Loading...
04-10-00 PC Minutes . e . e . Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall, Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota on Monday, April 10, 2000. The meeting was called to order by Chair Pentel at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Chair Pentel, Commissioners Eck, McAleese, Shaffer, Hoffinan, Groger, and Rasmussen. Also present were Director of Planning and Development Mark Grimes, City Planner Dan Olson, and Recording Secretary Heidi Reinke. I. Approval of Minutes - March 13, 2000 McAleese noted an error on page 13. The sentence, "He asked if there would be any special requirements for obtaining the asphalt imposed." The word "obtaining" should be replaced with "maintaining" . Groger noted an error found in the last paragraph on page 5, beginning with "Sailor asked...". The comment was stated by Mr. McEnroe, not Mr. Sailor. MOVED by Eck, seconded by Hoffman and motion was carried unanimously to approve the March 13,2000 minutes with the above corrections. H. Election of Officers Chair Pentellisted the current staff positions: Chair Pentel, Vice Chair Shaffer and Secretary Groger. Pentel said she would be willing to remain Chair of the Commission. Shaffer said he would like to remain Vice Chair. Groger invited other members to fill the Secretary position for the next term if interested. MOVED by Eck, seconded by Hoffman and motion carried unanimously to keep the existing slate of officers. HI. Informal Public Hearing - General Land Use Plan Map Amendment Applicant: City of Golden Valley Address: 830 Boone Avenue North, Golden Valley, Minnesota Purpose: Amend the use of the subject property from Light Industrial to Industrial IV. Informal Public Hearing - Rezoning Applicant: Interkey Properties Address: 830 Boone Avenue North, Golden Valley, Minnesota Purpose: Rezone the subject property from Light Industrial to Industrial Minutes ofthe Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 2 Dan Olson stated that the City of Golden Valley is requesting that the 3.5 acre site receive a General Land Use Plan Map Amendment to change the Land Use from Light Industrial to Industrial. This amendment application is being submitted along with a request for rezoning of the subject property from Light Industrial to Industrial. The rezoning is requested in order to accommodate some land uses that would not be permitted within the current Light Industrial zoning district designation. He said he would present the Land Use Plan Map Amendment and then the zoning request. . Olson stated that Airborne Express is the current occupant of the site, and would be moving to another site because they have outgrown the building. Prior to Airborne Express, Northwestern Bell Telephone Company used the building to repair their service vehicles. The applicant is hoping to lease the site to a tenant that would use the building for automotive uses, such as an auto body repair garage or an auto showroom. This type of use is neither a permitted nor a conditional use under the current Light Industrial zoning district designation, but is a conditional use in the proposed Industrial zoning district. Olson said staff is recommending the Land Use Plan Map be amended to Industrial for this site, now guided for a Light Industrial use. This Amendment would be compatible with the Industrial land uses ~ to the north and west, and would provide for more varied uses of the subject property. .. Olson received one complaint letter from a property owner to the north. The property owner was opposed to the rezoning as it is inconsistent with the neighboring area. The area around the site is being used for office and warehouse uses. The property owner felt that the industrial uses would be much heavier than those that exist in the area. Pentel asked Olson to show the zoning map. Olson showed the zoning map and described the area. The existing area is zoned Light Industrial. The areas to the north and west are currently zoned Industrial. . Eck commented that not much background information was provided. He wanted to clarify that the owner of the property is Interkey Properties. He inquired if the current tenant would be moving out in November 2000. Olson confirmed that the owner is Interkey Properties. The lease for the current tenant would end in November 2000. He added that the current tenant is proposing to move out in the next few months and a new tenant could possibly move in within the next six months. e, Pentel commented that if the request for "upzoning" the area to Industrial were approved, many different types of uses could occupy the building. Under the Industrial zoning, many uses are acceptable, such as those listed under the Light Industrial zoning requirements or other zoning districts. She expressed concern there was not a compelling reason for requesting the rezoning. Olson stated that the main reason to rezone the area is due to the restrictiveness of the Light Industrial zoning district. The applicant would like an auto related use to occupy the building. Those uses are considered conditional uses in the Industrial zoning district. By rezoning to Industrial, the applicant would be given the option to have an auto related use move into the building. Olson noted that the applicant would like to consider such uses as an auto show room or an auto body repair. McAleese said that the property has been zoned Light Industrial since the building was constructed. Olson concurred. McAleese commented that for 16 years or longer, the Comprehensive Plan has assumed that this property would be Light Industrial. He agreed with Pentel in questioning the compelling reason for this request. The Commission frequently receives this type request relating to . properties, but the requests are not necessarily approved. . e . e . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 3 Olson said that staff believes the request to rezone is consistent with the area. In the past, the site has been used for auto uses; and therefore, it does not seem an anomaly to request that the site be used again for auto uses. McAleese commented that there is a possibility that the building could be demolished and a heavy industrial building be erected on the site, if the zoning were changed. Although this is only an example, there remains the possibility of such a thing happening. The areas to the east and south of the site are also zoned Light Industrial. McAleese inquired whether staff foresees that these areas would be rezoned to Industrial. Grimes presented the history of the building for the committee. The building was built with permission ofthe City for auto related uses. It has inflammable waste traps in it. Northwestern Bell used the building for the repair of their vehicles. In 1992, the zoning code was amended to allow "truck/van terminals" for the new tenant, a delivery company. The conditional use allowed the delivery service and storage of their vehicles, which numbered approximately 50 to 60. Grimes commented that the applicant would like to market the building for auto related uses, as they . pertain to the functions ofthe building. The building does not really match the Light Industrial zoning district, as it was built to accommodate an auto-related use. Two options remain, rezoning to Industrial or converting the building to fit the Light Industrial code. Grimes read from the City code requirements for Industrial and Light Industrial zoning districts. He said that anything allowed in the Light Industrial district is allowed in the Industrial zoning district. Industrial zoning allows general manufacturing uses, including compounding, assembly, and treatment of articles and materials. Metal fabrication and assembly is also allowed (some metal fabrication is allowed in Light Industrial, but not sheet metal). The Industrial zoning district also allows building material yards. Both zoning districts allow recycling centers. Light Industrial does not permit automobile repair uses that the building is most appropriate for. McAleese stated his concern for rezoning. There are many buildings that were designed for specific uses, but are not being used for those specific purposes. Should the City rezone based upon the type of building? Rasmussen agreed with McAleese's concerns. She was concerned with spot zoning. The building is not marketable to as wide a range of people under the Light Industrial zoning. It causes some concern if the property were rezoned simply to accommodate the type of building. Pentel commented that the Commission should vote separately on the General Land Use Plan Map Amendment and the Rezoning. Richard Huffman, Managing Partner for Interkey Properties and owner of the building, presented his request for rezoning. He stated that the building was constructed in 1972 for Northwestern Bell, as a special use building. It was used to store and repair company vehicles and to install mobile phones in public vehicles. It is a large garage building equipped with firetraps and large garage doors. At the time that the building was constructed, these automotive uses were allowed under the City Code. In 1990, Northwestern Bell moved out of the building. Since it was built specifically for automotive uses, it remained vacant for 2 years before a new tenant moved in. Airborne Express then moved into the space. Currently, Airborne Express has outgrown the building and will be moving out in Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 4 November 2000. He added that it is difficult to market the building under the existing Light Industrial . zoning. Many companies that might be able to use the building are not interested due to the restrictive zoning. Bruce Bermel, planner and spokesperson with the Chase Company, said that he was involved with the building when Airborne Express moved in. He is responsible for finding a new tenant at this time. On November 1,2000, the building will become vacant. The building is a unique and unusual garage building, designed for automotive related uses. The sloped floors and trench drains are for snow melting off of vehicles in the winter. Inflammable waste traps and extensive air exh~ust systems exist in the building. He is concerned that the present zoning would limit the future utility of this building. Bermel stated that the area to the north is zoned Industrial. Currently there are assembly type uses in that area. It would not be practical for the building to be demolished. The new user might have to make many changes to the building if they cannot use the trench drains and other special parts of the building. Groger asked the applicant to explain the show room use. Bermel commented that he was unaware of this proposed use. It does not make sense in this type of building, consisting of 12,000 sq.ft. of office e space and 26,000 sq.ft. of garage in the building. