03-13-78 PC Minutes �
MINUTES OF THE G�LDEN VALLfY
PLANNIN� COMMISSION
March 13, 1978
A regular meetir�g of the Golden Valley Planning Cortmission was held at 7:30 P.M.
on Monday, March 13, }978 at the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road,
Golden Va11ey, Minnesota.
Chair Seh1in presided and the following members were present: Carmissioners
Forster, Edstrom, Herje, Mindess, Poiachek, Specktor and Wagman. Jon Westtake,
staff m�ber, was also present.
Members abse�t: Cortmissioner Hraghes
l . APPR@VAL �F MINt1TES: MOVEU by Wag�»an, seconded by Mindess, carried
unanimously, to approve the minutes of the February 13, 197$ Planning Commission
meeting as mailed.
2. REQUEST Ft3R REZOPIING At�� WAIVER OF THE PlATTING OR�INANCE
(a) Applicant: Robert N. Hurd
Location: 2480 Winnetka Avenue North
Requests Commercial Zoning for Towncrier Restaurant
Zoning: Light Industriat
The praposed rezo�ing is bounded by Cc�mmercial on the North, liglat industrial
to the East and South, and r�sidential West of Winnetka Avenue ar�d East of
RMode Island Avenue. The parcel is presently zo�ed light ind�strial . The
praponent is requesting a rezoning from light industrial to Comm�rcial for a
restaurant. The proposed lot for the Class I restaurant meets green area and
building setback requirements and the plan exceeds parking requirements for a
Class I restaurant. The remaining land to the East is part of the Custom Tool
Company parcel . The depth of tMis area is 187' — 75' of which wr�uld be re—
quired for 1��dscaping off Rhc>de Island Aver�ue.
Jon Westlake then reviewed the Planning Report by Gonsultant Car1 Dale as follows:
"1 . It is proposed to rezone the site frc�m light industrial to Cc�ereial ; the
site would be developed for use as a restaurant. The basic question here
is one of proper land use and zoning at this time. �etails of site planni�g,
structural appearance, amount of parking, setbacks, traffic generation,
a�d the like are secondary and should be considered onl�r in terms of
specifics if it is first determined tMat Cornmercial zoning is proper and
ir� the general public interest.
2. Comfnercial zoning as proposed would not be in conformity to the Comprehensive
Municipal Plan nor wouid the specific use (restawrant). The City Plan calls
for f'Limited" Business use which, in general , wouid be uses permitted under
the B T� P 0 �istrict Classificatior�.
3• It is saggested that Cc�mmercial Zoning (as contained in the existing Zoning
Ordinance) is not appropriate for the following reasons:
a) Cc�mmercial zoning of the restaurant site w�ould leave a smalter
lot to the east on Rhode Island with an undet�r�ined future
use/zonir�g potential .
� °1
Ptanning Commission
March 13, 1978 page 2
b) Commercial zoning and a specific restaur�nt use of the site is
simply a fwrther extension south of �'generat business'' and
does not provide for the desired transition or stepping down
of cc�nmercial activity and intensity south from the existing
business area.
c) Commercial zoning opens up a wide variety of other business
activities permitted under that District Classifieation s�uld
there be a fwt�►re change i n bui l di ng occupancy; cc�rrent prc�—
pos�d site dev�lcpment specifics, therefore, may or may not be
valid, positive asPects of the fwture or long—range environment.
d) Extension south of comnercial zoning affects land along the
west side of Winnetka Avenue currently zoned partially B � PD
and partially residential . Affects upon e►,xisting housing and
potential future requests for commercial rezoning must be
considered in this case.
e) Just as howsing on the west side of Wi�netka must be considered,
so too, now must the �over Hill residences just to the east along
Rhode Island be an important factor in expanding ccMmercial zo�ing
and land use to the south.
4. A similar request for use of this site was received sc�me months ago but no
presentation was made to the Planning Cc�mmission. At that tir►�, the staff
recortmended that a plan for the area bounded by WiAnetka, Rhode Island,
23rd Avenue and Medicine Lake Road might arork in terms of land use, sub—
division, access and the like. With or without such an overall plan, any
lot subdivision for zoning�development purposes should be related to
adjacent parcels and individual parcel access.
5. Site and b�ilding plan details submitted for review indicate that the land
area would be adequate for the specific use proposed and no apparent
variances wouid be involved; building architeeture would be interesting
and reasonable for the use intended. For the reasons stated herein, how�
ever, it is oar opinion that corsmercial zoning under the current Zoning
Ordinance w�uld not be in conformity to the City' s Land Use Plan nor does
there appear to be any valid reason to justify a change i� public land use
and zonir�g poticy at this time.
