2016.01.11 PC Meeting Packet
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CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
DETAILED AGENDA
Monday, January 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall
Commissioners, please call 763.531.1142 or
email dan.olson@crystalmn.gov if unable to attend
* Items for which supporting materials are included in the meeting packet
A. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at ______ p.m. with the
following members present:
Commissioner (Ward 1) Commissioner (Ward 2) Commissioner (Ward 4)
Sears \[Secretary\] Selton Einfeldt-Brown
Commissioner (Ward 1) Commissioner (Ward 3) Commissioner (Ward 4)
Heigel \[Chair\] VonRueden Johnson \[Vice Chair\]
Commissioner (Ward 2) Commissioner (Ward 3) Commissioner (At-Large)
Erickson Buck Strand
B. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chairperson
Vice-Chairperson
Secretary
C.APPROVAL OF MINUTES *
Moved by _______________ and seconded by _______________ to approve the minutes of
the December 14, 2015 regular meeting with the following exceptions:
Motion carried.
D.PUBLIC HEARING
1. Special Land Use Application (Subdivision, Site and Building Plan Review, Conditional Use
Permits, and Variances) to create a new parcel for a 5,000 SF commercial building at 5537
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West Broadway Avenue (Target store property) and to allow an off-premise sign at 6801 - 56
Avenue North (Crystal Shopping Center)
Staff presented the following:
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The following were heard:
Planning Commission discussion:
Moved by _______________ and seconded by _______________ to recommend
______ to the City Council of a Special Land Use Application (Subdivision, Site and
Building Plan Review, Conditional Use Permits, and Variances) with the following
conditions:
Motion carried.
E. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
to allow a public institutional use (Robbinsdale School District) at 6801-56th Avenue North
(Crystal Shopping Center)
2. Update from Council Liaison
3. Update on City Code Review Task Force
4. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, February 8, 2016 meeting
F. OPEN FORUM
G. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by _____ and seconded by ______ to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at ______ p.m.
Unapproved Minutes of December 14, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting
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CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Monday, December 14, 2015 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 p.m. with the
following members present:
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Sears \[Secretary\] Selton Einfeldt-Brown
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Commissioner (Ward 3)
Heigel \[Chair\] Johnson \[Vice Chair\]
Von Rueden (Absent)
X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (At-
Commissioner (Ward 3)
Erickson Large) Strand
Buck (Absent)
Also attending were City Planner Dan Olson, Council Liaison Jeff Kolb, John Kohler and
Mike Sturdivant (Paster Properties), Jaclyn May (Cushman Wakefield), Greg Dehler
(Wold Architects), Al Ickler (Robbinsdale School District), and Mike Munson (Benson-
Orth construction)
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Selton and seconded by Commissioner Sears to approve the
minutes of the November 9, 2015 regular meeting.
Motion carried.
C.PUBLIC HEARING
1. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a public institutional use (Robbinsdale
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School District) at 6801-56 Avenue North (Crystal Shopping Center).
City Planner Dan Olson presented a summary of the staff report, and stated that
staff is recommending approval of the CUP with the conditions listed in the staff
report.
Commissioner Sears asked if any hazards would be created by the right-turn
only for the buses onto Bass Lake Road. John Kohler from Paster Properties
said the right-turn only would create fewer traffic conflicts for buses exiting the
shopping center. Al Ickler further explained that the buses will only be used for
the students under 18, which is a fairly small number of students. Commissioner
Erickson asked if the School District is partnering with any other organizations on
their programs. Al Ickler described the relationships between the District and
various community organizations.
Unapproved Minutes of December 14, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting
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Moved by Commissioner Einfeldt-Brown and seconded by Commissioner
Erickson to recommend approval to the City Council of Conditional Use Permit
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(2015-07) at 6801-56 Avenue North to allow a public institutional use
(Robbinsdale School District) subject to the conditions as listed in the staff report.
Motion carried.
D.GENERAL INFORMATION
1. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson
informed the Commission that the City Council approved Conditional Use Permit
2015-06 at their meeting on November 17, 2015.
2. Council liaison Kolb provided an update on the City Council by stating that the
Council is working on being more involved in the community, including recent
charitable work.
3. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, January 11, 2016 meeting
Planner Olson said that Paster Properties and Target Corporation have submitted a
special land use application to split off a one-acre parcel from the Target lot as the
location for a new 5,000 SF commercial building.
E. OPEN FORUM
No one from the public spoke before the commission.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Sears and seconded by Commissioner Selton to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 7, 2016
TO: Planning Commission (January 11 meeting)
FROM: Dan Olson, City Planner
SUBJECT: Public Hearing: Special Land Use Application (2016-01) (subdivision, site
and building plan review, conditional use permits, and variances) to create
a new parcel for a 5,000 SF commercial building at 5537 West Broadway
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(Target store property) and to allow an off-premise sign at 6801 56
Avenue North (Crystal Shopping Center)
A.BACKGROUND
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Paster Properties, owner of the Crystal Shopping Center at 6801 56 Avenue North,
and Target Corporation, owner of the Target store at 5537 West Broadway, are
proposing a Special Land Use Application to create a 1-acre parcel as the location for a
new commercial building. This application consists of a subdivision, conditional use
permits (CUP) and variance at 5537 West Broadway. An additional variance request at
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6801-56 Avenue North would allow an off-premise sign. Both properties involved in
this application are zoned General Commercial (C-2).
Target Corporation owns an approximately 11.5 acre parcel which is the location for an
approximately 143,000 SF Target store. Paster Properties is proposing to subdivide a
1-acre parcel currently located in the northern part of the Target store parking lot, and
then construct a 5,000 SF commercial building. This proposed development requires
the following approvals by the City of Crystal:
Preliminary and Final Plat (Cardinal Court 2nd Addition) to create the new
parcel
Site and Building Plan Review for the new building and site improvements
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a drive-through facility for the new
building
CUP to allow outdoor dining for the new building
CUP to adjust the number of parking spaces for the new building to 63
spaces
Variance to increase the maximum percentage requirement for impervious
surface on the new parcel
Variance to add an off-premise Target sign to the existing Crystal Shopping
Center freestanding sign at the southwest corner of West Broadway and
Bass Lake Road
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Notice of the January 11 public hearing was published in the Sun Post on December 31
and mailed to owners within 350 feet. No comments have been received to date.
Attachments:
A. 2012 site location map
B. Photos of existing property
C. Existing zoning map
D. 2030 Land Use Comprehensive Plan map
E. Project narrative
F. Trip generation report
G. Color rendering and elevations of proposed building
H. Color rendering of proposed off-premise sign
I. Proposed site plan (13 sheets)
B.PROPOSED PROPERTY SUBDIVISION
Target Corporation owns an approximately 11.5 acre parcel at 5537 West Broadway
which is the location for an existing Target store. Paster Properties is proposing to
subdivide an approximately 1-acre parcel of land located in the northern area of the
Target store property currently used for parking. The subdivision (plat) is called Cardinal
nd
Court 2 Addition. The remaining 10.5 acres will remain as a parcel for the Target store,
and the new one-acre parcel would be owned by Paster Properties and used for a new
5,000 SF commercial building.
Since the subdivision is located on a County roadway (West Broadway), Hennepin
County staff has reviewed this subdivision request and finds it acceptable. The
following are the notable design features of this subdivision:
Property access The new parcel will be served by existing driveway entrances
along West Broadway and Bass Lake Road. The applicant is not proposing any
new streets or driveway accesses from existing roads.
Easements A ten-foot wide utility easement along West Broadway was
dedicated to the City for the Target property in 2007. The City is not requesting
any new public drainage and utility easements as a result of this subdivision. As a
condition of approval, staff is requesting the applicants to provide copies of
agreements between Target Corporation and Paster Properties for parking,
stormwater management and traffic access.
Grading, Drainage and Erosion Control Engineering staff has reviewed the
preliminary grading, drainage and erosion control plans and found them
acceptable. Erosion control techniques that will be used on-site include silt fences,
wattles, logs, and a gravel construction entrance.
Stormwater management - Stormwater management will be provided by new
storm water facilities on-site that will connect with existing storm sewer pipes and
by a proposed raingarden located in the parking lot for the new building.
