PL 05/19/2010 - 29954PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
May 19, 2010
Chairperson Kondrick called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Leroy Oquist, David Kondrick, Dean Saba, Jack Velin, Brad Sielaff,
Brad Dunham, and Marcy Sibel
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, Planner
Steve Lawrance, SML Electrical
Approval of Minutes: Apri121, 2010
MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner
Oquist.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #10-08, by SML Electrical, for an electronic gas
pricing sign, generally located at 7680 Highway 65 NE.
MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Sibel.
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, Planner, stated the petitioner, SML Electrical, who is representing Amstar Station
Store, is requesting a special use permit to allow an electronic gas pricing sign to replace the existing
manual gas pricing sign at their property which is located at 7680 Hwy 65.
Ms. Stromberg stated according to the numbers submitted by the petitioner, the existing sign is
approximately 94 square feet which is over the 80 square foot maximum requirement for this business.
The petitioner is proposing to reface the entire sign on the existing pole and install an electronic gas
pricing sign. The size of the sign after the reface will be 78 square feet, which will meet code
requirements.
Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is located on the southwest corner of Osborne Road and Hwy
65. The property is zoned G2, General Business. The original service station was constructed in 1960.
At that time, the property was zoned M-1, Light Industrial. While modern code standards require a
special use permit to be obtained for motor vehicle fuel and oil dispensing services in a commercial
zoning district, the 1955 zoning code allowed gasoline service stations and repair garages as a permitted
use in the M-1 zoning district. As a result, the existing use as an automotive service station is conforming.
Ms. Stromberg stated this property and the VFW located to the west were rezoned from M-1, Light
Industrial to G2, General Business in 1990. At the same time several variances were approved to reduce
the side yard setback where a driveway is to be provided from 30 feet to 4 feet; to reduce the lot area
required for one main building from 3/4 acre to 2/3 acre; to reduce the parking and hard surface setback
from any street right-of-way from 20 feet to 10 feet and 5 feet, to allow the construction of an attached car
wash and new pump layout on the subject property. A special use permit was also approved to allow a
motor vehicle wash establishment.
Ms. Stromberg stated the free-standing sign has been modified several times over the years. Though
there are no variances on file allowing a larger than 80 square foot sign, building permit records indicate
that the sign is over the 80 square foot size requirement.
Ms. Stromberg stated electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in any zoning district,
except residential, provided the message does not change more often than once every 45 seconds. The
sign also needs to be in conformance with the sign requirements for the zoning district, in which the
property is located. The subject property is zoned, G2 General Business, which requires that free
standing signage cannot exceed 80 square feet in size. The new sign modifications and the replacement
of the manual gas pricing sign with the electronic sign will comply with the 80 square foot size limit. The
electronic gas pricing sign will be 8 square feet of the tota178 square foot sign.
Ms. Stromberg stated the free-standing sign meets all other sign code requirements, including but not
limited to size, setbacks, and height. City staff has not heard from any neighboring property owners.
Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of the special use permit as electronic changeable
signs are an approved special use in the commercial zoning district, provided the sign complies with Code
requirements, subject to stipulations.
Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following
stipulations be attached:
1. The petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing
any signage on site.
2. Message on L.E.D. sign shall
214.07 of the Fridley City Code.
3. Message on L.E.D. sign shall
traffic in the area.
not change more often than authorized under Section
never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular
Chairperson Kondrick asked regarding Stipulation No. 2, how often is that?
Ms. Stromberg replied, not more than once very 45 seconds.
Steve Lawrance, SML Electrical, stated the L.E.D. price sign will save on electricity.
Chairperson Kondrick asked Mr. Lawrence whether he has any disagreements with the stipulations?
Mr. Lawrance replied, no.
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 7:08
P.M.
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Chairperson Kondrick stated he has no problem with this. The gas station has been there a long time.
Commissioner Oquist stated it seems to conform with all the other signs currently at the gas stations.
MOTION by Commissioner Oquist approving Special Use Permit, SP # 10-08, by SML Electrical, for an
electronic gas pricing sign, generally located at 7680 Highway 65 NE with the following stipulations:
1. The petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing
any signage on site.
2. Message on L.E.D. sign shall not change more often than authorized under Section
214.07 of the Fridley City Code.
3. Message on L.E.D. sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular
traffic in the area.
Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Receive the Minutes of the April 13, 2010, 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 KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Receive the Minutes of the Apri15, 2010, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Sibel 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 March 23, 2010, Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Saba to receive the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Ms. Stromberg stated, the Faulkner Construction Master Plan Amendment request for a senior
living project on Central Avenue and East Moore Lake Drive was approved by the City Council.
Ms. Stromberg stated, the ne�t Planning Commission will be June 16, 2010.
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ADJOURN
MOTION by Commissioner Oquist 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 7:12 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise M. Johnson
Recording Secretary
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