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01-14-85 PC Minutes91 MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION January 14, 1985 A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN. Acting Chairman Prazak called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, McAleese, McCracken-Hunt, Prazak, Russell and Schmidt. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Alda Peikert, City Planner, and Gloria Anderson, Planning Secretary. I. APPRaVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 10, 1984 It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Russell and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the December 10, 1984 Planning Commission meeting as recorded. II. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING APPLICANT: General Mills, Inc. LOCATION: 8800 and 9300 Betty Crocker Drive REQUEST: Approval of Rezoning from Open Development to Business and Professional Offices Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and noted the January 28, 1985 informal public hearing date recommended by staff. It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously to set an informal public hearing date of January 28, 1985 for consideration of the request received from General Mills, Inc, for rezoning of the property at 8800 and 9300 Betty Crocker Drive from the Open Development to the Business and Professional Offices Zoning District. III. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PUD AMENDMENT PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN APPLICANT: Charles S. McCrossan LOCATION: 812 Lilac Drive North REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Design Plan for Amendment to PUD #42, North Lilac Drive Addition Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked staff to review the proposal. City Planner Alda Peikert reviewed the requested PUD amendment and staff recommendation. ~~ Planning commission Minutes January 14, 1985 Page 2 Acting Chairman Prazak recognized Mr. Roger Ulstad, 309 Meander Road, Golden Valley, who introduced himself as representative of the proponent. Mr. Ulstad stated that the proponent is in agreement with the conditions of approval recom- mended by staff with the exception of the requirement for a chain link security fence. Mr. Ulstad said that the proponent is opposed to installation of the fence for aesthetic reasons including the need for maintenance. Mr. Ulstad stated a preference for landscaping in place of the recommended fencing. Commissioner Leppik questioned whether it is appropriate for the City to require fencing for the protection of personal property. Ms. Peikert explained that PUD proposals are reviewed by the City Public Safety Department and that recommended crime prevention measures incorporated into PUD approvals may include security fencing, security lighting, and avoidance of landscaping which would block visi- bility of windows and other access points from patrols. Commissioner Russell questioned whether the fencing recommendation was the result of police problems generated by the previous motel use. Ms. Peikert replied that the plans reviewed by the Public Safety Department were for the proposed office condominium use of the property. Commissioner Leppik asked whether the reason for objection to installation of the recommended security fence is entirely monetary. Mr. Ulstad noted steep slopes at the north property line next to the railroad line and at the east pro- perty line next to the apartment complex and stated that the proponent does not believe the recommended fence would provide additional protection from van- dalism. Mr. Ulstad stated that the proponent would prefer to install additional landscaping and that the fence would not be more costly than landscaping. Commissioner Schmidt asked whether protection of any public property is involved. Director of Planning and Development Mark Grimes stated that the only public property involved would be the regional trail property if acquired by the City and that it would be in public use at such time as the trail is completed. Commissioner Russell asked whether the fence could be required at a later time if found to be necessary. Ms. Peikert explained that the City would have no authority to require installation of the security fence after the PUD is approved. Mr. Ulstad expressed willingness on the part of the proponent to arrange for future installation if required. Commissioner Schmidt suggested action on the two recommended conditions of approval acceptable to the proponent and deferral of action on the fencing question to allow for consultation with the Public Safety Department.- Ms. Peikert informed Commissioners that the proponent requested an early hearing date before the City Council in order to expedite the approval process. Mr. Ulstad confirmed that the proponent would have a problem with deferral of action which would delay approval. 1 Manning Commission Minutes January 14, 1985 Page 3 Acting Chairman Prazak opened the informal public hearing for public input. There was no one present who wished to speak on this item, and Acting Chairman Prazak closed the informal public hearing. Commissioner Leppik stated that considering the fact that the property involved is private property, it is her inclination to eliminate the requirement for a security fence. Acting Chairman Prazak expressed agreement, statiny that if necessary for pro- tection of private property, the proponent would probably choose to install fencing on his own. It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Russell and carried unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve the amendment to PUD #42, North Lilac Drive Addition, requested by Mr. Charles McCrossan, to exclude from the previously approved PUD a former railroad parcel purchased for regional trail dedication purposes and to eliminate the previously approved PUD requirement for installation of a security fence, subject to addition of the following conditions of approval: 1. A twelve foot strip of property along the northerly perimeter of the property shall be platted as an outlot and dedicated by separate instrument as an easement for open space purposes. 2. A fee of $30,000 shall be paid to the City of Golden Valley prior to approval of the Final Plat and shall be designated for purposes of regional trail acquisition. The City of Golden Valley may use the funds for acquisition of any segment of regional trail within the City of Golden Valley at any future date. If the funds are not required for regional trail acquisition within fifteen years from the date of approval of the Final Plat, the City of Golden Valley may use the funds for general open space use. IV. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PUD PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN APPLICANT: City of Golden Valley LOCATION: 7500 Olson Memorial Highway REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Design Plan for PUD #47, Valley Square Plaza Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked staff to review the proposal. Director of Planning and Development Mark Grimes reviewed the PUD Preliminary Design Plan and the staff recommendation. Commissioner Russell expressed concern over traffic on Rhode Island Avenue North and stacking for the light at Highway 55. Mr. Grimes informed the Commission that Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) improvements on Highway 55 were planned with knowledge of the Valley Square Redevelopment Plan and that the light at Rhode: Island may be adjusted to accommodate additional traffic generated by the proposed office development. 