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10-10-83 PC Minutes �',�j�1 MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION October 10, 1983 A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Commissioners Leppik, Polachek, Prazak, Singer, Thompson and Tubman. Commissioner Forster was absent. Also present were Alda Peikert, Assistant Planner, and Lowell Odland, City Engineer. I. A�proval of Minutes - September 26, 1983 It was moved by Commissioner Singer, seconded by Commissioner Prazak and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 26, 1983 Planning Commission meeting as recorded. II. Set Date for Informal Public Hearing - Conditional Use Permit APPLICANT: Taco Bell , Chicago, Illinois LOCATION: 6620 Wayzata Blvd. REQUEST: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to operate a Class II, Fast Food, restaurant within an Industrial Zoning District Chairman Thompson introduced this agenda item and noted the staff recommen- dation of an October 24, 1983 informal public hearing date. It was moved by Commissioner Polachek, seconded by Commissioner Leppik and carried unanimously to set an informal public hearing date of October 24, 1983 for consideration of the Conditional Use Permit requested by Taco Bell for a Class II Restaurant at 6620 Wayzata Boulevard in an Industrial Zoning District. III. Informal Public Hearing - Rezoning APPLICANT: International Development, Inc. LOCATION: 7700 Wayzata Boulevard REQUEST: Change zoning from Residential to Business and Professional Office Zoning District Chairman Thompson introduced this agenda item and referred to the staff report informing the Planning Commission that the proponent withdrew the rezoning request. Planning Commission Meeting - October 10, 1983 -2- ��7 IV. Informal Public Hearing - Preliminar Design Plan - PUD #44, em Mi wor APPLICANT: Pem Millwork LOCATION: 800 Mendelssohn Avenue North REQUEST: Preliminary Design Plan PUD #44 approval Chairman Thompson introduced this agenda item and referred to the staff report informing the Planning Commission that the proponent requested a postponement of the informal public hearing and recommending that the Planning Commission not reset the informal public hearing date until required engineering infor- mation is received. V. Informal Public Hearing - Conditional Use Permit APPLICANT: City of Golden Valley LOCATION: 2501 Rhode Island Avenue North REQUEST: Approval of operation of Farmer's Market within a Commercial Zoning District Chairman Thompson introduced this agenda item and recognized City Engineer Lowell Odland who was present to answer questions concerning the proposal . Commissioner Leppik requested clarification of the proposed days of operation noted as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday in the signed agreement with the VFW and as Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in the application. Assistant Planner Alda Peikert responded that she understood the days to be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and that the correct days should be specified in the conditions of any Conditional Use Permit issued. Chairman Thompson opened the informal public hearing for public input. Mr. Orlyn Zibley, 2480 Valders Avenue North, asked why the City would propose a farmers market, how the City would operate a farmers market and whether the City would license participants. Mr. Zibley stated that he has concerns regarding clean up of the farmers market site, early hours of operation of a farmers market located next to residential areas, and additional traffic at an already busy intersection. Mr. Zibley stated that he is not totally against the farmer•s market idea despite his concerns. He questioned location of the farmers market on the City boundary neighboring New Hope if it is intended to serve Golden Valley residents. Chairman Thompson reviewed the proposal as presented in the application, which answered a number of Mr. Zibley's questions concerning operation of the pro- posed farmers market. Chairman Thompson further explained that the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council based on land use con- siderations. ��8 Planning Commission Meeting - October 10, 1983 -3- City Engineer Lowell Odland reviewed the background for City involvement in the farmers market proposal and further explained the proposed operation. Mr. Odland explained that after the market operated by Mr. Sarych closed, a number of Golden Valley residents expressed interest in a farmers market. The City became involved because no one initiated a proposal privately. City staff researched available sites and located the proposed site owned by the VFW. Mr. Odland stated that the City does not have staff to operate the proposed farmers market and has no intention of becoming involved in operation. The Golden Valley Senior Citizens Group has expressed an interest in the farmers market, and the only way it could operate would be with the Senior Citizens Group taking responsibility for operation, control and clean up. Mr. Odland stated that the City would monitor traffic and housekeeping problems and that these could be considerations for revocation of the Conditional Use Permit. Concerning hours of operation, Mr. Odland said that staff found other farmers markets generally operate from early morning to around 10:00 A.M. or noon. Provision is made in the proposal for operation until 7:00 P.M. to accommodate pumpkin sales in the fall , but operation for summer produce and flowers would probably continue only until noon. Concerning improvement of the property, Mr. Odland said that the City expects to spend approximately two days of work to accomplish leveling of the site, gravel surfacing of the parking area and seeding of other areas. The cost to the City would be two days of labor. Mr. Odland noted that as stated in the staff report, the City asked for a waiver of the Zoning Code requirement for paving of parking lots. Mr. Odland stated that it is obviously not practical to pave a parking lot not in City ownership for an operation of undetermined duration. Mr. Odland concluded that if the farmers market concept is to be tried, it should be at a minimum cost to the City and with maximum protection of surrounding property owners. Commissioner Leppik asked what toilet facilities would be available for far- mers market use during early hours prior to opening of the VFW. Mr. Odland pointed out that most farmers markets are held in mall parking lots where the stores do not open until 10:00 A.M. and that toilet facilities are not a problem. Commissioner Leppik stated a concern over noise generated by the farmers market at 7:00 A.M. next to the Dover Hill residential complex. Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Zibley whether 7:00 A.M. traffic noise would be a concern to him as a neighboring resident. Mr. Zibley answered that his concern is the traffic hazard at the intersetion more than noise. Mr. Lyle Larsen, 830 Rhode Island Avenue South, stated that his residence is in the vicinity of nonresidential development which generates business traffic on his street and that early morning traffic is not a problem to residents. Chairman Thompson closed the informal public hearing. Commissioner Tubman noted that the application is lacking a proponent who will actually be the business operator and suggested that the application is prema- Planning Commission Meeting - October 10, 1983 -4- )5 9 ture in that no specific arrangement or agreement has been concluded with the Senior Citizens Group as operators responsible for the proposed farmers market. Commissioner Polachek expressed concern about the precedent set by issuance of a permit for a City operation on a site which does not comply with City Codes. Commissioner Polachek stated that if the City asks for something, the proposal should be absolutely immaculate in that it should meet all City Code require- ments. A� an illustration of concern over precedent, Commissioner Polachek compared the City proposal for use of a gravel parking lot with a request from a private citizen for gravel surfacing of a drive which he specuiates may not be used more than three to four years. Chairman Thompson reviewed the staff recormnendation for denial based on lack of adequate site facilities and lack of staff to oversee the operation. Chairman Thompson added as grounds for denial the congested traffic situation at the intersection during the 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. rush hour. Commissioner Prazak stated that he would like to see a farmers market, but that this proposal does not seem to offer the right place or conditions. Commissioner Prazak added that the location is not attractive in that it does not have visibility. It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner Tubman and carried unanimously to recommend that the City Council deny the request received from the City of Golden Valley for a Conditional Use Permit for operation of a farmers market at 2501 Rhode Island Avenue North in a Commercial Zoning Distriet for the following reasons: 1. Lack of adequate facilities on the proposed farmers market site. 2. Lack of City staff to oversee the operation and absence of an agreement with the Golden Valley Senior Citizens Group docu- menting Senior Citizen Group acceptance of responsibility for operation, control and maintenance of the farmers market. 3. Bad precedent set by issuance of a permit for a City operation which does not comply with City Code. 4. Potential increase of already existing traffic congestion in the area of the Winnetka Avenue North and Medicine Lake Road intersection. 5. Potential noise disturbance to the neighboring Dover Hill resi- dential complex. VI. Report on HRA Meeting - September 27, 1983 Chairman Thompson provided the Planning Commission with a report on the September 27, 1983 meeting of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). ��� Planning Commission Meeting - October 10, 1983 -5- VII. Report on City Council Meeting - October 4, 1983 Commissioner Tubman provided the Planning Commission with a report on the October 4, 1983 City Council meeting. VIII. Memorandum from the City Manager on Scheduling of City Council Hearings Chairman Thompson distributed to Planning Commissioners a memorandum from the City Manager concerning scheduling of City Council hearing dates prior to Planning Commission consideration of an agenda item. Chairman Thompson offered his interpretation of the memorandum that if the Planning Commission feels the need for additional time for review of an agenda item, the fact that a hearing is already scheduled on the City Council agenda should not force the P1anning Commission to curtail its proper review. IX. Report on Tax Exempt Review Committee Meeting - October 3, 1983 Chairman Thompson provided the Planning Commission with a report on the October 3, 1983 meeting of the Tax Exempt Review Committee. X. Discussion of Accessory Housing Survey Commissioner Leppik introduced and distributed to Planning Commissioners a revised version of the Accessory Housing Survey prepared by the League of Women Voters. The Planning Commission reviewed and discussed the Survey revi- sions. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, David Thompson, Cha�rman Margaret Leppik, Secretary