Utilities - The proposed new building will connect with existing water, sanitary
sewer and storm sewer mains. Engineering staff have reviewed these utility
connections and found them acceptable. The following is a description of these
utilities:
o Water main: Existing in West Broadway
o Sanitary sewer main: in West Broadway
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o Storm sewer main: Existing 12main in West Broadway
Property cleanup At one time, this site contained a petroleum tank for a gas
service station. This tank leaked causing soil contamination and Target
Corporation worked with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to clean
up the property. In 1996, MPCA determined that the site was adequately cleaned
up but reserved the right to inspect the property and require further cleanup work if
it was later determined to be necessary. Staff recommends a condition of
approval that the a
standards before starting construction and removing the monitoring well on the
property.
Park dedication
requirements. Since the City does not desire a park within this commercial area,
the applicant will be required to make a cash payment in lieu of dedicating park
land. The payment of this park dedication fee would be a condition of approval of
the subdivision.
C.SITE AND BUILDING PLAN REVIEW
The following are the most notable elements of the site and building plan for the
proposed new 5,000 SF commercial building:
Building use The applicant is proposing to use the new parcel as the location for
a new commercial building with two individual units. The applicant has not
specified what the building will be used for, but according to the Trip Generation
report (Attachment F), the building will be used for a coffee shop with a drive-
through, while the other portion of the building will be a quick service restaurant
without a drive-through. The C-2 district allows retail stores, professional offices,
and restaurants as Permitted Uses without Planning Commission or City Council
review and approval.
Building setbacks The proposed building meets setback requirements in the C-2
district. The building will be 36 feet from the property line along West Broadway.
Lot size and coverage The proposed lot meets lot area, width, and depth
requirements of the C-2 zoning district. The applicant is requesting a variance to
allow lot coverage to exceed 75% (see Section E, below)
Parking The site plan shows 63 parking spaces to serve the proposed building.
The applicants are requesting a CUP to adjust the required number of parking
spaces (see Section D, below). The perimeter of the parking lot meets setbacks
and the aisle and parking space meet the dimensional requirements of the zoning
code.
The number of spaces for the remaining Target store property meets City Code
requirements. The minimum number of required spaces is 481 for Target based on
the square footage of the building, and the maximum number of spaces is 571.
After the subdivision, the site plan shows 450 spaces for Target. However, there
s that could be constructed if needed. These proof
of parking spaces were approved by the City Council in 2003 as part of a site plan
review for the Target site. The existing spaces and proof of parking spaces provide
501 spaces for the Target store which would comply with City Code.
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Traffic impacts The applicant has provided a trip generation report (Attachment
F), which provides forecasts for trips generated as a result of this additional
building. Hennepin County has reviewed this report, and found that traffic impacts
to West Broadway as a result of this additional building are manageable and
additional driveway accesses or turn lanes will not be required.
Access and circulation: The Cthe West Metro Fire
Rescue District, and Hennepin County staff have reviewed this traffic circulation
plan and found it adequate to meet vehicle movement into and within the site,
including fire trucks.
Building elevations The proposed major exterior building material is or
osed building is
Attachment G.
Landscaping The landscape plan shows some existing trees preserved,
trees to be planted on the new parcel. Shrubs to be planted are
the property, including in the proposed rain garden.
Screening There is an existing dumpster enclosure on the property, and this will
be enlarged by adding one wall and a gate. The new wall matches the brick on the
existing enclosure. Rooftop mechanicals will be screened by a parapet, and the
only ground mechanical equipment is a transformer that will be screened with
landscaping.
Exterior Lighting Although one light pole will be relocated within the site due to the
reconstruction of the parking lot, no new light poles are proposed. Exterior lighting
on the new building will be similar to what is found on other shopping center
Pedestrian connections There is an existing sidewalk along West Broadway that
will allow for pedestrian connections to this new building. According to the
Comprehensive Plan, there are no planned trails for this area.
Signs A monument sign is proposed for this building near the existing northern
driveway access to West Broadway. The applicant must receive sign permit
approval before installing that sign, or any building signage.
D.CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
The applicants are proposing three conditional use permits related to the proposed new
commercial building. First is a CUP to allow a drive-through facility. Second is a CUP to
allow outdoor dining. Third is a CUP to adjust the required minimum and maximum
number of parking spaces on the site. The following is a description of these three
CUPs, followed by the relevant approval criteria for each of these CUPs as outlined in the
zoning code. Both the drive-through facility and the outdoor dining are required by the
zoning code to be in conformance to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan land use designation
d some
automobile-These uses are both in conformance with that
designation, as well the requirements of Section 520 of the zoning code, Site and
Building Plan Review.
