PL 11/05/1997 - 30850CITY OF FRIDLEY
PLANNING CON�lISSION MEETING, NO�TII�ER 5, 1997
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Savage called the November 5, 1997, Planning
Commission meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL•
Members Present: Diane Savage, Dave Kondrick, LeRoy Oquist,
Dean Saba, Brad Sielaff, Connie Modig
Members Absent: Larry Kuechle
Others Present: Michele McPherson, Planning Assistant
Ron Stelter, Friendly Chevrolet
Greg Asproth, University Billiards
Nancy Asproth, University Billiards
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 15 1997 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES:
OM TION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to approve the
^ October 15, 1997, Planning Commission minutes as written.
IIPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPLRSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRI� IINArTIMO�SLY.
l. PUBLIC HEARING• CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT SP
n97 09 BY GREG ASPROTH OF UNIVERSITY BILLIARDS INC :
To allow the expansion of a commercial recreation facility in
an industrially-zoned district, on Lots 4, 5, and 6, Block l,
Paco Industrial Park, except the North 35 feet of said Lot 4,
generally located at 7178 University Avenue N.E.
OM TION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Sielaff, to waive the
reading of the public hearing notice and to open the public
hearing.
IIPON A VOICF� VOTB, ALI, VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGL DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PIIBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:32 P.M.
Ms. McPherson stated the purpose of the special use permit request
is to allow the expansion of a commercial recreation use in an
industrial multi-tenant building. The petitioner is proposing a
2,778 square foot expansion. The property is located at 7178
University Avenue. The property is zoned M-1, Light Induatrial.
The property to the north is zoned C-2, General Business. This
facility is located just north of Community Park on the west side
of University Avenue. If the request is approved, the total
square footage of the above facility will be 11,370 square feet.
� PLANNING CON�lISSION MEETING, NOVEt�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 2
Ms. McPherson provided some background information on the
facility. University Billiards was established in 1988 and was
expanded via a special use permit in 1989. In 1993, the
petitioner requested to further expand the facility to 13,792
square feet; however, they withdrew the request due to concerns
regarding parking at the facility and incidents of crime�.
Ms. McPherson stated Section 205.17.O1.C.(4) of the zoning code
establishes five conditions for the issuance of a special use
permit, as follows:
l. The parking supply shall be in compliance with the
requirements of Section 205.17.05 of the City Code and be
sufficient to support full occupancy of the building.
2. Only wall-mounted signs aubject to the limitations of Section
214 of the City Code shall be permitted.
3. The proposed use shall only be permitted when it can be
demonstrated that the operation will not generate levels of
traffic which reduce the existing level of service as defined
by the Institute of Traffic Engineers on streets at
� intersections.
4. The proposed use in the opinion of the City Council would be
compatible with the area in which it is proposed to be
located.
5. The building owner and/or agent shall be responsible for
informing any prospective tenant that the property is zoned
for industrial use.
Ms. McPherson stated the request meets conditions 2, 3 and 5. The
1993 request generated parking concerns. However, those concerns
have been alleviated somewhat by a change in the tenant mix and
amount of vacant space available in the building. If this request
is approved, 120 out of the 163 spaces provided would be required
for all the uses currently located in the building. There is
11,000 square feet of vacant space. Using the speculative parking
ratio, this space would require 22 spaces. There are 43 spaces
available to cover the required 22 spaces should the remaining
vacant square footage be filled.
Ms. McPherson stated the 1993 request generated several concerns
from the police department regarding the level and types of crime
at the facility. The petitioner, after withdrawing the request,
has worked diligently to reduce crime incidences at the site since
1994. There is a memo in the agenda packet from the police
� department stating that they have no concerns regarding the
petitioner's request at this time.
n PLANNING CONIlKISSION MEETING, NOVII�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 3
Ms. McPherson stated the hours of operation, which were of some
discussion during the last request, are 11 a.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday
through Saturday. Staff is recommending, however, that previous
stipulations regarding management of the facility be carried
forward to this request.
Ms. McPherson stated the proposed expansion will allow the
addition of a dining area of 400 aquare feet, additional billiard
space of approximately 1800 square feet, a dart area and an
expanded video game area. In addition, there will be some storage
space provided by this expansion.
Ms. McPherson stated staff recommends approval of this request
with the following stipulations:
1. No juveniles shall be allowed in the University Billiards
facility without their parents beyond the curfew time for
their age group.
