07-11-88 PC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN. VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
July 11, 1988
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the Council. Chambers of
the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Va lley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The meeting
was called to order by Chair Prazak at 7:05 P.M.
Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, Prazak and Russell.. Commissioner
Lewis was absent. Commissioners McAleese and McCracken-Hunt were not present at
the beginning of the meeting.. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning
and Development, and Gloria Anderson, Planning Secretary.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- JUNE 27, 1988
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner Russell, and carried
unanimously to approve the minutes of the June 27, 1988 Planning Commission
meeting. (see correction at end. of minutes)
Commissioner McAleese arrived at the meeting.
II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT: Avis Rent A Car System, Inc.
LOCATION:. 9010 Olson Memorial Highway
REQUEST: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to Allow for
the Operation of an Outdoor Used Car Sales Lot in a
Commercial Zoning District
Chair Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked fora review of the staff
report. Director Grimes reviewed the staff report noting that the proponent
plans to make significant improvements to the interior and exterior of the
building and to the site. He also noted that the proponents would have to go to
the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to obtain variances as many of the setbacks on
the property were non-conforming. Director Grimes stated that the staff recom-
mended approval of the Conditional Use Permit for Avis.
Commissioner Russell had questions about fencing and Commissioner Leppik asked
about the lighting.
Director Grimes stated that the proponent did not plan to install any additional
fencing for security. He also noted the type of lighting which would be
installed that would be directed onto the property and not outward. Several of
! these lights would be left on at night for security. purposes.
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Commissioner McCracken-Hunt arrived at 7:15 P.M.
Commissioner Kapsner stated he did not see any problem with setbacks and just
having the property cleaned up would benefit other property owners in the area.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
July 11, 1988
Page 2
Mr. Jim McCarron, Regional Director for Avis, was present to represent the propon-
ent. Also present were Angelo Owenakis, architect from the Facilities Department
of Avis, and Michael Copelin, who is their Minneapolis - St. Paul City .Manager.
Mr. McCarron had read a copy of the staff report and was in agreement with all
of the conditions except that he suggested 10 spaces be designated for customers
and the remainder for employees and display (not 8 spaces designated for
employees) as employees drive the cars that are for sale.
Mr. McCarron suggested Commissioners visit other Avis locations to see how they
operate, and provided before and after pictures of their White Bear Lake operation.
Chair Prazak asked what kind of lighting they would have after business hours.,
and also how many people would come to their business during one day. The
proponen explained that there would be a security light left on at each end of
the property and in the front. Mr. McCarron noted that Saturdays were their
busiest day and could expect up to 20 people.
Commissioner Russell asked if security or vandalism was a problem at their other
locations and Mr. McCarron said it was not.
Commissioner Leppik asked how large a region this business would draw from. Mr.
McCarron stated .just from the Twin City Metropolitan area as they have other
sales locations inmost major cities. He noted .that the average age of the cars
they sell is from 9 months to one year and that they do not take trade ins.
Chair Prazak opened the Informal Public Hearing.
Mr. Ralph Lange, whose business is located at 9100 Olson Memorial Highway, said
he thinks Avis will a be good neighbor and an improvement over what has been on
the property in the past. He did request that the proponent build some type of
fence or barrier along the northwest corner of the property to prevent cars from
running over his landscaped area.
The proponent stated they would be happy to install such a barrier as part of
the overall construction.
The Informal Public Hearing was closed.
It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner, and motion
carried unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the Conditional Use
Permit requested by Avis Rent a Car System, Inc. to allow for the operation of
an outdoor used car sales lot in a Commercial Zoning District subject to the
following conditions:
1. The site plan dated June 1988 be made a part of the Conditional Use
.Permit.
2. Of the parking spaces indicated on the site plan, 10 of these spaces shall
be designated for customers and the remainder for employee and display cars.
Cars may be parked only in designated spaces as shown on the site plan.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
July 11, 1988
Page 3
3. The entire parking area shall be paved. Curb and gutter shall also be
placed around the parking area. The work shall be completed by October 31,
1988. Avis shall submit a financial guarantee to the City based on the
value of the work as determined by the City Engineer.
4. The property shall be landscaped as per City landscape standards. The
landscaping shall be guaranteed for two growing seasons.
5. Avis shall receive variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals for non-
conformities in setbacks on all sides.
6. The outdoor lighting plan shall be reviewed and approved by .the
Director of Zoning and Community Services. Outdoor lighting shall be
turned off during non-business hours except for security lighting as
designated in the outdoor lighting plan.
7. No repair or maintenance work will be done on site other than car
washing.
8. Any failure to comply with one or more of the conditions of approval
shall be grounds for revocation of the conditional use permit.
III. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PLAT PETITION
APPLICANT: Dean Franssell
LOCATION; .1510 Kelly Drive
REQUEST: Approval of the Preliminary Plat of Franssell
Addition Which Divides the Property at 1510 Kelly
Drive Into Two Single-Family Residential Lots
Chair Prazak introduced this agenda item and a brief review of the staff report
was given by Director Grimes. He explained that the division of .this lot would
create a new 100'x100' single-family residential lot which is comparable in size
to many other lots in the neighborhood.
The proponent was not present.
Chair Prazak opened the Informal Public Hearing. Hearing and seeing no one, the
Informal Public Hearing was closed.
After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners that the plat
met all the requirements of the Zoning Code and would create a new lot in an area
of the City where there are not many -empty lots.
It was moved by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt,
and motion carried unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the.
preliminary plat of Franssell Addition.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
July 11, 1988
Page 4
IV. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING.- PLAT PETITION
APPLICANT: City of Golden Valley
LOCATION: Between Sunset Ridge and Ravine Trail
REQUEST: Approval of the Preliminary Plat of North
Tyrol .Park
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Chair Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked fora review of the staff
report. Director Grimes explained that the City is in the process of platting
all their property. He stated that it was only a housekeeping item .and would not
change the park or use. of the park in any way.
Chair Prazak opened the Informal Public Hearing.
Ms. Cecilia Lynch, 824 Westwood Drive, and Mr. Dale Hillman, 4617 Sunset Ridge,
both expressed an interest-and had concerns as to what would happen to Tyrol
Park.
The Informal Public Hearing was closed.
It was moved by Commissioner McAleese, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner, and
motion carried unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the preliminary
plat of North Tyrol Park.
V. REPORT ON JULY 5, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Commissioner Leppik provided a report on the July 5, 1988 City Council meeting.
UI. AUGUST 8, 1988 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Director Grimes stated he would be on vacation during the first two weeks of
August.. Consensus of the Commission was to cancel the August 8, 1988 Planning
Commission meeting.
VII. CORRECTION TO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 27, 1988
Due to the .fact that Commissioner McAleese was not present during approval of the
June 27, 1988 minutes, he requested that he be allowed to make the following
correction at this time. Add to the first paragraph of page 4: "More importantly,
he saw no compelling basis .for changing the Zoning Code, especially since only
one party has ever expressed an interest in commercial marine engine repair
operations, and that party - despite notice - did not attend the informal- public
hearing to express his views."
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 P.M.