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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_84Aug20• • • MINUTES SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 20, 1984 The Planning Commission meeting was called to order on August 20, 1984 at 7:38 P.M, by Chairman Al Stefanson. Stefanson, Nilsen, Olson, Mead, Grittner, Chenoweth, Black and Wallin. PRESENT Also present was Councilmember Chestovich. Deborah Trent-Sullivan. Chairman Stefanson advised that Member Sullivan ABSENT was unable to return from out-of-town for the meeting but had .expressed her concerns in a memorandum dated August 17, which was read to the Planning Commission as follows: (1) B & J should be required to put up additional screening, (2) what type of screening will Bullseye put in back yards along wall? (3) should consider additional landscaping along both Snelling and Arona with other five trees, and (4) strongly opposed to condemnation, extremely costly to city. The Planning Commission reviewed the conditional use request from B & J APPROVAL Midway Floral, Inc. The property owner was advised that EB zoning now OF CONDIT- applies to the property. B & J Midway Floral, Inc. presented a sketch ZONAL USE indicating either the placement of a shed or garage. Member Nilsen advised REQUEST BY that on page 52 of the Zoning Ordinance the placement of a structure should B & J be 40 feet from the north property line. After discussion concerning placement, MIDWAY agreement was reached that the structure--a garage as preferred by the property FLORAL owner--should be placed on the blacktopped area of the lot. Therefore, Member Mead moved that the garage should be constructed on the northeast section of the lot not less than 52 feet from the north property line maintaining the same distance from the east property line as the present greenhouse structure with a provision that the garden area, indicated on the sketch, be sodded in the spring. Member Olson seconded the motion. Member Nilsen offered an amendment to the motion that the existing structure and debris be removed before the new structure is erected. Members Mead and Olson approved the addition of the amendment to the original motion. Upon a vote being taken, the motion was approved unanimously. Bob Collins, Bullseye Golf, Inc. reviewed the variances as follows: (1) erection of the Bullseye structure to within six inches of the rear alley line, (2) decrease in the size of the parking space to 9' x 18', plus 17 spaces which are designed for compact cars and are 8' x 18', (3) proposed parking and drives have no setback at the street right-of-ways, and (4) parking to be within 5' of the building at the east and west ends and along a portion of the south side. Bullseye Golf, Inc. is also requesting approval of a conditional use request to use a portion of the proposed building for warehousing. Mr. Collins then reviewed the number of parking spaces on the site (104) and how the calculation was arrived at. He also distributed copies of the revised site plan indicating that there may be a possibility of a reduction in the size of the building by 1,500 square feet to accommodate housing a restaurant in the building on the east end (Flameburger). The change in the site plan provided for additional needed parking to accommodate the restaurant (eight spaces). Mr. Collins was not sure at this point whether the additional parking was adequate so an additional variance may be needed in the future. BOB COLLINS, BULLSEYF GOLF, INC. MINUTES SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 2~, 1984 PAGE 2 • Mr. Pope, Pope Associates, Inc., advised that curbing will be placed in the front of each parking space so when a parking space is designated in size to be 9' by 18' in essence it will be another two feet because the car will overhang the curbing in the front to add the additional length... Compact parking will be located on the liquor store property. Mr. Pope indicated that parking is located closer to the building because of the confinement of the site. He also reviewed the size and location of the shipping and receiving area, the landscaping scheme, signs (which will be developed when input from tenants is obtained) that will comply with the ordinance and roof lines indicating that the building architecture will not be mundane. MR. POPE OF POPE ASSOCIATES, INC. • Robert G. Schunicht, Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates., City Engineer, reviewed his August 20th letter point by point giving his recommendations. BOB SCHUNICHT, CITY ENGINEER John Uban, Howard Dahlgren Associates, City Planner, advised that the two most important considerations are as follows: (1) that the project works for the JOHN UBAN, neighborhood, and (2) all input given by the neighborhood development committee HOWARD be given attention. He feels that the variances requested will not be DAHLGREN detrimental to the project as a whole. A critical issue that needs to be ASSOCIATES, addressed is the allowance of good pedestrian traffic and that the parking CITY issue of possible share used by Bullseye Golf, Inc. and Embers be explored. PLANNER Another important question that needs to be addressed is if the building is scaled down in size will it work for tax increment financing. The building architecture should be closely examined to provide a building-that has interesting approaches including arches, round windows, intricate cornice detailing, roof lines and so forth. Sidewalks that provide good pedestrian. access could be built by the City and assessed against the property owners (Bullseye and Embers). The City should also get involved in providing landscaping that could be