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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 02-27-1996CITY OF PLYMOUTH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 1996 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Allen Ribbe (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), John Stoebner, Roger Berkowitz, Jeff Thompson, Tim Bildsoe, and Saundra Spigner (arrived at 7:06 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Director Anne Hurlburt, Senior Planner John Keho, Planner Shawn Drill, City Engineer Dan Faulkner, and Clerical Supervisor Denise Hutt 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Public Forum: None. 3. Approval of Agenda: Approved. 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Bildsoe to approve the February 13, 1996 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. ORCHIDS LIMITED (95138) MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to approve the request by Orchids Limited for a Site Plan Amendment to allow construction of a 42 -foot by 60 -foot pole building for the Orchids Limited business located at 4630 Fernbrook Lane North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 1996 Page #41 A. SKYLINE DESIGN (96002) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Skyline Design for an Amended Planned Unit Development and Conditional Use Permit to allow the construction of a 12 -foot by 15 -foot three season porch at 994 Zanzibar Lane North. Planner Drill gave an overview of the February 16, 1996 staff report. Chairman Stulberg introduced Ron Splett, the petitioner. Mr. Splett stated that he concurred with the staff report. Mr. Splett explained that the proposed three -season porch is a relatively small addition positioned on a small lot. There is adequate room available for equipment to get through. The proposal was reviewed and approved by the townhouse association prior to submittal to the City. Commissioner Thompson asked Mr. Splett if he had received any correspondence from the objecting homeowner. Mr. Splett replied that he had not. Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the issue. MOTION by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz to recommend approval of the request by Skyline Design for an Amended Residential Planned Unit Development Plan and Conditional Use Permit for property located at 994 Zanzibar Lane North. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. (Commissioner Ribbe abstained due to not hearing the presentation.) Chairman Stulberg called a recess at 7:10 p.m. due to the inclement weather to allow additional time for petitioners to arrive and reconvened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. B. CARLSON REAL ESTATE CO. (95133) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Carlson Real Estate Co. for a Land Use Guide Plan Amendment to reguide 21.72 acres from CR -2 (Retail Shopping) to IP (Planned Industrial); a Rezoning of 21.72 acres from B-2 (Shopping Center Business District) to I-1 (Planned Industrial District); a Preliminary Plat, Final Plat and a Variance for the creation of five lots; and a Site Plan for the construction of five multi -tenant office warehouse buildings. The Variance requested for Lots 4 and 5 is for the creation of lots without street frontage. The property is located in the 100 block of Cheshire Lane North, east of I-494. Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 1996 Page #42 Senior Planner Keho gave an overview of the February 23, 1996 staff report. Senior Planner Keho noted a correction to Condition #6 of the approving resolution and the Engineer's Memo to change the 10 -foot trail to an 8 -foot trail, to be consistent with what the City of Minnetonka approved for the adjacent property. Commissioner Berkowitz asked what is required for coniferous trees under the Tree Preservation Policy. Senior Planner Keho replied that the policy requires at least 25% for both coniferous and deciduous trees. Commissioner Thompson questioned why there was no Variance from the Fire Code listed in the staff report. Senior Planner Keho explained that the Variance from the Fire Code that is listed in the approving resolution is not acted on by the Planning Commission, but rather the City Council. Chairman Stulberg stated that any fire issues are addressed during the Development Review Committee. Chairman Stulberg introduced Matt Van Slotten, the petitioner. Mr. Van Slotten stated that he concurs with the staff report. He stated that the design is sensitive to the surrounding residential area. One of the key features of the plan is that the loading areas are in the middle of the site, with all office finish type uses on the outside of the site with quick glimpses into the loading areas. Mr. Van Slotten presented photos of the buildings in progress on the Minnetonka side. Commissioner Spigner asked if the use for the proposed buildings would be essentially the same type of use as the proposed uses for the Minnetonka side. Mr. Van Slotten replied that the general use would likely be the same. Mr. Van Slotten stated that the prospective tenants on the north and south ends tend to be more office finish. Chairman Stulberg opened the public hearing. Chairman Stulberg introduced Donald Fox of 327 Berkshire Lane. Mr. Fox stated that he was opposed to the removal of the trees because of the existing wildlife that are currently in the grove of trees. He added that while he realizes that you can't stop progress, it would be nice if the one grove of trees could be made into a neighborhood park. Chairman Stulberg closed the public hearing. Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 1996 Page #43 Chairman Stulberg asked if this site was one of the sites that the Open Space Committee looked at. Director Hurlburt responded that this site did not make the list of potential sites to be considered for a neighborhood park or open space. Senior Planner Keho stated that the applicant is responsible for paying park dedication fees. Mr. Van Slotten stated that they had asked their civil engineer if any of the trees could be kept, but the problem is the elevation and the topography of the site. The trees could not survive after the massive grading that will take place. Commissioner Spigner asked if it would be possible to place a significant amount of trees in the area of the existing grove of trees after the berming is completed. Mr. Van Slotten replied there will be replacement trees in that area. Senior Planner Keho showed the proposed Landscape Plan indicating where the trees would be planted on the site. Commissioner Thompson noted that the staff report indicates that the petitioner will be surpassing what the Tree Ordinance requires. Mr. Van Slotten concurred. Commissioner Bildsoe stated that he works for Miller and Schroeder Financial Agency and they handle some financing for Carlson Real Estate, but he did not think it would be a conflict of interest. Commissioner Ribbe stated that the only relationship would be the common bond refinancing for the applicant and did not see a conflict with that. The Planning Commissioners concurred. MOTION by Commissioner Spigner, seconded by Commissioner Ribbe to recommend approval of the Land Use Guide Plan Amendment for Carlson Real Estate for property located southwest of the intersection of Cheshire Lane and Carlson Parkway. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz to recommend approval of an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance to classify certain lands at the southwest corner of Cheshire Lane and Carlson Parkway. Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 1996 Page #44 Roll Call Vote. 7 ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to recommend approval of a Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, Variance and Site Plan for Carlson Real Estate Co. for property located southwest of the intersection of Cheshire Lane and Carlson Parkway. Commissioner Spigner stated she was concerned with the change in the width of the trail from 10 - feet to 8 -feet. Senior Planner Keho explained that the City of Minnetonka approved their section of the trail for 8 -feet, so the City of Plymouth should be consistent with that. Commissioner Berkowitz asked if the trail will tie into the Minnetonka trail. Senior Planner Keho replied affirmatively and that the trail would extend to Carlson Parkway. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. C. ORRIN THOMPSON HOMES (95139) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Orrin Thompson Homes for a Planned Unit Development Preliminary Plan/Plat and Conditional Use Permit for Westbranch 4th Addition, for 22 twinhome lots, one single family detached lot, and one outlot for property located northeast of Dunkirk Lane and Rockford Road. Planner Drill gave an overview of the February 16, 1996 staff report. Chairman Stulberg asked if the additional transitional screening and berming that staff is requesting would be approved at a staff level. Planner Drill replied that staff would work with the petitioner to define additional screening and berming. Commissioner Berkowitz questioned what, if any, wetland buffer was approved for Westbranch 3rd Addition. Planner Drill responded that Westbranch 3rd Addition fell under the interim Wetland Ordinance which requires a 15 foot building setback with no buffer. Chairman introduced Bill Pritchard, the petitioner. Mr. Pritchard stated that he is willing to work with staff on additional landscaping and will accommodate with more trees. The proposed addition is similar to Westbranch 2nd Addition Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 1996 Page #45 with rambler type twinhomes ranging from 1,700 to 1,800 square feet with walkout basements. Mr. Pritchard stated they are requesting a change from previously approved single family dwellings to twinhomes because of the marketing success with twinhomes. Mr. Pritchard stated there is minimum berming proposed because of the walkout basements for the homes along Rockford Road. Commissioner Thompson wanted to know what surrounding potential buyers were told would be developed when they were interested in purchasing. Mr. Thompson