HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL PACKET 06202023CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Join Meeting via Zoom
There is also a dial -in option available. Members of the public who wish to attend the
meeting may do so in person.
Call To Order
Pledge Of Allegiance
Roll Call
Approval Of Agenda
Approval Of Minutes
Approval Of PC Meeting Minutes
PC 05 -16 -2023.PDF
Public Hearing
CUP -3801 Stinson
COVER MEMO.PDF
PRESENTATION.PDF
APPLICATION.PDF
NORTH STAR CAR WASH SITE LOCATION MAP.PDF
RESOLUTION 23 -0XX.PDF
NOTICE -PUBLIC HEARING 3801 STINSON.PDF
Staff Reports
Other Business
Community Forum
Individuals may address the Planning Commission about any City business item not
included on the regular agenda. Speakers are requested to come to the podium, sign
their name and address on the form at the podium, state their name and address for the
Clerk ’s record, and limit their remarks to five minutes. Generally, the Planning
Commission will not take official action on items discussed at this time, but may
typically refer the matter to staff for a future report or direct the matter to be scheduled on
an upcoming agenda.
Information And Announcments
Adjournment
If you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City
Clerk at 612 -782 -3313 or email city@savmn.com . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can
contact us by using 711 Relay.
Our mission is to promote a high quality of life to those we serve through
outstanding city services.
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IV.
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Documents:
VI.
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Documents:
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CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGEPLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDATuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:00 PMJoin Meeting via ZoomThere is also a dial -in option available. Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person. Call To OrderPledge Of AllegianceRoll CallApproval Of AgendaApproval Of MinutesApproval Of PC Meeting MinutesPC 05 -16 -2023.PDFPublic HearingCUP-3801 StinsonCOVER MEMO.PDFPRESENTATION.PDFAPPLICATION.PDFNORTH STAR CAR WASH SITE LOCATION MAP.PDFRESOLUTION 23 -0XX.PDFNOTICE -PUBLIC HEARING 3801 STINSON.PDFStaff ReportsOther BusinessCommunity Forum
Individuals may address the Planning Commission about any City business item not
included on the regular agenda. Speakers are requested to come to the podium, sign
their name and address on the form at the podium, state their name and address for the
Clerk ’s record, and limit their remarks to five minutes. Generally, the Planning
Commission will not take official action on items discussed at this time, but may
typically refer the matter to staff for a future report or direct the matter to be scheduled on
an upcoming agenda.
Information And Announcments
Adjournment
If you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City
Clerk at 612 -782 -3313 or email city@savmn.com . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can
contact us by using 711 Relay.
Our mission is to promote a high quality of life to those we serve through
outstanding city services.
I.II.III.IV.V.A.Documents:VI.A.Documents:VII.VIII.IX.
X.
XI.
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
3 MAY 16, 2023
4 7:00 p.m.
5
6 CALL TO ORDER.
7
8 Chair Socha called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
9
10 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
11
12 Chair Socha invited the Commission and the audience to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
13
14 ROLL CALL.
15
16 Commissioners Present:Chair Socha, Commissioners Erickson, Gaveske, Hendrickson
17 (arrived 7:03 p.m.), Kuykendall, and Morita.
18
19 Absent:Commissioners Rude and Hendrickson.
20
21 Also Present: City Planner Stephen Grittman, and Assistant to the City Manager
22 Nicole Miller.
23
24
25 I.APPROVAL OF THE MAY 16, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
26 AGENDA.
27
28 Motion by Commissioner Morita, seconded by Commissioner Gaveske, to approve the May
29 16, 2023, Regular Planning Commission Meeting Agenda.
30
31 Motion carried 5-0.
32
33 II.APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 21, 2023, REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
34 MEETING MINUTES.
35
36 Motion by Commissioner Erickson, seconded by Commissioner Gaveske, to approve the
37 March 21, 2023, Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes as corrected.
38
39 Motion carried 5-0.
40
41 Commissioner Hendrickson joined the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
42
43 III.PUBLIC HEARING.
44
A.45 Code Amendments.
46
47 Chair Socha opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
48
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 2
1 City Planner Steven Grittman reviewed before the Commission are another set of proposed
2 amendments to the City (and especially Zoning) Code. The City Council briefly discussed the
3 scope and direction of these amendments at a prior work session. The amendments are
4 summarized below and the amendments themselves were attached to the meeting packet
5 provided to the Commission.
6
7 This is a public hearing to review each of the proposals, comment and discuss, and ultimately
8 provide a recommendation to the City Council with Commission’s input on each element.
9
10 Parking and Storage – This pertains to the City’s parking regulations which are found in the
11 Zoning Ordinance, Section 152.179. The components of this set of changes are designed to
12 accomplish a few different things.
