PLM 08/19/2015
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
August 19, 2015
Chairperson Kondrick
called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
David Kondrick, Brad Sielaff, Leroy Oquist, David Ostwald, and
Mike Heintz
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Todd Olin and Dean Saba
OTHERS PRESENT:
Stacy Stromberg, Planner
Amna Kiran, Kitty’s Corner
Brian Graskow, Wallboard, Inc
Approval of Minutes:
July 15, 2015
MOTION
by Commissioner Oquist to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by
Commissioner Ostwald.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of a Preliminary Plat, PS # 15-02, by Arnold Gilbertson, to replat the
property at 137 Talmadge Way to increase the size of the lot at 181 Talmadge Way
generally located at 137 Talmadge Way.
MOTION
by Commissioner Sielaff to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Heintz.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC
HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:02 P.M.
Stacy Stromberg
, Planner, stated the petitioner, Arnold Gilbertson, who owns both 137 and 181
Talmadge Way, is seeking to replat both of the properties to increase the size of the rear yard for
181 Talmadge Way.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the subject properties are zoned R-1, Single Family as are all surrounding
properties. They are located west of East River Road, on Talmadge Way. The existing home at
137 Talmadge Way was constructed in 1953 and in 1975 an attached garage and an addition to
the home were built. The existing home at 181 Talmadge Way was constructed in 1959; an
addition to the home was constructed in 1983. The existing garage was built in 1970. In 2004,
the property received a variance to reduce the rear yard setback from 26.8 feet to 25 feet, to
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August 19, 2015
Page 2 of 11
convert an existing deck into a 3-season porch off the back of the home.
Ms. Stromberg
stated Fridley requires that lots in the R-1 district be a minimum of 75 feet in
width with a minimum total lot area of 9,000 square feet.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the lot at 137 Talmadge Way is 27,007 square feet in size and the lot at
181 Talmadge Way is currently 11,761 square feet in size.
Ms. Stromberg
stated after the replat, proposed Lot #1, which is 181 Talmadge Way will be
23,790 square feet in size and the lot width will remain at approximately 109 feet with the radius.
Proposed Lot #2, which is 137 Talmadge Way, will be 15,240 square feet in size and the lot
width will remain the same at 100 feet.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the reason for the replat is to increase the size of the rear yard for 181
Talmadge Way.
Ms. Stromberg
stated it should be noted that the rear yard setback for the lot at 137 Talmadge
Way is 40 feet, and the location of the existing home in relation to the new property line will
comply with that code requirement.
Ms. Stromberg
stated City Staff recommends approval of this preliminary plat request as the
lots exceed minimum size requirements.
Ms. Stromberg
stated City staff has heard from a few neighboring property owners who were
interested in what the replat entailed. Nobody had any problems with the request once she
described further what the property owner was trying to accomplish.
Ms. Stromberg
stated staff recommends approval of the preliminary plat request as the lot does
exceed the minimum size requirements. There are no stipulations on this plat.
Chairperson Kondrick
stated the petitioner is not here this evening.
Ms. Stromberg
replied, yes, correct.
Chairperson Kondrick
asked Ms. Stromberg, the petitioner has indicated to her he has no
problems with any of the possible stipulations that might occur?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, correct.
MOTION
by Commissioner Oquist to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Sielaff
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC
Planning Commission Meeting
August 19, 2015
Page 3 of 11
HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:06 P.M.
Commissioner Sielaff
stated he has no problem with it.
Chairperson Kondrick
stated, nor does he.
Commissioner Oquist
stated, it is pretty straightforward.
MOTION
by Commissioner Oquist approving Preliminary Plat, PS # 15-02, by Arnold
Gilbertson, to replat the property at 137 Talmadge Way to increase the size of the lot at 181
Talmadge Way generally located at 137 Talmadge Way. Seconded by Commissioner Heintz.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #15-07, by Kitty's Corner, to allow
an electronic changeable gas pricing and message sign on the existing free-
standing sign, generally located at 7298 Highway 65
.
MOTION
by Commissioner Sielaff to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Heintz
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC
HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:07 P.M.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the petitioner, Amna Kiran, of Kitty’s Corner, is requesting a special use
permit to allow an electronic gas pricing sign and an electronic reader board to replace the
manual existing gas pricing and reader board on the existing pylon sign at the gas station which
is located at 7298 Highway 65 NE.
Ms. Stromberg
stated an 80 square foot free-standing sign already exists on the subject
property. The petitioner recently re-faced the top panel of the sign to display “Kitty’s Corner”,
the new name of the gas station. At this time, she is asking to replace the existing manual gas
pricing sign and manual reader board sign, with new electronic LED signs. The new sign is will
remain at 80 square feet.
rd
Ms. Stromberg
stated the subject property is located on the southwest corner of 73 Avenue and
Highway 65. It is zoned C-2, General Business. In 1971, the property was rezoned from M-2,
Heavy Industrial to C-2, General Business. A special use permit was also issued in 1971 to
allow a gas station. As a result of the rezoning and special use permit approval, the existing gas
station building was constructed, as was the free-standing sign. The property has remained a gas
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August 19, 2015
Page 4 of 11
station since.
Ms. Stromberg
stated in the fall of 2014, the gas station closed and in November of 2014, the
City received a request for a special use permit to allow used vehicle sales from a potential lessee
of the property. That request was approved by the City Council on January 5, 2015, with several
stipulations. That use never came to be and in May of 2015, the property owner leased the
property to the petitioner and she reopened the property as a gas station use. The petitioner is
working to convert all signage on the property to be consistent in color and style. She has until
November 1, 2015, to have all the signage converted to the new color scheme.
Ms. Stromberg
stated electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in any zoning
district, except residential, provided the message does not change more often than once every 45
seconds. The sign also needs to be in conformance with the sign requirements for the zoning
district, in which the property is located. The subject property is zoned, C-2 General Business,
which requires that free standing signage cannot exceed 80 square feet in size. The existing sign
meets that size requirement as will the new sign. The total sign area of the sign with the retrofit
from manual gas pricing and reader board to electronic changeable signs is 80 square feet, with
the LED piece of the sign being 38 square feet.
Ms. Stromberg
stated City staff recommends approval of the special use permit as electronic
changeable signs are an approved special use in the commercial zoning district, provided the sign
complies with Code requirements, subject to stipulations.
Ms. Stromberg
stated City Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the
following stipulations be attached:
1. The petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to
installing any signage on site.
2. Message on L.E.D. sign shall 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. All new signage on canopies and the building shall be completed by November 1,
2015.
Commissioner Oquist
asked what happens to the other special use permit for the auto sales,
should it be revoked?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, that is a good thought. The City should actually look at revoking that.
When the Council reviews this item, they have to approve a resolution and, within that
resolution, they could revoke the previous special use permit.
Commissioner Sielaff
asked what part of the sign is the LED?
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August 19, 2015
Page 5 of 11
Ms. Stromberg
replied, the top is just a panel which exists today. It is just the bottom portion
that is manual now that will be LED.
Commissioner Sielaff
asked whether the 80 square feet is just that portion below that sign?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, no, it is both combined.
Commissioner Sielaff
asked, and it is 38 square feet for the electronic portion?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, yes.
Commissioner Oquist
asked, regarding Stipulation No. 4, the signage on the canopies and the
building, that signage shall be in compliance with the City's sign code, correct?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, right. That stipulation is already on the sign permit that was issued for
the property back when the business opened, but staff just wanted to reiterate that.
Chairperson Kondrick
asked the petitioner if she understood the stipulations and if she was
okay with them?
Amna Kiran
, Kitty’s Corner, replied, yes.
Chairperson Kondrick
stated the third stipulation which says the message on the L.E.D. sign
shall never flash or have motion that distracts vehicular traffic. Her sign people will know to
regulate that for her but does she understand that?
Ms. Kiran
replied, yes, she does.
Commissioner Sielaff
asked what constitutes a distraction?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, currently the City Code only allows an electronic message to change
once every 45 seconds and prohibits flashing, scrolling, or any movement.
Commissioner Ostwald
stated stationary text is the only thing that can be displayed on it.
Ms. Stromberg
stated, yes, essentially. Nothing can flash or have motion.
Chairperson Kondrick
asked Ms. Kiran if she had any questions?
Ms. Kiran
asked whether there was anything in the City Code as to the color of the sign?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, the City has no restriction on color.
Ms. Kiran
asked at the time as the sign is changing every 45 seconds, can it change that color as
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August 19, 2015
Page 6 of 11
well as the message?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, yes.
MOTION
by Commissioner Oquist to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Ostwald.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC
HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:16 P.M.
Chairperson Kondrick
stated this is nothing new.
Commissioner Oquist
stated it is straightforward.
MOTION
by Commissioner Oquist approving Special Use Permit, SP #15-07, by Kitty's
Corner, to allow an electronic changeable gas pricing and message sign on the existing free-
standing sign, generally located at 7298 Highway 65 with the following stipulations:
1. The petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to
installing any signage on site.
