06-25-12 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 25, 2012
A regular meeting af the Planning Gommission was held at the Golden Valley Gity Hall,
Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Gotden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday,
June 25, 2012. Chair Waldhauser called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners, Cera, Kisch, McCarty, Schmidgall,
Segelbaum and Waldhauser. Also present were Director of Planning and Development
Mark Grimes and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman. Commissioner Kluchka was
absent.
1. Approval of Minutes
April 9, 2012 Regular Planning Commission Meeting
MOVED by Kisch, seconded by Cera and motion carried unanimously to apprave
the April 9, 2012 minutes as submitted. McCarty abstained from voting.
2. Informal Public Hearing — Conditional Use Permit— 8806-8808 7th Ave N —
Disturbia in Suburbia (Justin Smith) — Recreational Use in the l.ight Industrial
Zoning District— CU-131
Applicant: Justin Smith — Disturbia in Suburbia
Address: 8806-8808 7'h Avenue North
Purpose: To allow a recreational/entertainment use in the Light Industrial zoning
district.
Grimes referred to a lacation map and explained the applicant's request to lease two
spaces in the building located at 8800 7t" Avenue North, to be used for a recreational
space. The proposed use will be Disturbia in Suburbia, which is an interactive zombie
game consisting mostly of groups of younger people and parties. He stated that staff's
initial concern with this site is parking. There are 119 parking spaces on the property and
the applicant will have 19 of those spaces dedicated far his use. He explained that staff
feels comfortable with the amount of parking on the property since this proposed use will
mostly take place after normal business hours and most of the customers will be dropped-
off. He noted that one of the conditions of approval is if parking shortages exist, the City
may require mitigation measures such as attaining off-site parking agreements with
nearby businesses. He added that a building code analysis will also need to be done to
determine what will need to be changed in the building before this use can begin.
Cera questioned the curfew laws in Golden Valley. Grimes said he doesn't feel curfew will
an issue because kids wil! be dropped off at a supervised location for a specified amount
of time. Waldhauser asked if the public safety department has any concerns. Grimes said
no.
Segelbaum noted that the hours of operation listed in the staff report should state 12 am
on Friday and Saturday, not 12 pm.
Minutes of the Goiden Valley Planning Commission
June 25, 2012
Page 2
Kisch asked about the types of foad being served and if serving food will require a
license. Grimes explained that the applicant will need to obtain a food license through the
County.
Cera asked if the occupancy is set by the Fire Marshal. Grimes said yes.
Segelbaum asked if the condition of approval regarding parking shortages is too vague.
Grimes said he could add language to the condition stating that if the City Manager or his
designee determines that there is a parking problem, the applicant will have mitigate it.
Justin Smith, Applicant, introduced himself and gave a history of his background and
experience. He referred to his business model and explained that Disturbia in Suburbia is
a unique interactive game played in a live setting. The facility wauld offer interactive,
horror-themed labyrinths, including zombie-themed actors. He stated that the facility
would serve all age ranges and will promote physical fitness and social interaction.
Segelbaum referred to "Valley Scare" at Valleyfair and noted that they have tremendous
lines and crowds. He asked the applicant if he expects to be open additional hours if that
sort of situation occurs with his proposed use. Smith explained that his business uses a
reservation-based system which will help with traffic and crowds since groups of peaple
will come to the business at specific times.
Segelbaum asked abaut supervision and safety issues. Smith explained that the rules will
be explained to each group as they enter and there will be security cameras and a floor
manager in each area.
Cera asked the applicant if the business will be seasonal or if he'll be able to operate
year-round. Smith said they would operate year-round and will regularly change themes,
with zombies as a constant, in order to stay current and allow eaeh experience ta be
different.
Waldhauser referred to the applicant's narrative and asked how similar businesses in
other locations are doing. Smith explained that Grand Slam and Brunswick Zone are the
two main laser tag venues. He stated that they are similar to his business in that they are
located in industrial areas and use reservation systems.
Segelbaum asked if the other tenants in the building received notice of this proposed use.