13
a.14 First, parking of vehicles on residential property is addressed. The current code language,
15 in various sections, has addressed various aspects of keeping motor vehicles on residential
16 property, sometimes with variable requirements. The materials in this set of amendments
17 are intended to consolidate the requirements, and to create a more usable set of
18 regulations, both for residents and for staff code compliance purposes. The amendments
19 include a new chart and illustration that help show graphically how various properties can
20 be used, and where on the property various “vehicles” can be kept outdoors.
21
b.22 A new set of definitions is proposed to better define what is meant by the current general
23 term “vehicle”. Categories include passenger vehicle, both small and large commercial
24 vehicles, and recreational vehicles of various sorts (motorized RVs, boats, and trailers,
25 utility trailers, etc.) – each of these relates to the chart and illustration for purposes of
26 location, quantity, and surfacing.
27
c.28 On residential property, the code currently allows for exactly 4 vehicles to be parked
29 outside. The amendments proposed a different approach, given some general trends in
30 vehicle size, and the accumulation of other “vehicles” by residential property owners. The
31 change is designed to define specifically where such vehicles can be kept, and the
32 standards (such as pavement) that apply. If parked in those appropriate locations, the
33 numbers would not be a factor.
34
d.35 Commercial and industrial parking is addressed in a few ways, including the applicability
36 of the parking lots for various vehicle types, and a number of changes to the parking
37 quantity requirements certain uses must provide.
38
39 Temporary Structures – Currently, the City Code does not really deal at all with Temporary
40 Structures, although several are used in various ways. This means that technically, they are
41 being used illegally, even though the City has worked with many of the commercial users
42 (such as spring garden centers) to ensure that fire and emergency access is maintained.
43
44 Other uses include tents and canopies for special events – both residential and commercial –
45 and a variety of other applications. This section is intended to standardize the use of these
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 3
1 structures, ensure that public safety is addressed, and legitimize the use of these structures as
2 they are so common and accepted in a wide range of circumstances.
3
4 For commercial recurring applications (such as the garden center noted above), a one-time
5 Conditional Use Permit would be necessary to ensure that the nature of the installation fits on
6 the site and does not raise conflicts with other nearby businesses and parking conditions.
7
8 Residential events include garage sales, special event parties (such as graduations), and
9 similar functions. The Code is designed to set some basic rules for location and duration in
10 these situations and make it easy for residents to employ these structures in common settings.
11 The regulations limit the use of tents and canopies for garage sales to three, three-day events
12 per year. The standard was set to parallel IRS regulations that waive any taxing authority at
13 that threshold. Some cities have encountered issues with neighborhood disruption due to serial
14 garage sales, so this regulation is intended to avoid that scenario.
15
16 Temporary Signs – Under the current regulations, temporary signs are not permitted. The
17 only accommodation for such signs is a single 6-square foot “non-commercial speech” sign
18 permitted for each parcel.
19
20 Temporary signs are very commonly employed in the commercial areas of the City and are
21 common in most communities. The City took a “hands-off” approach to temporary signs due
22 to business restrictions during the COVID era, and such signs have flourished. Choices for the
23 City are to maintain the current prohibition and initiate a program of enforcement, or consider
24 regulations that allow limited temporary signs. This amendment provides the material to
25 address the latter approach if desired.
26
27 The proposed regulations create a series of permits which commercial/industrial properties
28 can obtain for occasional temporary sign display. Size, location, illumination, and other
29 factors are addressed in this regard. It is likely that some of the current displays exceed these
30 allowances, however, this regulation – if adopted – would create rules that can be applied
31 consistently across the city’s commercial areas.
32
33 There are a few residential implications of this amendment as well. First, is some attention to
34 garage sale and real estate signage that gets swept into these regulations. Managing off-site
35 signage is fraught with “content-based” limitations on the regulation of speech, so the
36 regulations work to limit that exposure. The other aspect is the use of temporary signage to
37 “advertise” for community events. The code is designed to allow a limited addition to the
38 temporary signage display on residential (and public) property to support events occurring in
39 the Recreation-Open Space zoning district. Residents can display signage to support a local
40 high school event or City festival in Central Park. This allowance adds a limited number of
41 days of display and accommodates signage of up to 10 square feet for such purposes.
42
43 Other Amendments – These amendments are proposed to address a variety of other
44 administrative and ordinance clean-up items discovered through staff use, re-readings, and
45 other experiences. Most of them avoid much policy discussion but fit within the Code
46 Committee’s review work.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 4
1
2 Enforcement and Penalty – In section 10.99 of the City Code, enforcement and penalty
3 provisions are made. A common issue for enforcement is due to property owner’s (or their
4 contractors) proceeding with various work without procuring the applicable Zoning permit.
