HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 09-20-1978PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY Or KYMOUTI '
September 20, 1978
A 'regular meeting of the Plymouth Planning Commission was called to order by Cha rtr.rpDavid 'Davenport at 7:40 p.m,. in the Council Chambers of the Public Works Building, 14900 - 23rdAve. No
MEMBERS ."SEtr.- Chairman Davenport, Commissioners Schneider, Barron, Threinen and
Vasillou
MEMBERS ABSENT: commissioner Erickson
STAEE PRESENT: Blair and Mildred Jansen
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A-837 Rockford Road Investment Com2an}f A-837 F re<limfnary Plat
Staff introduced the item as preliminary plat public hearing for the proposed GalileeAdditionlocatedinthenorthwestquadrantofCountyRoad18ard' County Road 9, Back-
ground was offered per staff report dated September 18, 19784
Stuff commented on the City Council's approval of the site plan for the southerly portonoftheproposedprat, especially with respect to the emergency vehicle access on the forth
and west sides of the building. Staff noted that while emergency vehicles coulJ1 getaroundthebuilding, there had been discussion regarding the possibility of an easement
on the north side to assure facture emergency vehicle access from the adjacent site. It
was recommended that an appropriate easement be provided along the property line betweenthetwositestoi'nclud'e emergency vehicle access, as well as drainage and utilit°6*?es.
Commissioners expressed concern regarding the existing grades in the :area particularlytothewest, and Chairme, Davenport recognized Mr.: Robinson, who represented the petitioner,
who stated that grading;4nd landscaping factors around the proposed developments would be
taken into account especially with respect to assuring proper emergency vehicle :access.
roti uxl by Comili ssioncx Schneider, seconded by Commissioner `,fasi li o.0 to act on the proposed
preliminary plat submitted .by Rockford Road Investment Company at this meeting.
MOTION CARRIED (5-0.0) (All in favor) MOTION CARRIED
Motion by Commissioner Schneider, supported by Commissioner Threinen, that the PlanningCommissionmakethefollowingrecommendation. to the City Council:
That the request of Rockford Road Investment Company for preliminary plat approvalofGalileeAddition, consisting of two commercial hots in the northwest quadran ofCountyRoad18andCountyRoad. 9, be approved subject to tite following conditions:
1. Compliance with the provisions of the Engineer's memorandum.
2. Grading and landscaping on the west sido and between the proposed
parcels shall take into account provision for emergency vehicleaccesstobothsites.
3. Appropriate easements as ap,prQved by the City Engineer shall be
provided to include emergency vehicle access between the two sites,
MOTION CARRIED (5_0-0) (All in favors MOTION CARRIED
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A-631 Carol H. Folkesta.d A-631 'Conditional Use Permit Renewal
Staff introduced: the request for renewal of the conditional use permit to operate a
nursery school/day care center at 15705 Sixth Avenue North and made observations per
staff report dated September 180 1978. Petitioner's letter of 8/29/78 was reviewed,
especially regarding the request that Condition No. 5 be modified to allow five-year
olds who attend kindergarten to be brought by bus. Staff also recommended that a current
copy of the Stage license be furnished to the City.
In response to several questions from commissioners, the petitioner stated that the center
currently serves 14 children although it was licensed for 20, and that the request for a
modification of the condition was stimulated by inquiriesfrom a number of parents.
During further discussion, Commissioner Threinen stated concern regarding the safety of
children and suggested that was the, basis for the condition In the first place. The
petitioner spoke to the safety of the bus stop in the area, and, stated it probably would
only involve a few children who would be attending kindergarten.
Motion was made bt Commissioner Thre%nen, supported by Commissioner Barron, that the
Planning Comitisscon make the following recommendation to the City Council
That the renewal of conditional, use permit, as. requested by Carol H.. Folkestad
to operate a nursery school/day care center at 15705 Sixth Avenue North, be
approved subject to the following conditions:
1. No outdoor .signs be permitted.
2. Permit be for one year.
3. All applicable fire codes be complied with;
4. A current copy of the State operating license be submitted to the City.
S. Parents be required to accompany children to and from te classroomm
excQpt for those kindergarten children who may be transported by bus,
MOTION CARRIED (5-0-0') (All in favor) MOTION CARRIED
A--615 Lundgren Brothers Incorporated A-615 Conditional Use Permit
Petitioner's request for a conditional use permit to establish a temporary real estate
office at 710 North Ferndale Rid was introduced by staff and observations were made
per staff report dated Septe-tuber 18, 1978. Staff recommended that conditions of approval
include a definite duration of the proposed use.
