Loading...
06-26-00 PC Minutes . e . - . Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 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, June 26, 2000. Chair Pentel called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Those present were: Chair Pentel, Commissioners Eck, Groger, Rasmussen, McAleese, Shaffer, and Hoffman. Also present were Director of Planning and Development Mark Grimes, City Planner Dan Olson, and Recording Secretary Heidi Reinke. I. Approval of Minutes - June 12, 2000 Groger noted an error on page 6, the statement should read, "Pentel said that the Traffic Management Plan on 1-394 shows that the intersection at Louisiana still remains below capacity." MOVED by McAleese, seconded by Groger, and motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes with the above correction. II. Informal Public Bearing - Conditional Use Permit No. 84 Applicant: Lejeune Investments, Inc. Address: 9105 Tenth Avenue North, Golden Valley, Minnesota Purpose: To allow with a Conditional Use Permit the operation of performing detailing, minor repair and temporary storage of automobiles in the Industrial zoning district. No motor vehicle sales and/or showrooms will be allowed. City Planner Dan Olson presented the request. He showed the general location on the site plan. Olson noted that at a previous Planning Commission meeting, Lube-Tech presented a preliminary sketch to divide the subject property. Lejeune Investments is proposing to buy the east half of the existing Emissions Testing Station property with the west half going to Lube-Tech, the property owner located at 900 Mendelssohn Avenue North. The existing testing station is now vacant. The applicant is proposed to use the building for car detailing and minor auto repair. A portion of the front yard would be turned into a parking area for new car storage. The building footprint would not be changed. Olson said the building has approximately 840 sq.ft. of office space and 5 bays, which could hold a total of 10 cars. He said the City's code does not have specific requirements for this exact type of auto-related use. The closest parking requirements are for "offices" and for "gasoline service stations", Based on these uses, the site would require 47 parking spaces. The site provides for 15 spaces. Staff believes that this amount of parking is adequate, as there would be no customers coming to the site. The spaces provided should be adequate to accommodate the 10 employees working on the property. Also, the site plan shows a proposed parking lot for 100 cars. This parking lot would be used to store vehicles waiting to be serviced or waiting to be picked up. As a condition of the permit, staff suggests that parking be made available in the storage lot for employees should adequate employee parking become as issue. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 2000 Page 2 Olson said the subject property is zoned Industrial with Industrial to the west and east and Light . Industrial to the north and south. He said the proposed parking lot would meet setback requirements as found under the Industrial zoning district of the City Code. Olson told the commission the applicant would be required to submit a Drainage, Grading, and Erosion Control plan for the parking lot. A Tree Preservation application is also required. (These applications have been submitted by the applicant and have been reviewed by the City's Engineer and Environmental Coordinator.) Olson said staff believes this land use would not cause undue traffic congestion in the area with bringing autos to and from the site. The applicant has indicated that they would use a travel route along Highway 169, exiting on the frontage road near Lube Tech. Olson stated the following staff recommendations: 1. The hours of operation shall be from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. ~ 2. Only those vehicles being serviced by Lejeune may use the building. ., 3. The two paved asphalt parking areas shall be the only location where motor vehicles may be parked. No parking shall be allowed within the required landscape area. 4. Any signage for the property must meet the sign requirements of the Industrial zoning district and reviewed by the City's Building Official. 5. Should inadequate parking become an issue, a portion of the storage parking lot on the north part of the site shall be designated for employee parking. 6. Whenever possible, the applicant shall use a travel route along Highway 169, accessing from the . frontage roads near the site. 7. Any outside storage of materials shall be screened so as to not be visible from adjacent properties or streets. No storage is permitted within the required landscape area. 8. The recommendations of City Engineer Jeff Oliver as found in his memo dated June 21, 2000 is incorporated as a part of this permit. 9. The recommendations of Ed Anderson, Deputy Fire Marshall, as found in his memo dated June 6, 2000 is incorporated as a part of this permit. 10. All other applicable local, state, and federal requirements shall be met e 11. Failure to comply with one or more ofthe above conditions shall be grounds for revocations of the conditional use permit. Pentel inquired ifthe applicant is proposing for any other outdoor storage. She suggested a condition be added for no outside storage other than the new vehicles to be parked in the front parking lot. Olson said the applicant has indicated there would be no other outside storage at this time. Grimes said that any storage, including cars that are waiting to be serviced, would have to be screened with a fence or berm. Eck inquired why the hours are different than those originally requested by the applicant. Olson responded that the hours were changed to allow some leeway in the operation. Pentel said that most gas stations have access all around the building. In this case, the east side does not provide access. The Fire Chief believes that this would be sufficient as long as the width of the road is . adequate. . e . e . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 2000 Page 3 McAleese said that staffs factors concerning access to the site as found in the conditions is an important element. The condition encourages the applicant to use Highway 169. He inquired if the traffic generation might pose a problem. Olson said that traffic should not be a problem as only employees and trucks that deliver the cars would be coming to the site. Grimes said Lejeune would need to sign an agreement stating they would maintain the pond. If the pond is not managed at the proper level, the City would maintain it and charge Lejeune fee for maintenance. Grimes said this standard agreement is developed through the Engineering Department and the City Engineer. McAleese noted that the pond sits in the middle of the newly split parcel. He questioned whether Lejeune and the owner ofthe west half of the proposed subdivided property would both need to be included in the agreement. Lejeune should not be solely responsible for the maintenance of the pond. Olson commented that easements for ponding would be required on both halves ofthe final plat. Grimes added that the pond was divided by the amount of square footage on each property. This amount was divided among the parties responsible for maintenance. He said he would review the agreement with the City Engineer. Jon Hansen, President of Lejeune Investment, Inc., commented on questions from the commission. He stated only vehicles would be stored outside. He indicated there may be times when tires are stored on a carousel, which will be within a screened area. Pentel said the trash container is allowed as outside storage. Hansen commented that vehicles would come on transport trucks from the manufacturers to the site. He noted that the protective coating on the vehicles would be removed, and then the vehicles washed, buffed and waxed. A car jockey would then take the car back to the site. Hansen added that vehicles would be stored approximately 14 to 30 days on site. Grimes added that this storage lot would be a staging area for bringing the new cars to the dealership. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing; seeing and hearing no one, Chair Pentel closed the informal public hearing. Shaffer noted that trash should be kept within a screened area. Pentel added that the following statement should be added to condition #7: no outside storage of materials should be allowed, except for automobiles. Grimes said the applicant would need to meet the requirements for landscape screening. McAleese said the City should be alerted to the pond issue. The two property owners are together responsible for maintaining the pond. He is concerned about bringing cars on transports. He inquired if the City Engineer has addressed this issue. Hansen responded saying the transport truck would pull in and the cars then backed down off the truck. The truck would then back out onto the street. He does not believe this should pose a problem. Grimes added that when backing out onto a public street, Lejeune should make certain there is someone helping the driver to back up property. Grimes added that he would review this issue with the City Engineer. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 2000 Page 4 MOVED by Eck, seconded by McAleese, and motion carried unanimously to allow by Conditional Use . Permit the operation of performing detailing, minor repair and temporary storage of automobiles in the Industrial zoning district with the conditions as stated and the revisions of the conditions stated. III. Informal Public Hearing - Conditional Use Permit No. 85 Applicant: Border Foods Address: 9050 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota (Lot 1, Block 1, Cooperman Subdivision) Purpose: To allow with a Conditional Use Permit the operation of a Class II fast food restaurant (Kentucky Fried Chicken/Pizza Hut Express) in the Commercial zoning district. City Planner Dan Olson presented the request. He showed the site plan of the subject property. This proposal is to locate a 50-seat combination KFC/Pizza Hut Express on the existing vacant property at 9050 Golden Valley Road (located directly west of Wendy's Restaurant). Olson said the subject property and Wendy's were once one lot. He said in 1993, the original lot was split in two and Wendy's was built. Olson added the Commercial zoning district requires a Conditional Use Permit for fast food (Class II) restaurants. Olson next reviewed the size of the building and lot. He indicated the building would be a one-story building with 3200 sq. ft. of floor space, with the drive-thru located on the west side of the building. Olson said the site plan indicates that parking would not meet the requirements as found in the Commercial zoning district. The code requires 92 parking spaces. The proposed plan shows 54 parking spaces. Olson told the Commission the applicant has applied for a variance for lack of required parking on the site and is scheduled to appear before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) on June 27, 2000. Olson said the drive-thru provides enough space to stack 13 cars. He noted that staff believes the proposed parking would be adequate as there are only 50 seats in the restaurant. He noted that Wendy's, located directly to the east, has 90 seats, 52 parking spaces and 32 proof of parking spaces. The parking lot is rarely filled. He believes parking is adequate for that use, which has many more seats in the restaurant. Pentel noted that KFC attracts more drive-thru or pick-up customers rather than those that dine in the restaurant. Olson agreed with Pentel. Olson added that there would be no delivery conducted from this restaurant. Olson said the applicant could address the issue of the loudspeaker located on the west side of the proposed building. Olson told the Commission the building and parking lot meet setback requirements. He added that the subject property is zoned Commercial, with Commercial on the east and south, M-l (Multi-Family) on the west and Light Industrial on the north. e . - . . e . - . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 2000 Page 5 Olson listed the factors for consideration: Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. Verify that the noise impacts do not affect the rental value of the adjacent apartment complex. The traffic generation will not be excessive for the existing road system in that area. Effect on any increase in population: There would be 8-12 employees on the site per shift. Increase in noise level during the hours of operation. Landscape plan would include screening on the west side of the site. The dumpster would also be screened. Olson said that the applicant would have to meet staffs recommended conditions #1 through #8 with possible changes to the parking requirements. Pentel inquired about the landscaping issue with regards to the property to the west. She indicated the City's requirements are not clear for the landscaping and suggested an additional condition should be added. She also pointed out that the hours as found in the literature does not match what is listed in the conditions. The applicant stated that the hours of operation would be from 10:30 AM to 11 :00 PM. Jim Erickson, Border Foods, Inc., presented the request. He said this is the first facility in the metro area that is a combination ofKFC/Pizza Hut Express. He said that the BZA would address the parking issue tomorrow night, June 27. Erickson said the proposal for parking is adequate to service this site. He added the increase in noise level would be addressed by Carl Gebhardt. Carl Gebhardt, DMX Music, stated that the location of the loudspeaker at the drive-thru is 50 feet from the landscaping buffer and another 50 feet to the side of the garage building located on the apartment complex to the west. He handed out a document that explained the decibel levels ofthe loudspeaker and explained the information. A document from the manufacturer about the decibel level states that the level decreases at certain distances from the loudspeaker. Pentel inquired ifthe menu board will give a digital readout. If so, this would reduce the loudspeaker noise. Gebhardt said Border Foods intends to install this type of menu board at the restaurant. He stated that a person could hear 3 dbds difference with good hearing. At the landscaping edge, 20 dbds would be heard, which is under the threshold of the ambient sound of that area. The intercom is significantly below the ambient sound of that area. Based on the measurements, one would not be able to hear the intercom at the adjacent apartment garages. Gebhardt stated that 54 dbd is an adequate conversational level. The intercom system allows for talking and listening at the same time. The reader board would also cut down on noise. Eck inquired ifthe lower ambient noise at night would make a difference in how loud the speaker would sound. Gebhardt said the loudspeaker would sound like the rustle of leaves at the apartments. In addition, the landscaping buffers some of the noise. Erickson commented that the City Fire Marshall and City Engineer did not express any concerns. Pentel stated a concern about the amount of stacking. She noted that at lunchtime, Wendy's has cars stacking out onto the street. Erickson said there would be more stacking on the west side of the building for an extra 12 cars. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 2000 Page 6 Barb Schneider, representative for Border Foods, stated that 21 feet per car is allowed for stacking. There is room for approximately 13 cars to be stacked. This is an appropriate number for the amount of people that frequent this type of restaurant. The customer count is lower, but the product sold is higher than other fast food restaurants. She noted that based on analysis, 50% ofthe customers will dine in and 50% will take out. It can vary depending on the time of year. The product for both restaurants is prepared ahead. When it is ordered, the products are simply packaged. . Rasmussen expressed some concern about the ventilating system and the release of aroma. Schneider said that the air discharged from the hood systems would meet the required standards. She did not have an exact answer to Rasmussen's question. She added the hoods are cleaned every three months. Groger inquired about the signage requirements. He assumes that the 7-foot tall picture of the Colonel would meet code requirements. He wants to clarify the signage issue so that it does not later become a problem. Schneider noted that temporary signage can be applied for several times throughout the year per the City's sign ordinance. e Grimes expressed concern with signage in the windows. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing. Steve Johnson, 8951 Olson Memorial Highway, commented on the smell from the old KFC that was located at Hwy. 55 and Rhode Island Avenue. He stated his concern about smell because he lives . directly across from the proposal on Hwy. 55. Grimes noted other sit-down restaurants emit as much smell as fast food restaurants. Chair Pentel closed the informal public hearing. Pentel said that she is still concerned with the stacking lane and requested staff to further investigate the stacking issue. She noted that fewer cars would come to the restaurant, but more product would be purchased per vehicle. Grimes said there would be a lane for cars to go around the stacking lane to get e out ofthe parking lot. He agreed that stacking is a concern. Rasmussen inquired about the stacking capacity. Schneider said the stacking capacity would be for 25 or 26 vehicles. Groger added that people probably would not sit in a long line. They most likely would run in and order food if too many vehicles are stacked. He inquired if the drainage pond in the back needs to be fenced. Grimes said that the City does not require fencing around ponds. The pond is designed with a 10-foot shelf and then progressively gets deeper. There are numerous ponds around the City that are not fenced. Pentel said that the noise from the speakers was addressed clearly and added that the vehicle itself would deflect some of the sound. Shaffer inquired when trash would be taken offthe site. Schneider responded that the trash is picked up before lOAM in the morning. Pentel noted that the City ordinance states that trash cannot be picked up before 7 AM. . . e . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 2000 Page 7 Shaffer added that the BZA would address parking space issue at its meeting tomorrow night. H~ asked Schneider to present a more accurate stacking layout for that meeting. Eck inquired about the snow removal plan. Schneider said the snow would be pushed to the back of the lot. If there is too much snow, it would have to be removed from the site. Grimes noted that there is no problem with putting the snow in the back and in the pond. He would talk to the City Engineer about this issue. McAleese believes the number of parking spaces seems appropriate. Stacking could cause problems within the lot. He added the area is zoned properly for this sort of development. The noise issue was addressed and does not pose a problem. Unfortunately, the more noise that you add, you can create a cacophony that can become a problem. Rasmussen said that with only 50 seats and 11 employees, the 54 parking spaces are adequate and believe some of those employees may be carpooling. She also believes the parking is adequate because these types of restaurants have more drive-thru customers than those that dine in. The elevation and screening seems to be adequate. The air quality should be addressed at some point. Groger added a condition that the restaurant should follow all reasonable steps to reduce odors emitted outside the restaurant. In addition, normal upkeep and maintenance of the cooking appliances should be performed. The hours of operation should end no later than 11 :00 PM. MOVED by Shaffer, seconded by Rasmussen, and motion carried unanimously to allow with a Conditional Use Permit the operation of a Class II fast food restaurant (Kentucky Fried Chicken/Pizza Hut Express) in the Commercial zoning district with staff s conditions and the additional conditions stated by the Commission. IV. Reports on Meetings ofthe Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals, and other Meetings _ There were no reports on meetings. V. Other Business . A. Discussion of Essential Services Class II in Institutional zoning districts. Olson stated that on page 2 the subdistricts are listed, as follows: Subdistrict 1: Churches and Schools Subdistrict 2: Libraries, Museums, and Colleges Subdistrict 3: Rest homes, nursing homes, and clinics Subdistrict 4: Golf courses, parks, playgrounds, city offices, and fire stations He made the following comments: The Commission addressed this issue two months ago. The Commission was undecided at that time what was appropriate for the City. The City is not opposed to antennas in parks and golf courses. The antennas should be camouflaged and kept out of natural areas. Certain conditions could be added for those antennae in parks and golf courses. Olson told the commission a US West Cell tower technician was present to answer questions. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission June 26, 2000 Page 8 Pentel said that she likes to see the ordinances from the other cities, such as landscaping. She noted the procedure for other cities as follows: the applicants presented their request and a visual analysis was performed before approval was granted. Pentel felt that cemeteries ought to be included as potential locations. . Olson said that he included some pictures of camouflaged cell towers in his packet. The City did not want to put monopoles in parks and golf courses. There were no problems with the small antennae. Eck said that when someone comes to the City with a proposal, the City must not assume that coordination has been done as to where the antennae are needed. The City should create a wireless- communications ordinance. Grimes said that some cities have required an independent consultant to evaluate the necessary locations for the antennae. Manish Vaishnadvalfhnad, Radio Frequency Systems EngineerlUSWest Representative, stated that some antennae are not designed to be co-located with another company's antennae, though it is less e expensive to co-locate. Areas throughout the City could be evaluated to designate where antennas are needed for coverage. The City cannot go without coverage. The poles are about 40 to 60 feet in height. Shaffer said that he did not want too many monopoles in the City. Groger stated that he has no problem including the Institutional Subdistricts in this plan. The City could consider offering a Conditional Use Permit to be used for other subdistricts. Pentel suggested that the City look into the co-location of antennae. . McAleese stated that the major goals thus far include co-location and camouflaging the antennae. The technology is needed; and therefore, the City needs to provide the coverage. It is the City's responsibility to prevent a monopole from being erected in an inappropriate location. Vaishnadvalthnad said that the maximum height for the monopole is 60 feet. Antennae cart be placed on _ top of a light pole. The light pole can be replaced with a monopole, or vice versa. Grimes noted that the poles are owned by the City or the telephone company. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. .