Loading...
PL 12/06/2006 - 30899�. CITY OF FRIDLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 6T", 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Savage called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:30 pm. MEMBERS PRESENT: Diane Savage, Jack Velin, Brad Dunham, Larry Kuechle MEMBERS ABSENT: Leroy Oquist, Barbara Johns, Dean Saba, David Kondrick OTHERS PRESENT: Julie Jones, Planning Manager Tim Grote, 550 Osborne Road NE, Unity Hospital Shannon Bambery, BWBR Architects APPROVE OF MINUTES: 1. Approval of November 15th, 2006 Planning Commission meeting minutes MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle to approve the minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. /� UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #06-13, by John Allen, to consider an increase in building construction lot coverage to 50% on an M-2, Heavy Industrial zoned property, generally located at 5110 Main Street NE Julie Jones, Planning Manager, stated that the City has received confirmation from Mr. Allen to withdraw this application. Mr. Allen was considering a lease arrangement which would require him to build a larger building that would exceed the 40% lot requirement. He is withdrawing his application because the potential larger user is no longer interested in the property. The property will still be redeveloped using the original two building plan. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #06-14, by BWBR Architects, for Unity Hospital, to consider the expansion of an existing hospital building in a R- 1, single-family residential zoning district, generally located at 550 Osborne Road NE. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Kuechle. ,.—� UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:34 P.M. r'��, Julie Jones, Planning Manager, stated that this is the 14th SUP of the year. Last year the city only had five SUP requests submitted and this may not be the last request for the year. The petitioner, Shannon Bambery of BWBR Architects, who is representing Unity Hospital, is seeking a special use permit to allow an existing hospital to expand an existing building in an R-1, Single Family zoning district, located at 550 Osborne Road. Ms. Jones stated that the proposed expansion involves building a second story over the existing surgery area, which was built in 1994. Of the proposed expansion area, approximately 9,600 sq. ft. will be connected to an area to the southwest on the same level. At this time, 2,200 sq. ft. of the 9,600 sq. ft. expansion will be undeveloped shell space for future needs. The petitioner proposes a remodel and expansion of the Emergency Department. The remodeled area, consisting of approximately 11,000 sq. ft. will include the entire existing Trauma, Treatment and Exam area of the original 1984 addition. Ms. Jones reviewed that the subject property is zoned R-1, Single Family as are most surrounding properties and is approximately 35 acres in size. The parcel of land is comprised of a hospital, other associated buildings, parking lots and landscaped areas. The initial hospital building was constructed in 1969. Subsequent special use permits were issued to allow expansions. Ms. Jones stated that in 1984, the City Council approved a special use permit to add approximately 43,000 square feet for a Trauma, Treatment and Exam area. Additionally � in 1984, the City Council approved a special use permit to allow expansion of the parking lots to meet the demand of the new addition. In 1994, the City Council approved a special use permit for a surgery addition. Ms. Jones said that in 2002 the City Council approved a variance request to increase the size of a wall sign from 3 sq. ft. to 49 sq. ft. in order to replace the sign faces on existing signs. In 2003, the City Council approved a special use permit for a minor addition to the building that added a second story ICU unit. Ms. Jones stated that the'proposed expansion will not increase number of beds, but will create larger exam rooms, private settings for waiting patients, a second story staff work station, and an expanded first floor staff area. Hospitals are a permitted special use in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, provided that the proposed expansion complies with the requirements for the special use permit, subject to the stipulations suggested by staff. Unity Hospital has existed on this site since 1969. Ms. Jones stated that the property complies with all setback and lot coverage requirements. The addition of a second story complies with building height limits in an R-1 district. Ms. Jones stated that staff had received a couple phone calls on this item from residential neighbors. There were concerns about delivery hours, garbage pickup, employee smoking, and traffic, but the main concern appeared to be parking. Staff shared this concern since there had been a code enforcement case on this site this year �, related to parking violations. However, staff had since learned that there was a temporary extra staffing issue, which was the reason for the parking problem. She showed on an aerial picture where possible new parking areas had been proposed a r� couple years earlier by the petitioner. Since parking appears to be in greatest demand in the south end of the site, staff is suggesting that the City require 36 parking stalls on the south end of the hospital site at this time and require proof of parking on another 115 parking stalls in the northwest corner of the site. Even though there seems to be enough parking stalls on the site, the parking does not appear to be in the area where staff and visitors desire to park. If the petitioner has proof of parking designed with plans for the new addition, the City can impose the petitioner to install the additional parking when and if it is needed in the future. Ms. Jones stated that staff recommends that the special use permit be granted, noting that a hospital is a permitted special use in the R-1, Single-Family zoning district. If the permit is granted, staff suggested the following stipulations: 1. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. The petitioner shall meet all building, fire, and ADA requirements. 3. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 4. Construction vehicles shall not bring materials before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. 5. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary exterior building materials and color scheme. 6. The petitioner shall increase parking by 36 stalls on the southern side of the parking lot, according to the parking plan dated October 19, 2004 and have new parking completed by September 1, 2007. 7. Petitioner shall revise site plan to include 115 parking stalls as proof of parking in the northwest corner of property as shown on parking plan dated October 19, 2004. 