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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-1996 • PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Special Meeting November 20, 1996 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. Call to Order The Mounds View Planning Commission was called to Order by Chair Peterson at 7:38 p.m. on November 20, 1996. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Miller, Brooks, Stevenson, Obert, Johnston, Brasaemle and Chair Peterson. Also Present: Community Development Director Sheldon and Planning Associate Ericson. Index to Minutes Page Case No. 462-96, Mounds View Square Shopping Center 4 Case No. 467-96, Land Patterns Landscaping (Christmas Tree Sales) 1 Tree Sales at Mounds View Square Shopping Center for Land Patterns Landscaping be heard before Planning Case No. 462-96, a variance request by Paster Enterprises due to the length of time the latter case might take. • • Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 1996 Special Meeting Page 2 4. Planning Case No. 467-96 2535 Highway 10 Applicant: Land Patterns Landscaping Request for approval of a conditional use permit for temporary outdoor sales of Christmas trees in the parking lot of the former Bridgeman's Restaurant. The applicant, Warren Schorer of Land Patterns Landscaping, was present. Community Development Director Sheldon reviewed this request explaining that the applicant, Warren Schorer, is requesting approval of a conditional use permit for the outdoor sales of Christmas trees in the parking lot at Mounds View Square Shopping Center. Director Sheldon explained that this case was before the Planning Commission because she was basing the City's approach to this case on the Merryville Farm Market and Linder's Greenhouse cases, which is outdoor sales of merchandise, and are allowed in this particular zoning district • with a conditional use permit. She explained that a time schedule has been arranged that, if this case is approved, would allow the applicant to begin tree sales on the day after Thanksgiving. She asked the Planning Commission for direction on how to proceed with future applications regarding Christmas tree sales since she has found that past practice has exempted them from the conditional use permit process. Director Sheldon explained that there is a list of criteria in the ordinance that have been met and it is her recommendation to the Planning Commission that Resolution No. 487-96 be adopted with conditions noted in page three of the resolution. The Planning Commission was concerned about the signage. Mr. Schorer assured the Commission that the sign would not be lighted. The Planning Commission inquired about the hours of operation of the other Christmas tree lots. Director Sheldon indicated that the other vendors had not been in to speak with the City and, therefore, was not sure of what their hours of operation would be. She also indicated that these type of vendors require a peddler's license which is handled by the Administration Department. Director Sheldon suggested that the City change the process to assure there is enough time to complete the application process. It was suggested by the Planning • Commission that perhaps in the future these types of applications be handled by Staff. It was suggested that this could be discussed at a future work session. IPMounds View Planning Commission November 20, 1996 Special Meeting Page 3 Motion/Second: Brasaemle/Miller to approve Resolution No. 487-96, recommending approval of a conditional use permit for outdoor sales of Christmas trees at Mounds View Square Shopping Center, 2535 Highway 10, Planning Case No. 467-96. Motion Carried on a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays Public Hearing (continued from November 6, 1996, meeting) Planning Case No. 462-96 2535-2585 Highway 10 Applicant: Paster Enterprises (d.b.a.: Mounds View Assoc. LP) Request for approval of a variance to the Sign Code for pylon sign, signs at driveway entrances and sign at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Highway 10. Mr. John Streeter and Edward Paster, representatives for the applicant, Paster Enterprises, were present. • Community Development Director Sheldon stated that this case had been before the Planning Commission on two other occasions and explained that it is a request from Mounds View Square Shopping Center for a sign variance for four monument signs along Highway 10, which would display the name of the center and names of tenants. At this time Director Sheldon passed around to the Planning Commission photographs of similar signs located at other shopping centers and various shopping center signs located along Highway 10 and a brief discussion ensued regarding the signs. Director Sheldon stated that it is staffs feeling that three of the signs are related to the bridge, the two at the driveways and the one at Long Lake Road and Highway 10. She recommended the variance request for these signs be approved with conditions contained in Resolution No. 484-96. Commissioner Miller inquired whether the signs would have different tenants listed or would they be identical. Mr. Streeter replied that normally they would be all the same and the major tenants would appear on the signs. Mr. Paster added that if they had too many major tenants to be listed on one sign, they would be divided among the three signs. • Director Sheldon briefly reviewed the six conditions contained in Resolution No. Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 1996 Special Meeting Page 4 484-96 and suggested that the applicant comment on the conditions. Mr. Streeter commented, regarding Item 2 of the resolution, that although they have submitted a brick design for the sign, he presumes that the design would be a decorative block with brick trim and indicated that they have an architect that recommends a certain design for the signs. Mr. Streeter also had questions regarding the required berm and landscaping. He said that the requirement to install trees around the proposed signage is unacceptable to them because it may deter attention from the signage. He continued by requesting that they have the option to use brick and decorative break-off block in accordance with the design specified by their architect. He also stated that they have a uniform color for the sign text; however, if a major tenant requests a different color due to their national advertising theme, they would like to accommodate their request. Commissioner Miller asked the applicant how craft sales and similar events that are held at the center would be advertised. Mr. Streeter replied that there would be no reader boards on the signs, and therefore, they would not be • advertised this way. Commissioner Brooks inquired as to the landscaping they are proposing. Mr. Streeter indicated that the landscaping would be designed by their in-house architect and approved by our City Forester. Mr. Paster was concerned with item 4 in the resolution which states that 1/2 of the sign wall shall be used for wording and indicated that some of the major tenants may use more lettering, even if it means shrinking the lettering for the name of the center itself. Director Sheldon added that if the Planning Commission wants a certain portion of the sign area to be used for the center's name then they would need to specify that in the resolution. The Planning Commission discussed the wording that would be appropriate for the resolution. Director Sheldon explained to the Planning Commission that the fourth sign was not included in the variance request because she felt it was not needed to overcome the effect of the bridge and wanted to make it clear that the Planning Commission would not be taking action on the fourth sign even though it was shown on the diagram submitted by the applicant. Mr. Streeter again referred to the item in the resolution regarding uniform color and requested that this item be removed from the resolution in order to • accommodate future requests from tenants. Commissioner Obert expressed his opposition with the erection of these type of signs listing tenant names and • Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 1996 Special Meeting Page 5 indicated he felt they were distracting, unattractive, and that they do not fit into any urban landscape. Mr. Streeter expressed that they do not want to make the sign a monument by itself and attract that much attention. He added that they would like to make the sign proportionate, balanced, and architecturally pleasing to the shopping center. Mr. Streeter again reviewed the items that concerned him in the resolution. Following this discussion, Director Sheldon explained to the applicant what the City wanted by requiring the planting of trees behind the monument signs. Mr. Paster replied that putting up clusters of trees would not suit the primary purpose of the shopping center which is to be noticed. He added that he did not have a problem with small accent trees, but was opposed to types of trees such as evergreens which would stand above the sign. The applicant and the Planning Commission further discussed the conditions • contained in Resolution No. 484-96. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to take out the requirement contained in the resolution regarding brick and replace it with brick, break-off block or stone and to also reduce the size allowed for the signs to a maximuml0 feet in height by 16 feet in width. They also added to the resolution that the material used for the sign wall shall be compatible with the center and landscaping shall be planted behind the sign to include three trees of a species that, at maturity, would be approximately the same height as the sign. Commissioner Brooks left the meeting at 9:48 p.m. • variance in the Mounds View Sign Code to allow three monument signs at the Mounds View Square Shopping Center, 2535-2585 Highway 10, Planning Case No. 462-96, with the revisions discussed by the Planning Commission. Motion Carried on a vote of 5 ayes and 1 nay. (Commissioner Obert expressed that he felt the applicant is requesting too much signage.) • Mounds View Planning Commission November 20, 1996 Special Meeting Page 6 6. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Peterson adjourned the meeting at 10:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 1614AAL 1 r� Pamela Sheldon Community Development Director 411 MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 484-96 I CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE IN THE MOUNDS VIEW SIGN CODE TO ALLOW THREE MONUMENT SIGNS AT THE MOUNDS VIEW SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER, 2535-2585 HIGHWAY 10; PLANNING CASE NO. 462-96. WHEREAS, the Mounds View Planning Commission has reviewed the request from Mounds View Assoc. LLP for the construction of four monument signs at the Mounds View Square Shopping Center, with two of these signs to be placed at the driveway entrances from Highway 10, one at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Highway 10, and one at the intersection of County Road I and Highway 10; and, WHEREAS, the applicant has proposed these monument signs to each be 12 feet in height and 18 feet in width, for an area of 216 square feet; and, WHEREAS, this property is in the B-4 zoning district, which allows 100 square feet of • signage for each tenant, and a 340 square foot pylon sign; and, WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View is proposing to construct a pedestrian bridge across Highway 10 just west of Long Lake Road; and, • WHEREAS, the position of the bridge will block the view of a portion of the shopping center's face and its center identification sign from view by motorists traveling on Highway 10, from east to west; and WHEREAS, the heaviest traffic in the east to west direction is evening, homebound commute traffic, when motorists are more likely to stop to shop than motorists traveling to work; and, WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the criteria used to evaluate variances from the Sign Code as stated in Section 1008.11 and does hereby make the following findings: a. Exceptional or extraordinary circumstances apply to the property which do not apply generally to other properties in the same zone or vicinity and result from lot size or shape, topography or other circumstances over which the owners or the property since the effective date hereof had no control. c. That the special conditions or circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant. • The property is developed with a retail building that is L-shaped and set back from Highway 10. The City is proposing to construct a pedestrian bridge across Highway 10 at ill Planning Commission Resolution No. 484-96 November 20, 1996 Page 2 Long Lake Road which will block the view of a portion of the front face of the shopping center and its center identification sign until motorists travel under the bridge. The monument signs proposed at the two driveway entrances will alert motorists to where to turn in the most efficient way possible, since they will be at the roadway edge and more at eye level. They will compensate for the lack of visibility of the center. At present it is very difficult to find the driveway entrances into Mounds View Square at night. The monument sign at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Highway 10 will provide signage in advance of the bridge structure for motorists traveling west, which is needed since the bridge will block the view of the center identification sign. b. The literal interpretation of the provisions of this Title would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this Title. d. That granting the variance requested will not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is denied by this Title to owners of other lands,structures or buildings in the same district. • g. Circumstances under which the literal interpretation of the provisions of this Title create an undue hardship on the applicant. Economic hardship may be a circumstance for issuance of a variance. The Sign Code allows for tenant identification signs and one pylon sign to identify the overall shopping center. The construction of a pedestrian bridge will block the visibility of both the tenant signage and the pylon sign for Mounds View Square until motorists have traveled under the bridge. The visibility of other shopping centers in Mounds View will not be impacted by the bridge construction. All other properties which abut Highway 10 have clear visibility from the highway and are not obscured by overhead structures. The impact on Mounds View Square will be the most significant due to the angle of the hipjhway, the layout of the shopping center_and the._pocition_nfthe burl:-. e. That the variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the hardship. f The variance requested would not be materially detrimental to the purpose of this Title or to other property in the same zone. The applicant has requested four monument signs, measuring 12 feet tall and 18 feet wide. One is proposed to be located at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Highway 10, in advance of the bridge structure to alert motorists to the upcoming shopping center, two at the driveway entrances from Highway 10, and one at the intersection of County Road I 1111 and Highway 10. The first three signs are needed because the center identification sign will be blocked by the bridge from motorists' view when they travel from east to west on Highway 10. The size of the signs is approximately half the height of monument style Planning Commission Resolution No.484-96 • November 20, 1996 Page 3 signs along Highway 10 and elsewhere used as the sole identification for shopping centers. The signs at the driveway entrances are needed to provide a unmistakable visual signal at the roadside, close to eye level, of the presence of the shopping center since motorists will have less reaction time than if they had an unimpeded view of the center identification sign traveling toward Mounds View Square on Highway 10. With the design requirements in the conditions attached to this variance, the signs will be tied into the landscape and be less intrusive. (This variance does not grant approval for the monument sign at County Road I and Highway 10.) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mounds View Planning Commission acting as the Board of Adjustment and Appeals does hereby approve a modification of the variance request of Mounds View Assoc. LLP allowing for three monument signs, with one sign to be placed at each of the two driveway entrances from Highway 10, and one sign to be placed at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Highway 10, subject to the following conditions: 1. This variance is being granted in recognition of the anticipated construction of a pedestrian bridge using a spiral ramp design at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Highway 10. The signs permitted by this variance shall only be constructed • after commencement of construction of the pedestrian bridge, and only if the bridge uses the spiral ramp design. The applicant is responsible for obtaining sign permits from the City prior to construction of the signs. 2. The two signs at the driveway entrances shall consist of a monument style sign or "sign wall" constructed of brick, stone or break-off decorative block and measuring at a maximum 10 feet in height and 15 feet in width. This"sign wall" shall have an added wall extension on either side approximately four feet in height and 8 feet in length, finished with a capstone as is shown for the sign. The sign wall and wall extensions shall be curved, to reduce the appearance of its mass and to approximate the curvature of the driveways. Earth shall be bermed against the backside of the sign wall and the wall extensions. Landscaping shall be planted behind the sign to include at least three trees in a cluster, which shall be of a species which will grow at maturity to approximately the same height as the sign. Landscaping may be designed to remain low in front of that portion sign having wording. The final design of the sign wall and sign extensions, and the landscaping plan shall be subject to approval by the Director of Community Development prior sign permits being issued and landscaping being installed. The color of the masonry shall be compatible with the existing brick used in the shopping center, subject to approval by the Director of Community Development prior to issuance of sign permits. • 3. The sign at each driveway entrance shall be located on the northwest side of the driveway as shown in the diagram submitted with this application. • Planning Commission Resolution No.484-96 November 20, 1996 Page 4 4. For the signs at the driveway entrances, no more than 3/4 of the sign wall may be used for wording(i.e. that portion of the wall face which is 10 feet x 15 feet) as measured using rectangles around each business's name and the shopping center's name. Letters shall not exceed 1 foot 6 inches in height. No wording may appear on the wall extensions. All lettering for tenants names shall be uniform color except that a corporate color scheme integral to the identity of the company may be used. The lettering for the name of the shopping center may be the same color or a contrasting color. Lettering may be internally illuminated or the sign may have indirect illumination from ground lighting. Any ground lighting shall be shielded so light rays are directed to the sign, but the light source is not visible to the street or parking area. 5. Signage shall be limited to the name of individual businesses and the name of the shopping center. A portion of the sign face shall be used for the shopping center name. 6. The design of the sign to be installed at the intersection of Long Lake Road and • Highway 10 shall be coordinated with the design of the bridge and be located outside the required sight lines for the Highway 10/Long Lake Road intersection. This variance allows for 145 square feet of sign area to be used for wording, not to exceed 10 feet high, of which a portion shall be used for the name of the shopping center. The City shall determine the height and length of the wall and its placement, in consultation with the applicant, as long as the sign area allowed by this variance is accommodated. If the applicant desires to display signage on the wall, the applicant shall be responsible for the cost of constructing up to 280 square feet of wall at this location, unless an alternative funding arrangement with the City is approved by the City Council. Adopted this 20th day of November, 1996. Jerry Peters_e Chairman ATTEST: POLU<AA, Pamela Sheldon Community Development Director (SEAL) • c:\wpdocs\devcases\462-96pc.re2 • MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 487-96 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR OUTDOOR SALES OF CHRISTMAS TREES AT MOUNDS VIEW SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER, 2535 HIGHWAY 10; PLANNING CASE NO. 467-96. WHEREAS, Warren Schroer of Land Patterns Landscaping has applied for a conditional use permit to allow outdoor sale of Christmas trees from November 29 to December 25 in the parking lot for the Mounds View Shopping Center at 2535 Highway 10, which property is zoned B-4 and is described as follows: Part lying northeasterly of the centerline of State Trunk Highway 10 ofNR 1/4 of N1/4 (Subject to Roads and Highways) in