06-27-94 PC Minutes~O
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
June 27, 1994
A regular. meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City
Hall, Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota.
The meeting was called to order by Chair McAleese at 7:05 PM.
Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Lewis, McAleese, and
Pentel; absent was Prazak. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning
and Development, Beth Knoblauch, City Planner and Mary Dold, Secretary.
I. Approval of Minutes - June 13, 1994
MOVED by Pentel, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to approve
the June 13, 1994 minutes as submitted.
II. Joint Meeting - Planning Commission/Open Space and Rec Commission
The two commissions and representatives (Bob Wicklund, Del Miller and Don King)
from the Hennepin County Park Board introduced themselves.
Mr. King presented maps of the areas where the biking trail would follow.
Paula Pentel, Planning Commissioner, asked if the Park Board .considered running
the bike trail along the river in Minneapolis. Mr. King said there was a good
connection between Wirth Park and the lake system. Mr. King also talked about.
safety considerations and liability criteria.
City Planner, Beth Knoblauch, told the. Park Board .members that a senior citizen
was struck by a bike recently and there is some concern about existing bike
traffic along the Calvary side (east) of the road on Rhode Island Avenue.
A brief discussion took place concerning the bike trail along the golf course
on Golden Valley Road. A member from the Golden Valley Country Club was present
at this meeting.
The representatives from the Park Board asked the commissions to make a recom-
mendation to the City Council to approve proceeding with the bike trail system
through Golden Valley so the County may acquire right-of-way. -
III. Informal Public Hearing - P.U.D. No. 56, Golden Valley Shopping Center
Applicant: Trach Properties
Address: 7901 Golden Valley Road, 505 Winnetka Avenue, 7860-8040,
8200 and 8224 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley,
Minnesota
Request: To .legalize certain nonconforming aspects of the existing
shopping center including more than one building on the
lot.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 27, 1994
Page Two
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, reviewed his report with the
Commission for the requested P.U.D. and commented that by creating this P.U.D.
the Trach property would become a legal use. Mr. Grimes talked about the
Winnetka Avenue widening, which spurred the P.U.D. application. Also discussed
was the access onto Wisconsin .Avenue (which is now closed) and signage. An
inventory of the signage on the property will be undertaken. Mr. Grimes stated
that the plat should show the easement or dedication to MnDOT along Hwy. 55.
The commission and staff discussed how specific should the P.U.D. Permit read
regarding uses on the property --.the concern being parking. If a big use
rented a portion of the property, such as a restaurant, would parking become an
issue.
Commissioner Groger asked about a condition of the P.U.D. -- if Mr. Trach would
be able to rebuild in case the building was demolished. Mr. Groger also asked
if the P.U.D. could be terminated. Mr. Grimes said that Mr. Trach would be able
to rebuild in case of destruction to the property and that the P.U.D. could only
be terminated if the Permit was violated.
Dave Trach, Trach Properties and owner of the Golden Valley Shopping Center was
present to answer questions. He commented on his concern about the extension of
Golden Valley Road and Wisconsin Avenue and having appropriate signage at that
point and would want a sign monument to show access.
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing; seeing and hearing no one
Chair McAleese closed the informal public hearing.
MOVED by Lewis, seconded by Kapsner and motion carried unanimously to recommend
to the City Council approval of the application for P.U.D. No. 65, Golden Valley
Shopping Center, along with the five recommendations listed in the staff report.
The commission asked staff to reword recommendation No. 5 to be included in the
Permit.
IV. Informal Public Hearing - Amendment to Comprehensive Plan. Land Use Map
Applicant: KQRS, Inc. and City of Golden Valley
Address: 825 No. Lilac Drive (Carson Property.)
Golden Valley, Minnesota
Request: Amend the property located at 825 No. Lilac Drive from
Residential to Industrial Use
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Beth Knoblauch, City Planner, gave a brief summary of her report commenting that
the commission, after some discussion this evening, may want to amend only a
portion of the property at 825 No. Lilac Drive. She also stated that amending
the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map does not affect the current residential use
of the property -- it is not the same thing as a rezoning.
Ms. Knoblauch also responded to a Commissioner's previous concern of viability
of the property if a piece is carved out .for KQRS. This concern arises with the
issue of the remaining lot becoming irregular and potential taking of additional
right-of-way for Hwy. 100.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 27, 1994
Page Three
Ms. Knoblauch talked about the various options, the adjacent uses, parcel size
and shape.
Commissioner Kapsner commented that he did not see a problem with rezoning the
northwest corner of Mr. Carson's property because both Mr. Carson and KQRS are
in agreement with the use of this portion of property..
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing.
