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11-14-88 PC Minutes MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION November 14, 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 8:18 P.M. Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, Lewis, McAleese, and Russell. Commissioners McCracken-Hunt and Prazak were absent. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Beth Knoblauch, City Planner, and Gloria Anderson, Planning Secretary. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 10, 1988 It was moved by Commissioner Leppik, seconded by Commissioner Kapsner, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 10 ,1988 Planning Commission meeting. II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN FOR PUD APPLICANT: Public Storage, Inc. LOCATION: 2300 Winnetka Avenue North REQUEST: Approval of the Preliminary Design Plan fora PUD to Allow Construction of Three Mini Storage. Warehouses With an Apartment and Manager's Office Attached to One of the Structures Vice Chair McAleese introduced this agenda item and asked fora review of the staff report. City Planner Beth Knoblauch provided a short review and suggested they hear from the proponent. Mr. Don Jensen, Development Coordinator for the project, and Dan Rooney, Real Estate Manager, were present to represent Public Storage, Inc. Mr. Jensen gave a detailed review of the project showing drawings, site plans, etc. He stated that they had a high quality type of storage business which included fencing for security, computerized gates, attractive landscaping and building finishes. Mr. Jensen noted that they would allow no toxic materials or explosives to be stored in the complex. If automobiles, such as classic cars, etc., were stored there, they would have to be drained of all gas and other liquids. Also that there were no electrical outlets provided that would allow people to come in and work on automobiles or other projects. It was also mentioned that this would be a low traffic business with approximately 40 trips per day and 5 to 10 trips during any peak hours. The hours of operation would be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and. there. would be a resident manager on the site. 1 ~~ q~ ..:. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 14, 1988 Page 2 Commissioner Leppik asked how high the security fence would be and what type of exterior lighting would be installed. Commissioner Lewis asked whether or not the buildings would be sprinklered. The proponents said the fence would be six feet in height and the lighting system would be directed downward so that people using the facility could see; it would not be directed .off the site. They also stated that only the two-story building would be sprinklered in compliance with the building code, and it was not required in the other buildings. Commissioner Russell asked if there were other mini-storage facilities in Golden Valley and also what type of signage would be used on the property. Proponents stated there would be a 4'x 8' illuminated monument type sign in front of the building on Winnetka Avenue and lighted identifying signs on each side of the the building at the corner of Winnetka and 23rd Avenues. Mr. Rooney indicated they were not aware of any mini-storage facilities in Golden Valley at the present time. Commissioner Lewis asked what type of landscaping there would be. Mr. Jensen said there is an existing row of large trees along the north side of the property that .would remain in place and that other landscaping on the property would be attractive and meet the City's landscaping standards. Vice Chair McAleese had concerns as to whether the lighting would be turned off at 9:00 p.m. when the business closes or left on longer. The proponent stated that some of the lighting would be turned off but some would have to remain on for security purposes. Vice Chair McAleese opened the Informal Public Hearing for public input. Mr. Marko Mrkonick, 2320 Valders, stated he was speaking for himself and three of his neighbors and that they were all. opposed to the mini-storage facility. He noted that although he appreciated the work the proponent had put into the. proposal he had concerns regarding environment and the fact that Winnetka was already a busy street. He had fears that the people using the facility would misuse the park area adjacent to the property. Mr. Leland Frankman, 7831 - 23rd .Avenue North, does not want a mini-storage facility in a residential district nor anywhere in Golden Valley. He felt that it draws a transient group of people and that people using the storage would misuse the adjacent park area. The Informal Public Hearing was closed. Vice Chair McAleese asked staff if there was a need for an EIS and/or an EAW and whether there would be any drainage problems connected with the proposals. Director Grimes stated it did not meet any of the thresholds for requiring an EIS or EAW and assured Commissioners that the City Engineer indicated that the drainage could be handled with existing facilities. 1 ~, `` Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 14, 1988 Page 3 Vice Chair McAleese asked the proponents what the market is for this. type of facility and how it would benefit Golden Valley. He also asked what type of history their other facilities had regarding police being called to the property. Mr. Rooney stated that generally a business of this type would attract residen- tial users from a two-mile area and commercial users from a larger area. Mr. Jensen stated they have had very few cases of police having to be called to a facility for security reasons. Vice Chair McAleese also asked what efforts had been made to sell the property for business and professional offices which is the present zoning of the property. The proponents stated it had been for .sale a number of years and that other proposals had been made but dropped. There are some soil conditions on the property that make building on the site more costly than normal. It was moved by Commissioner Leppik and seconded by Commissioner McAleese to recommend City Council denial of the request for approval of .the Preliminary Design Plan for the Planned United Development proposed by Public Storage, Inc. at 2300 Winnetka Avenue North. The motion was opened to discussion. Commissioner .Leppik questioned the .need for a mini-storage facility in a resi- dential area. She commended the proponents for their first class proposal but stated that the property has residential areas on two sides and was such a large block building that it was not an appropriate use for the site but may be the most optimal. Commissioner Kapsner stated he agreed that this was not the perfect use but there may not be a "more perfect" use. Hennepin County will not. allow access to the property from Winnetka Avenue so the traffic will have to use 23rd Avenue. Commissioner Kapsner feels this proposal would create a lot less traffic and would be a quieter use than an office development. Commissioner Russell indicated she agreed with Commissioner Kapsner that there would be less traffic and the visual impact would be lower and more conservative than an office development. Commissioner Lewis stated she was leaning toward approval of this facility and she felt it would be the best and highest use for this site. Commissioner McAleese .said this may be the best use but that there were. still too many items for the project that were negotiable and that he was concerned with the signage on the building if it were lighted. Director Grimes suggested that the Planning Commission could table their decision until more information was available.. The motion to recommend City Council denial of the proposed PUD failed on a vote o f 2 t o 3. 1 Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 14, 1988 Page 4 It was moved by Commissioner Kapsner, seconded by Commissioner Lewis to recom- mend City Council approval of the request for approval of the Preliminary. Design Plan for Public Storage, Inc., 2300 Winnetka Avenue North. Commissioner Leppik offered suggestions for several conditions of approval if the Commission decided to recommend approval of the PUD. They are as follows: 1. Suggested all electrical sign lighting be turned off at 9:00 p.m. and that th-ere be no lighted signs on the buildings. themselves. 2. That evergreens be added to the south side of the property so that the building will be shielded throughout the year. Upon vote taken, the vote was 4 to 1 to recommend City Council approval of the Preliminary Design Plan for a PUD at 2300 Winnetka Avenue North requested by Public Storage, Inc. subject to the following conditions: 1. All electrical sign lighting be turned off at 9:00 p.m. and that there be no lighted signs on the buildings. 2. Evergreens be added to the landscaping on the south side of the property to shield the building throughout the year. III. I-394 OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT ORDINANCE City Attorney Allen Barnard attended the meeting to discuss the I-394 Overlay Zoning District Ordinance. The Planning Commission was informed that this Ordinance will be before the Planning Commission for an Informal Public Hearing on November 28, 1988. IV. REPORTS ON HRA, BZA AND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Commissioners. provided reports on the October 11 and November 9, 1988 HRA meetings, the October 11 and November 9, 1988 BZA meetings and the October 18 and November 1, 1988 City Council meetings. V. ATTENDANCE AT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS Planning Director Grimes said that he was concerned regarding attendance at Planning Commission meetings. (The October 24 meeting was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.) It was agreed that Mr. Grimes will write a memo concerning the need to inform Planning staff a week before the meetings regarding attendance. A policy regarding attendance will also be addressed in the memo. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 P. M. 1