5 The City’s fee resolution establishes the ability to require a double fee for such violations –
6 consistent with the Building Code when similar work is commenced. Staff’s application of
7 this regulation is to begin with a reminder of the permit requirement, and a brief “amnesty”
8 period to acquire the permit after-the-fact. Without cooperation, the double-fee is one way of
9 both encouraging compliance and recouping the costs of enforcement for such violations.
10 This amendment is proposed as the Code provision that mirrors current practice in the fee
11 structure.
12
13 Dumpsters – Staff forwarded, and the City processed a series of code provisions that create a
14 clearer set of the regulations for temporary dumpster use. It appears that one aspect of that
15 code was not included in the final set relating to large dumpsters attendant to larger building
16 projects. This section is intended to fill that gap. These changes also address some issues
17 encountered with the original draft adopted for front-yard trash enclosure screens. The new
18 proposed language modifies the original by accommodating a slatted screening structure, and
19 expands the size allowance to better fit the reality of the current number and size of bins.
20
21 Carport Structures – A brief clarification amendment is proposed to address the use of carport
22 structures as residential parking structures, requiring them to be attached to the principal
23 building (rather than freestanding detached structures), and to utilize building materials
24 complementary to the principal building.
25
26 Parking – A series of definitions is proposed, mostly related to the overhaul of the parking
27 section, but related to a few other aspects of the code as well.
28
29 Mr. Grittman reviewed the changes to Section 152.179 Parking section and provided red-
30 lined copy for Commission review. The graphic table was also reviewed.
31
32 Mr. Josh Gutzman, Silver Lake Road, stated the existing code 179A.5A he would prefer to
33 have less than 2 fully enclosed parking spaces. He asked about the parking pad and not
34 counting vehicles. He referred to limiting to one passenger vehicle. His parking pad was
35 designed for two cars. Parking on Silver Lake Road is difficult.
36
37 Chair Socha asked if Mr. Grittman had any thoughts about there being 2 fully enclosed
38 parking spaces. Mr. Grittman stated the thought is that parking inside a garage is preferred. If
39 redevelopment is to be done and they would only be having 1 garage stall a variance would be
40 needed.
41
42 Commissioner Kuykendall stated there are a number of properties in his neighborhood that
43 only has room for a one car garage. This affects a number of properties in the City.
44
45 Commissioner Morita stated his property does not have room for a two car garage.
46
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 5
1 Commissioner Erickson stated the houses that are older only have one car garages. He
2 appreciates Mr. Grittman’s comment that it is desirable to have two car indoor storage. If
3 redevelopment is being done a one car garage should be allowable. Mr. Grittman stated an
4 administrative exemption could be used in this case. The exemption would be for properties
5 with less than a two car garage could be replaced with a one car garage. Commissioner
6 Erickson stated that would make sense.
7
8 Commissioner Hendrickson stated she would be comfortable reducing the requirement to a
9 one car garage. Much of her neighborhood also has one car garages.
10
11 Commissioner Morita stated if he had the space he would have a two car garage but this need
12 not be regulated.
13
14 Chair Socha stated there are many fairly small lots in St. Anthony. Homeowners, within
15 reason, should be able to decide how to use their space.
16
17 Commissioner Morita stated just because someone has a two car garage does not mean two
18 vehicles are parked in the garage.
19
20 Commissioner Hendrickson stated she would prefer to change the Code to one car garage with
21 redevelopment.
22
23 Chair Socha requested Mr. Grittman make that modification.
24
25 Chair Socha requested Mr. Grittman give an explanation of the difference between driveway
26 and parking pad. Parking pads are built to accommodate more than one vehicle and the Code
27 allows for other things to be parked on the parking pad.
28
29 Commissioner Morita asked if Mr. Gutzman’s parking pad would be grandfathered in and Mr.
30 Grittman stated it would be. The Code Enforcement officials would be familiar with the
31 properties within the City.
32
33 Commissioner Hendrickson asked if only Section A could be amended. She would not want to
34 see a number of RV’s parked in someone’s yard.
35
36 Chair Socha stated she has concerns that residents have been using the pad for parking. If we
37 could allow any number of passenger vehicles and limit the number of larger vehicles and
38 RV’s.
39
40 Commissioner Kuykendall referred to the diagram and feels there should be a limit to “D”
41 rather than “B” as to what will be stored to the side of the house. It seems inconsistent to have
42 “D” treated differently.
43
44 Commissioner Erickson asked if an existing parking pad that can fit three vehicles is
45 grandfathered in and if someone built a new house with a parking pad that fit two vehicles
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 6
1 they could only use it for one vehicle. Mr. Grittman stated that is the way the current Code
2 reads.