8. Petitioner shall submit grading and drainage and storm water management plans for � additional parking area to be reviewed and approved by the City engineering staff prior to issuance of the building permit. Ms. Jones stated that this item is scheduled to be reviewed before City Council on January 8th, 2007. Commissioner Kuechle asked what areas create the greatest parking problems. Ms. Jones replied that the biggest problems were early fall when people were parking on the grass in the northwest part of the property. People in the neighborhood also complain about parking on the street and police had to be called to enforce parking regulations. One hour parking is permitted on Madison Street. Commissioner Kuechle commented that looking at the aerial photo, Lyric Lane seems to be a long ways from the building. Shannon Bambery, representing Unity Hospital, stated that Staff did a good job in presenting the SUP request. The emergency room has not been remodeled since 1984 and this new remodel will be cosmetic in nature. The existing treatment rooms are currently shared with curtains and this remodel would allow private exam and treatment rooms. The hospital will keep similar bed counts and maintain a slight increase to make room for waiting patients. Patients will gain privacy and be placed in a room sooner. This will increase the quality of care patients receive. The additional shell space will be built at this time for future expansion of 4-6 additional exam rooms. This expansion is on ^ the same level as the existing emergency room department. Commissioner Savage questioned if the petitioner had any problems with the �, stipulations. Tim Grote, Direct Support Services for Unity Hospital, stated that some of the stipulations are challenging. Stipulations 1-5 are fine but he wanted to offer some options for stipulations 6-8. He distributed a memo to speak of the issues that occurred in the past regarding parking. Mr. Grote stated that Unity Hospital recently installed a new electronic medical record system which involved hundreds of temporary staff on site August through October. Extra staff was on site to help with the implementation of this new electronic medical records system. The hospital did recall seeing employees parking in the northwest corner on the grass but now parking is back to normal and the situation is much better. Mr. Grote stated that Mercy and Unity are close in line with leadership and shared staff between the hospitals in the past. The hospitals will be splitting services and dedicating staff at each site which should also reduce the.parking demand. During the month of November the security department did a study of the parking lot during the peak parking times of the day (8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. — shift change times). They found that parking was sufficient. The hospital considers the current parking adequate for staff, patients and visitors. Mr. Grote stated that the impact of the emergency department will not take away from site space or parking stalls. Efficiency will be achieved by adding seven exam rooms. Patients' waiting to be seen adds to parking needs. Adding more rooms will not only � improve patient care but also parking problems because the patients will get through the process faster. Mr. Grote proposed that the hospital continue the parking surveys and share the study with City Staff. If parking becomes a problem, additional parking would be added by July 30, 2007. Mr. Grote also proposed to install curb stops in the turf area to prohibit cars from entering on that area. The hospital will initiate corrective action based on the parking studies. Commissioner Kuechle asked what could be done about the church lot to encourage people to use the spaces available. Mr. Grote stated that the church lot is the most preferred parking area. That lot is a matter of preference for people that work on the lowest end of the building. Commissioner Kuechle questioned if the petitioner plans to put the curb stop in the church lot. Mr. Grote responded yes, that the curb stop would be put in regardless of the situation as soon as the frost was out of the ground. Commissioner Dunham questioned if the petitioner has discussed this alternative parking proposal with staff prior to tonight. Mr. Grote responded that he spoke with Scott Hickok very briefly that afternoon, but staff has not seen the memo that was distributed prior to tonight. �, Mr. Grote stated that the parking issue regarding Lyric Lane became an issue when Allina went smoke free and it was a close area for people to go and smoke in their cars. The hospital will educate staff not to park in that area, which has not been an issue in recent times. Most cars parked on Lyric Lane are on the other side of the street and are assumed to be resident's vehicles. Mr. Jones stated that it is true that Scott Hickok talked with Mr. Grote this afternoon. Staff is willing to look at the suggestion as they would not want to require additional impervious surface on the site if it is not needed. Staff was not aware of the extra staff at the hospital during the training period prior to today. The proposal to the stipulations seemed reasonable and will take this information under advisement before preparing recommendations to the City Council regarding this item. No one from the public was present to address the Commission. MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 8:05 P.M. Commissioner Savage stated that she would agree with this matter once the stipulations were revised. � Commissioner Kuechle questioned stipulation number six in that 36 stalls are already in a plan and if the hospital can be imposed to install additional parking at any time. Ms. Jones answered yes, that the 36 stalls are in a proposed parking plan that was considered by the petitioner two years ago. This plan is not part of the site tied to this project. The City can refer to the other parking plan but would prefer it be incorporated into the records for this SUP. Commissioner Dunham asked if they need to amend stipulation number six to reference proof of parking for 36 stalls. Commissioner Savage asked if Staff had a suggestion. Ms. Jones answered that this is the first time she has seen the memo and would like some time to review with other staff. Commissioner Savage asked if the matter should be tabled until Staff has time to review the issue. Ms. Jones responded that she did not think that would be necessary and did not want to delay the project due to the upcoming holiday schedule. Commissioner Kuechle recommended leaving stipulation number six as it is but add � "or work out suitable alternative arrangement with City Staff." Commissioner Savage stated that stipulations seven and eight would not be changed. � MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle to approve the consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #06-14, by BWBR Architects, for Unity Hospital, to consider the expansion of an existing hospital building in an R-1, single-family residential zoning district, generally located at 550 Osborne Road NE with the amendment to stipulation six adding "or work out suitable alternative arrangement with City Staff." Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Jones reminded the Planning Commission that the January 3`d meeting has been cancelled and there is a chance that Staff may not have any items for the January 17�' meeting. Staff would like a work session to discuss the updates for the Comprehensive Plan. Staff would like input from the Planning Commission on the Housing and Land Use chapters. It would be beneficial to have the Planning Commission involved early on in the development stages in creating goals. Staff would like an informal discussion/ work session regarding the Comprehensive Plan upon adjournment of the January 17�' meeting. If this meeting is cancelled, the work session would take place at the scheduled meeting time. Please keep that date open, January 17tn ADJOURNMENT: � MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:15 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, �f�:� �6'���� ��� Krista Monsrud Recording Secretary � 0 � � � �I CITY OF FRIDLEY SIGN-IN SHEET PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING �- � ,. z �� ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Name � Address/Business �.5v �'SbDf� � � � _ _!�� � � ����