04/01/1998 - 00003313CITY OF FRIDLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 1, 1998
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Chairperson Savage called the April 1, 1998, Planning Commission meeting to order at
7:35 p.m.
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Members Present: Diane Savage, Dean Saba, Brad Sielaff, Connie Modig
Members Absent: Dave Kondrick, LeRoy Oquist, Larry Kuechle
Others Present: Scott Hickok, Planning Coordinator
Paul Tatting, Planning Assistant
Ron Stelter, Friendly Chevrolet
Darwin Lindahl, Darwin Lindahl Architects
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MnTInN by Mr. Saba, seconded by Mr. Sielaff, to approve the March 18, 1998, Planning
Commission minutes as written.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PlBL1C; HEARINC�� C;nNSIDERATInN nF SPEC;IAL 11SE PERMIT, SP #98-04, BY
ANC�ELES MnRTC�AC�E INVESTMENT TRl1ST/W�N KLl1S REALTY:
To permit the sale of automobiles on Lots 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, at Block 3, University
Industrial Park, generally located at 7920 and 7976 University Avenue N.E.
Ms. Savage stated the Commission had received a copy of the letter from Mr. Klus to staff
requesting a continuance of the hearing until April 15.
MnTInN by Mr. Saba, seconded by Mr. Sielaff, to receive the letter from Mr. Klus dated
March 27, 1998.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MnTInN by Mr. Saba, seconded by Mr. Sielaff, to continue the public hearing on Special
Use Permit, SP #98-04, to April 15.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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2. PlBL1C; HEARINC�� C;nNSIDERATInN nF SPEC;IAL 11SE PERMIT, SP #98-05, BY
FRIENDLY C;HEVRnLET:
To allow an expansion of 21,778 square feet to a building used for automobile sales
and services by Friendly Chevrolet on Lot 1, Block 1, Friendly Chevrolet Addition,
located at 7501 Highway 65 N.E.
MnTInN by Ms. Modig, seconded by Mr. Saba, to waive the reading of the public hearing
notice and to open the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:37 P.M.
Mr. Tatting stated the special use permit requested by Friendly Chevrolet is for a proposed
expansion of the existing building. The property is located east of Highway 65 and north of
Fireside Drive. The site is currently being used as an auto dealership for sales and service
of new and used vehicles. The proposed addition would expand the existing service
department and include a car wash. A special use permit is required for agencies selling or
displaying new and/or used vehicles, repair garages, and motor vehicle wash
establishments.
Mr. Tatting stated the site is zoned C-3, General Shopping Center. The adjacent property
to the north is zoned M-1, Light Industrial, and M-4, Manufacturing Only; to the east is M-1,
Light Industrial, and M-4, Manufacturing Only; to the south is R-2, Mobile Home Park, and
C-3, General Shopping; and to the west across Highway 65 is R-4, Mobile Home Park.
Mr. Tatting stated that in 1997, Friendly Chevrolet was involved with three land issues--a
re-subdivision and replatting of the parcel; a rezoning of a parcel; and a special use permit
for the parking lot expansion. This special use permit would allow construction of a 21,780
square foot addition resulting in a total area of 60,884 square feet on 2.48 acres. The
proposed addition will expand the service department and include a car wash.
Mr. Tatting stated the plans for the building exterior indicate a pre-finished metal flashing
and precast concrete wall panels. The new addition would be painted white to match the
existing building. The plans show seven garage doors on the south side and five on the
north side. The car wash is meant to be used by their customers.
Mr. Tatting stated the existing building requires 76 parking spaces. The new building,
using a speculative parking ratio, would require an additional 109 parking spaces for a total
of 185 spaces. The plans show there are 204 parking stalls for customers and employees.
The area that was rezoned needs to be paved and striped upon completion of the new
addition.
Mr. Tatting stated a landscape plan was submitted and was found to be inadequate. It
does not provide sufficient screening of the garage doors facing Fireside Drive. Staff will
work with the petitioner and owner to develop a plan that will provide more screening in the
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form of additional plantings and trees.
Mr. Tatting stated staff recommends approval of the special use permit with the following
stipulations:
No cars shall be parked in the boulevard, on any landscaped areas, or on the street.
2. The petitioner shall provide curb and gutter along the entire perimeter of the new
parking areas.
3. A landscape plan for the site shall be approved by the City prior to issuance of a
building permit.
4. The entire parking and vehicle display areas shall be paved before the new addition
is occupied.
5. The parking spaces shall be striped at a width of 10 feet.
6. A minimum of 185 parking stalls shall be designated for customers and employees.
7. 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.
8. To maintain a homogeneous appearance, the exterior of the addition should match
that of the existing principal building.
