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05-13-85 PC Minutes14 MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION May 13, 1985 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 Prazak called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Lewis, McAleese, McCracken-Hunt, Prazak and Russell. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development; Alda Peikert, City Planner; and Gloria Anderson, Planning Secretary. Commissioner Leppik was absent. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 22, 1985 It was moved by Commissioner McAleese, seconded by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 22, 1985 Planning Commission meeting. II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY PLAT APPLICANT: Church of the Good Shepherd LOCATION: 145 and 225 Jersey Avenue South and 6800 Laurel Avenue REQUEST: Approval of Revised Preliminary Plat of Church of the Good Shepherd Addition Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked staff for their report. Director Grimes reviewed the revised preliminary plat and gave the staff recommendation of approval with changes. Chairman Prazak asked if there was a need to make any recognition of the fact that the paved playground area goes up to the property line. Director Grimes stated that he felt the paved area was used for playground only but it could be mentioned to the City Council and let them make the decision as to whether or not it should go to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt stated that it sometimes is used for overflow parking but only when school was not in session and that its primary purpose was for playground use. The proponent was not present. Chairman Prazak opened the public hearing. Mr. Frederico Soriano, 145 Edgewood Avenue South, had concerns regarding the access to the property from Cortlawn Circle. Director Grimes explained the purpose of the outlot and stated there would not be an access on Cortlawn Circle. Planning Commission Minutes May 13, 1985 Page 2 Commissioner Russell asked staff to clarify Outlot A and its purpose which was done by Director Grimes. Mr. Harry Karasov, 6615 South Cortlawn Circle, had questions regarding the parking and access along Cortlawn Circle. Director Grimes explained there would be a 25 foot setback between the parking area and the property line plus the 10 foot wide Outlot A. He again stated there would be no access onto South Cortlawn Circle, Chairman Prazak closed the public hearing. Commissioner McAleese suggested that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the parking lot/playground issue should go to the Board of Zoning Appeals as it wouldn't make sense to grant a variance by playing with the definition of landscaping and it would be a bad precedent. Following discussion by the Commissioners, it was moved by Commissioner McAleese, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner and carried unanimously to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat of the Church of the Good Shepherd Addition subject to the following conditions: 1. An additional 40 feet of right-of-way be dedicated for Laurel Avenue along the south property line. 2. Prior to final plat approval, the City receive an easement for a 50 foot wide greenbelt along Laurel Avenue. This easement is to be considered the park dedication for this plat. 3. The Church of the Good Shepherd dedicate Outlot A to the City of Golden Valley for park and .open space purposes before the final plat is approved. 4. The Church of the Good Shepherd give the City of Golden Valley an easement for street and utility purposes over the north 10 feet of Lot 1 before the final plat is approved. 5. The frame garage located on Lot 1 be removed before the final plat is approved.. 6. Recommend that the City Council consider the issue of the parking lot/ playground .and a need for a variance. 13~ 1 136 Planning Commission Minutes May 13, 1985 Page 3 III. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING APPLICANT: Richard F. Sachs LOCATION: 220 Turners Crossroad South REQUEST: Approval of Rezoning from Open Development to Multiple Dwelling (M-1) Zoning District Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked staff fora report on the proposal. Director Grimes reviewed the request and gave the staff recommenda- tion. Commissioner McAleese asked how wide a driveway is required for public safety purposes. Director Grimes stated 25 to 30 feet, 24 feet minimum to provide two 12 foot wide lanes. Mr. Richard Sachs, proponent, identified his partners as Mr. Ted Goldman, president of B T & A Construction Company, Mr. Stuart Friedell and Mr. Arnold Goldman. Mr. Sachs explained they had constructed the Laurel Estates apartments five or six years ago and would like. to continue to construct apartments in the area which is open development and is under the master plan for apartment development. He felt this land was developable and that the problems which had been referred to could be solved. He stated it could be a long time before the whole area could be developed at one time and that it would not be in the best interest of the City or the best use of the land. Mr. Sachs indicated they had tried to buy surrounding properties but had met with adamant denial. Mr. Sachs requested that they be allowed to develop this property and that there could be an additional easement to the present 14 foot easement through the Laurel Estates apartments for access without affecting the pond area. He also stated they could reduce the number of units to meet the density requirements. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt asked how many units were in the Laurel Estates and if access to the proposed development would be through the parking lot of Laurel Estates. Mr. Sachs said there were 65 units in the Laurel Estates. He also explained that access would be a separate street off Laurel Avenue. Commissioner Kapsner asked staff if the utilities could be hooked up to the existing building and be part of the existing complex. Director Grimes stated it could probably be brought in off Laurel Avenue but Turners Crossroad would be closer. He also explained that they would have to have separate services. 