PL 09/17/2003 - 30910� CITY OF FRIDLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 17, 2003
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Savage called the September 17, 2003, Planning Commission meeting to order at
7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Diane Savage, Dave Kondrick, Dean Saba, Leroy Oquist, Barb Jones,
Larry Kuechle
Members Absent: Brad Dunham
Others Present: Stacy Stromberg, Planner
Brian Bona, 1649 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN
Lawrence Zimmerman, 5980 4th St NE
Brendan & Cheryl Klein, 1419 West Danube Rd NE
APPROVE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 16, 2003
MOTION made by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to approve the minutes as written.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #03-13, by Brian Bona, to expand an
automobile service station to allow the construction of a new building that will connect
the existing gas station and service station, generally located at 5333 and 5311
University Avenue NE.
MOTION made by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Kuechle, to open the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT
7:31 P.M.
Ms. Stacy Stromberg, Planner, stated the petitioner, Brian Bona, is requesting a special use
permit to allow the expansion of an automobile service station to allow the construction of a new
building that will connect the existing gas station located at 5311 University Avenue and the
existing service station located at 5333 University Avenue. The property located at 5311
University Avenue is zoned C-2, General Business. In 1959, a special use permit was granted
to allow the construction of a service station, and the service station was built. In 1978, another
special use permit was granted to allow the construction of a car wash, and the existing car
wash was added. In 1994, a variance was granted to reduce the setback from an adjacent
^ residential district from 50 feet to 19 feet to allow the construction of a 12 ft. by 15 ft. storage
addition.
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Planning Commission Minutes — September 17, 2003 Page 2
,�--� Ms. Stromberg stated the property located at 5333 University is zoned C2, General Business,
and is just north of the property located at 5311 University Avenue. This site was originally
developed as a service station in 1955. In 1996, the building on the site was demolished; and in
2000, the current service station was constructed. In 1999, a variance was granted to allow the
reduction of the setback from an adjacent residential district from 50 feet to 30 feet to allow the
construction of the existing repair and quick lube service station.
Ms. Stromberg stated the City Code allows repair garages and automobile service stations
providing motor vehicle fuel dispensing as a permitted special use in the C-2, General Business
zoning district. The current service station has seven service bays which provide general auto
repair services. The petitioner is proposing to add three additional service bays which will be
used exclusively for quick services, such as oil changes, general maintenance, and minor
repair. Earlier this year, the petitioner requested a variance to allow for the construction of a
new car wash at the gas station located at 5311 University Avenue. The variance request was
to reduce the setback from an adjacent residential district from 50 feet to 10 feet to construct the
car wash. That request was approved by the City Council; however, the petitioner has decided
not to install a new car wash and is instead applying for this special use permit to expand his
automobile quick service lanes.
Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed 1,946 square foot addition connecting the two existing
buildings will be set back 24.916 feet from the property line and is well within the dimensions of
previously granted variances for both sites. The petitioner is also proposing to add a 540
square foot addition on the east side of the existing gas station, which will be 20 feet from the
property line. This setback is also within previously granted dimensions for this site; therefore,
^ additional variances are not required. The proposed addition meets all other setback and lot
coverage requirements. City staff hasn't heard from any neighboring properly owners.
Ms. Stromberg stated staff recommends approval of this special use permit request with the
following stipulations:
1. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction.
2. The proposed addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing
building and finished with complementary building materials, staff to review and
approve final elevations.
3. No outdoor storage shall be permitted on site. All existing outdoor storage,
including the storage pod, shall be removed upon completion of the proposed
expansion.
4. Site shall not be used to display cars for sale or storage of trucks for rent.
5. All lighting shall be shielded, downcast and may not exceed 3-foot candles of
light intensity at the property line.
The petitioner, Mr. Brian Bona, 1649 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, stated he is proposing to install
a quick service lane type of operation. He would not be impacting the environment in any way
with the additional three bays. The bays are well within the defined boundaries; they are
considerably less than what has been recently granted. He stated he intends to maintain a
clean appearance as he has been maintained in the past.
The Commission members commented that Mr. Bona's site was well maintained and
impressive, and they were proud to have his business in Fridley.
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Ms. Savage asked if Mr. Bona was agreeable to the stipulations.
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Planning Commission Minutes — September 17, 2003 Page 3
� Mr. Bona responded that he had no problems with the stipulations. He has met with most of the
neighbors, and the neighbors were supportive of his request.
