03-28-11 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
March 28, 2011
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday,
March 28, 2011. Chair Waldhauser called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners Cera, Eck, Kluchka, McCarty, Schmidgall,
Segelbaum and Waldhauser. Also present was Director of Planning and Development
Mark Grimes, City Planner Joe Hogeboom, Planning Intern Carrie Noble and Planning
Intern Michael Simmons.
1. Approval of Minutes
March 14, 2011 Regular Planning Commission Meeting
MOVED by Cera, seconded by Waldhauser and motion carried unanimously to approve
the March 14, 2011 minutes. McCarty abstained from voting, as he was not present at
the March 14, 2011 meeting.
2. Informal Public Hearing — Lot Consolidation —Venture Bank— 6210 and
6224 Wayzata Blvd — SU18-08
Applicant: Venture Bank
Addresses: 6210 and 6224 Wayzata Blvd
Purpose: The Lot Consolidation would remove the property line between the two
properties located at 6210 and 6224 Wayzata Blvd. in order to create one lot.
Simmons referred to a location map and discussed the applicant's proposal to
consolidate the two lots. He explained that Venture Bank recently acquired both
properties and plans to relocate its Golden Valley branch office to the existing building
on the site. Simmons referred to the applicant's intent to renovate the existing building
on the site.
Simmons discussed the seven qualifications that govern approval of a subdivision
request, and explained how this proposal satisfied the requirements in City Code.
Simmons stated that staff recommends approval of the lot consolidation request,
subject to the conditions found in City Engineer Jeff Oliver's memo dated March 21,
2p11 as well as a review of the titles of the properties by the City Attorney.
Waldhauser asked if Venture Bank plans on occupying the entire building on the site.
Simmons stated that Venture Bank does intend to occupy the entire site, with most of
the building space devoted to offices.
Gwen Stanley, Chief Financial Officer for Venture Bank, stated that Venture Bank
recently acquired the site, and plans to open the facility in late August. Stanley stated
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
March 28, 2011
Page 2
that Venture Bank's current Golden Valley branch, located in the Colonnade building,
has become too small. The new facility will double the size of Venture Bank's Golden
Valley branch.
Waldhauser opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to speak,
Waldhauser closed the public hearing.
Kluchka stated that he supports the proposal because the owner of the property, rather
than a developer, has made the request.
MOVED by Schmidgall, seconded by Cera and motion carried unanimously to
recommend approval of a Lot Consolidation to remove the property line between the
two properties located at 6210 and 6224 Wayzata Blvd. in order to create one lot.
3. Site Plan Review—Venture Bank (6210 and 6224 Wayzata Blvd.)
Applicant: Venture Bank
Addresses: 6210 and 6224 Wayzata Blvd
Purpose: To approve the site plan for the proposed parking lot at 6210 and 6224
Wayzata Blvd.
Noble referred to a site plan showing the proposed configuration of the parking lot to be
located at 6210 and 6224 Wayzata Blvd. Noble stated that City Code requires a site
plan review to be performed by the Planning Commission for existing parking lots in the
I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District if the parking lot is expanding by ten percent. Noble
stated that the purpose of the site plan review is to promote development that is
compatible with nearby properties, neighborhood character and natural features, and
that is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Noble referred to the requirements found in Chapter 11.47, Subdivision 8 of City Code
(I-394 Mixed Use Zoning Districts) that pertains to parking lot design standards. Noble
explained that, because this involves the redevelopment of an existing building, only the
new parking lot plan would be reviewed.
Noble discussed parking location, parking screening, landscaping in and around the
parking lot, sidewalks and public art. Noble explained that the City Code provides the
Planning Commission the ability to use discretion when reviewing a site plan in the I-
394 Mixed Use Zoning District.
Kluchka asked whether or not the footprint of the parking lot is increasing. Noble stated
that the footprint of the parking area is increasing slightly.
Cera asked if there is an impervious surface coverage requirement for this property.
Grimes stated that there is an impervious surface coverage requirement, but he
believes that the property is "grandfathered in" because of the existing building.
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March 28, 2011
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Waldhauser asked if the number of parking spaces exceeds that allowed in City Code.
Hogeboom stated that there is adequate parking on the site.
Kluchka requested more information about the standards at which the Commission
should be considering when reviewing the site plan. Grimes referred to Section 11.48 of
City Code which guides site plan review in the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District.
Segelbaum advised that the Commission should make findings in its review of the site
plan.
McCarty questioned the northeastern corner of the property and asked whether or not
there is adequate screening of the parking lot in that area. Grimes stated that screening
could be accomplished through vegetation or fencing. Grimes then stated that he will
review the landscaping/screening possibilities for this area with Environmental
Coordinator AI Lundstrom. Schmidgall stated that he felt the vegetation associated with
the planned drainage pond would be adequate screening for the location.
Waldhauser questioned if an additional tree could be added to the south edge of the
property. Corey Bergman, engineer with MFRA, stated that Venture Bank anticipates to
remove the existing pylon sign on the site and replace it with signage on the south wall
of the building. Bergman stated that an additional tree in front of the south side of the
building will impact the visibility of the building and its sign from Interstate 394. The
Commission concurred that no additional tree was necessary along the south side of
the building.
Waldhauser stated that the interior sidewalks in the property should be landscaped at
least 50% of their length, per City Code. Bergman stated that the exact location of the
internal sidewalks may be modified slightly based on the interior design of the building,
but that Venture Bank will agree to landscape the sidewalks accordingly.
Waldhauser asked if the property owner would be required to maintain the public
sidewalks surrounding the property. Grimes stated that the City is responsible for the
maintenance of public sidewalks.
McCarty recommended that Venture Bank consider some form of outdoor public art on
the property. Waldhauser explained that public art could be a wide variety of things that
would make the property more visually appealing to the public. Kluchka noted that there
is no bicycle parking noted on the site plan. Grimes suggested that, since bicycle
parking is required per the City Code, a bike rack could double as public art.
McCarty noted that the Planning Commission had voted to strike building material
requirements from the requirements of the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District. Hogeboom
and Grimes stated that they believed the City Council voted to include the building
material standards in the Code.
Eck questioned if the site has adequate room for snow storage. Schmidgall stated that if
snow storage becomes an issue for Venture Bank, it would be in Venture Bank's best
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March 28, 2011
Page 4
interest to remove the snow from the site. Stanley stated that she believes there is
adequate room to store the snow onsite.
MOVED by Cera, seconded by McCarty and motion carried unanimously to recommend
approval of the site plan for the proposed parking lot at 6210 and 6224 Wayzata Blvd.
with the following conditions:
1. Required parking lot screening shall be shown on the site plan.
2. If the parking lot screening significantly interFeres with operation of the filtration basin
in the northeastern corner of the site, then the Environmental Coordinator will work
with Venture Bank to determine the best possible screening option.
3. At least 50% of the length of the interior walkways and sidewalks must be
landscaped.
4. Bicycle parking must be installed on the site, per City Code.
--Short Recess--
4. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
Grimes stated that the Neptune Society Conditional Use Permit request will be going
before the City Council on April 5 for approval.
Hogeboom stated that the City Council will discuss the Livable Communities Act
Housing Action Plan, the rezoning of several residential properties and the Douglas
Drive Moratorium Area Study at the April 12 Council/Manager meeting.
5. Other Business
Waldhauser reminded the Commission that the City will reimburse Planning
Commissioners who attend certain planning-related conferences and workshops.
Waldhauser reminded the Commission of the annual MnAPA Conference, to be held in
September.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Lester Eck, Secretary