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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 04-16-2014Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting April 16, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Marc Anderson (arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Dick Kobussen, Gordon Petrash, Gary Goldetsky and Nathan Robinson MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Bryan Oakley STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson (arrived at 7:12 p.m.), Senior Planner Marie Darling, Associate Planner Kip Berglund and Office Support Representative Janet Nelson arrived at 7:20 p.m.) 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the May 7, 2014 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION Approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 2, 2014 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES B. LEN BUSCH ROSES (2014009) Request by Len Busch Roses to approve a site plan amendment and variances for building and site alterations related to a loading dock relocation at 4045 County Road 101. MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION Approved. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 Page 2 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. BUELL CONSULTING C/O VERIZON WIRELESS (2014003) Chair Davis introduced the request by Buell Consulting on behalf of Verizon Wireless for a conditional use permit to allow antennas and cables on the Xcel tower in the Annapolis Lane right-of-way. Associate Planner Berglund gave an overview of the staff report. Chair Davis introduced Rob Viera, 5096 Merrimac Lane N. Mr. Viera stated that he concurred with the staff report and was available to answer any questions. Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the issue. MOTION by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Goldetsky to approve a conditional use permit to allow antennas and cables on the Xcel tower in the Annapolis Lane right-of-way. Roll call vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION Approved. B. NEGEN AND ASSOCIATES (2014005) Chair Davis introduced the request for a site plan amendment and conditional use permit for an addition to the Golgotha Slavic Church located at 12300 18th Avenue. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report. She also stated the applicant was requesting that this item be continued to the next meeting, following public input, so they can look at options for addressing parking concerns. Commissioner Petrash asked what the anticipated parking problem would be in the area. Senior Planner Darling replied that the residents in the area indicated that there can be as many as 30 cars parked on the streets on Sundays and other high demand nights, which are Wednesdays and occasionally Saturdays. She said the traffic levels and speeds on 18th Avenue are concerns. Senior Planner Darling indicated that she contacted the police department and found three reported accidents in the area but only one was on the nights where residents were reporting the concern with on -street parking. Commissioner Goldetsky asked if there were other factors, such as bad weather or other elements that may have contributed to the accidents. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 Page 3 Senior Planner Darling explained she only had information pertaining to the locations of the accidents. Commissioner Kobussen asked when considering the number of parking spaces needed, if using other rooms simultaneously with the sanctuary, like the 13 other rooms and multi-purpose room, requires even more parking than is called out for with just the use of the sanctuary. Senior Planner Darling explained that the zoning ordinance does allow the city to look at other areas of the church when determining the parking calculation if they are used concurrently for assembly purposes, along with services, when determining parking requirements. She indicated the city has never used classroom areas to determine parking requirements for churches because the members in those classes are typically children and children don't add additional parking needs. Senior Planner Darling said currently, there is one multi-purpose area for both services and after service activities, which means they have to tear down for one activity and set up for the next very quickly. Chair Davis introduced the applicant along with an interpreter. Vladimir Chenikaylo introduced himself, acting as interpreter for Pastor Ivan Seimonovich, and stated that he is a member of the church as well. Mr. Chenikaylo introduced Pastor Ivan Seimonovich, saying they were present to answer any questions regarding the proposed site plan amendment. Commissioner Petrash asked what kind of options the church sees as opportunities to relieve or increase parking in this area. Senior Planner Darling explained that the church has an area to the north where the grades are fairly flat and that this area could possibly be used for additional parking. She said before the meeting, the applicant suggested possibly closing one of their drive aisles from Magnolia Lane and building a new access on another route and then expanding the parking near Magnolia Lane. She said they would need to insure there is an appropriate turning radius for fire trucks and setbacks for parking. Senior Planner Darling mentioned that there are operational aspects that the church can look at as well, such as staggering activities and increasing the number of services. Commissioner Petrash asked if the current parking situation meets requirements. Senior Planner Darling replied that the church actually exceeds the minimum parking space requirements. Commissioner Kobussen asked why the number of cars exceeds even this large number of spaces. Pastor Seimonovich, through the interpreter, explained the reason for this is because the church has 315 members but can seat 600. He said at times they will have a guest or special preacher come to speak and this increases the volume of cars. He said another reason is the additional cars being driven by the youth. Pastor Seimonovich shared that the church wants to solve these problems with the neighborhood to keep a peaceful relationship. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 Page 4 Commissioner Petrash stated that some of these issues will always be there and wondered if some of them could be resolved with signage that would limit parking availability. Senior Planner Darling noted that the engineering department would be willing to hear petitions for no parking from neighbors. She shared that a number of years ago the engineering department did receive a request from some of the residents on one street for no parking signs, but not all residents agreed with this request, so no signs went in. Commissioner Petrash asked if the city ever puts no parking signs up for certain times of the day or for specific days of the week. Senior Planner Darling responded that the engineering department has looked at no parking signs at certain intersections, in order to preserve visibility, and they could look at that for this situation as well. Planning Manager Thomson mentioned that there are some restrictions in the neighborhood around Armstrong High School. Chair Davis introduced Jeff McCurdy, 1835 Kirkwood Lane. Mr. McCurdy shared his concerns for the expansion. He presented photos showing cars parking in non -approved spaces; parking in front of fire hydrants and on both sides of the street, making passage very difficult. He stated that it is dangerous for runners and pedestrians to navigate through this area safely. Mr. McCurdy sees this issue as the church growing out of its current location and is opposed to this expansion because of the parking issues. He said that the parking already creates overflow onto the streets and a church expansion will bring added membership, putting further stress on the neighborhood. Mr. McCurdy stated that the city ordinance for parking was intended to alleviate or prevent congestion of the public right-of-way and to promote the safety and general welfare of the public by establishing minimum requirements for on street parking for motor vehicles. Mr. McCurdy stated that the parking ordinance for religious institutions is one space for each four permanent seats in the facility but said that is unrealistic and believes that the parking standards need to be reevaluated. Mr. McCurdy requested that the proposed addition be put on hold for further parking study and made some suggestions to remedy the situation. He suggested that the city could restrict parkin on 18th Avenue to only one side or prohibit parking on neighborhood streets other than 18t Avenue, like Magnolia or Kirkwood Lane. Mr. McCurdy said he would also like something to be done to ensure safe trail crossing, such as signage or curb markings. Chair Davis introduced Joel Schlaemer; 1830 Magnolia Lane. Mr. Schlaemer concurred with Mr. McCurdy. Mr. Schlaemer said he knows the church has worked with their membership to try to remedy the parking issues. Chair Davis introduced Lois Rowbottom, 2025 Oakview Lane N. Ms. Rowbottom concurred with Mr. McCurdy. Chair Davis introduced Brad and Carla Anderson, 1810 Magnolia Lane. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson concurred with the other presenters. Mrs. Anderson added that the kids from the church have Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 Page 5 been disruptive and neglectful in the area, hanging out in their yard and littering. Mrs. Anderson complimented the church for their desire to have strong relationships with the community and made a recommendation that the church possibly have volunteer youth activities where they could clean up the neighborhood or assist neighbors in other ways. She also suggested a temporary solution where the church could possibly use the West Medicine Lake Club parking lot and shuttle the members to and from church, as that lot is always empty. Mrs. Anderson questioned whether or not the city could enforce restricting on -street parking on street sides without a permit or possibly add more police control on Sundays. Chair Davis asked if the commission should attempt to answer some of these issues now or put them on hold. Planning Manager Thomson stated we can answer some of the questions now. Planning Manager Thomson said there is a state requirement as to how many days the city has to review an application. She said the church is asking for two weeks to take all the information they hear tonight and come up with a plan for parking and access. Planning Manager Thomson also reiterated that any on -street parking restrictions would have to come form the neighborhood. She said that some questions can't be answered until we have something specific in front of us from the church. She stated that the current parking standard that is in place is what the city must use to review this application, but the church has indicated they will look at increasing the parking. Planning Manager Thomson asked Marie to give an explanation about using two rooms at the same time and how they figure parking in those situations. Senior Planner Darling said it is quite common for a sanctuary to be separate from fellowship halls and unless both are used at the same time, the city can't use both facilities to determine parking requirements. She said this is not atypical from how we have determined parking for other churches in Plymouth. Commissioner Petrash commented that the physical things that were talked about sound really good, such as signage; reconfiguring the parking lot and reconfiguring the access. In regards to the issues that involve the kids, he said other churches have similar issues. He said there needs to be tolerance from the neighbors but there also needs to be a response from the church outside of the parameters of what we can consider. Chair Davis and Program Manager Thomson both agreed that they do have limitations. Program Manager Thomson said that there are some issues that the city can look at though, such as littering. Commissioner Anderson asked if the city has ever required a busing policy. Planning Manager Thomson said the city has not required anything like that and actually the city has not encountered parking issues like this in other churches. Commissioner Petrash stated the city did have this issue with Plymouth Covenant Church but they expanded their parking lot. Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 Page 6 Planning Manager Thomson said the city did not require the expansion, rather the church did that voluntarily. Chair Davis continued the public hearing, by affirmation, until the May 7th meeting when church can bring their information. Vote. 6 Ayes MOTION approved Roll call vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION Approved. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. ERIN GRUBESIC (2014012) Chair Davis introduced the request by Erin Grubesic to approve a home occupation license for a home hair salon at 18215 20th Avenue North. Associate Planner Berglund gave an overview of the staff report. Chair Davis introduced Eric Grubesic, the applicant. Ms. Grubesic stated that she plans on only working part-time. She stated there are three routes to get to her home which should minimize traffic. Ms. Grubesic stated that she concurs with the condition in the resolution requiring her clients to park in her driveway. MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Goldetsky to approve the request by Erin Grubesic for a home occupation license for a home hair salon at 18215 20th Avenue North. Roll call vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION Approved. Chair Davis stated this was Commissioner Robinson's last meeting and presented him with a plaque and thanked him for his years of service on the commission. Commissioner Robinson thanked city staff for their knowledge, wisdom and effort over the years and assisting him with interpretation of items. Mr. Robinson stated that staff has always been prepared and thorough. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chairman Davis, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 P.M.