06-27-16 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 27, 2016
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday,
June 27, 2016. Chair Segelbaum called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners Baker, Blum, Johnson, Kluchka,
Segelbaum, and Waldhauser. Also present were Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman,
Associate Planner/Grant Writer Emily Goellner, and Administrative Assistant Lisa
Wittman.
1. Approval of Minutes
June 13, 2016, Regular Planning Commission Meeting
MOVED by Kluchka, seconded by Johnson and motion carried 5 to 1 to approve the June
12, 2016, minutes as submitted. Commissioner Baker abstained.
2. Informal Public Hearing — Conditional Use Permit— 8814 7t" Avenue North —
Big Deals Liquidation Outlet— CU-153
Applicant: Big Deals Liquidation Outlet
Address: 8814 7th Avenue North
Purpose: To allow for Accessory Retail Services in the Light Industrial zoning
d istrict.
Zimmerman referred to a site plan of the property and discussed the applicant's request
for a Conditional Use Permit to allow retail services incidental to a permitted use in a Light
Industrial zoning district at 8814 7th Avenue North. He stated that in this zoning district up
to 10% of the total building square footage can be used for accessory retail. He explained
that there are two other approved accessory retail uses in the building that occupy
approximately 6.9% of the building's total square footage and if this Conditional Use
Permit is approved, the building would have a total of 9.2%.
Zimmerman stated that the applicant currently operates in a building off Highway 55 in
Golden Valley and that they sell merchandise from retailers and catalog companies by the
truckload to other online sellers. In addition to the liquidation portion of their business,
they also have a destination business and would like to sell goods at this warehouse
location. He explained that the building at 8814 7th Avenue North is approximately 66,000
square feet in size and that the applicant's space would be approximately 4,400 square
feet in size. The wholesale/storage area would be approximately 2,900 square feet and
the retail area would be approximately 1,500 square feet which is approximately 2.3% of
the building's total square footage.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 27, 2016
Page 2
Zimmerman referred to the parking requirements and said seven spaces are required and
that the applicant has been assigned eight spaces in the front lot. He stated that the
applicant currently has about 5-6 customers per hour and will have two employees on site
and added that sales are limited to Tuesday through Saturday to help alleviate parking
concerns. Zimmerman also noted that the applicant's hours will be different than Empty
the Nest which is open Saturdays through Mondays and it will be on the opposite end of
the building from New to You Thriftique which should also help with any parking issues.
Zimmerman stated that staff is recommending approval of this Conditional Use Permit
request.
Waldhauser asked about the type of signage allowed. Zimmerman stated that the tenants
in this building have signs over their front entrances. Baker asked if additional signage will
be allowed. Zimmerman stated that the entire building is allotted a certain amount of
signage based on the zoning district it is in and the landlord can allocate it as they see fit.
Segelbaum referred to the conditions listed in the staff report regarding parking and asked
if it is fair to make the applicant responsible for parking issues rather than the property
owner. Zimmerman stated that if there are issues with parking staff would talk to all three
of the retail uses in the building, but ultimately it would be up to property owner to resolve
any issues.
Baker asked if there are options for additional tenants to pursue retail uses beyond the
10% allowed in the building. Zimmerman said no, the City does not allow use variances.
The other retail uses in the building would have to adjust or reduce their amount of retail
space in order to allow additional retail tenants.
Segelbaum asked if the building is one story. Zimmerman said there is some second-
story/mezzanine space as well. Segelbaum asked if that is included the calculation of
square footage. Zimmerman said yes.
Waldhauser asked where the applicant's current space is located. Zimmerman said they
are located in the Golden Valley Shopping Center.
Blum asked the applicants what kinds of goods they buy and sell. Scott Condon,
Applicant, stated that they buy new, open-box or damaged-box goods by the truck load.
He noted that they sell some items on-line and some in their retail space.
Waldhauser asked the applicants how they find their customers. Mr. Condon stated that
the have commercials on Comcast, and ads on Craig's List and Facebook. Laura
Condon, Applicant, added that they also have a good following of customers who tend to
find them.
