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04-24-95 PC Minutes Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 24, 1995 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 Prazak at 7:06 PM. Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Lewis, McAleese, Pentel and Prazak. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Elizabeth Knoblauch, City Planner and Mary Dold, Planning Secretary. Approval of Minutes -March 27, 1995 MOVED by Pentel, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to approve the March 27, 1995 minutes as submitted. Informal Public Hearing -Amend Planned Unit Development Applicant: Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority Address Lot 1, Block 1, North Wirth 4th Addition and Lot 1, Block 1, Dahlberg Commerce Center P.U.D. No. 61 Purpose: Amend P.U.D. No. 61 to add on a second lot on which will be constructed an .office/warehouse Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development gave a brief summary of his staff report. He told the Commission that the HRA is the applicant because they own the land. Grow Biz International will be buying the property from the HRA once a development agreement has been worked out. Staff recommended amending P.U.D. No. 61, instead of creating a new PUD, because the two Grow Biz sites will be sharing driveways and parking. Mr. Grimes commented about the setbacks being proposed are the same as on the headquarter's site. He also talked about the campus atmosphere that Grow Biz will create through the landscaping and the use o similar materials for both buildings. Mr. Grimes talked briefly about the Grow Biz's interest in acquiring only a portion of the land that lies north of the railroad track. They. feel that the upward grade, toward the west, would not meet their needs for parking and want only to purchase a portion of the property. Mr. Grimes commented that the owner to the west of this parcel may be interested in purchasing the remainder. Commissioner Johnson asked if there could be a potential problem with the remainder of the parcel being land-locked. Mr. Grimes commented that this issue will be addressed by the staff and City Attorney. ~~. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 24, 1995 Page Two Commissioner Groger asked staff if the proposed site was still contaminated. Mr. Grimes commented that the property probably would never be 100% cleaned-up. City Planner, Beth Knoblauch, stated that the PCA has given their "okay" for development of the .site. Marlys Enger, Representative for Grow Biz International, gave a summary of what Grow Biz does. Tom Gerster, KKE Architects, reviewed building plans and materials. He talked about the master plan concept, landscaping and shared driveways. Chair Prazak opened the informal public hearing. 1 Pat Lilja, 5308 St. Croix Avenue North, asked what Golden Valley's interest was in the outlot. Mark Grimes commented that the only use for the property would be for Grow Biz and/or the property to the west, Room and Board. Chair Prazak closed the informal public hearing. Commissioner Johnson asked if Grow Biz could use the entire site north of the tracks by terracing of the property. Tom Gerster commented that it would be impractical because of the 25 foot grade change.. Chair Prazak found the proposed split of the rear lot to be reasonable. MOVED by Pentel, seconded by Groger and .motion carried unanimously to amend the Dahlberg Commerce Center P.U.D. No. 61 to add on a second lot on which will be constructed an office/warehouse. Also, a condition for "proof of parking" be added to the permit. III. Informal Public Hearing -Amendment to the Comq_rehensive Land Use Plan Applicant: City of Golden Valley Address: 1854 Toledo Avenue North, Golden Valley, Minnesota Request: Change the use of the property located at 1854 Toledo Ave. No. from Single Family (Low Density) to .Municipal -- Parks and Natural Areas. The property would become an extension of Scheid Park IV. Informal- Public Hearing -Rezoning Applicant: City of Golden Valley 1 Address: 1854 Toledo Avenue North, Golden Valley, Minnesota Request: Rezone the property located at 1854 Toledo Ave. No. from Single Family Residential to I-4 Institutional (golf courses, parks, playgrounds, city offices and fire stations) ~!r Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 24, 1995 Page Three Mark Grimes commented on the proposals to amend the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map and for the rezoning. He stated that the house was purchased in March because of the need for additional parking at the parka The house would be moved off the site, landscaping would be put in where the house was located and parking would be expanded to the east. Mr. Grimes talked about cars parking on the grassy areas near the parking lot and the "no parking" on Toledo Avenue. He said the purchase of the lot would provide for more parking in the park; that the amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the proposals will improve the park access. Commissioner Pentel asked about fencing the west side of the proposed parking