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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-13 CPC MIN4 , E PLANNING COMMISSION March 13, 1995 Present: Glenna Bealka, Rob Hamlin, Kirk Roetman, Don Valsvik, Darwin Wald and Terry Zoller Absent: Duane Elliott, chairman Jerry Fontaine and Dorothy Foster Others Steve Russell, community development director; Ann Terwedo, planning Vice Chairman Don Valsvik called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Glenna Bealka, seconded by Darwin Wald, moved approval of the minutes of Feb. 13, 1995. All in favor. Case No. V/95-13. A variance to the sign regulations for River Heights Plaza for the placement of two rows of signage totaling 42 inches. The property is located at 1305 Frontage Road in the BP-C Business Park Commercial District. David Pressley, applicant. Chris Borgeson appeared representing the applicant. He said he was aware of the condition of approval. Judy Gulden asked to see a sketch of the proposed signage. Kirk Roetman, seconded by Darwin Wald, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Case No. SUP/95-14. A special use permit to conduct outside sales (garden center) in the parking lot of an existing retail store. The property is located at 2021 Market Drive in the BP-C Business Park Commercial District. Sheri Wald, Target Stores, applicants. Ms. Wald appeared regarding the request. She told the commission that trees and shrubs would be located outside of the portable garden center, taking up an additional 10 parking spaces, so a total of 18 parking spaces would be used. All plants are certified, and the garden center will be located in the parking lot at the farthest point from the entrance to the Target Store. Mr. Roetman, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. 0 Case No. V/95-15. A variance to the front yard setback requirement (16 feet proposed, 30 feet required) for the construction of a 484 square foot garage. The property is located at 1111 Third St. N. in the RB, Two-Family Residential District. Gary Vizenor, applicant. Mr. Vizenor appear representing the couple who are purchasing the home. Mr. Wald asked whether there would be space enough to provide for parking in front of the garage. Mr. Vizenor said there is enough space,16 feet, to park one car in front of the garage; the garage will be on the same alignment as the existing carriage house. Mr. Russell noted that the garage would be 16 feet from the street, not the property line, and suggested that, if approved, the setback should be clarified. There was some question regarding property lines. Mr. Vizenor said he did have a certificate of survey. Mr. Zoller asked that Mr. Vizenor bring the certificate of survey for review by Mr. Russell to ensure that the garage is not built on city property. Mr. Zoller also suggested that a fourth conditional of approval be added to clarify the setback as 16 feet from the curb. Mr. Zoller moved approval with the added condition. Mr. Roetman seconded the motion; all in favor. • Case No. SUP/95-16. This case was continued until the April meeting. Case No. V/95-17. A variance to the sign ordinance for the placement of two signs for one business. The property is located at 1501 Stillwater Blvd. in the BP-C Business Park Commercial District. Dave Fredrickson and Dick Zimmerman, applicants. Appearing before the Commission were Mr. Zimmerman and Mr. Fredrickson, who represents the Video Update sign manufacturer. It was noted that the proposed signage does adhere to the maximum square feet allowed by the ordinance. It was also pointed out that Video Update will occupy half of the total retail space in the new mall, which reduces the total number of signs on the building. Mr. Fredrickson also pointed out that there would be a large area with no signage; people traveling south will not see signage in the front half of the building. Mr. Hamlin asked whether a lot of Video Update's business is first-time business, noting the ordinance does allow for the use of temporary banners for 30 days after opening. Mr. Fredrickson said banners tear and • look shabby and don't serve the same purpose as permanent signage. • Mr. Zimmerman reiterated that the proposed signage is still within what is allowable for the entire mall. He noted that the auto mall along Highway 36 has three signs, one on each side of the building, and that River Heights Plaza has three signs of each side of the building. Mr. Hamlin responded that the Commission is not pleased with the way things have developed along the Highway 36 strip and is trying to, downsize the amount of signage; he also noted Mr. Zimmerman's mall is located across the street from a residential area. Mr. Zimmerman said he felt allowing just one sign represents a hardship since only one-half of the traffic will see any signage. He also said that as a landlord he felt allowing just one sign represents a hardship, as a large area of the mall will appear as