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2011.03.14 PC Meeting MinutesAPPROVED minutes of March 14, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting Page 1 of 5 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2011\03.14\minutes.doc CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES March 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall A. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: APPROVED minutes of March 14, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting Page 2 of 5 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2011\03.14\minutes.doc D. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Consider Application 2011-01 for a variance to reduce the parking lot and sign setbacks from the south lot line at 6000 56th Avenue North. Staff member, John Sutter, presented the staff report. Chair Whitenack asked about the ratio of impervious and pervious surfaces on site as it relates to excess snow. Mr. Sutter stated actual demand of parking can allow some of the parking spaces to be used for snow storage. There may be a need to melt snow or haul it away. The snow cannot be pushed into the right of ways, but can be put in other green areas. The south side of the building would allow for some storage of snow. The Public Hearing was opened and the following were heard: Dennis Walsh, property owner of 6000 56th Ave N, addressed the commission. He indicated normal snow years are typically not an issue. This year snow had to be trucked off-site. Hearing no further comment, Chair Whitenack closed the Public Hearing. Hearing no further questions or comments from the Planning Commission, Chair Whitenack asked for a motion. Moved by Commissioner VonRueden and seconded by Commissioner Heigel to recommend to the City Council to approve Application 2011-01 for a variance to reduce the parking lot and sign setbacks from the south lot line at 6000 56th Avenue North with findings of fact as outline in the staff report including additional setback requirements noted in the staff report. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Consider Application 2011-02 for a planned development at 5301 36th Avenue North (Cub Foods) to create a separate parcel for the fuel station. Staff member, John Sutter, presented the staff report. Commissioner Strand inquired if the restrooms were for public use and would they be locked. Mr. Sutter explained the building code requires the restrooms for employee use, and it would up to the owners to decide if they are to be open for customers. Commissioner Strand asked if parking spaces are required for the site. Mr. Sutter said the existing parking will suffice and exceed code requirements. Commissioner Strand also noted the need for snow removal to be coordinated between the owners of Cub and any future owner of the gas station. Mr. Sutter noted there is sufficient snow storage for both businesses. APPROVED minutes of March 14, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting Page 3 of 5 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2011\03.14\minutes.doc Commissioner Strand expressed her concern for a future time when the gas station would be owned separate from Cub and the new owner would wish to have exterior storage for items they wish to sell, i.e. windshield wash fluid, softener salt, etc. and would need to amend their CUP. Commissioner Heigel asked Mr. Sutter to review the tanker access to the site. Mr. Sutter acknowledged fuel delivery trucks generally go around the rear of the building. Commissioner Heigel asked if the Planning Commission should outline separate ingress/egress routes for cars vs. trucks. Mr. Sutter indicated that it would be going beyond what the city can regulate and trucks will want to use the rear route anyway for practical reasons. The property owners would need to come to agreement on such matters. The Public Hearing was opened by Chair Whitenack. Ann Thies, Supervalu real estate division, addressed the Commission. She stated there are no plans at this time to operate the gas station separate from Cub. To clarify fuel delivery, it is typically done during off-peak hours using the access around the rear of Cub. Commissioner Whitenack asked Ms. Thies why the kiosk and the restroom are separate. Craig Johnson, Bolton & Menk Inc Consulting Engineers and Surveyors, stated the restroom, like the kiosk, is a prefabricated building that will be brought to the site. Commissioner Erickson inquired about the size of the kiosk. Planner Sutter said it is approximately 8’ x 8’. Commissioner Buck asked if there is any way the gas station could be land locked if it is sold to a separate owner from Cub. Mr. Sutter explained easements would have to be binding before the city would sign off on the plat. Hearing no further comment, Chair Whitenack closed the Public Hearing. Chair Whitenack began the Planning Commission discussion by asking if the bullet points on page 3 of the staff report need to be addressed at this time. Mr. Sutter explained the points in question will need to be addressed by the applicant prior to a building permit being issued. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Whitenack asked for a motion. Moved by Commissioner Buck and seconded by Commissioner Heigel to recommend to the City Council to approve Application 2011-02 for a planned development at 5301 36th Avenue North (Cub Foods) to create a separate parcel for the fuel station with the three recommended actions as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 6/1 with Whitenack, Erickson, Buck, Heigel, VonRueden and Johnson voting aye and Strand voting nay. APPROVED minutes of March 14, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting Page 4 of 5 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2011\03.14\minutes.doc 3. Consider Application 2011-03 for the preliminary and final plat of Crystal Medical Addition and Application 2011-04 for site and building plans for a medical office building at 5700 Bottineau Boulevard. Staff member, John Sutter, presented the staff report. Chair Whitenack asked if the driveway entrance on the north end of the parking lot would have to be moved to the south if the African Market property is not obtained. Mr. Sutter stated if that happens a revised site plan will have to be submitted, and the Planning Commission could advise the City Council of where the parking access point should be. Commissioner Whitenack asked what is on the south side of Bass Lake Road. Mr. Sutter indicated two apartment buildings occupy the property just to the south Bass Lake Road and a business park is just south of there. The Public Hearing was opened by Chair Whitenack and the following were heard: Mark Davis, Davis Real Estate Services Group, LLC, thanked the Commission for the time spent reviewing this project. John (did not provide his name to the recording secretary) addressed the Commission to ask why this development project needed $400,000 from the tax payers. Mr. Sutter stated there were 4 privately owned lots and excess Hennepin County property. The county property is being deeded to the Economic Development Authority, and in earlier EDA meetings after Public Hearing the EDA decided to transfer ownership of the county property to the developer with a write down of $400,000, which is a very small portion of this $12 million project. Chair Whitenack commented the Medical Clinic would provide additional revenue to the city. Mr. Sutter stated that the EDA estimates the $400,000 would be recouped in approximately 5 years. Hearing no further comment, Chair Whitenack closed the Public Hearing. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Whitenack asked for a motion. Moved by Commissioner Heigel and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to recommend to the City Council to approve Application 2011-03 for the preliminary and final plat of Crystal Medical Addition and Application 2011-04 for site and building plans for a medical office building at 5700 Bottineau Boulevard subject to the APPROVED minutes of March 14, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting Page 5 of 5 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2011\03.14\minutes.doc recommended findings and conditions in Section B of the staff report to be in compliance with city code. Motion carried unanimously. D. OLD BUSINESS E. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Heigel inquired about Aldi locating in the Office Depot space instead of the Crystal Gallery Mall. Mr. Sutter noted there was no Planning Commission action required for Aldi to move into the Office Depot space, only building permits were needed. Commission Whitenack asked if it was a better fit for Aldi to move into this space. Mr. Sutter stated that the Office Depot space already had a loading dock and the site was designed for this type of use. Commissioner Whitenack inquired about parking issues at this site. Mr. Sutter stated the parking requirements are met. Commissioner Erickson asked about locations of cart corrals. Mr. Sutter said the carts will be housed immediately in front of the store, not in the parking area. Commissioner VonRueden asked how long the bridge on Highway 81 will be closed. Hennepin County has advised the city the bridge over the railroad tracks should be closed until approximately mid November 2011, stated Mr. Sutter. F. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. City Council actions on the recent Planning Commission items were noted. 2. Staff previewed the likely agenda item for April 11, 2011 meeting may be the Comprehensive Plan approval. G. OPEN FORUM – No one came forward. H. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner VonRueden and seconded by Commissioner Buck to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.