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PL 08/19/2009 - 29945PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING August 19, 2009 Chairperson Kondrick called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Leroy Oquist, David Kondrick, Dean Saba, Brad Sielaff, and Brad Dunham MEMBERS ABSENT: Marcy Sibel and Jack Velin OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Steve Maurelli, RSP Architects Bro. Milton, Totino Grace High School Bruce Powers, Kurt Manufacturing Approval of Minutes: July 15, 2009 MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #09-08, by RSP Architects, on behalf of Totino- Grace High School, to allow the construction of an addition to the school building, generally located at 1350 Gardena Avenue NE. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:03 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, stated the petitioner, Steve Maurelli of RSP Architects, who is representing Totino-Grace, is seeking a special use permit to allow an expansion of an existing private school in an R-1, Single Family zoning district, which is located at 1350 Gardena Avenue. Ms. Stromberg stated private schools are a permitted special use in an R-1, Single Family zoning district. Each time the school proposes to modify the school in any way that may impact the neighborhood the City is required to have the request reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council for compatibility. Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner is proposing to construct a 15,000 square foot addition to the northeast corner of the existing building. The petitioner also plans to remodel approximately 20,000 square feet of the existing school space. As stated by the petitioner, "This project does not include the addition of new classrooms, but rather, accommodates enlargement of current space. The current spaces that will be enlarged as a result of the addition are the Art, Band, Choir, Wrestling, and Fitness Rooms as well as modernization of the Auditorium. As a result, this project will not result in any additional students, but is intended only to upgrade facilities." Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is zoned R-1, Single Family as are all surrounding properties. The property is located on Gardena Avenue, east of Central Avenue and is approximately 30 acres in size. The parcel of land is comprised of a private school and other building associated with the school, track and field facilities, ball fields, parking lots, and a storm water pond. The school was constructed in 1965, with an addition constructed in 1977. Since the time of its construction, there have been additional modifications to the interior and exterior of the school. Totino-Grace is a co-educational Catholic high school, which provides education to approximately 925 children in grades 9-12. Ms. Stromberg stated in 1999, a special use permit was issued for the property to allow the school to upgrade the existing track and field facility. In 2003, the City Council approved a variance request by Totino Grace High School, to reduce the width of parking stalls from 10 feet to 9 feet to allow an expansion of a parking lot. In 2006 the City Council approved a special use permit to allow the school to exist in an R-1, Single Family zoning district and a variance to increase the height of a portion of the school building to allow an auditorium renovation. The auditorium renovation was never completed and the petitioner has instead decided to construct the proposed addition and do some interior remodeling instead of the renovation to the auditorium. Ms. Stromberg stated private schools 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 staf£ The proposed expansion will allow for the construction of a 15,000 square foot addition that will essentially reallocate and enlarge existing uses that are currently within the building. It will enlarge space that is used for Art, Bank, Choir, Wrestling and Fitness. Along with the proposed addition, the petitioner plans to remodel approximately 20,000 square feet of space within the school, which will include modernization of the Auditorium. Ms. Stromberg stated when the special use permit and variance were issued for this property in 2006, staff determined that City Code would require 374 parking stalls based on the interior uses of the building. Since the proposed addition is intended to upgrade facilities and is not being constructed to allow an increase in faculty or students, staff has determined that the 374 parking stalls required by code is an adequate number to continue to require. Staff is also comfortable with this assessment because according to the petitioner, enrollment at the school has actually been declining yearly from 1,070 students in 2005 to 925 students in 2009. There are currently 460 parking stalls on the site, which meets code requirements. Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed expansion meets all setback requirements and lot coverage requirements at 15.4 percent for the entire site. Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request as private schools are a permitted special use in the R-1, Single-Family zoning district, subject to stipulations. Ms. Stromberg stated Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached: 1. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. The petitioner shall meet all building, fire, and ADA requirements for any new construction, alteration, or renovation done on the site 3. City Engineering staff to review and approve grading and drainage plan prior to issuance of a building permit. 2 4. Petitioner shall meet any requirements identified by the Rice Creek Watershed District. 5. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 6. Construction vehicles shall not bring materials before 7:00 am. or after 9:00 p.m. 7. When reasonable, construction vehicles and equipment shall avoid using Arthur Street and Matterhorn Drive. 8. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary exterior building materials and color scheme. Chairperson Kondrick asked Mr. Maurelli if he had any questions? Steve Maurelli, RSP Architects, replied, no. Chairperson Kondrick asked Mr. Maurelli if they agreed with the stipulations? Mr. Maurelli replied, they are comfortable with all stipulations. It is has been submitted to Rice Creek. He believed it is coming before them tomorrow or the day after. Chairperson Kondrick asked Ms. Stromberg whether staff has heard anything adverse from the Rice Creek Watershed District? Ms. Stromberg replied, no. Commissioner Sielaff stated he wanted to clarify the parking. In 2006 they added 374 additional parking spots? Ms. Stromberg replied, no, 374 parking stalls is what is required by code, and the petitioner is exceeding that. Gordon Blacklund, 5805 Arthur Street NE, stated he was not there in opposition but only to gather information. He asked over what period of time will construction take place? Mr. Maurelli stated construction is intended to start as soon as they can get started, hopefully in the next month. They will start with building the addition and then spring they will start doing the remodeling. Mr. Blacklund asked what changes of traffic patterns do they expect, specifically along Arthur Street? Mr. Maurelli stated they do not expect any traffic going down Arthur or Matterhorn. He stated there is an overflow parking lot down by the football stadium, and Totino-Grace has said they will make that available to the contractors. Therefore, they can keep the cars on site and there should not be an appreciable increase in traffic. Mark Schumacher, 5837 Arthur Street, asked as an owner who lives on the east side of the street, they appreciate the shade that the existing trees provide along the west side of the street. He asked how is the new building going to decrease the amount of trees that currently exist? Mr. Maurelli stated the intent is to save as many trees as they can. There is a big grove of oaks on the north side and there are other spruces along the east side. Some of the oaks do need to come down. However, they are not going to be sheet piling the site. Chairperson Sielaff asked if there is going to be a landscaping plan submitted to the City? Ms. Stromberg replied, yes, they have submitted a plan and they will be adding more trees, too, for needing to take some of the trees out. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:17 P.M. Chairperson Kondrick stated he cannot find anything wrong with this and thinks it will be a great asset to the school. Commissioner Sielaff stated he was also fine with it. MOTION by Commissioner Saba approving Special Use Permit, SP #09-08, by RSP Architects, on behalf of Totino-Grace High School, to allow the construction of an addition to the school building, generally located at 1350 Gardena Avenue NE, with 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 for any new construction, alteration, or renovation done on the site 3. City Engineering staff to review and approve grading and drainage plan prior to issuance of a building permit. 4. Petitioner shall meet any requirements identified by the Rice Creek Watershed District. 5. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 6. Construction vehicles shall not bring materials before 7:00 am. or after 9:00 p.m. 7. When reasonable, construction vehicles and equipment shall avoid using Arthur Street and Matterhorn Drive. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary exterior building materials and color scheme. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #09-09, by Kurt Manufacturing Co., to allow limited outdoor storage on their property, legally described as Lot l, Block l, Kurt Addition, generally located at 5280 Main Street NE. MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:18 P.M. Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner, Kelli Watson, on behalf of Kurt Manufacturing, is seeking a special use permit to allow limited outdoor storage of a storage container in the rear yard of their property which is located at 5280 Main Street. 0 Ms. Stromberg stated the property is zoned M-2, Heavy Industrial as are the properties to the north and south. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad property is to the west and Single Family Residential properties are located to the east. It is located on Main Street, south of Interstate 694. The property was originally developed in 1959. Several additions have been constructed to that original building since 1959. The property was also granted two variances to allow an increase in the maximum amount of allowable lot coverage. A variance was granted in 1975 to increase the coverage from 40 percent to 47.5 percent and then a variance was granted in 1987 to increase the coverage requirement from 40 percent to 49 percent. Modern code standards allow businesses within the industrial districts to increase their allowable lot coverage requirements by obtaining a special use permit versus asking for a variance. Though current code allows business to increase their allowable lot coverage through a special use permit, it is important to note that those businesses still need to comply with all other code requirements, including but not limited to, setbacks, landscaping, storm pond regulations, etc. Based on the latest site plan provided by the petitioner it appears that the property is at 49 percent for lot coverage, which correlates with the variance that was granted in 1987. Ms. Stromberg stated as some of you may be aware, this summer the City's Community Development Department has hired a Code Enforcement Intern to do systematic inspections of our commercial and industrial properties. As a result, many of our industrial businesses will be coming before the Planning