Chairman Davenport recognized her. Rat Wells who represented petitioner. A discussion
ensued as to the access to the site. Petitioner stated that it was anticipated Alvarado
Lane and Sixth Avenue North extension to Ferndale Road wuu;d be completed yet this fall,
and in ,any case before the site was occupied with the proposed use. Commissioners stated
concern that with the access to Ferndale Road via Sixth Avenue North and Alvarado Lane,
the existing driveway to the house should be closed off so traffic. would not occur between
Alvarado lane and Ferndale Road except at Sixth Avenue North. It was suggested that the
existing dirt driveway could be converted for offstreet parking accessible from Alvarado
La iie,
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Mr.
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Mr. Wells commented that it was the petitioner's intent not to build homes in this
immediate area for some time, thus mirtimizingthe effect traffic coming from the tempor--
ary real estate tract office would have,
Motion by Commissioner Vasili'ou, supported by Commissioner Barron, that the Planning
Commission make the following recommendation to the City Council,
That the request of Lundgren Brothers Construction for approval of the
conditional n use permit for a temporary real estate office at 710 North
Ferndale Road be approved subject to the following conditions,,
1. Permit be for the period ending 5/1/79,
2.. Signs shall be limited to those permitted by the ordinance for such uses,
3. Adequate offstreet parking shall be provided for employees and the public;
Motion by Commissioner Threinen, seconded by Commissioner Schneider, to amend main
motion by adding a condition that a,", such time as Alvarado Lane is completed up to thesiteoftheproposeduse, the existing single-family driveway to Ferndale Road shall ,be
restricted to access from Alvarado Lane only, and the roadway shall be used for offstreet
parking
Comtit.Threinen stated the intent of the motion was that the private drive be temporarily
closed off but not necessarily removed, since it may have some value in the future when
construction occurs in the area and could be used for trucks and other vehicles, He
suggested that perhaps a mounding of dirt could be placed to prohibit access from and
to Ferndale Road.
Chairman Davenport called for a vote on the amendment,
MOTION CARRIED (5-0-0) (All in favor) MOTION CARRIED
Chairman Davenport calked for a vote on the main motion as amended,
MOTION CARRIED (5-0-,0) (All in favor) MOTION CARRIED
A-611 Forster Meat Company -,617 Conditional Use Permit
The item was presented by staff which reviewed the staff report dated 9/18/78, explaining
that, during City Council rezoning hearings in late 1977; staff had been directed to
contact petitioner and work with him to initiate the application for conditional use permit
for the retail sales operation and a site plat for the existing business and any potential
expansion in the future
As explained, the petitioner had submitted a master plan showing the existing development
and anticipated expansion of the property in the northwest quadrant of County Road 9 and
Zachary Lane which is zoned I-1. Staff also explained that a basic purpose behind estab-
lishment of the conditional use is to eliminate a technical status of the Forster Meat
Company -as a non -conforming use.
Chairman Davenport recognized Mr. Tom Forster who discussed in detail the nature of the
operation, the impact of future County Road 9 on the site, and possible access, and
expansion plans, Mr, Forster noted the completion of plantinc of 580 trees (including
Russian olives and pine trees), and he noted that the area designated as storage on the
west side of the plant is generally "open" but is proposed to be under a roof:
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Staff explained that at this point the consideration was for the conditional use permit
and of a concept plan for the establishment. He stated that detailed site plan approval
would be required as specific developments were proposed. Petitioner indicated that
expansion plans Galled for extra coolers in the northwest corner of the plant; a new
sausage kitchen in the south portion, and eventually a new addition on the east end
which wouldhouse offices and the retail operation.. He stated that he anticipated the
extra cooler space addition within the coming year.
Commissioner Threinen stated that in consideration of pending developments in the area,
it would be desirable for expanded parking to occur to the south of the plant rather than
to the west. Staff noted that it could result in a need to reconsider the boundaries of
the I-,1 zoning. Hence according to the concept plan, the future expanded parking would
run over the south boundary line. It was the consensus of the Commission that this would
be an appropriate consideration at the time of plan review.
