06-10-13 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 10, 2013
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Chambers, 780Q Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday,
June 10, 2013. Chair Kluchka called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners Boudreau-Landis, Cera, Kluchka, McCarty
and Segelbaum. Also present were Community Development Director Mark Grimes, City
Planner Joe Hogeboom, Planning Intern Brett Angell and Administrative Assistant Lisa
Wittman. Commissioners Baker and Waldhauser were absent.
1. Approval of Minutes
May 13, 2013 Regular Planning Commission Meeting
MOVED by Cera, seconded by McCarty and motion carried unanimously to approve the
May 13, 2013 minutes as submitted.
2. Informal Public Hearing — Conditional Use Permit (CUP) — 8851 7�h Avenue
North — Drive-Thru Window in the Commercial Zoning District—CU-133
Applicant: Sweet Cream Properties Golden Valley, LLC (Culver's)
Address: 8851 7th Avenue North
Purpose: To allow for a drive-thru window in the Commercial Zoning District.
Angell stated that the applicant is proposing to construct a Culver's Restaurant at 8851 7t"
Avenue North. He explained that the applicant would like to operate a drive-thru window
which requires a Conditional Use Permit. He noted that the proposed restaurant will be
4,300 square feet in size with an 807 square foot patio and the ability to seat 126
customers. He referred to a photo of the site and said that there will be 64 parking spaces.
He added that the property is zoned properly and designated properly on the General
Land Use Plan map for this use and staff is recommending approval of the requested
Conditional Use Permit.
Segelbaum referred to the number of parking spaces and asked if staff believes that 64
spaces will be sufficient. Grimes stated that Culver's is kind of a hybrid restaurant in that
approximately half of their business will be a sit-down type of restaurant, and not strictly a
fast food type of restaurant so staff is comfortable with 64 parking spaces. Segelbaum
asked how the parking for this site would compare to a different type of restaurant.
Grimes said a typical fast food restaurant would require more parking spaces. He added
that staff's goal is to not have to pave areas any more than necessary for parking and to
keep parking at a reasonable amount.
McCarty referred to the analysis factor regarding the effect on traffic and stated that it
seems like there will be more traffic as a result of this use than the property's current use.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 10, 2013
Page 2
Angell stated that staff feels that this proposed use is not expected to have a negative
impact on the traffic in the area. Grimes added that when staff analyzes traffic for this type
of use the main concerns are the impact on the streets, if there is adequate capacity and
if the proposed accesses function properly. He added that the City's Public Works
Department has reviewed the plans and feel the proposal will work. Kluchka suggested
the staff report state that the proposal won't impact the capacity or the operation of the
streets rather than saying the proposal won't impact traffic. Grimes added that another
thing staff considers is how the drive-thru works. In this case, the applicant feels that the
site will be more than adequate to meet their needs.
Segelbaum asked if any thought has been given to walkability around the site and the
ability to ride a bike to the restaurant. Angell stated that sidewalks and walkability in the
area have been discussed and is being studied as part of the Highway 55 Renewal and
Renovation Area goals. Grimes stated that the City's Sidewalk Committee could also
review this proposal. He added that staff could work with Culver's on obtaining an
easement for sidewalks in the future. Boudreau-Landis asked if there are other sidewalks
in the area.
Kluchka asked if adding a bike rack has been discussed. Angell said he wasn't aware of
discussions regarding bike racks.
Kluchka asked if landscape plans will be submitted. Grimes stated that a landscape plan
will be reviewed as a part of the building permit process.
Segelbaum asked if all drive-thru windows require a Conditional Use Permit or just drive-
thru windows in the Commercial zoning district. Grimes stated that every drive-thru
window requires a Conditional Use Permit.
Ghris McGuire, McCon Building Corp., representing the applicant, stated that they are
intending to install sidewalks and a bike rack and they will follow whatever the City Code
requires regarding landscaping. Kluchka suggested that they have those items shown on
the plans when they go before the City Council for consideration.
Cera asked about the timeline for the project. McGuire said they would like to start
construction in late July or early August with completion in November.
Segelbaum suggested that the applicant stripe a pathway in the parking lot that shows
what route pedestrians should take. McGuire stated safe access will be created from the
patio to the sidewalk.
Segelbaum asked the applicant if the 64 parking spaces shown on the plans will be too
many, too few or adequate. McGuire stated 64 spaces are more than they have at some
of their other locations however that will be a nice number for this site. Segelbaum said
the City would be open to reducing the number of parking spaces. McGuire said that 64
spaces will work very well.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 10, 2013
Page 3
Kluchka said he would like to see the sidewalk plan done for this area before the Culver's
goes in.
Cera referred to photos submitted with the agenda and asked if they are representative of
what will be built on this site. McGuire stated that this restaurant will be similar to the one
shown in the photos however it will be slightly taller.
Kluchka referred to the site plan and asked the applicant to explain the drive-thru stacking
area. McGuire showed on the site plan how the drive-thru traffic would work and noted
that there is enough room for 15 to 16 cars.
Boudreau-Landis asked if the drive aisles and radii for emergency vehicles will be 20 feet
in width as required. McGuire said they are both greater than 20 feet in width.
Kluchka opened the public hearing.
Julie Peterson, Applicant, said she is excited to bring Culver's to Golden Valley. She
stated that there is a bike trail near their proposed store so a bike rack would be a good
thing to install. She said she would bring a landscape plan to the Council meeting and she
also feels that sidewalks in this area are important.
Hearing and seeing no one else wishing to comment, Kluchka closed the public hearing.
Kluchka asked Grimes about the timeline of this area's overall sidewalk plan. Grimes
explained that the Highway 55 Renewal and Renovation district could be on hold because
the recently approved Tiburon apartment project is currently on hold. He noted that the
City's sidewalk plan does call for sidewalk in this entire area it is just a matter of having
the funds to construct them. He added that the City cannot stop development because of
sidewalks or make a developer install sidewalks. Segelbaum stated that the applicant has
said they would be willing to install sidewalks and he would like to encourage them to do
so even if the City can't require them to. Boudreau-Landis asked if there is a plan in place
regarding the maintenance of sidewalks. Grimes stated that the City currently maintains
public sidewalks. McCarty said he understands there are things they might like to have
but questioned if the Planning Commission has the authority to require them. Kluchka
said the Planning Commission doesn't have the authority to require sidewalks but he
thinks it is good to have the discussion. Cera said he feels Culver's is a destination
restaurant and is a good use of the property that will bring business to the area.
MOVED by Cera, seconded by Segelbaum and motion carried unanimously to
recommend approval to allow for the operation of a drive-thru window in a Commercial
Zoning District for the property located at 88517th Avenue North subject the following
conditions:
1. The Site Plans submitted with the application shall become part of this approval.
2. All signage must meet the requirements of section 4.20 of City Code.
3. All future improvements to the building shall meet the City's Building Code
requirements.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 10, 2013
Page 4
4. The applicant shall consider amending the site plans to include a landscape plan, a
sidewalk/pedestrian plan, a bicycle rack, a drive-thru stacking plan and a striped
area showing pedestrian use on the site.
5. All other applicable local, state and federal requirements shall be met at all times.
--Short Recess--
3. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
Grimes gave a status report on various proposals and projects that will be coming before
the Planning Commission including, the proposed performance zoning district, the solar
energy ordinance, and the formation of a Bottineau Transitway station area planning
steering committee.
4. Other Business
No other business was discussed.
5. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.
,
i
;
Charles D. Segel um, Secre