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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 02-20-2008Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting February 20, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Holmes, Commissioners Terry Jaffoni, Erik Aamoth, Karl Neset, Frank Weir, James Davis and John Cooney. (Commissioner Cooney arrived at 7:06 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Senior Planner Marie Darling, Planner Joshua Doty, and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Neset, to approve the February 20, 2008 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2008 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the February 6, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. Chair Holmes and Commissioner Weir abstained. B. ESI DESIGN SERVICES, INC. (2007111) MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the request by ESI Design Services, Inc. for a site plan amendment and variance for a 108,017 - square foot building expansion for U.S. Foodservice for property located at 9605 54th Avenue North. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2008 Page 2 C. VALET BUILDING SERVICES (2008004) MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the request by Valet Building Services for a variance to maximum imperious surface coverage for the construction of a porch addition for property located at 15620 40th Avenue North. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. PUBLIC HEARING A. APPLE AUTOMATIC FOOD SERVICE (2008005) Chair Holmes introduced the request by Apple Automatic Food Service for a zoning ordinance text amendment to allow vending companies as a permitted use in the C-5 Commercial/Industrial) Zoning District. Planner Doty gave an overview of the February 12, 2008 staff report. Commissioner Jaffoni asked why vending companies were excluded in the original zoning ordinance. Planner Doty explained that this specific use had not been requested to date. He said the use could fit into some of the industrial zones in the city, depending on the business. Planning Manager Senness added that the vending company use was not excluded, just not included. Commissioner Jaffoni asked how many jobs this company would bring to Plymouth. Chair Holmes introduced the applicant, Mark Young, 5907 Goodrich Avenue, St. Louis Park. Mr. Young said they presently employ 25 people; 18 — 20 are full time, and the part- time employees are high school students recruited through job programs in St. Louis Park. Mr. Young said the business started from scratch in St. Louis Park and they hope to be part of the Plymouth community now that they have found the building and are hoping it will suit their needs. Chair Holmes opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve request by Apple Automatic Food Service for a zoning ordinance text amendment to allow vending companies as a permitted use in the C-5 (Commercial/Industrial) Zoning District. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2008 Page 3 B. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2007098) Chair Holmes introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for the annual update to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code, and rezoning of the Little Flowers Montessori site located at 4155 Zachary Lane. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the February 12, 2008 staff report. Senior Planner Darling reviewed the proposed changes to the sign regulations. Chair Holmes asked how a natural landscaping is determined, and how natural landscaping would be maintained. Senior Planner Drill said the applicant would work closely with City staff, including the weed inspector, to determine if the proposed plantings would be appropriate. He said a maintenance guarantee in the form of a letter of credit would be required to ensure the installation is properly completed, and staff would monitor and inspect the natural landscaping at various checkpoints. He said the City already has ordinances to address issues such as weeds. Planning Manager Senness stated that this amendment would give more flexibility to an existing section of code. She said there have been a number of inquiries from institutional uses who want to have more native plantings. Commissioner Davis asked if electronic billboards, such as those on I-394 and 1-494 are currently prohibited in City of Plymouth. Senior Planner Darling answered affirmatively. Commissioner Davis asked about the little signs on corners everywhere, advertising mortgages, jobs, etc. Senior Planner Darling stated signs are not allowed in the public right-of-way. She said these signs seem to grow up overnight. Enforcement personnel will pull these signs or lay them down if they block visibility, or owners will be contacted to come and pick them up at City Hall. Commissioner Jaffoni asked if the amber or white color designations apply to electronic signs only. Senior Planner Darling answered affirmatively. Commissioner Jaffoni asked if there would be problems for people who already have electronic signs not in those colors. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2008 Page 4 Senior Planner Darling said these signs will continue as non -conforming, and that colors can be changed when their signs are updated. Planning Manager Senness noted there are very few electronic signs today. Commissioner Davis asked if a permit is required for the temporary signs. Senior Planner Darling said a temporary sign permit is required and that is how we track the number of temporary signs they have each year. Chair Holmes opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. Commissioner Weir thanked city staff for preparing this annual update, and recommended moving it on to City Council. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Cooney, to approve the request by the City of Plymouth for the annual update to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code, and rezoning of the Little Flowers Montessori site located at 4155 Zachary Lane. Chair Holmes thanked the staff and said this is a big project. He said it is good to be in front of the curve on so many issues so the Planning Commission has a good reference and good facts to make informed decisions. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Holmes, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.