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PL 06/06/2007 - 29924CITY OF FRIDLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 6t", 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Savage called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:30 pm. MEMBERS PRESENT: Brad Dunham, Dean Saba, Diane Savage, David Kondrick, Jack Velin MEMBERS ABSENT: Leroy Oquist OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner Glen Harstad, 14152 Terrace Road APPROVE OF MINUTES: 1. Approval of April 18, 2007 Planning Meeting minutes MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07-03, by Glen Harstad, to allow an expansion of an existing self service car wash in a C-2, General Business Zoning District, legally described as Lot 1, Block 3, Commerce Park, Anoka County, Minnesota, generally located at 7320 University Avenue. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to open 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 OPEN AT 7:32 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, stated that the petitioner, Mr. Harstad, is seeking a special use permit to allow an expansion of the existing carwash building located in a C-2, General Business zoning district, which is located at 7320 University Avenue. The petitioner is proposing to construct a 26 ft. by 74 ft. (1.924 sq. ft.) addition to the west of the existing 2,100 square foot carwash. The addition will allow 4 additional self-service wash bays. Ms. Stromberg stated that the subject property is located on University Avenue, just north of 73rd Avenue. The property was originally platted in 1965 as one lot that also encompassed the lot south (7300 University Avenue) of the subject property. In 1970 the property was developed and a special use permit was granted to allow the construction of the existing self-service carwash and for an additional car wash and gas sales in the 7300 University Avenue property to the south. In 1977, a lot split was granted to separate the 7300 and 7320 University Avenue. At that time a variance was also granted to recognize a 5 ft. side yard setback for the existing carwash building. Since that time the property has continued to exist as a self-service carwash. Ms. Stromberg stated that motor vehicle wash establishments are a permitted special use in the C-2 zoning district, provided they meet the necessary requirements, related to building and site requirements, subject to the stipulations suggested by staff. All of these requirements are being met with the proposed addition, which the exception of the expansion of the existing 5 ft. side yard setback along the southern side of the property and the hard surface setback requirement along the western property line. Ms. Stromberg stated that City Code requires a side yard setback of 15 ft. in the C-2, General Business zoning district. When the subject property was split from 7300 University Avenue in 1977, a variance was also granted to recognize the location of the existing carwash. Since, the petitioner is proposing to add an additional 26 ft. of building at the 5 ft. setback, a variance is required. Ms. Stromberg noted that City Code also requires a 20 ft. setback for all parking and hard surface areas from any public right-of-way. The petitioner has also applied for a variance to reduce the hard surface setback requirement from 20 ft. to 10 ft. so the new carwash bays will be more accessible. Both of these variances will go before the Appeals Commission on June 13, 2007. Ms. Stromberg stated that the proposed addition meets all other setback and lot coverage requirements. City staff hasn't heard from any neighboring property owners. City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request as motor vehicle wash establishments are permitted special use in the C-2 Z, General Business zoning district, provided that the proposed expansion complies with the requirements for the special use permit subject to stipulations. Ms. Stromberg stated that Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached. 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The parking lot shall be restored to Code requirements for paving, curbing and painting after the addition is completed. 3. The petitioner shall submit a drainage plan and receive City engineering staff approval prior to issuance of a building permit. 4. The petitioner shall provide an easement from property owner to the south if the dumpster enclosure is to remain at the property line, instead of the required 3 ft. set back. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. Commissioner Kondrick asked if the people to the south are okay with the 5 ft. variance. Ms. Stromberg answered that the property to the south also has a 5 ft. setback and staff has not heard from any neighbors. Commissioner Kondrick asked if the lot had to be re-striped for customers. Ms. Stromberg answered that there are no parking stalls required on this parking lot. Commissioner Kondrick stated that he was referring to when people finish washing their cars and park outside the stall to wipe their cars. The striping would direct people where to park their cars to wipe them off. Ms. Stromberg said that the request could be something staff could look into if needed. Mr. Harstad, 14152 Terrace Road, said he is a resident of Ham Lake and the owner of the carwash. As of June 1, 2007 he will have owned the carwash for 26 years. The carwash was developed in 1972 and there were several partners in the business together, one of the partners was his father. The carwash has been a good business and has allowed him to provide for his family. After all these years it is time for a face lift. In 2000 the door ways were expanded to make it easier for vehicles to get in and out. This is a very busy carwash and in the past they used to run a 25 cent Tuesday special. This would bring so much business it would create a traffic jam in the area. Now there is a 50 cent Tuesday special and the deeper bays will double the capacity moving people through more efficiently. With the new proposed elevation plan, the City of Fridley will have one of the nicest looking self service carwashes. He is investing a lot of money to make it look nice. Mr. Harstad wanted to address Commissioner Kondrick question regarding the parking. Even though most people go to the vacuums when they are finished with their carwash, he would like to strip out designated areas and also paint arrows to direct people out of the carwash when they are finished. Commissioner Savage stated that she did not particularly care for the appearance of the carwash and that it looked out of date. She asked what kind of change in appearance would be with the new carwash. Mr. Harstad answered that the new carwash would not be longer, just deeper. The exterior of the building will be stucco with a Spanish type wood trim. The building will have a high pitch roof with dormers on the front side. New blocks will be installed all around the building and it will look very up to date. He said they will use blocks as brick will break down after a period of time because of the moisture. The carwash also has a problem with graffiti and that will be taken care of right away as the colored block or rock face block can be painted anytime should vandalism occur. Commissioner Kondrick asked if he had any problems with the stipulations. Mr. Harstad answered no. Commissioner Dunham stated that this will be a nice looking building. Commissioner Velin asked if customers could drive in from the service road or from University. Mr. Harstad answered that the entrance will not change and customers will be directed to pull to the furthest stall and the next customer should pull behind them. There will be loops in the floor so customers know which bay is open. This will make it easier for people to know when they can drive in. Commissioner Kondrick asked if there are two bays and the first one is full, should the customer drive around to enter from the other side to get to the empty bay. Mr. Harstad answered that he hoped customers would not do this, but to wait for the person using the wash to pull forward. The other side is designed for exit only and it would disrupt the traffic plus people get upset when others pull in front of them. MOTION by Commissioner Saba 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 7:54 P.M. Commissioner Savage asked if an additional stipulation needed to be added regarding the variances. Ms. Stromberg said they could add a stipulation if the Commission would like. Mr. Harstad said that the business will be closed for 1 1/2 months, probably August/September, for construction. MOTION by Commissioner Saba, seconded by Commissioner Velin, to approve the consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07-03, by Glen Harstad, to allow an expansion of an existing self service car wash in a C-2, General Business Zoning District, legally described as Lot 1, Block 3, Commerce Park, Anoka County, Minnesota, generally located at 7320 University Avenue with the following stipulations. 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The parking lot shall be restored to Code requirements for paving, curbing and painting after the addition is completed. 3. The petitioner shall submit a drainage plan and receive City engineering staff approval prior to issuance of a building permit. 4. The petitioner shall provide an easement from property owner to the south if the dumpster enclosure is to remain at the property line, instead of the required 3 ft. set back. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. Special Use Permit approval is dependent of approval of the setback variances related to VAR #07-02. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. This item will be heard before the Appeal Commission on June 13, 2007 and the City Council on June 25, 2007. OTHER BUSINESS: Stacy Stromberg reminded everyone that there is no meeting on June 20th and the next scheduled meeting would be July 4th so that meeting is cancelled as well. Also the Preliminary Plat request by Bruce Westman for the twin home that was discussed on May 2, 2007 agenda was approved by the City Council. The next meeting will be the 3rd week in July. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:OOP.M. Respectfully Submitted, Krista Monsrud Recording Secretary