HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-2019 PCAPPROVED
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
December 18, 2019
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m. for December 18, 2019.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, French, Monn, Nelson, Rundle, and Stevenson.
Absent and Excused: Commissioner Klander.
Also Present: Community Development Director Jon Sevald and Council Member Gary
Meehlhause.
______________________________________________________________________________
Index to Minutes Page
Resolution 1111-19, Recommending Approval of a Conditional Use Permit 2
and Development Review of Tommy Car Wash at 2525 Mounds View
Boulevard
Discussion of Regular Meeting start time (6:30 vs 7:00 p.m.) 4
Approval of Minutes 4
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Special Order of Business
None.
4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
None.
______________________________________________________________________________
Mounds View Planning Commission December 18, 2019
Regular Meeting Page 2
________________________________________________________________________
5. Resolution 1111-19, Recommending Approval of a Conditional Use Permit; and
Development Review of Tommy Car Wash; 2525 Mounds View Boulevard
Community Development Director Sevald stated Paces Lodging Corporation is proposing to
build a Tommy Car Wash at 2525 Mounds View Boulevard (former Snyder’s), located on the
northeast corner of Mounds View Boulevard and Long Lake Road. The car wash will be
automated, although an attendant may provide a pre-wash prior to vehicles entering the wash
tunnel. The car wash will be open Monday – Saturday, 8:00 AM – 9;00 PM, and Sundays, 9:00
AM – 6:00 PM. Tommy Car Wash is a national franchise. Within Minnesota, there is one
location in New Hope (2019), and one under construction in Rochester (2020). Staff suggested
the cement board material be changed to masonry. Staff recommended the Planning
Commission hold a public hearing and approve the Conditional Use Permit as requested.
Chair Stevenson asked if the City has had a difficult time moving on this piece of property since
2010. Community Development Director Sevald indicated the most recent potential buyer was
for a commercial daycare, but the owner walked away after learning the property had polluted
soils. He commented the site did not have enough parking for a church or restaurant. He
explained the car wash was a much better fit for the property.
Commissioner Farmer inquired if access off of Mounds View Boulevard would be lost.
Community Development Director Sevald stated the County would review any proposed use and
could grant or deny an access permit onto Mounds View Boulevard.
Commissioner Nelson recommended a fence be considered to keep the stacked car lights from
shining onto Mounds View Boulevard in the evening hours. Community Development Director
Sevald reported a privacy fence would be located along the east property line. He noted
evergreen shrubs could be added to the property to screen the headlights.
Commissioner Nelson requested further comment on the placement of the vacuums. Joe
Christenson, Paces Lodging, introduced himself to the Commission. He noted his organization
has been a franchisee for Tommy’s for the past year. He commented Tommy’s was excited to be
located in Mounds View. He stated he would work with staff to address the siding material
concerns. He indicated he would like the metal panels to remain because it makes the exterior
unique.
Commissioner Monn questioned what made this car wash unique. Mr. Christenson stated
Tommy’s was a very convenient and quick option for those needing a car wash. He reported car
washes were completed in 90 seconds. He noted Tommy’s had a proprietary system and was
becoming very popular.
Commissioner Monn asked if the site should have more parking. Community Development
Director Sevald reported employees would be the only people that would need parking.
Commissioner Monn inquired if the City should be concerned about traffic backing up onto
Bronson and Long Lake. Community Development Director Sevald reported the waiting lane
Mounds View Planning Commission December 18, 2019
Regular Meeting Page 3
________________________________________________________________________
had adequate space for 30 cars and staff was not concerned with cars backing up onto adjacent
roadways.
Chair Stevenson stated he would like to see more screening on the site to protect cars on Mounds
View Boulevard from headlight wash. He commented if this was addressed, he could support
the project. Community Development Director Sevald recommended the Commission make this
a condition for approval and staff would work through this matter with the applicant.
Commissioner Nelson asked why the Public Works facility had metal siding. Community
Development Director Sevald reported this is zoned Industrial, and this siding was durable and
cheap.
Mr. Christenson reported the metal siding he was proposing to use was much higher end.
Community Development Director Sevald commented he could support the use of metal panels
but recommended the cement board be changed out. Mr. Christenson commented where the
concrete panels would be located along the longer portions of the building.
Further discussion ensued regarding the drainage on the site. It was noted the impervious surface
on this property would be reduced.
Commissioner Monn requested staff review the recommendations for approval. Community
Development Director Sevald reviewed the recommendations at length with the Commission.
Commissioner Monn commented she would like to see masonry as proposed within City Code
on this building.
Commissioner Nelson explained the property was meeting City Code, however, there was a gray
area in the code. Community Development Director Sevald commented there was a gray area.
Commissioner Farmer questioned what the intent of City Code was specific to building
materials. Community Development Director Sevald reported this was speculative. He indicated
the intent was to have more brick buildings and not metal corrugated buildings. He commented
how building materials have evolved over time.
Chair Stevenson stated it could be interpreted that the applicant was in compliance with City
Code due to the use of metal, glass and brick.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Rundle. To approve Resolution
1111-19, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Conditional Use Permit and Development
Review of Tommy Car Wash at 2525 Mounds View Boulevard, directing staff to work with the
applicant to add additional screening to the site to block any nuisance lighting from oncoming
traffic.
Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
Mounds View Planning Commission December 18, 2019
Regular Meeting Page 4
________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. Other Planning Activity
A. Discussion of Regular Meeting Start Time (6:30 p.m. vs. 7:00 p.m.)
Community Development Director Sevald requested the Commission discuss changing the
Planning Commission start time to 6:30 p.m.
Commissioner French stated it worked better for his schedule to begin meetings at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioner Monn agreed.
The consensus of the Commission was to keep the Planning Commission meeting start time at
7:00 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Reports
A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity
Community Development Director Sevald stated he had nothing active at this time.
B. Staff Updates
Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff.
C. Council Updates
Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City
Council. He reported the Council received four presentations for the Skyline Motel property and
noted these developers would be addressing the Council again on Monday, January 6th.
D. Planning Commissioner Reports
None.
8. Approval of Minutes
Action on this item was postponed to January of 2020.
Mounds View Planning Commission December 18, 2019
Regular Meeting Page 5
________________________________________________________________________
9. Next Planning Commission Meeting:
A. Wednesday, January 15, 2020
B. Wednesday, February 5, 2020
______________________________________________________________________________
10. Adjournment
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the
meeting at 8:03 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________________
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Sevald
Community Development Director
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.