2. The petitioner shall provide adequate adult staff at all
times with at least two adults on staff from 6:00 p.m. to
^ closing on Fridays and Saturdays.
3. The petitioner shall patrol the parking lot and manage its
misuse.
4. No alcoholic beverages shall be served or allowed on the
premises.
5. The development owner shall notify the City of future
additiona/expansions of vacant building space and shall
accept limitations on occupancy of remaining vacant space
should parking shortages result. The development owner shall
agree in writing to accept this stipulation prior to the
approval of the special use permit by the City Council.
Mr. Oquiat asked if staff had heard from the owner regarding
stipulation #5.
Ms. McPherson stated no. The owner did receive a copy of the
staff report. Prior to the City Council meeting, staff will make
sure the owner understands that stipulation.
Mr. Asproth stated he was the owner of University Billiards. They
opened in 1988 so they are going on their 10-year anniversary in
Fridley. The last three years since coming before the Planning
Commission and the City Council have been the most satisfying
� years of their business. They have developed a good relationahip
with the police, the outreach workers and participated in more
n PLANNING COI�lISSION MEETING, NOVEL�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 4
community outreach programs than they ever did before. They set
that goal three years ago to become a business that you and others
would notice as a good business and one that you would want to
visit. They have improved their business and their image. Their
commitment was always to be the best at what they do. They will
continue to focus on being a part of the community and hope that
the Planning Commission would help them expand their business.
Ms. Savage asked the age of the patrons and what the patrons do
there.
Mr. Asproth stated they serve patrons of a variety ages. They are
young adults, those with families, to older people. They have
specials for senior citizens and for young families. Their goal
is to have a mix of customers. He thought they had an average age
of 17 to 25 as their biggest group of customers which was perhaps
500 of their business. The rest is split.
Ms. Savage asked if the petitioner had any problems with any of
the stipulations.
Ms. Asproth stated no. He talked to the leasing agent of the
^ building regarding stipulation #5. The agent was not sure what
that meant and will talk to staff about that. He was aware that
there are stipulations with the building anyway for how much
parking they must have for the uses that are in there. He
wondered if this was something beyond that or a part of the code
for that building. He has no objection to the stipulations.
Mr. Kondrick asked staff to provide the owner with the parking
spaces that he must have and/or the limitations for spaces so they
know where they are at.
Ms. McPherson stated that the actual University Billiards space
will have adequate parking. They need 63 spaces of the 163
provided. It is the remaining 11,000 square feet of vacant space
which is the unknown at this time. Staff wants to work with the
owner to make sure that future tenants have adequate parking
spaces. Staff can work with the petitioner and the owner
regarding stipulation #5 between now and the City Council meeting.
Mr. Sielaff asked the petitioner how they had achieved the
reduction in crime over the last three years.
Mr. Asproth stated they worked hard at it. He put on more staff.
They went through training with their staff on how to handle
situations and how to keep the parking lot from becoming a
problem. They have had a rule since they opened that someone
/"'� would walk through the parking lot every 10 to 15 minutes. The
parking lot is their biggest concern because most of the problems
�
�
PLANNING CON�RSSION MEETING, NOVENN�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 5
are in the parking lot. They had always stressed that but they
did not always follow up. They decided to make sure that this did
happen. They trained staff on how to go through the parking lot.
If they see people coming in and sitting in their car, they ask
that person to leave or come in. In 1993-94, the curfew was 9:30
p.m. and it was for loitering. There was not a strong message to
them as to what loitering was. If someone came in and waited for
a pool table, that was not loitering to them. Since then, the new
rules have come out and it helps them know where to draw the line.
They keep young kids from there later on. He thought that was a
big part of the problem. They thought they were doing a good job,
but they were shocked when they heard they were not at the time of
the last request.
Mr. Sielaff asked if the additional stipulations are over and
above what the petitioner is doing now.
Mr. Asproth stated the stipulations are minimal for what they do.
They go far beyond that. They have two staff at closing because
the business slows down in the morning. During the night, they
may have 5 or 6 people on staff at one time. That is the only way
they can serve their customers. Regarding stipulation #1, they
work closely with the outreach group. They will check to see how
we are doing. The staff enforce the curfew each night with an
announcement over the PA system and then going around and carding
patrons. -
Ms. Modig asked how many people the petitioner has out in the
parking lot.
Mr. Asproth stated they have one staff person at a time check the
lot.
OM TION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to close the
public hearing.