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Mr. Kuechle asked Mr. Bona if he was extending the construction behind the newest building
and would he be continuing the concrete block wall.
Mr. Bona stated he regretted putting in the concrete block wall. His intention was to use brick.
He stated his intent is to create a walkway befin►een the existing shop and the new three bays,
so that mechanics are not walking through the customer waiting area.
Mr. Kondrick asked if it would look the same, but be 4 feet different.
Mr. Bona stated that was correct.
Mr. Oquist stated the print shows four bays.
Mr. Bona stated there would be three bays and one is an existing car wash bay. It will be
architecturally tied together for uniformity.
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to close the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT
7:45 P.M.
The Commissioner members agreed this was a good project.
MOTION by Mr. Saba, seconded by Mr. Kuechle, to recommend approval of the request for
Special Use Permit, SP #03-13, by Brian Bona, to expand an automobile service station to allow
the construction of a new building that will connect the existing gas station and service station,
generally located at 5333 and 5311 University Avenue NE with the following stipulations:
1. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction.
2. The proposed addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing
building and finished with complementary building materials, staff to review and
approve final elevations.
3. No outdoor storage shall be permitted on site. All existing outdoor storage,
including the storage pod shall be removed upon completion of the proposed
expansion.
4. Site shall not be used to display cars for sale or storage of trucks for rent.
5. All lighting shall be shielded, downcast and may not exceed 3-foot candles of
light intensity at the property line.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Savage said this special use permit will be heard on September 29, 2003, by the City
Council.
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Planning Commission Minutes — September 17, 2003 Page 4
� 2. PUBLIC HEARING
Consideration of a Preliminary Plat, PS #03-05, by the City of Fridley, to allow the
exchange of property in order to correct an encroachment on City owned land.
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to open the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT
7:47 P.M.
Ms. Stacy Stromberg, Planner, stated the City of Fridley is requesting a replat of City-owned
property located at Farr Lake Park and property owned at 1419 West Danube Road, which is
--owned by Brenden and Sheryl�itfi to allow for the exchange of property in order to correct an
encroachment discovered in a recent survey of the City's park system. She explained that it
has come to the City's attention that the Kleins are occupying a small portion of the City-owned
property. The Kleins had inadvertently constructed a pool over the property line, locating a
portion of it in Farr Lake Park. The City currently has an easement for a trail over a portion of
the Klein's property. The Kleins have proposed granting ownership of the easement area to the
City in exchange for the area in which their pool encroaches into the City's park. Both pieces of
property are approximately the same size, and it is in the City's and the Klein's best interest to
exchange these two pieces of land. The replat of these finro pieces of land will simply allow both
owners to benefit by owning the parcels they are currently using.
Ms. Stromberg stated that staff recommends approval of this plat request.
Ms. Savage asked Mr. and Mrs. Klein if they wanted to add anything.
Mr. Brendan Klein stated he did not have anything to add, because everything was well covered
in the staff report.
MOTION made by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Kuechle, to close the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT
7:51.
The Commission members were in favor of the request.
MOTION made by Mr. Kuechle, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to recommend approval of
Preliminary Plat, PS #03-05, by the City of Fridley, to allow the exchange of property in order to
correct an encroachment on City-owned land.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. RECEIVE MINUTES OF THE JULY 9. 2003. APPEALS COMMISSION MEETING
MOTION made by Mr. Kuechle, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to receive the July 9, 2003, Appeals
� Commission minutes.
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Planning Commission Minutes — September 17, 2003 Page 5
� UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 23. 2003, APPEALS COMMISSION
MEETING
MOTION made by Mr. Kuechle, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to receive the July 23, 2003,
Appeals Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 10, 2003, HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
MOTION made by Mr. Oquist, seconded by Ms. Johns to receive the July 10, 2003, Housing
and Redevelopment Authority minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 15. 2003 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY �
ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
� MOTION made by Ms. Johns, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to receive the July 15, 2003,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
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UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 7, 2003. HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
MOTION made by Mr. Saba, seconded by Ms. Johns, to receive the August 7, 2003, Housing
and Redevelopment Authority minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 13. 2003 APPEALS COMMISSION
MEETING
MOTION made by Mr. Kuechle, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to receive the August 13, 2003,
Appeals Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Planning Commission Minutes — September 17, 2003 Page 6
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ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Ms. Johns, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to adjoum the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2003, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M.
RespectFully submitted,
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Kat y Fi cher �'d
Recording Secretary
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