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing for the General Land Use Plan Map Amendment and rezoning; seeing and hearing no one, Chair Pentel closed the informal public hearing. Eck stated that the areas to the north and west are zoned Industrial. These areas are not currently being used as Industrial uses, but rather for uses that are acceptable under Light Industrial zoning. He . asked Grimes to comment on his statement. Grimes said the warehouse building across the street is used for offices. Other buildings consist of a printing company, a food brokerage, an industrial warehouse, and others. All the buildings include some office space. There are few manufacturing uses in the area. All present uses would probably be allowed under the Light Industrial zoning requirements. Pentel stated that she cannot support the amendment of the General Land Use Plan Map Amendment. e Grimes added that the Light Industrial zoning district's Conditional Use Permit allows public garages for repairing and storing of motor vehicles. Industrial zoning allows auto body repair shops, auto body repair, painting, and conditioning. Other uses it permits include, car washes, auto sales and showrooms. He is unsure what the difference is between auto repair and auto body work. It would be better for the City to redefine and clarify the code, specifically the meaning and difference of auto repair and auto body repair. McAleese agreed that the City should reevaluate the zoning code and then have the applicant reapply within the new code definition. If the applicant has a use that is permitted under the existing language, then they should present it to staff. He suggested that the Planning Commission review the zoning code and redefine the language. Shaffer agreed with Grimes and McAleese. If this area were allowed a rezoning, then the area to the east should be rezoned and the adjacent properties. He is concerned that rezoning only this portion of land could cause problems for rezoning in the future. . . e . e . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 5 MOVED by Shaffer, seconded by McAleese and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council denial of the request to amend the General Land Use Plan Map of the property, located at 830 Boone Avenue North, from Light Industrial to Industrial. MOVED by Shaffer, seconded by McAleese and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council denial of the request to rezone the property, located at 830 Boone Avenue North, from Light Industrial to Industrial. IV. Informal Public Hearing - Review of the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Don Taylor, City of Golden Valley Finance Department, presented the review of 2000-2004 Capital Improvement Project. The CIP, as presented, is in the same format as of previous years. The Planning Commission asked for an evaluation of past years in comparison to projects for this CIP. Taylor said he would pass this information out. Taylor said that one high priority area to consider is the storm sewer section. It includes several projects that are a high priority in the surface water management plan. These projects will be financed by an increase in the quarterly storm sewer charge on the utility bills for all the residents and businesses in the City. The first bills with those increases just went out. Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works, was also present to answer any questions. Pentel said the memo sent by City Manager William Joynes to the City Council, states that the CIP should be viewed as a vehicle to accomplish the goals set in the City's Comprehensive Plan adopted in November of 1992. She inquired if the City has been revising the Comprehensive Plan since that time. McAleese confirmed that various sections have been revised. Pentel said the date in the CIP needed to be clarified because several sections, such as Storm Water Management and Housing, have been revised. Taylor stated that he would correct the date. Pentel added that the Golden Valley Open Space System Map does not show the public access on Sweeney Lake. She would like to see it in the CIP. Taylor said that it is part ofthe system. He will address that concern and add the Sweeney Lake Park, trail and canoe launch to the in the next CIP. Rasmussen asked a question about Enterprise funds. Are these funds held in their own account? If there are funds left over at the end of the year, are they transferred into the general fund? Taylor said that, by law, an Enterprise Fund has to be set up in its own account. They maintain a separate set of books (balance sheet, income statement). If money is left over at the end of the year, the money stays in the fund and will be used for emergencies or future improvements. The golf course fund (being so successful) does make a transfer of about $85,000 to the general fund to help finance other recreation programs. Water and sewer stands on its own due to the need for replacement over the years. Pentel referred to page 12 of the CIP. She said the working capital is provided by operations, which generate a certain amount of money. The expenditures seem to be more than the amount that is brought in for revenue. Taylor indicated that in years when there is a deficit the deficit is financed from the Golf Course reserve. Hoffman inquired if the City carries extra insurance for the driving range. Taylor said that the City carries insurance that covers everything, including the golf course. For most operations of the City, there is a statutory limit of liability, set at $750,000. But, there is no limit for places like the golf course. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 6 Groger stated that most funds accrue interest, but some are not shown. He asked why Brookview . does not seem to be accruing any interest. Taylor said that he prepares this item differently as found on page 12. The Brookview interest is included in the working capital from operations. He thinks that since the interest is becoming more significant, they should change the format. Rasmussen inquired if there is a separate category for public safety. She asked if their needs were figured into the equipment category. Taylor said that she was correct. Most needs are found in the vehicles and equipment category, which is projected over a five-year program. The City's Public Safety Director has talked about the 800 MHz system. At this point, he is not sure how the City will approach this issue or the timetable for it. Pentel said that the Capital Improvement Fund, on page 8 & 20, stated that it is an unwritten City policy to use these funds only for public works purposes. She asked Taylor to explain this policy. Taylor said that this fund has had a long history. It was created early in the City's development, 1950s-1960s. Bonds were sold to put in water and sewer lines and assess them. Since then, the assessments have been paid off. The bonds issued were for 2%, 3%, and 4%. The City was able to reinvest those special investment prepayments at a higher rate and build up some funds. Eck inquired about streets as found on page 133. The funding for redoing the Laurel/Winnetka intersection is scheduled for 2002. He asked if the funding might be available before that time, if it is approved by the Council. Taylor said the plans might not be available any sooner. The funding might be available in 2001, but not any sooner. e Clancy said that the date was estimated at the time construction would begin. The plans that are being considered now and the required property acquisitions might take that length oftime to complete. The City told the committee that they would look at other temporary options for the meantime, although the committee needs to present those ideas. . Hoffman received a notice about the Xenia project. He inquired if the money has already been allotted or if it is included in the CIP. Taylor said that it was mostly finished in 1999. This year, the City will finish the landscaping and some work along Turners. The funding was already allotted in 1999, therefore it was not included in the CIP. Hoffman said that there is talk of additional building near Meadowbrook School. He assumes that the City has allotted some funding for it. He noted that funding does not necessarily show up in this funding forecast. He asked Taylor to explain. Taylor said that the CIP usually does not include HRA projects except for public improvements, such as roads and water and sewer lines. - Pentel commented that on page 22, she was happy to see all the various storm water projects that the City will undertake. She inquired about the location of Culvert SS#2. Taylor said that the culvert is located on Bassett Creek off of Golden Valley Road. The culvert is aging and is not the size that is needed. Groger inquired about the Building Fund as found on page 87. He asked Taylor or Clancy to address the addition of the street maintenance building. Clancy said she cannot remember the square footage of the addition. The plan is to create a common office space for supervisors, and a training and meeting room for maintenance workers. The expansion allows for office and meeting room space. Shaffer commented that the addition might be approximately 5,000 sq.ft. Clancy agreed that the square footage may be approximately 3,000 to 5,000 sq.ft. . . e . e . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 7 Taylor said that they are planning for improvements to the cable TV room, new sound card, mixer and main frame power supply. They plan to upgrade the Chambers for power point presentations, including the computers and overheads for the presentations. He said that at this time, new chairs were not included in the plan. McAleese inquired about the Emergency Vehicle Preemption System, on page 127. It provides for the emergency sensors on street signals. He asked where these were planning to be placed. Taylor said that it is a 2-3 year program, put into place last year. A number of major intersections have them or will get them. Clancy said that the City prioritized the locations. The City has worked collaboratively with New Hope, St. Louis Park, Plymouth, and the State Highway systems. Currently, the City is on the second year of the program. Shaffer asked if the City received State Aid funds for the program. Taylor responded that they are taking some State Aid funds for the program. If the signal is on a State Aid intersection, then the State Aid funds can be used. Groger asked if there were funds for constructing or maintaining sidewalks. Pentel said that the City has $50,000 a year for sidewalks. Taylor said that there is not a specific sidewalk program in the CIP. Most sidewalks related to other projects; and therefore, anything relating to sidewalks, within a project, have been kept within the project listing. Groger said the sidewalk committee is meeting this week concerning an area of sidewalk on the east side of Douglas, south of Duluth Street. He inquired what funds would be used to maintain areas such as these independent projects. Taylor said that the City would look at alternate sources of funding for such projects. Groger questioned the stream bank