PL 03/03/2004 - 30866� CITY OF FRIDLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2004
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Savage called the March 3, 2004, Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:30
p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members present: Larry Kuechle, Diane Savage, LeRoy Oquist and Brad Dunham
Members absent: Barbara Johns, Dave Kondrick, Dean Saba
Others present: Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
Rebecca Brazys, Recording Secretary
APPROVE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 18, 2004.
MOTION by Mr. Oquist, seconded by Mr. Dunham to approve the February 18, 2004 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#04-03, by Menard Inc., to relocate their
yard entrance, generally located at 5351 Central Avenue NE.
MOTION by Mr. Oquist, 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 7:35 P.M.
Mr. Hickok stated that Menard Inc., Marv Prochuska, is seeking a special use permit to allow the
relocation of their yard entrance to the north side of their building. The existing yard entrance is
located between the Menard's building and the Skywood Mall building. Relocating the entrance
will keep all truck trafFic into the yard and on the north side of the building, which is where their
loading docks are located.
Mr. Hickok further explained that in 1996, the Menards property located at 5351 Central Avenue
and the Skywood Mall property located at 5207 Central Avenue were granted special use
permits to allow agencies selling or displaying recreational vehicles, boats and marine
equipment , machinery, manufactured homes, or other similar enterprises having merchandise
in the open and not within an enclosed structure. Essentially, this special use permit allowed a
lumberyard to sell and display lumber and other associated building materials within the rear
yards of the subject properties. Any change to the previously granted special use permits,
requires the special use permit to be reevaluated.
� � Planninct Commission Meeting, March 3. 2004 Paae 2
� Mr. Hickok reviewed the history and analysis of this petition stating that both the properties at
5351 Central Avenue (Menards) and 5207 Central Avenue (Skywood Mall) are zoned C-3
General Business. The original building at 5351 Central Avenue
Menards was constructed in 1961. In 1965, storm damage to the building required it to be
reconstructed to its original design. An addition to the building was constructed in 1984 and
after the 1996 special use permit was approved, the sound wall / lumber shed were built. The
original mall t 5207 Central Avenue was constructed in 1964 and in 1996, Menards purchased
the property. Upon purchase of the building, Menards razed the existing 2 story office building
behind the mall to expand their storage area.
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Mr. Hickok explained that Menards is planning to expand their operation into the Skywood Mall
and use it for their building materials department. Relocating the entrance to the north side of
the building near the loading docks will allow the customer area to be safer when cross-
shopping between the existing store and the mall portion of their facility, as it will help separate
the truck traffic from the customer traffic. Because the loading docks are on the north side of
the building, trucks delivering products will be able to enter the north location and back up to the
loading docks without having to drive beyond that point, making the yard safer to customers
driving in the yard.
In addition, Mr. Hickok stated Menards plans to expand their lawn and garden products in the
area where the yard entrance exists today. They plan to expand their lawn and garden
products, especially for the spring bedding plant season. The proposed additional landscaping
along the north property line should eliminate any adverse site lines into the yard, thus
screening it from the public right-of-ways.
Mr. Hickok explained that there has been some concem expressed about the possibility that
relocating the entrance to the north side of the building may increase traffic on Cheri Lane. Jon
Haukaas, City of Fridley, Public Works Director, has indicated that there may be additional
traffic directed onto Cheri Lane as vehicles leave the site. However this should not change the
overall amount of traffic to the residential neighborhood to the east or to the intersection of 53`�
Avenue and Cheri Lane. The majority of the traffic will be making right-hand tums at the 53rd
Avenue/Cheri Lane intersection which is a safer turning movement than the through movement
from the existing gate location. Cheri Lane is an MSAS route and as such it is sized for the
higher level of traffic without detrimentally affecting the roadway.
Mr. Hickok stated the city staff recommends approval of this special use permit request as it is a
modification to their existing special use permits SP# 96-05 (Menards), and SP #96-07
(Skywood Mall) which allows agencies selling or displaying recreational vehicles, boats and
marine equipment, machinery, manufactured homes, or other similar enterprises having
merchandise in the open and not within an enclosed structure, subject to stipulations.
Mr. Hickok stated staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following
stipulations be attached:
1. Proposed entrance building shall comply with all state building and fire code
requirements.
2. Fence installed befinreen the Menards building and the Skywood Mall shall have
a gate installed and meet the Fridley City Code Chapter 108.11.3.
^ 3. The petitioner shall obtain any required permits prior to the start of construction.
4. The petitioner shall meet accessible parking requirements and identify stalls.
5. The proposed entrance shall
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Planninq Commission Meetina. March 3. 2004 PaQe 3
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Proposed landscaping along the northern property line shall be reviewed and
approved by city staff prior to issuance of a building permit.
