05-08-95 PC Minutes71
Minutes of the Golden Valley
Planning Commission
May 8, 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, and Prazak;
absent was Pentel. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development,
Elizabeth Knoblauch, City Planner and Mary Dold, Planning Secretary.
Approval of Minutes -April 24, 1995 minutes not available
Informal Public Hearing -Conditional Use Permit (No 66)
Applicant: Dent Kraft Plus Inc., Applicant
Address:. 710 Pennsylvania Avenue South
Purpose: To permit an auto body repair shop (paintless dent repair)
within the Industrial Zoning District
City Planner Beth Knoblauch gave a brief summary of the applicant's request for a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) which would permit an auto body repair shop in the Industrial Zoning District. Ms.
Knoblauch reviewed the ten factors for consideration. She deferred to the applicant to describe
the operation itself.
Commissioner Lewis asked about hours of operation and if there would be any. hazardous
materials being used with this operation. Ms. Knoblauch said that no chemicals would be used.
Commissioner Groger asked if the garage area was air conditioned. He was concerned about
staff's proposed requirement of keeping the overhead door closed.
Don Cavanaugh, applicant, commented that the building is air conditioned. He talked about the
unique way of taking dents out of vehicles and that it is a fairly quick process. He rapped on the
podium with his knuckles to indicate the level of noise that would occur. Mr. Cavanaugh stated
that 75% of his clients are located off-site. He also told the Commission that the hours of
operation would be 9 AM TO 8:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Commissioner Lewis asked if the seven parking spaces noted on the plan would be sufficient. Mr.
Cavanaugh said they would because of the few employees and most of the work being done off-
site.
Chair Prazak opened the informal public hearing; seeing and hearing no one, Chair Prazak closed
the informal public hearing.
Chair Prazak noted that the real problem with the site was not the intended use but the non-
conformities that exist on the property.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
May 8, 1995
Page Two
Commissioner Lewis approved of the use being proposed and felt it would be a good use for the
building.
Commissioner Kapsner felt it was a good use for the property and supports the request. If there is
to be any hope for improvement of the property, the owners will need to have good tenants.
Commissioner Groger commented that the proposal looked reasonable for the property.
City Planner Knoblauch commented that after the staff report was written, she again reviewed City
Code and discovered that there is no requirement of overhead doors remaining closed while cars
are being worked on.
Commissioner Johnson noted that part of item No. 2, under Staff Recommendations, should be
deleted because it is not a requirement of City Code.
MOVED by Groger, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the
City Council approval of the request by Dent Kraft Plus Inc. for a Conditional Use Permit to operate
an auto body repair shop in the Industrial Zoning District, with the permit to include the conditions
recommended by staff, except that the requirement in Condition No. 2 for keeping the overhead
doors closed should be deleted from the list.
III. Comprehensive Plan -Housing Review
Commissioner McAleese commented that the commission should forge ahead with the housing
plan and handed out the Plymouth housing plan. He commented that this particular plan talks
about a maintenance code.
Chair Prazak asked if there should be a review of statistical data and would the commission want
to direct staff to look at obtaining data.
Commissioner McAleese stated that some materials are easily updated but some are not. He felt
the commission could make a recommendation on what should be collected but this collection
could cost money:
City Planner Knoblauch commented that the Planning Department will have an intern who could
help with the updating of the plan.
Commissioner Groger felt comparables would be helpful to identify deteriorating housing stock.
Chair Prazak felt the commission should take asection-by-section look at the housing plan.
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development suggested that the commission make a
motion for the Open Space & Recreation Commission to begin review of the "Parks" section of the
Comprehensive Plan. Under City statutes, the Open Space & Recreation Commission has
primary responsibility for parking planning.
7.f
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
May 8, 1995
Page Three
MOVED by Lewis, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to recommend that the
Open Space & Recreation Commission review the "Parks" section of the Comprehensive Plan .and
bring back a report to the Planning Commission by the end of July, outlining what the Open Space
& Recreation Commission expects to do to update this section.
V. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council}
Board of Zoning Appeals, Community Standards Task Force
Commissioner Groger updated the commission on the Community Standards Task Force meeting.
Mark Grimes reported on various HRA meetings.
VI. Other Business
Chair Prazak thanked Commissioners Lewis and McAleese for their continued interest in the
Planning Commission and their reappointment.
Chair Prazak noted that the HRA may refer to the Planning Commission review of Area B of the
Valley Square Redevelopment Plan for land use. He said the Mayor also suggested that the
Planning Commission may be reviewing a portion of the Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan.
VIII. Adjournment
Chair Prazak adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM.
Lewis, Secretary