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03-20-89 PC Minutes MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION March 20, 1989 A regular meeting of the. Planning Commission was held a t the Brookview Community Center, 8200 Wayzata Blvd:, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chair Prazak at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, Lewis, McAleese, Prazak, and Russell. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt was absent. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, and Beth Knoblauch, City Planner. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 13, 1989 It was moved by Commissioner Kapsner, and seconded by Commissioner Lewis, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 13, 1989 Planning Commission meeting. II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICANT: Greg Malik LOCATION: 1900 Douglas Drive REQUEST: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to Allow Marine Engine Repair in a Commercial Zoning District. Chair Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked Director Grimes for an overview. Director Grimes explained that this item had been to the Planning Commission once before. At that time, the Conditional Use Permit included boat storage along with marine engine repair. The Commissioners had recommended approval, subject to an opinion rendered by the City Attorney regarding the property's nonconforming status and subject to approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding setback waivers. Director Grimes stated the Board of Zoning Appeals voted to deny the request for waivers. Mr. Malik has since come back and asked to revise the Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Malik would repair marine engines and not store boats. Mr. Malik has requested servicing boats up to 27 feet long. Director Grimes and Ms. Knoblauch researched boat size and it was Director Grimes' recommendation that 27 foot boats were too long. Direc- tor Grimes showed pictures of both 22 foot boats and 27 foot boats. Commissioner Russell asked if the repair bay would accommodate a 27 foot boat and Director Grimes stated it would. Commissioner Lewis asked if there would be any interior structural changes made and Director Grimes stated that there would not be any changes made. Mr. Malik gave information on the interior design of the building. 1 „q~g ~°'+ 3_ `*. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission March 20, 1989 Page 2 Commissioner Kapsner asked whether or not the lot was paved all the way up to the lot line. Director Grimes stated it was paved up to the fence on the lot line. Commissioner McAleese asked if the property was sold to someone else would the current code apply. Director Grimes stated that property ownership does not affect the application of the code. Commissioner McAleese also expressed his concern regarding the City At- torney changing his mind, stating before that it was a non-conforming use and now he is saying that it is a conforming use. He is concerned about the conflicting advice from the City Attorney. Commissioner Lewis stated that marine engine repair was never defined in the ordinance. She also stated she felt it was good that the City Attorney rethought the request from Mr. Malik regarding the City reconsidering the Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Malik had legal counsel present. He stated that: - Mr. Malik has started to repair boat over the last several years. - Makes 30~ of his revenue from small boats. - The building would accommodate marine engine repairs. - The technological skills are the same for marine engines and auto repair. - The view is not that much worse. - Mr. Malik wants the boats in and out of the shop.. Does not want them stored there. - Only three apartment people complained. Commissioner McAleese disagreed with the statement that all engines are the same. Commissioner McAleese wanted to know the process to repair motors. Mr. Malik stated that: - Repair work would. be done in the third bay. - Electrical work outside. - That service stations do work outside. - That running a boat motor is no louder than a car motor. - Boats must meet the pollution standards. Commissioner Leppik asked how much space a 27 foot boat would take. Felt it would be crowded on the lot with three boats. Commissioner Kapsner had a problem with the height of the boats. Chair Prazak opened the Informal Public Hearing. Hearing and seeing no one, the Informal Public Hearing was closed. -~, , ._ ""~,` Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission March 20, 1989 Page 3 Commissioner Russell had no problem with the 22 foot or the 27 foot boat. Commissioner McAleese was against the proposed Conditional Use. People do notice the difference between cars and 27 foot boats. He felt the City Attorney was wrong with the interpretation that the proposed use does not constitute an expansion or alteration of the existing nonconforming use. He recommended more conditions. - Height limit (12 feet) - Fence extended - since no one from the apartments was present, Commissioner McAleese withdrew this request. Commissioner Leppik wanted a 22 foot limit on boat length. Commissioner Lewis had no problem with the Conditional Use Permit. Commissioner Leppik moved for approval of the Conditional Use Permit with a 22 foot limit and six conditions. Motion not seconded. Commissioner Russell moved, with a second by Commissioner Lewis, to approve the Conditional Use Permit with a 12 foot height limit along with the con- ditions listed ..below . Commissioner McAleese and Commissioner Leppik opposed. 1. No more than three boats that are being serviced for engine or electrical repairs may be stored on the site as shown on the site plan on file with the City of Golden Valley. This storage shall be limited to April 1 to November 1 of each year. 2. No boat parked for engine or electrical repairs shall be larger than 27 feet. 3. No boats shall display a "For Sale" sign. 4. Only the southernmost bay shall be used for marine engine repair. 5. Any failure to comply with one or more of the conditions of approval shall be grounds for revocation of the conditional use permit. II. PRESENTATION OF THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN FOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT BY THE HENNEPIN COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY Director Grimes introduced Mr. Ken Stevens, Executive Director of the Hennepin County Regional RR Authority (HCRAA), who showed a short video tape "Reach of Rail". He also presented a short slide presentation on the NW Corridor. Plans are to build two stations in Golden Valley, one at Bonnie Lane and Golden Valley Rd. and one on Plymouth and Xerxes. Mr. Stevens gave infor- ma tion regarding the operating plans. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission March 20, 1989 Page 4 Although this was an informational meeting only, and not a public hearing, several residents were present. They were invited to state their con- cerns. There were many questions regarding the station on Bonnie Lane. Question was asked regarding the poor soil a t the Bonnie Lane location. The report on the soil is not in yet; it should be back in about a week. Question was asked as to what the fare would be. It was stated that the fare has not been determined yet. The estimated cost of the sty stem would be $417 million. Question was asked if the system would pay for itself. Mr. Stevens stated that it would not. They figure about 60~ return on fare box. Question was asked how much the Golden Valley residents would have to pay. Mr. Stevens stated that Hennepin County could levy up to 2 mills for LRT. But that only one mill has been ok'd by legislature. Cost to average home in Minneapolis would be $14.00 per year. Question was asked as to whether or not the County has explored other options for moving people. Mr. Stevens stated that, yes, it has been studied for about 20 years. Question was asked regarding the Bonnie Lane Station and the fact that it is in a flood zone. Mr. Stevens stated that the Environmental Protection Agency will address that issue. Question was asked as to whether or not the property values would go down next to the station. Mr. Stevens stated that it was hard to say, but that the properties close to the station would probably be adversely affected. Question was asked as to whether or not there is a back-up site for the Golden Valley site a t Bonnie Lane. No back-up site for this station. Question was asked about security at the station. Mr. Stevens stated that they would have closed circuit TV, it would be well lighted, they would have a roving security guard on the train. It would be designed to pro- mote security. It was felt that the station would hinder the wildlife that now exists in this area. Question was asked about safety for the children in that neighborhood. Mr. Stevens stated that a fence would be put up. Question was asked about rescue in case of a train accident. Mr. Stevens stated that the trains could run in both directions on the same track. Also, they have a maintenance roadway. There will be a public hearing on April 4, 1989. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M.