PL 10/01/2008 - 30946PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
October 1, 2008
Chairperson Savage called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Brad Dunham, Diane Savage, David Kondrick, Jack Velin,
and Brad Sielaff
Leroy Oquist and Dean Saba
OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
Don Rolf, HDR Architecture
Pat Belland, Unity Hospital
Jon Namyst, Unity Hospital
Connie Fiebiger, Unity Hospital
Bill Dunham, Allina Health Systems
Approval of Minutes: July 16, 2008
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded
by Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #08-13, by HDR Architecture,
Inc., for Unity Hospital, to allow the construction of a free-standing Oncology
building on the north side of the existing building in a R-1, Single Family
zoning district, generally located at 550 Osborne Road NE.
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 AND THE HEARING OPENED AT 7:03
P.M.
Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, stated the petitioner, Don Rolf, of HDR Architecture,
Inc., on behalf of Unity Hospital is seeking a special use permit to allow the construction
of a free-standing building on the north side of the existing hospital, which is in an R-1,
Single Family zoning district. The hospital is located at 550 Osborne Road.
Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner is proposing to construct the Virginia Piper Cancer
Institute building, which will be approximately 19,000 square feet in size. The free-
standing building will be connected to the hospital by a link and will be located north of
the existing hospital building.
Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is zoned R-1, Single Family as are all of the
surrounding properties, with the exception of the medical clinic to the east. The property
is located on Osborne Road, east of University Avenue and is approximately 35 acres in
size when including the land is which the Professional Building is located on. The
hospital was originally constructed in 1965.
Ms. Stromberg stated including the proposed request, the City has reviewed 3 special
use permits for additions to Unity hospital within the last 5 years. In 2003, the City
Council approved a special use permit to allow a 2,375 square foot expansion to the
Radiation Therapy Center which is located on the south side of the building. In 2006, the
City Council approved a plan for the Hospital's Emergency Department that allowed for
the remodel of 11,000 square feet and an approximate 9,600 square foot addition.
Ms. Stromberg sta.ted hospitals aze a permitted special use in the R-1 zoning district
provided that the proposed expansion complies with the requirements for the special use
permit, subject to the stipulations suggested by staf£ The proposed expansion will allow
for the construction of a free-standing building to be used as the Virginia Piper Cancer
Institute on the north side of the existing hospital. 'The approximate size of the proposed
building is 124 ft. by 142 ft. When including the length of the connection link to the
hospital; the proposed building will be approximately 19,000 square feet. The petitioner
has stated that there will not be an increase in new patients for the first 3 years, as these
patients aze currently being seen at the Cancer Center that is within the Unity
Professional Building. After year 3, new patients will be increased by approximately
1,096 patients per year and this will only increase sta.ff by 2 employees.
Ms. Stromberg stated in 2006, Unity Hospital conducted a parking study to see if
additional parking was warranted to be constructed. The result of the study determined
that they had adequate parking on site to support the addition to the Emergency
Department. However, the Hospital elected to proof 151 parking stalls, which were to be
installed at such time as the City or the Hospital determined it was necessary. To date,
demand for these stalls hasn't been warranted.
Ms. Stromberg sta.ted in order to allow for the construction of the Cancer Center, 44
parking stalls will need to be removed. City Code requires the proposed building to have
65 parking stalls. The petitioner plans to install 135 parking stalls, which will meet City
code requirements.
Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed expansion meets lot coverage and setback
requirements.
�
Ms. Stromberg stated while the proposed project meets City code requirements to allow
for the construction of the proposed building, staff does have some general concerns.
These concerns are related to hard surface parking, site circulation, and the need for a
Master Plan for the site.
Ms. Stromberg stated as indicated above, this is the third special use permit request that
the City has reviewed within that last 5 years. Each addition requires the need for
additional pazking. As can be seen from an aerial, the site mainly consists of building
and parking lot. As the hospital continues to expand there is going to be a need to
provide better parking options other than surface parking. City staff would request that
before subsequent additions are constructed to the hospital, a Master Plan be submitted
showing the City what the maximum build-out is for the site. A Master Plan will help
provide the City with a potential future plan for the Hospital and it also is good strategic
planning. Staff would recommend that the Master Plan include information about full
build out of the site, taking into account parking, storm water management, and
landscaping needs.