Commission and City Council for special use permits for outdoor storage. This special use permit request is one of those that came to staff's attention during those systematic inspections. Ms. Stromberg stated City Code allows limited outdoor storage in the industrial districts that is up to 50 percent of the building footprint with a special use permit. The buildings square footage is 114,450 square feet, so City code would essentially allow up to 57,225 square feet of outdoor storage on this site. The petitioner is requesting to store one storage container in the rear yard of the property, which is 320 square feet in size, which is well below the allowable outdoor storage area. It should be noted that although City code would allow up to 57,225 square feet of outdoor storage on this site based on the square footage of the building, the site stills needs to comply will all other requirements, which are discussed below. So, it is unlikely that 57,225 square feet of outdoor storage could actually occur on this site. Ms. Stromberg stated before the special use permit can be issued, several additional requirements need to be met. Those specific requirements relate to height, screening, parking, and the types of materials allowed to be stored outside. Ms. Stromberg stated based on the breakdown of uses within the building, which was provided by the petitioner, parking needs for this site are 293 parking stalls. The petitioner has stated that they will have 207 parking stalls after 4 stalls will be used to allow for storage of the container. As a result, they fall short of ineeting code requirements by 86 stalls. Since this business has been in operation in this location for around 50 years, staff has the petitioner provide staff with a better understanding of how the interior manufacturing space is used. City code requires 1 parking stall for every 400 square feet of manufacturing space, and this business has 110,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Ms. Stromberg stated Peter Waller, Kurt Manufacturing's Operations Manager, states "the inside of the manufacturing facility is full of machine tools and large pieces of equipment used in manufacturing metal components for various customers. In addition to the machine tools, we also have floor space allotted for storing the volume of parts we are working on or have in process, plus queue area for work that is scheduled to be done." At this facility we currently have approximately 142 employees on day shift and 16 night shift employees. Based on these numbers, Kurt Manufacturing feels that have adequate parking available for their employees." Ms. Stromberg stated staff has not noticed that parking seems to be an issue on this site, despite the fact that code would require them to have additional stalls. Based on what the petitioner has stated, about the amount of manufacturing space that is allocated for large equipment and storage of parts, staff would feel comfortable allowing the storage container to take the 4 parking stalls needed to be stored on this site. Staff will stipulate though that at which time parking does become an issue for this tenant or future tenants of the building that the interior space may need to be re-worked to better meet City Code parking requirements. Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner plans to place the storage container behind the northwest corner of the building, therefore, not visible from the Main Street. City staff will suggest that the petitioner plant some ivy along the rear fence or plant some shrubbery along the fence line to help screen the container from the railroad right-of-way. The proposed site plan meets all other code requirements. Ms. Stromberg stated City staff has not heard from any neighboring property owners. Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, with stipulations. Limited outdoor storage is a permitted special use in the M-2, Heavy Industrial zoning district, provided specific code requirements are met, subject to stipulations. Ms. Stromberg stated staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached. 1. Any other existing outdoor storage on this site shall be removed within 30 days of issuance of this special use permit. 2. The petitioner shall install ivy or some shrubbery along the rear fence line to further screen the outdoor storage from the rail right-of-way. 3. If a parking shortage occurs on the site, the petitioner shall develop an agreeable plan approved by City staff to re-work the interior space of the existing building or find other parking options. Ms. Stromberg stated that Bruce Powers with Kurt Manufacturing is here to answer any questions. Commissioner Sielaff asked if there was some action needed by them regarding the parking stalls? Or does the petitioner just prove to the Commission they do not need them? Ms. Stromberg stated that is why staff discussed with the petitioner what actually goes on within the manufacturing space so we can understand the parking needs. Our Code tries to be as specific as it can based on the manufacturing uses and the amount of parking stalls needed but sometimes we do not know what exactly is going on inside that space. They have 142 employees on day shift and they have 207 stalls. Commissioner Sielaff asked, so the Code allows flexibility? Ms. Stromberg replied, right. Chairperson Kondrick asked how big is the container going to be? Ms. Stromberg replied, 8 feet wide by 40 feet long, 9.5 feet tall. Chairperson Kondrick asked what kind of materials will be stored in there? Bruce Powers, Kurt Manufacturing, replied, raw materials. � Chairperson Kondrick asked whether they have any problems with the stipulations? Mr. Powers replied, they have no problem. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:28 P.M. Chairperson Kondrick stated he has no problem with this. MOTION by Commissioner Oquist approving Special Use Permit, SP #09-09, by Kurt Manufacturing Co., to allow limited outdoor storage on their property, legally described as Lot 1, Block 1, Kurt Addition, generally located at 5280 Main Street NE, with the following stipulations: 1. Any other existing outdoor storage on this site shall be removed within 30 days of issuance of this special use permit. 2. The petitioner shall install ivy or some shrubbery along the rear fence line to further screen the outdoor storage from the rail right-of-way. 3. If a parking shortage occurs on the site, the petitioner shall develop an agreeable plan approved by City staff to re-work the interior space of the existing building or find other parking options. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2A. Removal of Four Trees to Accommodate the Placement of an Electronic Message Center Sign. Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, referred to Section 510.01 of the City Code that talks about removal of trees on public property. The ordinance dates back to a time when there was concern about the number of trees that might come out of parks, i.e., Springbrook Nature Center. It put safeguards in place so there would not be tree removal without lots of thought first. If trees were to be removed, it would go to the Parks and Recreation Commission first. This item was before that Commission at their last meeting. It then goes to the Planning Commission after a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission, and ultimately to the City Council. Mr. Hickok stated specifically they are asking for the removal of four trees on the boulevard along the University Service Drive directly adjacent to our City Hall, just south of Fournies Avenue which separates us from the clinic. The reason for the request is there is an electronic reader board sign that will be constructed in later September or early October. This corner of the parking lot would then become the area for the sign which would say "City of Fridley" on top, an electronic message center feature in the center with three lines of text, and then a sign area for Fairview. Mr. Hickok stated Fairview shares the parking lot that is owned by the HRA. So stalls that are directly adjacent to the trees that need to be taken out are actually stalls that are on land belonging to the HRA. Recently the Commission may recall that Fairview Clinic redid the parking lot (curb and gutters, storm drainage system, new striping) and they actually created new parking stalls. They would like to put a 7 free-standing sign out along the frontage road, however private use of public property is not generally permitted. Rather than having their own individual sign, they can actually lease space on a public sign. Mr. Hickok stated the City of Fridley has long hoped to replace its antiquated message board sign with more modern electronic technology. Currently our Public Works staff has to get up there and change the message on the sign. An electronic message sign would allow messages to change on a regular basis, and we could really use that to get more information out to the public. The City has been interested in changing over since just about the time the technology became available, but not having the money to do it, we have put that of£ Fairview offered to buy the City the sign as long as they could have a certain area to advertise "Fairview." They would build the sign, and there would be an agreement in place that over a time their contribution would be paid back in exchange for using the land and having what would otherwise be a typical lease arrangement to have a space on our sign. Mr. Hickok stated it is important to have the sign in the location of the four trees because it truly is meant to identify where Fairview is at but yet serve as the City Hall public information sign. It has to be as close to City Hall as it can be but still not be so far away from Fairview that people get confused about where Fairview is. It really is a perfect solution but for the trees. Mr. Hickok is asking the Planning Commission tonight for their recommendation to the City Council that the trees be removed. New trees will be planted somewhere on City Hall's campus in exchange for removing the trees. Chairperson Kondrick stated he is a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission and they unanimously went along with this idea since the trees would be replaced someplace else in the general area. Commissioner Saba stated he agreed it would be a great deal for the City. Commissioner Sielaff asked if the area around the sign would be landscaped? Mr. Hickok replied there are no plans for shrubs; however, it currently is a really nice almost natural area. Shrubs at the base of the sign would not be out of the question though. From a maintenance perspective it is really nice to have a clean line and not have to mow around it. We really do have a beautiful campus. There are some very nice shrubs and nice landscaping around the south side that forms as a nice backdrop to the new information sign. MOTION by Commissioner Saba approving the Removal of Four Trees to Accommodate the Placement of an Electronic Message Center Sign. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Receive the Minutes of the May 27, 2009, Appeals Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. Receive the Minutes of the June 1, 2009, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. Receive the Minutes of the June 4, 2009, Housing & Redevelopment Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. Receive the Minutes of the June 23, 2009, Special Housing & Redevelopment Authority Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS: ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff adjourning the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:42 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Denise M. Johnson Recording Secretary �