Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 02202001 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII 106210 Box: 36 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 2001 Document: PL MINUTES 02202001 I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY •2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 3 February 20, 2001 4 7:00 p.m. 5 1. CALL TO ORDER. 6 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Melsha. 7 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 8 Chair Melsha invited the Commission and the audience to join in the Pledge of Allegiance. 9 3. ROLL CALL. 10 Present: Chair Melsha, Vice Chair Stille; Commissioners Hanson, Hatch, 11 Steeves, Thomas, and Tillmann 12 Commissioner absent: None. 13 Also present: Assistant City Manager Susan Henry 14 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. 15 Motion by Thomas, second by Hatch, to approve the meeting agenda. •6 Motion carried unanimously. 17 5. PUBLIC INPUT. 18 Chair Melsha asked if anyone in the audience was interested in addressing the Planning Commission 19 on issues that were not on the regular meeting agenda. Hearing no comments,Chair Melsha moved 20 forward with the agenda. 21 6. MEETING MINUTES. 22 The Commissioners requested the following corrections: 23 Page 4, line 6, correction"Stille asked how the find violations." 24 Page 5, line 19, correction"directed to locate the files." 25 Page 7, line 4, correction"asked if there are any volunteers." 26 Motion by Tillmann, second by Melsha, to approve the January 16, 2001 Planning Commission 27 Meeting Minutes as corrected above. 28 Motion carried unanimously. 29 7. COMMUNICATION FROM CITY COUNCIL. 30 Commissioner Tillmann agreed to be the Planning Commission representative to the March 13,2001 31 City Council Meeting. 032 8. RECONSIDERATION OF WALGREENS SIGN VARIANCE REQUEST. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001 • Page 2 1 Henry reviewed this issue for the Planning Commission by stating that on January 9,2001,the City 2 Council looked at the resolutions passed to them by the Planning Commission from public hearings 3 held on the Walgreens development on December 19,2000. All of the resolutions passed,with the 4 exception of the sign variance request. Reconsideration of the Walgreens sign variance request was 5 on the Planning Commission's January 16, 2001 agenda; however,the applicant requested to table 6 the item until the February 20, 2001 due to a family emergency. 7 Henry noted the letter dated February 13, 2001 from TOLD Development indicating why they 8 believe their site is unique and why a variance is needed for extra signage than what is allowed by 9 City code.It was noted that TOLD Development indicated to the City Council that it would remove 10 the electronic component from the sign variance request. At this point, the petitioner is requesting 11 a sign variance to allow for a ground (or monument) sign consisting of 50 square feet of copy on 12 each side for a total surface copy area of 100 square feet. City code states the allowable sign copy 13 surface area is a maximum of 68 square feet. This request exceeds the existing code by 32 square 14 feet, 16 square feet per side. 15 Henry stated this sign variance request is before the Planning Commission again because the City 16 Council would like a more clear answer on the issue. It was noted that the Planning Commission *7 will need to define the hardships for the applicant if a variance is granted. She added that findings 18 could be, but not limited to, the following: (1)the property elevations make it difficult to view the 19 signage;(2)the easements make sign placement difficult;and(3)the property is difficult to develop. 20 Mr. Mike Kalscheur of TOLD Development introduced himself and explained that additional site 21 characteristics were revealed in conversation with adjacent neighbors after the last Planning 22 Commission meeting, and after looking into the issue of the bus shelter, the following points are 23 worth of consideration: 24 1. Because of the existing trees on the railroad land north of the site,the store is not visible to 25 southbound traffic until cars are past the entrance from Silver Lake Road,in part because the 26 watermain that bisects the site requires that the building be situated further west than it 27 otherwise would. 28 2. Because of the existing homes to the south of the site,the store is not visible to northbound 29 traffic until the intersection of Silver Lake Road and 37`h Avenue. 30 3. The exiting topography of the site dictates that the store will be at an elevation that is 6-8 feet 31 lower than Silver Lake Road, which further reduces the visibility of the store. 32 4. The Metro Transit Authority would like to rebuild the bus stop shelter along Silver Lake 33 Road that was removed when the reconstruction of the road was commenced. The former 34 location of the shelter encroaches on the site and obstructs visibility of the monument sign. 35 Melsha inquired as to the proposed location of the sign.Kalscheur explained that the sign is set back 6 15 feet in a landscape island facing Silver Lake Road,and he reviewed the elevation of the property. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001 . Page 3 1 Thomas asked about the location of the bridge in relation to the store and the property, which 2 Kalscheur pointed out the approximate location of the bridge. 3 In reply to question from Tillmann, Kalscheur reviewed the sign itself as to the copy area which is 4 included in the 50 square feet. 5 Thomas asked about the location of the bus shelter, and Kalscheur noted that there is not a wide 6 range of latitude as to the location of the bus shelter due to where the buses must stop without 7 blocking the right-of-way. 8 Hanson inquired as to the height of the sign in relation to Silver Lake Road. Kalscheur pointed out 9 that the top of the sign will be about 8 ft. above grade. 