9. The use of the car wash is only for patrons of the business.
Mr. Tatting stated that since the staff report was mailed, staff has revised stipulation #8 to
read, "To maintain a homogeneous appearance, the exterior of the addition shall match the
color of the existing structure and conform to the plans from Darwin, Lindahl Architects as
seen on Sheet A3.1 dated 2/27/98." Also, stipulation #9 was revised from the original staff
report should the business be sold or change their name in the future.
Mr. Tatting stated that regarding the landscaping, Tam's Rice Bowl, located south of the
garage doors, would be looking directly at these doors. The mobile homes look at this area
at an angle. The proposed plan does show some landscaping. There are several existing
trees and a hedge in the boulevard area. Staff would like to increase the number of trees in
the boulevard area and add a landscaped island at the south entrance into the site itself.
Staff is talking with the owner and petitioner to come up with a plan that will meet the City's
needs.
Ms. Modig stated there are people who park along the boulevard on the street. Stipulation
#1 stated they cannot do that. If the City says they cannot do that, then the City is leaving
those people open for liability for tickets or it would have to be posted that way. Is that
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correct?
Mr. Tatting stated that originally there was limited parking for customers and employees on
site. Many people were parking along the street. That situation has been handled, and
there is no parking on the street right now. If there is an occasional car there, it does not
create the problems it did in the past.
Ms. Modig asked if that leaves those who park there liable for tickets if the City says no one
can park there.
Mr. Hickok stated this goes back to an earlier special use permit and variance requests.
The point at that time was that the code is clear that businesses should supply their own on
site parking to meet the demands that their use causes. The business is going to have to
have that number of parking for employees and customers. Regarding parking on the
street, there is going to be the Sunday afternoon vehicle shopper who stops there. That is
different. When the business is open, staff wants to make sure there is parking on site.
When the business is closed, there may be cars parked on the street. Also, maintenance
staff park there when the business is closed. They have no choice.
Ms. Modig stated that regarding stipulation #7, when they say that no vehicles shall be
parked so as to impede travel in the drive aisles, the business shuts off those aisles at night
and Sundays so that someone cannot just drive in and vandalize the cars. But that also
stops the free travel.
Mr. Hickok stated staff does not want that site to be taxed to the point where the car
inventory is parked in the drive aisles. This is a stipulation to say the business will identify
where parking is going to be and they are going to keep cars there. For the purpose that
they are parking cars there for security, staff sees that as a part of the business that is
necessary.
Mr. Saba asked if the stipulation should have added "during business hours."
Ms. Savage stated stipulations 1, 2, 4, and 7 were previously agreed upon stipulations.
These cannot be changed because they are part of the recommendations and agreement
by the City Council for the special use permit. Ms. Modig brought up a good point. What if
a petitioner or business does not abide by a stipulation? Are there sanctions? What does
the city do about it?
Mr. Hickok stated a special use permit is a discretionary give on the part of the City. If
granted, a special use permit is a situation where the petitioner has said they will live by
these stipulations. It is the City's right and obligation to go back and review those
stipulations. If there is a business that is not abiding by those stipulations, the City has the
authority to call that business back and revoke that special use permit. The business would
then need to discontinue the business that caused the special use permit in the first place.
The stipulation is recorded with the property.
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Mr. Sielaff asked what staff were recommending for stipulation #8.
Mr. Tatting stated staff is recommending the stipulation be more specific and refer back to
the architects drawing.
Mr. Sielaff asked that for stipulation #9, is the car wash for customers only?
Mr. Tatting stated, yes. The car wash is just for customers.
Mr. Sielaff asked about staff's definition of customer.
Mr. Tatting stated a customer is someone who is using the service at the site.
Mr. Stelter stated he had met with Mr. Tatting the last few days and he came to the site. He
showed Mr. Tatting what they had in mind for the building addition and landscaping. He
thought they could work everything out regarding the landscaping. He has no problems
with the stipulations. Also, the car wash will be for their customers only.
MnTInN by Mr. Saba, seconded by Mr. Sielaff, to close the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:58 P.M.
Mr. Saba stated he had no problem with the request with the stipulations as revised.
MnTInN by Mr. Saba, seconded by Ms. Modig, to recommend approval of Special Use
Permit, SP #98-05, to allow an expansion of 21,778 square feet to a building used for
automobile sales and services by Friendly Chevrolet on Lot 1, Block 1, Friendly Chevrolet
Addition, located at 7501 Highway 65 N.E., with the following stipulations:
No cars shall be parked in the boulevard, on any landscaped areas or on the street.
2. The petitioner shall provide curb and gutter along the entire perimeter of the new
parking areas.