3
4 Chair Socha asked if the consensus was for section “B” any number of passenger vehicles and
5 one small commercial vehicle would be supported. Commissioner Erickson stated “any
6 number” is dangerous. Chair Socha likes the “one small commercial vehicle”.
7
8 Commissioner Morita stated if a resident can fit 4 vehicles on a parking pad he is ok with 4
9 for a temporary usage. Commissioner Erickson stated he has a parking pad that fits three
10 vehicles. If 4 vehicles fit they should be allowed.
11
12 Chair Socha asked if a commercial vehicle should be allowed and Commissioner Morita
13 stated a small commercial vehicle should be allowed. Chair Socha suggested the wording be
14 up to 4 vehicles including one small commercial vehicle. This was the consensus of the
15 Commission.
16
17 Commissioner Kuykendall asked if storage should be limited on the side of the garage. Chair
18 Socha stated the side can still be fairly visible. Commissioner Erickson stated there should be
19 more restrictions. Chair Socha stated it is limited by size. Chair Socha asked for
20 Commissioner thoughts on making D and B the same.
21
22 Commissioner Gaveske suggested both D and B be modified.
23
24 Commissioner Kuykendall asked if is required that vehicles stored outside be licensed. Mr.
25 Grittman stated they need to be licensed and operational. Commissioner Kuykendall stated he
26 is ok with “D”.
27
28 Chair Socha stated having 4 vehicles on parking pads is reasonable. The Commission agreed.
29 Mr. Grittman was requested to make modifications to the parking pad section. Mr. Grittman
30 asked if there is more than one parking pad how would that apply. Chair Socha stated there
31 would be a maximum of 4 vehicles on all parking pads combined. That would not include the
32 driveway or garage. A variance would be required if more vehicles on parking pads is
33 requested.
34
35 Commissioner Morita stated he appreciates the amount of work done on this. One area not
36 addressed is for houses that have no alley behind the property. He asked what the guidelines
37 would be for parking pads. Mr. Grittman stated a conversation was held at the Code
38 Committee regarding this. This will be discussed at the Committee again. Chair Socha asked
39 if the less busy street could be considered the backyard. The address of the house is on the
40 busier street. Mr. Grittman will discuss with the Committee.
41
42 Commissioner Hendrickson referred to the fast-food drive-thru section and cars in a queue.
43 Mr. Grittman stated it should be 8 spaces for every menu board being the standard. Coffee
44 shops require a stacking queue of 12 spaces. Commissioner Hendrickson stated with changes
45 in shopping trends could they be reduced from 300 to 200 parking spaces. Mr. Grittman stated
46 a lot of shopping centers are becoming more restaurant-centric rather than retail-centric.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 7
1
2 Mr. Gutzman stated it may be worth looking into this to see if it pertains to instant oil change
3 facilities as far as a stacking queue. Mr. Grittman stated that will be looked at on a case-by-
4 case basis.
5
6 Mr. Grittman reviewed the Temporary Structures and Uses section noting this is all new
7 text. An allowance has been made for garage sales, estate sales, grad parties, and other events.
8 Commissioner Hendrickson asked about the temporary restroom facilities. They are to be on
9 the side of the house rather than in the front. Commissioner Hendrickson stated if it was in the
10 backyard it is difficult for the company to service the restroom. If placed on the side it would
11 be closer to the neighbors house. This may be unrealistic the way it is written.
12
13 Chair Socha asked how often a restroom facility needs to be serviced. Commissioner
14 Kuykendall stated for the sports boosters it is once a month. Commissioner Hendrickson
15 stated it should be close to a driveway for service.
16
17 Commissioner Kuykendall referred to the “screening from view” restriction. There have been
18 no complaints. He asked what is the definition of screening. Chair Socha asked if there is a
19 practical solution saying an administrative exemption applies when there is no way to access
20 the restroom other than in the front of the house. Commissioner Morita asked how often does
21 this come up due to a complaint. Mr. Grittman stated Staff believed there needs to be
22 something in the Code allowing the restroom. Mr. Grittman stated they should be placed in a
23 location that maximizes screening to also allow for servicing of the portable restroom.
24
25 Mr. Grittman reviewed the Temporary Sign section. This is new text, as there was no
26 provision for temporary signs in the Code. There is an implementation aspect to this as well as
27 policy. This regulation allows temporary signs under a permit process for a specific number of
28 days per year. The size is also specified along with the location of the temporary sign. There
29 are temporary signs put on residential property. The prior prohibition was unrealistic. This is
30 an attempt to set some boundaries.
