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PL 09/07/1967 - 30332� � ., � , � PLANNING COMNIISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 7, 1967 PAGE 1 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hughes at 7:34 P,M. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Myhra, Hughes, Jensen, Ylinen Member Absent: Erickson Others Present: Acting City Manager Brunsell, Engineering Assistant Clark 1. PUBLIC HEARING: REZONING REQUEST ZOA ��67-09 FEDERAL LUMBER COMPANY BY SAM ROSENBAUM TREASURER: Lots 5 thru 8, Lots 25 and 26, Block 2, Co�unerce Park Addition. Rezone to CR-2 or M-l. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rosenbaum, Mr. Louis Segal, Mr. James Segal and Mr. Sam Rosenberg were present. The Acting City Manager Brunsell read the Notice of Hearing. Chairman Hughes reviewed the procedure of the Hearing before the Plan- ning Commission, a�d asked if the petitioner wished to be heard. Mr. Rosenbaum explained that primarily in that area which wauld be n parallel with University Avenue, they would have their general offices. -- This would be their main office and general offices and would face _ University Avenue, and, in addition, a major sales and display room would also face University Avenue. He continued, primary storage of lumber will be a considerable distance back from University Avenue. It might well be west of Commerce Lane: They have submitted to the Council a general idea and plot plan showing tentative layout of buildings. Al1 things considered, they felt they would have considerable less trouble meeting requirements of the City if they were granted M-1 classification. This would be because of setbacks and other problems that exist under CR-1 and 2. We would have more than adequate park- ing facilities for our own people and the public. Warehouse and office facilities would be very attractive for our use and for appearance as well. Member Jensen asked to see the layout of the proposed plans which then were explained by Mr. Rosenbaum. He stated that they had purchased the property west of Conunerce Lane for access to the railroad tracks. In the front of the property would be general offices and sales, model homes and • cabins or garages, and customer access would be from University Avenue. The trucks would almost always come in on Commerce Lane. The heavy lumber storage would be as close as possible to the railroad spur. In answer to the question about cover for outdoor storage, Mr. Rosen- baun said they hoped to put them under rough cover only. Lumber is never � enclosed in a bui2ding because it is uneconomical to handle. We would put ug the kind of fence surrounding property of the City's choice. The visibility of lumber as such, fro� either Osborne Road or University Avenue, Planning Commission Meeting - September 7, 1967 Pa�e 2 S would be pretty hard to see from the highway. They want an attractive building to attract people. Being able to start from scratch, he said, � gives them an opportunity to build'the Iumber yard as they would like /; to see it. It is their hope to eventually have every bit of lumber under attractive cover. • n ^ ' Marvin Wagner, 7501 University Avenue, said he would much rather look out at apartments, multiple or something that brings higher taxes. The multiple dwellings would help buffer the noise of the highway. Also, Fridley has two lumber yards now and Spring Lake Park one, all within 22 miles, and he felt another one was not needed. Francis Ellerbush, 7505 University Avenue, said he was not trying to down grade the area, but feels that the bulk of lumber yards are a sight for sore eyes. Mr. Rosenbaum said the appearance of the lumber yard will be subject to Fridley Building requirements. Mr. Rosenbaum said they went over the CR-2 Ordinance with Mr. Herrick and they felt it would be entirely too restrictive for them. They actually felt that M-1 classification is what�they would like, but it would be up to the Planning Commission and the Council as to whether they would approve variances because they would not be able to build a lumber yard under the present CR-2. Also, M-1 specifications includes lumber yards. After a discussion of the differences in CR-1, C-1,M-1, M-2, the fol- lowing motion was made. MOTION by Jensen, seconded by Myhra, that the Planning Co�nission close the Public Hearing of the rezoning request, ZOA ��67-09, Federal Lumber Company, of Lots 5 through 8, Lots 25 and 26, Block 2, Commerce Park Addi- . tion. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. . Chairman Hughes was asked to read CR-2 Ordinance, and stated that this area, Commerce.Park, about a year ago was the subject of considerable dis- cussion by the Planning Commission. At that time the question was raised as to the desirability of ma.king the entire area commercial. The discus- sion centered around C-2. It was felt that if this were to be done, the request was for a strip along University Avenue 2 block deep would be zoned commercial and would result in a continuation of the general charac- ter of University Avenue. The Planning Commission agreed it was not a . desirable thing to have that type of development continued to the North of Mississippi Street and it was, in an effort ta avoid that, that_ the GR-2 zoning was applied to that area. Osborne Road and University Avenue were to be held as commercial on the basis it could provide a shopping center development. Using CR-2 in the South would complement that without adding a d�stinct commercial atmosphere along the street. To consider this appli- cation in light of this effect, the uses proposed are probably M-1 district. He added, it probably would not be wise to consider retaining the CR-2 or C-1 it we feel it is wise to bring these uses to the area, The land is open at this point. There is no other use presently in tnat entire plat. �ur decision is going to determine what we must do in the future. Member Ylinen asked if the present CR-2 district to the South came about as a result of a petition and wondered if there were some plans that � n . + _. ? ' � Planning Conunission rfeeting - September 7, 1967 Pa�e 3 broug�it about the CR-2. Acting �hair.man Hughes