Ms. Stromberg stated another staff concern is related to on site circulation. The location
of the proposed building will impact vehiculax and pedestrian circulation on the site by
eliminating the existing east-west connection. The petitioner is proposing to move that
east-west connection approximately 160 ft. north of the existing connection, just north of
the proposed Cancer Center building. The site is planned to be re-worked to allow the
current one-way driveway off of Osborne Road to accommodate two-way traffic to
access the new connection. The new connection will allow two-way traffic which will be
able to access the signalized intersection allowing patients/visitors to go either east or
west on Osborne Road. The concern that staff has is that the petitioner has articulated
that the Cancer Center will likely be expanded further north in the future. If that happens,
the proposed east-west connection within the site will be eliminated. Staff realizes that if
that happens there may be other access options to the site, other than what exists today.
However early indications from Anoka County are that additional access to Osborne
Road would be unlikely. Directing traffic to Lyric Lane and Sth Street also would not be
a favorable option for the City as these aze not designed to be arterial streets. As a result,
staff will stipulate that fuhue expansions of the Cancer Center will require an approved
alternative circulation plan that continues to a11ow an on-site east-west connection.
Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request
as 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 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. City Engineering sta.ff to review and approve grading and drainage plan prior to
issuance of a building permit.
4. Landscape and Irrigation plan to be reviewed and approved by City Staff prior to
issuance of building permit.
5. No outdoor storage of equipment or materials along the south side of the
maintenance building.
3
6. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris.
7. Construction vehicles shall not bring materials before 7:00 am. or after 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
8. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and
finished with complementary siding and color scheme.
9. No future additions/expansion of this site shall occur unless a Master Plan has
been submitted detailing what the full build-out could be for the site.
10. Future expansion of the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute shall require an approved
alternative vehicular and pedestrian circulation plan that continues to allow an on-
site east-west connection.
11.
� a •*� * *-� *�^:^ --�°^ � � °*^,^*� a �'�:�^ City staff will evaluate the
rarac�-arva�rcrn�sara�srccccgra+�a �....�.. Y•�••••••b•
need for structured parking�on this site when the Master Plan is submitted in earlv 2009.
12. A pedestrian crosswalk shall be established from �.4 various aa rkin�, lots to the Cancer
Center to accommodate safe pedestrian movement.
13. A pedestrian crosswalk shall be established from Lot A to the Professional Building to
accommodate safe pedestrian movement.
Ms. Stromberg stated staff has had some conversations with the petitioner and members
of Unity Hospital today who have indicated they're working on getting a master plan
designed for the site. As a result sta.ff has eliminated Stipulation No. 11 from what is in
the Commission's packet to now read, "City staff will evaluate the need for structured
parking on this site, when the Master Plan is submitted in early 2009." Representatives
of Unity Hospital have told staff they will have something to show the City in January-
February 2009.
Commissioner Kondrick asked Ms. Stromberg when she says, structured parking, she
means parking ramp?
Ms. Stromberg replied, correct.
Commissioner Sielaff stated he was a little confused about the circular route to the
professional building. Coming from Osborne, how is that changing from what is out
there now? He asked about the scenarios.
Ms. Stromberg replied, currently they have the east-west connection existing on the site.
For example, if somebody is coming eastbound on Osborne Road, they could turn into
the campus and go to professional building. They then have the option to access the
existing east-west connection and leave the sight through the signalized stoplight and go
either east or west on Osborne Road. If somebody is going westbound on Osborne, they
will have to turn in on Madison to get to the professional building and use the back
parking lot. The petitioner is proposing to have a new east-west connection on site. If
the cancer center is expanded further north, they are going to lose that connection. So
there will no longer be and east-west connection on site and that is staff's concern.
Chairperson Savage pointed out that concern is addressed in Stipulation No. 10.
4
Ms. Stromberg replied, that is correct.
Commissioner Dunham asked whether Stipulation No. 5 is something that was carried
over from the last special use permit?
Ms. Stromberg replied, yes.
Commissioner Sielaff asked what does it mean to proof 151 parking stalls?
Ms. Stromberg replied what that means is the petitioner has designated on the site plan
an area, west of their existing parking lot, and then an area south of their existing parking
lot, that they could have 151 stalls if the City deemed they were necessary.