IIPON A VOICL VOTL, ALL VOTING AYL, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DLCLARTD THE
MOTION CARRIED AND TI� P'�BLIC HEA,RING CLOSED AT 7:47 P.M.
Mr. Oquist stated he had no problem
stipulations seem to cover it. The
things since the last request.
with the request. The five
petitioner has done some
Mr. Saba stated it seems that everything is working.
OM TION by Mr. Sielaff, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to recommend
approval of Special Use Permit, SP #97-09, by Greg Asproth of
University Billiards, Inc., to allow the expansion of a commercial
recreation facility in an industrially-zoned district, on Lots 4,
5, and 6, Block l, Paco Industrial Park, except the North 35 feet
� PLANNING CONIl��lISSION MEETING, NOVENN�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 6
of said Lot 4, generally located at 7178 University Avenue N.E.,
with the following stipulations:
l. No juveniles shall be allowed in the University Billiards
facility without their parents beyond the curfew time for
their age group.
2. The petitioner shall provide adequate adult staff at all
times with at least two adults on staff from 6:00 p.m, to
closing on Fridays and Saturdays.
3. The petitioner shall patrol the parking lot and manage its
misuse.
4. No alcoholic beverages shall be served or allowed on the
premises.
5. The development owner shall notify the City of future
additions/expansions of vacant building space and shall
accept limitations on occupancy of remaining vacant space
should parking shortages result. The development owner shall
agree in writing to accept this stipulation prior to the
approval of the special use permit by the City Council.
IIPON A VOICL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPLRSON SAVAGE D}3CLARED TI�
MOTION CARRIED UNAN'IMOIISLY.
Ms. McPherson stated the City Council would review this request on
November 24.
2. pUBLIC HEARING• CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, SP
��7-10 BY RON STELTER OF FRIENDLY CHEVR.OLET:
To allow the expansion of an automobile sales facility on Lot
1, Block 1, Friendly Chevrolet Addition, generally located at
7501 Highway 65 N.E.
OM TION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Sielaff, to waive the
reading of the public hearing notice and to open the public
hearing.
IIPON A VOICT VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPLRSON SAVAGE DLCLARED THE
MOTION CARRISD AND THT PIIBLIC HEARING OPII�T AT 7:49 P.M.
Ms. McPherson stated this request complies with one stipulation
from a previous rezoning request. The special use permit request
is for Friendly Chevrolet at 7501 Highway 65 N.E. and would allow
the expansion of a car dealership. They are proposing a 104,650
square foot parking lot.
�
Ms. McPherson stated, in 1996, the owner of Friendly Chevrolet
PLANNING CONIl�lISSION MEETING, NOVII�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 7
completed a 3,904 square foot, two-story expansion onto the
existing dealership facility. Recently the Planning Commission
reviewed a request for a replat of property with the adjacent
Brenk Brothers property to the east and a rezoning from M-4,
Manufacturing Only, to C-3, General Shopping Center. This special
use permit request complies with one of the stipulations of
approval for the rezoning request.
Ms. McPherson stated the purpose of the request is to construct an
expanded parking facility to the east of the main dealership and
service facility. The parking lot will provide space for new car
stock, cars waiting to be serviced, and employee vehicles. The
proposed parking area meets the setback requirements of the C-3
district. The petitioner requested a variance to reduce some of
the setbacks but that request was withdrawn. The expansion will
add an additional 280 parking spaces for a total of 866 spaces on
site. One of the stipulations is for a revised landscape plan to
be submitted for approval by staff. The landscape plan that was
submitted as part of the rezoning request was amended through some
stipulations on the rezoning and plat request. The petitioner has
submitted grading and drainage plans which have been reviewed by
staff and found to be complete.
� Ms. McPherson atated staff recommends approval of the request with
the following stipulations:
l. No cars shall be parked in the boulevard or on any landscaped
areas.
2. The petitioner shall provide curb and gutter along the entire
perimeter of the parking area.
3. The petitioner shall submit a new landscape plan to be
approved by the City prior to the commencement of the parking
reconfiguration.
4. Barbed wire shall not be installed if the expanded parking
area is fenced.
5. The parking lot shall be striped at 10 feet.
6. No cars or other vehicles shall be parked in a manner so as
to impede the free travel of vehicles in areas intended as
drive aisles.
Ms. McPherson stated some of these stipulations do carry forward
from previous approvals.
�� Mr. Kondrick asked why the barbed wire on the fence was not to be
there.