All light fixtures shall be of a downcast design and shall not create a horizontal
glare.
No materials shall be stored in a manner that allows them to be viewed from a
vantage point outside the fenced area or viewed from the public right-of-way.
The fence enclosure shall be properly maintained and kept in good repair.
There shall be no outdoor sales of fertilizer, pesticides, or other potential
pollutants.
Emergency access knock down panels shall be incorporated into the rear yard
area for emergency purposes.
All emergency access routes shall be kept free from materials, display and clutter
that will block or deter the safe passage of emergency vehicles.
All intercom devices shall be utilized in a manner and at a volume that does not
negatively impact adjacent properties.
Access into and out of the storage area shall be clearly marked for customer
clarity.
The property shall be kept free of all debris.
Outdoor storage shall be limited to lumber and associated building materials.
Any sales of recreational vehicles, boats, marine equipment and manufactured
homes shall require official review by city staff, the Planning Commission and
approval by the City Council.
All landscaping shall have irrigation installed.
Upon renovation of the Skywood Mall, all construction dumpsters shall be
removed from the site.
Mr. Hickok explained that the petitioner has indicated the dumpsters now on site actually belong
to the hotel on the south end of the mall property. The dumpsters are a permitted use during
the hotel's remodeling process.
Mr. Marv Prochaska, Vice President of Real Estate for Menards, was present and stated that
Mr. Hickok had done an excellent job of explaining the Menards proposal and that he would be
happy to answer any questions.
Mr. Kuechle asked if the petitioner has any problem with the stipulations included in the City
Staff's recommendation.
Mr. Prochaska they had previously agreed to the first 16 stipulations. The last finro stipulations
were recent additions, but he explained that the irrigation system is already in place and that
Menards keeps all their dumpsters inside their fence line.
Mr. Dunham stated he likes the way the new layout looks, but he has not been happy with the
appearance of the north side of the Menards property.
Mr. Prochaska explained there will be new landscaping on the north side including 16 additional
trees which will provide screening and improve the appearance of that area.
Planninq Commission Meeting, March 3. 2004 Paae 4
� MOTION by Mr. Kuechle, seconded by Mr. Oquist, to recommend to the City Council approval
of Special Use Permit #04-03, by Menard Inc., to relocate their yard entrance, generally located
at 5351 Central Avenue NE, with the following stipulations:
1. Proposed entrance building shall comply with all state building and fire code
requirements.
2. Fence installed befinreen the Menards building and the Skywood Mall shall have a
gate installed and meet the Fridley City Code Chapter 108.11.3.
3. The petitioner shall obtain any required permits prior to the start of construction.
4. The petitioner shall meet accessible parking requirements and identify stalls.
5. The proposed entrance shall
6. Proposed landscaping along the northern property line shall be reviewed and
approved by city staff prior to issuance of a building permit.
7. All light fixtures shall be of a downcast design and shall not create a horizontal glare.
8. No materials shall be stored in a manner that allows them to be viewed from a
vantage point outside the fenced area or viewed from the public right-of-way.
9. The fence enclosure shall be properly maintained and kept in good repair.
10. There shall be no outdoor sales of fertilizer, pesticides, or other potential pollutants.
11. Emergency access knock down panels shall be incorporated into the rear yard area
for emergency purposes.
12. All emergency access routes shall be kept free from materials, display and clutter
that will block or deter the safe passage of emergency vehicles.
13. All intercom devices shall be utilized in a manner and at a volume that does not
negatively impact adjacent properties.
;—.\ 14. Access into and out of the storage area shall be clearly marked for customer clarity.
15. The property shall be kept free of all debris.
16. Outdoor storage shall be limited to lumber and associated building materials. Any
sales of recreational vehicles, boats, marine equipment and manufactured homes
shall require official review by city staff, the Planning Commission and approval by
the City Council.
17. All landscaping shall have irrigation installed.
18. Upon renovation of the Skywood Mall, all construction dumpsters shall be removed
from the site.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2004, ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
MOTION by Mr. Oquist, seconded by Mr. Kuechle, to approve the February 17, 2004
Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DELCARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS
�,.� Mr. Hickok invited commission members and the audience to attend the Home and Garden
Show at the Mounds View Community Center on Saturday, March 6, 2004.
Planninq Commission Meetina. March 3, 2004 Paae 5
^ Mr. Hickok sated the Spring Valley Project will go before the City Council on March 8. The HRA
will take a look at the master plan at their March 4�' meeting and will send a recommendation to
the Council.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Dunham, seconded by Mr. Kuechle to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTIOPI CARRRIED AND THE MARCH 3, 2004 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Rebecca Brazys
Recording Secretary
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CITY OF FRIDLEY
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