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.