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11/05/2007 - 6142:. � � .. � �- .. CffY OF FRIDLEY FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 7:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers Attendance Sheet PLFASF AR/NT NAMF, ADDRFSS AND /TFM NUMBFR YOU ARF /NTFRFSTFD /N. Print Name (Clearly) Address Item; No. ' �1 G. �� -; � .� S o S Vt ( S �-'�'�2 �� ' l�L,v � i 7-o i�. %"Lo l 3/� U� /Z- ,I )C�vi C� �eti.� � �(Y1 l�Z ° n o;��- Q�...�� N �- - / � c � ;/'�l �c��G�-� � �� _�bo � S��r%�f �Jr �� 1 fc- .��'� � a�3 � l�n�,> > rlL� i 1 1����r �( � � (� � � � �_ r� srA�A C< /� 4 S C 1rti1. 1� - � i✓I. �'YL i� V � � �� _ i,,f�ff' r- , FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 <. � QfY OF FR�LEY The City of Fridley will not discriminate against or harass anyone in the admission or access to, or treatment, or employment in its services, programs, or activities because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation or status with regard to public assistance. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in any of Fridley's senrices, programs, and activities. Hearing impaired persons who need an interpreter or other persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids should contact Roberta Collins at 763-572-3500 at least one week in advance. (TTD/763-572-3534) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. �'I � Z � PRESENTATION: Sanitary and Storm Sewer Emergencies APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: � �� v���� City Council Meeting of October 22, 2007 OLD BUSINESS: Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 11, General Provisions and Fees, Pertaining to Pawn Shop Transaction Fees................................... 1 - 2 � a � �- NEW BUSINESS: 2. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of October 17, 2007 .................................. 3 -15 3. Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-08, by Identi-Graphics, to Allow a Changeable Electronic Gas Pricing Sign in a C-2, General Business District, Generally Located at 6501 Central Avenue N.E. (Ward 2) ........... 16 - 20 4. Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-10, by Mark Pope for Golden Living Center — Lynwood, to Allow a Nursing Home to Continue to Exist, and to Allow an Expansion of the of the Nursing Home in an R-3, Multi-Family Zoning District, Generally Located at 5700 East River Road (Ward 3) ................................... 21 - 26 APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: NEW BUSINESS (CONTINUEDI: 5. Variance Request, VAR #07-04, by Mark Pope for Golden Living Center — Lynwood, to Reduce the Front Yard Setback from 35 Feet to 13.1 Feet to Recognize an Existing Non-Conforming Setback, which will Allow for the Construction of a 510 Square Foot Addition to the Existing Building, Generally Located at 5700 East River Road (Ward 3) .................................. 27 - 35 6. Resolution Enabling Elected Officials of the City of Fridley to be Covered by the Minnesota Workers' Compensation Law as Employees of the City of Fridley ................................. 36 - 37 o��"D7 � c�'. 7. Resolution in Support of an Application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Renewal Application for the Lions Club of Fridley at Billiard Street Caf�, Inc., d/b/a Two Stooges Bar and Grill, Located at 7178 University Avenue N.E. and at Bam, Inc., d/b/a Shortstop Fridley, Located at 1298 East Moore Lake Drive ...................... 38 - 39 �� 8. Resolution in Support of an Application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambting Premise Permit Application for DeLaSalle High School at Broadway Bar & Pizza, Located at 8298 University Avenue N.E. (Ward 3) ....... 40 - 41 � I 9. Claims (134057 — 134239) 10. Licenses 11. Estimates 42 43 - 44 45 � � CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 CffY OF FRIaLEi' The City of Fridley will not discriminate against or harass anyone in the admission or access to, or treatment, or employment in its services, programs, or activities because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation or status with regard to public assistance. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in any of Fridley's services, programs, and activities. Hearing impaired persons who need an interpreter or other persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids should contact Roberta Collins at 763-572-3500 at least one week in advance. (TTD/763-572-3534) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PRESENTATION: Sanitary and Storm Sewer Emergencies APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting of October 22, 2007 OLD BUSINESS: 1. Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 11, General Provisions and Fees, Pertaining to Pawn Shop Transaction Fees .................................................. 1- 2 NEW BUSINESS: 2. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of October 17, 2007 .................................................... 3- 15 FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 PAGE 2 APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: NEW BUSINESS (CONTINUED): 3. Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-08, by Identi-Graphics, to Allow a Changeable Electronic Gas Pricing Sign in a C-2, General Business District, Generally Located at 6501 Central Avenue N. E. (Ward 2) ....................................................................... 16 - 20 4. Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-10, by Mark Pope for Golden Living Center — Lynwood, to Allow a Nursing Home to Continue to Exist, and to Allow an Expansion of the of the Nursing Home in an R-3, Multi-Family Zoning District, Generally Located at 5700 East River Road (Ward 3) ................................................... 21 - 26 5. Variance Request, VAR #07-04, by Mark Pope for Golden Living Center — Lynwood, to Reduce the Front Yard Setback from 35 Feet to 13.1 Feet to Recognize an Existing Non-Conforming Setback, which will Allow for the Construction of a 510 Square Foot Addition to the Existing Building, Generally Located at 5700 East River Road (Ward 3) .................................. 27 - 35 6. Resolution Enabling Elected Officials of the City of Fridley to be Covered by the Minnesota Workers' Compensation Law as Employees of the City of Fridley................................................................................................... 36 - 37 7. Resolution in Support of an Application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Renewal Application for the Lions Club of Fridley at Billiard Street Cafe, Inc., d/b/a Two Stooges Bar and Grill, Located at 7178 University Avenue N. E. and at Bam, Inc., d/b/a Shortstop Fridley, Located at 1298 East Moore Lake Drive .................................................................................. 38 - 39 FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 PAGE 3 APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: NEW BUSINESS (CONTINUED): 8. Resolution in Support of an Application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Application for DeLaSalle High School at Broadway Bar & Pizza, Located at 8298 University Avenue N.E. (Ward 3) .................................................................. 40 - 41 9. Claims (1 34057 — 1 34239) ........................................................................... 42 10. Licenses ................................................................................................... 43 - 44 11. Estimates ................................................................................................... 45 ADOPTION OF AGENDA. OPEN FORUM (VISITORS): Consideration of Items not on Agenda — 15 Minutes PUBLIC HEARINGS: 12. Consider Special Use Permit, SP #06-11, for Central Auto Parts, to Operate a Salvage Yard, Generally Located at 1201 — 73'/ Avenue N. E. (Ward 2) (Continued June 25, 2007) ............................................................ 46 - 47 FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 PAGE 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED): 13. Consideration of a Rezoning Request, ZOA #07-02, by Timothy Nelson, to Rezone Property from M-4, Manufacturing Only, to M-2, Heavy Industrial, Generally Located at the Southwest Corner of 61 St Avenue and Main Street N.E. (Ward 3) (Continued October 8, 2007) ........................................................................................... 48 - 68 OLD BUSINESS: 14. Resolution Revoking Special Use Permit, SP #06-11, for Central Auto Parts to Operate a Junkyard in an M-1 Zoning District, Generally Located at 1201 — 73'/ Avenue N. E. (Ward 2) (Tabled June 25, 2007) .................................................................. 69 - 71 NEW BUSINESS: 15. Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-09, by Sikh Society of Minnesota, to Allow the Construction of a Worship Facility in an R-1, Single Family District, Generally Located at 5350 Monroe Street (Ward 1) ...................................................... 72 - 89 16. Informal Status Reports ................................................................................. 90 ADJOURN. CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF FRIDLEY OCTOBER 22, 2007 The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:32 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Lund led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lund Councilmember-at-Large Barnette Councilmember Saefke Councilmember Varichak Councilmember Bolkcom OTHERS PRESENT: William Burns, City Manager Richard Pribyl, Finance Director Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director Fritz Knaak, City Attorney APPRECIATION PLAQUE: Presented to Larry Kuechle, former Appeals Commission and Planning Commission member, by Mayor Lund. PRESENTATION: City Water and Sewer Repairs William Burns, City Manager, stated that the presentation has been cancelled and will be presented at a later date. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting of October 8, 2007. APPROVED. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 2 OLD BUSINESS: L Motion Approving the Second Half of the AMF Bowling Centers, Inc., d/b/a Maple Lanes 2007-2008 Intoxicating Liquor License and Requiring AMF to Continue Sending their Profit and Loss Statements through April, 2008; and Remove Resolution Denying the Renewal of the 2007-2008 Intoxicating Liquor License from the Table and Direct it Back to Staff for no Further Action (Ward 2). William Burns, City Manager, stated that earlier this year, Council approved the Maple Lanes liquor license with the understanding that it would revisit the issue in October. Since then, Maple Lanes has increased the food portion of its food to liquor ratio well above the 30% level required by code. Staff recommends that Council approve the liquor license for Maple Lanes for the second half of the 2007-2008 licensing year. Staff also recommends that Council remove the resolution denying their liquor license from the table and direct it back to staff for no further action by the City Council. APPROVE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR AMF BOWLING CENTER, INC., DB/A MAPLE LANES FOR THE SECOND HALE OF THE 2007-2008 LICENSING YEAR. REMOVE RESOLUTION DENYING THE RENEWAL OF THE 2007-2008 INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE FOR AMF BOWLING CENTERS, INC., DB/A MAPLE LANES FROM THE TABLE AND DIRECT IT BACK TO STAFF FOR NO FURTHER ACTION. NEW BUSINESS: 2. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of October 3, 2007. RECEIVED. 3. Resolution Certifying Certain Delinquent Utility Services to Anoka County for Collection with the 2008 Property Taxes. William Burns, City Manager, stated there are 460 Fridley utility accounts, or 5.4% of all accounts on the 2007 delinquency. The value of the delinquencies is currently at $266,467.53. Mr. Pribyl indicates that the final count and the final value of delinquencies certified to the County will not be known until mid-November. Staff recommends Council's approval. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-56. 4. Resolution in Support an Application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit for the Fridley American Legion, Post 303, Generally Located at 7365 Central Avenue NE (Ward 2). FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 3 William Burns, City Manager, stated this is a renewal for the period from March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2010. Staff recommends Council's approval. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-57. 5. Resolution Receiving Report and Calling for Hearing on Improvement for Street Improvement Project No. ST. 2008 — 1. William Burns, City Manager, said the 2008 project is the final project in the series of accelerated street improvement proj ects. It covers 4.28 miles of City streets and the proj ected cost of the project is $3,583,000. Of this amount, an estimated $600,000 will be assessed to benefiting property owners. Another $2,311,000 will be funded through General Obligation Bonds. Other sources of funding include the following: MSAS Funds $325,000 Sanitary Sewer Fund $30,000 Water Fund $100,000 Storm Water Fund $217,000 Dr. Burns stated the resolution also sets November 19, 2007 as the public hearing date for this project. Staff recommends Council's approval. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-58. 6. Approval of Change Order No. 1 for the 2007 Sewer Lining Project No. 371. William Burns, City Manager, stated staff is recommending that the sewer lining contract with Veit & Company, Inc., be increased by $18,387.48 to cover the cost of additional work not included in their original contract. Of this amount, $13,966.56 is for additional sewer lining not included in the original contract. The change order brings the total cost for the 2007 sewer lining project to $73,308.95. This is well within the $80,000 that was budgeted for sewer lining in the 2007 Capital Improvements Plan. Staff recommends Council's approval.. 7. Claims (133870-134054). APPROVED. 8. Licenses. APPROVED THE LICENSES AS SUBMITTED AND AS ON FILE. Councilmember Bolkcom asked with respect to Item 1 she asked if there was a typo or if in March, Maple Lanes' number was only 3%. Richard Pribyl, Finance Director, said it was typo and the number should be 30%. He would have this corrected. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 4 Councilmember Bolkcom asked Dr. Burns why the delinquencies in Item 3 were not known and if it was because they had between now and certification to pay. Dr. Burns said that is correct. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if a feasibility study should be included with Item 5. Fritz Knaak, City Attorney, said that is correct. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to move into record the draft report dated October 18, 2007, for Street Improvement Proj ect No. ST 2008 - 1. Seconded by Councilmember Barnette. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to approve the consent agenda as presented. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OPEN FORUM: NO ONE FROM THE AUDIENCE SPOKE. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 9. Consideration of the Assessment for the 2007 Nuisance Abatement MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING. Richard Pribyl, Finance Director, presented the annual assessment for those properties the City has expended resources for cleanup in accordance with the City Code. There are 28 properties involved in this assessment for a total amount of $122,173.90. The assessment will be for one year at 6'/z% interest. Mr. Pribyl said that staff would be presenting the assessment resolution later in the meeting for Council's consideration. Once the resolutions have been approved, the property owners have a FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 5 30-day window in which to prepay. The resolution must be approved tonight to achieve the 30- day window. Michael Maloy, representing his parents John and Kathy Maloy at 8051 Broad Avenue, said that the initial document that was presented to his parents was very vague. The Maloys have attempted to get information from the City to affirm the status of their property and the City has yet to respond. The Maloys are in disagreement of the assessment and if it does go to court, they want to be clear on what will be needed. Mr. Maloy said they removed fallen trees from their property and the City charged $7,000 or $9,000 with interest. The Maloy's stated that no information was received prior to the removal of the trees. He said they presented information to City staff a year ago and asked for clarification and received nothing until October 4. Mayor Lund said when trees fall down, if they fall on your property it is your responsibility to remove the tree. If the tree was on the City's property and fell on your property, it would still be your responsibility for removal. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if the parents lived at this property. Mr. Maloy answered yes. Julie Jones, Planning Coordinator, said this case started in July of 2006. Staff did try several times to contact the property owners. Letter were sent to the St. Croix Falls address twice in July of 2006 alerting them that a storm damaged tree had fallen on the house and would need to be removed. This was from the September 2005 storm and as of July 2006, the tree still remained on the home. There was another letter sent on August 21, 2006. Councilmember Bolkcom asked how staff became aware of the tree on the house. Ms. Jones said that Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, did an inspection on the property. There is also a note with the file stating staff did try to contact the Maloys at their Wisconsin home via telephone more than once. Messages were left asking them what their plans for removal of the tree were. They received no response from Mr. and Mrs. Maloy. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if registered letters were sent out. Ms. Jones said no. Mayor Lund said there was a certified mail receipt in the file, but it was from a letter sent to Julie Beberg on September 25. No year is listed so he assumed it was a year ago. There was also a letter sent to John Maloy on August 21, 2006, so there is evidence that there has been correspondence occurring with the Maloys. The City did abate this and remove the tree but the Maloys said they removed the tree themselves. Ms. Jones said she was not aware that the Maloys removed any part of the tree. The date of the removal was October 6, 2006. Staff does give people one year to resolve the problem. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 6 Mayor Lund asked if there was roof damage to the home. Ms. Jones said she did not recall. Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, said that the tree landed on the home but there were enough branches to distribute the load and not damage the home. Councilmember Bolkcom clarified that the tree was removed on October 6, 2006, and asked if a letter was sent to homeowner. Ms. Jones said there was a letter sent to the homeowner and an invoice sent on October 10, 2006, stating they had 30 days to pay the bill for the tree removal. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if anything was heard from the Maloys after the invoice was sent out. Ms. Jones said no, there was no letter in the file. Mr. Maloy asked to address the objections that were sent to Ms. Beberg on September 25, 2006, before the City removed the tree. The objection that was pertinent to the issue is the tree that fell was on City property. Mayor Lund said that if your tree falls in the neighbor's yard, the neighbor now owns the tree and bears the expense to remove it. So regardless of whose tree fell on the house, it was on the Maloys' property so they need to pay for the removal. Mr. Maloy said there was a violation because the City drove on their property to remove the tree. He asked if this can be done legally without a court order. He would like to get the issue resolved, as his parents cannot be financially responsible for this incident. Mayor Lund said the owner had a year to remove the tree but it was never totally removed. There was an opportunity to remove the tree and it was not done. The City offered a lot of help to property owners in removing trees and even allowed owners to bring the trees to the Columbia Ice Arena parking lot. Councilmember Bolkcom asked about the correspondence that was sent in July and whether the Maloys responded. Mr. Maloy said he was not aware that his parents responded. Councilmember Bolkcom said they were living on this property. She asked when the property owner removed a portion of the tree. Mr. Maloy did not have a record of when it was removed. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if it was before or after October 6. Mr. Maloy said they removed part of the tree before the City did any work. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 7 Councilmember Bolkcom said four letters were sent and she asked if there was any ownership on the parents' part knowing there would be an abatement if the tree was not removed. Staff even allowed extra time but if there is no response, the City takes action. Mr. Maloy said the City ignored the response that was sent to Ms. Beberg at the City. Councilmember Bolkcom said other residents had to remove trees that were hazardous. Mr. Maloy said the tree was removed to the point that it was not a hazard to the public. There should not have been other costs for the City to remove the tree. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if the City had not removed the tree, if the tree would it still be there today. Mr. Maloy said probably not. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if they ever contacted the City saying they would remove the tree. Mr. Maloy said they sent a letter with a series of questions to Ms. Beberg and it was ignored. Councilmember Bolkcom asked what they thought would happen after staff did not respond to the letter the Maloys sent. Mr. Maloy said that after 30 days and the City did not respond, they did not dare do anything. Mr. Hickok said that even when a tree is lying on a house and the roots are out of the ground, a forester has to come to the house to verify that the tree is dead. The code enforcement staff did take care of that with the Maloys' tree. Councilmember Bolkcom asked who the forester was that went to the Maloy's. Mr. Hickok said it was Dave Lindquist. Councilmember Bolkcom asked the City Attorney in this case if the City did not receive any correspondence from the property owner if they had the right to take care of the tree. Fritz Knaak, City Attorney, said he has not seen the letter but has reviewed the case. The property owner was given notice and opportunity to respond plus four letters were sent. To his knowledge staff followed the procedure meticulously. The Maloys have the statutory right to appeal to District Court, but there is nothing in this case that states the City did anything wrong. Mayor Lund said that Mr. Maloy said the City had no legal right to enter his property to remove the tree. Attorney Knaak said the law states that if you have a notice of abatement of nuisance the City can enter. If a notice is provided and the owner had opportunity to respond and did not, the City has the right to enter. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 8 Councilmember Bolkcom asked for a copy of the letter from Mr. Maloy. Mayor Lund asked how the Maloys thought this was fraud and the information was insufficient and vague. The document states that the property had improper outdoor storage and storm damage tree and brush. He asked how much more clarity was needed. Mr. Maloy said the documentation on the work on the property. Mayor Lund said that the assessment would not be waived because of technicalities. In reality, if they had taken care of the tree that had fallen on their home, the abatement would not have happened. Mr. Maloy said they would have taken care of the tree if the City had responded to the letter that was sent. Mayor Lund said they had 13 months to take care of the tree. Dr. Burns asked for clarification as to when staff abated the fallen tree and what was done with the correspondence from the petitioner. Mr. Hickok drew a sketch of the tree on the house. He said the base of the tree was just a few feet beside the house, the tree roots were out of the ground and the tree was lying on the house. If you were to take any part of the tree on the hill down it would have damaged the house. No part of the tree could have been removed without a crane to lift the tree. The surveyor worked on this because there was an un-vacated right-of-way and they were confident this was on the Maloy's property. There was no evidence that any tree removal was done prior to the City taking care of the tree. The tree had to be removed very carefully so as not to further damage the house. He asked who signed for the letter. Councilmember Bolkcom said S. Robinson. Councilmember Saefke said he had a large pine tree fall on his home and the only way to remove the tree was to lift the tree off and then cut the tree. He can see how this removal can be an expensive process. Mr. Maloy said he helped remove part of the tree from his father's roof and it fell into another tree. He says the City removed only lengthy tree stumps. Mayor Lund said it is typically cheaper for owners to hire their own tree removal. Mr. Maloy does not know where the $7,000 came from. Mayor Lund said Fridley is an older community with older trees. A crane was needed to remove the tree and it can be very expensive. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to move into record two letters from the Maloys dated October 18, 2007, and September 25, 2006. Seconded by Councilmember Barnette. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 9 UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Attorney Knaak wanted to make it clear that no appeal can be taken on the assessment amount until a written objection is received. He said the letter they received would be an objection. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 8:30 P.M. 10. Consideration of the Assessment for Street Improvement Project No. ST. 2007-1 MOTION by Councilmember Saefke to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 8:31 P.M. Richard Pribyl, Finance Director, stated this project assessment pertains to the concrete curb and gutter portion of the 2007-1 project. The total number of properties is 333, with a total assessed cost of $440,557.08. The assessed cost of the street project is at $17.02 per front foot as compared to the original estimate of $25.00. The assessment is for 10 years and the interest rate is 6'/z percent. As of 5:00 p.m. there were no verbal or written objections to the assessment. Mr. Pribyl stated that staff will be presenting the assessment resolution later in this meeting for Council's consideration. Final courtesy assessment letters will be mailed to all affected owners after consideration and approval of the assessment resolution. Cliff Jacobson, 6240 6th Street NE, asked if the letter he received in the mail is what he has to pay. Mayor Lund said that is correct; but a final letter will be sent out after tonight's meeting. Mr. Pribyl said that property owners do have a 30-day window to prepay this assessment. The final number will be ready tomorrow. Jim Gliadon resides in the Melody Manner Area and wanted to praise the City engineering department and those associated with project. Forest Lake construction did a wonderful job and he is very pleased with the results. Julian Jensen, 5946 Fourth Street NE, said during National Night out in 2006, a Council member said the State and County would be paying for the street improvement proj ect. He asked how much they were paying. t FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 10 Mayor Lund said it is a City street and the State and County do not pay. Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, said that because they are local streets there are limited funds. The amount of $325,000 was being applied to this project, which is about 10% of the project costs. The other 90% is distributed through utility funds, special assessments and annual bonds paid under the general levy. Dr. Burns, City Manager, said that a large percent of the street construction is done through the bonding of money that will be paid back over a period of time. Mr. Jensen just wanted to clarify if what the Councilmember was saying was correct. He also commented that the sewer connections in his yard were not fixed. Mayor Lund said City staff could look at the problem. If the problem is in his own personal line, he will be responsible for the cost. Mary Milliken, 6140 Sixth Street NE, said she did not receive any information, but it may have been sent to the previous property owner. They have lived at that address since December. Mr. Pribyl said since they are newer owners, it would have been mailed to whoever was on record with the County three weeks ago. Ms. Milliken asked where they would go to get the information. Mayor Lund said to contact Mr. Pribyl. Councilmember Barnette asked if they were alerted about this assessment when they bought the home. Ms. Milliken answered no and the previous owners may be getting this information. Dorothy Wicklund, 7461 Lyric Lane, has been talking with Layne Otteson, and she has synthetic grass and no sod or black dirt was needed but she was assessed the same amount as everyone else. Mayor Lund said she was only assessed for concrete curb and gutter on the address side of the street. Ms. Wicklund said the shut off valve in driveway needs work and she has contacted Forest Lake Construction Company but has not received a call back from them. Mr. Kosluchar said he would have Forest Lake Construction contact her. Councilmember Barnette said that money was set aside for these street proj ects so the property owners are only assessed for the curb and gutter. Many cities charge properties for the street as well as the curb and gutters which can cost three times as much. