PL 12/21/1988 - 30692�
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CITY OF FRIDLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, DECEMBER 21, 1988
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CALL TO ORDER•
Chairperson Betzold called the December 21, 1988, Planning
Commission meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL•
Members Present: Donald Betzold, Dave Kondrick, Dean Saba,
Sue Sherek, Alex Barna, Paul Dahlberg
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Barbara Dacy, Planning Coordinator
Kathlyn Castle, Planning Assistant
James Burch, 7401 Central Avenue N.E.
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 10, 1988, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to approve the
December 7, 1988, Planning Commission minutes as written.
IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY.
1. CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT. SP #88-16. BY JIM BURCH:
Per Section 205.17.01.c.9 of the Fridley City Code to allow a
repair garage on Lots 1- 5 and Lot 12, Block 2, Paco Industrial
Park, the same being 7267 Commerce Circle West N.E.
MOTION by Mr. Saba, seconded by Ms. Sherek, to waive the reading
of the public hearing notice and open the public hearing.
IIPON A VOICE VOTE � ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY AND THE PIIBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:33 P.M.
Ms. Castle stated the petitioner, Mr. Burch, is requesting a repair
garage at 7267 Commerce Circle West N.E. Mr. Burch owns a business
called Pioneer Concepts, which is an automobile body shop which
specializes in installation of automobile accessories and
decorative painting.
Ms. Castle stated Pioneer Concepts is currently located at 7401
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,� PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. DECEMBER 21, 1988
Central Avenue N.E. in a multi-tenant building located in a C-1,
Local Business District. In this district, repair garages are not
allowed by right or as a special use. Despite this, Pioneer
Concepts has been at this location for about five years. Earlier
this year, Mr. Burch expanded his operation to include decorative
painting. At that time, the City became aware that his operation
is illegal in this district. In October, City staff notified Mr.
Burch of this fact, and staff has been working with him since then
to find a suitable location for his business.
Ms. Castle stated Mr. Burch is proposing to relocate in a multi-
tenant building at 7267 Commerce Circle West N.E., just south of
73rd Avenue and east of Commerce Circle West. The property is
zoned M-1, Light Industrial District, and is surrounded by
industrial districts on all sides. To the north is both a heavy
industrial district and light industrial district, to the east is
a heavy industrial district, to the south is a light industrial
district, and to the west is a commercial district.
Ms. Castle stated the business would be located on the west side
of the building which houses a variety of light industrial uses.
Currently, there are several offices, along with print shops,
machine shops, fabrication and electronic parts processing. There
� is parking on site, and there is also a parking lot to the south
of the building for tenants.
Ms. Castle stated staff has analyzed the parking situation at the
building and has determined there is enough space available for Mr.
Burch's business.
Ms. Castle stated Pioneer Concepts will occupy a 3,500 sq. ft.
bay. Approximately 15% will be used for office space and
approximately 85o will be used for manufacturing and warehouse
space. Because the business does include decorative painting, Mr.
Burch will be required to upgrade the bay to meet the City's fire
code requirements. That will include the installation of self-
ventilated paint booth, specialized lighting, and intake and
exhaust particle filters. The petitioner expects the paint booth
to be in operation about two hours per day.
Ms. Castle stated staff recommends approval of the special use
permit with the following stipulations:
1. Outside storage of cars is prohibited.
2. The tenant bay be modified to meet the City's fire code
requirements.
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PLANNIN(3'COMMI88ION MEETING, DECEMBER 21, 1988
3. Repair work shall be conducted within the building. No
outdoor repair activity is permitted.
Mr. Kondrick asked Mr. Burch if it was a hardship for him to be
required to store all cars inside.
Mr. Burch stated all the work on the cars is done inside the
building. He stated he can store up to 10 cars with no problem
inside the building. He stated his insurance also requires that
all the cars be stored inside. �
Mr. Betzold stated that the Commission members received a copy of
the letter Mr. Burch had written to the Planning Commission on
December 9, 1988. He asked Mr. Burch if he had any additional
information.
Mr. Burch stated, no, he did not. He stated Ms. Castle had
presented his situation very well. He stated when he was at the
7401 Central Avenue location, he had not been aware that he was not
in the proper zoning district.
Mr. Betzold asked Mr. Burch if he had any problem with the
stipulations recommended by staff.
Mr. Burch stated he was in agreement with all three stipulations
recommended by staff.
Mr. Dahlberg asked if there was any need for venting automobile
exhaust as well as the paint booth.
Mr. Burch stated they do no modifications of engines, so there is
no requirement to have a vehicle running. They drive the
automobile in and park it, and that is all. All the work is
strictly cosmetic.
Mr. Dahlberg stated that in the wintertime, when the automobiles
come in with ice and snow on them, is there a wash bay with a floor
drain for water runoff?
Mr. Burch stated that one nice thing about the Commerce location
is that just before the prep area, there is a floor drain for that
purpose.
Ms. Sherek stated she was a neighbor in the area of Mr. Burch's old
location. She stated her only objection to his business was the
spray painting operation in a residential area. As far as rest of
his business, it has been a clean operation and has not been a
problem in the years he has been there.
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� PLANNING COMMI88ION MEETING. DECEMHER 21, 1988
MOTION by Ms. Sherek, seconded by Mr. Barna, to close the public
hearing.
IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE� CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED THE
PIIBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:55 P.M.
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to recommend to City
Council approval of Special Use Permit, SP #88-16, by Jim Burch,
per Section 205.17.01.C.9 of the Fridley City Code to allow a
repair garage on Lots 1- 5 and Lot 12, Block 2, Paco Industrial
Park, the same being 7267 Commerce Circle West N.E., with the
following stipulations:
1. Outside storage of cars is prohibited.
2. The tenant bay be modified to meet the City's fire code
requirements.
3. Repair work shall be conducted within the building. No
outdoor repair activity is permitted.
IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIISLY.
Mr. Betzold stated this item would go to City Council on January
�� 9, 1989. �
2. �ECEIVE NOVEMBER 15. 1988, APPEALS COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTIOTJ by Mr. Barna, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to receive the Nov.
15, 1988, Appeals Commission minutes.
IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CBAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED T8E
MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIISLY.
3. RECEIVE NOVEMBER 22, 1988, JOINT ENVIRONMENTAL OUALITY
COMMISSION/ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Saba, seconded by Mr. Dahlberg, to receive the Nov.
22, 1988, joint Environmental Quality Commission/Energy Commission
minutes.
IIPON A VOICE VOTE � ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIIBLY.
4. RECEIVE DECEMBER 1. 1988, HUMAN RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Ms. Sherek, seconded by Mr. Barna, to receive the Dec.
1, 1988, Human Resources Commission minutes.
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� PLANNING COMMI88ION MEETING, DECEMBER 21, 1988
IIPON A VOICE VOTS, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED IINANIMOIISLY.
5, OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Dahlberg stated that he was in attendance at the December 19,
1988, City Council meeting when the LRT presentation was made. He
stated it was a good presentation. As he had stated at the last
Planning Commission meeting, it seems like this is moving through
the process almost too quickly. He thought the Planning
Commission's discussion presented to the Council at their
conference meeting was fruitful from the standpoint that it became
an agenda item at the ne�rt Council meeting, and the Planning
Commission members were invited to participate at that meeting.
Mr. Dahlberg stated he had a brochure from the Anoka County
Regional Railroad Authority. It might be a good idea for the
Commission members to each have a copy.
Ms. Dacy stated she would make copies of this brochure for
Commission members.
Mr. Dahlberg stated he would like to see the Planning Commission
'"'\ more involved in the process, even to the extent of having a member
of the Planning Commission on a subcommittee now attended by John
Flora and Steve Billings. That way there is some involvement by
Planning staff and Planning Commission with Mr. Flora and
Councilmember Billings as the process goes along. It would be
helpful for the Planning Commission to have an opportunity to
respond to some of the decisions that are being made and to be more
aware of the process. Councilmember Billings definitely has a
concern about the planning issues because of his past involvement
with the Planning Commission. "
Mr. Dahlberg stated the concerns of the Council are what the cost
implications are to the citizens of Fridley, and the technical
aspects of acquiring right-of-way, and those kinds of things. He
stated he felt the whole issue of planning needs to be addressed.
Mr. Dahlberg stated it might be appropriate for the Planning
Commission to make a recommendation to the Council that a
subcommittee be established whereby representation from the
Planning Commission and from City staff can be actively involved
with the two City representatives.
Mr. Betzold stated he thought the City is doing what it can to
watch out for the interests of the City. He stated the Planning
Commission certainly wants to be kept informed, but he was not sure
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� PLANNING COMMI88ION MEETING, DECEMHER 21, 1988
he wanted to formally put the "Planning Commission�� on record as
being part of the process.
Mr. Dahlberg stated it was not his intent to have the Planning
Commission or the Planning staff act as a body or as individuals
saying they are approving what is going on. The Planning
Commission should have an opportunity to voice their opinions and
concerns about the selection process of the corridor as well as the
selection process of stations, etc.
Ms. Dacy offered two options:
1. At a regular Commission meeting, staff can provide the
Commission with a report in order to bring the Commission up
to date on the current status of LRT.
2. The Commission could schedule a special meeting in January to
discuss this further and identify their concerns about LDT in
general. That list could then be sent to the Council.
Ms. Dacy stated the Commission members should be aware that Mr.
Jock Robertson, Community Development Director, was attending LRT
meetings along with Mr. Flora and Councilmember Billings.
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Mr. Betzold stated he would be in favor of a special meeting. He
would like to have Mr. Robertson and Councilmember Billings attend
that meeting and the other City Council members if they wished to
attend.
The Commission members discussed a variety of issues which could
be discussed at the meeting including:
1. Why is LRT so important?
2. Is the proposed route just a route "to downtown Minneapolis"?
3. Are we premature in planning for LRT in the Metro area at this
time?
4. Is the proposed system truly designed as "a network" of routes
which will provide for suburb-to-suburb traffic versus just
suburb to downtown traffic?
5. How will LRT affect City of Fridley planning decisions?
The Commission members set a special informal meeting for
Wednesday, January 18, 1989, to discuss LRT and to have staff
specifically address the Planning Commission's questions.
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� PLANNING COMMI88ION MEETING, DECEMBER 21, 1988
ADJOURNMENT•
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chairperson Betzold
declared the December 21, 1988, Planning Commission meeting
adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Res ectfully ubmitted,
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Lyn e Saba
Recording Secretary
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