05-09-94 PC Minutes41
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
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May 9, 1994
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 Chair McAleese at 7:05 PM.
Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Lewis, McAleese,
Pentel and Prazak. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and
Development; and Beth Knoblauch, City Planner and Mary Dold, Secretary
I. Approval of Minutes - April 11, 1994
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Kapsner and motion carried unanimously to approve
the April 11, 1994 minutes as submitted.
II. Informal Public Hearin
Center, P.U.D. No. 5 ,
Civic
plicant
Applicant: City of Golden Valley
Address: 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota
Request: To allow for the remodeling and expansion of the Public
Safety Building at the southeast corner of the block.
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, gave a brief summary of the
request for an amendment to P.U.D. 56 which would allow for the remodeling and
expansion of the Public Safety Building with parking lot expansion to the east.
He commented that the permit and site .plan would have to be amended. Mr. Grimes
noted that the present footprint of the Public Safety building is 15,000 sq.ft.
and will grow to 26,000 sq.ft. This new area will include an apparatus bay and
offices. Marked vehicles will no longer park in the front of the Public Safety
building due to added parking in the rear of the building. Much. needed public
parking will then become available in front of the Public Safety building. The
driveway between the Public Safety building and Street Maintenance garage will
be eliminated for safety reasons.
Dean Mooney, Director of Public Safety, Captain Bob Shellum and Paul Mickelberg,
Architect, were present to review with the Commission the needs for the expan-
sion and remodeling. Mr. Mooney commented that this much needed remodeling will
serve the community for the next 20 years. A colored sketch of the outside
building was shown along with the floor plans of the building.
Chair McAleese shared his concern about infringing in the setback and asked why
the encroachment on the setback was needed. Mr. Mickelberg commented that there
is limited space on the site and the parking area is needed. Chair McAleese
asked about improving the landscaping by making the parking lot smaller to add
more green space. Mr. Mickelberg stated that in order to make the parking lot
smaller, parking spaces would have to be eliminated.
Commissioner Pentel voiced her concern with putting parking in the setback. She
asked about the vacant land that would become available once the Post Office was
- Preliminar Desi n Plan Golden Vall
mendment No. Cit_y of olden Valley,
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
May 9, 1994
Page Two
demolished and could police and fire personnel use this for parking. Beth
Knoblauch, City Planner, commented that some of the space from the Post Office
would be going to McDonald's and the Civic Center for added parking. Mark
Grimes also added that the Post Office site may not be available until sometime
after February of 1996 and the Public Safety building is projected to be
completed in May of 1995. Captain Shellum commented that fire personnel need to
park close to the building when responding to fires.
Mark Grimes commented that the corner of Rhode Island Avenue and Golden Valley
Road will have very attractive landscaping to buffer parking. .Commissioner
Kapsner agreed with Mr. Grimes that in reviewing the architects landscape ren-
dering there should be adequate landscaping to buffer the parking but did
express his concern also for the loss of setback.
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing; seeing and hearing no one he
closed the informal public hearing.
MOVED by Kapsner, seconded by Groger and motion carried unanimously to_recommend
to the City Council approval of an amendment (No. 2) to the Preliminary Design
Plan for the Golden Valley Civic Center P.U.D. No. 56
III. Discussion of Comprehensive Plan
The Commissioners delayed discussion of the Comprehensive Plan to the next set
meeting. Council Member Russell was in attendance for the Planning Commission
meeting and answered questions from the Commission.
IV. Other Business
Mark Grimes updated the Commission on various City meetings.
V. Adjournment
Chair McAleese adjourned the meeting at~~:15 PM.
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Jean Lewis, Secretary
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