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1) Drive-through facility - The applicants are proposing a drive-through facility as part of
the proposed commercial building. According to the Trip Generation report
(Attachment F), the drive-through will be used for a coffee shop, while the other
portion of the building will be a quick service restaurant without a drive-through.
Patrons would enter the drive-through facility on the south side of the building, and
exit on the north side of the building, where the order is taken at a drive-through
window. One drive-through lane connects the motorist to this drive-through window,
while an adjacent lane allows for bypass traffic. City Code Section 515.49, Subd. 4(k)
provides requirements for drive-through facilities as a conditional use in the C-2
zoning district. The following are those requirements, followed by staff response.
1) The establishment is served by arterial, collector or municipal state aid
streets and such pedestrian facilities as are necessary to accommodate
the traffic generated by the facility. The City Council may require the
applicant to provide a traffic study prepared by a professional engineer for
the proposed use, and may base its findings of fact on said study or other
information related to potential traffic impacts on the street system and
adjacent land uses.
Response: According to Comprehensive Plan, West
Broadway and Bass Lake Road are minor arterial streets. The site is
served by entrances and exits on both West Broadway and Bass
Lake Road, which will provide adequate traffic access for patrons of
this property. In addition, the
West Metro Fire Rescue District have reviewed this proposal and
found it adequate to meet vehicle movement within the site,
including fire trucks.
2) The facility can meet the required separation distance and hours of
operation limitations.
part of the lot where the city council determines that it is likely that
vehicles will be driven, stopped, or parked as part of the operations of the
drive-thru establishment. If the facility is located at least 250 feet from
property zoned R-1, R-2 or R-3, then no hours of operations restriction is
specified by this Code.
Response: All property zoned R-1, R-2 and R-3 is located more than
500 feet from this proposed parcel.
3) The city council finds that there will be adequate screening and buffering
between the establishment and adjacent uses.
Response: The proposed parcel where the drive-through facility
would be located is an area surrounded by property zoned C-2. The
drive-through will be screened by the Target store and Crystal
Shopping Center from single-family homes in adjacent
neighborhoods. Any residentially zoned property is at least 500 feet
from the proposed drive-through. There is no need for screening
and buffering for this drive-through facility.
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2)Outdoor dining
1. The applicants are proposing outdoor dining as part of the proposed commercial
building. This dining area is 1,497 SF in size, and is proposed to serve only one
of the commercial units within the building. City Code Section 515.49, Subd. 4(f)
provides requirements for outdoor sales (dining) areas as a conditional use in the
C-2 zoning district. The following are those requirements, followed by staff
response.
1) The sales area is hard surfaced and clearly designated on the site as
being limited to the specific, approved area.
Response: According to the site plan, the dining area is proposed to
be a hard-surfaced patio on the west side of the building.
2) The sales area does not exceed 30% of the gross floor area of the
principal use, 20% of the area of the property, or 2,000 square feet.
Response: The applicant has proposed a 1,497 SF outdoor patio on
the west side of the building. This meets City Code size limits for an
outdoor sales (dining) area.
3) The items to be placed outdoors are typically found outdoors and are
constructed of materials appropriate for outdoor weather conditions.
Response: The items proposed for outdoor dining will be items
normally kept outdoors in summer conditions, such as durable
tables and chairs. This will be evaluated when a specific user is
known.
4) The city council finds that there will be adequate screening and buffering
between the establishment and adjacent uses.
Response: The outdoor dining area is compatible with adjacent
commercial uses. Any residentially zoned property is at least 500
feet from the proposed outdoor dining area. Given the distance to
residential uses, there is no need for screening and buffering for this
use.