Motion by Commissioner Threinen, supported by Commissioner Barron, that the Planning
Commission make the following recommendation to the City Council:
That the conditional use permit requested by Forster Meat Company involving
outside activity and retail sales be approved along with concept plans dated
9/20/78 subject to the following conditions:
1. Maintenance and supplementing of the landscaping to the west and to
the north for purposes of buffering and screening.
2 Future site improvements and. plant expansion shall be per the %oncept
plan dated 9/20/78.
3: Consideration to be given during future plan reviews of expanding
parking, if necessary, to the south r Cher than to the west;
acknowledging that an adjustment of the zoning boundary lines may
be required.
MOTION CARRIED (All in favor)
A-151 _Honeywell Incorporated A-151 Discussion Item
Staff reviewed the report dated September 18, 1978 regarding an inquiry received from
Honeywell Incorporated about the possible location of three trailers on the site at
12001 State Highway 55 for use as temporary office space, Staff stated that the ordin-
ance did not provide for this use as either a conditional or permitted use in any
zoning district. Staff also explained that the Honeywell plans for a future expansion
of the building were still tentative and had not been formally submitted for review and
approval by the City.
It was stated that. Honeywell had been informed that the matter would be discussed briefly
with the Commission to see if there were grounds for pursuing ,a. formal petition for
approval of the structures, since if it did not appear there was such a possibility
Honeywell would have to seek other alternatives to meet their office needs. Staff
suggested that perhaps if petitioner submitted formal site and building plans for review
and approval, the recommendation could include the temporary use of such structures
during the construction period.
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Commissioner Threinen stated that previous approvals, of the use of temporary trailer
offices and classrooms had been problematical with an exception, of which he recalled
was an industrial use, which was granted approval for the use of a trailer during theconstructionperiod. He stated that approval was concurrent with the submission of
formal site and building plans. Commissioner Threinen suggested to Honeywell repre_
sentati'ves, who were present, that such plans should be firmed up and submitted to the
staff for review and eventual processing to the Planning Commission and City Council. The Commission concurred with those observations. Commissioner Threinen also remarked
that he recalled neighbors in the area adjacent to the Honeywell site that had been
part-ularly concerned about the nature of the development when the property was rezonedsevew--A years ago. He ,suggested that should Noneywell proceed with site plans, whether
they included the use of temporary trailers or not, it would be advisable to contact
the neighboring property owners to the west prior to hearing before the PlanningCommission.
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Commissioners Schneider and Vasilioucommented on the language in item 5 on Page 14 of
the September 6, 1978 minutes regarding site plan approval for Vern, Isham (A-552). it
was stated the intention of the motion was to delete indicated red t3 ple plantings and
replace them with green ash or marshall ash type trees at the density and location, indicated.
Motion by Commissioner Vasiliou,supported by Commissioner Barron, to approve the minutes
of the September 6, 1978 Planning Commission meeting as amended per the above comments,
MOTION CARRIED (5-0-0) (All in favor) MOTION CARRIED
OTHER BUSINESS
Staff reviewed a number of items which would be brought before the Commission in detail
at coming meetings, including certain guide plan items which had been raised at the
jo n'v "fanning Commission and City Council meeting. Staff is preparing inventory map
and analysis of industrial guided and zoned land in the City, and it is anticipated
further inventories will be made of other classifications as part of the comprehensive
planning update process. Staff also noted a possible reguiding proposal for the area
between 23rd Avenue Porth and 25th Avenue North on the west side of Niagara Lane, vibich
is currently guided LA3 and zoned R -O. Staff suggested that a certain amount of tbis
land, particularly that fronting on Niagara, might be reguided industrial as a proper
planning relationship with industrial land on the west side of Niaget&a and to the north.
Staff initiated a brief discussion about the need for special Planning Commission study
sessions to deal with the matter of comprehensive planning update. Staff explained
that certain data had been developed by the consulting planner which should' be reviewed
and acted upon by the Commission as part of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act review
requirements, The Commission indicated that such special meetings should be scheduled
for Wednesday evenings alternating with regular meetings.
Staff also stated that the variety of "housekeeping" items in the form of amendments
to the zoning ordinance were being prepared to clarify and correct certain items in the
zoning ordinance with regard` to signs, landscaping criteria, and parking formulas,
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There being no further business, Chairman Davenport adjourned the meeting at 9;35 p,m,
APPROVED BY PLANNING COMMISSION
David J, Davenport, Chairman
Plymouth Planning Commission
Blair Tremere, Secretary