tied into all four corne~ of the Larpenteur/Snelling intersection. Chairman Stefanson asked if the possibility of adding a second story had been. explored and Mr. Collins answered that it had but adding a second story was very expensive and there was also a lack of demandfor office space. Member Black asked if the architecture design is being explored and Mr. Collins answered that the structure would be dressed up expecially on the southwest corner. Chairman Stefanson then made reference to twelve points that were addressed in his August 20,-1984 fact sheet regarding traffic, lighting, landscaping, screening, exterior finish,, drainage, snow removal, and pedestrian walkways. Other items that were addressed included: (1) no signs should be located on the top of the building, (2) plantings should not screen the building on Larpenteur but be planted in groupings. to break up the facade, (3) the roof line should be extended in height or screening provided for utilities located on the roof, (4) air conditioning units should be located on the rear one- third of the roof, (5) building exterior should be brick on three sides with brick wrapping around the alley side of the structure--using a special type of block in the loading area that is not painted that can be easily maintained RECOMMEND- ATIONS • • • • MINUTES SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 20, 1984 PAGE 3 use of earth tones for the brick color and the facia should be high quality, (6) signs be placed below the facia and above the windows as well as be the same uniform size, (7) lighting will be provided on ten foot parking light standards on the south and. on the north, east and west the building will be lit with lights placed on the building which will be shielded to shine on the parking area only so they will not case neighborhood irritation, (8) lighting in employee parking lot .should be provided for safety if not adequately covered by existing lighting, (9) screening should be located on liquor store property along Crawford Avenue by some. type of plantings, (10) good access needs to be provided to keep customers from using the alley for access, (11) obtain listing of green plantings that survive winter salt conditions from MN-DOT (John Uban feels the property owner should be responsible for maintenance of the plantings along Larpenteur) and (12) MN-DOT should be contacted regarding location of parking on their right-of-ways. Chairman Stefanson stated that action on the variance requests should not be taken this evening but should be delayed until the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission on September 4, 1984 in order to allow the members of the Commission time to digest the recommendations as well as allow Bullseye Golf time to develop specific answers to questions presented as well as firming up the possible lease of part of the building by the Flameburger. Chairman Stefanson also stated there is a possibility a variance request may be required for the number of retail parking spaces as the developer has calculated the retail spaces at 4.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet net whereas the zoning ordinance specifies 5.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet gross. The developers are using a 70-30 percent to determine the floor space devoted to retail space and this needs to be researched. for accuracy. Member Black felt the Commission should act on the variance requests regarding the parking as well as the conditional use request to allow warehousing. After considerable discussion, Member Wallin moved, seconded by Member Black, that the conditional use request be approved. Further discussion ensued regarding the use of .the loading area and loading hours and Member Wallin amended his motion to: (1) allow only one Bullseye vehicle in the alley or loading area. at one time, and (2) loading and unloading only be allowed during the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., Monday thru Saturday. Member Black agreed to the amendment. Mr. Collins could not guarantee that the loading and unloading hours specified in the amendment would be adequate so Members Wallin and Black rescinded their motion and amendment. After considerable additional discussion regarding the approval of the variances, the Planning Commission was in agreement to act on the variance requests at their next regular Planning Commission meeting on September 4th. VARIANCES REQUESTS DELAYED Member Nilsen. requested Mr. Uban obtain authorization from the Clerk Administrator to work closely with the developer. UBAN TO WORK WITH .Member Chenoweth explained the differences between the ten and 25 year tax DEVELOPER increment financing plans.- The County Assessor and Auditor will have to examine and approve the building plans so that the dollar amounts can be determined. MINUTES SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 20, 1984 PAGE 4 • Member Olson also requested that the developer contact the Falcon Heights FIRE DEPT. Fire Chief for an opinion on fire protection since some parking is located TO BE close to the building and also request input on traffic patterns. CONTACTED Members then discussed the use of industrial revenue bonds for the project, use of tax increment financing, the letter of credit, how Bullseye is proceeding and the length of time it has taken as well as the fact that Bullseye is not giving the City much in return for the City allowing the use of long term tax increment financing. Member Chenoweth moved, seconded by Member Nilsen, that the meeting be ADJOURNMENT adjourned at 11:00 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. r Wa lin, Secretary • •