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 11 Hong Nguyen, 6074 Fourth Street, is representing her sister and several years ago her property taxes went up a lot and now the property is being assessed for $1,341. She asked what this charge is for and how it is calculated. Mayor Lund said the $1,341 charge is for the front address side for the concrete curb and gutter that was installed in front of the home. Mr. Kosluchar said that the charge is $17.02 per foot and the measurement of her property is 78.79 feet, which totals $1,341. Ms. Nguyen asked if the figure could be negotiated or reduced. She also had a question about a tree that had a branch needing trimming. She was pretty sure it was a City tree. Mayor Lund said staff would check to see if it is a City tree. If it is the property owner's tree, she will need to take care of it. Councilmember Bolkcom asked what the total proj ect cost was to the City. Mr. Kosluchar said the entire proj ect total was $2.0 million plus and $440,000 was assessed. Councilmember Bolkcom said that what is being paid through assessments is a lot less than what would be charged in other cities. Councilmember Barnette said that to the best of his knowledge the City has never planted any trees in the City's right-of-way. If the tree is in the City right-of-way, it is the City's responsibility. If not, it's the owner's responsibility. A lot of developers planted trees in the right-of-way that are now the City's responsibility. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 9:00 P.M. 11. Consideration of the Assessment for Street Improvement Project No. ST. 2007-2. MOTION by Councilmember Saefke to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 9:01 P.M. Richard Pribyl, Finance Director, stated that this project assessment pertains to the street milling and overlay on the 2007-2 project. This project assessment involves 69 property owners. The total assessed cost is $111,823,11. The assessment is for 10 years at 6'/z percent interest. Staff will be presenting the assessment resolution later. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 12 MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to move into record updated Figure E, 7th Street Assessment Roll (Residential). Seconded by Councilmember Barnette. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Ms. Mohamed, 6956 Seventh Street, asked why she was charged for this. Mayor Lund said it was for the new street. Ms. Mohamed said the street improvement is worse than what it was before it was fixed. She asked why this needed to be paid for when she also pays her property taxes. Mayor Lund said the property taxes doe not have anything to do with the street assessment. Property taxes pay for administrative staff, plowing, mowing parks, etc. Every homeowner in the City pays property taxes. When new streets are done, the property owners are charged. There was a public hearing about the need for this street to be done. The arguments were that the street did need to be done and the time for the arguments to not have the street done was at the previous public hearing, which was held a while ago. The maj ority vote of the Council was that the street did need to be done. When your street is repaired, you have to pay your share. Ms. Mohamed said that if a person cannot afford this, they are charged 6'/z% interest and that is not fair. She said Council does not adhere to what the people want. Maybe the money that is being spent is not being spent wisely because not everyone can afford this. Mayor Lund agreed that this is a hardship to any property owner but the arguments from the public hearing were taken into consideration. If the project is delayed, it will only increase the cost in the future. Ms. Mohamed said she never complains or comes to these meetings but she thought it was unfair and that it puts stress on people. This needs to be paid or interest will be charged. Mayor Lund said this procedure has been in place in the City for many years. The owner has 30 days to pay or interest will be assessed. Councilmember Bolkcom said that people do not have to pay the 6'/z% interest and can borrow from somewhere else. Ms. Mohamed said it is getting very expensive to live in Minnesota. Councilmember Bolkcom said that a survey is done every year to decide which streets need to be fixed. If we do not maintain the streets it will cost double or triple in future. The City needs to keep up the roads and part of this road was in very bad shape. There was a lot of discussion on what should be done, and it was decided to do the project right the first time rather than patch the road. No one is disputing that $900 is a lot of money, but the City needs to maintain the streets. The community helps to pay for the streets people drive on. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 13 Mayor Lund said he was sorry she was not happy with the decision. Keep in mind that whatever happens to the citizens of Fridley happens to the Council as well, because they are also taxpayers and citizens of the city. Ms. Mohamed asked why the 6'/z% interest was charged. Mayor Lund said it also costs the City to borrow money for the project. Dr. Burns said that only 22.5% of property taxes are City taxes. This doesn't make taxes any easier to pay, but the City just gets a small share of the property taxes. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 9:25 P.M. NEW BUSINESS: 12. First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 11, General Provisions and Fees, Pertaining to Pawn Shop Transaction Fees. Don Abbott, Public Safety Director, stated Council passed an ordinance revising the City Code to increase pawn transaction fees from $1.50 per transaction to $3.00 effective January 1, 2006. This legislation incorporated a"sunset provision," wherein the fees would automatically revert to $1.50 per transaction January 1, 2008, unless action was taken to continue it. This ordinance removes the sunset provision and continues the $3.00 fee without further expiration. Mr. Abbott said the first pawnshop opened in Fridley in 1994. Pawnbrokers are regulated by Minnesota Law and by City Code. The City of Fridley presently licenses two pawnbrokers: Pawn America at 789 53rd Avenue NE and Cash-n-Pawn at 201 57th Avenue NE. Chapter 31 requires the Police Department to regulate Fridley pawnbrokers by monitoring operations and hours of operation, requiring pawnbrokers to provide transaction records to the Automated Pawn System (APS) daily, requiring pawnbrokers to allow inspection of premises and inventory by the Police Department at any time and insure persons have a legal interest (ownership) in the item being presented to a pawnbroker. Mr. Abbott stated that APS is a statewide pawn database that is used by municipalities to regulate pawnbrokers. This efficiently and economically shares information, and it helps detectives identify criminal activity, solve crimes and recover stolen property. It also automates checks of some pawned items against the national database of stolen property (NCIC). Only about 1/3 of pawned articles have serial numbers allowing NCIC checks. The database depends upon accurate and complete item description and entry by pawnbrokers and also depends on accurate and complete information being provided by crime victims. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 14 Mr. Abbott shared the billable transactions by licensee. Year to date there are $24,899 in transaction fees. Fridley is number two in transactions by city. St. Paul is number one. Mr. Abbott stated the pawn detective's duties include regulating pawn shops by conducting frequent audits and compliance checks of pawn shops, insure that the point-of-sale software in use by the pawn shops meets State requirements, responds to inquiries from APS staff concerning data entry issues and is the point of contact between the City and the pawnbrokers. The detective is assigned all cases involving property confiscations at the pawnshops, assigned all incoming property crime (burglary and theft) cases involving incomplete property descriptions with no suspect information, to perform manual searches of APS records. Mr. Abbott reviewed the 2006 costs and APS charges of $1.00 per transaction, which totaled $30,158. A total absorbed expense was $23,859 by the City. In 2006, we started the transaction fee which resulted in a much more aggressive action. Calls for service increased from 99 in 2005 to 211 year to date in 2007. They are seeing an increase in confiscations, possession of stolen property and pawning property of another person. Mr. Abbott stated that maintaining a pawn detective to regulate the pawn shops is necessary to insure that accurate information is entered into APS to identify and recover stolen property. This leads to improved ability to identify suspects resulting in additional criminal prosecutions, thereby deterring theft which reduces victimization of Fridley residents, businesses and the pawn shops themselves, ultimately enhancing public safety and quality of life in the City of Fridley. Councilmember Barnette commented that it was interesting to see that Fridley has only two pawn shops and they are the second largest ranked among the cities. Detective Pankonin said it is probably because of the size of Pawn America, which is the mega store in the entire state. Mr. Abbott said that both pawnshops are also conveniently located in the City as well. Councilmember Bolkcom asked for clarification of the transaction fees. Chief Abbott said the $3.00 transaction would include all items that are on that transaction and the investigation fee relates to the new manager's license. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if they anticipated the APS fee going up in the future. Chief Abbott said they expect the fee to remain the same as it is today. Councilmember Bolkcom said the Police Department does a good j ob of maintaining and informing Council on what goes on in the department. She asked if retail shops were seeing any difference in their stores regarding thefts. Detective Pankonin said he has not heard anything regarding thefts, but the pawnshops have said they are happy with the relationship they have with the City. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 15 Councilmember Bolkcom asked if people that pawn other people's property are ever arrested and wanted for other violations. Detective Pankonin said that on numerous occasions narcotics are found on them as well. Dr. Burns recalled that at one point there was not full cooperation of all retailers and asked if this was still a problem. Detective Pankonin said if the merchandise is pawn-related the retailers are willing to prosecute. Mayor Lund said the costs are still exceeded by the fee currently charged and asked if the fee should be raised to $4.00. This is costing us $23,000 a year so if the fee were raised another dollar, we may break even. Clearly this regulation is necessary and we may want to consider raising the rates again. Councilmember Saefke agreed that the rate should be raised to $4.00. He did not think a$4.00 fee would be a lot to the owners. The City should recover all costs associated with pawnshops. Councilmember Bolkcom did not think it was a good idea to raise the fees right now. A fee study will be done and it could be raised later. Councilmember Barnette agreed. Mayor Lund said since we were doing a fee study of all fees, it would be appropriate to raise the rate at a later date should it be necessary. This would give the businesses a chance to respond to a new fee rate. Detective Pankonin said they would also like Council to check on the fees that are charged to the criminals as well. Mr. Abbott said the fee was set at the $3.00 because some of the work the detective does becomes a general law enforcement practice. Rather than hand the case to someone else, it makes sense for the detective to finish the case. Mayor Lund said there are other businesses in Fridley that have cases with stolen property and they are not charged for the police time so it would not be fair to single out the pawnshops. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to waive the reading of the ordinance and adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 13. Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-07, by Todd Regnier for Rixmann Fridley, LLC, to Allow an Electronic Changeable Sign (Digital Video Screen) as Part of a New Free- Standing Sign to be Installed at the LivInn Hotels, Generally Located at 5201 Central Avenue NE (Ward 1) FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 16 Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, stated that the petitioner, who is representing Rixmann Fridley LLC, owners of the LivInn Hotels, located at 5201 Central Avenue, is requesting a special use permit to allow an electronic changeable sign (digital video screen) as part of the construction of a new monument sign to be installed at the LivInn Hotels. Mr. Hickok stated that the petitioner is proposing to construct a new monument sign. The working "LivInn Hotels" sign is proposed to be 15.4 square feet and the electronic message sign is proposed to be 44.3 square feet. Total square footage of the sign is 59.7 square feet. Mr. Hickok reviewed that the subject property is located in the southeast corner of Central Avenue and 52"d Avenue. The property is zoned C-3, General Shopping. The subject property was originally developed as a car wash/gas station in 1966. In 1982, the car wash was demolished. A hotel was constructed in 1984 as an addition to the exiting Skywood Mall. In 1991, a plat and variance were approved by the City Council for the subj ect property and the Skywood Mall property. At the time, the hotel was being sold to a new company, and they were only interested in purchasing the hotel portion of the complex. The plat created a lot line between the hotel and the Skywood Mall, which is separated by a firewall. Mr. Hickok stated that a variance was granted to allow for a zero lot line between the two buildings. Since 1991, the subject property has continued to exist as a hotel, as a Best Western, Kelly Inn and most recently the LivInn Suites. Mr. Hickok stated that 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 C-3, General Shopping, which requires that all free-standing signage per development combined, cannot exceed 80 square feet in size. Mr. Hickok said there is a free-standing monument sign that already exists on the property, which is located just west of the existing building. The petitioner plans to remove that existing sign and construct the new monument sign to be located along Central Avenue. The proposed sign will be 59.7 square feet, of which 44.3 square feet will be the electronic portion of the sign. The hotel also shares a freestanding sign with the Skywood Mall property, which is now Menards. However, that sign is located on the Menards property and since the hotel is a separate parcel from Menards, they are entitled to have their own freestanding, 80 square-foot sign. Mr. Hickok said the petitioner is proposing to include a digital video screen as part of the sign. This type of screen is the latest technology in the sign industry and is something that we have not seen in Fridley. We are starting to see this type of technology on billboards along the interstates in the Twin Cities area. Mr. Hickok said that over the years, the City Council has approved several special use permits to allow electronic message centers; however, this type of sign will look more similar to a flat screen television. Staff has spoken with the petitioner and they understand that the message on this screen can only change once every 45 seconds, per City Code requirements and that there can not be any flashing or moving parts, including the illusion of movement on the screen. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 17 Mr. Hickok said that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 3, 2007, and recommended approval unanimously with seven stipulations. City staff concurs with the Planning Commission's recommendations. Electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in the commercial zoning district, provided the sign complies with Sign Code requirements. Rick Gliszinski, Burnsville, said it is a beautiful sign and it welcomes the people to the city. Councilmember Saefke asked if announcements could be on the sign listing events that are being held in the City. Mr. Gliszinski answered yes. Councilmember Bolkcom said that there is nothing in the stipulations that says the old sign is going away. Mr. Hickok said they are reworking their site plan and the old sign would fall into their new parking lot so he is sure the old sign would be removed. Councilmember Varichak asked if there is a similar sign close by. Mr. Hickok said there is a larger but very similar sign by the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul on the corner of 7th and Kellogg. MOTION by Councilmember Saefke to approve the Special Use Permit request, SP #07-07, by Todd Regnier for Rixmann Fridley, LLC, with the following seven stipulations: 1. 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 the L.E.D. sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. 4. The proposed freestanding sign shall be 10 feet from any property line or driveway. 5. Petitioner shall adhere to city code requirements for temporary signs. 6. All trees to be removed for the installation of the new sign shall be marked and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a sign permit. 7. Existing monument sign to be removed upon completion of the proposed sign. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 18 14. Resolution Adopting Assessment for the 2007 Nuisance Abatements. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2007-59. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, said that between the time of the public hearing and the resolution he was able to find some information to respond to some of the comments from the public hearing. He shared a few of the photographs that were taken the day of the abatement. A total of 54 photographs were taken. The photographs showed that the tree removal required heavy equipment for safe removal. In response to the statement from the petitioner about the letter that was sent certified, the City did receive it. The "S. Robinson" signature was Shelly Robinson who was working at the front desk at that time. The letter did not respond to any of the three items on the statute that relates to the abatement process so no response from staff was needed. The three items the homeowner can respond to in the abatement process are to give the timeline in which they would remove the tree, state if they are okay with the schedule of staff moving forward with the tree removal or request a hearing. The letter that was received responded to none of those things. The second page of the letter that was missing included a threat to staff if they were to trespass on the property. Because of this threat, the letter was forwarded to the Police Department and two officers were present when the tree was removed. It is important for Council to know the letter received from the property owner was not a letter to elicit an information response from staff. Staff does a good job at responding to appropriate letters but in this case this letter was quite a different letter. Mr. Maloy clarified that the threat was for legal action and did not think it was necessary to bring in the police. 15. Resolution Adopting Assessment for the Street Improvement Project No. ST 2007-1. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to adopt Resolution No. 2007-60. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 16. Resolution Adopting Assessment for Street Improvement Project No. ST 2007-2. MOTION by Councilmember Saefke to adopt Resolution No. 2007-61, replacing pages that were moved into record at the public hearing. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007 PAGE 19 17. Informal Status Reports. Councilmember Bolkcom said there is a leaf drop off at the Public Works facility on October 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. This is a free service, but the leaves must be in bags. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if there was an update on the quiet zone. Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, said they are in a working pattern and looking at three different options. With the contracts that are necessary to get the work done, he does not see this happening this fall. Councilmember Varichak asked how the recycling event went. Dr. Burns said that there were 430 drop offs and a large number of items were collected. The average wait was 30 minutes. ADJOURN: MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:17 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Krista Monsrud Scott J. Lund Recording Secretary Mayor � � �ffY �F FRIDLEY To: From Date: Re: AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 William W. Burns, City Manager Don Abbott, Public Safety Director November 1, 2007 Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 11 of the Fridley City Code Pertaining to Pawn Shops. The Police Department recommends an ordinance continuing the current pawn shop transaction fees by amending the existing City Code to remove the SunsetProvision expiration date of December 31, 2007. The City increased pawn shop transaction fees to cover the costs of an additional police detective effective January 1, 2006. This ordinance maintains transaction fees at $3.00, which is necessary to continue the current level of pawn shop oversight and regulation. Absent legislative action, the transaction fee will automatically revert to $1.50 per transaction as of January 1, 2008. The reduction in revenue would result in the discontinuation of the dedicated pawn detective position and seriously decrease pawn shop regulation and enforcement. The attachment to this memo includes the recommended changes to the City Code. The first reading of this ordinance was held October 22, 2007. Staff recommends the second reading. ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND FEES PERTAINING TO PAWN SHOP TRANSACTION FEES The Fridley City Council hereby finds after review, examination and recommendation of staff that Chapter 11 pertaining to pawn shop transaction fees be amended and ordains as follows: CHAPTER 11. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND FEES 11.10. FEES 31 Pawn Shops Annual License fee $3,000 Monthly Transacrion Fee �T°� ,^��� n�� �, ^���• $3.00 per transaction ra,.,,.i,i� rr,-.,,,�.,,..;,.,, �oo .,�.o,- r.,,, i �nn4 ROpOT�111gF'�UT0P011�� �r,... i �nnc r�.. �i �nn�� �'i4.00 p0I'tT'a11S1Ct1011 no,.,.,-�;,,,. �.,;i,,,-o no,,.,i,� .,�.o,- r.,,, i �nn4 e� cn ,. ,-.,-.,,,�.,,..;,.,, Investi ation Fee $400 PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS DAY OF 2007. Scott J. Lund, Mayor ATTEST: Debra A. Skogen, City Clerk First Reading: October 22, 2007 Second Reading: Publication: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING October 17, 2007 Chairperson Savage called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSET OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Dunham, Dean Saba, Diane Savage, David Kondrick, Brad Sieloff, Jack Velin Leroy Oquist Stacy Stromberg, City Planner Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Approval of Minutes: October 3, 2007 MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 1. Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07-08, by Identi-Graphics, to allow a changeable electronic gas pricing sign in a C-2, General Business District, generally located at 6501 Central Avenue, NE. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:32 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, presented a request from the petitioner, Identi-Graphics, who is representing the property owner of the gas station located at 6501 Central Avenue. The petitioner is requesting a special use permit to allow a free-standing automatic changeable LED gas pricing sign. Ms. Stromberg stated that a free-standing sign already exists on the subject property, which is located on the corner of Mississippi Street and Central Avenue. The petitioner is proposing to re-face the existing sign with a British Petroleum logo sign, a LED gas pricing section, and a manual reader board. The LED section of the sign is proposed to be approximately 10 square feet, and the total square footage of the sign is 79.2 square feet. Ms. Stromberg reviewed that the subject property is located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Mississippi Street. The property is zoned C-2, General Business. According the building permit records, a building existed on the site prior to 1949, however, that structure burned down. In 1968, the City Council reviewed plans for a convenience/grocery store and they separately reviewed plans to allow for the construction of gasoline pumps in conjunction with the store. While modern code standards require a special use permit to be obtained for motor vehicle fuel and oil dispensing services, the 1963 zoning code allowed gasoline service stations as a permitted use. The existing building and gasoline pumps were then constructed in 1969. The original free-standing sign was also constructed in 1969. There have been several changes and modifications to that sign since it was constructed. Ms. Stromberg stated that electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in any zoning district, except residential, provided the message doesn't 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 C-2 General Business, which requires that free-standing signage can not exceed 80 square feet in size. The existing sign meets that size requirement as will the re-face of the existing sign. The new sign will be approximately 79.2 square feet, with the electronic portion being approximately 10 square feet. It should also be noted that the sign location is 50 feet from any residential property. Ms. Stromberg stated that 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. City Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached: 1. Petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any signage on site. 2. Message on LED sign shall not change more often that authorized under Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code. 3. Message on LED sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. 4. The petitioner shall ensure that the existing free-standing sign is 10 feet from any property line or driveway. Chairperson Savage asked if staff had had any calls about the sign from neighbors in the area. Ms. Stromberg answered said staff received one call and they just had general questions. Jim Nelson, Identi-Graphics, said that this would be a safer sign because when the current sign needs to be changed with the plastic numbers the numbers can fall and people could get hurt. This sign will allow employees to change the sign electronically from inside. Commissioner Kondrick asked if the petitioner had any problems with the stipulations. Mr. Nelson answered no. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:37 P.M. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to approve the consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07- 08, by Identi-Graphics, to allow a changeable electronic gas pricing sign in a C-2, General Business District, generally located at 6501 Central Avenue, NE with the following stipulations: 1. Petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any signage on site. 2. Message on LED sign shall not change more often that authorized under Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code. 3. Message on LED sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. 4. The petitioner shall ensure that the existing free-standing sign is 10 feet from any property line or driveway. Seconded by Commissioner Sieloff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2. Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07-10, by Mark Pope, for Lynwood, to allow a nursing home to continue to exist and to allow an expansion of the nursing home in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district, generally located at 5700 East River Road. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:39 P.M. Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, stated that the petitioner, Mr. Pope of RLP Architects Inc., is representing Golden Living Center-Lynwood, in their petition to seek a special use permit to allow a nursing home to continue to exist and to allow an expansion of the nursing home in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. The nursing home is located at 5700 East River Road. Mr. Hickok said that the Golden Living Center — Lynwood is proposing to construct a 510 square foot addition to their building that will be constructed on an existing paved area. The addition proposal is to be used for therapy. Mr. Hickok stated that the subject property is located on the west side of East River Road and is surrounded on three sides by Georgetown Apartments. It is zoned R-3, Multi-Family, as are the properties to the north, west and south. The properties across East River Road are zoned M-2, Heavy Industrial. The existing nursing home facility was constructed in 1963, and an addition was constructed in 1987. In 1988, a storage building was constructed on the southwest side of the property. Mr. Hickok said that when the property was developed in 1963, nursing homes were a permitted use in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. In 1969, the City Council adopted a new zoning code, which required a special use permit for nursing homes in a residential district. The petitioner is proposing to construct a 510 square foot addition to the existing building, which requires the petitioner to apply for the requested special use permit to meet current code requirements. Mr. Hickok said that the property is deficient in meeting front and side yard setback requirements. City Code requires a side yard setback of 35 feet for all buildings in an R-3, Multi- Family zoning district. The existing building is located 13.1 feet form the property line, which is deficient in meeting the front yard setback requirements. Therefore, the petitioner is seeking a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet to 13.1 feet. It should also be noted, that the concrete patio in front of the building is a roofed structure and is also located within the front yard setback and 17 feet from the property line. Several years ago, Anoka County acquired land along East River Road to expand the roadway; this may have resulted in the deficient front yard setback for this property. Mr. Hickok stated that City Code requires a side yard setback of 15 feet in an R-3, Multi-family zoning district. Staff noted during the review of the petitioner's variance request that both the north and south side yard setbacks are non-conforming. The side yard setback on the north side is 9.6 feet at its closest point, and the side yard setback on the south side is 12.8 feet at its closest point. Staff recommends that these non-conformities be recognized and become part of the petitioner's variance request. The above referenced variance request were approved by the Appeals Commission at their October 10, 2007 meeting. Mr. Hickok said that all other code requirements for this property, such as rear yard setback, lot coverage, and parking are being met for this property. Nursing Homes in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district are required to have one parking stall for every four beds, and three stalls for every four employees on the largest shift. The nursing home is a 50-bed facility, which requires 13 stalls and there are 16 employees on the largest shift, which requires 12 parking stalls. Total required parking stalls for this property is 25 stalls. The proposed addition will not increase the number of beds or employees, so the 33 stalls that currently exist on the site are sufficient. Mr. Hickok stated that City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request, as nursing homes are a permitted special use in the R-3, Multi-Family zoning district, subject to stipulations. Staff recommends that if the special use permit is grated, the following stipulations be attached: 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. The petitioner shall submit a grading and drainage plan to be approved by City engineering staff prior to issuance of a building permit. Commissioner Kondrick asked if there were any plans to widen East River Road because if there were, it would be a problem. Mr. Hickok said that he was not aware of any plans to widen the road in the future. Commissioner Kondrick asked if this should have been brought to the Appeals Commission fi rst. Mr. Hickok answered that the Appeals Commission already approved the variances on October 10, 2007. Commissioner Kondrick asked if additional parking is needed in the future there would be enough room. Mr. Hickok said it would take some engineering to rework the existing stalls but a few more parking spots could be found. Commissioner Dunham asked if they were currently short any parking stalls. Mr. Hickok answered no. Chairperson Savage asked if any response has been heard from the neighbors. Mr. Hickok answered no. Mark Pope, RPL Architects, said they had no problems with the report or any of the stipulations. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Sieloff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:47 P.M. MOTION by Commissioner Sieloff approve the Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07- 10, by Mark Pope, for Lynwood, to allow a nursing home to continue to exist and to allow an expansion of the nursing home in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district, generally located at 5700 East River Road with the following stipulations: 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. The petitioner shall submit a grading and drainage plan to be approved by City engineering staff prior to issuance of a building permit. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. Consideration of a Special User Permit, SP #07-09, by Sikh Society of MN, to allow the construction of a worship facility in an R-1, Single Family Zoning District, generally located at 5350 Monroe Street. 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 UNANIMOUSLY PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:49 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, presented that the petitioner, the Sikh Society of Minnesota, is seeking a special use permit to allow the construction of a worship facility at 5350 Monroe Street, which is currently a vacant parcel. Ms. Stromberg stated that the subject property is located off of 53�d Avenue and Monroe Street and is heavily wooded and undeveloped. The property is zoned R-1, Single Family as are the properties to the west and south. Super Target occupies the property to the north and east. The property has remained undeveloped, with wetlands bordering the west and south sides of the property. The property currently has 19 feet of access from Monroe Street, which is six feet short of the code required 25 feet width needed for right-of-way access. Therefore, the petitioner has applied for a variance to reduce this code requirement. The petitioner is also pursuing access to the adjacent private service road just east of the property, which would allow the property to be accessed from a 25 feet wide easement running perpendicular of the service road. This is a safer, more visible entry and is one staff recommended and feels would work best for this site. The petitioner has been working with Target and Petco to obtain an access agreement. To staff's knowledge one hasn't been received yet, however, staff will stipulate that one be obtained before issuance of a building permit. Ms. Stromberg stated that the Sikh Society of Minnesota purchased the property at 5831 University Avenue in Fridley in the early 1990's and has continued to operate their worship facility from this address. Over the years they have considered constructing an addition to this building but have instead decided to build a new worship facility at 5350 Monroe Street. Ms. Stromberg stated that the subject property is 96,525 square feet (2.22 acres). The petitioner is proposing to construct an 8,640 square foot building. The building will be a split entry type building with a lower and upper level. The floor plan consists of a foyer area; with the sanctuary located in the upper level and the lower level will have a kitchen, dining area, a library and a living area for the pastor. Ms. Stromberg stated that the purpose of a special use permit is to provide the City with a reasonable degree and discretion in determining the suitability of certain designated uses upon the general welfare, public health and safety of the area in which it is located. The special use permit gives the City the ability to place stipulations on the proposed use to eliminate negative impacts to surrounding properties. The City also has the right to deny the special use permit request if impacts to surrounding properties cannot be eliminated through stipulations. Ms. Stromberg stated that churches or worship facilities are a permitted special use permit in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, provided they meet the necessary requirements related to building and site requirements and parking, subject to the stipulations suggested by staff. The code requires the use of the CR-1, General Office code standards for churches in an R-1, Single Family district. When using those code standards or the standards in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, all of these requirements are being met with the proposal for the new building. Ms. Stromberg stated that all setback and lot coverage requirements are being met with the proposed building design. Fridley City Code requires that the minimum amount of parking stalls for this site is 107 stalls. The petitioner is proposing to install 108 parking stalls, therefore meeting City Code requirements. Ms. Stromberg said that Fridley City Code also requires any proposed lighting on the site to be shielded and downcast and not to extend over the property line. The proposed building is being designed in a manner that matches the scale of the residential character and structures of the daycare facility located south of the subject property and the residential homes located west of the subject property. Ms. Stromberg stated that the petitioner has articulated to staff that they plan to save as many of the large trees that exist on the site as possible. Staff will stipulate that all trees to be marked and approved by staff prior to removal. While City staff typically recommends the use of a landscaped hedge or screening device between single-family residential properties and an entity, such as the proposed worship facility, staff feels that due to the change in elevation between the subject property and the residential properties to the west, an 8-foot screening fence or a landscape hedge wouldn't be warranted. The grade change is such that an 8-foot fence or hedge wouldn't screen the new building or parking area from the neighborhood above, therefore; staff would recommend a significant amount of landscaping materials to include a mixture of new tree plantings and shrubbery along with any existing trees that may be saved to create a better screening application along the western border of the property. Ms. Stromberg said that Fridley City Code does have a wetland overlay district that stated that significant wetlands would be maintained in their natural condition or improved to provide more benefits for water quality management. It also states that the City will preserve and enhance wetlands within the community through implementation of development regulations that will ensure the design and construction of adequate on-site storm water measures. In 1993, the City hired Westwood Engineering to perform a Wetland Delineation and Evaluation Study for the entire City. At that time wetlands were identified on site. Historically, the subject property has been a marshy, wet parcel, however over the years fill has been added to the site, which has caused the character of the soil to change. It is not clear when the fill was placed on the site; however it appears that it was sometime ago, due to the vegetation that has since grown. Ms. Stromberg stated that in order to act upon this special use permit request, staff required the petitioner to have the existing wetlands on the site be delineated and the boundaries identified. The petitioner hired Westwood Professional Services to delineate the wetlands and they determined that two wetlands do exist on the site, covering a total area of approximately 8,517 square feet (0.20 acres). Wetland A borders the property on the south and west sides and Wetland B is located on the east side of the property. Ms. Stromberg said that City Code does not restrict how close a building or parking lot can be located to a wetland and the DNR doesn't consider these particular wetlands to be a"protected wetland". Therefore, the DNR doesn't have restrictions on how close you can build to a non- protected wetland. As a result, staff is requiring that all building and parking areas remain out of the wetlands. City staff is also requiring that any pond for storm water run-off be designed to be separate from the wetlands so as to not detrimentally impact the integrity of the wetland. Ms. Stromberg stated that on July 27, 2007, City staff received a petition from the neighborhood west of the subject property with 58 signatures (37 households) in opposition of the proposed Sikh Society development. No reasons were identified; it just stated that they are opposed to the development. Staff also received a letter from the property owner at 589 53 %2 Avenue in opposition of the request. He expresses in his letter that the residential neighborhood is already being encroached on all sides by roadways and commercial uses, which makes is hard for people to want to remain in this neighborhood. He also stated that noise would become a bigger issue for the neighborhood with the removal of the trees on the subject property. Since the Planning Commission packets were delivered to, two additional letters have also been received my neighboring property owners and those are in front of the Planning Commission tonight and should also be receipted into the record. Ms. Stromberg stated that the neighborhood west of the subject property was platted in four separate plats between the years 1947-1959. The neighborhood has been zoned residential since the first zoning map dated in 1958. Interstate 694, which was previously Highway 100, has always bordered the neighborhood to the north, and the Target property and the Medtronic World Headquarters property located north of Interstate 694 has also been zoned commercial use since the 1958 zoning map. It is true that a roadway to the north and commercial property to the east border this neighborhood; however it has been that way since the late 1940's. While the subject property is zoned R-1, Single Family, it also allows uses such as schools, churches, hospitals, medical clinics, and other uses with a special use permit. A special use permit gives the City Council the authority to place stipulations on the permit to help mitigate any negative impacts that might be placed on neighboring properties. Ms. Stromberg stated that City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, as worship facilities are an approved special use in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, with stipulations. Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached: 1. Petitioner to obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. Petitioner to meet all building, fire, and ADA code requirements. 3. Proposed building to be sprinkled per MN Rules Chapter 1306. 4. Grading and drainage plan to be approved by City's engineering staff prior to the issuance of any building permits, in order to minimize impacts to the surrounding properties. 5. Petitioner to submit storm pond maintenance agreement prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. Petitioner shall meet any requirements identified by Six Cities Watershed District. 7. Landscape plan to be reviewed and approved by City Staff prior to issuance of building permit. 8. A protective railing to be installed on top of the proposed retaining wall around the storm pond. 9. The petitioner shall agree to preserve mature trees to the extent possible. All trees required to be removed for the construction of the new building shall be marked and approved by City staff prior to issuance of building permits, 10. All lighting on the property shall be shielded and downcast and shall not exceed three-foot candles at the property line. 11. Access agreement from Petco/Target to be submitted to City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 12. The petitioner shall be responsible for the installation of sewer and water service connections from property line to existing City utilities. Plan to be approved by City's engineering department. 13. If petitioner is unable to obtain an access agreement from Petco/Target, the petitioner shall apply for and have approved a Wetland replacement plan from the City before a building permit shall be issued. Commissioner Kondrick asked how tall the building would be. Ms. Stromberg answered that she did not have that information available but it would be 1%2 stories or about 16 feet. The maximum height allowed in this zoning district is 35 feet. Commissioner Sieloff asked how the number of parking stalls is determined. Ms. Stromberg answered that it is based on the building layout and broken down into office, assembly and storage areas to determine how many parking stalls are required. Commissioner Kondrick said he drove by the area and it seemed with the setback requirements, wetland area, parking, building size etc. that the building would not be able to expand should they need it. Ms. Stromberg said that is correct, the building would be at capacity with the parking, landscape, ponding requirements etc. Chairperson Savage asked if a stipulation needed to be added regarding the Appeals Commission. Ms. Stromberg said this would be heard by the Appeals Commission next Wednesday. Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, said that stipulation number 13 would cover the issue if the Appeals Commission did not grant the variance. Commissioner Sieloff asked if the site plan would allow too narrow of an access. Mr. Hickok answered no, that the design access was at an angle to achieve 25' and this would encroach the wetland. Whatever amount of wetland that is lost would need to be replaced in another area. If the variance does not pass with the Appeals Commission the petitioner would need to comply, if the Appeals Commission passes the variance, stipulation 13 will not apply. Commissioner Kondrick asked if they have heard anything from Petco in granting access to the area. Ms. Stromberg answered yes; they are new owners and have called with questions regarding access to the site. The owners are in California and are planning to come tour the site. Commissioner Dunham asked about screening the building with trees on the west side and which part of the building cannot be screened. Ms. Stromberg answered that screening would be done with existing trees or new landscaping. Mr. Hickok said that a landscaping plan would be submitted to maximize the landscaping plan. Some of the current trees will be kept and some trees will be removed and supplemented in the landscaping plan. Commissioner Dunham said that there doesn't look like there will be many trees left on the west side. Mr. Hickok said that the wetland exists in a wooded area and the petitioner cannot mess with the wetland at all. The wetland area around the building must be left alone. Any trees that are removed will be supplemented with new plantings. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to receive two letters from neighbors, both in opposition of the construction proposed for this site. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. Commissioner Sieloff asked what provides the water for the wetlands. Ms. Stromberg answered that there is a very high water table in this area. Commissioner Kondrick commented that the run off from Target does not drain into this area. Mr. Hickok said that is correct. Commissioner Kondrick asked if this building would have a basement. Ms. Stromberg answered no; there would be no basement. The proposed building would be a split entry design. Jeff McElmory, Designer for Sikh Society, said he accepted all of the stipulations. The Sikh Society had looked into expanding the current building but the Committee decided to build a new building that would last them a long time as their organization grows. The current building has about 2,500 square feet of worship space and when after worship the Sikh Society shares a meal. Currently the same space is used to worship and share the meal so everything needs to be cleared out before they can share the meal. The new building would allow the worship to be held on one level and the lowest level would be an area for sharing the meal and other auxiliary uses. The Sikh Society started in 1996 with 50 families and has grown to 75 families. Looking into the future, they want to build a space that is large enough so they don't grow out of the space anytime soon. Commissioner Sieloff asked who is designing the storm water area. Mr. McElmory said they are working with Westwood Engineering to create the design. Commissioner Velin asked about the height of the building and how many stories the building would have. Mr. McElmory answered that the building would be 1%2 stories high. The overall height will be 17.5 feet. Commissioner Velin asked when looking out of the windows from the neighborhood homes, what would they see. Mr. McElmory said that they are going to try to leave as many trees as possible and will supplement with new trees for those that need to be taken down. The parking will be adjusted to avoid the wetlands. Depending where they are looking from, they will see the building on the high end of the site. Commissioner Dunham asked about the fence screening and if it was not recommended because of the trees. Ms. Stromberg said there is a grade difference between the west residential properties and the subject property so a fence would not screen the area well. Chairperson Savage asked if the petitioner has had any conversations with the neighbors and tried to address any of their concerns. Mr. McElmory answered that the members have spoken with the neighbors and sent them a letter. DJ Sikka, Member of Sikh Society, said that he has spoken with Ms. Stromberg and Mr. Hickok regarding the neighborhood issues. Chairperson Savage asked if there was any response from neighbors. Mr. Sikka answered no. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to receive the letter that was sent to the neighbors. Seconded by Commissioner Kondrick. Mr. Sikka said that the Sikh Society has been on the current site since 1990, 16 years, and half of the people in the area don't even know they are there. Fridley is a good location for their society and they would like to stay in Fridley. Chairperson Savage asked if there were any plans for schooling on site. Mr. Sikka said that their community is very small and there is room downstairs for small children but they will not have classes because the children are all different ages. Commissioner Kondrick asked if there has been any recent communication with the Petco owner regarding the right to access. Mr. Sikka answered that he spoke with the owner 4-5 days ago and he will not make a decision until he is able to tour the property. Mr. Sikka does not think it will be an issue. Ryan Edstrom, Westwood Engineering, said that he would like the variance request taken off because recent documents found an additional 15 feet of right-of-way so the variance will not be needed. Mr. Hickok said that late in the day the City surveyor spoke with Westwood Engineering and it appears there is additional footage not shown on the earlier map. All maps showed the variance was needed but staff couldn't say a variance was not required until further confirmation was made. This does not change the variance request because the wetland will still be affected and if it is encroached, it will need to be replaced. Marian Billington, 5361 Madison Street, was concerned that if a fence was not installed that foot traffic would come from the Target lot to the new building and through the neighborhood. A fence would stop that traffic. She also had concerns about the heavy equipment on the roads and construction creating vibrations on the ground possibly creating structural damage to neighboring properties. Mr. McElmory said they would be glad to put up a fence and would be removing some soil but did not plan to put pilings in. There is good ground and the construction will not be deep so the ground will be higher and dryer to build on. Commissioner Velin asked for clarification that the society prefers to build a new building verses remodeling the current building. Mr. McElmory said that the current site is very limited. If they were to build on to the site the space that is needed, they would lose parking spaces and not have enough stalls to meet City Code requirements. They would like to build just once and to build new is the best option. Commissioner Velin commented that with all the stipulations, he felt that this should have gone before the Appeals Commission first and also had Petco's okay for the access. If Petco says no, what will happen to this request? Mr. Sikka said that he did talk to Petco four months ago and they are now the new owners. Once they come and look at the site he is pretty sure they will not have a problem granting access. Mr. Hickok said that the stipulations are not unusual from other requests. The issue with Petco is that if a variance is not granted, it could delay the project. Staff needs to anticipate all aspects and unfinished business but if Petco does grant the easement, everything else will fall into place. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 8:44 P.M. Chairperson Savage commended staff for the thorough report and research on this project. She would vote to approve this item with the stipulations as it does follow City Code. Commissioner Saba agreed and commented that a lot of other buildings could be noisier and bring in more traffic on a daily basis than this one. Commissioner Dunham asked for a stipulation to be added to include the construction of a fence. Commissioner Sieloff said that although the residents would like to see no development at all, other businesses could build in there that would be far worse than what is being proposed. Commissioner Velin said he did feel for the neighboring households but he would go along with the staff recommendations and it will be a while before the building will be completed. Commissioner Kondrick agreed with adding the fence stipulation. He asked if the type of fence should be specified in the stipulation or worked out between the parties involved. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the consideration of a Special User Permit, SP #07-09, by Sikh Society of MN, to allow the construction of a worship facility in an R-1, Single Family Zoning District, generally located at 5350 Monroe Street with the following stipulations: 1. Petitioner to obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. Petitioner to meet all building, fire, and ADA code requirements. 3. Proposed building to be sprinkled per MN Rules Chapter 1306. 4. Grading and drainage plan to be approved by City's engineering staff prior to the issuance of any building permits, in order to minimize impacts to the surrounding properties. 5. Petitioner to submit storm pond maintenance agreement prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. Petitioner shall meet any requirements identified by Six Cities Watershed District. 7. Landscape plan to be reviewed and approved by City Staff prior to issuance of building permit. 8. A protective railing to be installed on top of the proposed retaining wall around the storm pond. 9. The petitioner shall agree to preserve mature trees to the extent possible. All trees required to be removed for the construction of the new building shall be marked and approved by City staff prior to issuance of building permits, 10. All lighting on the property shall be shielded and downcast and shall not exceed three foot candles at the property line. 11. Access agreement from Petco/Target to be submitted to City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 12. The petitioner shall be responsible for the installation of sewer and water service connections from property line to existing City utilities. Plan to be approved by City's engineering department. 13. If petitioner is unable to obtain an access agreement from Petco/Target, the petitioner shall apply for and have approved a Wetland replacement plan from the City before a building permit shall be issued. 14. Petitioner shall install a fence between the subject property and the residential properties to the west. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. Receive the minutes of the September 10, 2007, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5. Receive the minutes of the June 13, 2007, Appeals Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Kondrick. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6. Receive the minutes of the September 11, 2007, Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Velin to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Hickok thanked those who attended the Corridor Housing Initiative. A final report will be available on the web site and staff looks forward to future development. He also encouraged people to watch the upcoming HRA and Council Meetings as it relates to the North Star Corridor. A decision needs to be made if the City would like BNSF to dig out a box culvert. BNSF would like to dig the culvert so they can work the construction of the culvert so it won't disrupt their busy season next year. Fridley wants a stop in their city and staff will continue to seek Federal Funding for the construction of a rail station in our City. ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:54 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Krista Monsrud Recording Secretary � � CffY OF FRIaLEI' Date To AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 October 31, 2007 Wlliam Burns, City Manager From: Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Julie Jones, Planning Manager Stacy Stromberg, Planner Subject: Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-08, Identi-Graphics INTRODUCTION The petitioner, Identi-Graphics, who is representing the property owner of the gas station located at 6501 Central Avenue, is requesting a special use permit to allow a free-standing automatic changeable LED gas pricing sign. A free-standing sign already exists on the subject property, which is located on the corner of Mississippi Street and Central Avenue. The petitioner is proposing to re-face the existing sign, with a British Petroleum logo sign, a LED gas pricing section, and a manual readerboard. The LED section of the sign is proposed to be approximately 10 sq. ft., and the total square footage of the sign is 79.2 sq. ft. M-07-30 ��� � x � ... . � , x �:: Electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in any ', zoning district, except residential, provided the message doesn't change more often than once every 45 seconds. The sign also , needs to be in conformance with the sign requirements for the i ' zoning district, in which the property is located. The subject property is zoned, G2 General Business, which requires that free � vv, ��:x. standing signage can not exceed 80 square feet in size. The �� existing sign meets that size requirement as will the re-face of the existing sign. It should also be noted that the sign location is 50 feet from any residential property. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At the October 17, 2007, Planning Commission meeting, a public hearing was held for SP #07- 08. After a brief discussion, the Planning Commission recommended approval of SP #07-08, with the stipulations as presented. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PLANNING STAFF RECOMMNEDATION City Staff recommends concurrence with the Planning Commission. STIPULATIONS 1. 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. 