John Carson, 825 No. Lilac Drive, commented that he did not want his property
rezoned from residential to industrial. Ms. Knoblauch assured Mr. Carson that
the. property is not going to be rezoned at this time. She continued by saying
that this issue was for future consideration of the property..
Mark Steinmetz, General Manager of KQRS, told the commission that he had talked
with all the neighbors regarding their request. He and Mr. Fergen, 5537
Lindsay, did talk and Mr. Steinmetz agreed to have additional landscaping placed
along the parking area to the south of Mr. Fergen's property..
Chair McAleese closed the informal public hearing.
Chair McAleese commented he believes the highest and best long term use of the
property would not be Industrial but Business and Professional Office.
Commissioners Pentel and Johnson both agreed that City Planner Knoblauch's
recommendation "A" of her staff report would be the best option. "A" states,
The land desired for rezoning and use by KQRS is too small to raise any
questions of consistency with the Comprehensive Plan Map, and therefore no plan
amendment is necessary in order for KQRS to proceed with its other applications.
MOVED by Pentel, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to recommend
to the City Council to take no action at this time to amend the Comprehensive
Plan Land Use Map for the property located at 825 No. Lilac Drive from
Residential to Industrial use.
The Commission agreed that this issue should be looked at again when the
commission begins review of the Comprehensive Plan.
V. Informal Public Hearin -Continued - Preliminary Plat
Applicant: KQRS, Inc.
Address: 825 and 917 No. Lilac Drive, Golden Valley, Minnesota
Request: Subdivide the property into two new separate lots for the
purpose of expanding the building and parking area
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission.
June 27, 1994
Page Four
VI. Informal Public Hearing - Continued - Rezoning
Applicant: KQRS, Inc.
Address: 825 and 917 No. Lilac Drive, Golden Valley, Minnesota
Request: Rezone a portion of the property located at 825. No. Lilac
Drive from Open Development to the Radio and Television
Zoning District in order that a parking lot and garage
can be built for use by KQRS, Inc.
Chair McAleese commented that at the last meeting comments were taken from
staff, the representatives for KQRS and the public. It was the consensus of the
commission to reopen the informal public hearing due to a person attending that
was not in attendance on the 13th of June. No persons came forward. Chair
McAleese closed the informal public hearing.
Commissioner Pentel commented favorably on the City Planner's research and
report entitled "Supplementary Report"on the History of the KQRS Radio Station.
Property". Commissioner Pental and Ms. Knoblauch talked about the absence of a
variance for the rear north parking lot.
Mark Steinmetz, General Manager of KQRS, commented that when the last variance
was granted, the station had no idea that it would be buying another station.
This has caused a hardship because of the number of employees needed for the two
stations and the need for additional parking. The parent company was able to
buy another station due to regulation changes.
Commissioner Pentel asked what could be done about the parking area and Chair
McAleese said the City should require KQRS to apply for a variance.
Chair McAleese also commented that he is reluctant to vote for an addition to
a parcel that doesn't meet City requirements. He is troubled with adding to a
TV and Radio district and feels an office should be part of the Business and
Professional Office District and towers in the TV and Radio District.
Commission Groger said he was torn on the decision to vote in favor of the
rezoning because of tine intense use of the property and he is bothered by taking
a corner out of a piece of property. He does feel that KQRS has been a good
member of the community.
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Lewis and motion carried by a vote of 5 to 1 to
recommend to the City Council to rezone a portion of the property located at 825
No. Lilac Drive from Open Development to the Radio and Television Zoning
District in order that a parking .lot and garage can be built for use by KQRS,
Inc.
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Kapsner and motion carried by a vote of 5 to l to
recommend to the City Council approval to subdivide the property located at
825/917 No. Lilac Drive into two new separate lots for the purpose of expanding
the building. and parking area.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 27, 1994
Page Five
VII. Review of Oasis Mental Health Program - Annual Report
The Commission briefly commented on the Annual Report.
VIII. Re orts on Meetin s of the Housin and Redevelo ment Authorit Cit
Council and Board of Zoning Appea s
Mark Grimes briefly commented on the meetings he attended.
IX. Other Business
Chair McAleese asked the commission to make a motion regarding the recommenda-
tion to the City Council for-the Hennepin Park's trail system.
MOVED BY Pent el, seconded by Lewis and motion carried unanimously to recommend
concept approval by the City Council so that the Hennepin Park System can begin
negotiations to acquire right-of-way for a bike trail through Golden Valley.
Chair McAleese commented that when the Comprehensive Plan is updated to add the
bike trail system.
X. Adjournment
Chair McAleese adjourned the meeting at 9:50 PM.
Syr '''--~~.--a1..- ;.~..,x,/~ -L t_ :~2J
~~~ean Lewis, Secretary
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