Baker asked about the specific types of items they sell. Mr. Condon said they sell
bedding, furniture, clothing, toys, seasonal items, etc. Ms. Condon stated that they sell
small amounts of everything.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 27, 2016
Page 3
Segelbaum asked the applicants if they have any concerns with the amount of parking
they'll have. Mr. Condon said they think the parking will be adequate because they only
have a few customers at a time. Segelbaum asked the applicants if they have concerns
about the condition being placed on them regarding future parking concerns. Mr. Condon
said they understand the conditions.
Waldhauser noted that the existing location in the Golden Valley Shopping Center has
windows to display their items. She asked if not having windows in the proposed new
location will affect their business. Mr. Condon said he doesn't think it will be necessary to
have front windows. Ms. Condon stated that the other uses in the building will
complement their business and there will also be fewer opportunities for break-ins.
Johnson referred to the floor plans submitted and questioned why it shows that the entry
is to be determined. Mr. Condon explained that the space is being remodeled and that the
exact location of the entry is unknown, but it will probably be in the same location as the
existing entry.
Segelbaum opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to comment,
Segelbaum closed the public hearing.
Waldhauser said this proposal seems reasonable and is a good use for a building with
vacancies. Baker agreed and said he likes that it is complimentary to the other uses in the
building.
Segelbaum asked the Commissioners if they have any concerns about parking or the
condition listed in the staff report regarding parking. Baker said he thinks the City will be
able to address any issues that may arise.
Kluchka asked about the sidewalk plans for this area. Zimmerman stated that there will be
sidewalk linking Culver's and TruStone. He said he is not sure about the plans on the
north side of the street, but that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force will be considering
it.
MOVED by Kluchka, seconded by Baker and motion carried unanimously to recommend
approval of the proposed Conditional Use Permit subject to the following findings and
conditions:
Findinqs:
1. Demonstrated Need for the Proposed Use: Big Deals Liquidation Outlet is an
existing business that has shown a demand exists for the services they provide.
Based on their past experiences, they are able to accurately predict the expected
amount of retail demand there would be for their operations.
2. Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan: A warehouse use with a retail
component is consistent with the Light Industrial designation of this property on the
General Land Use Plan Map.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 27, 2016
Page 4
3. Effect on Property Values: Staff anticipates the new use would have no impact on
the surrounding property values.
4. Effect on Traffic: The number of trips associated with the proposed use is
moderate and concentrated Tuesday through Saturday. Staff does not expect any
negative traffic impacts to the surrounding areas.
5. Effect of Increases in Population and Density: The proposed use may generate a
minor increase in the number of employees at the location.
6. Increase in Noise Levels: The proposed use is not anticipated to cause an
increase in noise levels.
7. Impact of Dust, Odor, or Vibration: The proposed use is not anticipated to cause
an increase in dust, odor, or vibrations.
8. Impact of Pests: The proposed use is not anticipated to attract pests.
9. Visual Impact: Because the proposed use would involve only interior modifications,
staff does not anticipate a change in the visual quality of the property.
10.Other Impacts to the City and Residents: Staff does not anticipate any other
negative effects of the proposed use. The location is a multi-tenant light industrial
property with adequate parking to serve the individual uses.
Conditions:
1. The plans submitted by the applicant dated June 10, 2016, shall become a part of
this approval.
2. Retail sales shall be limited to Tuesday through Saturday
3. In the event complaints to the City regarding parking are deemed by the City
Manager or his/her designee to be significant, the City reserves the right to require
signage be installed to highlight the existing eight parking spaoes in the front parking
lot and to reserve them for customer use. Other modifications to the days or hours of
operation may be required to adequately address parking concerns.
4. The applicant shall contact the Golden Valley Fire Department to schedule a routine
fire inspection after occupying the space.
5. This approval is subject to all other state, federal, and local ordinances, regulations, or
laws with authority over this development.
--Short Recess--
3. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
No reports were given.
4. Other Business
• Council Liaison Report
Council Member Schmidgall reported on the June 21 City Council meeting. He stated
that the Council approved the Conditional Use Permit for the ceramics studio at 1000
Boone Avenue and the Conditional Use Permit for Morrie's Heritage Car Connection at
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June 27, 2016
Page 5
710 Pennsylvania Avenue South. They also approved the amendments to the R-2
Zoning District, but they denied the re-guiding and rezoning at 9050 Golden Valley
Road.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 pm.
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John KI hka, Secretary Lis ittman, Administrative Assistant