4. The petitioner shall ensure that the existing free standing sign is 10 feet from any property line or driveway. City of Fridley Land Use Application SP #07-08 October 17, 2007 GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Identi-Graphics Jim Nelson 8660 Hwy 7 St. Bonifacius MN 55375 Requested Action: Special Use Permit for an automatic changeable sign Existing Zoning: C-2, General Business Location: 6501 Central Avenue Size: 23,970 sq. ft. .55 acres Existing Land Use: Gasoline Station Store Surrounding Land Use & Zoning: N: Gary's Automotive/Northeast Towing & C-2 E: Single Family & R-1 S: Small commercial bldg. & Single Family & S-2 W: Commercial Building & C-2 Comprehensive Plan Conformance: Consistent with Plan Zoning/Permit History: Property has never been platted. 1969 — Current bldg. constructed. 1969 — Original pylon sign constructed. There have been several face changes and alterations to the pylon sign since it was constructed. Legal Description of Property: Tract 1, Registered Land Survey No. 27, subject to easement of record. Public Utilities: Building is connected Transportation: The property receives access from Mississippi Street and Central Avenue. Physical Characteristics: Lot is flat and is contained by the building, parking areas, gasoline pumps and a few landscaped areas. SPECIAL INFORMATION SUMMARY OF REQUEST The petitioner, Identi-Graphics, who is representing the property owner of the gas station located at 6501 Central Avenue, is requesting a special use permit to allow a free- standing automatic changeable LED gas pricing sign. SU M MARY OF ANALYSIS City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request. Electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in the commercial zoning district, provided the sign complies with Code Aerial of Subject Property CITY COUNCIL ACTION / 60 DAY DATE City Council — November 5, 2007 60 Day Date — November 12, 2007 Staff Report Prepared by: Stacy Stromberg SP #07-08 REQUEST The petitioner, Identi-Graphics, who is representing the property owner of the gas station located at 6501 Central Avenue, is requesting a special use permit to allow a free- standing automatic changeable LED gas pricing sign. A free-standing sign already exists on the subject property, which is located on the corner of Mississippi Street and Central Avenue. The petitioner is proposing to re-face the existing sign, with a British Petroleum logo sign, a LED gas pricing section, and a manual readerboard. The LED section of the sign is proposed to be approximately 10 sq. ft., and the total square footage of the sign is 79.2 sq. ft. � �� ,� HISTORY AND ANALYSIS The subject property is located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Mississippi Street. The property is zoned ; G2, General Business. According to building permit records, a building existed on the site prior to 1949, however; that structure burned down. In 1968, the City Council reviewed plans for a convenience/grocery store and they separately ;�.:. �� �:xx x: reviewed plans to allow for the construction of gasoline pumps ° in conjunction with the store. While modern code standards ' � L'--�� require a special use permit to be obtained for motor vehicle :� fuel and oil dispensing services, the 1963 zoning code ' allowed gasoline service stations as a permitted use. The ' existing building and gasoline pumps were then constructed in 1969. The original free-standing sign was also constructed in 1969. There have been several changes and modification to that sign since it was constructed. � � CODE REQUIREMENTS ' Electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in any zoning district, except residential, provided the message ' doesn't 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, C-2 General Business, which requires that free standing signage can not exceed 80 square feet in size. The existing sign meets that size requirement as will the re-face of the existing sign. The new sign will be approximately 79.2 square feet, with the electronic portion being approximately 10 square feet. It should also be noted that the sign location is 50 feet from any residential property. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 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. STIPULATIONS City Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached. 1. 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. 4. The petitioner shall ensure that the existing free standing sign is 10 feet from any property line or driveway. � � CffY OF FRIaLEI' Date: To: From: Subject: AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 October 31, 2007 Wlliam Burns, City Manager Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Julie Jones, Planning Manager Stacy Stromberg, Planner Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-10, by Mark Pope for Golden Living Center — Lynwood M-07-32 INTRODUCTION The petitioner, Mr. Pope, of RLP Architects Inc., is representing Golden Living Center — Lynwood, in their petition to seek a special use permit to allow a nursing home to continue to exist and to allow an expansion of the nursing home in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. The nursing home is located at 5700 East River Road. Golden Living Center — Lynwood is proposing to construct a 510 square foot addition to their building, which will be constructed on an existing paved area. The addition is proposed to be used for therapy. The petitioner is also applying for variances to reduce the front and side yard setback requirements. Recognition of these deficiencies is required prior to issuance of a building permit for the proposed addition. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At the October 17, 2007, Planning Commission meeting, a public hearing was held for SP #07- 10. After a brief discussion, the Planning Commission recommended approval of SP #07-10, with the stipulations as presented. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PLANNING STAFF RECOMMNEDATION City Staff recommends concurrence with the Planning Commission. STIPULATIONS 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. The petitioner shall submit a grading and drainage plan to be approved by City engineering staff prior to issuance of a building permit. City of Fridley Land Use Application SP #07-10 October 17, 2007 GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Mark Pope RLP Architects, Inc. 2443 Farrington Circle Roseville MN 55113 Requested Action: Special Use Permit to allow a nursing home Existing Zoning: R-3 (Multi-Family) Location: 5700 East River Road Size: 72,966 sq. ft. 1.68 acres Existing Land Use: Golden Living Center - Lynwood Surrounding Land Use & Zoning: N: Georgetown Apts. & R-3 E: East River Road & ROW S: Georgetown Apts. & R-3 W: Georgetown Apts. & R-3 Comprehensive Plan Conformance: Use of property is consistent with plan Zoning Ordinance Conformance: Section 205.09.1.C.(7) requires a special use permit for nursing homes. Zoning History: ■ Property has never been platted. ■ Nursing Home was constructed in 1963. Legal Description of Property: See attached survev. Public Utilities: The building is connected. Transportation: East River Road provides access to the property. Physical Characteristics: Lot consists of the nursing home building, parking area and landscaped areas. SU M MARY OF PROJECT SPECIAL INFORMATION Mr. Pope, of RLP Architects Inc., who is representing Golden Living Center — Lynwood, is requesting a special use permit to allow a nursing home to continue to exist and to allow an expansion of the nursing home in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district, which is located at 5700 East River Road. SU M MARY OF ANALYSIS City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, with stipulations. City staff recommends approval of this special use permit as nursing homes, convalescent homes, and homes for the elderly are a permitted special use in the R-3, Multi-Family zoning district, subject to stipulations. Existina Buildina CITY COUNCIL ACTION/ 60 DAY DATE City Council — November 5, 2007 60 Day — November 12, 2007 Staff Report Prepared by: Stacy Stromberg SP #07-10 REQUEST The petitioner, Mr. Pope, of RLP Architects Inc., is representing Golden Living Center — Lynwood, in their petition to seek a special use permit to allow a nursing home to continue to exist and to allow an expansion of the nursing home in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. The nursing home is located at 5700 East River Road. Golden Living Center — Lynwood is proposing to construct a 510 square foot addition to their building, which will be constructed on an existing paved area. The addition is proposed to be used for therapy. SITE DESCRIPTION/HISTORY The subject property is located on the west side of East River Road and is surrounded on three sides by Georgetown Apartments. It is zoned R-3, Multi-Family, as are the properties to the north, west and south. The properties across East River Road are zoned M-2, Heavy Industrial. The existing nursery home facility was constructed in 1963, and an addition was constructed in 1987. In 1988, a storage building was constructed on the southwest side of the property. CODE REQUIREMENTS Hospital, clinics, nursing homes, convalescent homes, and homes for the elderly are a permitted special use in the R- 3 zoning district. A special use permit may be granted, provided they meet the necessary requirements, related to building and site requirements and parking, subject to the stipulations suggested by staff. When the property was developed in 1963, nursing homes were a permitted use in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. In 1969, the City Council adopted a new zoning code, which required a special use permit for nursing homes in a residential district. The petitioner is proposing to construct a 510 sq. ft. addition to the existing building, which requires the petitioner to apply for the requested special use permit to meet current code requirements. The property is deficient in meeting front yard setback and side yard setback requirements. City Code requires a side yard setback of 35 ft. for all buildings in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. The existing building is located 13.1 ft. from the property line, which is deficient in meeting the front yard setback requirements. Therefore, the petitioner is seeking a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 ft. to 13.1 ft. It should also be noted, that the concrete patio in front of the building is a roofed structure and is also located within the front yard setback at 17 ft. from the property line. Several years ago, Anoka County acquired land along East River Road to expand the roadway; this may have resulted in the deficient front yard setback for this property. Aerial of Property City Code also requires a side yard setback of 15 ft. in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. Staff noted during the review of the petitioner's variance request, that both the north and south side yard setbacks are non-conforming. The side yard setback on the north side is 9.6 ft. at its closest point, and the side yard setback on the south side is 12.8 ft. at its closest point. Staff recommends that these non-conformities be recognized and become part of the petitioner's variance request. The above referenced variance request were approved by the Appeals Commission at their October 10, 2007, meeting. All other code requirements for this property, such as rear yard setback, lot coverage and parking are being met for this property. Nursing Homes in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district are required to have 1 parking stall for every 4 beds, and 3 stalls for every 4 employees on the largest shift. The nursing home is a 50 bed facility, which requires 13 stalls and there are 16 employees on the largest shift, which requires 12 parking stalls. Total required parking stalls for this property is 25 stalls. The proposed addition will not increase the number of beds or employees, so the 33 stalls that currently exist on the site are sufficient. RECOMMENDATION City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request, as nursing homes are a permitted special use in the R-3, Multi-Family zoning district, subject to stipulations. STIPULATIONS Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached. 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. The petitioner shall submit a grading and drainage plan to be approved by City engineering staff prior to issuance of a building permit. � � CffY OF FRIaLEI' Date To AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 October 31, 2007 Wlliam Burns, City Manager From: Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Julie Jones, Planning Manager Stacy Stromberg, Planner Subject: Variance Request, VAR #07-04, Mark Pope, RLP Architects, Inc., for Golden Living Center - Lynwood M-07-31 INTRODUCTION Mark Pope, of RLK Architects Inc., who is representing Golden Living Center — Lynwood, is requesting a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 ft. to 13.1 ft. to recognize an existing non-conforming setback, which will allow for the construction of a 510 sq. ft. addition to the existing nursing home, which is located at 5700 East River Road. While staff was reviewing the petitioner's request, it came to our attention that the property is also deficient in meeting the side yard setback requirements on both the north and south sides. Therefore, is would be staff's recommendation that these non-conformities are identified and part of the petitioner's request. Recognition of non-conformities is required prior to issuance of any building permits for this property. CODE REQUIREMENTS City Code requires a front yard setback of 35 ft. for all building in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. The existing building is located 13.1 ft. from the property line, which is deficient in meeting the front yard setback requirements. Therefore, the petitioner is seeking a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 ft. to 13.1 ft. It should also be noted that the concrete patio in front of the building is a roofed structure and is also located within the front yard setback at 17 ft. from the property line. Several years ago, Anoka County acquired land along East River Road to expand the roadway; this may have resulted in the deficient front yard setback for this property. City Code requires a side yard setback of 15 ft. in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. As stated above, staff noted during their review of this request, that both the north and south side yard setbacks are non-conforming. The side yard setback on the north side is 9.6 ft. at its closest point, and the side yard setback on the south side is 12.8 ft. at its closest point. Staff recommends that these non-conformities be recognized and become part of the petitioner's variance request. APPEALS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At the October 10, 2007, Appeals Commission meeting, a public hearing was held for VAR #07- 04. After a brief discussion, the Appeals Commission recommended approval of the front yard and side yard setback variance requests, with the stipulations presented by staff. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATION City Staff recommends concurrence with the Appeals Commission. STIPULATIONS 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. City of Fridley Land Use Application VAR #07-04 October 10, 2007 GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Mark Pope RLP Architects, Inc. 2443 Farrington Circle Roseville MN 55113 Requested Action: Variance reducing the front yard setback Existing Zoning: R-3 (Multi-Family) Location: 5700 East River Road Size: 72,966 sq. ft. 1.68 acres Existing Land Use: Golden Living Center - Lynwood Surrounding Land Use & Zoning: N: Georgetown Apts. & R-3 E: East River Road & ROW S: Georgetown Apts. & R-3 W: Georgetown Apts. & R-3 Comprehensive Plan Conformance: Use of property is consistent with plan Zoning Ordinance Conformance: Section 205.09.3.D.(1) requires a front yard setback of thirty-five (35) feet. Zoning History: ■ Property has never been platted. ■ Nursing Home was constructed in 1963. Legal Description of Property: See attached. Public Utilities: The building is connected. Transportation: East River Road provides access to the property. Physical Characteristics: Lot consists of the nursing home building, parking area and landscaped areas. SPECIAL INFORMATION SU M MARY OF PROJECT Mr. Pope, of RLP Architects Inc., who is representing Golden Living Center — Lynwood, is requesting a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 ft. to 13.1 ft. to recognize an existing non-conforming setback, which will allow for the construction of a 510 sq. ft. addition to the existing building, which is located at 5700 East River Road. SUMMARY OF HARDSHIP "Golden Living Center— Lynwood is requesting permission to construct a one story 510 sq. ft. therapy addition. The reason for the variance request is that the existing building does not conform to the City's current set back requirements. The new addition; however, will conform to all setback requirements." - Mark Pope SU M MARY OF ANALYSIS City Staff recommends approval of the front yard setback variance request and the two side yard setback variance requests. ■ Recognizes an existing non-conformity. ■ Should not set a precedent for existing or future properties. Existina Buildina CITY COUNCIL ACTION/ 60 DAY DATE City Council — November 5, 2007 60 Day — November 5, 2007 Staff Report Prepared by: Stacy Stromberg VAR #07-04 REQUEST Mark Pope, of RLK Architects Inc., who is representing Golden Living Center — Lynwood, is requesting a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 ft. to 13.1 ft. to recognize an existing non-conforming setback, which will allow for the construction of a 510 sq. ft. addition to the existing nursing home, which is located at 5700 East River Road. While staff was reviewing the petitioner's request, it came to our attention that the property is also deficient in meeting the side yard setback requirements on both the north and south sides. Therefore, is would be staff's recommendation that these non- conformities are identified and part of the petitioner's request. Recognition of non-conformities is required prior to issuance of any building permits for this property. SITE DESCRIPTION/HISTORY The subject property is located on the west side of East River Road and is surrounded on three sides by Georgetown Apartments. It is zoned R-3, Multi-Family, as are the properties to the north, west and south. The properties across East River Road are zoned M-2, Heavy Industrial. The existing nursery home facility was constructed in 1963, and an addition was constructed in 1987. In 1988 a storage building was constructed on the southwest side of the property. When the property was constructed in 1963, nursing homes were a permitted use in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. In 1969, the City Council adopted a new zoning code, which required a special use permit for nursing homes in a residential district. The petitioner is proposing to construct a 510 sq. ft. addition to the existing building, which will require the petitioner to request a special use permit from the City Council to bring them into compliance with current code requirements. That request has been submitted and will go before the Planning Commission on October 17, 2007, and the City Council on November 5, 2007. CODE REQUIREMENTS City Code requires a front yard setback of 35 ft. for all building in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. The existing building is located 13.1 ft. from the property line, which is deficient in meeting the front yard setback requirements. Therefore, the petitioner is seeking a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 ft. to 13.1 ft. It should also be noted that the concrete patio in front of the building is a roofed structure and is also located within the front yard setback at 17 ft. from the property line. Several years ago, Anoka County acquired land along East River Road to expand the roadway; this may have resulted in the deficient front yard setback for this property. City Code requires a side yard setback of 15 ft. in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. As stated above, staff noted during their review of this request, that both the north and south side yard setbacks are non-conforming. The side yard setback on the north side is 9.6 ft. at its closest point, and the side yard setback on the south side is 12.8 ft. at its closest point. Staff recommends that these non-conformities be recognized and become part of the petitioner's variance request. Aerial of property All other code requirements for this property, such as rear yard setback, lot coverage and parking are being met for this property. Nursing Homes in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district are required to have 1 parking stall for every 4 beds and 3 stalls for every 4 employees on the largest shift. The nursing home is a 50 bed facility, which requires 13 stalls and there are 16 employees on the largest shift, which requires 12 parking stalls. Total required parking stalls for this property is 25 stalls. The proposed addition will not increase the number of beds or employees, so the 33 stalls that currently exist on the site are sufficient. SUMMARY OF HARDSHIP "Golden Living Center— Lynwood is requesting permission to construct a one story 510 sq. ft. therapy addition. The reason for the variance request is that the existing building does not conform to the City's current set back requirements. The new addition however; will conform to all setback requirements." - Mark Pope RECOMMENDATIONS City Staff recommends approval of the front yard setback variance request and the two side yard setback variance requests. ■ Recognizes an existing non-conformity. ■ Should not set a precedent for existing or future properties. STIPULATIONS Staff recommends if the variance is approved, the following stipulations be attached. 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 1. Public Hearing: Variance request, VAR #07-04, by Mark Pope, RLP Architects, Inc. - Lynwood for a consideration of a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet to 13.1 feet to recognize an existing non-conforming setback, which will allow the petitioner to construct a 510 square feet addition to the existing building, generally located at 5700 East River Road NE. MOTION by Commissioner Brown to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Vos. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:32 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, presented a request from Mark Pope, of RLK Architects Inc., who is representing Golden Living Center-Lynwood, is requesting a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet to 13.1 feet to recognize an existing non-conforming setback, which will allow for the construction of a 510 square feet addition to the existing nursing home, which is located at 5700 East River Road. Ms. Stromberg stated that while staff was reviewing the petitioner's request, it came to our attention that the property is also deficient in meeting the side yard setback requirements on both the north and south sides. Therefore, it would be staff's recommendation that these non- conformities are identified and part of the petitioner's request. Recognition of these non- conformities is required prior to issuance of any building permits for this property. Ms. Stromberg read the summary of hardship for the Golden Living Center — Lynwood. "They are requesting permission to construct a one-story 510 square feet therapy addition. The reason for the variance request is that the existing building does not conform to the City's current set back requirements. The new addition however, will conform to all setback requirements." Ms. Stromberg reviewed that the subj ect property is located on the west side of East River Road and is surrounded on three sides by Georgetown Apartments. It is zoned R-3, Multi-Family, as are the properties to the north, west and south. The properties across East River Road are zoned M-2, Heavy Industrial. The existing nursing home facility was constructed in 1963, and an addition was constructed in 1987. In 1988 a storage building was constructed on the southwest side of the property. Ms. Stromberg stated that when the property was constructed in 1963, nursing homes were a permitted use in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. In 1969, the City Council adopted a new zoning code, which required as special use for nursing homes in a residential district. The petitioner is proposing to construct a 510 square feet addition to the existing building, which will require the petitioner to request a special use permit from the City Council to bring them into compliance with current code requirements. That request has been submitted and will go before the Planning Commission on October 17, 2007, and the City Council on November 5, 2007. Ms. Stromberg stated that City Code requires a front yard setback of 35 feet for all building in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district. The existing building is located 13.1 feet from the property line, which is deficient in meeting the front yard setback requirements. Therefore, the petitioner is seeking a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet to 13.1 feet. It should also be noted that the concrete patio in front of the building is a roofed structure and is also located within the front yard setback for this property. Ms. Stromberg said that City Code requires a side yard setback of 15 feet in an R-3, Multi- Family zoning district. As stated above, staff noted during their review of this request that both the north and south side yard setbacks are non-conforming. The side yard setback on the north side is 9.6 feet at its closet point, and the side yard setback on the south side is 12.8 feet at its closest point. Staff recommends that these non-conformities be recognized and become part of the petitioner's variance request. Ms. Stromberg stated that all other requirements for this property, such as rear yard setback, lot coverage and parking are being met for this property. Nursing Homes in an R-3, Multi-Family zoning district are required to have one parking stall for every four beds and three stalls for every four employees on the largest shift. The nursing home is a 50-bed facility, which requires 13 parking stalls and there are 16 employees on the largest shift, which requires 12 parking stalls. Total required parking stalls for this property is 25 stalls. The proposed addition will not increase the number of beds or employees, so the 33 stalls that currently exist on the site are sufficient. Ms. Stromberg said that City Staff recommends approval of the front year setback variance request and the two side yard setback variance requests because it recognizes an existing non- conformity and should not set a precedent for existing or future properties. Staff recommends if the variances are approved, the following stipulations be attached. 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscaping plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. Mark Pope, RLP Architects Inc., said that he would appreciate approval of the request. Commissioner Vos asked if the petitioner had any problems with the stipulations. Mr. Pope answered no. Commissioner Vos asked if the petitioner thought they would need additional parking. Mr. Pope answered no because they already had 10% more parking spaces than what is required. Commissioner Vos said it was obvious there were problems with the variances on both sides and he was surprised it wasn't caught earlier. He asked why they were only requesting to build 510 square feet. Mr. Pope said that is all that was needed. It is an interior remodel to expand the therapy room. Presently there is an existing patio and they will be able to utilize that foundation. MOTION by Commissioner Jones to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Vos. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:42 P.M. Commissioner Vos said that the property would be legal on file with Anoka County and it would be advantageous to get this done. MOTION by Commissioner Jones to approve the variance request, VAR #07-04, by Mark Pope, RLP Architects, Inc.-Lynwood for a consideration of a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet to 13.1 feet and to reduce the side yard setback on the north side from 15 ft. to 9.6 ft. and the south side from 15 ft. 12.8 ft. to recognize an existing non-conforming setback, which will allow the petitioner to construct a 510 square feet addition to the existing building, generally located at 5700 East River Road NE with the following stipulations. 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permit prior to the start of construction. 2. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 3. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary siding and color scheme. 4. The City reserves the right to require additional parking should the demand of the facility warrant it. 5. Landscaping plan shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. Seconded by Commissioner Brown. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY � � �ffY �F FRIDLEY TO: FROM: AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 WILLIAM W. BURNS, CITY MANAGER RICHARD D. PRIBYL, FINANCE DIRECTOR SUBJECT: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR THE CITY OF FRIDLEY DATE: November 1, 2007 Attached is a resolution that would cover the City Council under our workers' compensation coverage. Staff reviewed the pricing on this coverage and found that the rate has dropped and is now very affordable. It seems that in the current environment elected officials become subjected to a variety of risk exposures and should be covered similar to city employees. The League requires that in order to extend coverage to elected officials, the attached resolution must be approved. Staff recommends approval of this resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 2007 - A RESOLUTION ENABLING ELECTED OFFICALS OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY TO BE COVERED BY THE MINNESOTA WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW AS EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY WHEREAS, the law enables elected or appointed officials of the City to be covered under workers' compensation; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City of Fridley that the Mayor and City Councilmembers be included as employees of the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Councilmembers of the City of Fridley be hereby covered by the Minnesota Workers' Compensation Law. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS STx DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2007. SCOTT J. LUND - MAYOR ATTEST: DEBRA A. SKOGEN, CITY CLERK � � �ffY �F FRIDLEY To: From: Date: AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF November 5, 2007 William W. Burns, City Manager Richard D. Pribyl, Finance Director Deb Skogen, City Clerk October 25, 2007 Re: Lions Club of Fridley Application for Premise Permit Renewal for its two locations at Billiard Street Cafe Inc dba Two Stooges Bar and Grill, 7178 University Avenue NE and BAM Inc dba Shortstop Fridley, 1298 E Moore Lake Drive Section 30 of the Fridley City Code allows Lawful Gambling by a licensed organization and limits each organization to two premises within the City. The Lions Club of Fridley has been conducting lawful gambling at Billiard Street Cafe Inc dba Two Stooges Bar and Grill located at 7178 University Avenue NE and at BAM Inc dba Shortstop Fridley located at 1298 E Moore Lake Drive. The premise permit application requires a resolution from the City Council approving the renewal. If approved, the premise permit would become effective March 1, 2008 and expire February 28, 2010. Staff recommends approval of the premise permit application by adoption of the attached resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 2007 - RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A MINNESOTA LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISE PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR THE LIONS CLUB OF FRIDLEY AT BILLIARD STREET CAFE INC DBA TWO STOOGES BAR AND GRILL LOCATED AT 7178 UNIVERSITY AVENUE NE AND AT BAM INC DBA SHORTSTOP FRIDLEY LOCATED AT 1298 E MOORE LAKE DRIVE WHEREAS, the City of Fridley has been served with a copy of an Application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Renewal for the Lions Club of Fridley; and WHEREAS, the locations of the Premise Permits are for Billiard Street Cafe Inc dba Two Stooges Bar and Grill located at 7178 University Avenue NE and BAM Inc dba Shortstop Fridley located at 1298 E Moore Lake Drive; and WHEREAS, the Lions Club of Fridley., currently holds a state lawful gambling license and conducts lawful gambling at the Shortstop Fridley which will expire February 29, 2008; and WHEREAS, Chapter 30 of the Fridley City Code allows a lawful gambling organization to conduct business at two premises within the city; and WHEREAS, the City of Fridley has found no reason to restrict the location for the charitable gambling operation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Fridley approves the Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Renewal Application for the Lions Club of Fridley at Billiard Street Cafe Inc. dba Two Stooges Bar and Grill located at 7178 University Avenue NE and at BAM Inc dba Shortstop Fridley located at 1298 E Moore Lake Drive for a period to commence March 1, 2008 and expire February 28, 2010. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS STx DAY OF NOVENIBER 2007. SCOTT J. LUND - MAYOR ATTEST: DEBRA A. SKOGEN - CITY CLERK � � �T'f �F FRIOLEY To: From: Date: AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF November 5, 2007 William W. Burns, City Manager Richard D. Pribyl, Finance Director Deb Skogen, City Clerk October 25, 2007 Re: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A MINNESOTA LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISE PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR DELASALLE HIGH SCHOOL BROADWAY BAR & PIZZA, 8298 UNIVERSITY AVENUE NE Section 30 of the Fridley City Code allows lawful gambling by a licensed organization. DeLaSalle High School has been conducting lawful gambling at Broadway Pizza located at 8298 University Avenue NE since February of 2004. They are now applying for a premise permit renewal at Broadway Bar & Pizza. The City of Fridley has found no reason to restrict the location or the organization for the lawful gambling operation. The premise permit application requires a resolution from the City Council approving the permit renewal. If approved, the premise permit would become effective February 1, 2008, and expire January 31, 2010. Please find a resolution for the premise permit application attached. Staff recommends approval of the premise permit application by adoption of the attached resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 2007 - RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A MINNESOTA LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR DELASALLE HIGH SCHOOL BROADWAY BAR & PIZZA, 8298 UNIVERSITY AVENUE NE WHEREAS, the City of Fridley has received a copy of an Application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Renewal for DeLaSalle High School; and WHEREAS, the location of the Premise Permit is for Broadway Bar &Pizza, 8298 University Avenue NE, and WHEREAS, their current lawful gambling license is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2008; and WHEREAS, the City of Fridley has found no reason to restrict the location or the organization for the lawful gambling operation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Fridley approves the Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Renewal Application for DeLaSalle High School located at Broadway Bar & Pizza, 8298 University Avenue NE for a period to commence February 1, 2008 and expire January 31, 2010. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS STx DAY OF NOVENIBER 2007. SCOTT J. LUND - MAYOR ATTEST: DEBRA A. SKOGEN - CITY CLERK � AGENDA ITEM � COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 �ffY �F FRIDLEY C�AI MS 134057 -134239 � � CfTY �F FRIDLEY AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 LICENSES Type of License Applicant Approved By: Pawn Shop Managerial for Cash and Pawn Nathan D. Halvorsen Jonathan A Spurgeon Police Department Christmas Tree Lot Bob's Produce Ranch Police Department Menards, Inc. Community Development Fire Department � AGENDA ITEM � CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 ��F LICENSES FRIDLEY � AGENDA ITEM � CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 � �F ESTI MATES FRIDLEY Forest Lake Contracting 14777 Lake Drive Forest Lake, MN 55025 2007 Street Improvement Project No. ST. 2007-1 EstimateNo. 7 ..................................................... Northwest Asphalt 1451 Stagecoach Road Shakopee, MN 55379 .................................. $ 235,995.10 2007 Mill and Overlay Project No. ST. 2007-2 FINAL ESTIMATE ........................................................................... Standard Sidewalk 10841 Mankato Street N.E. Blaine, NIN 55434 .. $ 16,103.10 2006 Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs ProjectNo. 370 EstimateNo. 4 ............................................................................................. $ 6,955.90 � � �ffY �F FRIDLEY Date: To: From: Subject: AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOV. 5, 2007 October 29, 2007 Wlliam Burns, City Manager Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Julie Jones, Planning Manager Review of Special Use Permit SP #06-11 for Central Auto Parts to Operate a Junkyard in an M-1 Zoning District, Generally Located at 1201-73 %2 Avenue NE Background On October 9, 2006, the Fridley City Council approved a new special use permit for Central Auto Parts, located at 1201-73 '/2 Avenue NE, to operate a junkyard. Seven stipulations were attached to the special use permit. When Central Auto Parts failed to meet the stipulations for that new special use permit, staff initiated a new public hearing to be held on June 25, 2007. The evening of the public hearing, Jerry Haluptzok, owner of the Central Auto Parts business, presented staff with a site plan that had just been approved by Rice Creek Watershed District that day. Due to the business' history of not meeting deadlines, the City Council continued the public hearing to November 5, 2007, for the purpose of evaluating their progress on the stipulations. The seven stipulations were: 1. Submit a complete a site plan, including parking/storage areas and screening, for staff review and approval prior to issuance of land alteration permit 2. Submit a complete landscaping plan, including irrigation plan, for staff review and approval prior to issuance of land alteration permit 3. Install first phase of grading and drainage plan (south hal fl by June 1, 2007 4. Install screening fence on south side of property by July 1, 2007 5. Install second phase of grading and drainage plan (north hal fl and any other required screening fence by October 1, 2007 6. Install landscaping and irrigation by June 1, 2008 7. Comply with all City Codes associated with the business, including but not limited to outside storage, parking, screening, and drainage Though much progress has obviously been made, Central Auto Parts has only completed stipulation 3, installation of the first phase of their grading and drainage plan. They are in the progress of completing the second phase of their grading and drainage plan (stipulation 5). Staff has not been provided a site plan or a landscaping and irrigation plan. These items cannot be completed until all of the heavy equipment is out of the site, but staff does need to review their plans. The business owner reports that the e�tensive amount of rain that occurred in October significantly delayed completion of storm water management ponds and paving. There are still two smaller infiltration basins that need to be installed in front of the main building, which is why that area is not leveled or landscaped. Mr. Haluptzok is hopeful that his contractor will still be able to finish the curb and gutter in the west side of the property and then plans to have class 5 gravel installed until the second phase paving can be installed on the west end of the yard. Staff had pointed out in the June 2007 staff report that we needed a site plan and a landscape plan in addition to the grading and drainage plan in order to ensure the business was providing adequate parking and landscaping. On-street customer/employee parking continues to be a concern at this site, so staff wants to ensure this problem gets corrected. We also desire to see plans for the screening fence, which currently e�sts in a location outside the property line on the south side of the property. Staff is confident, however, that the financial investment the business owner has made to date indicates that he is serious about completing the project and keeping his special use permit for a junkyard in an M-1 district. Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council remove the public hearing regarding SUP #06-11 from the table, receive comment on the present situation, and then table the public hearing again until June 9, 2008. The intent of this action is to provide the business owner one last extension on meeting the stipulations of his special use permit. If he fails to have completed all of the stipulations by June 1, 2008, then the City Council could revoke SP #06-1 lby resolution at the same meeting. � � CffY OF FRIaLEI' Date To AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 November 2, 2007 Wlliam Burns, City Manager From: Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Julie Jones, Planning Manager Stacy Stromberg, Planner Subject: Public Hearing for Rezoning Request, ZOA #07-02, by Timothy Nelson INTRODUCTION Timothy Nelson, who is representing Main Street Properties, LLC, is requesting to rezone the property on the southwest corner of 61St Avenue and Main Street, from M-4, Manufacturing Only to M-2, Heavy Industrial. The petitioner has submitted a site plan for the subject property which depicts two industrial buildings. The building on the north section of the lots is proposed to be 47,653 square feet. The building on the south section of the lots is proposed to be 102,907 square feet in size. The petitioner hasn't identified to staff if the there is a user for the buildings or what the building will be used for; however both of the buildings appear to be typed for warehouse. M-07-27 Cross-hatched area proposed to be rezoned In 1997, the City of Fridley changed the zoning of the subject parcels from M-2, Heavy Industrial to M-4, Manufacturing Only. Part of the purpose of the rezoning was to assure that the remaining industrial parcels in the City were preserved for manufacturing, thereby protecting surrounding neighborhoods and roadways from heavy truck traffic, which is common to industrial warehouse developments. They were also rezoned to help assure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. The goals the City hoped to achieve as a result of the adoption of the M-4, Manufacturing Only zoning district, included: 1. To reduce the impact of warehouse and distribution facilities on residential properties and residential streets from truck traffic by first controlling the location of these facilities in the City and by implementing site design controls. 2. To encourage uses which provide a significant amount of job opportunities which require more complex building systems. Buildings with a mixture of uses tend to have higher building valuation than warehouse construction. 3. To promote clean uses which do not produce fumes, odors, or require outside operations which may cause noise. 4. To eliminate uses which require significant amounts of outdoor storage. The above goals emphasize why the subject property was rezoned in 1997, and those goals still apply today as it relates to the property. The City currently has approximately 48 acres of undeveloped industrial land yet to be developed. Preserving those remaining, M-4, Manufacturing Only, parcels is essential for the City to allow for economic development. Warehouse/distribution facilities provide few opportunities to maximize job creation and building valuation. The building construction is very simple (a "big box") and tends to have a lower valuation than a manufacturing use which has a more complex building system with office space, manufacturing and processing areas, services areas for employees and storage areas. The existing M-1, Light Industrial and M-2, Heavy Industrial zoning districts allow for warehouse buildings, which the City already has an abundance of. The petitioner is proposing to construct two typical "big box" type office/warehouse buildings; which wouldn't achieve the goals the City strived to reach in rezoning the property in 1997. Building height, the number of dock doors for trucking and the overall building layout demonstrate a desire on the petitioner's part to construct a multi-tenant warehouse facility. It is important for the City to find a healthy balance between economic development and minimizing the impacts industrial developments have on adjacent residential properties. Since, the subject property is adjacent to residential to the north and east, it is vital to ensure that the new use is compatible with the neighborhood and meets the needs of the City. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At the September 19, 2007, Planning Commission meeting, a public hearing was held for ZOA #07-02. After a brief discussion, the Planning Commission recommended denial of rezoning request, ZOA #07-02. THE MOTION CARRIED ON A 4 TO 1 VOTE. COUNCIL REVIEW At their October 8, 2007 meeting Council held its public hearing item, but held the hearing open until November 5, 2007 for staff to review the new materials (including a Benshoof traffic study, value assertions, and zoning map questions). From their analysis staff determined the following: Traffic Analysis Review Benshoof Assertion a) 61St Avenue N.E. and Main Street N.E. near the subject site both have been designated by the City as Collector routes. Response: True Benshoof Assertion b) Intersection of 61St Avenue N.E. and University Avenue presently operates with satisfactory level of service, but analyses presented in the Northstar Commuter Rail Draft EIS indicate the intersection will operate at level of service F(very high levels of delay) in both the a.m. and p.m. peak hours by 2020. Response: True, though this application is not about Northstar, it is fair to use the data from their traffic analysts for purposes of discussing University Avenue Traffic at 61 st. Benshoof Assertion c) The Northstar Draft EIS suggests that a third lane in each direction should be added to University Avenue to resolve the level of service F problem. In its Comprehensive Plan, the City opposes such widening of University Avenue. Response: True Benshoof Assertion d) regarding total trip generation, the proposed warehouse development would generate slightly more trips than M-4 manufacturing on a daily basis, but slightly fewer trips during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours. Response: True based on stated findings in ITE Trip Generation Manual 7th Edition. Note in the report that there is a difference in 172 number of daily trip ends by a warehouse use, rather than a Manufacturing use. Benshoof Assertion e) regarding truck trip generation, the proposed warehouse development would generate fewer truck trips than M-4 manufacturing, especially on a daily basis. Response: Questionable. On the first table of the Wenck report we see that warehouse generates 172 more daily trip ends than with an M-4 Manufacturing use. The second table however, uses foot notes regarding a 1997 Survey done of the American Excelsior Traffic (data not included) and somehow uses that 1997 trip information to prove that the proposed use on this site will have less daily trips than a manufacturing use. Interestingly, American Excelsior was built in 1996 and was just being occupied in 1997; a study of this building's trips is still puzzling. Beside that fact, there is no indication of what assumptions were made or methodology was used by the traffic analyst to determine that there is a parallel between American Excelsior at that time and the proposed project for 61St and Main Street. This is truly a departure from Jim Benshoof's normal good work. It proves nothing to help support the contention that the M-4 use on this site will be more traffic intensive than if it were to be rezoned for warehouse. In fact, the opposite is true. Beyond the impacts at University Avenue and 61St intersection, this study shows no credible data to combat staff's assertion that a warehouse use will have more daily trip ends and more impact to the surrounding neighborhood than an M-4, Manufacturing use. Benshoof Assertion � If constructed, the Fridley station for the Northstar Commuter Rail service likely would generate considerably more trips on 61St Avenue N.E. during two peak hours and on a daily basis than either the proposed development or development per M-4 manufacturing. Response: We are talking about M-4; Manufacturing only verses M-2 for warehouse purposes. Benshoof assertion f is superfluous. Benshoof Assertion g) If constructed, the Fridley station for the Northstar Commuter Rail service would generate more total truck and bus trips on 61St Avenue N.E. during the two peak hours and on a daily basis than truck trips generated either by the proposed development or development per M-4 manufacturing. Response: We are talking about M-4; Manufacturing only verses M-2 for warehouse purposes. Benshoof Assertion g) Is superfluous. Ben hoof Assertion h) the proposed warehouse development offers the following two traffic benefits for the City: • Lowest trip generation for trucks and buses, which will lessen impacts for residents along 61St Avenue. Response: False. True only if you consider the table in the traffic report that refers to America Excelsior, a report that is unavailable and as a result not credible. • Lowest total trip generation during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours, which will lessen impacts on level of service at 61St Avenue N.E. and University Avenue. This is highly important given the predicted level of service F conditions at the intersection by 2020. Response: Compared against the additional trips warehousing generates during the day overall, though this intersection is a consideration, the trade-off beyond a.m. and p.m. peak hours is not worth a trade to warehousing. An additional 172 daily trip ends overall make warehouse uses an inappropriate use for this site. Value Comparisons Petitioner Allegation: Warehouse buildings in Fridley have higher building values per square foot than manufacturing buildings. Response: Ironically, Mr. Nelson and his legal counsel chose to use this building as an example of a"warehouse" with a high value. The building is listed in the assessor's information as a flex industrial building, not a warehouse, therefore its value is much higher and it supports what the petitioner (Gonyea) had said in this rezoning request. He built a flex building to accommodate manufacturing, not a warehouse. Beyond that fact, the petitioner and his legal counsel chose to use buildings built between 1941 and 1994 primarily to prove their point about building value for manufacturing, While, they chose a newer selection of warehouse buildings dating from 1994 to 2000. Even with their flawed methodology of comparison, you can see that old manufacturing buildings have a similar value per square foot to newer warehouse buildings. It helps to prove our point that generally manufacturing buildings have a higher value than warehouse buildings. Compare the value of Parsons Electric built in 1961 (from their examples) $45.86/ s.f. to AMB Warehouse built in 1984, which has a value of $38.04/s.f. The City's position remains that manufacturing results in a higher valued building overall. Map Inaccuracy, lack of other M-4, Manufacturing Sites Allegation: June 1997 — Council creates M-4 zone, but limits to 5 properties (3 of 8 dropped at request of owners). Response: False, there were 7 properties rezoned to M-4, one was rezoned back to M-2. However, properties like McGlynn's parcel adjacent to their manufacturing/baking facility asked to be left M-2, to allow for their own future manufacturing/baking or even warehousing needs to facilitate their existing manufacturing operation. This was done because it made perfect sense to allow an existing industrial user to expand, which was their purpose for buying the land. Allegation November 1997 -1 of remaining M-4 properties rezoned, 4 remain. Response: False, 6 remained. An owner of one of the M-4 Manufacturing sites that had been rezoned approached the City with a request to develop a building that he had been contemplating at the time of the rezoning. His building would be: multi-tenant, would not have doors facing the surrounding neighborhoods, would be designed in a tech-flex manufacturing manner to allow industrial users flexibility within the shell for expansion, The clear heights would indicate the desire to have manufacturing, not warehouse users, and the developer had indicated that he was interested in approaching smaller medical industries in the area. Vendors who do manufacturing work with Medtronic and other medical instrument providers in the region to see if they would be interested in this location. Due to the building design and the owner/developer's desire to attract smaller manufacturing uses in a multi-tenant layout, his allowing staff to visit his buildings already constructed that were of like design and purpose, and his allaying fears of pure warehouse uses, his rezoning request was approved. Ironically, Mr. Nelson and his legal counsel chose to use this building as an example of a "warehouse" with a high value. The building is listed in the assessor's information as a flex industrial building, not a warehouse, therefore its value is much higher and it supports what the petitioner (Gonyea) had said in this rezoning request. He built a flex building to accommodate manufacturing, not a warehouse. Allegation: September 1999 — Another M-4 property rezoned; 3 remain in theory (however City's current zoning map reveals only 2). Response: This is not entirely true. The September 1999 rezoning is related to a land swap between Brenk Brothers, and Industrial Manufacturing entity and Friendly Chevrolet. Brenk Brothers owned a parcel that was more conducive to a Car lot expansion and Friendly Chevrolet owned a parcel that was more conducive to a manufacturing expansion to the Brenk Brother's industry. They traded properties, and the part that became Friendly Chevrolet also was rezoned Commercial. Meanwhile the piece that was Friendly Chevrolet became Brenk's and facilitated a doubling in size of their manufacturing facility. The Brenk expansion is exactly what the City would have hoped for in preserving its remaining industrial land for manufacturing purposes. Zoning Map Error The City's Zoning Map was found to be incorrect upon research of petitioner's allegation. Map corrections have been ordered to correctly reflect M-4 parcels in Fridley. The 1998 map correctly illustrated the parcels with an M-4 designation. Later iterations of the map were erroneously modified, based on a staff comment made by a staff member not familiar with the M-4 rezoning in 1997. Map corrections have now been ordered by the planning staff to assure accurate illustration of all remaining M-4, Manufacturing Only sites. PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATION City Staff recommends concurrence with the Planning Commission and that the City Council hold a public hearing for Rezoning Request, ZOA #07-02. STIPULATIONS City staff recommends denial; however, if the City Council elects to approve the rezoning, staff recommends that the following stipulations be attached. 1. The petitioner shall obtain any required permits prior to the start of construction. 2. The petitioner shall pay for the plan review portion of the building permit fee at the time of building permit application. 3. Petitioner to meet all Building and Fire Code and ADA requirements. 4. Petitioner shall submit plans to Anoka County Highway Department and receive their approval on access and any work done within the county right-of-way. 5. The petitioner shall submit a drainage plan and receive City engineering staff approval prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. Petitioner shall ensure that ponding area meets size requirements for the proposed development. 7. Petitioner shall identify ponding area and provide easements for storm water run-off and management. 8. Petitioner shall ensure that the proposed development meets the Watershed District regulations. 9. Landscape plan to be reviewed and approved by City Staff prior to issuance of building permit. 10. Petitioner shall pay all water and sewer connection fees prior to issuance of a building permit. 11. The petitioner shall be responsible for the cost of any traffic improvements necessary to accommodate the traffic generated by the development including signalization or other improvements, if determined necessary by Anoka County or the City. 12. Petitioner shall combine the three parcels into one parcel prior to issuance of a building permit. Note: Though Council typically does not act on an item the night of its public hearing, options are available. In the event that Council chooses to act to approve the rezoning Monday evening an ordinance has been attached for Council's consideration. A/so, if Council chooses to deny the item on Monday evening a resolution with suggested language for the finding of facts has been attached for their consideration. 111��r��� November 5, 2007 Wenck Associates, inc. 1800 Pioneer Creek Center P.O. Box 249 Maple Plain, MN 55359-0249 (763) 479-4200 Fax(763)479-4242 E-mail: wenckmp@wenck.com PRESENTATION BY JAMES A. BENSHOOF TO FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL REGARDING TRAFFIC REVIEW OF APPLICATION TO REZONE PROPERTY IN SOUTHWEST CORNER OF 61ST AVENUE AND MAIN STREET SUBMITTED BY MAIN STREET PROPERTIES, LLC a) Traffic counts conducted in 1997 at American Excelsior Company, 140 81St Street in City of Fridley b) Survey of a.m. and p.m. peak hour trip generation for industrial sites on Main Street in City of Fridley c) Truck trip generation projections for proposed development related to M-4 development d) Total trip generation projections for proposed development related to M-4 development e) Conclusions BENSHOOF & ASSOClATES, INC. , TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS � ?301 OHMS lANE, SUlT� 500 / EDINA, MN 55439 /(6? 