lot and landscaping. Tom Klatt, Street/Park Superintendent, presented and discussed a planting scheme. Commissioner Prazak asked if the City was inquiring about purchasing the remaining residential home abutting Scheid Park. Mark Grimes commented that the City has no plans to purchase the home located at 1850 Toledo Avenue; if the owner decides to sell, the City may then look at purchasing the property. Commissioner Pentel asked about the parking lot design. Tom Klatt commented that the park would gain parking spaces and more green space since most of the lot would be Landscaped. Chair Prazak opened the informal public hearing. Loretta Style, 1850 Toledo Avenue North, doesn't want to see an expanded parking lot located next to her property and feels there is sufficient parking located on and around the park. Ms. Style is also concerned about her property value. Lee Style, 1850 Toledo Avenue North, asked if there were no plans, why was the house purchased. He is concerned with children climbing over his mother's fence. He wanted to know if the City would put the house back on the market. Commissioner Lewis asked if they thought there was a parking problem. Lee Style commented that there is parking up and down the streets and Golden Valley Road and does not want parking lot next to his mother's lot. Karen Boehne, 1735 Toledo Avenue North, wanted to know how the City could buy property without notifying neighboring residents. She talked about the cost of creating more parking and landscaping. and that the present parking lot is never full. Pat Lilja, 5308 St. Croix Avenue North, doesn't want to see more parking and feels there is not a need. Michael Eggert, 1851 Toledo Avenue North, would have liked to have seen a site plan available showing the landscaping and additional parking. Commissioners Groger and Lewis asked Mr. Eggert if he saw a parking problem. Mr. Eggert responded no. ~~ Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 27, 1995 Page Four Sharon Rackner, 1871 Toledo Avenue North, does not see a need for more parking. Mike Frederick, 1644 No. Lilac, sees a problem with the location of the basketball court and would like to see it moved to create additional access to the park for those walking. He is opposed to taking the house off the tax rolls. Mike Boehne, 1735 Toledo Avenue North, does not believe there is a parking problem. He thinks the basketball court should be moved away from the play ground. Pat Lilja, 5308 St. Croix Avenue North, wanted to know if is the intent to bring in more traffic to the park, then more parking is needed. He wanted to know what the residents could do to prevent the proposal. Chair Prazak commented that they would need to show the City Council that there is no need for parking. Chair Prazak closed the informal public hearing. Commissioner Lewis commented that it appears that no additional parking is needed. She asked Mr. Grimes about the parking at Scheid Park. Mr. Grimes commented that according to the City's Park Department more parking is needed; and if there is a need, more parking is required on-site. He continued by saying that there must have been a parking problem at one time because of the "no parking" signs located on Toledo Avenue. Commissioner Johnson asked about parking at other City parks. Tom Klatt listed the parks and available parking on-site for those parks. Commissioner Kapsner commented that he was hearing mixed messages; the Park Department knows the needs of the park but the neighboring residents are saying something else. The Commission needs to consider the whole City not just those who live around Scheid Park but all those who may use the park.. He is concerned about Mrs. Style becoming an "island" in the park but is not concerned about the parking lot issue. Commissioner Pentel is concerned with having the house located at 1850 Toledo Avenue becoming an island in the park. She commented that she has seen the parking lot full. Ms. Pentel is not in favor of the rezoning or amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. Commission Groger commented that the parking lot is substandard, small and is concerned. with cars being parked on the grass due to the fact that the lot is crowded, and is concerned with the play area being so close to the parking lot. He is in favor of the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and Rezoning. Mr. Groger stated that there is a need to improve the parking lot with curb and gutter and for extra parking spaces. Commissioner McAleese asked if the sale of the house was completed. Mark Grimes commented yes. Mr. McAleese also is not in favor of making the one house abutting the park an island. He commented that the neighborhood will bring to the attention of staff when there is a parking problem. He is not in favor of the proposals. ~ </~'' Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 24, 1995 Page Five Commissioner Lewis stated that she could not vote in favor of the proposals because she doesn't feel there is a parking problem from what the residents have stated. Ms. Lewis commented that when a future parking