HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013.04.25 PC MinutesMINUTES
HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION
April 25, 2013
Call to Order
Chairman Gwynn called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
PRESENT: Arcand, Gwynn, Lessard, Kleissler, Knauss, Rosenquist
ABSENT: McRoberts
ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, City Administrator
Rachel Juba, Planner
Liz Hanson, Community Development Intern
Approval of Minutes
Rosenquist motioned, Kleissler seconded, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of
November 8, 2012, January 10, 2013, and February 28, 2013, with revisions.
All Ayes, motion carried.
Conditional Use Permit, Site Plan, and Variance — Christ Lutheran Church
Planner, Rachel Juba, presented to the Planning Commission the Conditional Use Permit, Site
Plan, and Variance for Christ Lutheran Church located at 4790 Rosemary Way North. The
conditional use permit (CUP) is required for a Place of Worship to be located in the Medium
Density Multiple Family Residential (R-5) zoning district. The site plan is for an 11,882 square
foot church including a daycare center and associated parking lot. The variance is for the height
of building, which they are proposing to be 41 feet, where 35 feet is required by ordinance.
Juba presented the topics of lighting, layout, landscaping, building architecture, building height,
street access, utilities, stormwater, and wetlands. She concluded in saying that the applicant
meets all the requirements necessary to approve a conditional use permit, site plan, and variance
with the conditions in the resolutions. She stated that staff recommends approval of the
conditional use permit, site plan, and variance applications for Christ Lutheran Church.
Chairman Gwynn asked the applicants if they wished to add anything.
Ann Kuntz, architect with Station 19 Architects, and Al Traebelhorn, representative for Christ
Lutheran Church, came up to the podium. They gave background on the church's history and
stated that the simple design of the church was done to reflect its simple nature. Ann also stated
that the parapet was not raised as a way to screen the rooftop mechanical equipment because she
wanted the worship space and daycare space to be well distinguished from each other.
Planning Commission Minutes — April 25, 2013
Page 2
Knauss asked why the trash enclosure is positioned on the front side of the building, and how far
is the rooftop mechanical equipment setback.
Ann responded in saying that the trash enclosure is positioned on the front side of the building
because it will be accessed in the front, and the rooftop mechanical equipment will be set back
approximately 20 feet from the front elevation.
Arcand asked why the church will not be accessed off of Everton Avenue.
Ann responded in saying that the access will be off of Rosemary Way because of the layout of
the building and parking.
Lessard asked what the traffic impact will be once the church is constructed.
Ann responded in saying that there will be minimal traffic impact because of the off peak hours
of the church and daycare operations.
Chairman Gwynn opened the Public Hearing.
Richard Meath (15128 Everton Ave N), John Udstuen (15190 Everton Ave N), and Arnie
Triemert (15220 Everton Ave N) stated their concerns for the stormwater drainage, dust control,
lighting, any accesses north of 149th Street, and traffic that may be generated from this project.
Ann responded in saying that the stormwater drainage plans show no impact to the north. There
will not be any entrances accessed north of 149th Street, and most traffic will be directed toward
Rosemary Way and south of it on Everton Avenue. The lights on the building and in the parking
lot will be white and on a timer so that they will not be shining throughout the night.
Dave, representative from DJ Kranz, responded in saying that his company will be building the
church and will ensure that the dust situation be maintained and controlled on a daily basis.
Bryan Bear stated that staff will keep in eye on the dust control during the construction process.
John Udstuen stated that he wanted to see the stormwater drainage that occurs on the site.
Rachel Juba presented to John the flow of the stormwater as it relates to the site. She stated that
all of the drainage will be directed south.
John Udstuen stated that he would like to have further discussion with the City Engineer and
project engineer to understand the stormwater drainage on the site.
Chairman Gwynn closed the Public Hearing.
Chairman Gwynn asked for the Commission feedback.
Rosenquist suggested that the applicants use low -profile rooftop mechanical equipment to
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Page 3
address the issue of screening. He also supported the notion of the City Engineer and project
engineer to meet with the respective property owners to address stormwater drainage.
Rosenquist motioned, Arcand seconded, to approve the conditional use permit for Christ
Lutheran Church.
All ayes, motion carried.
Gwynn motioned, Rosenquist seconded, to approve the Site Plan for Christ Lutheran Church in
addition to having the City Engineer and project engineer meet with the respective residents on
stormwater drainage.
All ayes, motion carried.
Arcand motioned, Rosenquist seconded, to approve the Variance for Christ Lutheran Church.
All ayes, motion carried.
Assessment Policy
City Administrator, Bryan Bear, presented to the Planning Commission the Assessment Policy
and the financing of public improvements. He also talked about the current Church project and
the petition from the developer to have the City finance and construct Rosemary Way.
Knauss asked if the assessments would make bond payments, and if they City would ask for a
Letter of Credit at 100% to pay for the project.
Bryan responded in saying that if the City chooses to issue a bond then funds will come out of
the City's street and utility funds. He also stated that Letter of Credits are harder to obtain from
banks at 100% and therefore are obtained at 50%-60% of the project cost. He stated that he
would like feedback from the Planning Commission on how the Policy is today.
Rosenquist stated that he would like to see the Policy written out before he makes a decision to
approve.
Chairman Gwynn opened the Public Hearing.
Len Pratt, developer of Frenchman Place, came up to the podium. He stated that the City needs
to focus on how this modification in the Policy could help stimulate economic development.
Arnold Triemert, 15220 Everton Ave N, asked to see the road diagram and where Rosemary
Way intends to locate. He wanted to see if Rosemary Way was planned to connect to 149th
Street.
Bryan showed the road diagram and assured Arnold that Rosemary Way will be locating south of
149th Street to connect to Oneka Parkway.
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Chairman Gwynn closed the Public Hearing.
Chairman Gwynn asked for Commission feedback.
Arcand asked why only two lots were being assessed. He believed the assessment policy should
apply to all property owners who are benefiting from the public improvements.
Bryan responded in saying that the petition only requests that the two vacant lots in the
Frenchman Place development be assessed, but the outcome may turn out different.
Rosenquist asked where the funds were coming from.
Bryan responded in saying that the financing plans will be determined and established with each
project that comes forward.
Gwynn stated that these times are different and the requested Policy modifications may be
appropriate to help influence needed improvements.
Rosenquist stated that he would like more discussion on this topic before any formal action is
taken.
Knauss supports the Policy as long as the City is fully protected financially. She believes as a
concept, it will aid in development.
Arcand stated that he agreed with Knauss. He also stated that the City should not be a lender,
and should continue to discuss investments in beneficial infrastructure.
Rosenquist motioned, Arcand seconded to table the Assessment Policy for the next meeting.
All ayes, motion carried.
Adiournment
Rosenquist motioned, Arcand seconded, to adjourn at 9:16 pm.
All Ayes, motion carried.
Meeting adjourned.
Liz Hanson
Community Development Intern