31
32 Commissioner Morita asked if open house signs on the corner are not allowed and Mr.
33 Grittman stated it is only allowed at the residence. Garage sale signs on the corner were not
34 allowed but the practice was to let it go. The hope is the signs are removed so Code
35 Enforcement does not need to pick them up.
36
37 Chair Socha asked if with the resident’s permission can a sign be put on a corner lot.
38 Commissioner Morita stated it is restrictive not to allow open house signs to be placed on the
39 corners. People should be allowed to sell their homes and have a garage sale. Chair Socha
40 stated she does not like the commercial “clean your gutters now” signs in the right-of-way.
41 Mr. Grittman stated content on a sign can’t be regulated. There was a discussion on open
42 house signs. Commissioner Erickson stated he would prefer to see signs in yards only.
43
44 Chair Socha asked if she can give permission to place signs in the right-of-way. Mr. Grittman
45 stated the sign would need to be out of the right-of-way.
46
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 8
1 Commissioner Morita asked if this was added to the Code would Code Enforcement go
2 around and remove signs that are in the right-of-way. He stated this is being restrictive.
3
4 Chair Socha stated her personal preference would be to have more restrictions to avoid the
5 clutter in the right-of-way.
6
7 Chair Socha questioned why the number of days for temporary signs differs between the two
8 paragraphs. Mr. Grittman stated that was intentional.
9
10 Commissioner Kuykendall asked about the community and school events signs. In some cases
11 signage is the only way to communicate to constituents. It is difficult to get information
12 distributed through the school district.
13
14 Chair Socha stated the City needs to be supporting the community building events. This
15 would be a reason to be less restrictive. Chair Socha suggested 28 days makes sense in no
16 more than four periods. The Commission agreed it could be modified to just state 28 days.
17 This pertains to 155.23 (G).
18
19 Mr. Grittman reviewed the section 10.99 General Penalty. He noted this parallel’s the City’s
20 Building Code. The hope is to use this as a piece of encouraging people to comply with the
21 City’s Code.
22
23 Mr. Grittman reviewed the section 150.090 Rubbish and Recyclables.
24
25 Mr. Grittman reviewed the section 152.176 Accessory Buildings. This was modified to clean
26 up a gap.
27
28 Mr. Grittman summarized stating Staff is seeking Planning Commission comments and
29 recommendation on the series of Code Amendments and the issues noted. A public hearing
30 has been noticed for these draft amendments, although some of the changes are not zoning
31 codes. It has been Staff’s practice to bring all of the code sections for consideration by the
32 Planning Commission, although only the zoning amendments are technically required to be
33 held at a public hearing. This policy helps with promoting transparency and benefits the City
34 from the Commission’s perspectives and input. The modifications indicated will be
35 implemented in the Code.
36
37 Chair Socha closed the public hearing at 8:58 p.m.
38
39 Motion by Commissioner Morita, seconded by Commissioner Gaveske, to recommend the
40 City Council adopt the Code Amendments as recommended with the addition of amending the
41 requirement for two covered spaces to one covered space for residential homes.
42
43 Motion carried 7-0.
44
45 IV.STAFF REPORTS - NONE.
46
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Page 9
1 V.OTHER BUSINESS - NONE.
2
3 VI.COMMUNITY FORUM - NONE.
4
5 No one appeared to address the Planning Commission.
6
7 VII.INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
8
9 VIII. ADJOURNMENT.
10
11 Motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Gaveske, to adjourn the
12 meeting at 9:00 p.m.
13
14 Motion carried 7-0.
15
16
17 Respectfully submitted,
18 Debbie Wolfe
19 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
MEMORANDUM
To:St. Anthony Village Planning Commission
From:Stephen Grittman, City Planner
Date:Planning Commission Meeting – June 20, 2023
GC Project No.140.01 – 23.01
Request:Request for a Conditional Use Permit for additions to a Car Wash Facility
in a PUD, Planned Unit Development District
Property Address:3801 Stinson Boulevard
Property PID:31-30-23-33-0004
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Applicants are seeking a Conditional Use Permit to modify and add vacuum facilities to an
existing car wash at the above address. The North Star Car Wash is an automatic car wash
building, with a few individual vacuum stations in a portion of the parking area near the exit
from the wash building. Traffic enters the site – primarily from 38th Street NE, enters the car
wash building at its east side, proceeds through the wash to the exit on the west side, and then
may park to the south at individual vacuum locations near that exit. Traffic can exit the site
back to 38th Street NE, or there is a shared access point to the 3803 parcel to the north.
