PL 06/20/2012 - 31330PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
June 20, 2012
Chairperson Kondrick called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jack Velin, Brad Sielaff, Brad Dunham, David Kondrick, Dean Saba,
and Leroy Oquist
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tim Solberg
OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, Planner
Approval of Minutes: May 16, 2012
MOTION by Commissioner Velin to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner
Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #12-03, by Carlson Consulting Engineers, Inc.,
on behalf of Sam's Club, to allow a motor vehicle fuel dispensing services by constructing a
gas station at Sam's Club, generally located at 8150 University Avenue NE.
MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:04
P.M.
Stacy Stromberg, Planner, stated the petitioner, Mr. Brent Shields with Carlson Consulting Engineers,
Inc., who is representing Sam's Club, is requesting a special use permit to allow motor vehicle fueling
dispensing services by constructing a gas station within the existing parking lot of the Sam's Club
property, located at 8150 University Avenue.
Ms. Stromberg stated the project will include the construction of a 192 square foot kiosk building, and
six fueling pumps that are covered by a canopy. They will also install three underground storage gasoline
tanks. Parking and circulation will be modified on the site to allow for the construction of the gas station,
and additional landscaping will be installed to provide screening and visual interest.
Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is zoned G3, General Shopping as is the Bachman property to
the north. The properties west and south are zoned industrial and the property to the east is a McDonald's
that is zoned G2, General Business. The property is located on the corner of 81St Avenue and University
Avenue Service Road. The existing warehouse building was constructed in 1986. In 1993 and in 1994,
Sam's Auto Buying Program received special use permit approvals to allow sale and display of new
and/or used motor vehicles by automobile agencies. The property was replatted in 1997 to allow the
creation of the Bachman's lot to the north. A building addition was also constructed in 1997. A permit
has been issued this year to do a major remodel of the existing building, which they are currently working
Planning Commission Meeting
June 20, 2012
Page 2
on. This remodel will also include a new canopy area in the front of the building for loading of
merchandise.
Ms. Stromberg stated motor vehicle fuel dispensing services are a permitted special use in a G3,
General Shopping zoning district, subject to stipulations.
Ms. Stromberg stated Sam's Club has been interested in constructing this gas station on their property
for several years; however, the City's parking code standards would not allow them to eliminate parking
stalls for the construction of this use. In the early 2005, two variances were granted to reduce the required
amount of parking stalls in commercial zoning districts, for the redevelopment of Target and CVS.
Instead of continuing to grant variances, staff determined that we should analyze our parking standards to
see if a change needed to be made. Our analysis determined that we were requiring too many parking
stalls in our commercial zoning districts, so in 2005, the City approved a text amendment to reduce the
parking code standards for commercial properties from 1 stall for every 150 square feet to 1 stall for every
250 square feet of building area. As a result of this change, Sam's Club is now able to use some of their
large parking lot to accommodate the construction of the gas station and still be complaint with code
parking requirements.
Ms. Stromberg stated the existing Sam's Club building is 135,192 square feet, and the proposed kiosk
building is 192 square feet, which will require 521 parking stalls for the subject property. Currently there
are 743 parking stalls on site, after the construction of the gas station area, 623 will remain, therefore,
exceeding code requirements.
Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed canopy and kiosk building meet all setback requirements and the site
is at 24 percent lot coverage with the construction of the kiosk building and canopy, which also meets
code requirements. City Code does state that all accessory structures need to be located in the side or rear
yard and though staff generally relates this requirement to residential properties and things like sheds, we
wanted to point out that this use though accessory to the existing Sam's Club, could stand alone as a
principal use on the site and meet all code requirements, and therefore would be allowed.
Ms. Stromberg stated the new kiosk building will be constructed of CMU (concrete masonry unit)
painted block, which will be match and be compatible with the exterior of the existing Sam's Club
building.
Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, with stipulations as
motor vehicle fuel dispensing services are a permitted special use in the G3, General Shopping 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 ensure that all lighting on the property is shielded and downcast, so as to not
extend over the property line or create glare.
3. Signs permits shall be submitted and approved prior to installation on the new canopy.
4. A code compliant landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved prior to issuance of a building
permit.
5. City Engineering staff to review and approve grading, drainage, and utility plan prior to issuance
of a building permit.
Planning Commission Meeting
June 20, 2012
Page 3
Chairperson Kondrick noted the petitioner was unable to attend and the reason was unknown. Given
the less severe nature of this project and obvious benefit to the petitioner and the City, they are able to act
on this intelligently especially with the great work that has been done by City staf£ When they make a
recommendation to the City Council, it should be noted the petitioner was not here; and that if he or she
has any input, complaints, or anything about this not to their liking, they will be able to voice their
opinion at the Council meeting.
Commissioner Saba stated it seems pretty straightforward.
Commissioner Velin stated his only concern is regarding the landscaping when it is located in the
parking lot.
Ms. Stromberg referred to the copy of the landscape plan in the Commission's packet. Within that plan
there are several medians around the gas station area which are landscaped with shrubs, perennials, trees,
etc. Sam's Club over the years has lost several trees that were required as part of their original landscape
plan. That is why the City is requiring they submit a new plan to the City to ensure they are meeting
landscape requirements for the whole site. The City code does require landscaping throughout parking
lots so it is not just a sea of asphalt.
Commissioner Sielaff stated does the proposed landscaping around the gas station satisfy the
requirements of the gas station and the existing parking lot then?
Ms. Stromberg replied, it satisfies the landscaping for the gas station, but the City wants to see a new
plan for the whole site. The City has not received that yet and it will be reviewed at building permit time.
They just want to make sure Sam's Club has the amount of trees they are required to have based on the
size of their parcel.
MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:14
P.M.
MOTION by Commissioner Oquist approving Special Use Permit, SP # 12-03, by Carlson Consulting
Engineers, Inc., on behalf of Sam's Club, to allow a motor vehicle fuel dispensing services by
constructing a gas station at Sam's Club, generally located at 8150 University Avenue NE with the
following stipulations:
1. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction.
2. The petitioner shall ensure that all lighting on the property is shielded and downcast, so as to not
extend over the property line or create glare.
3. Signs permits shall be submitted and approved prior to installation on the new canopy.
4. A code compliant landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved prior to issuance of a building
permit.
5. City Engineering staff to review and approve grading, drainage, and utility plan prior to issuance
of a building permit.
Seconded by Commissioner Saba.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Planning Commission Meeting
June 20, 2012
Page 4
Chairperson Kondrick asked when will this item go before the City Council?
Ms. Stromberg replied, July 9tn
Commissioner Oquist asked whether the petitioner will be notified since they are not here tonight?
Ms. Stromberg replied, yes.
Ms. Stromberg stated she wanted to clarify that for tonight meeting, the petitioner would have received a
letter about the meeting date and time and she e-mailed him yesterday and called this morning. She is not
sure if something happened as they were to come from Tennessee.
2. Receive the Minutes of the May 3, 2012, Housing and Redevelopment Authority
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.
3. Receive the Minutes of the Apri12, 2012, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Velin.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Receive the Minutes of the January 17, 2012, Environmental Quality and Energy
Commission Meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Velin 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 May 8, 2012, 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.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Ms. Stromberg stated that the Farmers Market text amendment was approved by the City Council as were
the Special Use Permits for electronic signs at St. Williams Catholic Church and St. Philip's Lutheran
Church.
Planning Commission Meeting
June 20, 2012
Page 5
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 7:18 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise M. Johnson
Recording Secretary
CITY OF FRIDLEY
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