Section, 7, Township 30, Range 23 WHEREAS, the Mounds View Zoning Code allows open and outdoor sales in the B-4 Regional Business Zoning District with the approval of a conditional use permit; and, • WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the following documents regarding this proposal: a. Zoning Map b. Planning Application c. Diagram illustrating proposed layout d. Letter of Request e. Certificate of Insurance f. Lease Agreement with Paster Enterprises WHEREAS, the Planning Commission makes the following findings that the criteria for approval in Section 1115.04. Subd. 2 has been met: a. Outdoor service,sales and equipment rental connected with the principal use is limited to thirty percent(30%)of the gross floor area of the principal use. The shopping center contains 102,035 square feet of building area. The applicant proposes to occupy 1600 square feet in the parking lot, which is 1.6% in comparison to the building square footage on the site. This criteria is met. b. Outside sales areas are fenced or screened from view of neighboring residential uses or an • abutting residential district in compliance with subdivisions 1103.08(1)through(5)of this Title. • Planning Commission Resolution No. 487-96 November 20, 1996 Page 2 The parking lot by Bridgeman's Restaurant does not abut any residential properties, and is bordered on the east by Long Lake Road, south by Highway 10 and north and east by the remainder of the Mounds View Square Shopping Center. The property directly across Long Lake Road is zoned R-1 but is part of the Sunrise Methodist Church property. The area closest to Bridgeman's is forested and contains a large wetland. The property to the south is zoned B-2 and R-4, and is developed as Silver View Plaza, a shopping center, and Wildwood Manor, an apartment building for senior citizens. Mounds View Shopping Center is screened from view from the apartments by a stand of trees between Wildwood Manor and Highway 10. The Bridgeman's site is approximately 450 feet from Wildwood Manor because of the intervening highway right-of-way. This criteria is met. c. All lighting shall be hooded and so directed that the light source shall not be visible from the public right of way or from neighboring residences and shall be in compliance with Section 1103.0 of this Title. The applicant is proposing string lighting using 100 watt light bulbs suspended 10 feet from the ground around the perimeter of the lot. This level of lighting is not expected to cause glare beyond the perimeter of the Mounds View Square Shopping Center site. • d. Sales area is grassed or surfaced to control dust. The applicant is proposing to use an existing parking lot which is surfaced with asphalt. This criteria is met. e. The provisions of subdivision 1125.01(1)e of this Title are considered and satisfactorily met. Adverse Effects: The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider possible adverse effects of the proposed amendment or conditional use. Its judgment shall be based upon(but not limited to)the following factors: (1) Relationship to Municipal Comprehensive Plan. (2) The geographical area involved. (3) Whether such use will tend to or actually depreciate the area in which it is proposed. (4) The character of the surrounding area. (5) The demonstrated need for such use. The proposal is for a temporary Christmas tree lot in the parking lot of an existing shopping center. The shopping center is surrounded by roadways, and the lot itself is at least 450 feet from the nearest residential property. The short duration of the use will result in it having little if any effect on the surrounding area. The sale of Christmas trees is • a typical seasonal business in a community such as Mounds View, and serves a community need. This criteria is met. 411 Planning Commission Resolution 487-96 November 20, 1996 Page 3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mounds View Planning Commission recommends that the Mounds View City Council approve the conditional use permit for Christmas tree sales at Mounds View Square Shopping Center with the following conditions: 1. The facility shall be allowed to operate from November 29, 1996 to December 25, 1996, with an allowance for site cleanup from December 25 to December 29. The applicant shall removeall evidence of the Christmas tree lot, and return the parking lot to its current condition, by December 29. 2. The hours of operation shall be 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 3. The Christmas tree lot shall be located in the Bridgeman's Restaurant parking lot as shown on the diagram submitted with the application. 4. One 4 x 8 foot sign shall be allowed, to be placed as shown on the diagram submitted with the application. The sign may have ground-mounted, indirect lighting. • 5. String lighting along the perimeter of the Christmas tree lot shall bep ermitted, as long as the supports are no taller than 10 feet, and the bulbs do not exceed 100 watts. 6. The applicant shall carry general liability insurance in an amount of$1,000,000. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission directs Staff to forward this resolution to the City Council prior to the approval of the minutes. Adopted this 20th day of November, 1996. Jerry Pe rso , Chairperson ATTEST: ,vY1rL1L1,1. ti �11"7'�, Pamela Sheldon, Community Development Director • (SEAL) 1