meeting
June 19, 2019
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Bryan Oakley, Commissioners Donovan Saba, David Witte,
Justin Markell and Jaspreet (Jesse) Narr
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Marc Anderson, Commissioner Julie Witt
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Senior
Planner Kip Berglund, Senior Planner Lori Sommers and Senior Engineering Technician Trevor
Quast
OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Ned Carroll
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC FORUM
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Witte, seconded by Commissioner Narr to approve the June 19,
2019 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 5, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Witte, seconded by Commissioner Saba, to approve the consent
agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. LANDFORM PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC (2019025)
Vice Chair Oakley introduced the request by Landform Professional Services, LLC for a PUD
amendment to allow an addition and related site improvements at McDonald's located at 2705
Annapolis Circle.
Senior Planner Sommers gave an overview of the staff report.
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Commissioner Witte noted that McDonald's would lose one space under the proposal. He asked
where employees would park and how many spaces they would take.
Senior Planner Sommers pointed out the locations on the site where employees would park.
Planning Manager Thomson confirmed that the number of employees would not increase under
the proposal and noted that since there is not a parking problem currently, there should not be an
issue with the loss of one space.
Commissioner Witte asked about pedestrian access, noting that there was much less activity in
the general area when McDonald's was first in operation. He questioned now that there is more
activity, they don't necessarily need sidewalks, but asked whether we have looked at ways to
walk to McDonald's without having to drive there.
Senior Planner Sommers responded that there have been internal discussions with engineering
and parks staff about this issue. She noted there is a sidewalk on the east side of Annapolis
Circle, but staff was concerned that a mid-block crossing to access that sidewalk would be
hazardous, and staff did not want to promote such a crossing.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Kevin Shay, representing the applicant, who stated he did not have
any questions or concerns with the staff report and was there to answer any questions the
commission may have.
Commissioner Witte noted he was curious why McDonald's was proposing a play space when 70
percent of their traffic is using the drive through.
Mr. Shay indicated he did not know the reasoning behind the request, as he is just the facilitator
of their plans.
Vice Chair Oakley opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing as there was no one
present requesting to speak on this item.
MOTION by Commissioner Witte, seconded by Commissioner Narr, to recommend approval of
the request by Landform Professional Services, LLC for a PUD amendment to allow an addition
and related site improvements at McDonald's located at 2705 Annapolis Circle. Vote. 5 Ayes.
MOTION approved.
B. ELAN DESIGN LAB, INC. (2019029)
Vice Chair Oakley introduced the request by Elan Design Lab, Inc. for a PUD amendment to
allow reconfiguration of the parking lots and other related improvements for properties located at
2955 Xenium Lane, 2800 Campus Drive and 2905 Northwest Boulevard.
Senior Planner Berglund gave an overview of the staff report.
Meeting of June 19, 2019 Proposed Minutes 3 of 6
Commissioner Markell asked and answered his own question regarding the increase in
impervious surface with the proposed increase in parking, noting it would increase from 512,000
square feet to 550,000 square feet.
Commissioner Witte noted a potential concern with the height of the light poles and the
distribution of light and the color of the lighting.
Senior Planner Berglund responded that the applicant has supplied a lighting plan, but it is
lacking in some of the details needed to determine whether it conforms to city requirements. He
noted that the height of the poles was not in question, but rather details including the color
temperature and color rendering of the proposed lighting. He confirmed that there is a condition
in the approving resolution requiring these items prior to the issuance of a grading permit.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Steve Johnston, representing the property owner, who stated the
intent of the project is to create more of a campus feel for the three buildings and provide more
flexibility with parking between the uses. Regarding sidewalks, he noted they are looking at
opportunities to bring crosswalks to front doors. He explained that the plans for storm water
address rate control, with the increase in impervious surface. He added that they intend to
comply with all the city's lighting requirements and just need to add more detail in that regard.
Vice Chair Oakley opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing as there was no one
present requesting to speak on this item.
MOTION by Commissioner Saba, seconded by Commissioner Witte, to recommend approval of
the request by Elan Design Lab, Inc. for a PUD amendment to allow reconfiguration of the
parking lots and other related improvements for properties located at 2955 Xenium Lane, 2800
Campus Drive and 2905 Northwest Boulevard. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
C. DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP (2019035)
Vice Chair Oakley introduced the request by Dorsey & Whitney LLP for a conditional use permit
for the installation of an FM transmitting antenna at Fourth Baptist Church located at 900
Forestview Lane.
Senior Planner Berglund gave an overview of the staff report.
Commissioner Narr asked if there was a daycare on the site and if so, how would the antenna
affect children that might be playing on the playground.
Senior Planner Berglund indicated that the applicant could address that question, but noted that
the playground is located further southwest on the property, away from the building.
Commissioner Saba asked and staff confirmed that the antenna would be pointing away from
Highway 55, facing instead toward the south portion of the property.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Dawn Koestner, representing the applicant, who stated there is no
daycare at the church, but there is a Christian school for grades K through 12. She noted that the
Meeting of June 19, 2019 Proposed Minutes 4 of 6
building is parallel to Highway 55 and the antenna is pointing down Highway 55. Ms. Koestner
stated they are in agreement with the resolution except for procedural concerns with wording of
the resolution with respect to using Dorsey & Whitney's name as opposed to the church's name.
With respect to condition four, she stated they have no issue with painting or galvanizing the
antenna brackets, etc. but she indicated that the antenna itself cannot be altered in any way or it
will not transmit effectively.
Commissioner Witte asked about the impact of radio waves on children.