Commissioner Sielaff asked how did staff determine whether there was no need for the
other parking stalls?
Ms. Stromberg replied that in 2006 Unity Hospital did a survey of their parking needs to
determine if there current pazking was being utilized and if additional staff were
warranted.
Chairperson Savage asked the petitioner if they had any problem with any of the
stipulations?
Don Rolf, with HDR Architecture, replied, no, we've addressed No. 11.
Commissioner Kondrick asked him whether he understand the importance of the traffic
flow. He just wants it to be record that they understand this.
Chairperson Savage asked if there was a reason behind the name "Virginia Piper" for
the cancer center?
Pat Belland, Vice President of Operations, Unity Hospital, stated the Virginia Piper
Cancer Institute is actually on the Abbott-Northwestern campus under the Allina
Hospitals and Clinics umbrella which is what Unity is a part of. They have identified the
protocols and approach to treatment of cancer care under the Virginia Piper Cancer
Institute as the ultimate care for Allina's patients.
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to close the public hearing. Seconded by
Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE HEARING CLOSED AT 7:27
P.M.
Commissioner Kondrick stated he did not have any problem with this. He thinks they
have been very careful in the scrutiny of the stipulations and the staff has done a very
good job as usual in outlining the things they think are necessary to make this a viable,
careful, and worthwhile project.
Chairperson Savage stated she would agree.
Commissioner Sielaff stated the fact they are willing to do a master plan by 2009
resolves any concerns he would have.
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick approving Special Use Permit, SP #08-13, by
HDR Architecture, Inc., for Unity Hospital, to allow the construction of a free-standing
Oncology building on the north side of the existing building in a R-1, Single Family
zoning district, generally located at 550 Osborne Road NE, with the following
stipulations:
1. T'he petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction.
2. The petitioner shall meet all building, fire, and ADA requirements.
3. City Engineering staff to review and approve grading and drainage plan prior to
issuance of a building permit.
4. Landscape and Irrigation plan to be reviewed and approved by City Staff prior to
issuance of building permit.
5. No outdoor storage of equipment or materials along the south side of the
maintenance building.
6. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris.
7. Construction vehicles shall not bring materials before 7:00 am. or after 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
8. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and
finished with complementary siding and color scheme.
9. No future additions/expansion of this site shall occur unless a Master Plan has
been submitted detailing what the full build-out could be for the site.
10. Future expansion of the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute sha11 require an approved
alternative vehiculaz and pedestrian circulation plan that continues to allow an on-
site east-west connection.
11. City staff will evaluate the need for structured parking on this site, when the Master Plan
is submitted in early 2009.
12. A pedestrian crosswalk shall be established from various parking lots to the Cancer
Center to accommodate safe pedestrian movement.
13. A pedestrian crosswalk shall be established from Lot A to the Professional Building to
accommodate safe pedestrian movement.
Seconded by Commissioner Velin.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Savage stated the request will now go to City Council on October 13, 2008,
to make the final decision.
�
s
2. Receive the Minutes of the June 25, 2008, Appeals Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Kondrick.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Receive the Minutes of the August 13, 2008, Appeals Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Kondrick.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Receive the Minutes of the Apri18, 2008, Environmental Quality and Energy
Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Velin to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Receive t6e Minutes of the May 1, 2008, Housing and Redevelopment
Authority Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to receive the Minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Receive the Minutes of the August 7; 2008, Housing and Redevelopment
Authority Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Kondrick.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Receive the Minutes of the August 4, 2008, Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting.
7
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to receive the Minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Velin.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Receive the Minutes of the June 2, 2008, Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to receive the Minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Velin.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS:
ADJOURN
MOTION by Commission Kondrick adjourning the meeting. Seconded by
Commissioner Velin.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNAMOUSLY AND THE MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 7:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
` .-�e������ � �
Denise M. Johnson
Recording Secretary
,�
CITY OF FRIDLEY
SIGN-IN SHEET
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
� l�- �-��
Name
►� 1 � L
i 1� .r;ti�.i
i �i P�^
`) �
�,0 {� Wl e- I'I P� i
Address/Business
�N �-� �J � P� ,-�
� 1�..� � �t,� C�v S � � � �
� L�
I!1`r
� �