Grimes stated that the hearing notice was sent to the property owner. He stated that Mr.
Smith has spoken to the property owner and that he feels comfortable with the proposed
use.
McCarty asked about sound mitigation for the tenants on either side of the applicant's
space. Smith said he doesn't anticipate any noise issues because his business hours are
typically after normal business hours. He added that he would soundproof the walls if
necessary.
Waldhauser asked how many parking spaces might be available on the property ta north,
if the applicant needs to use them. Smith guessed there are between 30 and 50 parking
spaces and that the owner of the property has indicated that parking won't be a problem.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 25, 2012
Page 3
Kisch asked about the number of staff. Smith said on weeknights there would be
approximately 5 to 8 staff people and on weekends there will be different shifts with
approximately 12 to 18 staff people. Kisch said he is concerned that staff could take the
majority of the parking spaces. Smith said he would have the staff park further away.
McCarty asked the applicant if he has plans to add a haunted house feature. Smith said
he may like to have a haunted house in the future if parking allows. He explained that in
the future he may cansider suspending the arena areas and having one haunted house
during October, keeping the reservation system in place to avoid crowds.
Waldhauser asked about the admission price. Smith said he is not sure yet, but it will be
approximately $15 to $18 per person.
Waldhauser opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to speak,
Waldhauser closed the public hearing.
Kisch said parking is his one area of concern, but he thinks it's been addressed. He said
he thinks the hours will work well and he is in support of this proposal. Cera agreed and
added that noise could potentially be an issue but he thinks it could be addressed if
needed.
Segelbaum said he thinks this propasal will be very successful. He added that the
reservation system will help, but he worries about the capacity and there being large
crowds if it turns into more of a haunted house type of use. Kisch noted that the condition
regarding parking will help mitigate any problems. Waldhauser agreed and stated that the
reservation system will also help.
Grimes suggested that before the applicant has a haunted house that he be required to
submit a plan detaifing the dates, parking, the number of people expected, etc. before the
event. Smith noted that the current plan does not include a haunted house. He said he
would be willing to submit a plan if he decides to have a haunted house in the future. He
reiterated that if he has a haunted house in the future he would use his reservation
system for that as well.
Waldhauser suggested adding a condition stating that a reservation system will be used
for all events.
Segelbaum asked how the business model would change between the regular model and
the haunted house model. Smith explained that the regular model would be more like a
game of capture the flag with labyrinths, whereas the haunted hause would not be a
game, people would just walk through it. Segelbaum noted that more people could be
moved through a haunted house. Smith agreed and stated that the reservations would be
for shorter amounts of time and that he would work within the parking and capacity rules.
Schmidgall said he is supportive of this proposal and does not want to tell the applicant
how to run his business.
Smith stated that he would be willing to come back to the City with a proposal in the future
if he decides to have a haunted house. Kisch stated that condition number three
regarding the parking should address any issues or potential parking problems. McCarty
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 25, 2012
Page 4
agreed. Cera suggested adding a condition stating that if the business operations change
from the narrative that was submitted with the application, Mr. Smith would need to meet
with staff to address any possible issues.
MOVED by Cera, seconded by Segelbaum and motion carried unanimously to
recommend approval allowing a recreational/entertainment (Qisturbia in Suburbia) use in
the Light Industrial zoning district at 8806-8808 7th Avenue North subject to the following
conditions:
1. The site plan shall become a part of this approval.
2. The conditions found in Deputy Fire Marshal Ed Anderson's memo dated June 4, 2012,
shall become a part of this approval.
3. At any time, if the amount of parking on the site is inadequate as determined by the City
Manager or his/her designee, Disturbia in Suburbia will take immediate steps to obtain
off-site parking agreements with nearby businesses.
4. The hours of operation shall be limited to: Monday-Thursday: 3-8 pm, Friday-Saturday:
10am-12 midnight, Sunday: 11am-7pm
5. All signage shall meet the requirements of Section 4.20 of City Code.
6. All future improvements to the building shall meet the City's Building Code
requirements.