2; 832-9858 / FAX (612) 832-9564 June 5, 1997 MEMORANDUM TO: Steve Johnson, Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. ��1$ FROM: James A. Benshoo and Derek A. Sunstrom REFER TO FILE: 9•�-42 RE: Trip Generation Survey for a Sample of Light and Heavy Industrial Sites PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to _present the results of a survey we performed to record the number of vehicle trips generated by several different light industrial and heavy industrial developments. This survey has been performed to provide a strang data base to . estimate the number of trips that would be generated by the McIntyre property in the City of Blaine, comparing the generation of trips and type of traffic (e.g. trucks) between light industrial and heavy industrial land uses. An important objective is to estimate the potential truck trip generation for development on the McIntyre site, as well as total trip generation. To assist in accomplishing this objective, the trip generation survey that has been performed at several light industrial and heavy industrial sites involved recording the trips by four different categories of vehicles: passenger cars, small commercial vehicles, large single unit frucks, and semi-trucks. INFORMATION ON LIGHT AND HEAVY INDUSTRIA,L SITES USED FOR TRAFFIC SURVEY We have made a concerted effort to select Iight and heavy industrial developments that correlate with potential uses that could occur on the McIntyre site, under the City's current Zoning Ordinance and following a rezoning to I-1 if the Zoning Ordinance is amended. To that end, we have spoken with City Planners for several communities, have made observations at several prospective light industrial and heavy industrial developments, and have gained information about the type of business performed at the candidate survey sites. Two of the sites selected are light industrial, and the other three are heavy industrial. The five developments surveyed are listed �on the next page. . , Mr. Steve Johnson -2- June 5, 1997 Light Industrial Name and Address of Com an Descri tion of Business Pro e Size Nasco 2100 Old Highway 8 Distribute Welding Supplies 3,00 acres New Bri hton, MN Nott Company Distribute hydrologic, industriai, 4480 Round Lake Rd Wesi and rubber fabrication supplies 2.14 acres Arden Hills, MN Heavy Industrial Name and Address of Com an Descri tion of Bvsiness Pro e Size American Excelsior Company Manufacture and Ship Out 140 81 s` Street Packaging and Erosion Control 6.26 acres Fridie , NIN Devices Olson General Contractors 5010 Hillsboro Ave. North General contracting 1.98 acres New Ho e, MN Park Construction They deal with heavy commercial 7900 Beech Street equipment for use in highway and 7.00 acres Fridle , MN dam construction The two light industrial sites constitute uses that are allowed in the I-1 zone under the City of Biaine's Zoning Ordinance. The three heavy industrial uses are compatibie with the City of Blaine's I-2 zoning district. The principal characteristic that distinguishes the heavy industrial uses from the light industrial uses is that the three heavy industriai sites have outdoor storage of semi-trailers or equipment. DESCRIPTION OF TRAFFIC SURVEY At each of the five existing developments referenced in the preceding section, we recorded the total traffic in and out of the development during the a.m. peak p�eriod (7-9 a.m.} and p.m. peak period (4-6 p.m.) on a typical weekday. The data were collected on weekdays during the period of May 30 - June 4, 1997. The trips in and' out of each development were recorded according to four categories of vehicles: passenger vehicles, small commercial vehicles (small trucks with logos or equipment indicating business use), large single unit trucks (UPS, mail trucks, dump trucks), and semi trucks, Trip Generation Data for American Excelsior Company, 140 81st Street, in City of Fridley Note: Traffic volumes recorded on Monday, June 2, 1997 A.M. Peak Hour P.M. Peak Hour Type of Vehicle Total Trip Ends Trip Ends/Acre Total Trip Ends Trip Ends/Acre Passenger 5 0.8 4 0.6 Small Commercial 0 0 2 0.3 Large Single Unit 0 0 5 0.8 Semi Truck 3 0.5 2 0.3 Totals 8 1.3 13 2.1 Wenck Associates, Inc. 11/5/2007 Wenck November 5, 2007 Wenck Associates, Inc. 1800 Pioneer Creek Center P.O. Box 249 Maple Plain, MN 55359-0249 (763) 479-4200 Fax (763) 479-4242 E-mail: wenckmp@wenck.com SURVEY OF A.M. AND P.M. PEAK HOUR TRIP GENERATION FOR INDUSTRIAL SITES ON MAIN STREET IN CITY OF FRIDLEY Note: Traffic counts were conducted by type of vehicle for all trips entering and exiting sites during the periods of 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on one of the following typical weekdays: October 17, 18, or 23, 2007. a) Murphy Warehouse Company at 4700 and 4850 Main Street — two buildings with total size of 455,888 square feet GFA; principal use is warehouse b) AMB Northpoint Industrial at 5730, 5750, and 5780 Main Street — three buildings with total size of 207,309 square feet GFA; uses are allocated approximately 10% for office, 58% for warehouse, and 32% for manufacturing c) Sheet Metal Connectors at 5850 and 5900 Main Street and Parsons Electric at 5960 Main Street — these two uses have been considered together due to shared use of driveways; total size of all three buildings is 233,810 square feet GFA; uses are allocated approximately 76°10 for manufacturing and 24% for office, shop, and warehouse a��� � y � z.;;, � . , � �.. >, � e �� �, . � �' � ����� 4850 � �. ��, ,� �, 4700 �� � � �= �F. �� �" . �„"°". � _ � � Y,`t t � �_ Y � , X A . . _ a+1�4 1R 1 - y�' �' � '�` � �' ` °$ � � � � �. y ,,� � , � =� � �y ��` � .;� _� � � �;.. �: :�� � �: �. � : � ��: �, � � � � � � 49TH AVENUE 3 �;� - �� � � �� � � ° �n �" � � � � �' �X�� , ? � � �` � .�?'� 9r'. � � �, � X�- �' ,.�a �`� � � � � � fr� � � ." ,,�' . i� � � � � � .";" �'. ��� ,�: � � � I X � � � -� .� � �. -� .-: ��� � � - ��� � ;� �� �i-, �' , � ¢ � �'� - �, � �V^ . ,� � � :�: � �''� • : � 48TH AV E N U E �. � � u � � � �;� � _ � � � �� � H � �� ��`��� ���� � ` � t/� s �; • � ` � Z � '� ,�. ,� � �' t Q �{ � � � -�_� � � N � �� � ,,�� ���� ��i� Xh � �' � � NO SCALE � � � � TRAFFIC STUDY FOR AERIAL OF MURPHY WAREHOUSE �` W� n�. ,�� FRIDLEY PROPERTY PROPERTY IN FRIDLEY, MN �� �� �:: � � ` � �:. ,, ��.`, ��� �.-.. .M ,,,�, �. � � � � � � � � �, � � � � Parsons� � �� ��� � / Q� �� `, ,� � �k Electric Lt� � ���. # � . � �. � � � � �: { � �.�.:����` <� �� � �, �� � �: � ..�,,.'.,Y '�: �::�� � �� �� � _ ���� , � � �� �- ��,: � � :ti �� �� � ?� �� -� � ._ t� � � - � �� � �; � �� � � � . v�Mf ;....:,;?ew� `i'�'.. ak�!A+�wr�+�;..�;;�+54.i�t;.,� . �'� ..r x� � '�F.. 5 9 0 0 . ��. � � ��:� i� �� ���� �;.. � � �� � � � � 59TH AVENt�E �..� �: Sheet 4 .� .: �: � ,�.�, . „ _ �� , . - r�z= � Meta I � � �� ; �_ ,� � Connectors ��� V4��� � � �� 00 � �,a: . � _ ,�� � � � . �� � � � �. ���. � �__ � �: � _���; �� � �. -� � � 3 �� . � � '�' ,..i,-t wY�. `47' � � � 3 -. 1� �. � y.� � � �N� _ � 2 � � � � � � � AMB Q _A� � � � � � � :� � Northpoint � � � Industrial � �: 58Th� AVENUE , _ � � � � �— �`� � '� � ` - W � � � � �m O `� W � ,� �� "`� � �C �� � ��. t j M :� :� .� � �� � , � N .., � � � � o � � � �� � � `� � � �a �� � N � � � �4� �=� ��� � � . � k ,� � � �� �, : � � 5 7TH P LAC E ' � � NO SCALE -. TRAFFIC STUDY FOR AERIAL OF PROPERTIES BETWEEN '�'�` �� ���. �� FRIDLEY PROPERTY 57TH AVENUE AND 61ST AVENUE IN FRIDLEY, MN Trip Generation for Murphy Warehouse (4700 and 4850 Main Street) A.M. Peak Hour (7:45-8:45 a.m.) Total Cateq0l'L/ , (455.888 SF) Trips' Rate 2 1)Passenger Vehicles and Pick-up 6 - Trucks 2)Small Commercial Vehicles (small 0 - trucks with logos or equipment indicating business use) 3)Large single unit trucks (UPS, mail trucks, 0 - dump trucks) 4 Semi-Trucks 16 - Trip Sum of 3) and 4) 16 - Trip Gen Rate for Sum of 3) and 4) 0.035 Trip Sum for all four 22 - Tri Gen Rate for sum of all four - 0.048 i uun� v� wia� cnic�n�y a��v c.�iu��y u�Na �v� uvin unvCways 2#rips per 1, 000 sq. ft. P.M. Peak Hour (4:00-5:00 p.m.) Total Cateqory (455.888 SF) TrjqS � Rate 2 i)Passenger Vehicles and Pick-up 3 - Trucks 2)Small Commercial Vehicles (small 1 - trucks with logos or equipment indicating business use) 3)Large single unit trucks (UPS, mail trucks, 0 - dump trucks) 4)Semi-Trucks 2 - Sum of 3) and 4) 2 - Trip Gen Rate for Sum of 3) and 4) 0.004 Total for al1 four 6 - Trip Gen Rate for sum of all four - 0.013 � _�. o..,.. �.� �v�c�� �inc�u�y a��v cnnmy wNa iv� uvur unvCwaya Z trips per 1,000 sq.ft. Wenck Associates, Inc. 11/5/2007 Trip Generation for AMB Northpoint (5730, 5750, and 5780 Main Street) A.M. Peak Hour (7:45-8:45 a.m.� Total Category (207.309 SF� Trips' Rate 2 1)Passenger Vehicles and Pick-up 47 - Trucks 2)Small Commercial Vehicles (small 0 - trucks with logos or equipment indicating business use) 3)Large single unit trucks (UPS, mail trucks, 0 - dump trucks) 4)Semi-Trucks 5 - Trip Sum of 3) and 4) 5 - Trip Gen Rate for Sum of 3) and 4) - 0.024 Trip Sum for al1 four 52 - Tri Gen Rate for sum of alI four - 0.251 ' sum ofentering and exiting trips at both driveways serving the three b/dgs 2 trips per 1, 000 sq. it. P.M. Peak Hour (4:15-5:15 p.m.� Total Categor� (207.309 SFl Trips ' Rate 2 1)Passenger Vehicles and Pick-up 66 - Trucks 2)Small Commercial Vehicles (small 1 - t�ucks with logos or equipment indicating business use) 3)Large single unit trucks (UPS, mail trucks, 5 - dump trucks) 4)Semi-Trucks 0 - Sum of 3) and 4) 5 - Trip Gen Rate for Sum of 3) and 4) - 0.024 Total for a/l four 72 - Trip Gen Rate for sum of all four - 0.347 ' sum of entering and exiting trips at both driveways serving the three b/dgs 2 trips per 1, 000 sq. ft Wenck Associates, Inc. 11/5/2007 Trip Generation for Sheet Metal Connectors and Parsons Electric (5850, 5900 and 5960 Main Street) A.M. Peak Hour (7:30-8:30 a.m.� Total Categor�r (2ss.810 SF) Trips , Rate 2 1)Passenger Vehicles and Pick-up 48 - Trucks 2)Small Commercial Vehicles (small 11 - trucks with logos or equipment indicating business use) 3)Large single unit trucks (UPS, mail trucks, 3 - dump trucks) 4)Semi-Trucks 1 - Trip Sum of 3) and 4) 4 - Trip Gen Rate for Sum of 3) and 4) - 0.017 Trip Sum for all four 63 - Tri Gen Rate for sum of a!I four - 0.269 � - - . _ . . . ... . ... . .. . . . �uu� vi cu�cnny auv c.��uny ua�nc �vr an �wi wrvew�rys 2 trips per 1,000 sq.ft P.M. Peak Hour (4:15-5:15 q.m.� Total CategorLr (233.810 SF) Tri s' Rate 2 1)Passenger Vehicles and Pick-up 46 - Trucks 2)Small Commercial Vehicles (small 5 - trucks with logos or equipment indicating business use) 3)Large single unit trucks (UPS, mail trucks, 2 - dump trucks) 4)Semi-Trucks 6 - Sum of 3) and 4) $ - Trip Gen Rate for Sum of 3) and 4) - 0.034 Tota/ for alI four 59 - Trip Gen Rate for sum of all four - 0.252 � sum of entering and exiting traflic for all four driveways 2 trips per 1, 000 sq. ft Wenck Associates, inc. 11/5/2007 TRUCK TRIP GENERATION PROJECTIONS FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO M-4 DEVELOPMENT Development A.M. Peak P.M. Peak Daily Approach Scenario Hour Truck Hour Truck Truck Trip and Size Trip Ends Trip Ends Ends a) Just using Institute of 1) Proposed warehouse 4 3 57 Transportation Engineers Data (150,650 SF GFA) 2) Manufacturing 5 5 88 (150,650 SF GFA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- b) October 8,2007 handout using 1) Proposed warehouse 4 3 57 average of Institute of Transportation (150,650 SF GFA) Engineers Data and American 2) Manufacturing 5 9 88 Excelsior data (150,650 SF GFA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- c) Using counts at properties on 1) Proposed warehouse 51 2� NA Main Street (150,650 SF GFA) 2) Manufacturing 3 2 5 2 NA (150,650 SF GFA) ' .._:__ _.._____ ._:- ------•�-- ---- �-- •� —�- , ..,.. ., .. . ....,..y ....,...y., �,.r., y...,.,,u.,..,, ,a« �.., ,.,�,p.,�y anv �rvw �vviurNvirn 2 using trip generation rate for Sheet Metal / Parsons Wenck Associates, Inc. 11/5/2007 TOTALTRIP GENERATION PROJECTIONS FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO M-4 DEVELOPMENT Development A.M. Peak P.M. Peak Daily Approach Scenario Hour Hour Trip and Size Trip Ends Tri Ends Ends a) October 8,2007 handout just 1) Proposed warehouse 68 71 747 using lnstitute of Transportation (150,650 SF GFA) Engineers Data 2) Manufacturing 110 111 575 (150,650 SF GFA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- b) Using average of Institute of 1) Proposed warehouse 68 71 747 Transportation Engineers and (150,650 SF GFA) American Excelsior data 2) Manufacturing 62 68 575 (150,650 SF GFA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- c) Using counts at properties on 1) Proposed warehouse 23 , 27 � NA Main Streeet (150,650 SF GFA) 2) Manufacturing 2 2 (150,650 SF GFA) 40 38 NA �..�:��. �..����.� a..l� �.���..�aL�.� ..�a� L�..1/..'.�L." �_J w�in w�_.1�__:_. . �,,,y u..,,�y., �,�F, y�,,.,,u..�,,.u.,. �.., ,..�.r,.,y u.,,.,�,.�...,.���„N..,,�� 2 using trip generation rate for Sheet Metal / Parsons Wenck Associates, Inc. 11/5/2007 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING TRAFFIC IMPACTS OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO M-4 DEVELOPMENT ON SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD The proposed development will have slightly less impact on the surrounding neighborhood than an M-4 development of the same size. The basis for this conclusion is that the proposed development likely will have lesser traffic implications relative to two criteria of particular importance regarding neighborhood impacts: • Slightly fewer truck trips during the p.m. peak hour and on a daily basis • Slightly lower total volumes during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours. From our experience, these two criteria are more important relative to neighborhood impacts than is the total daily trip generation, for which the proposed development likely will be slightly greater. Wenck Associates, Inc. 11/5/2007 EXHIBITS 1-5 IN SUPPORT OF REZONING REQUEST 20A #07-02 (November 5, 2007 Fridley City Council Meeting) �. � ____ � •; City of Fridley Lend �Tse Application , CENTRAL IIYFORMATION Applicant: :,r.�.�_, „�;,.•,•..,��c:..... . ,,:: Tom and Dave Gonyea 50 Groveland Tetrace, Ste 8 Minneapalis, MN 55403 Requested Acaon: �. . .. Rcmrting � Pucpose; .�..� � To allow constructiva of a 39,406 squaro foot indus�ial ofi�ce warehptyu, Fxiating Zoning Residential • M�� Maaufsct�,uiae OnIY Locabao: � • • I290 Osbortie R�oad � Size; 146,250 sq, ft. Lxititing Land Use: , Undevelopcd - .��V J ' Surmuading Land Use & Zoning, N: City of Sprir,g I.ake park E: Commetcial, Gl � Sir�gle F4mily, R-1 S; M-i, Lighr W: M-1, Light Induspri�l Comprehensive P1an Conformance: Consistrnt with Plaa Zoaing �Ordinance Confoia�ance; Secoion 205,ZO.O1.A11ows for manufacd.uing uses onty. Zoa�ng Histoiy; Ande�on Development lot platud in __ 1969� Reptatted in 1993 Legal Descriptzon of Propecty; Lot 2, Block 1, Ande�on Development Replat Council Acdon; - August 23� 1999 Public Ualities: _ Available in public rigbtqf-way Central July 29,1999 SPECL4L INFp12MqTION Ti�lfLSPOrtBQOtt: Devetopment is acccssed via Osbome Road Physical C'harecberisdcs; 'mis pmpeKy is undeveloped relatively level and located on the corncr of Osborne ��.=- p�� Road and Cenhal Aveaue. � SUNIl1�l�1RY OF pROJECT Tt�e pelitioners onder to build an indus�ia! . Warclwusel0ii�ce building, . . 7�t 1997, the City of Fridley rezoned the property fivm M-1, Light Industrial to M-4, Manufact�ui�ag only. T7�e intet�t of the reaoning was to pz+eserve indus�ialland fo� manufact�nrin& Prot� neigtaborhoods and roadways &om beavy avck ttaffic common ta � w��� developments, and to assure compahbility with surrvunding development. �e cument requesc would revert the land co it*, pnwious desi�adon, '[he cieveloper h�s indicated that the building design was c�u W providc �° , an o,ce ullding s�eet appearance, and s assure that the buildir�g will attiaact tenents whose impacts would coineide with the vision the City bad for the site as an M-4 development. STAFF RECONIl�IENDATION Staff rocommends approval of rezoning ZOA 99- 03, with sbpul8tions (attached exhibit A) PLANN"IlYG CONIlVIISSION RECONIl1�Npp,TION Concur with staff Staff Repoct Prepared by; 5cott J Hickok Main Street Fridlev Properties LLC Rezoning Application FRIDLEY WAREHOUSE AND MANUFACTURING BUILDINGS BUILT SINCE 1997 Warehouse* Manufacturin� EMV/SF Anderson Trucking / Gonyea Development 1290 Osborne Road Year Built: 2000 Sheet Metal Connectors (N. Bldg.) 5900 Main Street Year Built: 2002 CSM Corporation Building 452 Northco Drive Year Built: 2000 Industrial Equities / John Allen Building 5110 Main Street Year Built: Under construction in 2007 (Permit Valuation / Submitted 5/8/07) Streamfeeder 101 Osborne Road Year Built: 1997 Coachman Property 100 Osborne Road Year Built: 1998 $67.49/SF $64.99/SF $58.03/SF $48.89/SF $47.08/SF $37.38/SF " Warehouses listed are taken from previous sampling, which concentrated on properties originally designated M-4 and warehouses in the vicinity of the subject property. MEMO To: Barb Dacy Michele McPherson . I �� From: Edward Hervin City Assessor �, �J ' �� Date: Mar. 25, 1997 Re: M-4, Land values and zoning We recently had a discussion regarding the possibte impact on land values of adding a new zoning class. The new class would be known as M-4, which is to be a manufacturing use. The land to be re-zoned is currently zoned for warehouse and office/warehouse use. I would not expect to see a change in market value due to the new zoning. The values in areas zoned for these usage's does not seem to be different for warehouse or manufacturing. Generally, the more restrictive the zoning the less market there is for a property and this ma.y result in a decrease in market value. The smaller market does not necessarily equate to lower value. Marketing time does not necessarily relate to the property value. Sales price has a direct and strong relation to market time. While the M=4 zone is more restrictive than the current zoning because it eliminates some common usage's it still has a substantial market for the property. Ma.ny manufacturers may actually have trouble finding a site that permits their activity. All land is zoned for some particular use and this does not reduce its' market value. Zoning actually increases land values by putting like users together with maximum advantages to each type of user. The factors that go into site selection for a potential user are much the same whether the intended use is warehouse or manufacturing. They are concerned with adequate size, good access, close highways, adequate utilities, etc. We normally expect to see. the prices for industrial land to be about the same regardless of their particular use. I-iigher values would be expected for office and retail locations but they are normally not in consideration when looking for an industrial site of any type. Rail availability may be a consideration for some businesses. 18.38 Hickok, Scott From: Burns, Biil nt: Thursday, May 17, 2001 4:23 PM ,,; Hickok, Scott Cc: City Council; 'knaakQminn.net' Subject: RE: Industrial site at 61st and Main Street Thanks Scott. I'm assuming that you are keeping in touch with Fritz on this. -----Original Message----- From: Hlckok, Scott Sent: Thursday, May 17, 20014:15 PM To: Burns, BiII • Subject: Industrial site at 61st and Main Street BIII: Staff continues to receive correspondence from George Ludcke of the law firm of Kelly 8� Berens, P.A., regarding the development of the industrial site at 61 st and Main Street. As you may recall, a permit was requested for finro buildings in this location. The early plan showed a 109,000 and a 50,000 s.f. building, parking, and a pond. The plan did not include adequate storm capacity calculations and site drainage/flow information. The plan was also drawn in a manne� that would require that a parking setback variance be granted prior to issuance of a building permit. Since the original submittal the storm calculations have arrived, but the variance requirement still applies. Mr. Ludcke indicated that it is hi� expectation that his permit information, submitted Friday, May 11, should be reviewed by our staff and a permit issued by this Friday (May 18). Yesterday, MnDot (Mike Schoneway) indicated that he is aware of this proposal and has discussed it with the NCDA folks and has indicated that without a station site endorsement site by the Fridley City Council, their hands are tied and they cannot procede with negotiations for the site. He also indicated that he felt the City (if it chose to do so) could issue a moritorium on development of the site until a determination is made. The plans have now been reviewed by Planning, Building and Engineering departments. We are awaiting the Fire Department comments and anticipate that we will receive those comments within the next couple of days. With the issues that have been identifed being successfully addressed and if all modifications to the site plan are made so that the need for a variance is eliminated, a building permit for two industrial buildings will be issued. . Scott � �.4..,�. . ;,/!� i ./' � �%' .,: �����:�����:��� � DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DEVELOPINENT DIRECTOR Memorandum May 5, 2Q03 Fritz Knaak, City Attorney Scott J. Hickok, Cot�munity Development Director Jon !�laulcaas, P�biic �ll/orks Director Main Street Fridley Properties, LLC � INTRODUCTION To iollow up on the matter outlined in the Donald C. Wiileke letter, dated November 22, 2002, we have prepared thls response, The respo�se is broken basical(y into two broad category areas. These are Park Dedication Fees and The Special Assessment for Sewer and Water. PARK DEDICATlON FEES Mr, Willeke is correct in his assessment of how park dedication fees work and how they are to be assigned to p�operties, Upon researching the history of these parcels, our staff has determined that the properties in question wil! not be required to pay park dedlcation fees. This is due to the fact that the park dedication requirement came into existence after the creation of these parcels and no further platting has commenced. Of coorse, At such point as the property is further platted, fees wili be required fo� the entire square foot dimension of that plat. If the parcel is used in its current configuration, without further platting, no park dedication will be required. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR SEWER AND WATER The City has always had a policy of deferring the special assessments for the cost to instail the sanitary sewer and water mains unti! a building permit is taken out for the property. (n 1960 when the sewer and water was installed for the properties on Main St, the policy was to charge actual costs back to the properties. This was done on a basis of $x.�oc per foot width of the lot for the mains in the street and a set charge for each individuaf service. These amounts were set and increased annually for deferred assessments to reflect the inc�eased cost for these installations. The last increase was made in the early 80s because we had very few new Installations to compare cost to. The current rate for deferred sp�cial assessments is $27.61 per foot of frontage. We have assessed this cost to many other developments over the years including residential lot splits. For the lot on the comer of 61 st and Main with a lot frontage of 260.4 feet, the assessment should be $7189.64 Looking at the special assessment history for parcels along Main St shows that all pa�cels except the one on the southwest corner of 61st and Maln St paid a sewer and water main assessment in 1960. Based on those recorded costs, the assessment for this corner lot would have been approximately $2890. The Interest rate at the time was 5%. Using this interest rafe over the last 43 years would have made the deferred assessment grow to over $23,500. � ., � � , SUMMARY No park dedication fees will be required at this time. At such time that further platting of the p�operty commences, park dedication fees will then be required. As for sewer and water assessments, a current fee of $7189.64 would be required to be paid today with a building permit request for a building on the parcel at the southwest corner of 61'' and Main Street. !f a permit (s not requested and an updated rate is applied, the new rate would then be required to be paid at the time prior to buiiding permit issuance. At this time there are no pending bui(ding permits to be issued on these parcels. We hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you have additional questions. ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY, MINNESOTA BY MAKING A CHANGE IN ZONING DISTRICTS The Council of the City of Fridley does ordain as follows: SECTION 1. Appendix D of the Fridley City Code is amended hereinafter as indicated. SECTION 2. The tract or area within the County of Anoka and the City of Fridley and described as: 3 Vacant Parcels, qenerallv located on the southwest corner of 61St Avenue and Main Street NE All of Lot 6, Auditor's Subdivision No. 78, City of Fridley, Anoka County, Minnesota, excepting the South 200.0 feet of the East 363.0 feet thereof, as measured along the East and South lines of said Lot 6; and excepting the West 13 feet of the East 376 feet of the South 200 feet of Lot 6, Auditor's Subdivision No. 78, as measured along the East and South lines of Lot 6. ALSO, that portion of Lot 8, Auditor's Subdivision No. 78, City of Fridley, Anoka County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the West right-of-way line of Main Street, according to the recorded plat thereof, and the North line of said Block 8; thence Southerly along said West right-of-way line a distance of 30.0 feet to the True Point of Beginning of the parcel to be described; thence continuing Southerly along said West right-of-way line to the point of intersection with the South line of said Lot 8; thence Westerly along said South line of Lot 8 to the point of intersection with a line drawn parallel with and distant 75.0 feet Easterly of, as measured at right angles to, Burlington Northern Railroad Company's (formerly Great Northern Railway Company's) hereinafter described Main Track centerline; thence Northerly parallel with said Main Track centerline to the point of intersection with said North line of Lot 8; thence Easterly along said North line a distance of 143.85 feet; thence Southerly parallel with said East line of Lot 8 a distance of 30.0 feet; thence Easterly parallel with said North line of Lot 8 to the True Point of Beginning; ALSO, that portion described in Torrens Certificate No. 84003 as follows: All that part of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) of the Northeast quarter (NE1/4) of Section 22, Township 30, Range 24, lying Easterly of the Northern Pacific Railway Company's right-of-way, lying South of a line which is parallel with the North line of said Northeast quarter (NE1/4) of the Northeast quarter (NE1/4), and 290.4 feet South of said North line as measured along the East line of said Northeast quarter of Northeast quarter (NE1/4); and lying North of a line which is parallel with the South line of said Northeast quarter (NE1/4) of Northeast quarter (NE1/4) and 739.2 feet North of said South line as measured along said East line. Main Track Centerline Description Commencing at the Northeast corner of Section 22, T30N, R24W of the 4t" P.M., Anoka County, Minnesota; thence Westerly along the North line of said Section 22 a distance of 633.5 feet to the True Point of Beginning of the Main Track centerline to be described; thence Southerly, deflecting 86 35' to the left, to the point of intersection with the South line of the NE1/4 NE1/4 of said Section 22 and there terminating. Is hereby designated to be in the Zoned District M-2 (Heavy Industrial). SECTION 3. That the Zoning Administrator is directed to change the official zoning map to show said tract or area to be rezoned from Zoned District M-4 (Manufacturing Only) to M-2 (Heavy Industrial). PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS _DAYOF ,_. SCOTT J. LUND — MAYOR ATTEST: DEBRA A. SKOGEN — CITY CLERK Public Hearing: October 8, 2007 First Reading: Second Reading: Publication: RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION DENYING REZONING, ZOA #07-02, BY TIMOTHY NELSON, TO REZONE THREE SEPARATE PARCELS OF LAND FROM M-4, MANUFACTURING ONLY TO M-2, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL, GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF 61ST AVENUE AND MAIN STREET NE. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 19, 2007, and recommended denial of said rezoning; and WHEREAS, the City Council held open the public hearing on October 8, 2007 and; WEHERAS, the City Council continued the public hearing on November 5, 2007 and; WHEREAS, the City Council denied the rezoning at their November 5, 2007, meeting, based on the following Findings of Fact: Rezoning the property from an M-4, Manufacturing Only to M-2, Heavy Industrial will go against the reasons for creation of the M-4, Manufacturing Only zoning district: The purpose of creating the M-4, Manufacturing Only zoning were: 1. To reduce the impact of warehouse and distribution facilities on residential properties and residential streets from truck traffic by first controlling the location of these facilities in the City and by implementing site design controls. 2. To encourage uses which provide a significant amount of job opportunities which require more complex building systems. Buildings with a mixture of uses tend to have higher building valuation than warehouse construction. 3. To promote clean uses which do not produce fumes, odors, or require outside operations which may cause noise. 4. To eliminate uses which require significant amounts of outdoor storage. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that based on the reasons listed in the Findings of Fact, the City Council denies Rezoning Request, ZOA #07-02, by Timothy Nelson. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS 5t'' DAY OF NOVEMBER 2007. SCOTT LUND - MAYOR ATTEST: DEBRA A. SKOGEN - CITY CLERK AssertiOn L' May 1992 - After City Manager Confirms M-2 zoning and City support for development, Everest/MS purchases both a property of 14. 45 acres on Main Street Adjacent to I-694 ("Southern Parcel ") and the Subject Property, 11.52 acres Response: This is false. It is very unusual that the City Manager would be called upon to confirm a zoning designation and to endorse a development for which there was apparently no plan at the time. Community Development staff confirmed with City Manager that this endorsement did not happen. AssertiOn 2: Fall 1992 - City Assessor proposes to roughly treble tcrx valuation on one property. Everest substantially prevails on tcrx protest. Response: After petitioning value, the property owner proved through his sale to Home Depot that the value was much higher than they were being taxed. Treble the value was not only correct, but possibly was still too low. Nonetheless, the tax value was reduced through that petition from $1,113,400 to $786,900, for the years 91, 92, & 93. In 1994 the value increased to $945,000 and in subsequent years the value has been increased to reflect the increased value of the Home Depot and PetSmart on the site. Council undoubtedly will be interested to know that Everest purchased this property on May 18, 1992 for .72/square foot, or $459,900. Three years later, the Property was sold to Home Depot for $4.32/square foot, or $2,721,600. This value represents a difference of $2,261,700. While no one faults a business for making money, it is interesting at this same time, the value of the property was being debated and Mr. Nelson and his company was contesting the value and asking for serious reductions. Our appraisers would have been absolutely within their rights to treble the tax value on this property, according to the property owner's arms length sale to Home Depot in 1995. Interesting also is the fact that James P. Benson, SIOR, of Chase Real Estate Brokerage and Consulting, who represented Everest Group/Main Street Fridley Property, stated the following in his October 14, 1994 Letter to City Assessor Leon Madsen: "I also noted in your October S`h letter to Bruce [MalkersonJ that you are reluctant to change the current 1. 