11-24-86 PC Minutes~-o
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
November 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 7:05 P.M.
Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, Lewis, McAleese, McCracken-Hunt,
Prazak and Russell. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and
Development, Alda Wilkinson, City Planner, and Gloria Anderson, Secretary.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 10, 1986
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner and
carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the November 10, 1986 meeting.
II. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT: Mendelssohn Avenue Limited Partnership and
U-Haul Company of Minnesota, Inc.
LOCATION: 1200 Mendelssohn Avenue North
REQUEST: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to Allow for
Rental, Distribution and Retail in an Industrial
Zoning District
Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and noted staff's recommendation of
an Informal Public Nearing date of December 8, 1986 to consideration a request
by U-Haul to operate a rental, distribution and retail business at 1200
Mendelssohn Avenue North. With the consensus of the Commissioners, Chairman
Prazak set the date for the Informal Public Hearing for December 8, 1986.
III. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT: KARE-TV
LOCATION: 8811 Olson Memorial Highway
REQUEST: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to Allow for
a Heliport in a Business and Professional Offices
Zoning District.
Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked fora review of the staff
report. City Planner Alda Wilkinson provided a summary of the staff report and
noted the staff's recommendation of approval.
Mr. Dick Modig, Vice President and Business Manager of KARE-TV, was present to
represent the proponent and answer questions from the staff and Commissioners.
He noted that the staff report explained their request and stated it was
important for them to have the helicopter available.
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November 24, 1986
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Commissioner Russell asked where the helicopter would be refueled and repaired.
Mr. Modig stated that the helicopter would be refueled and repaired at the
Crystal airport where they have hanger space.
Commissioner McCracken-Hunt suggested the date for the installation of required
improvements (Condition #2) be extended to June 1 or June 15, 1987 as asphalt
plants usua lly do not start operation until the first of May and it may be
difficult to have the improvements completed by May 15, 1981. She also asked
staff if there have been any complaints to the City regarding the helicopter
operation during the past two and one-half years. Staff indicated they were
not aware of any complaints to the City.
Commissioner Lewis questioned the reason it .was called a heliport rather than a
helipad. Staff indicated that is how the FAA and State referred to it.
Commissioner Russell asked why the helicopter would not be allowed to operate
before 8 A.M. and why not at night.
City Planner Wilkinson stated that it would be less disturbing to people during
the daylight hours and that in order to operate at night, the FAA would require
them to install special lighting.
Commissioner Kapsner asked Mr. Modig what the average number of take offs and
landings would be during a day and Mr. Modig stated the most would probably be
three to four and that on some days none.
Mr. Modig informed the Planning Commission that the FAA condition requiring
removal of the-two light standards in the southerly portion of the KARE parking
lot was based on an earlier. plan to place the heliport in the southwesterly
portion of the KARE property. Conclusion of an agreement for use of General
Mills property allowed revision of the site plan to place the heliport more to
the south and east. Mr. Modig stated that he plans to request FAA review of
the revised heliport site plan and reconsideration of the requirement for
removal of the light standards. Mr. Modig will submit any subsequent FAA
review to the City. If the FAA does not modify its requirement, KARE will
remove the light standards. Commissioner Leppik suggested that Condition.#3
for approval of the Conditional Use Permit be changed to require that light
standards be in accordance with FAA direction without specifying removal.
Commissioner McAleese asked Mr. Modig if the sound level readings were taken
when the helicopter was landing or taking off and. Mr. Modig indicated they
were.
Staff indicated that the noise level was high but it was for short duration and
not constant.
Chairman Prazak opened the informal public hearing.
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November 24, 1986
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Mr. Tom McChesney, 432 Decatur Avenue North, stated that was much more noise
from the highway traffic near his home than there was from the helicopter
landing and taking off.
Mr. John Drury, 424 Decatur Avenue North, asked if there were plans for a
hanger to be constructed at the site. Mr. Modig stated there were no plans for
a hanger at this site at the present time.
Staff noted that if they were to construct a hanger, they would again have to
come to the Planning Commission and City Council and the surrounding property
owners would be notified.
Chairman Prazak closed the informal public hearing.
Commissioner Lewis asked about compliance with the FAA's recommendation of fire
protection in accordance with local fire codes.-
City Planner Wilkinson noted that #5 of the conditions of approval would
provide for fire protection but that an additional condition could be made
which stipulates the proponents "meet all local, State and Federal
requirements".
A number of the Commissioners had questions concerning liability insurance
coverage. Staff indicated that the City preferred not to get involved in
insurance coverage and that we did have a certificate of insurance which
indicated KARE-TU had liability coverage.
It was moved by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt
and carried unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the request by
KARE-TU to operate a heliport at 8811 Olson Memorial Highway subject to the
following conditions:
1. Heliport improvements shall conform to the Site Plan prepared by
Armstrong, Torseth, Skold and Rydeen, Inc., dated October 30, 1986.
2. Installation of required improvements shall be completed by June 1,
1987.
3. The two southerly light standards in the KARE parking lot shall be
in accordance with direction from the FAA.
4. Anon-obstructing wind indicator shall be maintained adjacent to the
take off/landing area.
5. A 100 pound minimum capability of dry chemical in containers in
accordance with NFPA National Fire Code standards shall be located at
the heliport site.
6. There shall be no fuel .storage or maintenance facilities at the
heliport .site.
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November 24, 1986
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7. The helicopter approach/departure pattern shall conform to the marked
aerial photograph prepared by Armstrong, Torseth, Skold and Rydeen,
Inc.
8. Helicopter operations at this site shall be limited to daylight hours
no earlier than 8:00 A.M.
9. A minimum altitude of 300 feet shall be maintained except for take
off and landing.
10. Usage of the heliport shall be limited to one helicopter.
11. The heliport shall meet all local, State and Federal requirements.
12. Failure to comply. with one or more of the above conditions shall be
grounds for revocation of the Conditional Use Permit.
IV. REPORT ON HRA MEETING - NOVEMBER 12 , 1986
Commissioner McAleese provided a report on the November 12, 1986 meeting of the
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA).
V. REPORT ON BZA MEETING - NOVEMBER 12, 1986
Commissioner Leppik provided a report on the November 12, 1986 meeting of the
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).
VI. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 18, 1986
Staff provided a report on the November 18, 1986 City Council meeting.
VII. YEAR 2010 PLANNING WORKSHOP
The Planning Commission reviewed Centennial Town Meeting planning input and
discussed Planning Commission strategic planning and comprehensive planning
programs for 1987.
VIII. CANCELLATION OF DECEMBER 22, 1986 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Due to the holiday season and the absence of agenda items for the December 22,
19$6 Planning Commission meeting, Planning Commissioners agreed to cancel the
regularly scheduled December 22, 1986 Planning Commission meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
Gary Prazak, Chairman Linda McCracken-Hunt, Secretary