3) Adjustment to parking requirements City Code Section 515.17, Subd. 6, allows the
minimum or maximum number of required parking spaces to be adjusted for a specific
project through a CUP. As previously stated, the applicant has not yet determined the
exact use for the proposed building, but has indicated the building could be used for
some combination of retail, professional office, or restaurant. These uses have
different parking requirements:
Retail/office:
Minimum = 21 spaces
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Maximum = 24 spaces
Restaurant:
Minimum = 66 spaces
Maximum = 104 spaces
The applicant is proposing 63 parking spaces for this building, which exceeds the
maximum for retail/office, but does not meet the minimum if the building contains a
restaurant use. Prior to the subdivision of the parcel, the number of parking spaces
provided for the Target parking lot, which includes this proposed parcel, is 565
spaces. After the subdivision, there will be 513 spaces, which includes 63 for the
proposed new parcel and 450 for the Target store parcel. This is a net loss of 52
parking spaces for the existing 11.5 acre Target parcel. However, the Target store
site has 51 proof-of parking spaces (see Section C).
The only standard provided in the zoning code for approving an adjustment to the
number of required parking spaces is the applicant must demonstrate that the
proposed property use does not warrant the required number of spaces. In one
-averaging two passengers are parked in the
proposed parking lot, that would mean 126 persons in the commercial building at
one time. With the size of the building and its proposed use for quick coffee and
food service, it is unlikely that this many people will be there at the same time.
Therefore, based on this information, the approval of the adjustment to require 63
parking spaces is appropriate.
E. VARIANCES
The applicants are requesting two variances related to the proposed new commercial building.
First is a variance to the maximum lot coverage percentage for the new parcel. Second, is a
variance to allow an off-premise sign for the Target store at the intersection of West Broadway
and Bass Lake Road. The following is a description of these two variances, followed by the
relevant approval criteria for each of these variances as outlined in the zoning and sign codes.
1) Lot coverage According to City Code Section 515.49, Subd. 6 (a), no more than
75% of a lot shall be covered by structures. According to the proposed site plan,
86.2% of the proposed lot will be covered by structures (building and parking lot).
Prior to the subdivision and development of the new parcel, the percentage of the
lot covered by the parking lot is 88.6%. Therefore, with the development of the
parcel, the amount of the lot covered by impervious surface is reduced. According
to City records, this area has been mostly impervious since at least 1966 when a
fuel service station was constructed on this property.
According to City Code Section 515.05, Subd. 2, the following are the relevant
criteria to approve a variance, followed by staff response:
a) Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general
purposes and intent of the official control and when the terms of the variances
are consistent with the comprehensive plan.
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Response: The intent of the lot coverage requirement is to reduce the
amount of impervious surface for a specific development. Althoughthe
proposed percentage of impervious surface does not meet current
requirements, the amount of impervious surface will be reduced.
b) Variances shall only be permitted when the city council finds that strict
enforcement of specific provisions of this section would create practical
difficulties due to circumstances unique to a particular property under
consideration. Practical difficulties, as used in connection with the granting of a
variance, means that the property owner:
1) proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted
by an official control; and
2) the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the
property not created by the landowner; and
3) the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the
locality.
Response: The use of this area as a parking lot is a reasonable use
perSince the parking lot has been in this
area since at least 1966, the essential character of this area is not
proposed to change.
c) Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties.
Response: Since the parking lot currently exceeds the maximum
percentage of lot coverage, and the applicants are making efforts to
improve this situation, economic considerations alone are not considered
to be the sole reason for requesting this variance.
2) Off-premise sign According to City Code Section 405.23 (l), off-premise signs are
prohibited. These signs are defined in the City Code
an establishment, merchandise, service, or entertainment that is not sold, produced,
manufactured or furnished at the property on which the sign is located, e.g.
Corporation is proposing to locate a Target store sign on the existing freestanding
sign located at the intersection of West Broadway and Bass Lake Road on property
within the Crystal Shopping Center that is owned by Paster Properties. The existing
freestanding sign was approved in 2004, and the size of this sign will not change
with the addition of the Target sign (see Attachment H).
With the construction of the proposed new commercial building, Target believes that
the new building will block potential patrons from seeing the store from the
intersection of West Broadway and Bass Lake Road. Currently, without the building
there is a clear sight line from that intersection to the store. A new off-premise
Target sign at the intersection would preserve visibility for the Target store. There
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is an existing Target freestanding sign located on Target property along West
Broadway.
