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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 12-22-1993CITY OF PLYMOUTH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 22,1993 The regular meeting of the Plymouth Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Acting Chairman Dennis Zylla. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Barb Stimson, Mike Wigley, Ed Albro, Dennis Zylla, and Chairman Stulberg (arrived at 7,29) MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners' Julie Witt and Scott Syverson STAFF PRESENT: Director Anne Huributt, Associate Planner John Keho, and Planning Secretary Jackie Watson MINUTES: MOTION by Commissioner Wigley, seconded by Commissioner Stimson to approve the Planning Commission Minutes ofDecember 8, 1993. Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion carried. HERITAGE WOOD ESTATES (93119) Chairman Stulborg introduced the request by Tom Graham on behalf of the homeowners in the Heritage Woods Estates 2nd Addition for an Amended Planned Unit Development Plan and Conditional Use Permit to eliminate the requirements for sidewalks on property located west of Northwest Boulevard at 56th Avenue North. Associate Planner Kcho reviewe t the December 8, 1993 staff report. Commissioner Wigley asked if ;'he money was in the form of a bond or cash, and would it go directly to the Homeowners Association. Associate Planner Keho stated that the funds were probably in the form of a bond or letter of credit and that cash would go directly to the Homeowners Association. Commissioner Zylla asked if Park and Engineering Departments approved of the request. Associate Planner Keho replied that they did, Commissioner Albro asked if staff had any safetyconcerns. Associate Planner Keho stated that staff had no safety concerns regarding this request. M Planning. Commission Meeting December22, 1993 Page 233 Acting Chairman Zylla introduced Mr. Brian Johnson, representing the petitioner. Mr. Johnson stated that he agreed with the conditions listed in the staff report. Acting Chairman Zylla opened the Public Hearing, Acting Cha ntum Zylla, introduced Mr. David Phillips of 5595'Vinewood Lane. Mr. Phillips stated he represented the neighborhood and that they had taken a vote and a large majority of the homeowners were in favor of ; his request and agreed with the conditions of the staff report. Commissioner Zylla stated that there was nothing to prevent the homeowners from using the money for other things besides improvements to the tot lot. Mr. Phillips stated that some time ago the neighborhood wanted to give the tot lot to the City, but the City was not interested in taking possession of the site. Director Hurlburt stated that the requited improvements to the tot lot have aheady beencompleted. Associate Planner Keho stated that the Engineering Department wanted some improvements done along Northwest Boulevard with the funds. This would be to do some sodding behind three houses which abut Northwest Boulevard. Mr. Phillips stated that the homeowners do not want to upgrade the tot lot beyond that which is required because of the increased maintenance and liability that would result. Acting Chairman Zylla closed the Public Hearing. Motion by Commissioner Wigley, seconded by Commissioner Stimson to recommend approval of the request by Tom Graham on behalf of the homeowners inthe Heritage Woods Estates 2nd Addition for an Amended Planned Unit Development Plan and Conditional Use Permit to eliminate the requirements for sidewalks on property located west of Northwest Boulevard at 56th Avenue North, subject to the conditions listed intheDecember8, 1993 staff report. Commissioner Albro asked if any precedents Were being set by this action. Director Hudburt stated that other HOArs which had similar sihrations could request toamendtheirPUD's just as this is being done, Commissioner Stinson slated that this would be one of the few developments in the City that would have sidewalks, if this inquest was not approved. Planning Commission Meetiog December 22,. 1993 Pagr,.234 Director Hurlburt stated that this request presents in issue regarding PUD's as far as required open space. She said thatthe Planning Commission should tak: alook at this subject in the future as it may be tetter to not require these amenities in PUD's. Commissioner Wigley stated that a completed PUD would have to come back to the Commission if they wanted to remove somethifyg.such as a basketball court from the approved plan. Commissioner Albm stated that we should encourage open space in PUD's, but not amenities that include liability and costly upkeep. Roll Call Vole 4 Ayes. Motion carried on an unanimous vote. FREE%IAN'S, INC. (93125) Acting Chainnan Zy1la introduced the request by Freeman's, Inca for a Final Plat, Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit and Rezoning for property located south of Highway 55, east of Nathan Lane, north of