06-26-17 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Commission
June 26, 2017
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 26, 2017.
Those present were Commissioners Baker, Blenker, Blum, Johnson, Kluchka,
Segelbaum, and Waldhauser. Also present were Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman,
Associate Planner and Grant Writer Emily Goellner, and Community Development
Intern Kayla Grover. Baker called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
1. Approval of Minutes
May 8, 2017, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
Blum asked that his comments regarding Tree Trust be edited to clarify that he was
referring specifically to their work in St. Louis Park.
MOVED by Waldhauser, seconded by Johnson, and motion carried unanimously to
approve the May 8, 2017, Regular Meeting Minutes with the revision discussed.
June 12, 2017, Special Meeting of the Planning Commission
Blenker asked that her comment in the third paragraph on page 13 be amended to
reflect the fact that her comment was a statement, not a question.
MOVED by Kluchka, seconded by Blenker, and motion carried unanimously to approve
the June 12 Special Meeting Minutes with the revision discussed.
June 12, 2017, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
MOVED by Waldhauser, seconded by Blum, and motion carried unanimously to
approve the June 12 Regular Meeting Minutes as submitted.
2. Informal Public Hearing -- Conditional Use Permit -- 8838 7th Avenue South
-- Skylab Glass Arts -- CU-157
Applicant: Skylab Glass Arts
Address: 8838 7th Avenue South
Purpose: To allow for Accessory Retail Services in the Light Industrial Zoning
District
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 26, 2017
Page 2
Zimmerman presented on the Conditional Use Permit and pointed out that the same
building had a Conditional Use Permit for a similar purpose just last year, indicating an
interest in these uses in that part of the city. He explained that the applicant was hoping
to sell supplies and equipment for glass arts in addition to the permitted use as a studio
space. Zimmerman reminded the Commission that the Zoning Code allows for up to ten
percent of a building's total square footage in the Light Industrial district to be used for
accessory retail sales. He explained that while there were three other accessory retail
uses in the same building, adding the proposed use would not exceed that threshold.
Zimmerman stated that the owner of the building had assigned six parking spaces for
this use. The operating hours would be 9 am to 9 pm with 24 hour access to artists who
were renting workstations on a monthly basis. While there was a possibility of the
applicant offering classes in the future, Zimmerman explained that possibility was not
being addressed under this Conditional Use Permit and that if those classes were
offered there would be a need for further review. Zimmerman said that staff had
reviewed the hours of other businesses in the building and did not see conflict with the
hours that would create a parking shortage and were not concerned.
Zimmerman explained the back area of the space would be workstations, and the front
would be occupied by retail space, totaling about 12.5% of the tenant space but only
0.6% of the total building space. He stated that staff was not concerned about this use
and that it was in line with the uses desired for the Light Industrial district. He said that
staff is recommending approval with the following conditions: 1) if parking became a
problem, the tenant might be asked to install signage, 2) a fire inspection of the space
would be completed, and 3) if classes were proposed in the future the applicant would
work with city staff to coordinate hours.
Kluchka inquired about whether the studio would be using electric, gas, or propane.
Zimmerman was unsure but stated that the building inspector had seemed comfortable
with their fuel source.
Waldhauser asked about the proposed 24 hour access for the monthly tenants and
wanted to know if there were concerns with visibility or security. Zimmerman said that
he could ask the police if they had any concerns.
Waldhauser drew attention to condition three recommended by staff and said that
seemed to her to be the landlord's responsibility, not the City's. Zimmerman said it was
a bit of both since the uses have overlapping impact but the landlord is not involved in
the permitting process and that staff had been exploring ways to see if the landlord
could be brought in to coordinate these issues through some type of Conditional Use
Permit for the whole building.
Segelbaum brought up the question of parking and wanted to know if that was the
primary concern with the classes. Zimmerman clarified that parking was the only
concern with the classes. Segelbaum pointed out the condition that could require
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 26, 2017
Page 3
modification of days or hours of business should issues arise and wanted to know if
alternative parking arrangements could be another option. Zimmerman stated that the
language was what was generally used for CUPs, but that alternative parking options
could be arranged as well.
Baker inquired as to whether there had been monitoring of parking at that building.
Zimmerman said that there had been no official monitoring, but that the City had not
received any complaints.
Chair Baker opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to
comment, Baker closed the public hearing.
Kluchka recommended that in item three a recommendation be added specifying the
need for efficient management of parking.
Segelbaum recommended that in item two it be explicitly stated that the City can require
arrangements be made for additional parking.
MOVED by Kluchka, seconded by Waldhauser, and motion carried unanimously to
recommend approval of the proposed Conditional Use Permit subject to the following
findings and conditions:
Findin s:
1. Demonstrated Need for the Proposed Use: The applicant indicates the glass arts
studio — and specifically the accessory retail component—will fill a need in the
community and provide a local outlet for materials and equipment.
2. Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan: A studio art use with an accessory
retail component is consistent with the City's vision to bring more activity and variety
of uses to the transitional area west of the downtown, and is not incompatible with
the Light Industrial designation of this property on the General Land Use Plan Map.
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 spread throughout the day and week. Staff does not expect any
negative traffic impacts to the surrounding areas.
5. Effect of Increases in Population and Density: The proposed use is not
anticipated to significantly increase 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.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 26, 2017
Page 4
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 May 17, 2017, shall become a part of
this approval.
2. 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 six parking spaces 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.
3. If classes are proposed in the future, the applicant shall work with City staff to
structure the hours and size of the classes so as to function efficiently with the other
tenants and uses in the building.
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.
3. Discussion -- Places of Assembly
4. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
5. Other Business
6. Adjournment
John Kluchka, Secretary Kayla Grover, Community Development Intern