problem exists, then the City should take action. Commissioner Johnson commented that she could not support the proposals and feels the timing for the expansion of the parking lot is not now. Chair Prazak opposes the proposals because there does not seem to be a parking problem at this time and does not want to see one residential lot remain as an island abutting the park. MOVED by McAleese, seconded by Lewis and motion carried by a vote of 5-2 to recommend to the City Council denial of the request by the City to amend the Comprehensive Land Use Map which would change the use of the property located at 1854 Toledo Avenue No: from Single Family (Low Density) to Municipal -- Parks and Natural Areas. ..MOVED by McAleese, seconded by Lewis and motion carried by a vote of 5-2 to recommend to the City Council denial of the request by the City to rezone the property at 1854 Toledo Avenue No. from Single Family Residential to I-4 Institutional. MOVED by McAleese, seconded by Lewis and motion carried by a vote of 5-0 (2 commissioners abstained) to adopt the following specific findings: 1) Creating of an island leaving asingle-family property in the midst of an institutional district is not in the best interest of the community; and 2) There is no current neighborhood perceived need of additional parking and the majority of the Planning Commission was not convinced of a need for additional parking. Commissioner McAleese wanted to go on record that it was not proven to him,. with evidence, that a need existed for additional parking. V. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals, Community Standards Task Force Due to the late hour, no reports were given. VI. Other Business Composting in the Industrial Zoning District -Consideration of a Request by NSP to Develop a Compost Site at the Medicine Lake Substation (8200 10th Avenue North) Mark Grimes reviewed the materials that NSP submitted regarding composting at the NSP site in Golden Valley. Commissioner Kapsner had questions on how close the NSP property was to the residents to the north. 95 Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 24, 1995 ' Page Six Commissioner Pentel stated that she would like to see a bigger plan as to what the site would look like along with other information before taking this issue under consideration. Commissioner McAleese asked if this proposal would need a conditional use permit or variance. Mark Grimes commented that. a conditional use permit, nor variance are allowed. Staff would request an overall change to the zoning code which would allow composting in all industrial districts. Lou Howard, representative for NSP, commented that NSP would not present anything to the City that would make the City or NSP liable. Mr. Howard talked about the distance of the proposed site to the neighbors to the north. Chuck Donkers, representative for NSP, talked about the technical aspects regarding the site, i.e. the materials to be used and how they work. Mr. Donkers also talked about the contamination factor and the process that NSP has to go through in order to recycle the soil. Commissioner Kapsner feels that this kind of composting of contaminated soils would work very well. He felt it would take quite a bit of work to convince a neighborhood that this kind of facility would be a good neighbor. Chuck Donkers commented that NSP has information from MnDOT and other organizations that have tried composting contaminated soil that neighbors have taken it quite well.. Jack Schutz., NSP Representative, talked about the need to compost contaminated soils. He also talked about the Golden Valley site being screened and because of the location it would be hard to see the site from anywhere. Chair Prazak commented that the proposal is sound enough to pursue but there is a need for education regarding this kind of composting. Mr. Prazak said he was reluctant in having Golden Valley being a pilot project. Commissioner Groger commented that the proposal is worth looking at. The site is secluded and NSP has very stringent guidelines to follow regarding the soils they can accept to compost and how they have to set up the compost site. Commissioner Pentel would like staff to investigate how other communities have handled contaminated soil composting. Commissioner McAleese asked staff to consider a time line to put more information together. The Commission could then review the additional information and make a decision to pursue the amendment to the City Code to allow composting in the Industrial District and pass it on to the City Council Sidewalk Committee Policy/Procedures This item was delayed to the May 8 Planning Commission meeting. 9~ Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 24, 1995 Page Seven Discussion of Bus Tour for Planning Commission The Commission and staff finalized meeting time and place. Staff will put together a map and materials for the tour. VII. Comprehensive Plan -Housing Review Commissioner McAleese handed out materials for the commission to review at the next meeting. VIII. Adjournment Chair Prazak adjourned the meeting at 10:20 PM. 1