said that when University Avenue was widened for T.H. ��47, it left just about.25 or 30 feet of F-1•. ' behind the M-1. The owners petitionea the land be rezoned commercial. •, The Planning Co�iission and Council at that time could not bring themselves to agree to commercial and CR-2 was a compromise. At this point, the Engineering Assistant Clark referred to the Hodne layout which caas reco^- mended at the time of the original request. On the basis that there was a fairly high expectation o£ a shopping center Soutli of 73rd Avenue, Hodr.e thought the �ahole block should be zonect the same. Member Jensen said that he agreed �,�ith the comments about the rezon- ing consideration to M-1, but if we rezone a parcel in the center, we might just as well broaden our sites and zone the entire block. The second owner has not expressed any interest in rezoning on the remainder of the block. The relat:_onship of the remainder of the block Co the parcel which is under consicleration would be a pexfect example of spot rezoning. Chairman Hughes said it seemed to him the main point is whether the type of operation, as planned, fits�the int�ent the City has for the development of the area at large. �Essentially, that is the question which has to be resolved. Member Myhra said he could not imagine what would go in CR-2 in thzt area and wondered about the possibility of it being developed C-1. Member Jensen suggested that if the retail sales of the general offices.for the lumber company were in.the..front pari.of the 1and, it would fit rather nicely with CR-2 Ordinarice. However, somehow it would have to be entirely divorced from the outs.ide storage yard. He continued, this could be done by pushing the out.side storage operation for the retail sales to the West side of Couunerce Lane, and somehow divide the zone in this block to allow M-1 along Commerce Lane and continue CR-2 facing the . _ service drive. Mr. R�senbaum said thaC in their present plan, the storage in the main warehouse would be attached to their office salesroom and is enclosed. Storage of vehicles is no problem, as they would automatically be at the back of the yard. He continued that the kind of lumber yard they are proposing to build has not come to our part of the country yet, anu��is very attractive, The appearance of the operation from the front would enhance many shopping centers which he has seen in Fridley and it is to their best interest to make it attractive. They would have it look from the front as a large house would look. Their .colors are white, red and blue. There will be adequate parking. They want this lumber yard to be a credit to Fridley and to themselves. Chaixman Hughes said that it is his feeling on the proposal to con- sider the rear half as M-1 and the front half CR-2, that, essentially, we are back to a strip along the streeto ��� �' The Plannir�g Coamiissio.n.discussect the ef£ects of the zoning categories at .great length. � � � Plannin� Commission Meeting - September 7, 1967 Page 4 � MOTION by Jensen, seconded by Ylinen, that the Planning Co�nission recommend to the Council the rezoning (ZOA ��67-09) of Lots 5 and 6, Block 2, Commerce Park to CR-2 zoning and Lots 25 and 26, Block 2, Commerce Park to M-1 zoning with the further recommendation to the Council that in the instance of CR-2 zoning, recommending that no vaxiances be • favorably considered relative to subsections three (3) through seven (7) and ten (10) of -0rdinance No. 332. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Hughes explained that the portions not affected against variances are those having to do with exterior building material. There would be no recommendation against variances in that case. Concerning performance standards, which axe ess.entially generally conunon sense items, are not under questions. Mr. Rosenbaum said that he was not as familiar with the details of �R-2 as he would like to be. He said he would like to set down with the Building Inspector, Fire Chief and Engineering Assistant to determine whether in CR-2, it will, in any way, be so restrictive as to make it impractical for them to operate from the standpoint of ease of operation. He did not believe it would be a problem, but he thought it would be wise if he could arrange a meeting with�the City gersonnel, and that he appreciated the recommendation and the consideration the Planning Commis- sion had given them. Member Jei.sen said that the Planning Commission recog.nizes the reasonable possibility of the extension of M-1 zoning in the property abutting Co�anerce Lane being probably in the best interests of the City and the fact that we are retaining CR-2 character of the property abut- ting the service road on University Av�nue. We feel this is also a fairly important feature of this recommendation and it would be in the best interest of the City as a whole to retain this character, particu- larly in relation to the C-1 zoning to the North and the residential property on the East side of University Avenue. Chairman:Hughes.added that,, in terms.of the reco�endations against variances of certain portions.of CR-2 Ordinance, it is important to point out that the area involved here is one of the main entrances to Fridley, it is very desirable to avoid, if possible to do so, the neon junk type of appearance which could be developed in this type of situa- tion. To all appearances, the potential here offers no problem in that regard, but bearing in mind.the possibility of future changes, we feel it is in the best interest of the.community, to prevent such - ch�nge of policy. Member Myhra said on the variances which affect the appearance of University Avenue, while some people may not feel that it is really important,.it �s very much so, especially to the people in the residen- tial area. The Council ought to look Iong and hard at any request that � violates that purpose, particularly witH buildings along this area for the future. ADJOURNMENT • . ^ ' MOTION by Ylinen, seconded by Jensen, that the Planning Commission adjourn at 9:45 P.M. Upon a voice vote; all voting aye, the motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Hazel 0'Brian Recording Secretary