7. All other applicable local, state and federal requirements shall be met at all times.
8. The applicant shall discuss with Gity Staff, any changes in the Business Plan submitted
with the original Conditional Use Permit applieation.
3. Informal Public Hearing — General Land Use Plan Map Amendment—
740 Douglas Drive North and 6100 & 6110 Olson Memorial Highway— CPAM-50
Applicant: City of Golden Valley
Addresses: 74Q Douglas Drive North
6100 & 6110 Olson Memorial Highway
Purpose: To change the designation on the General Land Use Plan Map from
Industrial to Commercial-Office
4. Informal Public Hearing — Property Rezonings — 740 Douglas Drive North and
6100 & 6110 Olson Memorial Highway —Z012-18
Applicant: City of Golden Valley
Addresses: 740 Douglas Drive North
6100 & 6110 Olsr�n Memorial Highway
Purpose: To rezone the properties from Industrial to Business and Professional
Offices
Items 3 and 4 were considered and discussed together.
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June 25, 2012
Page 5
Grimes reminded the Commission that the Douglas Drive Corridor Study identified the area
at the northeast intersection of Highway 55 and Douglas Drive to be suitable for the
development of a corporate campus. He explained that upon further study and the high
costs of changing the infrastructure in that area, it has been determined that the section of
the site to the north and the east of the Highway 55 frontage Road would most
appropriately be zoned Business and Professional Offices and the area between the
Frontage Road, Highway 55 and Douglas Drive (currently BNC Bank and the former
Denny's restaurant site) would be most appropriate for commercial development. Grimes
noted that the businesses located in this area can continue, but they cannot expand.
Kisch stated that he understands keeping the corner zoned Commercial, but he's
concerned about "pigeon haling" development due to the infrastructure. He said thinking of
the area as a whole seems important and he would like the entire corner to be what the
City envisioned in the Corridor Study.
Waldhauser questioned what the City would gain by having the corner properties be zoned
differently than the rest of the area. Grimes stated that the danger of keeping the properties
zoned Industrial is that the City won't get the corporate campus development it envisions.
Cera suggested zoning the entire area retail services.
Kisch asked which zoning districts would be allowed in the Commercial-Office land use
designation. Grimes discussed the zoning districts and use that would be allowed in the
Commercial-Office and Commercial-Retail/Service land use designations. Kisch said thinks
the entire corner should be looked at together and suggested tabling these public hearings
until the new Light Commercial Zoning District is in place.
Waldhauser said she didn't feel that re-designating and rezoning just the properties that are
currently being discussed would change anything regarding future uses, because a
corporate campus would still be allowed with the new designation and zoning. Grimes
agreed and reiterated that the City Council has directed the Planning Commission to
consider this area in two different pieces because of infrastructure costs and setback
issues.
Commissioners Schmidgall and Segelbaum agreed that they would like to consider the
entire corner area at the same time. Cera suggested that a mixed-use option also be
considered.
Cera asked if the moratorium currently in place could be extended. Grimes said no.
MOVED by Cera, seconded by Kisch and motion carried unanimously to table these two
items in order to consider the entire corner properties at once.
--Short Recess—
Minutes af the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 25, 2012
Page 6
5. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
No reports were given.
6. Other Business
o Proposed New Zoning District — Light Commercial
Grimes explained that the proposed new Light Commercial zoning district language will
be on the next Planning Commission agenda for discussion.
o Election of Officers
Cera referred to the language in the Planning Commission bylaws which states that the
vice-chair shall be the fifth member of the Board of Zoning Appeals. He said he thought
that language had been removed from the bylaws. Grimes said he would research the
language regarding the vice-chair serving as the fifth member of the Board of Zoning
Appeals and bring an amended ordinance, if necessary, to a future Planning Commission
meeting for review.
MOVED by Schmidgall, seconded by Cera and motion carried unanimously to continue
the current slate of officers for another year (Waldhauser as Chair, Kluchka as Vice Chair,
Cera as Secretary and McCarty as the Planning Commission representative an the Board
of Zoning Appeals).
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm.
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David A. Cera, Secretary