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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016.02.25 PC MinutesMinutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of February 25, 2016 Chair, Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Arcand, Kleissler, Knauss, Patzner, Rosenquist ABSENT: Lessard, McRoberts, STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of January 14, 2015 Commissioner Rosenquist made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Knauss, to approve minutes for the meeting of January 14, 2016. All Ayes. Motion carried. Commissioner Arcand abstained. Amcon Construction Company, LLC, on behalf of Growing Generations Daycare — Site Plan Leitz described that applicant is requesting approval of a site plan for a 9,301 sq. ft. commercial daycare building on a property located north of Frenchman Rd. (CSAH 8) and west of Everton Avenue. Leitz stated that Frenchman Place 1St Addition was created in 2008, Frenchman Place 2nd Addition in 2012, and now the applicant is requesting approval for Frenchman Place 3 Addition. Leitz presented on topics regarding building materials, architecture, trash enclosure, mechanical equipment screening, lighting, signage, parking, setbacks, landscaping, drainage/grading, utilities, streets, and sidewalks/trails. Leitz believed the proposed building would integrate well within the Frenchman Place development, as well as Victor Gardens to the south. Leitz concluded be saying that staff had reviewed the site plan for consistency with ordinance standards and the City's commercial and industrial design guidelines and that staff finds the application is consistent with the standards subject to the recommended conditions mentioned in the attached resolution. She stated that staff recommended approval of the site plan for the commercial building, subject to the conditions listed in the attached resolutions. Chair Kleissler invited the applicant to the podium to introduce themselves. Jessica Sharp approached the podium and stated that she and her partner, Laura, would be the owners/ directors of the facility. She stated that they both have 15 years of childcare experience. She indicated that she previously managed a childcare center near Hugo and knew many kids that went to Oneka and Hugo Elementary and is excited to get back to this area. She thanked the Planning Commission for hearing their request Commissioner Patzner stated that in the architectural drawings, there is a section of fence that is four feet and another sections that is six feet. Patzner asked the applicant why that was. Mark Huus, Amcon Construction Architect, approached the podium. He stated that the entire perimeter of the fence would be six foot, but the fence that separates the two age groups would be 4 foot tall. Commissioner Arcand asked staff why so many parking spaces are needed for a daycare use. Planning Commission February 25, 2016 Page 2 Leitz stated that the City Code does not have specific requirements for a daycare facility, but the thought behind the amount of spaces is that if this facility were to transition into a different retail use, that number of parking spaces would potentially be needed. Commissioner Knauss added that daycare facilities run programs for the children and parents. She stated that when those programs are running, many parking spaces are needed to accommodate the parents. Commissioner Knauss asked the applicant about the market analysis for daycare facilities in this area. She stated that there have been a few commercial daycares that have closed and believed there was a daycare that was under enrolled, so was interested. Jessica Sharp stated that she has been in the area for a year and a half and has gotten to know many families during that time. She stated that she thinks there is a need in the area. Jessica described that she currently works for a corporate center and is very different, therefore is opening her own center. She stated that she believes she can offer more than a corporate center because she does not believe a child should be just a number. Jessica concluded by saying that she wants to be a part of this area and its growth and believes she can offer something to the community. Commissioner Arcand stated that he liked the project and the building's design. Commissioner Rosenquist agreed. Commissioner Knauss stated that she liked the idea of adding additional stone to the main entrance, especially bringing the stone all the way up the two front pillars. She believed this would delineate that more as a front entrance. Commissioner Patzner asked how the applicant was approaching the issues with the wetlands on site. Dennis Cornelius, Amcon Construction, came to the podium. He stated it is a two for one replacement for the wetland. He also described that the current business park has reserved credits for this site, but approval needs to be granted from the TEP. He stated that the group is prepared to put up an escrow to cover costs if those excess credits are not available. Juba stated that the applicant was correct and is going through the TEP for sequencing to impact the wetland. With the previous plans for Frenchman Place, they were showing impacts to wetlands on this site and that mitigation or replacement of wetlands was going to happen somewhere else on the site, which it has. The applicant is working with the TEP for those impacts, but hasn't received final approval yet. Juba stated that the comment period concluded tomorrow (2/26/16), but by talking to our contracted engineer and natural resource engineer, they seem to think that the notice of decision will be an approval. Commissioner Arcand made a motion, Commissioner Rosenquist seconded, to recommend approval of the site plan subject to the conditions listed in the resolutions. All Ayes. Motion carried. Planning Commission February 25, 2016 Page 3 Schedule Active Shooter Training in April Juba stated one item on the 2016 goals was to schedule an active shooter training. Since it was on the Planning Commission goals, staff would like the Planning Commission to agree on a date in April and then staff will invite the other commissions to participate on this date. The Planning Commission stated that they would like to have it on one of the regularly scheduled dates. Juba stated that staff will send out an e-mail confirming which date, either April 14th or April 28th, the active shooter training will be held on. Commissioner Knauss asked if that will be an executive session because of security. Juba stated that it would be a closed session. Appointment to Ordinance Review Committee Juba stated that at the last Planning Commission meeting, the Commission tabled the appointment to the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC). She reminded the Commission that it was suggested that staff ask Commissioner Arcand if he would be interested in serving on this committee. Juba stated that staff talked to Commissioner Arcand and he would like to join the ORC. Commissioner Rosenquist motioned, Commissioner Knauss seconded, to take the appointment to the Ordinance Review Committee off the table. All Ayes. Motion carried. Commissioner Rosenquist motioned, Commissioner Knauss seconded, to recommend Commissioner Arcand be appointed to the Ordinance Review Committee. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on 2016 goals Juba thanked the Commission for attending the goal setting workshop. She wanted to present the Planning Commission with the goals that were discussed and approve them, if there were no further changes. Juba stated the goals were as follows: Discussion of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinance text amendments, and training. Juba reminded the Commission that there was a lot of talk regarding the City identity at the workshop, but she did not add that to the goals, but instead passed that along to the beautification subcommittee. Commissioner Arcand made a motion, Patzner seconded to approve the 2016 Planning Commission Goals. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adiournment Commissioner Arcand made a motion, Commissioner Rosenquist seconded, to adjourn at 7:33 p.m. Planning Commission February 25, 2016 Page 4 All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant