PL 06/18/2008 - 30944PLANNING COMNIIS5ION MEETING
JUNE 18, 2008
Chairperson Savage called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRE5ENT: Brad Sielaff, David Kondrick, Dean Saba, Diane Savage, Brad
Dunham, Jack Velin, and Leroy Oquist
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner
APPROVAL OF PLANNING COIYIIVIISSION MEETING MINUTES:
May 21, 2008
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by
Commissioner Saba.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIItPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Consideration of Special Use Permit SP #08-09, by Alisa Gutierrez, to allow a cat
and dog grooming business, legally described as Tract A Registered Land Survey
No. 27, subject to easement of record, generally located at 6501 Central Avenue NE.
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
TI� MOTION CARRIED AND TI� HEARING OPENED AT 7:04 P.M.
Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, stated the petitioner is requesting a special use permit to allow a
dog and cat grooming business within one of the tenant spaces of the stipmall located at 6501
Central Avenue.
Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue
and Mississippi Street. T'he properiy is zoned C-2, General Business. According to building
permit records, a building existed on the site prior to 1949, however; that structure burned down.
The existing building and gasoline pumps were then constructed in 1969. Over the years the
attached strip mall has been leased to various small commercial businesses.
Ms. Stromberg stated the existing building is 4,640 square feet. The building is currently
occupied by a convenience/gas station, with a few separate tenant spaces that are leased to
individual businesses. The petitioner plans to lease an 18 ft. by 40 ft. (720 sq. ft.) space for her
business.
Ms. 5tromberg stated the City Code allows animal clinics, veterinary clinics, animal hospitals,
public kennels, obedience schools and training services in the C-2, Genera.l Business zoning
district, with a special use permit. City Code does not specifically list pet grooming as a
permitted special use; however, the above listed uses are similar enough to require the petitioner
to apply for a special use permit for the grooming use in this zoning district, to ensure
compatibility.
Ms. Stromberg stated based on the square footage the petitioner will be leasing for her business,
two parking stalls will be required. The property owner has dedicated two parking stalls in front
of the building to the petitioner's business and is also providing three additional stalls for her
business on the east side of the building. As a result, the proposed use will meet the parking code
requirements.
Ms. Stromberg stated with any type of animal facility there may be questions and concerns
related to odor and noise. The petitioner has articulated in her narrative to City staff that there
really should not be any issues related to odor because any waste on site will be double bagged
and properly disposed of in a dumpster. The animals will only be in her facility for a short period
of time and as a result, pet waste should be minimal. If a pet needed to relieve themselves while
in her ca.re, the petitioner would bring the animal to the grassy area on the corner of the lot and
the pet waste would be picked-up from that location.
Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner realizes that noise may be generated by barking dogs. She
has stated that she is very concerned about being a good neighbor and will defuse any noise as
quickly as she can. She also plans to insulate the space she is leasing to help relieve any potential
noise from the business.
Ms. Stromberg stated the City's Animal Control ordinance deems any animal that barks, howls,
cries, yelps, or makes any other noise habitually and/or repetitively that the person who owns,
keeps, or harbors the animal knows, or has reasonable grounds to know that it will, or tend to,
alarm, anger or disturb other persons residing in the vicinity thereof a nuisance. If noise were to
become a concern for a neighboring property owner, staff will monitor the property for violations
of the animal control ordinance and handle them accordingly.
Ms. Stromberg staxed the petitioner has stated that it is difficult for her to answer how many
animals will be serviced at her business in a typical day. She has stated that personally she can
only groom four dogs or cats in one day. She plans to have an employee, who will groom up to
five dog or cats in one day. As a result, it appears that a maximum of nine pets will be groomed
in one day at this facility.
Ms. Stromberg stated City staff has not heard any comments from neighboring property owners.
Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of the special use permit request, subject
to stipulations as an animal grooming facility is a similar use as an animal clinic, veterinary
clinic, and animal hospital, which are a permitted special use in the C-2 zoning district.
Ms. Stromberg stated staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following
stipulations be attached:
1. The petitioner shall obta.in a building permit prior to interior modifications if required by
the Minnesota State Building code.
