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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.04.26 PC MinutesMinutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of Thursday, April 26, 2018 Chair Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. PRESENT: Arcand, Derr, Kleissler, Lessard, Tjernlund. ABSENT: Luchsinger. STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner Bryan Bear, City Administrator Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of April 12, 2018 Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tjernlund, to approve minutes for the meeting of April 12, 2018. All Ayes. Motion carried. Abstained by Commissioner Lessard and Chair Kleissler. Schwieters Expansion — Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and Zoning Amendment Juba described that the applicant is requesting approval of a site plan for a 144,000 square foot manufacturing/warehouse building with associated parking and exterior storage. The applicant is also requesting a conditional use permit (CUP) for the exterior storage and for a campus development to allow multiple buildings on one parcel. A zoning text amendment is also required for the exterior storage to allow raw lumber material that they will manufacture inside the building. Juba thoroughly described the plan, how it meets City requirements, and the analysis staff used to evaluate the applicant's requests. She stated that staff finds that the proposal meets all the requirements necessary for the City to approve the site plan, conditional use permits, and zoning text amendment as outlined in the City Code and zoning regulations, if the appropriate conditions are met in the attached resolutions and conditional use permits. Staff recommended approval of the site plan, CUP, and text amendment applications for Schwieters Properties, LLP, for the property located at 13676 Fenway Boulevard North and also recommended the Planning Commission open the public hearing to receive public comment. Chair Kleissler invited the applicant to the podium. Mike Brass, Colliers International, Blake Schwieters, JL Schwieters, and Zack Finstrom, 292 Design Group, approached the podium. Mr. Brass complimented staff on the presentation and stated they would like to touch on a few points. Mr. Brass stated that additional landscaping will be provided to buffer the residential to assist in screening the exterior storage. He stated that was the only thing additionally to add to staff's presentation and asked the Planning Commission if they had any questions for them. Commissioner Tjernlund inquired about the locations and visibility of mechanical equipment. Mr. Finstrom stated that the mechanical equipment would be hung from the joists inside the building. Commissioner Derr asked the applicants if they will be using racking systems to store their exterior storage materials on or if everything would actually be stored on the ground. Mr. Brass stated that everything will be stored directly on the paved surface, however, there has been discussions about utilizing racked systems in the future for exterior storage on site. Chair Kleissler opened the public hearing at 7:33 pm. Planning Commission April 26, 2018 Page 2 John Squires, 5336 1401h Street, approached the podium. He stated that his main concern is the semi traffic from the industrial park. He proposed having the semi traffic go south on Fenway Blvd. and get onto TH 61 from 130th Street instead of 140th Street. Mr. Squires also stated he was concerned about the lighting used on the building and parking lot and the noise created from the site. ChrisAnn Jones, 5249 14111 Street Circle, approached the podium. She stated that she agrees with Mr. Squires in regards to the traffic and the noise generated from the traffic. John Squires, 5336 1401h Street, approached the podium. He asked if the walking path on the west side of Fenway Blvd. is being removed or staying. Juba stated yes. Chair Kleissler asked the applicants if they would like to respond to resident comments. Mr. Brass and Mr. Schwieters approached the podium. He stated that the proposed lighting is all downcast fixtures meant to illuminate their site and no other areas. Mr. Schwieters stated that they currently operate around the clock at their current location and believes they manage the noise very well. He stated that the night shift will most likely not be operating out of the new site right away, but will be in the future, and that shift does have different operating principles, which includes limiting the time doors are open. Mr. Schwieters also stated that the type of work that will be done in the new facility will likely be quieter than the type of work done at the existing facility. Mr. Schwieters then addressed the truck traffic concerns. He stated that the trucks do not travel at night and with a new facility, they will have more business, which generally means more traffic. Mr. Schwieters stated they are willing to work with the City to better control noise from the traffic, specifically truck braking. Mr. Brass and Mr. Schwieters then discussed operation of the business and the