HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.06.28 PC MinutesMinutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of Thursday, June 28, 2018
Chair Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Arcand, Derr, Kleissler, Luchsinger, Tjernlund.
ABSENT: Lessard.
STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner
Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant
Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of May 10, 2018
Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Derr, to approve minutes for the meeting of
May 10, 2018.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
TGK Automotive and Premier Bank Property Rezoning & TGK Automotive —13891 Forest Blvd. N. —
Site Plan
Juba described that the applicant is requesting approval of a rezoning. The parcel in question is currently zoned
as Neighborhood Service (NS). The applicant is requesting to rezone the parcel to General Business (C-2) in
order to allow more intense commercial usages. Juba concluded by stating that the proposed rezoning would be
in compliance with the land use plan in relation to the City's Comprehensive Plan. It was in staff's opinion that
the applicant meets all requirements necessary to approve the rezoning from neighborhood commercial to
general business. Juba then stated that staff recommends approval, subject to the conditions in the resolution.
Juba also recommended that the Planning Commission open the public hearing to take public comments.
Arcand asked if any adjacent property owners have had comments so far, specifically those living to the south
of the TGK Automotive site.
Juba stated that although people living to the south of the site have not called with comments, other individuals
have called and requested general information and a description of the planned project.
Chair Kleissler then invited the applicants to the podium.
Applicants Joe Houle and Troy Kaplan approached the podium. Representing Premier Bank, Houle mentions
that the properties have been under Premier Bank ownership for a long period of time. He also mentions the fact
that rezoning the properties would help continue the consistency with land use which exists within the area.
Houle then states that an action made to open up the possibilities for sale and marketing of the property would
be beneficial to them and the City. Rezoning the property will make it more marketable and he expresses his
desire to go through with the rezoning. Representing TGK Automotive, Kaplan mentions that TGK will do a
good job with creating buffers to minimize and sounds that may result from shop operations.
Chair Kleissler opened the public hearing at 7:23 pm.
Melissan Heller, located at 13850 Flay Avenue North, approached the podium. Heller stated that she was a
current board member of the Town Home Association. Her main concern was the business hours of operation as
well as the direction of lighting that would be coming from the shop. Heller mentions that some residents are
concerned with the possibility of disruptive lights shining into their homes and requests that shop lights be
down casted. Heller also states the need for a northbound turn lane that had been previously proposed by
MNDOT but is unsure if that turn lane will actually be implemented.
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June 28, 2018
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Juba responds to Heller stating that all lighting is required to be downcast lighting with recessed bulbs. Juba
also mentions that the proposed turn lane is required by MNDOT and therefore will be installed.
Juba allows applicants to answer remaining question referring to operating hours.
Kaplan states that planned hours are 7am-6pm Monday through Friday and possibly Saturdays from 8am-12pm
but this is still pending.
Chair Kleissler closed the public hearing at 7:27 pm.
Chair Kleissler asks if the planning commission has any comments to add about the site building and planned
rezoning.
Commissioner Derr states that he likes the planned architecture and design details of the building and that many
improvements have been made since the initial concept phase of the project. Derr emphasizes the importance of
having a building that doesn't look like a simple concrete block and that the design architects have done an
exceptional job.
Commissioner Tjernlund states that the planned development is accommodating to the City's requirements and
should be pushed forward.
Commissioner Luchsinger states that the landscaping plan looks great and the transition and buffer to the
residential area is good.
Commissioner Arcand states that he likes all aspects of the planned project.
Commissioner Kleissle also states that she likes the plan. The only concern she had was how the mechanical
equipment on the rooftop would be screened from all sides.
Juba responds, stating that there will be rooftop mechanical equipment present. The building's parapet walls
will be raised to address the screening of the mechanical units. She then states that City staff is comfortable with
the screening measures they are taking.
Commissioner Tjernlund motioned, Commissioner Luchsinger seconded to approve the rezoning from
Neighborhood Service (NS) to General Business (C-2), subject to the conditions listed in the resolutions.
All ayes, Motion is carried.
Commissioner Derr motioned, Commissioner Tjernlund seconded to approve the site plan for TGK
Automotive., subject to the conditions listed in the resolution.
All ayes, Motion is carried.
Shlayba Inc. (Cheldon Frank) — The Preserve on Sunset Lake — Sketch Plan
Juba described that the applicant is requesting the review and informal comments for the subdivision of a 135
acre site. The site will contain a development of 13 single family homes with the remaining 23 acres to be used
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as open space to be owned and maintained by the Homeowners Association. Juba goes on to explain the
requirements and details for the proposed development.
Commissioner Tjernlund mentioned that he was unsure what the land in the southeast corner of the site was
going to be used for.
Juba responds, stating that since the land does not possess desirable building characteristics, the applicant will
either dedicate the portion of land as ROW for CR7 or approach the adjacent property owner and offer the land
at no cost. Juba also stated that the applicant did provide some architectural design guidelines that talked about
the home orientation on the site and the types of homes they foresee as being on these lots. These guidelines
will encourage relatable outbuildings as well as porches.
Chair Kleisller asked the applicant to approach the podium.
Cheldon Frank, located at 8335 136th Street Circle N, and Civil Engineer Todd Erickson approached the
podium. Frank highlights that the minimum acres for the proposed lots will be 5 acres and a maximum of up to
almost 12 acres. Erickson mentions that most of the road design will be minimally graded to preserve the
existing conditions of the rural area. Only portions of the storm water pond and road will be graded. The
planned open space would also work to preserve the area's existing wetland.
Commissioner Arcand mentioned a question in relation to the PUD. He states that the preservation of the
existing wetland is already expected with the development. He asked if there was room for more creativity as a
tradeoff for preserving the wetland.
Frank mentions that creativity will be added by offering higher quality architectural design to the neighborhood.
This will include landscaping requirements that will create nice curb appeal. The concept is much more
appealing than slicing into thirteen 10 acre lots.
Juba states that the ordinance is written so this area can do smaller lots with a PUD. Instead of lots that go into
the wetlands, where impacts are more likely to happen, with a PUD, this is putting the wetlands in an outlot
with a management plan.
Erickson goes on to mention that the existing wetlands will be protected and enhanced by the development.
Nutrients will not be spread into the existing farm field that provides the wetland with water. In addition, there
will be no direct run-off into the wetland. A buffer plan can also be drawn up and maintained to further protect
the wetlands. Protection and enhancement is a main focus.
Commissioner Arcand asks if it would make sense to realign the lots and leave the wetlands out of it.
Erickson mentions that they are providing extra value to the lots as is, but can draw up something to provide a
buffer.
Commissioner Arcand requested that the buffer be better clarified.
Commissioner Tjernlund goes on to explain that he likes the overall plan and that the isolated lots can be
beneficial in terms of enhanced privacy and that the two planned isolated lots are acceptable in this instance.
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Commissioner Luchsinger agrees that the planned site provides a good family feel and that the development
will be an interesting process
Adiournment
Commissioner Arcand made a motion, Commissioner Luchsinger seconded, to adjourn at 8:14 pm.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pierre Giguere