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Home My WebLink About12-19-2007 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting December 19, 2007 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m. December 19, 2007. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Stevenson; Commissioners Cramblit, Gunn, Lang, Miller, Meehlhause, and Walsh-Kaczmarek Absent and Excused: None. Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson and Planning Associate Heller, ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page DE2007-003 Consideration of a Development Review for a Building Expansion at 2169 Mustang Drive; Midwest Motor Express 2 VR2007-003 Consideration of a Variance to Allow for a Reduced Amount Of Covered Parking at Greenfield Estates Apartments, 7521-7661 Greenfield Avenue and 2370 County Road I; The Tycon Companies 3 Discuss Ordinance 801 Amending Title 1000, Chapter 1008 of the Mounds View City Code Regarding Requirements for Signs and Billboards 5 Comp Plan 2008 Update – Chapter 6, Transportation 7 ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approve Minutes A. November 7, 2007. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek /Commissioner Miller to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2007 regular Planning Commission meeting as presented. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission December 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. DE2007-003 Consideration of a Development Review for a Building Expansion at 2169 Mustang Drive; Midwest Motor Express Planning Associate Heller reported the applicant and property owner, Midwest Motor Express, is requesting a development review for a proposed 4,840 square foot building addition to be added onto the west side of the existing building at 2169 Mustang Drive. She stated such an expansion would bring additional tax base to the community, and the availability of more space would allow the company to operate more efficiently. She mentioned that no additional parking stalls would be required with this expansion. Planning Associate Heller stated Midwest Motor Express came before the Planning Commission in June 2006 with plans for a 10,000 foot expansion to the north end of their building. She indicated they decided not to move forward with this addition and have now decided to add on to the side of the building instead. She explained that by adding to the side of the building rather than the rear, they would not need to expand the asphalt parking area; therefore, not adding more impervious surface area to the property. Planning Associate Heller summarized the information regarding zoning, parking, setbacks, and traffic. Planning Associate Heller stated staff requests the Planning Commission review and consider the attached Resolution 879-07. She stated there would be a public hearing when this goes to Council on January 14, 2007. Commissioner Miller pointed out this would provide a more uniform look to the building. Chair Stevenson stated this is a straight forward request and an improvement over the past proposal. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Lang /Commissioner Gunn to approve Resolution No. 879- 07, a Resolution recommending approval of Development Review for a 4,480 Square Foot Addition to the Midwest Motor Express Building; Mounds View Planning Case DE2007-003. Commissioner Miller questioned whether the two conditions listed are the only ones required. Planning Associate Heller replied this is a straight forward request with all of the construction occurring where there is already asphalt, so there will be little to no disturbance to any grass or landscaping. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission December 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ B. VR2007-003 Consideration of a Variance to Allow for a Reduced Amount of Covered Parking at Greenfield Estates Apartments, 7521-7661 Greenfield Avenue and 2370 County Road I; The Tycon Companies Planning Associate Heller reported the applicant, Alan Menning, representing property owner, The Tycon Companies, is proposing to demolish the existing garages and construct new garages at Greenfield Estates Apartments located at 2370 County Road I and 7521 – 7661 Greenfield Avenue. She pointed out the proposal includes demolishing the existing four buildings with 126 individually divided garage stalls and constructing three new garages with 100 stalls in a drive through style. She stated the Zoning Code requires one covered parking space per unit; Greenfield Estates has 125 units and would be required to have 125 covered parking spaces. She reported the applicant is requesting a variance from this requirement that would allow them to have 100 covered parking spaces, 25 fewer than the required amount. Planning Associate Heller stated this is the second time the applicant has requested a variance for a reduced amount of covered parking. She indicated that in February 2005, the applicant came before the Planning Commission with the same request, except at that time they were proposing to construct only 78 garage stalls. She reported the Planning Commission denied the request, stating that that was too large of a reduction in number of covered stalls from the requirement, and that more residents would probably rent garages if they were safer with a better layout. She stated that in response to the Planning Commission’s comments in 2005, the applicant has redesigned the new garages to make them larger with more parking stalls. Planning Associate Heller explained the decision made by the Planning Commission for this request would only be approving or denying this variance and would not constitute an approval or denial of other site plan modifications (such as rearranging parking, adding a fence, etc). She stated that any other modifications done to the property would need to meet code requirements and would require a permit. She provided the findings of the variance considerations required by Minnesota statute and Section 1125.02, Subdivision 2, of the City Code. Chair Stevenson requested the total number of covered and uncovered required by code. Planning Associate Heller replied a total of 313 are required; however, the total provided would equal 325. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek requested clarification of the covered parking. Planning Associate Heller explained how the covered parking would be constructed. Commissioner Cramblit questioned what surface improvements would be made. Planning Associate Heller replied the applicant has indicated that they would be reconstructing the entire parking lot with the new garages. Curbing and replacement of disturbed landscaping would be required with a new parking lot. Mounds View Planning Commission December 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 4 ______________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Gunn commented she believes this would be a great improvement. Commissioner Cramblit questioned whether a storage area would be provided in the garages. Alan Menning, Vice President, The Tycon Companies, replied storage would not be practical as these are open garages with no dividing walls. He explained how new fencing on the property would provide privacy, security, and deter underage parties and the dumping of furniture and appliances in the area. Commissioner Miller questioned how many buildings there would be. Mr. Menning replied there would be three and referred to the drawings. He stated this would also provide a better area for trash containers and discourage the dumping of trash from individuals that are not residents. He indicated he hoped this new plan would increase the garage occupancy rates and alleviate previous issues. Commissioner Meehlhause questioned the amount of vandalism. Max Segler, Property Manager, The Tycon Companies, replied the amount of damage to cars in the general parking lot has not been that much in the front; however, vehicles in the back have experienced considerably more vandalism. Chair Stevenson stated he appreciated the changes made to the proposal. Commissioner Meehlhause commented he believes all apartments should have a garage. Mr. Segler replied not all residents have a car. He explained they have found that those residents without cars have often stored items that should not be in them, like junk, gas and fireworks. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked what will be done about the items stored in the garages during construction. Mr. Segler replied they have considered bringing in PODS for temporary storage. He commented there are also standard 4’X6’ storage lockers provided for each apartment. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked whether there are electrical outlets to plug in vehicles in the winter. Mr. Segler replied there was not. Commissioner Miller asked if renters could rent multiple garage spaces. Mr. Segler replied they had that option if there were spaces available. He stated in other complexes they own, a garage door opener is provided to the police so they can also drive through the garages to patrol. Mounds View Planning Commission December 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 5 ______________________________________________________________________________ Planning Associate Heller stated she called the manager of Landmark Estates to ask how many garage spaces they have rented out. She stated they have enough vacant garages to use about 12 for their own storage and some tenants are able to rent more than one space. Chair Stevenson requested Planning Associate Heller read the resolution “Whereas” statements to the Planning Commission and audience. Discussion ensued and it was recommended to add a clarifying statement stating that the variance is for 25 spaces. Commissioner Lang questioned the finding of fact number three: Denying the request would limit the property owner’s ability to improve the safety and functionality of the property. Consensus reached to change the wording from “would limit” to “may limit the . . . ” Commissioner Meehlhause commented he is still opposed to the fact that not all residents would have access to a garage. He stated that perhaps the zoning code should be reviewed to see if it refers to a time gone by and update it to reflect the times. Chair Stevenson replied the type of apartments and location of apartments relative to mass transportation makes a difference. He explained he prefers the code remain as it is and take the requests case by case. He indicated he would be in favor of the number of garages in this situation Mr. Menning stated they are attempting to redesign poorly designed garages with maintenance issues. Commissioner Meehlhause questioned whether there are minimum garage space sizes. He commented the proposed non-divided garage spaces increased the opportunity to damage cars during parking. Planning Associate Heller replied parking stalls and drive aisle sizes are addressed in the Code. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Gunn/Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek, to Approve Resolution No. 880-07, a Resolution Recommending approval of a Variance to Allow for a Reduced Number of Covered Parking Spaces at Greenfield Estates Located at 2370 County Road I and 7621-7661 Greenfield Avenue with recommended changes; Mounds View Planning Case VR2007-003. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Abstain – 1 (Meehlhause) Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity Mounds View Planning Commission December 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 6 ______________________________________________________________________________ A. Discuss Ordinance 801 Amending Title 1000, Chapter 1008 of the Mounds View City Code Regarding Requirements for Signs and Billboards Community Development Director Ericson reported the City Council adopted Ordinance 784 on February 12, 2007 which authorized a one-year moratorium on the installation, creation, construction, replacement, modification or improvement of static or changing electronic, digital, video, display signs or billboards and flashing motion, animated, changeable copy and illuminated signs in all zoning districts. He stated this moratorium would expire on February 12, 2008. He read the definition of Dynamic Display Signs as stated in the ordinance. Director Ericson stated that staff, the City Attorney, and the City Council believe that the best course of action relating to the soon-to-expire moratorium is to define the type of signage in question and to adopt language that prohibits such signage. While this action would admittedly cause all the existing dynamic displays signs to become non-conforming, not taking such action would potentially leave the door open for dynamic display boards to be erected. The City feels confident that it can progress with a supplemental ordinance to address the non-conforming dynamic display signs early in 2008. Director Ericson stated that as recommended by the City Attorney, staff suggests the Planning Commission approve Resolution 881-07, which recommends approval of Ordinance 801. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek commented whether this approach precluded adding a weather display, such as the weather ball once used in the Twin Cities, in the City at some point. Director Ericson replied the code did allow for exceptions for weather related displays. He stated a weather ball would require additional research. Chair Stevenson questioned the term “electronically change” and stated he did not see how gas station price signs applied. Director Ericson replied staff would look into this. Commissioner Gunn stated the distraction of signs along the side of the road is not as dangerous as talking on cell phones, putting on make-up, or eating. Director Ericson stated the ordinance gives the City control and positions it favorably relative to approving, disapproving, and limiting the number of Dynamic Display Signs. He clarified how non-conforming uses would be protected. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Meehlhause/Commissioner Miller, to approve Resolution 881-07, a Resolution Recommending Approval of an Amendment to Chapter 1008 of the Mounds View City Code Regarding Requirements for Signs and Billboards. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting December 19, 2007 Page 7 B. Comprehensive Plan 2008 Update — Chapter 6, Transportation Planning Associate Heller reported that the Comp Plan Task Force and Public Works Director Greg Lee began discussing Chapter 6 and suggested a lot of changes to this section. She stated wording and language updates were made. Chair Stevenson directed the Commissioners to review the draft of Chapter 6 and submit recommendations to staff. 7. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. January 9, 2007 B. January 23, 2007 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, '_) vVv J �-�✓AOkOY Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Dianna Wise TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION -TYT-/