site layout. They stated the site was laid out very specifically not only to fit their business needs, but to also limit impacts to the residential to the north. Chair Kleissler asked what the shift hours were. Mr. Schwieters stated the main shifts are 6:00 am — 4:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 2:30 am. Chair Kleissler inquired as to their thoughts on moving more semi traffic to 130th Street instead of 1401h Street. Mr. Brass stated they can discuss with their drivers that using 130th Street is the preferred way to go. Commissioner Arcand stated that there is residential both going south on Fenway to 130th Street and on 140th Street, so there is no way to limit traffic noise for all residential areas located next to the industrial park. Commissioner Lessard asked for clarification that Schwieters will be loading and unloading all raw materials prior to the second shift starting in order to limit noise on the north side of the building. Mr. Schwieters stated that was correct. He described that they have been operating a third shift for three years at their existing location and have changed the way they operate the night shift to limit nuisances. He stated Planning Commission April 26, 2018 Page 3 those same principles will be carried over to the new site. Mr. Schwieters also stated that they also have a break room inside the building so it is a possibility that the night shift could use the interior break room compared to the outdoor break area. Commissioner Derr inquired as to the use of rail. He asked how they get their product to the rail and where they load. Mr. Schwieters stated that they do not ship finished product out with the rail, but only get raw materials shipped by rail. He stated they will be loading a truck full of raw materials at the team track and hauling it over to the new site. He described for efficiency they want to load up trucks full and make as few of trips across Fenway as possible. Chair Kleissler asked if they anticipate foot traffic going back and forth to the existing buildings and new building. Mr. Schwieters stated that the shift employees would report for their shift and have no need to leave that building. He stated that there may be a handful of office employees that may cross the street to access their existing site, however, he doesn't anticipate it will be many people nor frequently. Chair Kleissler asked what kind of raw lumber material would be expected to be seen on site. Mr. Schwieters stated that the three most common materials that will be seen will be 2x4s, 2x6s, and OSB sheeting/plywood. Chair Kleissler inquired as to the trash enclosures. Mr. Schwieters stated they have two different types of trash, which is their raw material waste and then regular trash. He stated that staff and they have been discussing this and he believes they have come to an understanding of what is expected for the enclosures and they will continue to work on those from staff's direction. Commissioner Derr inquired about traffic flow in the site. Mr. Schwieters stated it is their intention to have a circular flow for operational safety and efficiency of the process. Commissioner Tjernlund asked if the CUP was open ended in regards to storage placement and the amount of exterior storage. Juba stated that the CUP was not open ended and the CUP refers to a plan that outlines the parameters of exterior storage. She stated that plan must be generally followed well into the future. John Squires, 5336 1401h Street, approached the podium. He again stated his concern with traffic and noise from the traffic on 140th Street and the issues only getting worse with this project. Chair Kleissler closed the public hearing at 7:54 pm. Planning Commission April 26, 2018 Page 4 Juba stated that there were a few items she would like to address from the public hearing. She described that the applicant has submitted a lighting plan and staff would continue to work with them on the number of pole lights and wall lights on site, as well as making sure it meets City ordinance requirements. She also stated that staff would continue to work with the applicant on the trash enclosures and screening measures. Commissioner Tjernlund stated that he saw it was a condition within the resolution that the trash enclosures are finalized with direction from City staff and agreed it should be reviewed and approved prior to construction. He also stated that felt comfortable allowing the parking deviation with the deferred parking shown on the plan. Commission Tjernlund also sympathized with the residents living along 140th Street, however, stated that the Planning Commission had no control over traffic and who can and cannot drive down public streets. Commissioner Arcand motioned, Commissioner Tjernlund seconded to approve the site plan, CUP, and zoning text amendment, as proposed, subject to the conditions listed in the resolutions. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adiournment Commissioner Lessard made a motion, Commissioner Arcand seconded, to adjourn at 8:01 pm. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Rachel Leitz