93 ~~ Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1985 Page 4 Commissioner Prazak asked about accommodation of pedestrian traffic from the proposed office building across Rhode Island Avenue North to the commercial area. Mr. Grimes pointed out that the Preliminary Design Plan includes sidewalk along Rhode Island Avenue North designed to carry pedestrian traffic either to the crossing at Highway 55 or to the intersection with Country Club Drive. Mr. Grimes stated that connecting pedestrian circulation links will be included when the area to the west of Rhode Island Avenue North is redeveloped. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt expressed concerns over reduced setback from Rhode Island Avenue North to parking, over increased traffic volume, and over limita- tion of access to Trevilla Nursing Home. Regarding the setback variance along Rhode Island Avenue North, Commissioner McCracken-Hunt stated her concerns aver potential loss of mature trees and over setting of a precedent for the Valley Square Redevelopment Project. Mr. Grimes informed Commissioners that United Properties has expressed willingness to assist Trevilla Nursing Home in revising its parking lot arrangement to improve access and increase parking space. Concerning the setback variance from Rhode Island Avenue North, Mr. Grimes pointed out that the site is a tight redevelopment site and that increased seback would result in loss of a row of parking. Acting Chairman Prazak recognized Mr. Tom Bisanz, United Properties, who was present to represent the proponent and offered to answer questions. Acting Chairman Prazak asked whether there is adequate space for a berm in the reduced setback along Rhode Island Avenue North. Mr. Bisanz stated that there would be as much of a berm as possible in a width of twenty feet. At a slope of four to one, Mr. Bisanz estimated that the berm would be two and a half to three feet in height. Mr. Bisanz stated that this would not constitute a significant berm but that it would serve as a landscaping berm. Acting Chairman Prazak opened the informal public hearing for public input. There was no one present who wished to speak on this item, and Acting Chairman Prazak closed the informal public hearing. Commissioner Russell stated her continuing concern for pedestrian circulation. Acting Chairman Prazak asked whether the proposal would be referred back to the Planning Commission in the event of substantial changes at the time of City Council review. Staff stated that previous Council procedure has been to refer a proposal back to the Planning Commission in the case of substantial revision. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt asked the procedure for review of the landscaping plan. Staff explained that a complete landscaping plan is required with the General Plan of Development reviewed by the City Council and that the Building Board of Review also reviews landscaping prior to issuance of a building permit. It was moved by Commissioner Schmidt, seconded by Commissioner McAleese and carried unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the Preliminary Design Plan for PUD #47, Valley Square Plaza. 95 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1985 Page 5 Commissioner Schmidt asked the project construction schedule. Mr. Bisanz replied that a mid-May 1985 construction start is planned. V. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PUD AMENDMENT PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN APPLICANT: Bor-Son Investment Properties Corporation LOCATION: 2345-2385 and 2412-2462 Mendelssohn Lane North REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Design Plan for PUD #30-B, Medley Park Townhouses, Amendment #2 Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and called on staff to review the proposal. City Planner Alda Peikert reviewed the staff report and recommen- dation. Acting Chairman Prazak recognized Mr. Don Jacobson, Bor-Son Construction Companies, who was present to represent the proponent. Mr. Jacobson presented the proposal and introduced Mr. Tim Trimble and Ms. Denise Davis, also available to answer questions. Acting Chairman Prazak opened the informal public hearing for public input. There was no one present who wished to speak on this item, and Acting Chairman Prazak closed the informal public hearing. It was moved by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner McAleese to recommend City Council approval of the Preliminary Design Plan for PUD #30-B, Medley Park Townhouses, Amendment #2, which proposes reduction of the number of ownership units from 34 to 28 or 30 and the construction of an additional 14 to 19 garage stalls. Commissioner Leppik expressed total support of the proposed amendment with the exception of location of the proposed five stall garage structure directly in front of the view of two units in the newly proposed four unit building. Discussion of alternative garage structure locations followed. Mr. Jacobson stated that the garages are retained in the same location as on the originally approved plan in order to accommodate persons in completed buildings already expecting the use of garages at that location. A vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously. VI. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF THE PLATTING ORDINANCE APPLICANT: John and Beatrice Schroth LOCATION: 843 Winnetka Avenue South REQUEST: Approval of Lot Division for Transfer of Portion of One Lot to Adjacent Lot ~~ Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1985 Page 6 Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and recognized the proponent, Ms. Beatrice Schroth. At the request of Acting Chairman Prazak, City Planner Alda Peikert reviewed the staff report and recommendation. It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Leppik and carried unanimously to recommend City Council approval of a waiver of the Platting Ordinance to allow division of the property at 843 Winnetka Avenue South for transfer of ten feet to the property at 911 Winnetka Avenue South con- ditional upon combination of the ten foot strip with the lot at 911 Winnetka Avenue South. Commissioner McAleese expressed the opinion that opportunity should be provided for neighbors to speak in the case of a waiver of the Platting Ordinance, despite the fact that City Ordinance does not require a public hearing. Commissioner McAleese suggested that at least adjacent property owners receive notification of Planning Commission and City Council consideration of such requests. VII. REPORTS ON HRA MEETINGS - DECEMBER 11, 1984 AND JANUARY 8, 1985 Commissioner Russell provided a report on the December 11, 1984 meeting of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), and Planning and Development Director Mark Grimes provided a report on the January 8, 1985 HRA meeting. VIII. REPORT ON BZA MEETING - DECEMBER 11, 1984 Acting Chairman Prazak provided a report on the December 11, 1984 meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). IX. REPORTS ON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS - DECEMBER 17, 1984 AND JANUARY 2,_1985 Commissioner Leppik provided a report on the December 17, 1984 City Council meeting, and City Planner Alda Peikert provided a report on the January 2, 1985 City Council meeting. X. ATTENDANCE AT ZONING INSTITUTE Planning Commissioners were invited to inform staff if interested in attending a seminar scheduled-for January 22, 1985 on Zoning Authority, Responsibilities and Procedures. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Gary Prazak, Acting Chairman Margaret Leppik, Secretary 1 1 1