The City Code contains criteria in Section 405.25, Subd. 3, which details when sign
variances should be approved. However, in 2011 state law was changed to replace
-to-
t in the
ity will instead
listed in City Code Section 515.05, Subd. 2. The following are those relevant
criteria, followed by staff response.
a) Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general
purposes and intent of the official control and when the terms of the variances
are consistent with the comprehensive plan.
Response: The intent of the zoning code and comprehensive plan is to
encourage commercial businesses to thrive in appropriate areas of the
city. Therefore, the placement of an off-premise sign on an existing
freestanding sign is in conformance with
b) Variances shall only be permitted when the city council finds that strict
enforcement of specific provisions of this section would create practical
difficulties due to circumstances unique to a particular property under
consideration. Practical difficulties, as used in connection with the granting of a
variance, means that the property owner:
1) proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted
by an official control; and
2) the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the
property not created by the landowner; and
3) the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the
locality.
Response: The use of the parcel as a freestanding sign is a reasonable
use permitted bThe Crystal Shopping Center and
Target store were developed over 50 years ago and function as a single
property. This layout provides for one large shopping area fronting on
two major roadways. Since this is an existing unique condition, and is a
condition previously approved by the City, the plight of the landowners is
not being created by the current proposal. Since the existing freestanding
sign has been in place since 2004, the essential character of this area is
not proposed to change.
c) Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties.
Response: The applicant has stated that the need for a variance is to
provide continued visibility for the Target store from the intersection of
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West Broadway and Bass Lake Road. Therefore, economic consideration
alone is not considered to be the sole reason that the variance is
requested.
D.REQUESTED ACTION
The Planning Commission is being asked to make a recommendation to the City
Council to either deny or approve the Special Land Use Application (subdivision, site
and building plan review, conditional use permits, and variances) to allow for the
construction of a new commercial building at 5537 West Broadway (Target store
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property) and the approval of an off-premise sign at 6801-56 Avenue North (Crystal
Shopping Center), which should include findings of fact either for or against the
proposal. The Commission may reference the findings for approval in Sections B-E,
above.
Staff is recommending approval of the property subdivision, site and building plan,
conditional use permits for the drive-through facility, outdoor dining, and adjustment to
the required number of parking spaces, and the variances to the maximum percentage
of lot coverage and off-premise sign. The recommendation for these approvals are
subject to the following conditions:
1. An Abstract of Title or Title Certificate for the land included in the subdivision shall
be submitted prior to the City Council meeting where the Final Plat is considered for
approval.
2. Prior to the release of the Final Plat for recording by the applicant, a park dedication
fee of $12,000 shall be paid by the applicant.
3. Prior to the release of the Final Plat for recording by the applicant, the applicant
shall submit copies of any agreements for property access, parking, and stormwater
management between Target Corporation and Paster Properties.
4. Prior to the issuance of the building permit for the new commercial building, the
applicant will provide documentation to the City from the Minnesota Pollution Control
new construction on the site, and that the monitoring well can be removed.
5. A sign permit application shall be approved by the City prior to the installation of any
exterior signs.
City Council action is anticipated on January 19, 2016.
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Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
CRYSTAL COMMERCIAL BUILDING
We are proposing to redevelop the northern portion of the Crystal Target parking lot with a 4,990
square foot mixed use commercial building. The building is planned to house 2 tenants but could be
configured for more if they are smaller.
We have been working with Target on this property for some time and we both feel this is an excellent
site for redevelopment. This feeling was clearly noted at the Crystal Transit meeting held on September
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29 to discuss the possibility of LRT coming to this area. Of the 7-8 breakout groups at this meeting 5 of
these groups noted this very site as prime location for redevelopment. We were thrilled to hear our
neighbors as well as other city resident’s talk about this knowing we were already working on this very
project.
A small project like this can often be very complicated when it comes to the actual requirements and
steps that are needed to redevelop the property. We are submitting a number of applications including
the following:
Preliminary and Final Plat
Conditional Use Permits
Variances
Site Plan Review
We are requesting aVariance to allow Target to have an off premise sign. Target’s sign would be on our
existing shopping center sign located at the southwest corner of Bass Lake Road and Broadway. The
construction of the new proposed building would block the view of the existing Target store from the
intersection. This variance would allow Target to maintain a presence at the intersection in an area
where they have had a presence since Target store #3 was built back in1962. The proposed Target sign
area would be within the area allowed by sign code for this sign. We have submitted an elevation of the
proposed sign with the new Target logo for your review and comment. This variance will in no way
impair or interfere with any of the current uses, properties, or public activity in or around this sign. The
sign itself will change very little from what is there today. Only the graphics and space between the
panels will be changed. This will also help to ensure Target’s continued success within the City of Crystal.