Ms. Koestner indicated that the impact of radio waves was addressed in a study that was
included in one of the attachments to their application. She referred to a drawing that showed the
area of impact. She stated that given the extent of that area, a person would need to be on the
roof of the building or in the rafters of the sanctuary to be affected, consequently there is no
threat to children either inside the school or on the playground.
Vice Chair Oakley opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing as there was no one
present requesting to speak on this item.
Planning Manager Thomson responded to Ms. Koestner's concern about wording in the
resolution. She indicated that the language in the resolution is standard language, stating that the
CUP is allowing for the installation of an antenna at Fourth Baptist Church and simply noting
that Dorsey & Whitney is the requester.
MOTION by Commissioner Narr, seconded by Commissioner Markell, to recommend approval
of the request by Dorsey & Whitney LLP for a conditional use permit for the installation of an
FM transmitting antenna at Fourth Baptist Church located at 900 Forestview Lane with the
removal of a comma in condition four between "antenna" and "mounting bracket," so it now
reads "The antenna mounting bracket...." Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
D. ROBBINSDALE AREA SCHOOLS (ISD #281) (2019040)
Vice Chair Oakley introduced the request by Robbinsdale Area Schools (ISD #281) for a
conditional use permit amendment pertaining to use of the outdoor stadium at Armstrong High
School located at 10635 36th Avenue.
Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the staff report.
Commissioner Narr referenced the lighting intensity and asked ifthere is information on the
threshold to ensure that the lighting does not impact adjacent properties.
Senior Planner Drill replied that the lighting intensity would not change. He noted that the
existing stadium lighting was vetted when originally installed.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Kristine Wehrkamp, representing the applicant, who stated that the
CUP amendment to allow additional use of the stadium is an opportunity to share a community
asset, in that this is a public facility that could be shared for additional uses by the community.
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She noted the amendment also matches what the school district is doing at Cooper High School
in New Hope.
Commissioner Narr asked if a sound survey has been done for the public address system.
Ms. Wehrkamp responded that when it was installed in 2006, the system complied with all
regulations of the city. She stated that the stadium itself is not changing, simply the use of the
existing stadium and public address system.
Commissioner Markell indicated he was unsure that the resolution stipulates limited hours on the
public address system.
Ms. Wehrkamp stated that the public address system would be limited by outside users to
Saturdays between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. She referenced lighting and noted that the lighting
would typically not be used during the summer hours because of the natural light available
during those times.
Commissioner Witte asked if this plan is similar to the system in place at Cooper High School
and also used by Wayzata High School.
Ms. Wehrkamp stated that this plan is similar to the one at Cooper High School. She noted that
the difference would be that Cooper operates from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., while this request
would be from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. She stated that other high schools operate similar
programs, noting that high school sports take priority, but the asset can then be shared with other
organizations in the community.
Commissioner Witte stated that there are a lot of nearby neighborhoods. He asked if the school
currently receives complaints from neighbors regarding noise.
Ms. Wehrkamp replied that the school receives a limited number of complaints.
Vice Chair Oakley opened the public hearing.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Sue Holtz, 10710 34th Avenue, who stated that she enjoys sitting
outside and listening to the games going on. She said she believed that this would be a beneficial
use that could allow the district to share its assets. She noted that the screening in pJace prevents
the lighting from being obtrusive.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Lowell Holtz, 10710 34th Avenue, who stated that he too finds it
entertaining to listen to the games. He stated that it also provides an opportunity for the district
to raise funds outside of property taxes.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Patricia Wakkinen, 10535 34th Avenue, who stated there are times
when the public address system is extremely loud. She stated she does not care to listen to that
loud degree of noise in the summer when she is attempting to enjoy her yard. She stated it is her
understanding that the public address system would only be used until 5:00 p.m. She referenced
an event that took place in May that generated an extreme level of noise that she found annoying.
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She stated she can tolerate most of the games and band noises, but there are times when the level
seems higher or the music has a lot of bass.
Vice Chair Oakley introduced Warren Solom, 3620 Trenton Lane, who stated that the noise and
lights have never bothered him. He stated he is proud of the facility and only has positive
feedback. He asked the process that would be used if the conditional use permit is approved and
in the future a reversal of the approval is needed. He asked if there has been discussion or
consideration that the use of the facility be limited to athletic events only, as he has concern with
others that could rent the facility for rallies or other events.
Vice Chair Oakley closed the public hearing.
Ms. Wehrkamp stated that when the public address system was installed, it was approved by the
city as within allowed regulations. She noted that this request would add eight Saturdays during
the summer between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. She stated that perhaps another
soundcheck could be done to ensure that the equipment is still operating within the allowed
regulations.
Planning Manager Thomson stated that the lower tones, such as bass tones, do not register as
over the decibel limit and therefore are difficult to test for. She stated that perhaps the school
district could provide the name of an individual for residents to contact if there is a noise issue.
Ms. Wehrkamp confirmed that information is contained within the document and available on
the school district website. She stated that the outside use would be available for more than just
athletic events, but noted that the school district has thus far only received requests for athletic
events or practice times. She said she would hesitate to add a limitation on the type of event as
she would like the opportunity to be open to other community groups.
Planning Manager Thomson confirmed that the city does have a reversal process for a
conditional use permit, should issues arise.
Commissioner Markell said that the resolution does stipulate limited hours on the public address
system.
MOTION by Commissioner Witte, seconded by Commissioner Narr, to recommend approval of
the request by Robbinsdale Area Schools (ISD #281) for a conditional use permit amendment
pertaining to use of the outdoor stadium at Armstrong High School located at 10635 36th Avenue.
Vote.· 5 Ayes. MOTION approved.
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Vice Chair Oakley, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 P.M.