2. Message on L.E.D. sign shall not change more often than authorized under
Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code.
3. Message on L.E.D. sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract
vehicular traffic in the area.
4. All new signage on canopies and the building shall be completed by November 1,
2015.
Seconded by Commissioner Heintz.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #15-08, by Wallboard, Inc. to allow
(2) outdoor storage areas in the rear yard of the property, generally located at
5346 Industrial Boulevard.
MOTION
by Commissioner Heintz to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Sielaff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC
Planning Commission Meeting
August 19, 2015
Page 7 of 11
HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:18 P.M.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the petitioner, Brian Graskow, of Wallboard, Inc., is seeking a special use
permit to allow limited outdoor storage of steel framing members, such as studs, tracks, and
channels that are used in the construction of building walls, within the fenced-in rear yard of the
property located at 5346 Industrial Boulevard NE.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the property is zoned M-2, Heavy Industrial as are all surrounding
properties. It is located on the corner of Industrial Boulevard and Ashton Avenue. Wallboard,
Inc., purchased the property in 1994 and constructed the existing building in 1996. Additional
outdoor storage buildings were constructed in 2001 and 2010. Wallboard, Inc. is in sales and the
distribution of building materials.
Ms. Stromberg
stated in 2003, the subject property received a special use permit to have
outdoor storage, however that special use permit required that the outdoor storage area be limited
to (2) designated areas, which is consistent with how staff has approved special use permits in
the past. That special use permit was never able to be complied with because the way that
Wallboard stores their materials requires several “areas” of outdoor storage throughout the yard.
Ms. Stromberg
stated since the 2003 special use permit approval staff has been working with
the business to try to find a way for the business to continue to operate that will also allow them
to comply with the City’s outdoor storage requirements. The 2003 special use permit was
revoked in 2010, as the petitioner and staff were getting close to resolving the outdoor storage
violation and it was understood that a new special use permit would need to be applied for if
outdoor storage was to continue on site.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the resolution developed by staff and the petitioner is that if the majority
of the material areas can be covered with a three-sided roofed structure, those areas won’t be
considered outdoor storage. Only the areas that aren’t covered will need to comply with the
outdoor storage requirements.
Ms. Stromberg
stated staff met again with the petitioner in early 2015, and a plan has been
developed and in fact many of the outdoor storage areas have already be covered with the three-
sided structures, so the petitioner was ready to submit this special use permit application for
review.
Ms. Stromberg
stated City Code allows limited outdoor storage in the industrial districts that is
up to 50% of the building footprint with a special use permit. The existing buildings square
footage is 30,763 square feet, so City code would allow up to 15,381 square feet of outdoor
storage on this site.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the petitioner is proposing to designate (2) outdoor storage areas within
the rear yard of the property. The first area will be located along the north and east boundary
line and will be 20-feet deep and 330-feet long along the northern property line and 20-feet deep
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August 19, 2015
Page 8 of 11
and 170-feet long along the eastern property line for a total of 10,000 square feet in size. The
second area will be located in the middle of the yard and will be 56 feet by 95 feet is size (5,320
square feet) in size; therefore both areas combined will comply with code requirements. All
other materials are stored within a 3-sided structure. A picture of the structure has been attached
for your information.
Ms. Stromberg
stated of note, the petitioner states that their yard is set-up the way it is because
the length of the steel framing members can range from several feet up to 40 feet, with the most
common length being 8-16 feet. The material length dictates the size of the clearance area
needed for a forklift to store the materials in the designed areas and then to load the materials on
a truck for delivery to a job site.
Ms. Stromberg
stated before the special use permit can be issued, several additional
requirements need to be met. Those specific requirements relate to height, screening, parking,
and the types of materials allowed to be stored outside.
Ms. Stromberg
stated based on the breakdown of uses within the building, 23 parking stalls are
required. The site currently has 32 parking stalls which will not change as a result of the outdoor
storage areas. Therefore, the site complies with code requirements.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the property is surrounded by industrial users and is fenced in. There are
slats within the automatic gates used to get into the site, therefore providing the necessary
screening from the Industrial Drive public right-of-way. The new 3-sided structures will also
provide screening of the proposed outdoor storage areas.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the petitioner is meeting all of the other code requirements to allow a
special use permit for limited outdoor storage.
Ms. Stromberg
stated City staff has not heard from any neighboring property owners.
Ms. Stromberg
stated City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit, with
stipulations.
Limited outdoor storage is a permitted special use in the M-2, Heavy Industrial zoning district,
provided specific code requirements are met, subject to stipulations.
