HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_94Oct24MINUTES
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
October 24, 1994
PRESENT ABSENT ALSO PRESENT
Tom Brace Wendy Treadwell Susan Hoyt, City Administrator
Paul Kuettel Carla Asleson, Planner
Lee Barry Sam Jacobs, Council Liaison
Lisa Lampi Kay Andrews
Ken Salzberg
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Lee Barry.
Minutes of September 26, 1994 were approved as written.
PLAN REVIEW OF AN ESSENTIAL SVENIUE STRUCTURE AT HARVEST STATES
COOPERATIVES, 1667 SNELLING A
Carla Asleson, city planner, summarized Harvest States' request to install a water
cooling system for their corporate headquarters at 1667 Snelling Avenue. She said
that a water cooling tower is proposed to be located behind the Snelling Avenue
side of the building set back 40' from the building and approximately 75' from the
south lot line. It will be about 19' in height. These measurements are in
compliance with the setback and height regulations of the B-3 zoning district.
Mark Whims, the contractor for Harvest States, was introduced. He explained that
the purpose of the tower is to remove hear from the water in the cooling system
which is then dissipated into the atmosphere and then channel the water to operate
an air conditioning system. This cooling system will replace the existing once-
through well water system that is presently being utilized. He said that the State
Department of Natural Resources is requiring that all users of once-through well
water systems convert to a water efficient alternative. Mr. Whims said that the
noise level would be below the required decibel level. A low volume motor will be
used during the summer only and the system will be shut down and drained in the
fall.
Asleson said that the building official had reviewed the submitted plans and found
them to be in conformance with the Minnesota Uniform Building Code.
Commissioner Salzberg moved to recommend approval of the plans for the
following reasons:
• The tower is in conformance with zoning code regulations for height and
• setbacks;
• • The height of the tower is reasonable, particularly when compared to the
height of the main building. The tower's total height, including the handrail,
is 10'. The zoning code allows buildings to be built as high as 35';
• The tower will not impact adjacent residential properties by blocking the
view of nearby streets of properties. The tower will be set back
approximately 75' from the Hollywood Court properties. The zoning code
requires only a 40' setback when a commercial parcel abuts residential
property;
• The neutral color of the tower will blend with the existing office building; and
• The tower, whether in its present design or another, must be built to
conform with state regulations.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Brace and passed unanimously.
REPORT ON THE PARKING SITUATION ON TATUM STREET
Administrator Hoyt briefed the commission on a request from Mr. Fedir Chrun of
1794 Tatum Street. Mr. Chrun has requested that the planning commission and
• city council study the parking situation on Tatum Street. Mr. Chrun's letter of
request states that since part of Tatum Street is not regulated with respect to
parking, individuals are parking their cars there all day long. Mr. Chrun claims that
this narrows the amount of space for cars driving down the street. Also, because
Tatum Street has no sidewalks, people walking on the street must be very careful
when walking in the street, especially when the speed limit of 30 miles per hour is
being ignored. Mr. Chrun wrote that he would like to recommend that parking be
limited to two hours per day everywhere on Tatum with parking permits issued to
residents.
Planner Asleson described the situation on Tatum Street as observed by city staff.
An average of eleven cars are using Tatum Street as a long-term, daytime parking
arrangement each day. A search of license plate numbers shows that the
overwhelming majority of the parkers are non-Tatum Street residents. The parkers
are primarily using the non-restricted portions of Tatum rather than the two-hour
zones.
Administrator Hoyt outlined several alternatives that the commission could
eventually consider for Tatum and/or Lindig Streets:
• Determine that the situation does not warrant further restrictions.
• Expand the daytime, two hour parking restrictions to both sides of Tatum
• and/or Lindig Streets.
• Notify residents that the option of residential permit parking if 75% of
property owners in the area will agree to the arrangement.
A petition from several neighbors of Mr. Chrun was received by city staff earlier in
the day. The petition asks that the planning commission delay any action on the
Tatum matter for another month. Asleson noted that staff was not requesting that
any action be taken at this time, but would like direction from the commission as to
their next step in the process.
After a lengthy discussion, the commission determined that they would like to get
input from Tatum and Lindig Street residents regarding the parking issue before
making any recommendation. The commission directed staff to notify residents of
these two streets that the issue would be discussed at the November 28, 1994
meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Carla Asleson, City Planner
•
Dee Swenson
Recording Secretary