a vacancy. There was some discussion as to the red line striping on the proposed Video Update sign. Mr. Fredrickson said the' striping is a 6 inch red illuminated neon stripe and is part of Video Update's image. Howard Lieberman and Roger Tomten, members of the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), were present to explain that Commission's reasons for its denial of the request. Mr. Lieberman said the • HPC tried to seek a compromise, keeping visual clutter to a minimum yet allowing signage that would enable the business to compete and do well. The HPC discussed two options -- allowing Video Update to extend its red striping the entire space it occupies or allowing two signs but reducing the square footage. Mr. Lieberman said a motion was made to allow two signs of reduced square footage, but he said there was a sense Mr. Zimmerman was unwilling to compromise. Mr. Lieberman also said the HPC was never shown the final signage drawing specs. Mr. Lieberman also suggested that if everyone has a hardship, guidelines are meaningless. Mr. Tomten pointed out the architectural amenity of the 45 degree angle at the store entrance is successful at increasing the visibility of the signage to the corner. Mr. Hamlin, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved to deny the request. Mr. Hamlin said he did not think requiring one sign represents a hardship and again noted that the use of temporary banners enables a business time to introduce itself to the community. Motion passers unanimously. Mr. Valsvik reminded the applicants that they have 10 days in which to appeal the Planning Commission's decision to the City Council. • Case No. V/95-18. A variance to the sign ordinance for the placement of a 100 square foot sign (65 feet allowed) for a gas station. The property is located at 2500 W. Orleans St. in the BP-C Business Park Commercial District. Signart, applicant. Appearing before the Commission were Dick Zimmerman and Bob Sherlock, representing Signart. Mr. Sherlock told the Commission the original design was for a 114 square foot sign, a size it was felt was needed in order to get gas pricing numbers of adequate size and to identify the station. He said a 65 foot sign would be a drastic difference from the station directly across the street, which has a 130 square foot sign and new canopy. Mr. Sherlock said he did not think 100 square feet was asking a great deal, considering the competition across the street; the requested signage meets height and setback requirements. Mr. Valsvik noted the sign across the street (Connoco, Tom Thumb) was grandfathered in. Mr. Lieberman and Mr. Tomten also spoke regarding the requested variance which was denied earlier by the HPC. Mr. Lieberman said the HPC tried to balance the equities of a new business and one that is grandfathered in. With the signage coloring and canopy at the station, the HPC felt the 65 feet should be adhered to. Mr. Hamlin noted the station has been at the same location for a number of years and people know that it is a gas station. He stated that, if it were possible, the Commission would like to require all businesses, including those grandfathered in, to be in conformance with the maximum 65 feet signage. Mr. Sherlock again referred to the need to compete with the station and signage directly across the street. Mr. Zimmerman said with a car wash and three gas prices, it was felt a larger sign is needed. Mr. Zimmerman also said he felt handicapped, by the fact that if he had left the old Erickson Post sign up, he would have been grandfathered in. Mr. Valsvik noted the City does have a sign ordinance in place and said that although the Commission respects Mr. Zimmerman, the Commission must start acting like a Planning Commission rather than a "variance commission." Mr. Hamlin, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved denial; all in favor. Case No. SUP/95-19. A special use permit to construct a floral shop and • greenhouse. The property is located at 60th Street North, east of Baker's Square restaurant and west of Tuenge Drive, in the BP-C Business Park 40 Commercial District. Lawrence Rose, applicant. Mr. Rose and partner, Richard Gross, appeared before the Commission. Mr. Rose said the South Fifth Street growing range was becoming inefficient. He said he purchased the 60th Street property about six years ago. The plan is to begin with a greenhouse and shut down the floral shop in the St. Croix Mall and tear down the South Fifth Street location within about a year. Bob Brackey, who owns the property west of Mr. Rose, said he thought the business would be a nice addition. Ms. Terwedo said the engineer is recommending that the access off Tuenge Drive be removed. She suggested adding that as condition of approval No. 7. It also was suggested that removal of the billboard currently on the property be added as conditional of approval No. 8. Mr. Rose said the billboard will come down when