Ms. Stromberg
stated staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following
stipulations be attached:
1. Outdoor storage area shall be limited to the two areas as shown on Exhibit B of the
resolution approving this special use permit request.
2. The existing automatic screening gate to the yard shall be closed except when used for
entering and exiting to allow proper screening.
3. Additional screening either through fence slats or landscaping may need to be installed to
allow proper screening from the public right-of-way (East River Road frontage road).
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August 19, 2015
Page 9 of 11
Chairperson Kondrick
asked regarding Stipulation No. 3, could she be more specific about
that?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, actually she and Mr. Hickok did drive by on 694 and you can see the
storage yard. Obviously then you can see it from East River Road frontage road as well so
screening slats would probably be the best way to screen the outdoor storage from that vantage
point. Keeping in mind the City does allow storage to go up to 12 feet in height, but fences can
only be 8 feet high. If the storage is over 8 feet, you will see some storage; but putting slats in
the fence will eliminate seeing some of it.
Chairperson Kondrick
asked the petitioner whether he or his company had any problems with
the stipulations as presented?
Brian Graskow
, Wallboard, Inc., replied, no. He and Ms. Stromberg traded a couple of
messages today regarding the final stipulation and it is very doable.
Chairperson Kondrick
said as opposed to planting shrubs, etc.
Mr. Graskow
stated there is not really room on their site. It is concrete immediately on their
side of the fence.
Chairperson Kondrick
stated slats would be cheap and a way to get things done. He has no
problem with that.
Mr. Graskow
replied, none at all.
Commissioner Oquist
asked what are they going to storing in that area, particularly the blue
area?
Mr. Graskow
steel studs primarily.
Commissioner Oquist
asked any reason they could not build a three-sided storage building for
that just like the rest?
Mr. Graskow
replied, it would be extremely expensive. That would be about 500 lineal feet. It
would pose some difficulty because of the clearance in the area. Also because of the location of
the existing curb and with these storage racks you need something like 50-inches clear and there
is some pretty uneven slopage of the lot in that area engineered for drainage. That is why you
will see different orientations of the piles right now which is really meant to accommodate the
slope of the surface.
Chairperson Kondrick
asked Mr. Graskow, when materials are delivered, are they done so on a
flatbed?
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August 19, 2015
Page 10 of 11
Mr. Graskow
replied, generally the steel is brought in on a flatbed semi truck. They get other
products by rail, the wallboard, etc. It comes in by truck, and typically the trucks are in and out
by 5 a.m. but they do come in during the day occasionally.
Chairperson Kondrick
stated staff and the petitioner have come to grips with the requirements
and what they can and cannot do. He drove by there and he has no problem with that. The slats
would have been a problem with him, but they are on top of that. He has no problem with this.
MOTION
by Commissioner Sielaff to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Heintz.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC
HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:29 P.M.
MOTION
by Commissioner Sielaff approving Special Use Permit, SP #15-08, by Wallboard,
Inc. to allow (2) outdoor storage areas in the rear yard of the property, generally located at 5346
Industrial Boulevard with the following stipulations:
1. Outdoor storage area shall be limited to the two areas as shown on Exhibit B of
the resolution approving this special use permit request.
2. The existing automatic screening gate to the yard shall be closed except when
used for entering and exiting to allow proper screening.
3. Additional screening either through fence slats or landscaping may need to be
installed to allow proper screening from the public right-of-way (East River Road
frontage road).
Seconded by Commissioner Ostwald.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Receive the Minutes of the June 1, 2015, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting.
MOTION
by Commissioner Heintz to receive the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Receive the Minutes of the June 4, 2015, Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Commission Meeting.
MOTION
by Commissioner Oquist to receive the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Ostwald.
Planning Commission Meeting
August 19, 2015
Page 11 of 11
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS
:
Ms. Stromberg
stated the preliminary plat from MN Hotel Partners for the Fridley Market
property, or the Cub Foods property, was approved by the Council.
Ms. Stromberg
stated the bollards for the ornamental fence on the Cielo Property have started
being constructed along University Avenue.
Commissioner Oquist
stated they approved the used car sales just north of Bob's Produce.
What is going on with that?
Ms. Stromberg
replied, she has talked to the petitioner. It seems it is not on their horizon for
this year. They had still hoped to open it but it maybe a 2016 project. They just were not ready
yet to start construction.
Ms. Stromberg stated the next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 16,
2015.
ADJOURN
:
MOTION
by Commissioner Oquist to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Ostwald.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 7:37 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise M. Johnson
Recording Secretary