HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 11-02-2011Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2011
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 Shawn Drill, Senior
Planner Marie Darling, 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 Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the
November 2, 2011 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 5, 2011 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the
October 5, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. EBERT CONSTRUCTION (2011072)
Chair Davis introduced the request by Ebert Construction for a PUD amendment for
improvements to the Plymouth Station Auto Center for property located at 16825 County Road
24.
Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report.
Senior Planner Darling noted that a letter from Mr. Robert Lund at 3275 Olive Lane had been
received and added to the public record. She described the three concerns he outlined in his
letter. Regarding traffic circulation between the building and the canopy, Senior Planner Darling
described the field test that showed traffic circulation was sufficient. Regarding potential
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November 2, 2011
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distraction caused by the electronic sign, Senior Planner Darling responded that the zoning
ordinance regulates electronic signs to prevent distraction, including maximum lighting levels, a
minimum 15 -minute display, and a prohibition of bursts, flashes or scrolling messages.
Regarding potential congestion on the west side of the site where the propane and air equipment
is located, Senior Planner Darling responded that staff did not include any conditions requiring
the tanks to be moved due to the applicant's security concerns and fire code restrictions.
Commissioner Nelson asked if there would be any non -fueling, customer parking spots that
would be eliminated with the addition to the building. Senior Planner Darling responded that
there would not be any parking spaces that would be removed for the addition because the
addition would go in front of two service bays. She said that one of those service bays is an
equipment room for the carwash.
Commissioner Nelson asked if the city had any requirements or rules on square footage of a gas
station based on the number of pumps that are on the property. Senior Planner Darling replied
that there is no language in the zoning ordinance addressing that and she is not familiar with a
limitation in either the building or fire code.
Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Liz Nalezny, representing Plymouth Station Holiday. Ms.
Nalezny stated that they have been at this location for 10 years. She said that they love the
location and love being in Plymouth. She said that they have many, many loyal customers that
come every day and some of them even come multiple times a day. She said that over the years,
especially the last couple of years as they have grown, many of those customers have stated
opinions, comments and ideas to them and they have tried to sum those up into this request. She
said they want to do those things for their customers.
Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the
item.
Chair Davis stated that he uses this location often. He said he is concerned about congestion but
if it is within all the guidelines, he would be in support of this request.
Commissioner Anderson stated that there are times during the day that there is a lot of
congestion around there and around the pumps. He said that adding a pump island would help
that. He said that quite a bit of that traffic has tried to squeeze between the easterly pump and
the building. He said that the addition to the building would not encroach on that space. He said
that if it is too congested, people will just go somewhere else. He said that is for the market to
determine and not for us to say. He said it is great that a business in Plymouth is expanding.
Planning Manager Thomson commented that staff was also concerned about the congestion and
that's why staff worked with the applicant to do a test to make sure that there was sufficient
room.
MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the
request by Ebert Construction for a PUD amendment for improvements to the Plymouth Station
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Auto Center for property located at 16825 County Road 24. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved
unanimously.
B. B & B OF PLYMOUTH, LLC (2011079)
Chair Davis introduced the request by B & B of Plymouth, LLC for a conditional use permit to
allow a convenience food establishment within an existing commercial building for property
located at 4105 Vinewood Lane North.
Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the staff report. Senior Planner Drill presented a
revised resolution addressing a few minor changes.
Commissioner Anderson asked how many parking spaces would be required for a stand-alone
restaurant of this size that is not part of a shopping center. Senior Planner Drill responded that
the standard for a convenience restaurant is based on counter space and the number of seats. He
said that around 40 parking spaces would be required if this were a stand-alone restaurant and
not part of a shopping center.
Commissioner Anderson asked if 40 parking spaces, plus the parking requirements for the other
tenants in the building, would fit within the site. Senior Planner Drill replied there is generally a
lot of appeal when a new restaurant opens. He said that at least during the opening months, there
may be parking that overflows into the Target parking lot. He said parking requirements are
different in a shopping center setting because there is an overlap in the use of shared parking
spaces and different uses have parking needs at different times. He added that parking should
not be a problem.
Chair Davis asked if street parking is allowed in this area. Senior Planner Drill responded that
there is no on -street parking allowed, as the adjacent segment of Vinewood Lane is a collector
roadway.
Commissioner Kobussen asked if there would be outside seating and if so, would that require
installation of a patio. Senior Planner Drill replied there is a new curb island on the south side of
the building. He said the proposed plan shows three outside, seasonal tables that would be
approved as part of the conditional use permit.
Commissioner Kobussen asked how litter would be controlled outside as opposed to inside the
building. Senior Planner Drill responded that one of the conditions in the resolution requires that
they control litter on and near the site and also specifies that they have a trash receptacle outside
as well.
Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Scott Lesser, representing B & B of Plymouth, LLC.
Commissioner Petrash asked when the business would open. Mr. Lesser responded that they
have completed health department review of the plans and upon receiving approval for the
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conditional use permit, they would obtain a building permit to begin construction. He said that
their goal would be to open the store prior to the end of the year.
Chair Davis asked if they would be getting an agreement with Target to use their parking lot for
overflow. Mr. Lesser responded that a parking agreement would rest with the property owner
and whatever arrangement he has or might be able to obtain with Target.
Chair Davis asked if any issues with Target are anticipated. Senior Planner Drill noted that when
Blockbuster occupied this site, there was a lot of cross parking between the uses and it was never
a problem. Senior Planner Drill deferred to the property owner.
John Trautz, property owner, stated there is an agreement with Target that governs how all the
shops in this area work together. He said that there is cross parking and cross access but they are
not allowed to use parking on another property in their own count to meet city requirements. He
said in his experience with owning properties like this, generally 25 to 50 percent of the space is
occupied by food operators. He said that once the honeymoon period is over with the restaurant,
the parking ratio here should work just fine. He said that Five Guys is popular and there may be
some issues initially. He said there are all sorts of ways that landowners deal internally with that
and usually you wait to see what happens and then come up with the best ways to address the
specific issues.
Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the
item.
Commissioner Oakley stated that there is a one-way access to the site located on the south side
of the building. He said that, in his past experience at the site, invariably at the busiest times,
somebody tries to drive the opposite way to get out of the site. He asked if the applicant was
aware of this and if the property owner could address the one-way signage located there to
prevent traffic issues. He said that it's a great development.
Chair Davis asked if it is one-way in or one-way out of the site. Senior Planner Drill responded
that it is one-way into the site. He added that he has talked to the landowner about that issue. He
said they want to make sure there is good signage from both directions, so as you enter the site,
you realize that you can't leave that same way. In addition to a "Do Not Enter" sign, he said
they have talked about the potential of putting a painted arrow on the pavement.
Chair Davis received confirmation from the applicant that they are in agreement with the
resolution as revised.
MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to approve the
request by B & B of Plymouth, LLC for a conditional use permit to allow a convenience food
establishment within an existing commercial building for property located at 4105 Vinewood
Lane North. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
7. NEW BUSINESS
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8. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Chair Davis, with no objection to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.