development begins. Mrs. Bealka, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved approval with the eight conditions; all in favor. . Case No. V/95-20. A variance to the side yard setback requirement (15 feet proposed, 30 feet required) on a corner lot for construction of a 2- 1/2 car garage. The property is located at 405 S. Sherburne St. in the RB, Two-Family Residential District. Curtis Call, applicant. Curtis and Susan Call appeared before the Commission. Mr. Call said their house is set back 58 feet from Oak Street. The proposal is to remove the existing garage and move the new structure to 30 feet from Oak Street. Mr. Hamlin suggested changing condition of approval No. 2 to require that both color and building materials of the garage match the house. Mr. Hamlin, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Other business 1) Corey Mohan of the Open Space Committee updated the Commission on the committee's activities. The first two phases have been taking an inventory of remaining open spaces in the city and the comprehensive planning area. Phase 3 will be actual site visits, and phase 4 will be making a list of recommendations to the Council, he said. Mr. Valsvik asked whether the City or some other government agency will have to purchase park/open space areas. Mr. Mohan responded in the affirmative and noted there are a number of ways to obtain desired land -- dedication from developers, conservations easements, Land Trusts, as well as outright purchase by the City. Mr. Zoller expressed his concern that new groups such as the Open Space Committee, Friends of the Parks and Ward Network, Planning Commission and Park and Recreation Board all fit in and work together. Mr Mohan said the Open Space Committee will make sure it gets feedback from the other groups so they are not duplicating efforts. He said the Open Space Committee is recommending that the Comprehensive Plan include language expressing some of the committee's goals regarding the acquisition of additional park land. 2) Dave Rauch, representing the Ward Network, gave an update of that group's activities. He provided a written summary of what the Ward Network has identified as the key questions that seemed to be important to residents in the Comprehensive Plan update process. The key questions have to do with growth and preservation of small town character; open space; traffic; and parks and recreation. Eric Jackson and Dave Hobson both spoke about concerns regarding traffic. Mr. Russell noted that traffic studies, fiscal study regarding the cost of growth, and infrastructure feasibility study are currently under way and will be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. 3) Mr. Russell gave a Comprehensive Plan update. He went through a new alternative, Alternative F3, which is being recommended by the Task Force. F3 provides for annexation south of County Road 12. The Abramovich property also would be annexed, while Boutwell would remain in Stillwater Township. A portion of the Palmer property along County Road 15 would be left open; annexation north of Neal Avenue has not been discussed, he said. A neighborhood commercial development site is provided at County Roads 12/15; neighborhood parks are provided in each development area. Mr. Hamlin objected to the irregular boundaries shown in the alternative. He said an alternative might be to just annex the southern property to keep cleaner boundaries and not try to maximize densities. Mr. Russell said the alternative does implement the Guidepost document in that it provides for urban cluster development while keeping view areas open. Mr. Valsvik said the alternative looks like a reasonable way to phase in Alternative A2. Dave Johnson, Stillwater Town Board and Task Force member, said, in its skeletal form, F3 represents a reasonable consensus; densities remain a topic of discussion. He said the alternative may provided for a transition that still allows for the development of needed housing. He also noted that new county incentives for cluster housing may enable the Palmer property to be developed and still stay in the Township. / r Mr. Russell said the sewer, fiscal and traffic studies should be available by the Commission's March 20 meeting. He also noted that the Metropolitan Council's forecast is for the city to grow at 150 units per year, which is about what the city has been experiencing for the past five years. He also said the Metropolitan Council has indicated that extension of service into the township would not be a major issue; the township would not have to connect to the extension unless it desired to do so. Ms. Terwedo told Commission members the trail system in the alternative is a good one, whether the areas become part of the city or not. She said the city would work with the township are getting the trail system implemented. Mr. Hamlin, seconded by Mr. Roetman, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary 0 is