10 Thomas noted that, in the future, if there is a change in usage would any variance that may be I l granted stay with the building. Kalscheur noted that the 75 year lease can be terminated after 25 12 years and any right to the size of sign could be relinquished if there were a change in use. 13Melsha inquired as to the signage planned for the building itself. Kalscheur pointed out that on the 0,4 north and west side of the building, there will be no signage. The east and south sides are planned 15 to have Walgreen's script signage. 16 Stille noted that he had done a comparison of size of signs in the area including one which was 17 considered a benchmark set by the previous Planning Commission and City Council. He added that 18 a smaller sign may be more appropriate for this busy street corner which is a transition from 19 residential to commercial. 20 Melsha noted that he was in agreement, and that as Walgreen's will be on this busy corner,people 21 will certainly notice it. 22 Thomas added that Walgreen's is unique in its design,and people will know that it is present at that 23 particular location. Hanson pointed out that the sign will not be located below the grade, but will 24 located at the same level as Silver Lake Road. 25 Motion by Melsha, second by Thomas, to recommend that the City of St. Anthony deny the sign 26 variance request of TOLD Development on behalf of Walgreens to allow 50 square feet of copy on 27 each side, for a total surface copy area of 100 square feet, based on the following rationale: 28 1. Although there may be some hardship the property can still be put to reasonable use without 29 the variance. 00 Motion carried unanimously. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001 • Page 4 1 Melsha noted that the City Council will make the final decision at the March 13 meeting, and he 2 encouraged Kalscheur to attend that meeting. 3 4 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS. 5 9.1 Fitness Crossroad, 2912 Pentagon Drive: Request for Conditional Use Permit for Health 6 Club and Tannin Salon. alon. 7 Henry reviewed this issue for the Planning Commission by stating that Barry Tedlund is requesting 8 a Conditional Use Permit(CUP) for a health club and tanning salon for a vacated space in the St. 9 Anthony Shopping Center, located at 2912 Pentagon Drive. The business name for the new health 10 club is Fitness Crossroad. 11 Henry explained that the public hearing is for a CUP for Barry Tedlund to operate a fitness center 12 with tanning services in St. Anthony which are considered permitted conditional uses by the City 13 code. Mr. Tedlund is planning to renovate a former hardware store in the St. Anthony Shopping 14 Center. The City Council has waived the Concept Review stage due to the fact that Mr. Tedlund 15 would like a spring opening. •16 Henry stated the Planning Commission may want to consider issues such as hours of operation, 17 parking, and signage requirements of the St. Anthony Shopping Center. She added that the other 18 services he is planning to provide are also considered permitted uses including childcare, 19 sandwich/juice bar,dry cleaning drop-off and pick-up,personal training, and therapeutic massage, 20 however,Mr.Tedlund must receive the necessary approvals for the type of use from the appropriate 21 government agency. Henry noted that Mr. Tedlund is working with St. Anthony Building Official 22 Greg Schmit for the building permit and that, while the building permit and the conditional use 23 permit are not specifically tied together, the City Council has asked Mr. Schmit to hold off on the 24 building permit until the conditional use permit is approved.Henry pointed out that Mr.Tedlund has 25 provided background materials regarding his business concept and marketing plan as well as the 26 building/layout plans. 27 Chair Melsha opened the public hearing at 7:42 p.m. 28 Barry Tedlund,applicant,introduced himself,thanked the Commissioners,and gave a brief history 29 of the plan and mission for the fitness center. Tedlund noted that he conducted a survey in the area 30 which indicated a positive response from the community. He stated that his hours of operation will 31 be from 5:00 a.m.to 11:00 p.m.,Monday-Friday,and 7:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m.,Saturday and Sunday. 32 Tedlund distributed a listing of competitors' hours. 33 34 Hanson inquired as to the usage rate from 5:00 a.m.to 6:00 a.m.Tedlund explained that these hours •35 are becoming increasingly popular, particularly with families who prefer to be at home in the 36 evenings. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001 • Page 5 1 Thomas asked if Tedlund was planning to provide bicycle racks. Tedlund answered that he would 2 be willing to add bicycle racks if it is within ordinance requirements. 3 Hatch commented on the volume of rush hour traffic.He also asked if the number of showers in the 4 facility will be sufficient. Tedlund noted that,based on comparisons he has made with facilities of 5 similar size, the locker rooms and number of showers will be satisfactory. 6 Thomas asked about the maximum number of people which the center can accommodate. Tedlund 7 estimated that it will comfortably maintain 150 people. 8 Hanson inquired about the sandwich/juice bar as to the walk-in traffic, and if a caterer has been 9 selected. Tedlund explained that he has not selected a caterer and does not consider the 10 sandwich/juice bar as a shop-within-a-shop, but rather as a convenience for clients. 