We are requesting aVarianceto allow us to deviate from the required amount of pervious area in a
project. This project is the redevelopment of an existing parking lot that is currently 11.3% green space.
The proposed redevelopment would increase the greenspace amount slightly to13.8%.This is still
below the code required amount but certainly a step in the right direction. We are also installing a small
rain garden within a parking lot island to treat a portion of the storm water runoff from the parking
area. There is nothing like this onsite today. We are taking an existing area that is currently all asphalt
parking and converting it to building area with perimeter green space as well as some additional site
green space and a rain garden. The remaining Target Lot 1 parcel will remain at 12.3% for overall green
space. This variance will not interfere with any of the adjacent uses. It will allow this property to
improve the existing conditions for storm water runoff by slightly reducing the area of impervious
surface and adding a rain garden area to assist in the treatment of the storm water runoff. Similarly, the
existing and proposed parking lot landscape areas do not meet the 8% requirement. The proposed
Target Lot 1 parking lot landscape area is the same at 4.6%, but the proposed Outlot Lot 2 parking lot
landscape area increased from 3.8% to5.0%. This does not interfere with adjacent uses and is an
improvement to what is currently on site, per the retrofitting this project into the existing parking lot.
We are requesting aConditional Use Permit to allow the new project to include outdoor space for
possible patio dining and gathering. The location of the proposed outdoor patio space is noted on the
site plan submitted with this project. This area would be for customers who would be served their
coffee or food item inside the building and carry it out to the patio to enjoy it. Chairs and tables would
be provided on the patio. It is our hope that this area will become a place to gather and meet outdoors
during our warmer months of summer. This area will not include any sales or storage of material. All
sales and storage would be kept within the building. This area would not exceed 1,497 square feet
which is 30% of the gross building area.
We are requesting aConditional Use Permit which would allow us to deviate from the city parking
standards. The project that we are proposing is a mixed use building. This building may be occupied by
retail, office and or restaurant users. The Crystal Zoning Code treats the retail and office uses differently
than it treats the restaurant uses when it comes to required parking. The different parking
requirements are outlined below.
Building Size: Gross Building area = 4,990 square feet
Zoning Code Parking Requirements:
Retail/Office: Minimum Parking Required = 4 stalls + 1 stall per 300 square feet
Maximum Parking Required = 4 stalls + 1 stall per 250 square feet
Eating Establishment: Minimum Parking = 4 stalls + 1 stall per 80 square feet
Maximum Parking = 4 stalls + 1 stall per 50 square feet
Required Parking for the proposed Mixed Use Commercial Building:
Retail/Office: Minimum parking required = 4 + (4,990/300) = 21 spaces
Maximum parking allowed = 4 + (4,990/250) =24 spaces
Eating Establishment: Minimum parking required = 4 + (4,990/80) =66 spaces
Maximum parking allowed = 4 + (4,990/50) = 104 spaces
As you can see with a mixed use building the parking requirements vary greatly depending on the uses
in the building. A maximum of 24 spaces for one set of uses and a minimum of 66 stalls for the other
proposed use. At this time we don’t know if the uses will be retail/office or restaurant or a combination
of each. For this reason we are requesting a Conditional Use Permit for 63 onsite parking spaces . This
number of parking stalls falls at the high end, between the retail/office maximum and the eating
establishment minimum. We do not know what the initial uses or future uses may be for this project.
The 63 parking spaces will satisfy the needs of all of the proposed uses now and in the future.