^ PLANNING CONIl�SSION MEETING, NOVII�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 8
Ms. McPherson stated barbed wire is prohibited by the City Code.
There is a separate section in the City Code which regulates
fences by location and type and barbed wire is prohibited. This
is due to aesthetics and for public safety. While it is a good
theft deterrent, it can cause injury.
Mr. Oquist asked if stipulation #2 was for the new parking area.
Ms. McPherson stated yes.
Ms. Modig stated, regarding the barbed wire, a stipulation from a
previous request stated the barbed wire shall not be installed on
the new fence and shall be removed from the existing fence.
Ms. McPherson stated this was correct. Staff is unsure of exactly
what the petitioner's plans are for a fence. This stipulation
would be for a new fence around this particular part of the
facility. The stipulation from the previous request requiring
removal of the barbed wire on any existing fence would still carry
forward.
^ Mr. Kondrick asked what the height limitation is for the fence.
Ms. McPherson stated, because this is a commercial facility, the
fence can go as high as 8 feet.
Ms. Modig stated stipulation #6 refers to parking vehicles so as
not to impede traffic. At night, they put cars in the parking
places at drive ins to the building. Does this prohibit them from
doing this?
Ms. McPherson stated the intent is not to prevent that particular
activity. Staff is trying to prohibit cars being parked eo
closely that there is no free travel for moving vehicles in and
around the parking facility.
Mr. Stelter stated he was the secretary/treasurer of Friendly
Chevrolet. They have no problems with the stipulations. He
reviewed the stipulations with the owner who is in agreement.
O ION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to close the
public hearing.
IIPON A VOICL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPSRSON SAVAGE DLCLARED TiiT
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PIIBLIC HFA,RING CLOSED AT 7:55 P.M.
Ms. Modig stated she had no problem with the request. She asked
� if they needed to say anything regarding the on-street parking.
�--� PLANNING COl�lISSION MEETING, NOVII�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 9
Ms. McPherson stated the stipulation regarding parking on the
rezoning will run with the property.
O�! TION by Mr. Sielaff, seconded by Ms. Modig, to recommend
approval of Special Use Permit, SP #97-10, by Ron Stelter of
Friendly Chevrolet, to allow the expansion of an automobile sales
facility on Lot 1, Block 1, Friendly Chevrolet Addition, generally
located at 7501 Highway 65 N.E., with the following stipulations:
l. No cars shall be parked in the boulevard or on any landscaped
areas.
2. The petitioner shall provide curb and gutter along the entire
perimeter of the parking area.
3. The petitioner shall submit a new landscape plan to be
approved by the City prior to the commencement of the parking
reconfiguration.
4. Barbed wire shall not be installed if the expanded parking
area is fenced.
^ 5. The parking lot shall be striped at 10 feet.
6. No cars or other vehicles shall be parked in a manner so as
to impede the free travel of vehicles in areas intended as
drive aisles.
IIPON A VOICE VOTL, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGL DLCLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNAN'IMOIISLY.
Ms. McPherson stated this request would be reviewed by the City
Council on November 24.
3. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSTON
�FTTNC� (�F OCTOBER 6. 1997
OM TION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to receive the
minutes of the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting of October 6,
1997.
IIPON A VOICL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, Ci3AIRPERSON SAVAGL DEf'LAFtED THE
MOTION C.ARRISD UNArTIMOIISLY.
4. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE APPEALS COMMISSION MEETING OF
OCTOBER 8, 1997
MOTION by Ms. Modig, seconded by Mr. Sielaff, to receive the
� minutes of the Appeals Commission meeting of October 8, 1997.
„—� PLANNING CONIl�lISSION MEETING, NOVEI�ER 5, 1997 PAGE 10
UPON A VOICE VOTi3, ALL VOTING AYL, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED TI�
MOTION CARRIED UNAN'IMOIISLY.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. McPherson provided an update on City Council actions at their
meeting of October 27, 1997.
ADJOLfRNMENT
OM TION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to adjourn the
meeting.
IIPON A VOICE VOTB, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DLCLARED TI�E
MOTION CARRIED AND THE NOVII�LR 5, 1997, PI�ANNING CONIl�lIS3ION
MEETING ADJO�RI�TED AT 7:57 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
�
`�lCi1� � ” � } ' ' �,i�
� Lavonn Cooper
Recording Secretary
S I G N— IN S H E E T
� PLANNING COMMISSION.MEETING, �Wednesday, November 5, 1997
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