1 1 1 137 Planning Commission Minutes May 14, 1985 Page 4 Mr. Ted Goldman stated he was the general contractor for the Laurel .Estates apartments and that all utility services were on Laurel and it could be brought into the site. Commissioner Kapsner asked what the purpose of a second access off Turners was and if it were essential. Staff explained that it was essential for safety purposes. Chairman Prazak opened the public hearing. Mr. Clarence Green, 300 Turners Crossroad, stated he felt it was not the right time for this building and the neighbors do not want it now nor do they want it developed as an apartment. He presented a paper signed by approximately twenty surrounding neighbors against the request to rezone the property for multiple dwelling. He also stated he would not give any of his property for addition to the 10 foot easement from Turners Crossroad to the subject property. Mr. Clare Miller, 5720 Laurel Avenue, had concerns regarding the drainage, density and traffic problems. He also stated his property adjoined the road that would go into the property from Laurel Avenue and that a number of trees would be lost when the road was constructed. Mr. Jerry Davis, 209 South location for approximately increase. He had concerns by the construction of an there was a need for more buildings. Turners Crossroad, said he had lived at this 24 years and has seen the volume of traffic about the additional traffic that would be created apartment building on this site. Mr. Davis stated single family homes in Golden Valley, not apartment Mrs. Donald Bradach, 109 South Turners Crossroad, also had concerns with the additional traffic. She stated that she presently has a hard time getting out of her driveway because of the traffic on Turners Crossroad. Chairman Prazak closed the public hearing. Commissioner Kapsner stated he was not convinced this was the best time to develop this property because there will be substantial changes in the area south of the property when Xenia Avenue becomes a major thoroughfare. He stated that at this point he agreed with staff recommendation to deny the rezoning request. Commissioner Russell asked how long the proponent had owned this property. Mr. Sachs stated that they had just bought the subject property but had owned the Laurel Estates property over twenty years. 1 13S Planning Commission Minutes May 13, 1985 Page 5 Commissioner McCracken-Hunt wished some of the additional surrounding properties could all be incorporated so the access would be better and some of the other problems could be solved. Sh e also agreed that there is going to be a lot happening around this area and it gave her the feel ing it was piecemea l in the overall scope of how everything is going. to change . in the next five years. She also recommended denial of the request. Commissioner McAleese stated he was not sure whether now is or is not the right time to develop this area but feels the problem with developing this particular parcel is that it does not have the two exits that are needed for public safety reasons. In addition, he agreed with the other Commissioners that it does seem like a piecemeal plan and that if this is the time to develop the area, the HRA should probably be involved. In order to keep this piece of land from being isolated, some of the powers of the HRA, perhaps the money, is going to be necessary if the City wants to develop. He did not support the rezoning at this time. Chairman Prazak stated it was his feeling it seems likely that sometime in the future this property would be rezoned for a more dense development. He also stated might well be appropriate for use ultimately as apartment property but hopefully in conjunction with additional properties improving access to the site and providing more housing spread over a larger parcel rather than. having an apartment that is isolated without any direct access or frontage on a street. He felt there was no rush to rezone this isolated parcel at this point. It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner and carried unanimously to recommend City Council denial of the request to rezone the property at 220 Turners Crossroad South from Open Development to the Multiple Dwelling (M-1) Zoning District. IV. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MAY 7, 1985 Commissioner McAleese attended the May 7, 1985 meeting of the City Council and provided a report to the Planning Commission. U. REPORT ON APA CONFERENCE - APRIL 20 - 24, 1985 Chairman Prazak, Commissioner Kapsner and City Planner Peikert gave a report on the APA Conference they attended in Montreal April 20-24, 1985. VI. AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 6 OF THE ZONING CODE Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked staff fora report. Director Grimes reviewed the staff report which suggested an amendment to Chapter 6: Light Industrial Zoning District to allow by a Conditional Use Permit food processing that involves cooking, heating, smoking, soaking or marinating processes. 1 19 1 1 1 Planning Commission Minutes May 13, 1985 Page 6 Following discussion by the Commission, it was moved by Commissioner McCracken- Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner and carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council that under Section 6.04 Conditional Uses in the Light Industrial District No. 13 be added stating the following: 13. Food packaging and processing that involves cooking, heating, smoking, soaking or marinating procedures. VII. DISCUSSION - FUNCTION AND ROLE OF HOUSING AUTHORITY The Planning Commission discussed the role of the HRA and, in particular, the relationship between the HRA and Planning Commission. There was concern by the Planning Commission regarding Planning Commission input on HRA projects. The Planning Commission believes that their input on projects should occur at the beginning of project planning. The Planning Commission sees their role as most important in setting guidelines during the creation of Redevelopment Districts. At that stage, the Planning Commission could give advice on development intensity and land uses, before individual proposals are made for development of the Redevelopment District. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M. Gary Prazak, Chairman Linda McCracken-Hunt, Secretary