HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 01-18-2012Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
January 18, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Dick Kobussen, Nathan
Robinson, Gordon Petrash, Scott Nelson, Bryan Oakley and Marc Anderson
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson, Senior Planner Josh Doty, City
Engineer Bob Moberg and Office Support Specialist Laurie Lokken
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC FORUM
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Oakley, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the
January 18, 2012 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 4, 2012 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to approve the
January 4, 2012 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. ST. JUDE MEDICAL (2011081)
Chair Davis introduced the request by St. Jude Medical for a site plan amendment for a 275,000
square foot building expansion and related site improvements for property located at 5050
Nathan Lane North.
Senior Planner Doty gave an overview of the staff report. Senior Planner Doty presented an
additional memo to the Planning Commission that corrected the proposed structural coverage in
the staff report and added a condition to the draft resolution requiring one-way signage in the
loading area.
Approved
Planning Commission Minutes
January 18, 2012
Page 2
Commissioner Nelson asked where the future parking deck that was mentioned in the application
would be located on the site. Senior Planner Doty responded that they would locate the future
parking deck at the northwest corner of the site. He pointed out that parking deck is not part of
this request. He said that their intent was to show their options to add more parking if needed in
the future. He added that they would need to come back through the site plan process to ask for
approval of a parking deck.
Commissioner Anderson asked if there is any requirement in terms of how tall and how thick
trees would have to be on top of the berm. Senior Planner Doty replied the ordinance calls out
for coniferous trees, berming or fencing as appropriate to provide an effective screen of a loading
area. He said a combination of things can be used to provide an effective screen. He said that in
this instance, there would be a combination of berming and coniferous trees on top of the berm.
He said that staff felt that an effective screen would be provided.
Commissioner Anderson asked what the percent of grade on the slope in the driveway into the
truck port area would be. Senior Planner Doty deferred his question to the applicant.
Commissioner Anderson asked if there would be tractor -trailer type trucks using that driveway.
Senior Planner Doty confirmed affirmatively.
Commissioner Anderson asked if fire protection circulation all the way around the building has
been reviewed. Senior Planner Doty responded that has been reviewed and shown to be
substantially in conformance. He said the turning radius evaluations have been reviewed and
that there is a condition allowing the fire inspector to take a final look at some of the turning
movements.
Commissioner Anderson asked if the drive aisles are compacted and able to handle the weight of
a fire truck. Senior Planner Doty confirmed affirmatively.
Commissioner Anderson asked what the exterior material would be on the building. Senior
Planner Doty deferred his question to the applicant.
Commissioner Kobussen stated that the dates in item one of the revised resolution should be
corrected from 2011 to 2012. Senior Planner Doty noted the correction.
Chair Davis introduced Jack Yates, representing St. Jude Medical. Mr. Yates introduced their
additional representatives present and gave a presentation of St. Jude Medical's background.
Commissioner Petrash asked if St. Jude Medical is a privately or publicly owned company. Mr.
Yates responded that they are a public company.
Mr. Yates continued his presentation with an overview of the site and building, including
exterior materials.
Approved
Planning Commission Minutes
January 18, 2012
Page 3
Commissioner Petrash asked if there would be very many new employees or if it would all be the
transferring of employees from other locations. Mr. Yates responded that their lease in Maple
Grove terminates on April 30, 2013 and they would be moving out of that building and moving
to Plymouth. He said that there are also two buildings in Minnetonka with leases terminating in
2013, which would largely be a transfer. He said this is more of a replacement activity than it is
new jobs with the growth to come further on down the road.
Commissioner Nelson stated it is exciting to have a flagship building for a company like this in
Plymouth, which is great for the city. He said the plan looks good and he would welcome more
of this kind of business into the city. He said that he did not see any reason to not fully endorse
the request.
Commissioner Petrash stated that the planning documents were very well done. He said that
they were easy to understand and it appears to be a very aesthetically pleasing facility.
Commissioner Anderson stated that he appreciated the architecture and how they blended the
existing structure materials around and then brought in some new elements as well. He said that
is a very creative solution and it is going to be a very nice looking building.
A representative of St. Jude Medical stated that the percent of grade for the truck loading area
would be 8.3%.
Commissioner Oakley stated that with an 8.3% grade, he would support this request.
Chair Davis stated that this is a great looking plan. He said that the view, with location along
Highway 169, will be a nice addition to the community and he would be voting to approve this
request.
MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the request
by St. Jude Medical for a site plan amendment for a 275,000 square foot building expansion and
related site improvements as outlined in the revised resolution for property located at 5050
Nathan Lane North. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
8. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Chair Davis, with no objection to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m.