2. The petitioner shall comply with Minnesota State Building code requirements.
3. The petitioner shall obtain a sign permit prior to installation of any new signage.
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4. The ventilation system needs to be designed so that no odors or organisms will spread
between wards or to the outside air.
5. There shall be no outside pens or holding areas for the animals.
6. City staff to review special use permits within one year to ensure compatibility.
Commissioner Oquist asked if there was any issue such as public health since there is a
convenience store next daor?
Ms. Stromberg replied, any public health concerns would be addressed through the building
permit and the Anoka County health department if a license is required.
Commissioaer Velin asked regarding Stipulation No. 3, if the petitioner wants to put up a sign,
would she have to apply again to put up a sign?
Ms. Stromberg replied she would need to get a sign permit.
Commissioner Velin asked could they not approve the sign so the petitioner would not have to
come back again for a sign permit?
Ms. 5tromberg replied a sign permit does not require Planning Commission approval but just an
approval from City staff.
Commission Dunham asked, does the business allow for dual occupancy?
Ms. Stromberg stated, yes.
Commissioner Sielaff stated he assumed there are no other grooming facilities in Fridley7
Ms. Stromberg replied, there are veterinary clinics in Fridley and some do offer grooming as a
part of their services.
Commissioner 5aba stated he assumes they have not heard any problems with this?
Ms. Stromberg replied no they have not heard any complaints regarding this.
Chairperson Savage asked the petitioner if she had any problems with the stipulations?
Alisa Guiterrez, Petitioner, replied, no.
Commissioner Sielaff asked whether she was in this business now?
Ms. Guiterrez replied, she has been around animals all her life. She is also a vet tech. To be
honest she does not know any other kind of work. She has been grooming horses since she was
17. She has been looking since January for the perfect location and curr�ntly does not have a
business. She will put in a ventilation system to suck the moisture out.
Commissioner Dunham asked if she was planning on doing the insulation work?
Ms. Guiterrez replied, yes she is. Also she wants the walls to go to the ceiling to better control
odor and sound. The owner said that would probably be better. That is how a lot of clinics have
it, but she thinks she would want it sealed.
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Commissioner Dunham stated, yes, he thinks that would need to be sealed.
MOTION by Commissioner Saba to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Oquist.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE HEARING CLOSED AT 7:13 P.M.
Commissioner Oquist asked Ms. Stromberg whether the owner of the property is going to
designate two stalls in front of the place and actually put signs up for her?
Ms. Stromberg replied, she could talk to the owner about that. The petitioner has spoken with
the property owner and he has stated to her that there would be two spots for her business.
Whether he is going to post it that way she is not sure.
Commissioner Oquist stated that the barbershop gets busy and he has seen the parking overlap.
Commissioner Dunham stated the only thing he would like to see, as far as the recommendation
since the petitioner is agreeable to insulating and sealing up to the ceiling, he wondered if that
should not be added as a stipulation stating it is going to be done. Because currently the tenants
spaces are sealed to the ceiling and he thinks that should be done.
MOTION by Commissioner Saba approving Special Use Permit SP #08-09, by Alisa Gutierrez,
to allow a cat and dog grooming business, legally described as Tract A Registered Land Survey
No. 27, subject to easement of record, generally located at 6501 Central Avenue NE with the
following stipulations:
1. The petitioner shall obtain a building permit prior to interior modifications if required
by the Minnesota State Building code.
2. The petitioner shall comply with Minnesota State Building code requirements.
3. The petitioner shall obtain a sign permit prior to installation of any new signage.
4. The ventilation system needs to be designed so that no odors or organisms will
spread between wards or to the outside air.
5. There shall be no outside pens or holding areas for the animals.
6. City staffto review special use permits within one year to ensure compatibility.
7. The petitioner shall properly seal and insulate walls between her tenant space to the
ceiling.
Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Savage pointed out this will go to City Council on July 14, and the petitioner needs
to be there.
2. Receive the Minutes of the May 5, 2008, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Saba.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Stromberg stated the next meeting is July 16, 2008.
ADJOURN
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick adjourning the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner
Saba.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED
THE MOTION CARR�D UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT
7:17 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Denise M. Johnson
Recording Secretary
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CITY OF FRIDLEY
SIGN-IN SHEET
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
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