The applicant’s plans show the replacement of these individual vacuum sites with a common
vacuum system all along the parking area on the south side of the building. What is currently
an open parking area (adequate for approximately 10 parked vehicles) would be converted to 8
vacuum stations. These stations would be fed from an equipment area at the east end of the
row of “parking” spaces. The plan drawing shows the equipment in an island area, but no curb
or island currently exists in that space. It appears that the project would plan to add that island
area.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed the project for land use compliance with the intent and policies of the City’s
Comprehensive Plan, and for zoning consistency with the Commercial District as a baseline. In
summary, the Comprehensive Plan supports mixed uses in this area, and Commercial uses are
part of that mix. The proposed application would, with appropriate conditions, facilitate that
purpose for the subject property. However, there are conditions that staff has recommended
to mitigate potential noise and light impacts from the new vacuum facilities, and with attention
to the need to replace a portion of the parking lost to the vacuum spaces.
Planning Commission Meeting, June 20, 2023
Page 2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Applicant:David Martinez Hernandez
Owner:same
Location:3801 Stinson Boulevard
Existing Land Uses:Site in Question: Commercial Car Wash
Property to North:Vacant Commercial
Property to East:Multi-Family Residential
Property to West:Institutional (Columbia Hts.) (Stinson Blvd.)
Property to South:Multi-Family Residential (38th Street NE)
Zoning:PUD, Planned Unit Development
Deadline for Agency Action:
Application Complete: May 18, 2023
60 Days: July 17, 2023
Letter Sent:NA
120 Days:September 15, 2023
Background and Analysis
Project Description. As discussed above, the project involves a change to the existing car wash
facility by exchanging three individual
vacuum units, currently located along
the south and westerly side of the
parcel, with a combined 8-unit common
vacuum system arrayed along the south
side of the building.
This change to the site requires a
Conditional Use Permit, per the
requirements of the most applicable
underlying zoning district. The
ordinance identifies a series of general
requirements for Conditional Use
Permit consideration, and adds several
specific requirements applicable to car
wash facilities.
Planning Commission Meeting, June 20, 2023
Page 3
General CUP Requirements. The general requirements for any Conditional Use Permit are as
follows:
(1)The use is one of the conditional uses specifically listed for the district in which the
property is located;
-Car wash facilities are listed in the C, Commercial District.
(2)The City Council has specified all conditions which the City Council deems necessary
to make the use compatible with other uses in the area;
-Those conditions taken directly from the City’s code are listed below, and any
others would be established as a part of the City’s action on the CUP request.
(3)The use will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of persons
residing or working in the vicinity or to the values of property in the vicinity;
-The conditions attached to this recommendation and any others added by the
Commission and/or Council are designed to address detrimental impacts, if any.
(4)The use will provide a service or a facility which is in the interest of public
convenience and will contribute to the general welfare.
-The use has operated in this located for several years, and the upgrade in services
(via the common vacuum system) would be a component of public “convenience”
and “general welfare”.
Specific conditions. These conditions come from the City’s zoning ordinance section that allow
car washes as Conditional Uses, Section 152.122:
(G) Car washes; subject to and including, but not limited to, the following conditions:
1. Any such facility is designed to adhere to all noise-related requirements of the
City and State.
2. Headlight glare is fully screened from view of adjoining residential property.
3. The facility is designed to be fully closed whenever any mechanical activity is
in operation, including both entry and exit doors.
4. Vacuum mechanical equipment is housed within the primary structure, or if in
individual equipment outside, is designed so as to avoid noise detection at the
boundary of any adjoining residential property.
With regard to noise as addressed in Item 1., the applicant has provided on-site noise
readings from around the site, with the highest levels on the westerly portion of the
property, near the exit and existing vacuum stations. This portion of the property is
nearest Stinson Boulevard, and across Stinson, a religious institutional use and parking
lot. Also on the west, a small apartment building lies just south of the parking lot.
The proposed change to the site would eliminate those individual vacuum stations,
replacing them with a single common station, with the equipment located near the
southeast corner of the building. That equipment will be approximately 100 feet farther
from the current vacuum sites. The 4th element of this section address the equipment in
more detail.
Item 2 requires a screening of headlight glare from residential property. The current
condition provides for incoming traffic parallel to the east property line, adjacent to the
Planning Commission Meeting, June 20, 2023
Page 4
Legends multi-family residential building, then turning into the wash building away from
residential structure. Exiting traffic faces the institutional building and parking area. No
changes are planned for this pattern.
Item 3 relates to mechanical wash equipment standards. The mechanical wash
equipment is an existing condition of the facility, and is not proposed to change.
Finally, Item 4 requires that vacuum equipment be housed with the primary structure or
is situated and designed to avoid noise detection at the boundary of adjoining
residential property. Two residential uses adjoin this site, both multi-family structures
to the east, and then to the south across 38th Street NE. The proposed vacuum
equipment is shown located on a parking lot island nearer to the Legends building than
the current individual vacuum units. In addition, it is unscreened from view both to the
south and to the east.