The proposed project will eliminate a number of parking stalls from the existing spaces available for
Target. The parking on the revised Target lot will continue to meet the parking requirements as
established in the zoning code. The Target building is 143,203 square feet. The code required parking
for a building this size is as follows:
Minimum parking required = 4 stalls + 1 stall/300 square feet =481 spaces
Maximum parking allowed = 4 stalls + 1 stall/250 square feet =577spaces
The current number of parking spaces on the revised Target parcel is 450 stalls. When these 450 stalls
are combined with the existing proof of parking areas, noted on the overall plan, the total parking for
the revised Target parcel is501 spaces. This number is above the minimum required and well below the
maximum allowed. The revised Target parking area will continue to meet the requirements of the
Crystal parking code after the proposed project would be completed.
Lastly, we are requesting aConditional Use permitfor a Drive-thru facility in a C2 zoning district. The
drive-thru window would be located at the north end of the proposed building. This location allows for
maximum stacking space on the east side of the building. The layout was designed to keep all of the
cars utilizing the drive-thru stacked on site. The menu board is also on the east side of the building and
faces Broadway. Its location is noted on the site plan. It will not be a nuisance to any of the adjacent
properties. Lighting for the drive-thru area will be done with wall sconces on the sides of the proposed
building.
This project has been a joint effort between Paster Properties and Target Corporation. We have worked
very hard to come up with a project that will enhance the retail opportunities in this area while not
diminishing the existing success of the current businesses. We feel this project does this. The project
takes a parking area that is minimally used by Target and redevelops it into a small mixed use
commercial building with associated parking and outdoor gathering space. It will reduce the overall
number of vacant parking stalls in the area. It will decrease the area of impervious surface in this area of
the existing parking lot. It will enhance the landscaping in this area. It will allow Target to maintain a
presence at the intersection of Bass Lake and Broadway.
We request your support of this project so that we may continue to improve the vitality and
opportunities in Crystal.
MEMORANDUM
Date:December 11, 2015
Re:Trip Generation Crystal Target Outlot Parcel
5537West Broadway, Crystal, MN
File R0006484.00
To:Paster Properties, 2227 University Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55114
c/o John Kohler
From:Steve Manhart, P.E. PTOE, PTP
Westwood Professional Services has prepared a comparison of trip generation
forecasts for the proposed outlot parcel in the Target Store parking lot in the Crystal
Shopping Center, 5537 West Broadway Avenue in Crystal, Minnesota. The outlot
parcel is proposed to be located at the north end of the existing Target parking lot.
The proposed development will consist of a new building comprising 4,990 square
feet. It is proposed that half of the building will be a coffee shop with drive through
lane, and the other half will be a quick service restaurant without drive through lane.
Currently, this outlet parcel comprises 115parking stalls. These stalls, while a part of
the overall Target development, are not heavily used except on high demand shopping
days. Because many of the shopping center businesses adjacent to these stalls front to
the north and west, there is little shared demand for this parking other than by Target.
Figure 1 shows the proposed site plan. Figure 2 illustrates the outlet parcel (in yellow)
as well as the parking that will be displaced as a result of the new building footprint
and drive lanes (in blue). Of the 115stalls in the parcel currently, 52stalls will be lost
due to the development. This will leave 63stalls to be repurposed for the new site.
Westwood has determined the trip generation potential of the parcel using the rates and
th
1
Edition.Table 1 illustrates the daily and peak hour trip generation forecasts for the
development given the prosed uses on the site.
1th
Trip Generation Manual, 9 Edition, Institute of Transportation Engineers, Washington, DC, 2012
TBPLS Firm No. 10074302
December 11, 2015
Page 2
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ITEWeekdayAM peakPM Peak
TypeLand UseCodeSizeEnterExitEnterExitEnterExit
RetailCoffee - w/Drive Thru9372.495k.s.f.1,021 1,021 128 123 42 42
RetailFast Food - No Drive Thru9332.495k.s.f.893 893 66 44 26 26
1,914 1,914 194 167 68 68
3,828361136
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Coffee shops have heaviest demand during the morning peak hours. Other fast food,
-through lanes have demand
throughout the day and typically less than that of a coffee shop.
These trips would be distributed to and from the three main access points on West
Broadway Avenue, as well as to and from internal driveways within the Crystal
Shopping Center. Some trips will be shared with Target and other uses in the center.
Therefore, trips will be dispersed throughout the center and not necessarily
congregated at on access onto West Broadway Avenue.
Regarding parking demand, it is understood that you are working with the City of
Crystal to resolve the parking requirement for the site.
cc: Paul Schroeder, Westwood