stabilization of Bassett Creek on page 143. He said several neighbors are affected by this. Many people do stabilization work on their own. He asked if the City could notify the affected neighbors, so that they would not do work prior to work done by the City. Taylor said that in Year 2000, there is money allocated for inventory of the stream condition. Through this study the City will assess what work must be done and on which section of Bassett Creek. Clancy said that inventory is being done as a request by the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission. In the City newsletter, there will be information about this community process. The Commission is asking the public to get involved. If there are areas of erosion, the community needs to alert the Commission. The inventory will assess the areas of high priority or some areas where the City needs to do public education. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing; seeing and hearing no one, Chair Pentel closed the informal public hearing. MOVED by McAleese, seconded by Hoffman and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council approval of the Capital Improvement Plan for 2000-2004 as presented due to its consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. V. Reports on Meeting of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals, and other Meetings Groger said he attended the March 21 City Council meeting. The property located at Laurel and Pennsylvania Avenue was discussed. There was no opposition and it was approved by the Council. Grimes said that Al Lundstrom, the City's Environmental Coordinator, met with the applicants. He suggested adding some trees to the plan. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 8 Hoffman interjected that he was supposed to attend the April 4 City Council meeting, but was unable . to attend. He received notes regarding the issues discussed at the meeting. The Allianz project along 1-394 was discussed. The project is slated to go forward. The Allianz employee work schedule is flexible to minimize the traffic coming and going from the site. Hoffman asked Pentel for clarification concerning the agenda for the HRA meeting on April 11. He asked if the HRA would be voting on the Olympic Printing site located in the Golden Hills Redevelopment Area. Pentel said the City Council has asked the Planning Commission to prepare a land use study for the Olympic Printing site. Grimes commented that the City wanted to buy the property so that it remains consistent with redevelopment in the area. It will require amendment to redevelopment and the Comprehensive Plan. The City will make a recommendation to the H.RA. for the site. They will not look for developers until they get the land use study back from the Planning Commission. Hoffman asked the meaning of "upzoning". He said that the property along 1-394 would be upzoned if the Planning Commission strongly urges that it be approved. Grimes commented that the ~ Commission has looked at the development along 1-394. Upzoning allows uses on the site. ., Hoffman inquired about the Honeywell property along Douglas Drive. Pentel commented that the variance request was presented at the BZA. A building was proposed for the comer of Sandburg and Douglas Drive. She said the project would be located on a large amount of property that Honeywell would like to sell. Pentel noted the request was denied by the BZA because of the huge infringement of parking into the front setback along Douglas Drive. Grimes said that if Honeywell is looking to sell off any excess land it does not need and if they do not . sell this piece right now, it could be sold later. Pentel said the Area B proposal was on the March 21 City Council agenda. She noted that a slightly different plan for parking and housing was presented. Grimes added that he talked with the representative from Rottlund and the plan would remain the same as what the Planning Commission reviewed. The plan noted cut outs along Golden Valley Road ~ and Wisconsin Avenue for additional parking. Grimes said that although there would not be as much ~ parking as the Planning Commission thought that they should have, the Council felt strongly about the issue and maintaining the integrity of the project. Pentel maintains her view that the residents should have some open space for grilling. Grimes said that he had not received a direct answer on the grilling issue. He will take note that the Planning Commission feels strongly about creating a grilling area. Hoffman inquired about the affordable Housing proposed for the "sheriffs site". Grimes said that this topic would be addressed at the HRA meeting tomorrow night, April 11. He said the Council is considering affordable housing for the property. One concern is about maintaining the natural area and the many trees on the site. Pentel noted that the site used to be a shooting range and that Hennepin County wants to sell the excess property that is not being used. She said there are concerns about losing the natural area. McAleese and Pentel said they would be attending the HRA meeting. . . e . - . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission April 10, 2000 Page 9 VI. Other Business Pentel said that each member received a copy of the attendance for the past six months. The attendance was addressed and reviewed. Grimed told the Commission that they should consider reviewing and updating the City's zoning code. VII. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.