The applicant has provided a specification sheet that indicates the vacuum equipment
will produce up to 76 decibels from a distance of 15 feet. The equipment location is
proposed to be approximately 50 feet from the easterly property line, and
approximately 125 feet to the property line across 38th Street to the south. As noted
above, the equipment is visible from both directions. No additional information
indicates the reduced noise volumes beyond the 15 foot distance.
To address this, staff would suggest that enclosing the equipment within a solid
screening structure should be adequate to minimize both noise and visual impacts of
the equipment. The enclosure should reflect the modest materials used in the principal
building, primarily colored concrete block. Such structure should successfully moderate
any noise impacts of the equipment, and would effectively block views from the
adjoining property. It is expected that the structure could be three-sided rather than
four, leaving the side open which faces the existing building for access and maintenance
of the equipment. It may also be possible to relocate the equipment and structure
toward the southwesterly corner of the building, rather than the southeast corner as
proposed – this would maximize its distance from the residential buildings.
Parking. The proposed location for the vacuum stations occupy the currently available parking
spaces on the site. Given the dimensions of the other paved spaces, parking in other locations
is likely to interfere with circulation or cause other issues. There may be potential for a small
number of parking spaces where the current vacuums are located, and near the proposed
equipment location on the plan. These areas should be designed and striped for staff or other
parking, separate from the vacuum spaces proposed. Only spaces to accommodate staff or
Lighting. A final note relates to lighting of the vacuum stations. The design of similar structures
includes a stream of LED lighting along the overhanging structure. The applicant should detail
the lighting of the site, and show how the lighting will not impact views of the structures from
the adjoining streets. The City Code’s nuisances section provides that lighting may produce no
more than .5 footcandles of light at the property line adjoining a residential use, or 1.0
footcandles at other boundaries (such as the adjoining streets in this case). The applicant
should demonstrate that this standard is met with the proposed lighting design.
Planning Commission Meeting, June 20, 2023
Page 5
Summary and Planning Commission Action. In summary, staff believes that the proposed
changes to the subject property are reasonable and within the expectations of the zoning
ordinance, under the following circumstances and conditions:
1.The applicant adds a structured enclosure of colored block surrounding (at least on
three sides) the proposed common equipment shown on the plan to screen views and
potential noise issues from adjoining residential property.
2.The applicant verifies that the additional noise generated by the equipment will be
dissipated to no more than existing levels at the property line with the proposed
enclosure.
3.The applicant considers locating the equipment and enclosure to the west to maximize
its distance from the east property line.
4.The final location should be separated from the paved circulation spaces by concrete
curb.
5.The applicant provides a site plan, to scale, showing parking spaces for employees and
customers who park while drying their vehicles or performing other details. A total of
five such spaces should be adequate, in addition to the vacuum station locations.
6.The applicant should verify that lighting of the vacuum stations will not result in a
violation of the City Code lighting standards - .5 footcandles at the east property line,
and 1.0 footcandles at the adjoining streets to the south and west.
7.Comments and recommendations of the Planning Commission following the public
hearing.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A:Location map
Exhibit B:Application and Supporting Material
Exhibit C: Resolution
6/15/2023
1
PLANNING COMMISSION
JUNE 20, 2023
3801 Stinson Boulevard
North Star Car Wash Conditional Use Permit for modification to the
vacuum systems on the property.
3801 STINSON BOULEVARD - ZONING
6/15/2023
2
NORTH STAR CAR WASH - CUP SITE PLAN
CAR WASH BUILDING/VACUUM FACILITY
6/15/2023
3
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT– RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS
1. The applicant adds a structured enclosure of colored block surrounding (at
least on three sides) the proposed common equipment shown on the plan to
screen views and potential noise issues from adjoining residential property.
2. The applicant verifies that the additional noise generated by the equipment will
be dissipated to no more than existing levels at the property line with the
proposed enclosure.
3. The applicant considers locating the equipment and enclosure to the west to
maximize its distance from the east property line.
4. The final location should be separated from the paved circulation spaces by
concrete curb.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT– RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS
5. The applicant provides a site plan, to scale, showing parking spaces for employees
and customers who park while drying their vehicles or performing other details. A
total of five such spaces should be adequate, in addition to the vacuum station
locations.
6. The applicant should verify that lighting of the vacuum stations will not result in a
violation of the City Code lighting standards ‐.5 footcandles at the east property line,
and 1.0 footcandles at the adjoining streets to the south and west.
7. Comments and recommendations of the Planning Commission following the public
hearing.