6. At the present time, there is a growing number of resta�irants in the
Metropolitan area and apparantly the need and demand for sucM use is prese�t.
Even if long—term in duration, this trend may or may r�ot affect the con—
tinued resta�rant use of this specific site and its operations.
7. As an added note, we question the desirability of so many resta�rants in a
row from an environmental and "image'' viewpoint especiatly when locat�d
near housing. The restaurants presently in the immediate area are fast
food type resta�rants; hc�wever, this proposal is for a sit—doam type
restaurant.��
Robert N. Murd, who is one of the awners of Towr►crier Restaurant, ar�swered certain
questions raised in the Planning Report. He informed the Cc�mnission that at
sc�me time in the future Custom Tool Company plans to expand their stre�cture and
therefore will use the area East of the proposed restaurant lot for parking.
1 �.
Plan�i�g Comnission
March 13, 1978 page 3
The lot ars proposed is larger than what is needed for the restaurant operation
and provides for considerably more parking tl�ar� the Ordinance �equires. The
City' s Zor�ing Code provides protection for the residential area to the East by
reqWiring-a 75' setback for the structure which is aiso reqc�ired to be landscaped.
There is r+o restaurant in the immediate area that offers the sarne type of service
that we do and feel our facility will �ie an asset to Golden Valtey.
(Commissioner Specktor arrived at 8:00 P.M.)
The Planning Commission disc�ssed traffic flow pattern, the possible expansion
of Custan Tool Ccxnpany and questioned whether enoagh land wrould remain for the
expar�sion, tMe clase prcximity to Residential to the Nest, and traffic generated
by the proposal .
M�s. Edith Hc>llenbeck, 2409 Winnetka 10.venue Norti�, asked what arrangements were
made for the �emoval of garabe because they presently have a probl�m frcxn food
ordors created by the restaurants in the area, fett this proposal would add to
an existing heavy traffic probtem, and questioned whether there woc�ld be lighting
on the site, whether liquor would be served, and asked if there was ac�y guarantee
that the restaurant wc��ld not be turned i�to a 24—hour restaurant.
(Ccxnmissioner Polachek arrived at 8:15 P.M.)
It was moved by Mindess, seconded by Forster, carried unanimously to defer action
on this item to the April 10, 1978 Planning Comnission meeting and request tMe
following: 1) That a meeting be held by the proponent with the residents NortM
of 23rd Avenue on Winnetka Avenue, including the three residents on Valders
Avenue West of the proposed site, 2) Ct�stom Tool Cor�a�y to provide a plot plan
regarding their future expansion to show they will meet parking, green area, and
structure setback req�ir�nents, 3) The restaurant to provide information on
trips generated, including peak hours of operation, and Custom Toal Company to
indicate trips generated, shift chang�s, etc.
(b) Applicant: Robert N. Hurd
Location: 2�80 Winnetka Aven�e North
Reqwest: Divide Parcel into Two (2) Lots
Zo�ing: �ight Industrial
Becac�se of the aforesaid, the waiver of the Platting Ordinance was deferred
to the Apri1 10, 1978 Planning Commission meeting.
3. REQUEST FOR REZONIN6 �
Applicant: Jackson Schauer, Inc.
Location: 7700 Wayzata Boulevard
Request: Business � Professional Offices Zoning for �ffice Buiiding
toning: Residential
The Planning Comnission denied a request in July of 1975 to rezone this area to
light Industrial for a 15,055 square—foot warehouse use. The current proposal
consists of a 10,�00" square—foot office buitding. The present plan has ingress
and egress off Rhade Island Avenue and T.H. 12 service drive.
��d�
Planning Commission
March 13, 1978 page 4
The proposed land use would not be in conformance to tMe Ccxnprehensive
Municipal Plan which catls for the site to remain in a Residential category.
This site has been discussed on previous occasions and prior attempts at
Cortmercial zoning have beec� made dating back to 1966. It has been noted in
the past that the specific site may not be totally suitable for residential use
due to a number of factors, including proximity to comnercial d�vetopment on
the East, isolation from other residential due to location and topography
changes, highway no�se, and the like.
It has, however, also been considered that it would not be desirable to fwrther
extend the more intense, general busin�ss usage strip along the highway.
The ele�ation of the proposal has a residential design which was chosen because
of the residential to tMe North and West. The building is placed on the site
to provide a buffer of the parking lot with ingress and egress to the T.M. service
drive and Rhode Island Avenue which is across from the Industrial zoning.