Shelard Parkway. Acting Chairman Zylla waived the review the December 13, 1993 staff report. Acting Chairman Zylla introduced Mr. Craig Freeman representing the petitioner. W. Freeman stated he was in agreement with the conditions of the staff, report. Acting Chairman Zylla asked if the parking plan would provide enough parking. Mr. Freeman stated that there would be more than enough parking. He said that the outside parking would be all guest parking with underground parking provided for tenants. Associate Planner Keho,stated that 1.5 parking spaces were required for a senior citizen site. He:said that if the proposeduse changed in the future, theprcof-of-parking would provide the additional parking needed on the site. Commissioner Stulberg joined the discussion at 7:29 p.m. Acing chairman Zylla opened and closed the Public Hearing as there was no one present to speak. on the subject. Commissioner Wigley stated that lie would like to ]mow what was being done to target prospective occupants aged 55 and older. He said he felt somewhat uncomfortable about the amount of parking spaces to be provided. Planning Commission Meeting December 2Z 1993 Page 235 Mr. Freeman stated the entire building will be handicapped accessible, with 11 units designed speci@:ally for handicapped persons and would be marketed this way. Hesaidthatifthebuildingweresoldatsometimeinthefutureandnotusedforthe elderly and handicapped, the Proof -of -parking would cover a different type of tenant. M07ION by Commissioner Stimson, seconded by Commissioner Albro to recommend approval of the request by Freeman's, Inc. for a Final Plat, Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit and Rezoning for property located south of Highway 55, east of Nathan Lane, north of Shelard Parkway, subject to the conditions listed in theDecember 13, 1993 staff report. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion carried on an unanimous vote. BANNER ENGINEERING CORPORATION (9312 Chairmmc Stulberg introduced the request by Banner Engineering Corporation for a Site Plan and Variances to construct a 20,000 square foot building at 971410th AvenueNorth. Associate Planner Iteho reviewed the December 12, 1993 staff report. Chairman Stulberg introduced Mr. Dan Gallagher representing the petitioner. Mr. Gallagher reviewed the proposal for a research and development building on this site and stated he was in agreement with the conditions of the staff report. Chairman Stulberg introduced Mr. Ray Johnson of 1030A Nathan Lane. Mr. Johnson asked if there would be two new buildings and how far the new buildings would be from his, home. Mr. Gallagher explained that there would be only one new building which would be 295 feet from Mr. Johnson's property line. He said that the variance requested was toallowtwobuildingsononesite. MOTION by Commissioner Zyila, seconded by Commissioner \Vigley to recommendapprovaloftherequestbyBannerEngineeringCorporationforaSitePlanand Variances to construct a 20,000 square foot building at 9714 10th Avenue North, subject to the conditions listed in the December 12, 1993 staff report. Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion carried on an unimimous vote. Planning. Commission Meeting D=mber 22, 1993 Page 236 HENNEPIN COUNTY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (93127) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Hennepin County Property Management for a PUD Landscaping Plan Amendment for property located at the northeast corner of 36th Avenue North and Vicksburg Lane. Associate Planner :eho reviewed the December 8, 1993 staff report. Commissioner Wigley asked staff to explahl the burn of the prairie grass and how often it would need to be done. He asked if the burning would create any problems for the City. Associate Planner Keho stated the prairie grass would probably be burned once a year.. He said there are other places in the City that do this burning every year. Chaimran:Stulberg introduced Mr. Richard Strong representing the petitioner. Mr. Strong stated that the bum would be done the second year and then annually thereafter. Mr. Strong stated that land surrounding the Brookdale Library is entirely prairie grass. He said was mowed and not allowed to get real tall. Commissioner Zylla asked what dollar amounts were involved for sod versus prairie grass. Mr. Strong stated that it would cost about $40,000 to sod all the site, and only $12,000 to sod the portion recommended by the City, He said he was not opposed to the City's compromise. Mr. Strong stated that the architect was the one who suggested other alternatives to the building exterior to conserve funds since they are on a limited budget. Commissioner Albro asked if the County was closing 3 other libraries to build this one. Mr. Strong stated they would be closing 4libraries in the future, because they were in small user area, and it was a matter of efficiency. He said that Plymouth was a growing suburb where there would be heavy usage, Chairman Stulberg introduced Mr. Joe Domagala of 17705 County Road 24. Mr. Domagala stated that this was a part of the City Center area which requires all brick exteriors and that the Commission should not even discuss any building without an all brick exterior. He said tbatpmlrie grass may be cheaper but the ordinance requires sod. He said that prairie grass needs to be continually reseeded and would encourage noxious weeds which would need to be sprayed. The reason for the bum Planning Commission Meeting D=mber22, 1993 Page 237 would be to destiny the weeds and this would cause smoke. He said he objected to this precedent being started in the City Center area, and it would not be. fair to expect other future businesses to adhere to the requirement for sod. He said the City should demand a higher level of development in this downtown area. Commissioner Albro asked what the benefits of prairie grass were as far as environmental or maintenance costs. Mr. Strang stated that long term maintenance would cost less. He said they would have to use chemicals the first year, but no watering or chemicals would be used after that. Commissioner Albro stated that be felt the done of the letter received from the County made him feel as though the alternative to the City not allowing the prairie grass and the County changing the building exterior was an ultimatum put to the City the County. Mr. Strong stated it. was not intended that way. He said the architect suggested that the changes to the building exterior would help offset costs. MOTION by Commissioner:Albro, seconded by Commissioner Higley to recommend denial of the request by Hennepin County Property Management for a PUD Landscaping Plan Amendment for property located at the northeast comer of 36th Avenue North and Vicksburg Lane, based on the fact that it was not appropriate to lower the standards that will be expected of other commercial developers in the area. Commissioner Stimson stated that she was in favor of this request and thought it would be a good place to try prairie grass, especially with the signage which would be required as this would increase the learning environment of the library. She said she felt the library was unique in a commercial area. Commissioner Wigley stated that he did not think a bum in the downtown area would be appropriate. Commissioner Zylla stated he would like to know what the prairie grass would look like. Associate Planner Keho stated that he did not have any pictures !,?jt it was a, specific mix that would prohibit weeds. Mr. Strong stated that they would plant selected flowers in prairie grass that would match the building colors, and that they would keep it cut to a height of 2 feet, Mr. Domagala:stated that the prairie restoration type of grass would not grow as high but if it was not the proper mixture it would be dfficuh to maintain. He said it may Planning Commission Meeting December22, 1993 Page 238 have to be reseeded and can get expensive if it doesn't grow. He said the burning getsridoftheundesirableseeds. 114x. Strong stated it would take 2 years to see if the prairie grass would work. Commissioner Zyila stated that he would approve it if a condition to review it after ayearwasaddedtotheresolution, but he stated that the irrigation system should beinstalledatthebeginningofdevelopment. Director Hurlburt stated that a Public Hearing has not been held to Amend the PlannedUnitDevelopmentPlan, Commissioner Zylla stated that a Site Improvement Performance Agree would have to sod. ment bond would need to beheld to guarantee the prairie mix and if itdid not work then they Chairman Stulberg stated he was opposed to the prairie grass. He said that when theCityCouncilapprovedtheplantheystatedthatthebuildingmastbebrickandtheremustbesod. Roll Call Vote on Motion to Deny. 3 Ayes; Commissioners Zylla and Stimson votedNay. Motion to deny carried. Director Hurlburt discussed what happened at the City Council meeting on December20; 1993 regarding the requests by Baton Corporation, Carlson Company, DanielDevelopment. and the PUD ordinance, Chairman Stulberg discussed new appointments to the Planning Commission. He saidthatCommissioner5yversonhadresignedsincehemovedOutofPlymouthandCommissionerZyllasaidhewasalsoplanningtoresign. The Commission membersagreedthattheChairsofthevariousBoardsbeaskedbytheCityCounciltoparticipateintheinterviewprocess. He asked Director Hurlburt to forward this recommendationontheCityCouncil. Director Hurlburt discussed the upcoming meeting schedules, and asked thatCommissionerscallassoonaspossibleiftheywillnotbeabletoattendany of theupcomingmeetings, until the Commissioner are replaced, so that we would be sure tohaveaquorumateachmeeting; Commissioner Albro discussed the topics of concern that the Board of Adjustments andAppealshadexpressedregardingthePUDamendments, sign ordinance andmonuments. The meceting adjourned at $:50 p.m.