replied that recent homeowners were told LA -2 for single family homes. Mr. Thompson stated that this property was purchased in 1995, so he did not know what other homeowners were told. Commissioner Stoebner asked the size comparison of the single family homes that were previously approved versus what they are proposing now with the twinhomes Mr. Thompson answered that the single family homes would have ranged from 3,200 to 3,400 square feet versus a range of 1,700 to 1,800 square feet for the twinhomes. Commissioner Thompson asked if staff had received any comments from residents from the notices that were sent. Director Hurlburt replied that staff had not received any comments pertaining to this proposal. Chairman opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on this issue. MOTION by Commissioner Spigner, seconded by Commissioner Bildsoe to recommend approval of the Residential Planned Unit Development Preliminary Plan/Plat and Conditional Use Permit for Westbranch 4th Addition, for property located northeast of Dunkirk Lane North and Rockford Road. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. D. WELSH COMPANIES (96006) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Welsh Companies for a Planned Unit Development Preliminary Plan Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, and Final Plan for two office/warehouse buildings at Plymouth Business Center, located between I-494 and Annapolis Lane and 34th Avenue. Planner Drill gave an overview of the February 20, 1996 staff report. Chairman Stulberg introduced Jeff Minea, representing the petitioner. Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 1996 Page #46 Mr. Minea showed an illustration of what the building will look like when completed. Mr. Minea indicated that the proposed building would have more than ample parking space. The proposed building is the best configuration due to shape of the lot. Commissioner Thompson asked if Welsh Companies are affiliated with The St. Paul Companies. Mr. Minea replied that Welsh Companies represent The St. Paul Companies. Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the issue. Commissioner Berkowitz asked for a brief history of how the impervious coverage regulations relate to the proposal. Planner Drill commented that staff found that there were unique conditions related to this site concerning the applicability of the current impervious surface coverage requirements. The building site was created under less restrictive regulations. In addition, the Plymouth Business Center comprises a large area that has undergone significant improvements over the last few years. He noted that the proposed plan would comply with the regulations that were applicable to the site two years ago. Director Hurlburt added that the change in the shoreland came out of the Department of Natural Resources' recommendations. The City of Plymouth recently updated the Ordinance and had to adopt the State's model. She stated that staff feels it is appropriate to grant variances. Commissioner Berkowitz asked if this proposal is being grandfathered in. Director Hurlburt replied negatively, as a Variance is being requested and supported by staff. MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Spigner to recommend approval of the MPUD Preliminary Plan Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, and Final Site Plan for Welsh Companies for property located northeast of Annapolis Lane and 34th Avenue. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. (Commissioner Thompson abstained.) NEW BUSINESS Chairman Stulberg introduced the item to elect a Chairman and Vice -Chairman for the Planning Commission for 1996. MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to nominate Mike Stulberg for Chairman. Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 1996 Page #47 Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION carried on a unanimous vote. MOTION by Commissioner Spigner, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz to nominate Allen Ribbe for Vice -Chairman. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION carried on a unanimous vote. Commissioner Bildsoe volunteered to serve as the representative to the Park and Recreation Board since he had served on the Board previously. Commissioners concurred. Director Hurlburt presented the meeting schedule for updating the Zoning Ordinance. Director Hurlburt suggested Commissioners look over the schedule and let staff know if they have conflicts with any of the dates before the March 12, 1996 Planning Commission meeting. Chairman Stulberg stated that he would not be at the March 26, 1996 Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Ribbe stated that he also has a conflict with that meeting. Commissioner Spigner volunteered to chair the March 26, 1996 Planning Commission meeting. Director Hurlburt stated that the March 12 and March 26 Planning Commission meetings will have several time consuming items. MOTION by Commissioner Spigner, seconded by Commissioner Stoeber to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.