01-11-93 PC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
January 11, 1993
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City
Hall, Council Chamber, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The
meeting was called to order by Chair McAleese at 7:03 PM.
Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, McAleese, Pentel and
Prazak; absent was Lewis. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning
and Development; Beth Knoblauch, City Planner and Mary Dold, Secretary.
I. Approval of Minutes - November 23, 1992
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Pentel and motion carried unanimously to approve
the November 23, 1992 minutes as submitted.
II. Informal Public Hearing - Preliminary Plat - Consolidation
Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
Address: NW Corner of General Mills Blvd. and Betty Crocker Drive
Request: Consider a Preliminary Plat to Consolidate Two Lots Into One
Chair McAleese asked staff to give a brief summary of the request. .Mark Grimes,
Director of Planning and Development, reviewed his memo with the Planning
Commission. General Mills is requesting a lot consolidation so they can build a
training center (which will need Conditional Use Permit) at the NW corner of
General Mills Blvd. and Betty Crocker Drive. Without the lot consolidation the
building may overlap a lot line depending where it would be placed. There would
be no i 11 effects on the nature area to the north and west of these 1 ots and
General Mills would probably enhance the nature area for their employees and
those residents who live near and use the trails.
Mr. Grimes commented that there is a concern regarding the wetland area and
General Mills will need to meet with Basset Creek Water Management Commission
and the DNR. He also stated that this request fits in with the zoning code.
Jerry Taylor, representative from General Mills, talked about the amount of
acreage involved and the preservation and enhancement of the nature area which
they want to work on. He commented that the building plans are only in the
preliminary stage and would keep the Director of Planning updated on any new
developments.
Commissioner Pentel asked about the parking situation. Mr. Taylor stated that
he doesn't know what the parking figuration will be since they do not have a
building design. Mr. Grimes commented that the building would take up one acre
out of the 24 acre lot with maybe one acre of parking, which is about 5qo of the
acreage available.
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
January 11, 1993
Page Two
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Grega, 9145 W. Hwy. 55, #206, were present. Mrs. Grega said
that most of her questions were answered before the meeting by Mr. Taylor but
she was concerned about Ensign Avenue being used as an access to the General
Mills property from the north and the wooded area being destroyed. Beth
Knoblauch, City Planner, commented that Ensign Avenue may need to be used only
when emergency vehicles need to enter the property.
Mr. Irv Keldsen, 9147 W. Hwy. 55, #202, was concerned about where the building
would be placed and any disruption of the wooded area. Mr. Grimes commented
that the building would probably be located on higher ground and the wooded area
would be maintained.
Chair McAleese closed the informal public hearing.
The Planning Commission unanimously agreed that -they see no problem with this
lot consolidation.
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Prazak and motion carried unanimously to recommend
to the City Council approval for a lot consolidation at the NW corner of General
Mills Blvd. and Betty Crocker Drive from two lots to one.
III. Re orts on Meetin s of the Housin and Redevelo merit Authorit Cit
Counci and Board of Zoning Appeals
Commissioner Kapsner commented on the City Council meeting of January 5th
regarding the Amendment to the Flood Plain and the Preliminary Plan for Midtown
Homeowners Assoc.
IV. Other Business
Mark Grimes told the Commission that. staff is continuing to work on the
Winnetka widening project and that there should be some kind of .development
occurring on the Area C site in the next year.
V. Adjournment
Chair McAleese adjourned the meeting at 7:50 PM.
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J ~ n ewi s, ecretary
** January 25, 1993 -- No .meeting due to the lack of an agenda.
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