Site Location
3801 Stinson Blvd.
North Star Car Wash Conditional Use Permit
CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 23-0xx
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT FOR MODIFICATIONS TO A CAR WASH FACILITY
IN THE PUD, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the City of St. Anthony Village received a request from the applicant and owner of
3801 Stinson Boulevard for a Conditional Use Permit related to modifying car wash vacuum
facilities on said property; and
WHEREAS, the property consists of approximately .65 acres and is located in the Silver Lake
Village PUD, Planned Unit Development zoning district; and
WHEREAS, the subject building houses a car wash and three independent vacuum stations,
with a separate parking lot; and
WHEREAS, car wash facilities are allowed by Conditional Use Permit in the Commercial areas
of the City; and
WHEREAS, consideration of a conditional use permit in such areas is required to avoid
unreasonable negative impacts on adjoining commercial and residential property, and well as on
the public rights of way; and
WHEREAS, the conditions identified as a part of an approval for the proposed Conditional Use
Permit are necessary to ensure full compliance with the St. Anthony Village zoning ordinance
and other public safety needs; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has considered all of the comments and the staff report,
which are incorporated by reference into the resolution; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 20, 2023 on the
application and the applicant and members of the public were provided the opportunity to present
information to the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit
PUD Amendment with the conditions noted in the Staff report, and as listed below; and
WHEREAS, the City Council makes the following findings of fact in support of the resolution
for approval:
1.The property is located in an area of mixed uses on a major collector roadway.
2.The proposed use is identified as an allowed Conditional Use in the Commercial zoning
district, and as such, potentially allowed in the PUD district by Conditional Use Permit.
3.The additional impacts of the proposed use related to the potential for noise and lights.
4.The proposed conditions of approval are intended to mitigate those additional impacts.
5.The proposed business use and expansion constitutes a reasonable use of the property.
6.The proposed uses, constructed and operated within the requirements of the Code and the
conditions of this resolution, will not impact surrounding property or public areas beyond
the expected impacts of permitted, compliant uses in the commercial zoning district, nor
negatively impact health, safety, or welfare of the community.
7.With the proposed conditions, the City Council finds that there is no evidence to believe
that the use will have a detrimental effect on neighboring uses or property values.
NOW THEREFORE MAY IT BE RESOVLED, that the City Council of the
City of St. Anthony Village accepts the findings and recommendations documented in the staff
report and approves Conditional Use Permit authorizing modifications to the vacuum systeme for
the car wash facility as shown on the plans submitted on or before May 16, 2023, at 3801 Stinson
Boulevard, in accordance with the following conditions:
1.The applicant adds a structured enclosure of colored block surrounding (at least on three
sides) the proposed common equipment shown on the plan to screen views and potential
noise issues from adjoining residential property.
2.The applicant verifies that the additional noise generated by the equipment will be
dissipated to no more than existing levels at the property line with the proposed
enclosure.
3.The applicant considers locating the equipment and enclosure to the west to maximize its
distance from the east property line.
4.The final location should be separated from the paved circulation spaces by concrete
curb.
5.The applicant provides a site plan, to scale, showing parking spaces for employees and
customers who park while drying their vehicles or performing other details. A total of
five such spaces should be adequate, in addition to the vacuum station locations.
6.The applicant should verify that lighting of the vacuum stations will not result in a
violation of the City Code lighting standards - .5 footcandles at the east property line, and
1.0 footcandles at the adjoining streets to the south and west.
7.Comments and recommendations of the Planning Commission following the public
hearing.
Passed in regular session of the City Council on the ___ day of July, 2023.
____________________________________
Randy Stille, Mayor
ATTEST:____________________________
City Clerk
Review for Administration: ____________________________________
Charlie Yunker, City Manager
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
June 20, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Hall, 3301 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony, MN 55418
Notice is hereby given that the City of Saint Anthony Village Planning Commission will hold a public
hearing to solicit public response to a conditional use request to install new vacuum system and related
minor site plan modifications at the property located at 3801 Stinson Blvd.
The Planning Commission agenda and packet item relating to this application will be made available
prior to the meeting online at www.savmn.com.
Ways to Comment:
Online
Those persons having an interest are encouraged to attend via Zoom. The link to participate via Zoom
can be found at https://savmn.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=1817
In Person
The public is welcome to attend in person at the City of Saint Anthony Community Center, 3301 Silver
Lake Road, in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Written
Written comments may be taken at the St. Anthony Village City Hall, 3301 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony
Village, Minnesota 55418 until the date of the public hearing.
Comments can also be conveyed via email, to planner@savmn.com until the date of the public hearing.
Questions?
Questions may be directed to the City Planner at 612-409-6503.
The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City
Council for their meeting tentatively to be scheduled on July 11, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Steve Grittman
City Planner