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05-09-88 PC Minutes MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION May 9, 1988 A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair McAleese at 7:20 P.M. Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, McAleese and Russell. Commissioners Lewis, McCracken-Hunt and Prazak were absent. -Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Alda Wilkinson, City Planner, and Gloria Anderson, Planning Secretary. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 25. 1988 It was moved by Commissioner Kapsner, seconded by Commissioner Russell, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 25, 1988 Planning Commission meeting.. II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING APPLICANT: Teacher Federations Credit Union LOCATION: Vacant Lot East of and Adjacent to 6500 Olson Memorial Highway REQUEST: Rezoning from Open to the Business and Professional Offices Zoning District Vice Chair McAleese introduced the above item and asked fora review of the staff report. City Planner Alda Wilkinson reviewed the staff report stating that the proponent was planning to lease this parcel of land from MnDOT in order to allow construction of additional parking spaces for their offices at 6500 Olson Memorial Highway. Commissioner Russell asked if the traffic would still. come into the site as it does now. Director Grimes stated it would, that there would be no additional driveways. Director Grimes also noted that the Teacher Federations Credit Union would have to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals to obtain variances for the setbacks from Highway 55 and Country .Club Drive. Mr. Tim Keran, an employee of the Teacher Federations Credit Union, was present to answer questions from the Commissioners. He stated that the Credit .Union has been growing creating a need for additional employee parking. Mr. Keran said they are presently leasing parking spaces from the Surgical Center but that this arrangement is not satisfactory because of the distance from their office and the poor lighting. Mr. Keran indicated that the new, parking area would be used for employee parking and would be well landscaped and lighted. 1 Minutes of the .Golden Valley Planning Commission May 9, 1988 Page 2 Commissioner Kapsner asked Mr. Keran what length of time this expansion would allow the Credit Union to grow. Mr. Keran said he could not give an answer to that question. He stated that the Teacher Federations Credit Union was install- ing a new computer system which should be in service early next year and that even though they continue to grow, the computer system should cut down on addi- tional employees. He noted that they have also considered opening branch offices. Commissioner Leppik stated she felt that if the Credit Union anticipated more growth, they should really be looking for a more accommodating site. Mr. Keran noted that this was a good location and would rather have satellite offices than relocate. Vice Chair McAleese asked staff that if this parcel were rezoned to Business and Professional Offices, would parking be a permitted use. Staff said it would. Commissioner Leppik questioned how much alleviation will the location have if and when the Credit Union starts a branch and at what point they would start looking fora branch site. Mr. Keran said their growth is coming from the north side (Osseo area) and also in the Rosemount and Bloomington areas and they would probably look for a site in Brooklyn Park or Eastern Hennepin County. He stated he did not know when they would start looking for a site. Vice Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing. Mr. Walter Moe, 6445 Olson Highway, stated he lives across Olson Highway from the site. He had concerns with landscaping and property values. He stated he had no objections as long as the project was done attractively. The informal public hearing was closed. It was moved by Commissioner Kapsner, seconded by Commissioner Russell and carried on a vote of 3 to 1 to recommend City Council approval of the rezoning of the vacant triangular parcel of land to the east of 6500 Olson Memorial Highway from the Open Development to the Business and Professional Offices Zoning District. Commissioner Leppik voted against the rezoning and stated her opposition was based on principle, as she believes the site is over used. III. REPORT ON MAY 3, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Commissioner Kapsner reported on the May 3, 1988 City Council meeting. IV. REPORT ON APA CONFERENCE Commissioner Russell and Director Grimes provided a report on the American Planning Association (APA) conference they attended in San Antonio. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.