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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2007 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 4, 2007 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. Call to Order Chair Stevenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. April 4, 2007. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Stevenson, Commissioners Cramblit, Gunn, Lang, Meehlhause, Miller, and Walsh-Kaczmarek. Absent and Excused: None Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson and Planning Associate Heller. Index to Minutes Page Planning Case Continuation: Consideration of Amendments to the Mounds 2 View Zoning Code Chapters 1102 and 1113 to add a “Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station” as a definition and as a Conditional Use in a B-2 Zoning District. Planning Case Continuation: Application for a Minor Subdivision and 3 Conditional Use Permit for “The Station” at 2280 County Road I. Planning Case IU2007-001: Application for a Billboard abutting Highway 10 4 between SYSCO Foods and Medtronic. Other Planning Activity: Review Definition of “Family.” 7 3. Approve Minutes A. March 7, 2007 Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Gunn to approve the March 7, 2007 Meeting Minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. 5. Planning Cases A. Planning Case Continuation: Consideration of an Amendment to the Mounds View Zoning Code Chapters 1102 and 1113 to add a “Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station” as a definition and as a Conditional Use in a B-2 Zoning District. Planning Associate Heller presented the zoning code amendments to define a Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station as a gas station with a small number of pumps and to allow a Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station as a conditional use in a B-2 zoning district. She reported that after discussion at the March 7, 2007 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission was hesitant to change the property to a higher intensity designation because of what it could open this site up to in the future if the owners were to sell the property. She indicated the Planning Commission had asked staff to look for other options. Planning Associate Heller stated staff recommends approval of the resolution before the Planning Commission. Chair Stevenson asked if the resolution was the appropriate process for approval for this issue. Planning Associate Heller replied the introduction and first reading of the ordinance would be done at the next City Council meeting, with the second reading at the following Council meeting. Commissioner Miller asked if Attachment A would be part of the resolution. She inquired what “covered” implied in Item L. Planning Associate Heller replied Attachment A would be included. She stated “covered” referred to the canopy. Commissioner Miller asked about the reference to no outside sales. Commissioner Gunn explained this referred to sales by vendors not associated with The Station. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked if this restricted customers from paying at the pump. Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Meehlhause stated it referred to independent sales such lunch trucks, art sales items, and other such vendors. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Gunn/Commissioner Meehlhause, to approve Resolution 863-07, a Resolution Recommending Approval of Amendments to Chapter 1102 of the Mounds View Zoning Code to Define “Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station” and Chapter 1113 to Add a Neighborhood Motor Fuel Station as a Conditional Use in a B-2 Zoning District. Commissioner Meehlhause commented staff did a great job devising an acceptable solution. Commissioner Miller asked if there is a height limit on items stacked outside the building. Chair Stevenson replied this would be covered under the signage portion of the zoning code. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Planning Case Continuation: Application for a Minor Subdivision and Conditional Use Permit for “The Station” at 2280 County Road I. Planning Associate Heller explained The Station required a minor subdivision and a conditional use permit to conform to City Code. She explained The Station was denied a conditional use permit in 2004 to reinstall two fuel pumps because the minimum lot size requirements for a gas station were not met. She explained that The Station has entered into a purchase agreement to buy neighboring property to the south, thus bringing the lot size to 24,395 square feet with dimensions of approximately 134’ x 187’, therefore, meeting minimum requirements. Planning Associate Heller stated the City Council would decide if park dedication fees were appropriate in this situation. She explained the subdivision would not result in any additional housing units; however, there would be a slight intensification of the usage with the addition of two fuel pumps. She indicated a park dedication fee might be appropriate in this case. Planning Associate Heller stated drainage and utility easements would be dedicated around the perimeter of the lot. She explained easements could not be dedicated on Certificates of Survey or registered land surveys, but would be accomplished by a separate document recorded at the same time the new deed is recorded. She stated the Certificate of Survey would show the location of the easements and state that the property is subject to the easements. She stated the City Attorney reviewed the documents and foresaw no issues. Planning Associate Heller stated the City’s Public Works Department also reviewed the site plans and expressed no concerns. She indicated the plans were also sent to Ramsey County Public Works, as The Station is located on County Road I, but there has been no response so far. Planning Associate Heller explained that with every Conditional Use Permit, the Planning Commission must review and address any potential adverse effects. She stated the Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ comprehensive plan encourages expansion of existing businesses within Mounds View when compatible with surrounding uses. She indicted The Station is surrounded by a variety of zoning designations and land uses, which include single family residential, high density residential, a church, office space, and a neighborhood grocery store. She stated, if approved, the CUP could be in line with the comprehensive plan. Planning Associate Heller reported traffic is at times a slight issue, due to its close proximity to I-35W and County Road I being a main thoroughfare to the City. She stated the addition of two pumps would serve the existing customer base and not generate problems from a public safety standpoint. The changes may actually improve the traffic flow on the site. Planning Associate Heller reported notices were mailed to residents within 350 feet of The Station informing them of the proposed actions and the Planning Commission meeting date. She stated staff received a few calls asking questions; however, none had any comments regarding the requests. Planning Associate Heller stated staff recommends approval of both planning actions as requested. Commissioner Miller asked if the plan to expand the current canopy to cover the additional pumps would be an additional canopy. Planning Associate Heller replied it would be one single canopy. Commissioner Miller recommended wording changes to several parts of the resolution. Planning Associate Heller commented The Station submitted a new canopy lighting plan since the Commission asked at a previous meeting about the canopy lighting. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Gunn /Commissioner Cramblit, to approve Resolution 861- 07, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Minor Subdivision and a Conditional Use Permit for the Property Located at 2280 County Road I, Planning Case Numbers MI2007-001, and CU2007-002. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Planning Case IU2007-001: Application for a Billboard abutting Highway 10 between SYSCO Foods and Medtronic. Community Development Director Ericson explained the City of Mounds View and Clear Channel Outdoor entered into an agreement in 2005 to move four billboards previously located at the former golf course to make way for the Medtronic development. He commented the City amended its codes and regulations to allow a reasonable opportunity for the signs to be relocated somewhere else in the community. He stated the City determined locations where billboards could be placed and amended the spacing and height requirements. Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson reported Clear Channel Outdoor submitted a request for an Interim Use Permit to site a billboard on Outlot A, Sysco Second Addition, located on the north side of Highway 10 between Sysco and Medtronic. He stated the location is appropriate and the various code requirements and criteria are satisfied. Director Ericson stated this would be looked at using the same criteria as a conditional use permit. He explained the comprehensive plan did not address the issue of billboards. He stated Outlot A is the undeveloped industrially zoned parcel between Sysco and Medtronic and the placement of the billboard here would not negatively affect the subject property or adjoining properties. He stated it did not appear the billboard would be visible from any residentially zoned property in the City. Director Ericson stated there are requirements relative to the facing and design of the billboard. He directed the Commission to the photo of the design. He reported a public hearing is set for April 23, 2007 with City Council. He stated staff recommends approval of Resolution 864-07. Commissioner Gunn commented the Planning Commission is not in favor of billboards; however, the City has a responsibility to move them to designated locations and this is one of the locations identified. She stated this is probably one of the better locations. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked if this would be an electronic sign with moving graphics. Director Ericson replied it would be a typical billboard. He explained City Council adopted a moratorium in February 2007 prohibiting electronic or changing message signs in the community. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek agreed it is one of the better sites for a billboard as it is less visible than the others are. Commissioner Cramblit asked how much disturbance it would have on the land itself. Director Ericson verbalized the three conditions to the resolution are: 1) the applicant shall submit a grading plan and a survey illustrating the location of the sign, the location of the access trail, utilities, and limits of tree removal; 2) the applicant shall apply for a wetland alteration permit and also apply with Rice Creek Watershed District if necessary; and 3) the applicant shall have completed the construction of the billboard by April 1, 2008 or the Interim Use Permit shall become null and void, unless a petition for extension of time in which to complete the work has been granted by the City Council; such extension shall be requested in writing and filed with the City Clerk/Administrator at least thirty days before the expiration of the original approval. Commissioner Miller asked if Rice Creek Watershed District would determine if the alteration permit would be necessary. Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson replied the alteration permit is under the purview of the City, however Rice Creek could determine if they would also issue a permit. Chair Stevenson stated he feels it is necessary to add to the resolution or to acknowledge that the Planning Commission was unanimously opposed to any billboard and that the Commission still did not support billboards along Highway 10, however, to not approve the billboards would create a worse situation. Commissioner Miller commented this is not a new billboard, only a new location. Commissioner Cramblit asked how many billboards were moved. Director Ericson replied no billboards have been physically relocated yet. He stated two billboards were removed from the Medtronic property thus far. He explained that according to the agreement between the City and Clear Channel Outdoor, four billboards must be relocated. He further explained that if the billboards were not relocated, Medtronic would be responsible for buying out the billboard leases. Commissioner Cramblit asked when the agreement expires. Director Ericson replied the agreement expires about August 25, 2007. He stated the City gave Clear Channel Outdoor two years to find alternate locations for the billboards. He reported one billboard was approved for Program Avenue, another at the Mermaid, and this would be the third site. A discussion on the Mermaid site ensued. Director Ericson explained this would not be an approval for more billboards in the community; it is simply relocating a billboard previously approved. Chair Stevenson asked Director Ericson about including his statement. Commissioner Cramblit commented the comment should be passed on to City Council. Director Ericson replied the statement would be added to the staff report and is documented in the minutes. He stated the framework under which the Planning Commission had to operate was created for them and this is their reaction to it. Consensus reached to include the statement in the Council staff report and in the minutes. Mr. Rich Sonterre, Clear Channel Outdoor, thanked the Planning Commission for taking the time to consider this request. Commissioner Miller pointed out a correction to the resolution. Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 7 ________________________________________________________________________ MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek /Commissioner Cramblit to approve Resolution 864-07, a Resolution Recommending Approval of an Interim Use Permit for a Billboard Relocation to Outlot A, SYSCO Second Addition; Planning Case IU2007-001. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. Other Planning Activity A. Review Definition of “Family” Community Development Director Ericson commented on the April edition of the Zoning Practice Newsletter. He explained the newsletter highlights the significant changes that have occurred over the last twenty or so years regarding families and the problems that occur when a city does not keep up with what a definition of family is today. Director Ericson explained the Mounds View Zoning Code is attempting to stay current with the definition of family based on court cases, legislation, rulings, etc. He commented this is one example of how Cities try to make sure the Zoning Codes fit the community. Director Ericson indicated that as newsletters come out that impact Mounds View, staff would pass on the information they consider relevant. Commissioner Miller asked about extended families immigrating to the U.S. with as many as 15 extended family members living together in one house. Director Ericson commented there have been situations where this exists. He commented a rental lease supersedes the code; however, the housing code addresses an overcrowded situation and safety issues by having minimum square footage requirements for sleeping and living space. He stated building inspectors run into situations from time to time that need to be addressed. 7. Next Planning Commission Meetings: A. April 18, 2007 B. May 2, 2007 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 8 ________________________________________________________________________ (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Dianna Wise TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION DATE:-; � ,Y -d