75 s.f. valuation for the site bordering on I-694 because part of the property is currently zoned commercial. Leon, I honestly cannot perceive of any commercial value for that property. I can remember when the zoning for the site was changed from industrial to commercial based on the possibility that a developer would build a hotel on the site. However, as I recall the primary purpose of the hotel was to serve employees of the BN railroad. Based on the struggle the retailers have had along 57`h Street between University Avenue and Main over the years, I simply cannot envision a commercial development for the site. I see the site as a pure industrial with no more value than the other north sites. Four and a half months later, Mr. Nelson signed an agreement to sell the site to Home Depot for a profit of over 2 million dollars. AssertiOn 3: June-July 1993 - Everest/MS sends open letter to City Council and staff critical of treatment as a developer. City Manager declares that, if letter shared with Council, Everest/MS will be denied development Support. RespOnse: Bill Burn's response: "I do not remember either of these [allegation #1 or allegation #3J. As a practice, however, I have never withheld any correspondence directed to Council from Council. Nor have I ever threatened anyone with denial of development support based on their criticism of staff. " AssertiOn 4: Late 1994 to Early 1995 - Home Depot purchases southern parcel contingent upon rezoning. Staff initially favors rezoning. Response: This is not true. Staff recommended denial of the Home Depot rezoning due to this being the largest single remaining industrial parcel, and for having poor access for commercial due to a then unimproved 57th Avenue. Staff stayed consistent in their denial of the Home Depot recommendation, but offered the Planning Commission and Council direction if they chose to approve the rezoning. Remember also ... James P. Benson, SIOR, of Chase Real Estate Brokerage and Consulting, who represented Everest Group/Main Street Fridley Property, stated the following in his October 14, 1994 Letter to City Assessor Leon Madsen: I honestly cannotperceive of any commercial value for thatproperty. I can remember when the zoning for the site was changed from industrial to commercial based on the possibility that a developer would build a hotel on the site. However, as I recall the primary purpose of the hotel was to serve employees of the BN railroad. Based on the struggle the retailers have had along 57t�` Street between UniversityAvenue and Main over the years, I simply cannot envision a commercial development for the site. I see the site as a pure industrial with no more value than the other north sites. " When Everest/MS resists City pressure to relinquish billboard rights, staff changes position; recommends denial, asserting need to retain open industrial — zoned land. Incorrectly states that this is the largest undeveloped, industrial-zoned property in Fridley Response: This is not true. Staff recommended denial of the Home Depot rezoning due to this being the largest single remaining industrial parcel, having poor access for commercial due to a then unimproved 57th Avenue. As for the billboards, staff discussed with the developer a quandary. The billboards were not on a separate parcel and the industrial district did not clearly provide for billboards as a principle or an accessory use on an industrial or commercial site. Simply put, this would be the first site to develop after the construction of billboards and exactly how the details would be worked out was yet to be seen. Staff discussed solutions including subdividing and creating a parcel for the billboards. That would have required 2'/z acres for the billboards, which was the minimum lot size for the district if it remained M-2, Heavy Industrial, or 35,000 s.f. if the site were to be rezoned commercial. From that discussion and rather than further discussing solutions with the City, Mr. Nelson entered into a perpetual easement agreement between Commercial Property Investments and Michael Investments (both the grantee and grantor in this easement were addressed at 2685 Long Lake Road, Roseville, MN) This agreement was enter into on November 28, 1994 and filed with Anoka County on January 9, 1995. There apparently would be no further discussion of billboard solutions, Mr. Nelson locked himself and the City into his easement solution like it or not. On March 1, 1995, Nelson entered into a purchase agreement with Home Depot. Home depot would be required to recognize the easement on their property. On August 29, 1995 the land transferred ownership to Home Depot. Council approves rezoning. Response: In spite of a less than cooperative solution on the billboard matter, the Council approved the rezoning request to change the M-2, Heavy Industrial Zoning to C- 3, Shopping Center zoning to allow the development of Home Depot Property owner requests identity of staff preparing report with false information. Request denied. Response: Peculiar evidence that somehow the developer continued to want to take on an individual staff inember in spite of a favorable rezoning request. AssertiOn 5: August 9, 1996 to September 19, 1996 - Everest/MS presents proposed warehouse%ffzce building to staff before filing for building permit. Staff demands that Everest /MS demonstrate proposed building not a truck terminal. Response: The building Mr. Nelson proposed had 50 dock (large overhead industrial) doors facing Main Street. The building also had numerous dock doors on the rear of the building, facing away from Main Street. In 1993, the City created the M-3, Heavy Industrial, Outdoor Intensive zoning district. The M-3 Zoning would allow truck intensive transshipment and other dock intensive uses to exist in Fridley. The M-3 district was purposely created away from residential neighbors and in a location that with screening, the impact of truck activity on-site could be mitigated. In that M-3 district, trucking industries found their place and they were welcomed. One such business was CCX Trucking. The building Mr. Nelson proposed looked very much like the CCX complex with its dock door filled fa�ade and trucking intensive site design. Staff review requires extreme caution to assure uses are not improperly placed on sites where they would not be permitted. Mr. Nelson initially made no effort to cooperate and allay the fears that this might be a truck terminal. His legal counsel later sent the definitions of trucking terminal and warehouse facilities, but did very little again to eliminate the City's fears that his clients building would be inappropriate for the district. AssertiOn 6: September 19, 1996- In oral communication with Scott Hickok, Everest/MS explains proposed building is in material respects equivalent to acknowledged `ivarehouses ". Staff won't acknowledge building is a warehouse. Response: Mr. Nelson still made no effort to provide enough information to allay the fears that this might be a truck terminal. The City's fears were obvious, if he was sincere and truly wanted to develop his site, he like other successful developers, would work with the City to build the comfort level necessary to gain city Support. AssertiOn 7: October 11, 1996 - Everest/MS send letter to staff detailing distinctions between terminal and warehouse. Response: His legal counsel later sent the definitions of trucking terminal and warehouse facilities, but did very little again to eliminate the City's fears that his clients building would be inappropriate for the district. AssertiOn 8: October 11, 1996 - to December 1996 — Staff and attorney demand identity of tenant and right to tour that tenant's current facility before the City will acknowledge that the proposed building is a conforming use. Staff and City Attorney are sources of repeated delay in communications regarding these demands. Response: Mr. Nelson still made no effort to provide enough information to allay the fears that this might be a truck terminal. The City's fears were obvious, if he was sincere and truly wanted to develop his site, he like other successful developers would work with the City to build the comfort level necessary to gain city Support. AssertiOn 9: .Ianuary 2, 1997 — Without prior notice, 120-Day moratorium is announced. Response: The City had 500,000 s.f. of warehouse built within the 18 month prior to the moratorium. With very little industrially zoned land left, the City entered into a moratorium to evaluate what steps would be necessary to protect the remaining industrial property and to assure that not all industrial land would be consumed by warehouse uses, which have heavy trucking demands, offer lower salary employment to fewer employees typically. AssertiOn 10: June 1997 — Council creates M-4 zone, but limits to S properties (3 of 8 dropped at request of owners). Response: False, properties like McGlynn's parcel adjacent to their manufacturing/baking facility asked to be left M-2, to allow for their own future manufacturing/baking or even warehousing needs to facilitate their existing manufacturing operation. This was done because it made perfect since to allow an existing industrial user to expand, which was their purpose for buying the land. AssertiOn 11: November 1997 -1 of remaining M-4 properties rezoned, 4 remain. Response: An owner of one of the M-4 Manufacturing sites that had been rezoned approached the City with a request to develop a building that he had been contemplating at the time of the rezoning. His building would be: multi-tenant, would not have doors facing the surrounding neighborhoods, would be designed in a tech-flex manufacturing manner to allow industrial users flexibility within the shell for expansion, The clear heights would indicate the desire to have manufacturing, not warehouse users, and the developer had indicated that he was interested in approaching smaller medical industries in the area. Vendors who do manufacturing work with Medtronic and other medical instrument providers in the region to see if they would be interested in this location. Due to the building design and the owner/developer's desire to attract smaller manufacturing uses in a multi-tenant layout, his allowing staff to visit his buildings already constructed that were of like design and purpose, and his allaying fears of pure warehouse uses, his rezoning request was approved. Ironically, Mr. Nelson and his legal counsel chose to use this building as an example of a "warehouse" with a high value. The building is listed in the assessor's information as a flex industrial building, not a warehouse, therefore its value is much higher and it supports what the petitioner (Gonyea) had said in this rezoning request. He built a flex building to accommodate manufacturing, not a warehouse. AssertiOn 12: September 1999 — Another M-4 property rezoned; 3 remain in theory (however City's current zoning map reveals only 2). Response: This is not entirely true. The September 1999 rezoning is related to a land swap between Brenk Brothers, and Industrial Manufacturing entity and Friendly Chevrolet. Brenk Brothers owned a parcel that was more conducive to a Car lot expansion and Friendly Chevrolet owned a parcel that was more conducive to a manufacturing expansion to the Brenk Brother's industry. They traded properties, and the part that became Friendly Chevrolet also was rezoned CommerciaL Meanwhile the piece that was Friendly Chevrolet became Brenk's and facilitated a doubling in size of their manufacturing facility. The Brenk expansion is exactly what the City would have hoped for in preserving its remaining industrial land for manufacturing purposes. Map was found to be incorrect upon research of petitioner's allegation. Map corrections have been ordered to correctly reflect M-4 parcels in Fridley. The 1998 map correctly illustrated the parcels with an M-4 designation. Later iterations of the map were erroneously modified, based on a staff comment made by a staff inember not familiar with the M-4 rezoning in 1997. AssertiOn 13: May 10, 2001 - Main Street Properties applies for building permit for 2 buildings. Response: Yes, and by May 21, 2001, City staff had expended thousands of dollars in staff time through plan review and consultation and Mr. Nelson's plans and permit were at the front counter ready to be picked up. Though Mr. Nelson's application was reviewed and his building approved, he never picked up his plans and never, therefore paid for the staff time already invested in his plan review and permit servicing. AssertiOn 14: Between May 10 —16, 2001— Staff says it needs drainage calculation before permit can be gr�anted. Response: Yes, this is not a requirement that was unique to this application. Every proj ect is required to do the same. Staff says development review committee will consider application on May 1 S, 2001, and staff will immediately advise Everest/MS whether application complete. Response: Staff likely did review his item at their May 15, 2001 DRC meeting. His statement the staff would "immediately" advise Everest is likely exaggerated. It often takes a day or so to follow-up with staff who are seeing a proposal for the first time at DRC and may need time to do research on the proposal in their particular area of endeavor. Staff does not advise Everest/MS of results of committee 's review on the 1 S`h or 16`h Response: Like so many developments, this one likely had components that various staff inembers would need to research further. It is not unusual to take more than a day from the time of DRC review to know whether everything is complete or more would be needed. As a result we never promise that "immediately" after the meeting we will let you know if the application is complete. Also, not every plan that comes in for building permit needs to go to the Development Review Committee. I do not recall this item requiring DRC review. AssertiOn 15: May 16, 2001—Main Street's Counsel writes letter reciting backgr�ound; requests explanation of delay and explanation as to issues which indicate Main Street is a subject of discrimination. Response: Peculiar as it sounds, the legal counsel for Main Street may have sent a letter. Typically, an attorney would not be involved in a simple permit application that is moving along as smoothly as this was. And typically if a letter is sent it would be sent to our legal counsel. Other legal counsel typically understand the protocol of not dealing with staff if the matter is contentious and the staff has its own legal counsel with which they can confer. I have followed up with our legal counsel for information on this particular allegation; I personally do not recall such letter being sent to staff. Main Street submits drainage calculation staff requested. Response: yes AssertiOn 16: May 17, 2001— While unknown to Everest? MS at the time, Staff was communicating with MnDOT regardingMnDOT's potential acquisition of site to support a Northstar Rail Station; however, City action was required before MnDOT could proceed. Scott Hickok issues a letter to Main Street stating Everest/MS permit applications are incomplete for 7 reasons. Response: This is not true as it relates to "staffl' and the MnDOT allegation. Unless, Mr. Nelson is referring to some other staff than Fridley's staff, this statement is false. While MnDOT may have been dealing with Mr. Nelson separate from the City, the City of Fridley had made no official commitment to this or any site, instead the City of Fridley awaited the results of an Environmental Impact Statement and committed to considering other possible solutions that may be revealed through the EIS process. That EIS was not complete until March of 2002. AssertiOn 17: May 18, 2001 - Main Street addresses all issues raised in Hickok letter. RespOnse: Staff does not possess enough information about this to confirm or deny. AssertiOn 18: May 21—May 29, 2001— Staff asserts thatMain Street has not adequately addressed a variance requirement. Main Street responds. After a series of communications, staff decides variance is not required. Response: Likely true. Typically overhead doors are not permitted to face the public right of way unless mitigating features exist. AssertiOn 19: May 30, 2001— City takes the position thatMain Street mustpay over $11, 000 in Park Dedication fees and over $20, 000 of "Special assessments " In order to obtain permit. Response: Park dedication is typically required on platted property and is due at the time of the issuance of a building permit. Research revealed that this plat was approved prior to the requirement of park dedication fees. Once this information was known to staff, Mr. Nelson was notified. As for the $20, 000 of special assessments, Mr. Nelson has long contended that he should not have to pay his proportionate share of the costs for the infrastructure adjacent to and serving his site. That is false. He like any other developer is required to pay these fees in accordance with City ordinance. These fees too would be due and payable at the time of the issuance of the building permit. AssertiOn 20: May 2001 + Main Street tenant prospects each lose interest after communicating with City Staff. Main Street asks again for responses to questions bearing discriminatory treatment. Requests ignored. RespOnse: Staff does not possess enough information about this to confirm or deny. AssertiOn 21: Summer 2001 to Late 2002 — Main Street makes Data Practices Act request and investigates City's Claimed justification for parkfees and "assessments" as to one of three parcels, notwithstanding that City records reveal no applicable and unpaid assessments. RespOnse: Staff does not possess enough information about this to confirm or deny. Nov. 2002 — May 2003 Counsel for Main Street and City Attorney regarding fees/ "assessments ". Again City Attorney repeatedly late in responding to communications. Response: Staff does not possess enough information about this to confirm or deny. May S, 2003 — City finally acknowledges that park dedication fees cannot apply where, as here, there is no replatting, but continues to insist on "assessments " as to one of three parcels, not withstanding that the City records reveal no applicable unpaid assessments. Response: This information was provided back at the time that the building permit was ready to be picked up at the building counter. Park dedication is typically required on platted property and is due at the time of the issuance of a building permit. Research revealed that this plat was approved prior to the requirement of park dedication fees. Once this information was known to staff, Mr. Nelson was notified. As for the $20, 000 of special assessments, Mr. Nelson has long contended that he should not have to pay his proportionate share of the costs for the infrastructure adj acent to and serving his site. That is false. He like any other developer is required to pay these fees in accordance with City ordinance. These fees too would be due and payable at the time of the issuance of the building permit. Mary Smith [assessor] said, "There are three properties in that area that are owned by Mr. Nelson, and miscellaneous fees on the three properties total $20,500.43, so it sounds like these must be the correct properties based on the allegation. All fees owed on these three properties are for water and sewer laterals. As you can see the water and sewer mains were paid on these properties back in the sixties, but they have never paid for the laterals, which any property getting hooked into our water and sewer systems should pay for at the time a building permit is taken out. I believe Sharon probably did the research on this back in 2001 and then put them into our special assessment system. I have not found any notes on this other than what I have wrote in on the searches, that being the number of feet and the price per foot for the laterals ". AssertiOn 22: June 2003 - Anoka County Highway Official informs Main Street that subject property would be acquired for Northstar Rail Station. RespOnse: City Staff does not possess enough information about this to confirm or deny. AssertiOn 23: July 2, 2007 —MnDOT informs Main Street that the property "is no longer needed for Northstar Rail. " RespOnse: City Staff does not possess enough information about this to confirm or deny. AssertiOn 24: August 16, 2007- Main Street applies for a rezoning to M-2. Response: True AssertiOn 25: September 13, 2007 — Staff recommends denial ofMain Street's application. Also recommends that if rezoning is gr�anted, the Council require: That the 3 parcels be combined (appears to be an effort to resurrect withdrawn demand for park dedication fee); and Response: True staff recommends denial. False, that the combination of 3 parcels is being required as a way to resurrect the park dedication fee issue. This is a stipulation that is required oftentimes when several parcels are being used to construct a single proj ect. This does not require platting, simply a combination for tax purposes, which can be done by completing a simple form given by the assessor and then filing at Anoka County. To require Main Street to pay all water and sewer connection fees prior to issuance of building permit (appears to be an effort to resurrect "special assessment" demands). Response: Mr. Nelson has long contended that he should not have to pay his proportionate share of the costs for the infrastructure adj acent to and serving his site. That is false. He like any other developer is required to pay these fees in accordance with City ordinance. These fees too would be due and payable at the time of the issuance of the building permit. AssertiOn 26: September 19, 2007 — Planning Commission votes 4 to 1 to deny application Response: True Traffc Analysis Allegations Assertion a) 61st Avenue N.E. and Main Street N.E. near the subject site both have been designated by the City as Collector routes. Response: True Assertion b) Intersection of 61st Avenue N.E. and University Avenue presently operates with satisfactory level of service, but analyses presented in the Northstar Commuter Rail Draft EIS indicate the intersection will operate at level of service F(very high levels of delay) in both the a.m. and p.m. peak hours by 2020. Response: True, though this application is not about northstar, it is fair to use the data from their traffic analysts for purposes of discussing University Avenue Traffic at 61st. Assertion c) The Northstar Draft EIS suggests that a third lane in each direction should be added to University Avenue to resolve the level of service F problem. In its Comprehensive Plan, the City opposes such widening of University Avenue. Response: True Assertion d) regarding total trip generation, the proposed warehouse development would generate slightly more trips than M-4 manufacturing on a daily basis, but slightly fewer trips during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours. Response: True based on stated findings in ITE Trip Generation Manual7th Edition. Note in the report that there is a difference in 172 number of daily trip ends by a warehouse use, rather than a Manufacturing use. Assertion e) regarding truck trip generation, the proposed warehouse development would generate fewer truck trips than M-4 manufacturing, especially on a daily basis. Response: Questionable. On the first table of the Wenck report we see that warehouse generates 172 more daily trip ends than with an M-4 Manufacturing use. The second table however, uses foot notes regarding a 1997 Survey done of the American Excelsior Traffic (data not included) and somehow uses that 1997 trip information to prove that the proposed use on this site will have less daily trips than a manufacturing use. Interestingly, American Excelsior was built in 1996 and was just being occupied in 1997; a study of this buildings trips is still puzzling. Beside that fact, there is no indication of what assumptions were made or methodology was used by the traffic analyst to determine that there is a parallel between American Excelsior at that time and the proposed project for 61st and Main Street. This is truly a departure from Jim Benshoof's normal good work It proves nothing to help support the contention that the M-4 use on this site will be more traffic intensive than if it were to be rezoned for warehouse. Infact, the corollary is true. Beyond the impacts at University Avenue and 61st intersection, this study shows no credible data to combat staff's assertion that a warehouse use will have more daily trip ends and more impact to the surrounding neighborhood than an M-4, Manufacturing use. Assertion f) If constructed, the Fridley station for the Northstar Commuter Rail service likely would generate considerably more trips on 61st Avenue N.E. during two peak hours and on a daily basis than either the proposed development or development per M-4 manufacturing. Response: We are talking about M-4; Manufacturing only verses M-2 for warehouse purposes. Allegation f is superfluous. Assertion g) If constructed, the Fridley station for the Northstar Commuter Rail service would generate more total truck and bus trips on 61st Avenue N.E. during the two peak hours and on a daily basis than truck trips generated either by the proposed development or development per M-4 manufacturing. Response: We are talking about M-4; Manufacturing only verses M-2 for warehouse purposes. Allegation g is superfluous. Assertion h.) The proposed warehouse development offers the following two traffic benefits for the City: • Lowest trip generation for trucks and buses, which will lessen impacts for residents along 61st Avenue. Response: False. True only if you consider the table in the traffic report that refers to America Excelsior, a report that is unavailable and as a result not credible. • Lowest total trip generation during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours, which will lessen impacts on level of service at 61st Avenue N.E. and University Avenue. This is highly important given the predicted level of service F conditions at the intersection by 2020. Response: Compared against the additional trips warehousing generates during the day overall, though this intersection is a consideration, the trade-off beyond a.m. and p.m. peak hours is not worth a trade to warehousing. An additional 172 daily trip ends overall make warehouse uses an inappropriate use for this site. Value Comparisons Assertion: Warehouse buildings in Fridley have higher building values per square foot than manufacturing buildings. Response: Ironically, Mr. Nelson and his legal counsel chose to use this building as an example of a"warehouse" with a high value. The building is listed in the assessor's information as a flex industrial building, not a warehouse, therefore its value is much higher and it supports what the petitioner (Gonyea) had said in this rezoning request. He built a flex building to accommodate manufacturing, not a warehouse. Beyond that fact, the petitioner and his legal counsel chose to use buildings built between 1941 and 1994 primarily to prove their point about building value for manufacturing, While, they chose a newer selection of warehouse buildings dating from 1994 to 2000. Even with their flawed methodology of comparison, you can see that old manufacturing buildings have a similar value per square foot to newer warehouse buildings. It helps to prove our point that generally manufacturing buildings have a higher value than warehouse buildings. Compare the value of Parsons Electric built in 1961 (from their examples) $45.86/ s.f. to AMB Warehouse built in 1984, which has a value of $38.04/s.f. The City's position remains that manufacturing results in a higher valued building overall. � � �ffY �F FRIDLEY Date To From AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOV. 5, 2007 October 30, 2007 Wlliam Burns, City Manager Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Julie Jones, Planning Manager Subject: Resolution Revoking Special Use Permit SP #06-11 for Central Auto Parts, Generally Located at 1201-73 %2 Avenue NE, Approving Operation a Junkyard in an M-1 Zoning District Background At a public hearing held on June 25 of this year, the City Council tabled a resolution regarding revocation of SP #06-11 to November 5, 2007, for the purpose of evaluating the Central Auto Parts owner's progress on the stipulations attached to this special use permit. Although the business owner has not met the deadlines of all of the stipulations, staff believes the financial investment the business owner has made to date poses a strong incentive to complete the project as soon as possible in the spring in order to keep his special use permit for a junkyard in an M-1 district. Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council remove the resolution regarding SUP #06-11 from the table, discuss the matter as needed, and then table the resolution again until June 9, 2008. This is the date that staff recommends for continuance of the public hearing for the same issue. Usually, Council does not take action the same night as a public hearing, but staff believes that Council will want to act on this item the same night due to the lengthy discussions that have occurred over the past four years on the case. RESOLUTION NO. -2007 A RESOLUTION REVOKING SPECIAL USE PERMIT #06-11 FOR CENTRAL AUTO PARTS TO OPERATE A JUNKYARD IN AN M-1 ZONING DISTRICT, GENERALLY LOCATED AT 1201 73'/2 AVENUE NE WHEREAS, Chapter 462 of Minnesota Statutes authorizes the City of Fridley to create zoning ordinances that regulate the use of land in order to protect the public's health, safety, morals, and general welfare; and WHEREAS, City Zoning Code Section 205.05.5.G requires the City Council to revoke a special use permit, following a public hearing, when there is failure to comply with any and all conditions and stipulation of the issued permit; and WHEREAS, the Fridley City Council held a public hearing on June 25, 2007, regarding the special use permit SP #06-11, allowing a junkyard in an M-1 zoning district at Central Auto Parts, generally located at 1201 73'/ Avenue NE; and WHEREAS, an October 9, 2006 approval of SP #06-11 included seven stipulations, which were required to be met over a two-year time frame in order to maintain the special use permit; and WHEREAS, City staff conducted an inspection of the site on June 1, 2007 and June 13, 2007 to determine compliance with the stipulations of SP #06-11; and WHEREAS, City staff found that the June 1, 2007 deadline for the completion of the first phase of the grading and drainage plan had not been met; and WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Fridley tabled the June 25, 2007 public hearing to November 5, 2007, offering Central Auto Parts an extension on meeting their seven stipulations, which included certain benchmarks by certain dates; and WHEREAS, City staff conducted another inspection of the site on October 29, 2007 and found that only one of the six benchmark stipulations, which should have been completed to date, is complete; and WHEREAS, Inactivity on the City's part, in light of this violation could arguably constitute a waiver of the SUP stipulations; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Fridley, after listening to all the facts presented at the public hearing, makes the following FINDINGS OF FACT: That the City of Fridley and its staff have acted within the Fridley Zoning Code; and 2. That the City of Fridley staff accurately represented the condition of the property when they inspected it, finding several items of noncompliance of the stipulations of the special use perm it; and 3. That the City of Fridley staff communicated the points of noncompliance verbally to the business owner in writing prior to the public hearing; and 4. The business owner and property owner were notified by mail of the June 25, 2007 public hearing; and 5. That a public hearing was held on June 25, 2007, tabled, and continued on November 5, 2007, allowing the City Council to take testimony on this property; and 6. That as of October 29, 2007, the property continues to be in violation of the special use permit action taken by the City Council on October 9, 2006. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Council, having heard and reviewed the evidence before it, expressly finds that the foregoing recitation is true and correct and incorporates it as part of its Findings of Fact. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, based on these findings, the City Council of the City of Fridley hereby revokes the special use permit SP #06-11 to operate a junkyard in an M-1 district at Central Auto Parts, generally located at 1201 73'/ Avenue NE. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS DAY OF , 2007. Scott J. Lund, Mayor ATTEST: Debra A. Skogen, City Clerk � � CffY OF FRIaLEI' Date To AGENDA ITEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 November 1, 2007 Wlliam Burns, City Manager From: Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Julie Jones, Planning Manager Stacy Stromberg, Planner Subject: Special Use Permit Request, SP #07-09, Sikh Society of Minnesota M-07-33 INTRODUCTION The petitioner, the Sikh Society of Minnesota, is seeking a special use permit to allow the construction of a worship facility at 5350 Monroe Street, which is currently a vacant parcel. ANALYSIS The subject property is 96,525 square feet (2.22 acres). The petitioner is proposing to construct an 8,640 square foot building. The building will be a split entry type building with a lower and upper level. The floor plan consists of a foyer area; with the sanctuary located in the upper level and the lower level will have a kitchen, dining area, a library and a living area for the pastor. Churches or worship facilities are a permitted special use in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, provided they meet the necessary requirements, related to building and site requirements and parking, subject to the stipulations suggested by staff. The code requires the use of the CR-1, General Office code standards for churches in an R-1, Single Family district. When using those code standards or the standards in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, all of these requirements are being met with the proposal for the new building. VARIANCE ANALYSIS The petitioner had also originally applied for a variance to reduce the amount of required right- of-way access for a buildable lot from 25 ft. to 19 ft. At the time of variance submittal it was believed by the petitioner that they only had 19 ft. of right-of-way along Monroe Street, and the code requires 25 ft. During staffs research of the variance request, the City's Surveyor and Planning staff determined that there is an additional 15 ft. of right-of-way just east of where Monroe Street sits, next to the daycare facility. Once that was discovered, staff contacted the petitioner to have their surveyor's verify the existence of this right-of-way. The petitioner's surveyors have since verified that there is 15 ft. of additional right-of-way, which gives that petitioner a total of 34 ft. of right-of-way access, therefore, meeting the 25 ft. requirement. While this discovery eliminates the petitioner's need for a variance, staff would still urge the petitioner to pursue an access easement from Petco/Target to access the site. This would involve seeking access to the subject property from an adjacent private service road east of the property. The site would then be accessed from a 25 ft. wide easement running perpendicular to the service road. This is a safer, more visible entry and is one staff recommends and feels would work best for the site. It is not only the safer option it also is the preferred option as it doesn't impact any wetlands on the site. The petitioner has hired Westwood Professional Services to delineate the wetlands on the site and they determined that two wetlands do exist, covering a total area of approximately 8,517 square feet (0.20 acres). A map of the delineated wetlands has been attached. Wetland A borders the property on the south and west sides and Wetland B is located on the east side of the property. If the petitioner is unable to get the access easement from Petco/Target, they would be forced to access the site from Monroe Street, which would impact the wetlands on the site. While the City can't deny a platted lot access, this option would require the petitioner to replace any wetland impacted by restoring or creating substitute wetland areas having equal or greater public value. The replacement would either have to be on the petitioner's site or a site the City deemed appropriate. At which point, the petitioner determines that access to this site can only be gained through disruption to the wetland; the petitioner shall apply for a wetland replacement plan application. This will require Planning Commission and City Council approval. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At the October 17, 2007, Planning Commission meeting, a public hearing was held for SP #07- 09. The Planning Commission accepted a petition that was submitted in opposition of the petitioner's request into the record as well as 3 letters in opposition. They also put into the record a letter the Sikh Society sent to the neighborhood. After a brief discussion, the Planning Commission recommended approval of SP #07-09, with the stipulations as presented and an additional stipulation requiring the petitioner to install a fence between the subject property and the residential properties to the west. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATION City Staff recommends concurrence with the Planning Commission. STIPULATIONS 1. Petitioner to obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. Petitioner to meet all building, fire, and ADA code requirements. 3. Proposed building to be sprinkled per MN Rules Chapter 1306. 4. Grading and drainage plan to be approved by City's engineering staff prior to the issuance of any building permits, in order to minimize impacts to the surrounding properties. 5. Petitioner to submit storm pond maintenance agreement prior to issuance of a building permit. 6. Petitioner shall meet any requirements identified by Six Cities Watershed District. 7. Landscape plan to be reviewed and approved by City Staff prior to issuance of building permit. 8. A protective railing to be installed on top of the proposed retaining wall around the storm pond. 9. The petitioner shall agree to preserve mature trees to the extent possible. All trees required to be removed for the construction of the new building shall be marked and approved by City staff prior to issuance of building permits, 10. All lighting on the property shall be shielded and downcast and shall not exceed three foot candles at the property line. 11. Access agreement from Petco/Target to be submitted to City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 12. The petitioner shall be responsible for the installation of sewer and water service connections from property line to existing City utilities. Plan to be approved by City's engineering department. 13. If petitioner is unable to obtain an access agreement from Petco/Target, the petitioner shall apply for and have approved a Wetland replacement plan from the City before a building permit shall be issued. 14. Petitioner shall install a fence between the subject property and the residential properties to the west. City of Fridley Land Use Application SP #07-09 October 17, 2007 GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Sikh Society of Minnesota 5831 University Avenue NE Fridley MN 55432 Requested Action: Special Use Permit to allow the construction of a worship facility in an R- 1 Single Family Zoning District. Existing Zoning: R-1 (Single Family Residential) Location: 5350 Monroe Street Size: 96,860 sq. ft. 2.22 acres Existing Land Use: Vacant Lot Surrounding Land Use & Zoning: N: Target and Public land & C-3 and P E: Target & C-3 S: Kindercare Childcare Center & R-1 W: Single Family Homes & R-1 Comprehensive Plan Conformance: Consistent with Plan Zoning Ordinance Conformance: Sec. 205.07.1.C.(1) requires a special use permit for churches. Zoning History: Auditor's Subdivision #155 platted in 1953. Vacant lot, which hasn't been developed. Legal Description of Property: Part of Lot 11, Auditor's Subdivision #155. Public Utilities: Property will need to be connected. Transportation: Monroe Street could provide access to the property or through an access agreement with Target and Petco. Physical Characteristics: Wetlands. trees. and veaetation. SU M MARY OF PROJECT SPECIAL INFORMATION The petitioner, the Sikh Society of Minnesota, is seeking a special use permit to allow the construction of a worship facility at 5350 Monroe Street, which is currently a vacant parcel. SU M MARY OF ANALYSIS City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, with stipulations. Churches (Religious facilities) are a permitted special use in the R-1, Single Family zoning district. CITY COUNCIL ACTION/ 60 DAY DATE City Council — November 5, 2007 (Subject Property) Staff Report Prepared by: Stacy Stromberg SP #07-09 REQUEST The petitioner, the Sikh Society of Minnesota, is seeking a special use permit to allow the construction of a worship facility at 5350 Monroe Street, which is currently a vacant parcel. SITE DESCRIPTION The subject property is located off of 53�d Avenue and Monroe Street and is heavily wooded and undeveloped. The property is zoned R-1, Single Family as are the properties to the west and south. Super Target occupies the property to the north and east. The property has remained undeveloped, with wetlands bordering the west and south sides of the property. The property currently has 19 ft. of access from Monroe Street which is 6 ft. short of the code required 25 ft. width needed for right-of-way access. Therefore, the petitioner has applied for a variance to reduce this code requirement. The petitioner is also pursuing access to the adjacent private service road just east of the property, which would allow the property to be accessed from a 25 ft. wide easement running perpendicular to the service road. This is a safer, more visible entry and is one staff recommended and feels would work best for this site. The petitioner has been working with Target and Petco to obtain an access agreement. To staff's knowledge one hasn't been received yet, however, staff will stipulate that one be obtained before issuance of a building permit. ANALYSIS The Sikh Society of Minnesota purchased the property at 5831 University Avenue in Fridley in the early 1990's and have continued to operate their worship facility from this address. Over the years they have considered constructing an addition to this building but have instead decided to build a new worship facility at 5350 Monroe Street. The subject property is 96,525 square feet (2.22 acres). The petitioner is proposing to construct an 8,640 square foot building. The building will be a split entry type building with a lower and upper level. The floor plan consists of a foyer area; with the sanctuary located in the upper level and the lower level will have a kitchen, dining area, a library and a living area for the pastor. The purpose of a special use permit is to provide the City with a reasonable degree of discretion in determining the suitability of certain designated uses upon the general welfare, public health and safety of the area in which it is located. The special use permit gives the City the ability to place stipulations on the proposed use to eliminate negative impacts to surrounding properties. The City also has the right to deny the special use permit request if impacts to surrounding properties cannot be eliminated through stipulations. n Churches or worship facilities are a permitted special use in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, provided they meet the necessary requirements, related to building and site requirements and parking, subject to the stipulations suggested by staff. The code requires the use of the CR-1, General Office code standards for churches in an R-1, Single Family district. When using those code standards or the standards in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, all of these requirements are being met with the proposal for the new building. All setback and lot coverage requirements are being met with the proposed building design. Fridley City code requires that the minimum amount of parking stalls for this site is 107 stalls. The petitioner is proposing to install 108 parking stalls, therefore meeting City code requirements. Fridley City Code also requires any proposed lighting on the site to be shielded and downcast and to not extend over the property line. The proposed building is being designed in a manner that matches the scale of the residential character and structures of the daycare facility located south of the subject property and the residential homes located west of the subject property. The petitioner has articulated to staff that they plan to save as many of the large trees that exist on the site as possible. Staff will stipulate that all trees to be marked and approved by staff prior to removal. While City staff typically recommends the use of a landscaped hedge or screening device between single family residential properties and an entity, such as the proposed worship facility, staff feels that due to the change in elevation between the subject property and the residential properties to the west, an 8 ft. screening fence or a landscape hedge wouldn't be warranted. The grade change is such that an 8 ft. fence or hedge wouldn't screen the new building or parking area from the neighborhood above, therefore; staff would recommend a significant amount of landscaping materials to include a mixture of new tree plantings and shrubbery along with any existing trees that may be saved to create a better screening application along the western border of the property. WETLAND AND RUN OFF ANALYSIS Fridley City Code does have a wetland overlay district that states that significant wetlands will be maintained in their natural condition or improved to provide more benefits for water quality management. It also states that the City will preserve and enhance wetlands within the community through implementation of development regulations that will ensure the design and construction of adequate on-site storm water measures. In 1993, the City hired Westwood Engineering to perform a Wetland Delineation and Evaluation Study for the entire City. At that time wetlands were identified on the site. Historically, the subject property has been a marshy, wet parcel, however over the years fill has been added to the site, which has caused the character of the soil to change. It is not clear when the fill was placed on the site; however it appears that it was sometime ago, due to the vegetation that has since grown. In order to act upon this special use permit request, staff required the petitioner to have the existing wetlands on the site be delineated and the boundaries identified. The petitioner hired Westwood Professional Services to delineate the wetlands and they determined that two wetlands do exist on the site, covering a total area of approximately 8,517 square feet (0.20 acres). A map of the delineated wetlands has been attached. Wetland A borders the property on the south and west sides and Wetland B is located on the east side of the property. City Code does not restrict how close a building or parking lot can be located to a wetland and the DNR doesn't consider these particular wetlands to be a"protected wetland." Therefore, the DNR doesn't have restrictions on how close you can build to a non-protected wetland. As a 2 result, staff is requiring that all building and parking areas remain out of wetlands. City staff is also requiring that any pond for storm water run-off be designed to be separate from the wetlands so as to not detrimentally impact the integrity of the wetland. Fridley City Code requires that no land shall be altered in a way that would result in water run- off that would cause flooding, erosion or deposits of minerals on adjacent properties. The petitioner will need to ensure that storm ponds proposed to be located on the site will collect the run-off created by the development of this site. The petitioner has hired Westwood Engineering to design the subsequent storm pond for the subject property and they are proposing to locate on the south side on the property, next to the wetland, however, separate from the wetland. Fridley Engineering staff has reviewed the preliminary storm pond location and drainage plans and has been working with the petitioner's engineers. The design on the proposed storm pond and the overall drainage on the site meets code requirements. City engineering staff will further review the project to ensure that the engineering calculations of the proposed development protects the integrity of the state's run-off requirement and to ensure neighboring property owners aren't affected by this addition. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS On July 27, 2007, City staff �•� received a petition from the neighborhood west of the subject property with 58 signatures (37 households) in � `r��`4 ?�� ��� opposition of the proposed Sikh � Society development. No reasons were identified, it just states that they are opposed to t� �, the development. Staff also = � � ' ��- =� �� received a letter from the �� � property owner at 589 53 %2 � Avenue in opposition of the ��3 request. His letter is attached for r�; ; =� f t���� -� your review. He expresses in � his letter that the residential �} � neighborhood is already being _ � encroached on all sides by 'a'�� �]�5�'� roadways and commercial uses, which makes is hard for people to want to remain in this neighborhood. He also states that noise will become a bigger issue for the neighborhood with the removal of the trees on the subject property. The neighborhood west of the subject property was platted in four separate plats between the years 1947-1959. The neighborhood has been zoned residential since the first zoning map dated in 1958. Interstate 694 which was previously Hwy 100 has always bordered the neighborhood to the north, and the Target property and the Medtronic World Headquarters property located north of Interstate 694 has also been zoned commercial since the 1958 zoning map. It is true that this neighborhood is bordered by a roadway to the north and commercial property to the east; however it has been that way since the late 1940's. While the subject property is zoned R-1, Single Family, it also allows uses, such as schools, churches, hospitals, medical clinics, and others uses with a special use permit. A special use permit gives the City Council the authority to place stipulations on the permit to help mitigate any negative impacts that might be placed on neighboring properties. � RECOMMENDATION City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, as worship facilities are an approved special use in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, with stipulations. STIPULATIONS Staff recommends that if the special use permi� is granted, the following stipulations be attached. 1. Petitioner fo obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. Petitioner to meet all building, fire, and ADA code requirements. 3. Proposed building to be sprinkled per MN Ru/es Chapter 1306. 4. Grading and drainage plan to be approved by City's engineering staff prior to the issuance of any building permits, in order to minimize impacts to the surrounding properties. � 5. Petitioner to submit storm pond maintenance agreement prior to issuance of a building r permit. • 6. Petitioner shall meet any requirements identified by Six Cities Watershed District. 7. Landscape plan to 6e reviewed and approved by City Staff prior to issuance of building permit. 8. A profective railing to be installed on top of the proposed retaining wall around the storm pond. 9. The petitioner shall agree to preserve mafure trees to the extenf possible. All trees required to be removed for the construction of the new building shall be marked and approved by City staff prior to issuance of building permits. 10. All lighting on the property shall be shielded and downcast and shall not exceed 3 foot candles af the property line. 11. Access agreement from Petco/Target to be submitted to City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. 12. The petitioner shall be responsible for the installation of sewer and water service connections from property line to exist�ng City utilities. Plan fo be approved by Cify's engineering department. 79 4 �,�C�� ��'�;�;� � � �� � � � PETITION OF OPPO S ITION The undersigned oppose the Sikh Society of Minnesota proposal to construct a Church on the property located at 5350 Monroe street NE (Lot 11, Block l, Auditor's Subdivision No. 155) and request that the City of Fridley Community Development Department, Planning Commission and City Council deny the Sikh Society of Minnesota request for a Special Use Permit (SP #07-04). :1 � PETITION OF OPPOSITION. The undersigned oppose the Sikh Society of Minnesota. proposal to construct a Church on the property located at 5350 Monroe street NE (Lot 1 l, Block 1, Auditor's Subdivision No. 155} and request that the City of Fridley Community Development Department, Pla.nning Commission and City Council deny the Sikh Society of Minnesota. request for a Special Use Permit (SP #07-04). : . ,„ � i � ��"� ��;��t; j(; � f � Deaz Mrs. Jones I am writing you this letter to let you icnow my opposition to the plan for the new construction behind the new Target store in Fridley just south of 694 and west of Central Ave. My reasoning is quite simple, for years this neighborhood has strived and strived to remain just that, a neighborhood. We have been encroached on three of out four sides by Med Tronics (both north and south}, Target, Pet Co and 694. There is not much room left to give and still maintain a neighborhood where people would want to move and raise a family. The noise from 694 and Central area was noticeably louder after the rebuild of the Tazget stote and with the proposed removal of the trees I can only imagine it getting worse. While I understand it would raise new tax dallars I do not think it is in the best interest of our community. I am sorry I am una.ble to personally attend the hearings on the evening of July 18�' but my work hours will not a11ow it. Please make sure this letter is read at the meeting in my absence. Thank you. Daniel Craig 589 53 '/2 AVE. NE. Fridley MN. 55421 � �,ce�'� r � � � � � �1 � Mrs. Stromberg - I am writing in opposition of the proposed variance (VAR# 07-OS) on the site just west of . the Target store. There aze a few reasons that I would explain to you for this opposition. Since the change in elevation with the new Target store and surrounding areas the noise level has increased dramatically in our neighbor�iood lowering our standards of livability. This neighborhood has been squeezed in on 3 of its 4 sides making it a less attractive area to raise a family. By clearing the area and allowing the variance just west of Target the noise issue is sure to go from bad to worse thus lowering properly values and the tax base. Speaking of taxes, a not for prafit will not be contributing to Fridley's coffers as the Iand, as it sits currently does. Destroying a wet land and animal habitat is not in the best interest of our city, if you go back (well before my time) that entire area was all wet land, now there is but a sma11 strip that is home to deer, turkey and all other type of creature. Please use great discretion in renderirig a decision, take the advice of those who reside in the neighborhood, and most importantly strive to keep the features and quality of living . in Fridley in high standing. � Daniel Craig ►� �;�'� Gi �!,��, b"t,t��i � N �✓ ., X : : : ���':;B �-°2�'�, �Ztix Z0 ' c 1 1dl�l � � � (�`�j�"'�L 1 ; Dear �VIs. Strcymberg, ; We are vrtiting in o��position of the Varia�rc�., �`AR #Q7�05 to altaw a woxsktip facility to be built �tn thta site v��est of the Super Targ.r,t. Our hanyc is nn prte o�the lots; on the border of thelpr��pose:d site_ Since the const�nicti4n of the ne�v Super T��rg�t the nai�e 1eve1 in aur neigl�borh��ood h�;s incre�.sed significantl;,�, �Vlre fear that this wi1l only go irom bad ta worse;wiih an.other building being squeezf:d info that 3rea_ Our pcoperty value and that of our n�igl�bors is surE: to drop with the des��uctic�n of t��e wetland and anim�l�habitt�t that sit� practicaIl,r in ou�� backyards. T.his a�e��� is h�me ta many tree�s and anim.als tt�at give our n�i�ti�orli.aod a:u�e "Up North" sc�rt c:�f f�eling in the middl� of a busy'; �ity. , Furth� ��re, having a non-profit �rganizariun ��urcha�e this site and build r�ould not contripuie: ta ]?ridley's� tax basP whatsoeve..-. ; '' ! P l e a s ' u.�E; g reat discretioza wk�ez� rende�in g �. deGision. �'lease ta�:e into cans'sderation the opir�i n5 caf a;yroup uf peaple who are tryiai�; to keep the quality af Iiving i�h �ur neigh ort.00d �t � high standaxd. � � ' �1hC8 1�', Sara d'JVill Stacy 5�6 S� 'f ; Av� NE ' �� I ; � ; � I;� � � � � , Z0�'Z0 ' d � , : ,; , ;i , �� i� ;� ,, � YZ:60, L00Z—Sti-1�0 The Neighbors of 5530 Monroe St. N.E. Fridley, Minnesota RE: REQUEST FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT Ladies and Gentlemen, We, the members of the Sikh 5ociety of Minnesota, are cognizant of the fact that some members of the neighborhood community are concerned about the effects of the new development in the area. To allay their concerns, we would like to introduce ourselves tl�rough this letter as a means to alleviate some of their apprehensions. ~ The Sikh Society of Minnesota. has been a member of the Fridley community for the past sixteen years. During those years, we have never had any problems, nor have we received any complaints from our neighbors. The members of the society, in general, are highly educated individuals; most of them being acclaimed doctors, engineers, lawyers, and professors. These individuals are extremely respectful of other people's feelings and their concerns. You are more than welcome to verify the above fact by either ta:lking to. our current rieighbors, the Fridley Police Department, or by attending one of our regular services which are held every Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Our present address is 5831 University Ave N.E., Fridley. The reason for our move from is solely because we have outgrown our present facility. As we mentioned, our services are held every Sunday morning and are held indoors in a quiet atmosphere, with soft music and meals are served after that. Everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs are welcome. There are no ritualistic events making loud noises, calls, etc., which could disturb the neighbors. Since the services are held during the day, the car headlights will not inconvenience the neighbors either. The development plan as submitted, shows that we are going to leave, selectively, a tree line alc�ng the west and south side of our property to maintain privacy. If needed,::_, we will al'so plant additional trees or bushes to enhance the privacy. This way, our neighbors will have, so to speak, the best of both worlds; quiet, clean land while giving them peace of mind that no high density development such as an apartment building, will be put in the lot area. As for the traffic, everyone will be coming from Central Ave. to Monroe St entrance, therefore allowing the neighborhood minimal disturbance from the other direction. - I hope this letter addresses some of your concerns. For any additional questions or comments, please see us on October 17, 2007. We will be glad to answer any further questions you might have. Sometimes, we are all apprehensive about the unknown, but the best way to feel comfortable is to get to know us. We are looking forward to meeting you a1 and getting to know you better. We are sure, once you come to know us, you will feel more comfortable about the adjustment. We look forward to being your new neighbors! egards, %' �� Daljit S' Vice President :. � s a 2 3 � W 133a1S 3021NOW W � Q U ,Zi�'S6l gi� , a6� i �'� � ���i! � b � � I � , $� � � � I �� � c e � � � i �� � < . .. i � w F i � w. a 0 _ � � a � J �. Q F Z w _ �_ N w � �i � �' � • i� � I° I I�---- I' fo o I i / o—�--- � �� Data SaucNs): Aaiels Ezprtu (2006� Weslwood (20071. . 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