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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/00Hastings Planning Commission July 17th, 2000 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Schultz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Present: Anderson, Greil, Harrington, Schultz, Strauss, and Stotko Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: City Planner Matthew Weiland, Associate Planner Kris Jenson 2. Approve June 12th, 2000 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. 3. Public Hearing - Hastings Marketplace Preliminary Plat. 7. Site Plan - Hastings Marketplace City Planner Matthew Weiland presented background information on the project. He discussed Staff=s recommendations to reduce parking on the site, and that Staff, at a later date would be reviewing the lighting plans and the plans for waste disposal. Planner Weiland also stated that the City=s Engineering Consultant, Bart Engineering would review the plans with regards to the proposed changes near the detention pond, and any conditions they recommend must be followed by the Developer. Chairman Schultz opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 pm. With no public comment made, the Public Hemng was closed at 7:16 pm. Commissioner Harrington asked about the stacking distance for the car wash, as well as the large pavement area behind the retail space in the southwest comer of the project. Planner Weiland explained that the Site Plan was preliminary and the exact layout for the car wash had not been determined. As for the large pavement area, it is serving as a turn around area for large delivery trucks to keep the heavy vehicle behind the buildings. Commissioner Anderson suggested that taller vegetation would be the most effective screening method for the rear of the buildings, and would be the Commission's preference. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Harrington seconded to recommend to the City Council the approval of the Hastings Marketplace West Preliminary Plat subject to the following conditions: That the storm water plan is approved by Bart Engineering and the Public Works Director. The Developer shall be required to incorporate into the development grading plans any comments from BARR Engineering or the Public Works Director. The Developer shall pay for the Bart Engineering review. 4. 5. 6. All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with appropriate cover to eliminate erosion problems. The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements of the City=s property maintenance ordinance. That the Developer shall incorporate MNDOT=s comments into the preliminary plat or site plan. The developer shall pay 6 interceptor sewer charges per developable acre at a rate of $305.00 per sewer interceptor charge. The developable acres for this property shall include the whole plat except for the existing drainage and utility easement on the south side of this property. These fees shall be paid prior to City release of final plat hardshells. That the Developer shall obtain Site Plan approval from the City prior to issuance of any building permits for any future proposed developments on property. The final plat shall be modified to include additional drainage and utility easements along the north and west sides of the property. There shall be at least a 10 ft easement along the north property line and 5 easement along the west property line. There shall be shared access easements and agreements recorded with the final plat that allow for shared access through the property. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 5; Nays, 0, Stotko Abstain. Motion carried. Hastings Marketplace West Site Plan: Commissioner Strauss moved and Commissioner Greil seconded to recommend to City Council the Hastings Marketplace West Preliminary Site Plan subject to following: That the storm water/utility plan is approved by Barr Engineering and the Public Works Director and that any comments from them is incorporated into the storm water and utility plan. That the Developer shall incorporate MNDOT=s comments into the preliminary plat or site plan. That the applicant shall modify the site plan to eliminate the following 50 parking spaces: A. 17 parking spaces in the northeast comer of the site. B. 24 parking spaces in the northwest comer of the site. C. 9 parking spaces along the western property line. That the developer modify the landscape plan to include the following elements subject to approval of the City Planner: A. More trees and shrubs shall be added to the new green space created with the elimination of the 50 parking spaces. B. The area behind the loading docks of the proposed grocery shall be intensified with more evergreens and should include some 8 ft trees. As an alternative, the applicant could also install a 6 ft opaque fence along the back of the loading dock area. C. To minimize impervious areas, including possibly adding a landscaped island in the truck turnaround area, as well as other areas. That the proposed structure and accessory items including, but not limited to, the parking lot and landscaping shall be completed pursuant to the approved site plan. Upon request for occupancy of the building, all uncompleted items contained within the site plan shall be addressed pursuant to city code escrow requirements. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 5; Nays, 0, Stotko Abstain. Motion carried. 4. Public Hearing - Guardian Angels Rezoning (R-2 to R-4 PRD) Planner Weiland provided an overview of the proposed project. Chairman Schultz opened the public hearing at 7:34 pm. Mike Harp, 503 Ramsey Street, asked where the parking would be located if this property were rezoned. He has concerns regarding on-street parking. Scott Meyer, 114 E 6th Street, inquired about the possible assessments and impacts in the utilities, streets, schools, etc. He asked how the numbers of owner occupied units in the city compared with rental umts. He asked if the City had considered purchasing the property for a park. Mr. Meyer also asked if a women=s shelter required special zoning. Dan McQuaid, 718 Tyler, stated that school population is increasing and this area of town has enough multi- family units, and they are not in keeping with the neighborhood. Karen Gephardt, 206 E 5th Street, stated that she knows the church(St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) and the City Council want this rezoned, but she feels that consideration should be given to the neighbors of the project. She also stated that she was not notified about the public hearing. Mr. Harp inquired as to how many people were notified. Planner Weiland stated that Minnesota State Law mandates that neighbors within 350' are notified by mailing. Mr. Harp stated that he feel more people should be notified about the meetings. Mr. McQuiad read portions of an article from the Hastings Star Gazette regarding the July 10th City Council meeting. Mr. Meyer added that every meeting hold merit and the neighbors should be notified of every meeting and not brushed off. Ms. Gephardt stated that the rezoning hearing was being held prematurely due to the fact that so many site plan issues had not been discussed or settled. Chairman Schultz suggested that perhaps the Commission should table the public hearing, broadening the scope of the public notification. She reminded residents that the public hearing notices are also published in the newspaper. Planner Weiland added that Staff is always willing to listen to suggestions for projects, and decisions axe based on what is best for the community. Commissioner Strauss moved and Commissioner Stotko seconded a motion to table the Guardian Angels public hearing for rezoning from R-2 to R-4 PRD. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nays, 0. Motion carried. 5. Public Hearing - Minor Subdivision - 295 Crestview Drive 8. Minor Subdivision/Setback Variance - 295 Crestview Drive Associate Planner Jenson presented background information on the request. Planner Weiland added that when the home at 295 Crestview was originally constructed, the foundation was placed in the wrong location; thus a lot line adjustment was done. Chairman Schultz opened the public hearing at 8:02 pm. Paul Hendrikson, 290 Crestview Drive, stated that he had a similar problem with the builder when his house was being built, however, his foundation was moved to the correct location. He felt that there were plenty of other lots available in the area, and that there simply was not enough room on the proposed lot to construct a home. Margaret Wright, 300 Crestview Drive, stated that her driveway would be located directly across from the proposed lot and driveway, while all the others in the area are scattered. She felt that any house built on the proposed lot would be too small and not fit in with the neighborhood. Don Bauerfeld, 285 Crestview Drive, stated that he is not in favor of this proposal. Ellen Miller, 305 Crestview Drive, felt that adding a house in the proposed lot would make the area seem crowded. Claudia Balk, 325 Whispering Lane, stated that while the lot may seen big, much of it is a steep hill. She also added that covenants for the subdivision require a 1200 sq. ft. foundation size. Chairman Schultz closed the public hearing at 8:10 pm. Commissioner Greil asked if the house had built in the correct location originally would this even be possible. Planner Weiland stated that, no there would not have been sufficient room for this proposal. Commissioner Greil added that he drove by the area and did not feel that it fit in with the neighborhood. Commissioner Strauss commented that this is almost a self-created opportunity. Commissioner Stotko moved and Commissioner Anderson seconded a motion to deny the lot width variance for 295 Crestview Drive, with the findings that it does not meet the conditions necessary for a variance. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nays, 0. Motion carried. A vote was not taken on the Minor Subdivision matter because the variance was necessary to move forward with the minor subdivision. 6. Public Hearing - Zoning Code Amendment - Temporary Car Sales Planner Weiland stated that the current Zoning Code only permits car sales in the C-2 Highway-Auto-Specialized Commerce District. It is not permitted within the C-3 and C-4 districts. A request has been made to amend the zoning code to permit temporary car sales as a permitted use within the C-4 district. Chairman Schultz opened the Public Hearing at 8:30 p.m. Doug Erickson, of Erickson Ford Mercury, stated that several years ago car sales were allowed at the former Pamida location (now Clancy=s). He feels that outdoor sales and events such as this bring business into the City and are a benefit to the City. Chairman Schultz closed the Public Hearing at 8:30 p.m. Commissioner Stotko expressed concern for the safety of pedestrians and Commissioner Harrington expressed concerns regarding traffic. Mr. Erickson stated that Wal-Mart was willing to let them use a specific number of spaces, although he was unsure as to what that number was, perhaps in the neighborhood of 150. Commissioner Anderson stated that he felt there were serious safety concerns, and that this type of event would require complex regulations. He felt it was easier to stick with the current codes, as he doesn=t see how this type of event helps the City. Chairman Schultz moved to ask Staff to draft a Special Use Ordinance for temporary car sales which would address size, location, the number per year, as well as other pertinent issues. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Strauss stated that she was concerned that dual use parking lot would cause problems, in the past the sale was held at an area with a vacant store. Mr. Erickson stated that he didn=t feel that other Wal-Marts would participate in this type of event is it was not safe or beneficial. Commissioner Stotko stated that perhaps the events would be less problematic if they occurred at a place where the parking lot was not being used, i.e a school parking lot during the summer. Planner Weiland stated that Staff was unsure as to what was wrong with the existing car lots. Commissioner Greil stated that he was hard pressed to see the value for the City. Mr. Erickson stated that if the event isn=t demeaning or obtrusive and causes more sales and expanded business, why shouldn=t we permit it? Most business try to be community oriented and a city should be business oriented as well. He also stated that in the previous events at Westview Mall there were frequent visits from the Police and Fire Chiefs, both of whom had no complaints or problems. Commissioner Stotko pointed out that Mr. Erickson was the only dealer present at the meeting. Mr. Erickson stated that he could not speak for other businesses in the community. He added that he tries to be a good corporate citizen and a 4 day car sales event can help. He stated that if the event wasn=t a success, that he wouldn=t do it again. Commissioner Harrington asked about ordinance options. Could this be sunsetted (allowed for a one year time period)? Planner Weiland stated that no, the ordinance must either be amended or left alone. Chairman Schultz stated that a special use permit would require review every year by the Planning Commission and the City Council. Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Greil seconded a motion to recommend to City Council denial of the request to amend the Zoning Code to permit temporary car sales in the C-4 district. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 4; Nays, 2. Motion carried. 9. Site Plan/House Move - 517 E 7th Street Planner Jenson presented information on the request. Planner Weiland added that the applicant was moving the house in rather than constructing a new addition to his home. Commissioner Anderson asked the applicant if he was using a licensed house mover; the applicant indicated he was. Commissioner Harrington moved and Commissioner Greil seconded a motion to recommend to City Council that they authorize issuance of moving & building permits to allow the home included in a proposal from Joan Ilia/Thomas Sieben to be moved to 517 E 7th Street subject to the following conditions: Compliance with all applicable City Code requirements including, but not limited to: City Code Chapter 4 (Construction Regulations) and City Code Chapter 18 (Property Maintenance Ordinance). That all exterior site work on the structure and site be completed within 6 months from the date of permit issuance. This exterior work shall included painting the house. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6; Nays, 0. Motion carried. 10. Updates and Other Business Planner Jenson handed out information booklets from the meeting in late June regarding station planning for the Red Rock Corridor. 11. Adjournment There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 pm.