11 Melsha asked about compliance with the building inspector requirements as outlined in a letter of 12 January 18,2001 from Greg Schmit. Tedlund noted that the fitness center does meet these building 13 inspector requirements. •14 Tedlund reviewed the number of employees planned,8 full-time positions and 9 part-time positions, 15 and detailed the types of positions. 16 Hanson inquired as the monthly fee for clients to which Tedlund responded that he plans on a fee 17 of approximately$45/month for a single membership and also a 20%discount for seniors. He plans 18 to pre-sell in April for the opening in May. 19 In conclusion, Tedlund stated that this project will prove to be a great benefit to the community as 20 a convenience for residents and working neighbors as well as a complement with area businesses. 21 He noted it will be a wonderful fit in the St. Anthony Village Shopping Center and should help to 22 continue an improving trend of that Center and the neighborhood. 23 Chair Melsha closed the public hearing at 8:18 p.m. 24 A discussion was held regarding the parking available for the fitness center noting that number of 25 parking spaces is usually determined based on the square footage of the facility and, in this case, 26 there is ample parking available. 27 Melsha stated that he agreed that the fitness center will be a positive addition to the business 28 community. Hanson noted his agreement as well. 1029 Motion by Melsha, second by Stille, to recommend that the City of St. Anthony approve the 30 conditional use permit for a health club and tanning salon for the vacated space in the St. Anthony 31 Shopping Center, 2912 Pentagon Drive, subject to the following conditions: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001 • Page 6 1 1. Hours of operation will be from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, Monday-Friday, and 7:00 a.m. to 2 10:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. 3 2. Applicant continue working with City Staff and the Building Inspector regarding any open 4 issues that were set forth in his letter of January 18, 2001. 5 3. Compliance with all other laws and regulation including those of the City,County,State,and 6 any other regulatory bodies. 7 4. Compliance with the St. Anthony Shopping Center lease agreement regarding specified 8 signage criteria. 9 5. Explore the possibility of installing bicycle racks during summer hours. 10 Motion carried unanimously. 11 Melsha added that this Conditional Use Permit request will be before the City Council at the March 12 13 meeting and encouraged Tedlund to attend that meeting. 13 10. REPORTS AND INFORMATION. 14 10.1 Northwest Quadrant Master Plan Update. 15 Henry reported that next Northwest Quadrant Steering Committee meeting will be held on Thursday •16 February 22 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall to discuss various issues of the site and input from the 17 committee members. Henry added that the negotiations between Hennepin Parks and the Salvation 18 Army are still in process. She noted that a community issues forum on the Northwest Quadrant 19 project will be held on March 10 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. 20 Thomas inquired as to the City Council January 23,2001 meeting minutes, page 10, lines 4-6, and 21 which site Shardlow is referring to,and Henry replied that Shardlow is referring to the Apache site. 22 11. COMMISSION INPUT. 23 11.1. Commissioner's Comments. 24 Tillmann stated that she is supportive of the Hennepin Parks purchase of the Salvation Army 25 property. 26 Tillmann commented that, in light of a previous plan, which Richard Krier,the planner, did with a 27 vision of the shopping center as a unique special center with an ethnic theme promoting small town 28 character based on small shops and restaurants,the fitness center doesn't exactly match this image, 29 even though she is supportive of the fitness center and feels it will be an asset to the City of St. 30 Anthony. 31 Hanson commented that the green space is still definitely an option and that several potential tenants •32 including a specialty gift shop and the library are planned for the St. Anthony Shopping Center. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001 _ • Page 7 1 Thomas noted that, one of the reasons he suggested the possibility of bike racks installed by 2 Tedlund, was to fit with the green space study. In regard to the Northwest Quadrant Development 3 Study, from a planning perspective,it is key to tie the Salvation Army green space with the Apache 4 site. He added that the plan previously prepared by University of Minnesota students should be 5 reevaluated. 6 Melsha reported that at the recent City Retreat,a discussion was held as to what should be done with 7 the Stonehouse. Melsha added that he would like to see a Joint Work Session with the City Council 8 this spring. 9 Hatch asked about the status of the need for a part time planner being offered to the City Council and 10 any subsequent results. Henry noted that there is a planner for the Northwest Quadrant Project,and 11 planners are added on an as-needed basis. Hatch added that a brief action plan should be prepared 12 for each of the 2001 Planning Commission Goals. 13 Stille reported that the Sign Subcommittee met recently and obtained various opinions on the issue 14 of electronic readerboards. This will be on the agenda for the March Work Session of the City 15 Council. Stille also noted that a sample sign for City Hall will be available for viewing in front of • 16 City Hall on Thursday, February 22 at 1:00 p.m. 17 Henry informed the Commissions to let her know if they are interested in attending the 2001 Land 18 Use Planning Workshops this spring. 19 12. ADJOURNMENT. 20 Motion by Stille, second by Melsha, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. 21 Motion carried unanimously. 22 Respectfully submitted, 23 Teresa Rosecke 24 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Is