Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 04-07-2004Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting April 7, 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Peggy Larson, Commissioners Kendall Griffith, Frank Weir, James Holmes, Melissa Musliner, Nancy Franke -Wilson, and Sarah Anderson MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning Manager Barb Senness, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Senior Planner Marie Darling, Planner Rebecca Bowers, Associate Planner Kip Berglund, City Engineer Ron Quanbeck, and Office Support Specialist Ranelle Gifford 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 Griffith, recommending approval of the April 7, 2004 Planning Commission Agenda with the change of hearing Item 6G prior to Item 6F. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF MARCH 17, 2004 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Griffith, to approve the March 17, 2004 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. RONALD MALONE (2004017) MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Griffith, to approve the request by Ronald Malone for a variance to allow a 5.4 -foot side yard setback where 10 feet is the minimum required to allow conversion of a portion of the existing garage to living area for property located at 10106 South Shore Drive. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2004 Page 2 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. FMHC/T-MOBILE (2004015) Chair Larson introduced the request by FMHC/T-Mobile for a conditional use permit to allow the placement of wireless telephone antennas on an existing 330 -foot tower and related ground equipment located at 1145 Shenandoah Lane North. Associate Planner Berglund gave an overview of the March 30, 2004 staff report. Associate Planner Berglund stated the applicant is requesting the conditional use permit amendment to allow six antennas rather than four as stated in the resolution. He said this would not affect staff's recommendation. Chair Larson introduced the applicant Chuck Beisner, 5650 Trenton Lane North. Mr. Beisner said he agrees with the staff report and conditions. He said there would be six antennas rather than four as stated in the resolution. Mr. Beisner said their application was for six antennas but the plans were not clear. Chair Larson opened and closed the public hearing as no one was present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to approve the request by FMHC/T-Mobile for a conditional use permit to allow the placement of wireless telephone antennas on an existing 330 -foot tower and related ground equipment located at 1145 Shenandoah Lane North. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. PLYMOUTH COVENANT CHURCH (2004020) Chair Larson introduced the request by Plymouth Covenant Church for a site plan amendment and conditional use permit amendment to allow construction of a 760 square foot narthex addition for property located at 4300 Vicksburg Lane North. Planner Bowers gave an overview of the March 30, 2004 staff report. Chair Larson introduced the applicant Gerry Butcher, 11467 Preserve Lane. Mr. Butcher said he concurs with the staff report and conditions. Chair Larson opened and closed the public hearing as no one was present to speak on the item. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2004 Page 3 MOTION by Commissioner Griffith, seconded by Commissioner Weir, to approve the request by Plymouth Covenant Church for a site plan amendment and conditional use permit amendment to allow construction of a 760 square foot narthex addition for property located at 4300 Vicksburg Lane North. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. C. ELIM CARE, INC. (2004023) Chair Larson introduced the request by Elim Care, Inc. for a planned unit development amendment to install an emergency generator for Cornerstone Commons Assisted Living located at 3750 Lawndale Lane North. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the March 30, 2004 staff report. She said due to unresolved issues regarding noise attenuation, staff is recommending the request be continued to the April 21, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. Senior Planner Darling stated staff received a letter from Gene Ronning and Jill Kruger, which is now part of the public record, stating concerns with the proposed generator. Commissioner Musliner asked how many residents lived at the site. Senior Planner Darling stated the building has 84 units but it is vacant at this time. Commissioner Wilson asked for further detail on the enclosure. Senior Planner Darling said the air conditioning unit sits on a pad just east of the building. She said the generator would be located within the existing enclosure. She said it has to be within the enclosure to meet the current noise regulations. Chair Larson asked if the protection of the wildlife could be addressed. Senior Planner Darling said staff could investigate that. Commissioner Weir asked if this request was for an air conditioner and a generator. Senior Planner Darling said the air conditioner was already approved at an earlier date and is in place. She said this request is for the emergency generator. Commissioner Anderson asked what steps could be taken for future assisted living projects to have the emergency generator included in the original plans. Director Hurlburt said emergency generators are not a requirement for this type of building so the City could not require it. Chair Larson opened the public hearing and stated it would remain open to allow the applicant time to address the unresolved issue regarding noise attenuation and be continued to the April 21, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2004 Page 4 D. CARLSON REAL ESTATE (2004012) Chair Larson introduced the request by Carlson Real Estate for a site plan amendment, conditional use permit, and variances to allow construction of 6 town office buildings for property located at 3501 Plymouth Boulevard. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the March 30, 2004 staff report. Chair Larson introduced the applicant Chris Kirby, 301 Carlson Parkway. Mr. Kirby introduced his associate Kristin Hall. the look of the proposed town office buildings. ideal location for this type of office building. Ms. Hall showed a three-dimensional video of Mr. Kirby stated the City Center area was an Chair Larson asked if there is a possibility for small retail business or if it is strictly for office use. Mr. Kirby said there is a possibility of applying for a conditional use permit to allow a retail use if adequate parking is provided. Senior Planner Drill said the proposed project would be slightly over in the parking requirements so a conditional use permit could be considered. Chair Larson opened and closed the public hearing as no one was present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to approve the request by Carlson Real Estate for a site plan amendment, conditional use permit, and variances to allow construction of 6 town office buildings for property located at 3501 Plymouth Boulevard. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. E. DJR ARCHITECTURE, INC. (2004016) Chair Larson introduced the request by DJR Architecture, Inc., under File No. 2004016, for a rezoning from CC -RE (City Center, Retail/Entertainment) to CC -R (City Center, Retail) and for a site plan and variance to allow construction of a roughly 4,000 square foot Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union on the vacant 1.5 -acre parcel located south of 34th Avenue between Plymouth Boulevard and Vicksburg Lane. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the March 30, 2004 staff report. Commissioner Holmes asked for further information on the proposed pylon sign. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2004 Page 5 Senior Planner Drill showed a plan of the proposed pylon sign. He said the plan also includes a small directional sign near the site entrance. He said both signs would comply with the City's sign regulations. Chair Larson introduced the applicant Jeff Streeter, 18215 -24th Avenue North. Mr. Streeter said he concurs with the staff report and conditions. Chair Larson asked who would be eligible members of the credit union. Mr. Streeter said employees of the State of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota. He said the full requirements for membership are listed as an attachment to the staff report. Chair Larson opened and closed the public hearing as no one was present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to approve the request by DJR Architecture, Inc., under File No. 2004016, for a rezoning from CC -RE (City Center, Retail/Entertainment) to CC -R (City Center, Retail) and for a site plan and variance to allow construction of a roughly 4,000 square foot Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union on the vacant 1.5 - acre parcel located south of 34th Avenue between Plymouth Boulevard and Vicksburg Lane. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. G. DSU, INC. (2004014) Chair Larson introduced the request by DSU, Inc., under File 2004014, for an interim use permit for grading to create a berm on property located on the east side of County Road 101 at 54th Avenue North. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the March 30, 2004 staff report. Commissioner Musliner asked what the benefit is of building the berm now rather than waiting for future development. Senior Planner Darling said if any future development would occur, the trees on the berm would be more mature and would provide better screening. Chair Larson introduced Reggie Cammon, 4213 Flag Avenue North, with Speak the Word Church International. Mr. Cammon said they have a congregation of about 3,500 people. He said they are very active in missionary work. He gave an overview of the goals and visions of the church. He said he is here today to discuss the berm and answer any questions. Chair Larson asked if the developer asked the church to create the berm. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2004 Page 6 Mr. Cammon said the developer of the property to the west across County Road 101 required some type of screening as part of the purchase agreement for the church property. Chair Larson introduced John Uban, 300 1St Avenue North. Mr. Uban said the berm is proposed along County Road 101 because County Road 101 is elevated above the site. He said the berm is designed to help screen a key part of the site. He said they also believe by creating the berm ahead of time, it would have time to settle prior to the planting of trees and shrubs. This would allow for a better root system and better survival of the trees. He said they want to protect the natural resources on the site. He said they asked for the sewer line to be moved towards the north to protect the wetland area and edge of trees. He said they are trying to create a well protected site. He showed a picture of the site and indicated where the berm and plantings would be located. He said they have read the staff report and agree with the conditions. Chair Larson asked if the 6 month time -frame for site restoration included the landscaping. Senior Planner Darling said the site restoration is required for erosion control so the berm and other disturbed areas would only need to be seeded. She said the landscaping would be allowed to occur at a later date. Mr. Uban said the staff report indicates they are to build a boulder wall or gates for blocking the proposed construction access. He said they would like the flexibility of using either method for closing off the berm. Director Hurlburt stated to clarify, the wording in the resolution could be added regarding using gates vs. boulders. Chair Larson opened and closed the public hearing as no one was present to speak on the item. Commissioner Weir asked if their was anything in the resolution that needed to be changed prior to a Motion. Director Hurlburt said those changes could be made to clarify the landscaping requirements and use of gates rather than boulders prior to it going to City Council. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Musliner, to approve the request by DSU, Inc., under File 2004014, for an interim use permit for grading to create a berm on property located on the east side of County Road 101 at 54th Avenue North. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2004 Page 7 F. HENRY I LAZNIARZ (2003129) Chair Larson introduced the request by Henry J. Lazniarz, under file 2003129, for preliminary plat for two single family lots to be known as Plymouth Park Place for property located at 4415 Northwest Boulevard. Planner Bowers stated this is a continuation of the March 17, 2004 public hearing on this item. Planner Bowers gave an overview of the March 30, 2004 staff report. She said the applicant submitted a letter in defense of the tree preservation issues raised and the fines that have been levied. Chair Larson introduced the applicant Henry Lazniarz, 1117 Marquette Avenue. Mr. Lazniarz said the silt fence was installed during frozen soil conditions and as it thawed, some of the stakes fell out of the ground causing the fence to fall. Chair Larson opened the public hearing. Chair Larson introduced Mike Hackner, 13020 -44th Avenue North. Mr. Hackner said he has concerns with the layout of the houses and that they seem too close together. He said he has concerns with the marketability of the homes. Chair Larson closed the public hearing. Planner Bowers said the homes as proposed, comply with all the Zoning requirements. She said the request does not include any variances. Commissioner Griffith asked if the fines that were levied for tree preservation were part of the Commissions discussion and decision making process. Planner Bowers stated the fines are required by the Subdivision Regulations and do not require any action by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Holmes asked how the issue with the tree preservation is dealt with when it could be several years before the outcome of the trees is known. Director Hurlburt said we are assuming the trees are not going to survive because they were not adequately protected. She said the Ordinance doesn't address what will happen to the trees several years from now. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2004 Page 8 Commissioner Holmes said the assumption is that they have been damaged and the fine is levied. He asked what would happen if 3 years from now the trees have survived. Director Hurlburt said if the trees survive that would be a positive. Commissioner Anderson asked what the fine money is used for. Director Hurlburt said it goes into the City's reforestation fund and is used for tree planting elsewhere in the community. Commissioner Griffith stated if the trees weren't protected during development then they have not been preserved. Commissioner Holmes asked if the fines were issued because the trees weren't adequately protected, regardless of whether or not the trees survive. Director Hurlburt answered affirmatively. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to approve the request by Henry Lazniarz for a preliminary plat for two single family lots to be known as "Plymouth Park Place" for property located at 4415 Northwest Boulevard. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. SET SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE LIGHTING REGULATIONS. MOTION by Chair Larson, Seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to schedule a special meeting for May 12, 2004, 7:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room to discuss possible changes to the lighting regulations. Vote. 7 ayes. MOTION approved. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Larson, with no objections, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.