HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06-05-2001 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
June 5, 2001
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 5:00
p.m. in the Library at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6, on June 5,
2001.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Johnson, Slavik, Hewitt, Stein, and
Harstad.
ABSENT: Councilmembers Black.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Police
Chief Gerdes, and City Clerk Paulson.
Discussion on Exoandin2 the Church Parking Lot
Steve Bohl, 825 Brown Road South, discussed with the Council a Site Plan that would
incorporate a parking deck on their existing parking lot. The existing parking lot would then be
extended to the south to the rear yards of two homes that the church currently owns. The
existing parking capacity of this area is 267 parking spaces, and with the construction of a one -
level deck and extending the parking lot to the south, they would have a capacity of 557 parking
spaces, with a net gain of 290 parking spaces. He stated they view this plan as a 20 -year plan,
and they desire to start construction within the next three years. He explained the construction of
the parking deck would cost approximately $2.1 million; therefore, there would be fundraising
within their congregation to obtain the funds. He stated they have tried to accommodate many of
the concerns that were expressed by the neighbors and by the Council at the April 10 Council
meeting.
Councilmember Harstad stressed that the proposed parking aciliiy is a parking deck not a
parking ramp.
Mayor Tierney stated that she met with church officials and walked the property. She suggested
that the church consider compact striping versus regular striping in the parking lot to gain more
parking spaces. She asked if the church has discussed with Oakwood School officials about safe
crossings as the church utilizes their parking lot for overflow parking. She stated the church
needs to review its long-range growth as they have a 1,000 seat sanctuary with limited amount of
parking on the property.
Mr. Bohl stated their proposed parking plan accommodates the current building/sanctuary. In
the future, it may be necessary to add four additional staff rooms, a gathering space, and
approximately 15 classrooms. He stated they do not intend to expand the sanctuary.
A resident asked if it was possible to combine the 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Sunday services in
order to provide more transition time between the 8:30 a.m. service and the next service.
Adopted City Council Minutes
Special Meeting of June S, 2001
Page 2 of 4
Senior Pastor David Hoffman spoke of the many difficulties with the scheduling relating to
Sunday School activities and conducting the Sunday services after 11:00 a.m. He stated through
the years, they have experimented with many different service schedules, but the current
schedule seems to work the best. He stated their typical weekend attendance is approximately
2,300 people.
Councilmember Johnson asked with this plan, would there be a different egress or ingress into
the parking lot. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied no.
Councilmember Johnson asked if this would be an issue for emergency vehicle access to the
building. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied that staff hasn't received adequate
information on this plan in order to prepare a code review.
Councilmember Stein asked how high the deck would in grade to the two homes that the church
owns. Mr. Bohl replied the existing parking level would stay the same, and the deck would be
approximately 12 feet above that. He added that the two homes would be utilized for storage and
administrative use.
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated that if the homes would be used for any other
purpose rather than residential, the use would need to be included in the Conditional Use Permit.
The church would need to define the use of these homes as well as the hours and impact to the
parking and street. Mr. Bohl stated that currently their two pastors reside there. However, the
church also owns another home close to these two homes in which one of the pastors may reside.
Pastor Hoffman stated they would gain 40 parking spaces adjacent to the homes they own.
Councilmember Johnson asked if gaining those 40 parking spaces would be necessary since they
would be gaining 290 parking spaces with the parking deck. Pastor Hoffman replied that they
would never have enough parking on site; however, the 40 parking spaces would give them time
until they could begin the construction of the parking deck.
Councilmember Stein asked if the additional parking spaces would be adequate. He asked what
would occur with the two properties after the 40 parking spaces are constructed, and the parking
deck isn't constructed. Mr. Bohl replied that if that is a concern of the Council, he suggested it
be a condition of the Conditional Use Permit.
Councilmember Stein suggested that there be an interim permit for the 40 spaces, and after the
parking deck is constructed, the parking spaces would be removed in order to assure that the
properties stay residential.
Councilmember Johnson suggested selling the two homes and utilizing the income for the
parking deck. Her concern is that the two properties would essentially have no backyards. She
also mentioned that perhaps some of the 40 parking spaces could be removed in order to provide
more backyard to those properties.
Adopted City Council Minutes
Special Meeting of June 5, 2001
Page 3 of 4
Mr. Bohl stated even if they removed the first row of 20 parking spaces, the impact to the
neighbors would be very minimal. He stated the church feels they have property rights, and they
feel strongly about challenging the defeat of their original plan at the April 10 Council meeting.
The original plan incorporated a lot of landscaping, and by maintaining the two homes, they are
not violating residential issues.
Councilmember Johnson stated her issue is the use and access to the two homes. She reiterated
the possibility of selling these two homes so they would maintain the residential characteristics.
Mr. Bohl stated that could be an option. However, he needs to understand the responsibility of
the City making a decision on the responsibility of the church to the neighborhood as well as
neighborhood responsibilities. He stated regarding access to the homes, they would make sure
they wouldn't deviate from the normal or average traffic access to the homes. There could be
perimeters as restrictive as a residential use. There is no intention of utilizing the properties
beyond that.
Councilmember Slavik asked if the church would continue to utilize the shuttle from Oakwood
Elementary School. Mr. Bohl replied yes, until the parking deck is constructed.
Police Chief Gerdes stated the church has a private contract with the City for uniformed officers
to direct the traffic across County Road 6.
One resident stated the parking deck would be acceptable to them.
Another resident stated that the extra 40 spaces to the rear of the two homes appears to open up
the area quite a bit. He would prefer that the spaces be reduced to 20-30 parking spaces for the
short-term.
CorTuiiuru y Development Director Hurlburt cautioned everyone on assuming anything this
evening as the church has not submitted a formal plan to the City. There is not adequate
information on the conceptual drawing at this point.
Councilmember Harstad asked if the Council were to approve the parking deck concept, how
long is the approval valid for. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied it is valid for
one year unless an extension would be granted by the Council. She suggested a phase in
approach with this type of development.
Councilmember Hewitt stated she is concerned about the 40 parking spaces unless she is assured
that the parking deck is going to be constructed.
Councilmember Johnson noted that the original plan for the addition of 84 parking spaces
wouldn't have been sufficient, and more than likely, the church would've requested a parking
deck in the long-term future.
Adopted City Council Minutes
Special Meeting of June 5, 2001
Page 4 of 4
Mayor Tierney stated parking at the Oakwood Elementary School is a viable option, and she
would like this pursued more.
A resident asked if a walkway could be constructed over County Road 6 from the Oakwood
Elementary School. Community Development Director Hurlburt stated this option would be
very costly, and there wouldn't be adequate distance for the setback of the walkway.
Mr. Bohl stated they would continue to pursue the plan that was discussed this evening, and at
this point, he is unsure if they would pursue a lot consolidation for the two residential properties
Councilmember Johnson stated she is concerned about public institutional uses in a residential
neighborhood if the church was no longer there.
Councilmember Stein asked what assurances does the City have that the church won't acquire
additional residential properties in order to expand their parking lot if the parking deck concept
wasn't constructed.
Mr. Bob] stated that could be a condition that the two homes stay.
Mayor Tierney suggested that the church representatives define their plans and present them to
staff for review.
An adjacent neighbor requested that the Council review the current parking lot and the location
of the trees that would need to be removed for the construction of a parking deck. Their home
would no longer be screened from the church.
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated there is no regulation on the removal of those
trees.
There being no further discussion, the Council, along with Mr. Bohl, walked the church property
and the property containing the two homes.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
C'-fw,
Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk