02-24-86 PC Minutes196
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 24, 1986
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, Leppik, McAleese, Prazak and Russell.
Commissioners Lewis and McCracken-Hunt were absent. Also .present were Mark
Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, and Alda Peikert, City Planner.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 10, 1986
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner and
carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 10, 1986 Planning
Commission meeting as recorded.
II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING
APPLICANT: Hennepin Co-Op Seed Exchange
LOCATION: 8175 Lewis Road
SUBJECT: Rezoning from the Industrial to the Commercial
Zoning District
Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and requested a summary of the
staff report and recommendation. Planning and Deve lopment Director Mark Grimes
reviewed the staff report and introduced Mr. Ira McKowan and Mr. Mel Greeling
from the Hennepin Co-Op Seed Exchange. Mr. Grimes answered questions from
Planning Commissioners concerning land uses surrounding the site proposed for
rezoning..
Commissioner Russell noted that the Hennepin Co-Op Seed Exchange is an unusual
retail business appropriate to a Light Industrial setting in that it receives
large deliveries and people frequently buy goods in bulk. Commissioner Leppik
agreed with this observation, commenting that the Seed Exchange is not a
typical retail use and would not belong next to a dress shop.
Chairman Prazak called on the proponent to speak, and Mr. Ira McKowan
represented the Hennepin Co-Op Seed Exchange. Mr. McKowan expressed
appreciation of the City's generosity in helping the Seed Exchange to remain in
Golden Valley, of Mr. Grimes' assistance in leading the Seed Exchange through
required procedures, and of the City's purchasing the lot adjacent to the
building proposed as the Seed Exchange's. new location in order to assemble a
workable site. Mr. McKowan noted that completion of Wisconsin Avenue will
connect the proposed new location of the Seed Exchange to the Valley Square
retail center and will make the proposed new site a good commercial location.
Mr. McKowan stated that the Seed Exchange would appreciate the City's
expediting .the zoning approval procedure in order to complete approvals by
April 1, 1986. Mr. McKowan closed with an expression of thanks to Planning
Commissioners and City staff.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 24, 1986
Page 2
Chairman Prazak asked Mr. McKowan whether the move of the Seed Exchange to the
proposed new location would cause an interruption in busin ess. Mr. McKowan
replied that the Seed Exchange plans to be in operation at the new location
June 8, 1986. He explained that this time schedule would allow for required
renovation. of the new building and that there would not be an interruption of
operation.
Chairman Prazak asked what portion of the building at the 8175 Lewis Road
location proposed for rezoning would be rented out as office. Mr. McKowan
replied that the northerly portion of the building would be rented out probably
for three offices. Mr. McKowan added that the Seed Exchange offices would be
at the west end of the building on the south side.
Chairman Prazak asked whether the Seed Exchange wishes to sell fuel products at
the proposed new 8175 Lewis Road location. Mr. McKowan stated that the Seed
Exchange would like to sell kerosene but no other fuel products. He explained
that the Seed Exchange sells a lot of kerosene space heaters and plans to
install an underground tank approximately 1000 gallons in size and a pump. Mr.
McKowan said that the petroleum installation has already been moved to the
Hennepin Co-Op Rogers location.
Commissioner Leppik asked when Wisconsin Avenue would be constructed and
whether the construction would be disruptive to the Seed Exchange business.
Mr. McKowan stated that the Seed Exchange would initially use existing access
drives off of 10th Avenue North and Lewis Road. Mr. McKowan reported that the
Seed Exchange has consulted with City Engineer Lowell Odland concerning
construction of an access drive off of Wisconsin Avenue after Wisconsin Avenue
is completed. Feasibility of adding access off of Wisconsin Avenue is
questionable due to the fact that Wisconsin Avenue will be elevated above the
proposed new Seed Exchange property at that point. Planning and Development
Director Mark Grimes stated that construction of Wisconsin Avenue will take
place in 1987 and that the question of access from Wisconsin to the proposed
new Seed Exchange site will be addressed at that time.
Chairman Prazak opened the informal public. hearing for public input. There was
no one present who wished to address this agenda item, and Chairman Prazak
closed the informal public hearing.
Commissioner Leppik stated that she is pleased to have a way to keep the
Hennepin Co-Op Seed Exchange in Golden Valley and that she personally would
have missed it if it moved out of Golden Valley.
Chairman Prazak concurred with Commissioner Leppik's comments concerning the
desirability of maintaining the Seed Exchange in Golden Valley and added that
he sees the use as compatible. with land uses surrounding the proposed 8175.
Lewis Road site.
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik and seconded by Commissioner McAleese to
recommend that the City Council rezone Lots 10 and 11, Block 2, Becon Addition,
from the Light Industrial to the Commercial Zoning District.
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Planning Commission Minutes
February 24, 1986
Page 3
Chairman Prazak asked whether there would be a problem with rezoning all of Lot
10 considering the fact that a portion of the lot may be sold to the adjacent
Light Industrial user for use as additional parking. Planning and Development
Director Grimes explained that it is the recommendation of the City .Attorney to
rezone all of Lot 10 in order to avoid any appearance of spot zoning for a
single user and in view of the fact that the remnant portion of the lot would
not be large enough for separate use. Staff agreed that property zoned either
Light Industrial or Commercial could be utilized as parking lot for an adjacent
Light Industrial use.
A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously.
III. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY PLAT
APPLICANT: McTac Investments, Inc.
LOCATION: 2430 Winnetka Avenue North
REQUEST: Approval of the Preliminary Plat. of
"McTac Subdivision"
IV. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING
APPLICANT: McTac Investments, Inc.
LOCATION: 2485 Rhode Island Avenue North
REQUEST: Approval of Rezoning from the Light
Industrial to the Commercial Zoning.
District
V. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT: McTac Investments, Inc.
LOCATION: 2485 Rhode Island Avenue North
REQUEST: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit for
a Car Wash in a Commercial Zoning District
Chairman Prazak introduced agenda items involving setting of hearing dates for
three actions related to the same proposal for construction of a self-service
car wash.
Commissioner Leppik questioned whether it would not be more appropriate to
amend the Zoning Code to allow a car wash as a conditional use in the Light
Industrial Zoning District rather than to rezone the proposed car wash site to
Commercial Zoning. Planning and Development Director Mark Grimes stated that
he would like to study the impacts of a car wash in a Light Industrial District
prior to undertaking any initiative to amend the current Zoning Code.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 24, 1986
Page 4
It was. moved by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner and
carried unanimously to set informal public hearing dates of March 10, 1986 for
consideration of the Preliminary Plat of McTac Subdivision, for consideration
of rezoning of the proposed new lot at 2485 Rhode Island Avenue North from the
Light Industrial to the Commercial Zoning District, and for consideration of a
Conditional Use Permit fora self-service car wash on the proposed new lot at
2485 Rhode Island Avenue North.
VI. REPORT ON HRA MEETING - FEBRUARY 11, 1986
Commissioner Russell provided the Planning Commission with a report on the
February 11, 1986 HRA meeting.
VII. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL MEETING - FEBRUARY 18. 1986
Chairman Prazak provided the Planning Commission with a report on the February
18, 1986 City Council meeting.
VIII. DISCUSSION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROGRAM AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER
ROLE STUDY PROGRAM
Planning and Development Director Mark Grimes provided a report on the status
of staff preparation for the next step in the Comprehensive Plan update
process. Commissioner Russell suggested that the Housing,Committee proceed
with review of draff wording discussed at the last committee meeting whether or
not the Land Use Committee schedule calls for a meeting at this time. The
Planning Commission also decided to proceed with study using the David Allor
book The Planning Commissioners Guide .
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Prazak, Chairman Linda McCracken-Hunt, Secretary
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