According to the developer the floor plan of the structure is sucM that parking
on the streets wr�uld be of no advantage because the main entrance will be from
the parking lot. Variances would be needed for the green area off the parking
lot on the Rhode Island Av�nue side, for tMe structure in the Northwest corner
of the site, and parking.
In considering the proposal the foltowing should be considered: 1 ) Industrial
zoning located to the East and T.M. 12 to the South, 2) Residential to the North
and West. Because of the above, the area lends itself more to a transitior�al
use. The uses for transitional areas are generally Migher densitq Residential ,
Multiple, Institt�tional , or Business and Professional Offices.
The proponent, Dennis Schauer, was present for the request and;explained that
they are requesting a rezoning from Residential to Business � professional
Offices for a' proposed or�e story office building, and th�y intend to occupy
approximately 25'� of the structure and lease the remaining area of the building.
Mr. Schauer explained the reason why the structure is located as it is on t,he
lot and why they chose this particular type of design.
TMe following resider�ts were present and expressed their concernst Howard Minek,
1�33 Sc�mter Ave. S. , stated he has had problems with parking or� the street and
has had to call the police, and expressed concern in regard to the proposed 17'
setback distance frc�m the property line that abuts his home. lyle Larson,
830 Rhode Island Ave. S. , stated this land was platted in 1913, was originally
sold as Residential , and the homes in this area were buitt witk� the intention
this area w,ould remain Residential . David M. Wetterlind, 1030 Rhode Island Ave. S. ,
stated they bought their house because they knew the property was zoned Residential ,
fett anything other than Reside�tial would not fit into this area, and felt that
hc�mes could be designed to be placed on the lots along T.H. 12. Albin Winkels,
914 Sum�ter Ave. S. , stated he has had to calt the Police when the street was
blocked by cars and the snow plow could not get through, and if this property is
r_ezoned now, it would rnean further erosion of the zoning in this area.
Mr. Winkels stated he had called the State Higharay �epartment and he was told
the highway would be built with three lanes each way ar�d a service road would
be located on the North and South sides with an overpass on Winnetka Avenue.
The Highway Department will need more Right of Way to build the freeway,
and it is estimated that construction witl take ptace in 1984.
��;
P1 anni ng Cc�nmi ssi on
March 13, 1978 page 5
Duane H. Butter�fass, 911 Winnetka Ave. S. , felt that any rezoning should wait
until it is k�own what the Nighway Department is going to do.
(Cc�missioner Edstrom arrived at 8:�5 P.M.)
The Planni�g Carmission discrassed the current land use in the area and th� present
zoning. The Commission had mixed feelings on rezoning the site—one reason being
because of the uncertainty of T.H. 12, noting in the c�ear future the�e sfiould
be some direction taken with respect to the highway from differer�t levels of
government, therefore developing directions for considering rezoning and ehar�ges
in land use. The waivers were atso reviewed by the Planning Gc�mmission as to
green area, bt�ilding setback, and parking.
It was mc�ved by Polachek, seconded by Forster to deny the request for rezoning
frcxn Residential to Business F� Professional Offices b�cause the proposed land
use ovould not be in conformance to the Ccxnprehensive Pia� which calls for the
site to r�nain in a Residential category and the proposed zo�ing would not be in
conformance to the existing zoning categories to the North. Upon roll call vote
being taken, the follawing voted in favor of the motion: Forster, Polachek,
Wagman, and Sehtin and the foTlowing voted against the same: Herje, Mindess,
and Specktor. The motion carried. (Commissioner Edstrom did not vote.)
4. PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT — SET INFORMATIDMAL HEAEtIMG
P.U.D. #1—B General Plan
Proponent: Colonial Acre Homes, Inc.
Location: 5800 St. Croix Avenue -
Request: 99 Unit Senior Citizens Bwilding
The Planning Commission set April 10, 1978 for the informational hearing for
P.U.O. #1—B for general plan consideration for Cotonial: Acre Homes, Inc.
5. VALLEY SQtlARE C�MMISSI�N REPORT
The Plannir�g Cortmission �viTi review the Valley Square Report at the March 27, 1978
Planning Commission �eting.
b. RESIGNATI4N �F COMMISSIDNER ROBERT WAGMAN
Commissioner Wagman made the announcement that he will move out of the State and
therefore he will resign as a �nember of the Planning Cc�rmissioner.
It was moved by Mindess, seconded by Polaehek, carried unanimously, to express
the appreciation of the Planning Canmission for tt� dedicatio� with which
Commissioner Wagman has served on the Planning Comnission.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was on motio�,
duly seconded, adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Jody Sehlin, Chair G. William Forster, S�cretary