3. A landscape plan for the site shall be approved by the City prior to issuance of a
building permit.
4. The entire parking and vehicle display areas shall be paved before the new addition
is occupied.
5. The parking spaces shall be striped at a width of 10 feet.
6. A minimum of 185 parking stalls shall be designated for customers and employees.
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7. 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.
8. To maintain a homogeneous appearance, the exterior of the addition shall match the
color of the existing structure and conform to the plans from Darwin, Lindahl
Architects as seen on Sheet A3.1 dated 2/27/98.
9. The use of the car wash is only for patrons of the business.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Tatting stated the City Council would consider this request at their meeting on April 20.
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Mr. Hickok stated it is important that the Commission have the opportunity to look at the
direction the City is heading, look at the goals and objectives, and make recommendations.
This is the time of year that staff looks at goals and objectives, sets goals and objectives,
and talks to the City Council and Commissions about those goals and objectives. These
then become the basis for planning for the next year. A summary of the goals and
objectives was included in the agenda packet.
Mr. Hickok stated one of the top objectives is to revisit the Hyde Park neighborhood, start a
process where the neighborhood can identify what it wants to accomplish, and identify a
redevelopment plan for the Frank's Used Car site. With the 57th Avenue construction this
year, staff would like to meet with the Hyde Park residents and start dealing with the land
issues related to the Frank's site. Another objective has been the salvage yards. One of
the objectives is for staff to focus on getting the salvage yards cleaned up and ready for
potential redevelopment. The goals and objectives also talk about customer service. Staff
surveys petitioners when they leave the process to get a sense of the customer service
they experienced through the process. Staff also likes to survey the commissions
occasionally to see how staff is doing. Staff wants to maintain a high level of customer
service.
Mr. Hickok stated staff will also be focusing on some computer-related land use issues with
historical land use files being scanned so staff can electronically link into historic files. This
would put the history of the land at staff s fingertips. GIS is tied to putting building, code
enforcement, housing, etc., information into the system. Staff will be using that for the
comprehensive plan which is a big part of the upcoming year as well. The first round was
data collection from citizens which has been completed. The next step is to hire a
consultant.
Ms. Savage stated she hoped the City would consider as part of the comprehensive plan a
community center which would include a swimming pool and recreational facilities for
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families who cannot afford a health club. She hears comments about the fine facilities in
Maple Grove. She thought it would be an asset to Fridley to have something like that. It
could include classes for children, ballet, etc. It may be costly, but she would like to City to
look into that.
Mr. Hickok stated this is something that could be added to the community center that the
City has been working on in conjunction with the school district. The community center has
been expanded to provide activities for all ages. There is a movie screen, a recreational
area with a fireplace for family events, and an area for teens in the lower level. The City
Council has been very interested in having not only the input of professionals but people
that will be using that area. There has also been input from the seniors. It is different than
the community centers at Maple Grove, Maplewood, or Shoreview that have swimming
pools and other amenities. Fridley has made great strides to provide a multi-age facility.
This comment will be considered when planning.
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MnTInN by Mr. Saba, seconded by Ms. Modig, to receive the minutes of the Parks &
Recreation Commission meeting of March 2, 1998.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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MnTInN by Ms. Modig, seconded by Mr. Saba, to receive the minutes of the Housing &
Redevelopment Authority meeting of March 5, 1998.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Mr. Hickok stated that at the last meeting, someone asked about the senior building
proposed near Wal-Mart. This building has a parking area below ground with four floors of
apartments above that. A drawing of the building was displayed.
Mr. Saba asked for an update on the progress of the bikeways. Are additional segments to
be added?
Mr. Hickok stated he will talk with the Public Works staff and see what their plans are for
additional bikeways.
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Mr. Saba stated that on the existing University Avenue bikeway, they had talked about
beautification in areas of the City. One complaint was the lack of maintenance of the
bikeways/walkways. Volunteer groups or business could help maintain/clean the
bikeway/walkways. Is there progress in that area?
Mr. Hickok stated, yes. This was a question in the citizen survey, and staff heard that it was
an important issue and that the City needs focus on improving the corridor. This will go to
the City Council. If the Commission wants to add emphasis to the maintenance of the
bikeway/walkways, he will add that to make sure their voice is heard. There are others who
share the same concern.
Ms. Savage stated she too is concerned. She bikes a lot on the bikeway. There are not
only weeds but the surface needs repair as well. It is a nice trail and an asset to the City,
and it needs to be maintained.
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MnTInN by Mr. Saba, seconded by Sielaff, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 1, 1998, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 8:17 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lavonn Cooper
Recording Secretary