05-24-93 PC Minutes1~
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN UALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
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May 24, 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 7:02 PM.
Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Lewis, McAleese,
Pentel and Prazak. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and
Development; Beth Knoblauch, City Planner; and Mary Dold, Secretary.
I. Approval of Minutes - May 10, 1993
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Pentel and motion carried unanimously to approve
the May 10, 1993 minutes with the following correction: Page Three, Para. 2
change Chair Prazak to Chair McAleese.
II. Informal Public Hearing - Conditional Use Permit
Applicant: U.S. West Communications, Inc.
Address: 710 Mendelssohn Avenue North, Golden Valley, Minnesota
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Request: To operate a truck/van. terminal in an Industrial Zoning
District
Beth Knoblauch, City Planner, reviewed her memo dated May 19, 1993 with the
Planning Commission. She commented that because of the highly specialized
nature of what goes on in the building it was determined the best categorization
of use for this site would be Class III Essential Service. There is no asso-
ciated parking requirement provided for essential services; City Code gives the
City Council the authority to establish how much parking is necessary. Ms.
Knoblauch thoroughly reviewed the parking situation at this site (which. is pre-
sented at some length in her memo dated May 19th) and decided that one space for
each employee would be a more realistic assumption than one space for two
employees which is the requirement for the Radio and Television zoning district.
Staff is recommending the minimum requirement of 95 spaces as adequate for the
site and delete the overflow parking from the parking plan which would widen the
access aisles for the right-angle parking.
Ms. Knoblauch then reviewed the ten factors of consideration with the Planning
Commission and found no unusual situation regarding these factors. She. also
reviewed the eight conditions which can be found in her memo.
Commissioner Prazak asked how the population. of the building was calculated
determining parking. Ms. Knoblauch stated that staff .looked at employment for
all shifts in a 24 hour day and also accounted for corporate vehicles other than
the proposed service fleet being stored on the site.
Chair McAleese questioned if a major fire broke out would there be adequate
access for the emergency vehicles. Ms. Knoblauch commented that the Fire
Marshal has reviewed the site and the emergency vehicles can get. to the back of
the building but maneuverability is tight. She also commented that U.S. West is
very concerned with safety because of all the equipment at the site.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
May 24, 1993
-Page Two
Jerry Krieger, representative for U.S. West, reviewed a site plan showing the
parking configuration.
Commissioner Pentel noted that there was no handicapped accessibility to this
building. Ms. Knoblauch commented that doors are located on different levels
and some doors lead to stairs. Lloyd Becker, Director of Zoning and Community
Services reviewed: the plans with Mark. Grimes and Beth Knoblauch and commented
that the ADA requirements provide for some exceptions and this site would appear
to qualify for an exception.
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing; seeing and hearing no one he
closed the informal public hearing.
MOVED by Kapsner, seconded by Lewis and motion carried unanimously to recommend
to the City Council approval fora conditional use permit requested by U.S. West
Communications to operate a truck/van terminal in an industrial zoning district
with the recommended 95 spaces for parking and subject to the conditions out-
lined in Ms. Knoblauch's memo to the Planning Commission dated May 19, 1993.
III. Informal Public Hearing - Amendment to Zoning Map
Applicant: Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
Address: Southwest Corner of Golden Valley Road and Rhode Island
Avenue, Golden Valley Minnesota (Northeast three acres of
Area C, Valley Square Redevelopment District)
Request: Amendment to Zoning map for Assisted Housing Site from
Commercial to M-1 (Multiple Family)
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development commented to the Planning
Commission that his memo and attached zoning map sent to the Commission did not
reflect the recent amendment to the "Official Zoning Map" approved by the City
Council on May 11th. The correct zoning. of Area C is now all Commercial.
Therefore, the proposed change is to amend the zoning map from Commercial to
M-1 (Multiple-Family) for the assisted housing site. It is the policy of the
City to amend the zoning map if a proposed PUD (in this case the assisted
housing proposal) is not consistent with the underlying zoning.
MOVED by Lewis, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to recommend
to the City Council approval of the HRA's request for an amendment to the zoning
map from Commercial to M-1 (Multiple Family).
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IV. Re orts of Meetin s of the Housin and Redevelo merit Authorit Cit
Counci and Board of Zoning pea s
Commissioner Prazak gave a summary on the May 11th City Council meeting.
V. Other Business
VI. Adjournment
Chair McAleese adjourned the meeting at 7,;~.~0 PM.
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Jean Lewis, ecretary