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PLM 09/18/2019 FRIDLEY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 7:00 P.M. FRIDLEY CIVIC CAMPUS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7071 UNIVERSITY AVENUE N.E. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Kondrick called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: David Kondrick, Mike Heintz, Mark Hansen, Brad Sielaff, Rachel Schwankl, Leroy Oquist, and Terry McClellan OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, Planner Brandon Brodhag, Civil Engineer Jeff Einstein, Machtron Inc. Bill Kowalik, Statewide Towing Inc. Joe Siedlecki, 425 67 th Avenue NE APPROVE MINUTES July 17, 2019 Motion by Commissioner Sielaff to approve the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Heintz. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #19-02, by Machtron Inc., to allow limited outdoor storage of a storage container in the rear yard of the property, generally located at 1290 Osborne Road. MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:01 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, Planner, stated the petitioner, Jeff Einstein, with Machtron Incorporated, who leases space for his business at 1290 Osborne Road is requesting a special use permit to allow limited outdoor storage of a storage container in the rear of the property. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ Ћ ƚŅ ЊЏ Ms. Stromberg stated the existing office/warehouse building was constructed in 2000. Several interior modifications for new tenants have been made over the years, but otherwise, the exterior of the property has remained the same. Ms. Stromberg stated City Code allows limited outdoor storage in the industrial districts with a special use permit that is up to 50 percent of the buildings footprint. The existing building is approximately 39,000 square feet, so City code would allow up to 19,500 square feet of outdoor storage on this property. Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner is seeking a special use permit to allow a storage container of 160 square feet in size. Ms. Stromberg presented a slide showing a site plan of the property. The current storage container is on the southwest side of the property. The petitioner is looking to move it to more of the middle in the rear yard on hard surface. Staff considers the storage container itself a screening device; therefore, additional screening is not needed from the public right-of-way. Ms. Stromberg stated it the petitioner primarily stores aluminum bars and parts on pallets within the container plus other miscellaneous equipment needed for his business. Ms. Stromberg stated the property has more parking stalls than required by City code, so the relocation of the storage container to take one stall is not a concern. All other Code requirements for limited outdoor storage are being met. Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit. Limited outdoor storage is a permitted special use in the M-1, Light 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.The outdoor storage area shall be limited to the square footage of the container as requested by this special use permit. 2.The types of materials stored inside of the container shall be reviewed by the Fire Marshal. 3.The exterior of the storage container shall be maintained in an attractive condition, free of rust and graffiti. 4.Landscaping where container currently sits will be restored to its original condition with vegetative cover. 5.Per Section 205 of the Fridley City Code, this Special Use Permit will become null and void one year after the City Council approval date if work has not commenced or if the Petitioner has not petitioned the City Council for an extension. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ Ќ ƚŅ ЊЏ Commissioner McClellan stated he assumes the landlord has agreed and is in the lease somewhere? Ms. Stromberg replied as part of the application process, the property owner needs to sign off on the special use permit application; and he has done that. Jeff Einstein, Machtron Inc., stated he lives in Fridley. Moved to Fridley about two years ago and has a house he is refurbishing. He has had a business in Fridley for about 17 years now and in this location for about 9 years. They make heat sinks which are big aluminum parts for cooling electronics. Chairperson Kondrick asked Mr. Einstein if he had any problems with the stipulations? Mr. Einstein replied, no. Commissioner Oquist asked the petitioner why is he moving it? Mr. Einstein replied, because it is not on a hard surface right now and the City requires that it be. MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:07 P.M. Chairperson Kondrick stated this seems pretty straightforward and simple to him. The petitioner has been around for awhile, knows his property, and knows what he is doing. Chairperson Kondrick has no problem with this. MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff approving Special Use Permit, SP #19-02, by Machtron Inc., to allow limited outdoor storage of a storage container in the rear yard of the property, generally located at 1290 Osborne Road with the following stipulations: 1.The outdoor storage area shall be limited to the square footage of the container as requested by this special use permit. 2.The types of materials stored inside of the container shall be reviewed by the Fire Marshal. 3.The exterior of the storage container shall be maintained in an attractive condition, free of rust and graffiti. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ Ѝ ƚŅ ЊЏ 4.Landscaping where container currently sits will be restored to its original condition with vegetative cover. 5.Per Section 205 of the Fridley City Code, this Special Use Permit will become null and void one year after the City Council approval date if work has not commenced or if the Petitioner has not petitioned the City Council for an extension. Seconded by Commissioner Schwankl. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING: 2. Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP 19-03, by Statewide Towing Inc., to allow a towing business on the property, generally located at 7645 Baker Street. MOTION by Commissioner Oquist 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 7:10 P.M. Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner, Bill Kowalik of Statewide Towing Inc., is requesting a special use permit to allow a towing service business to be located at 7645 Baker Street. The subject property is for sale, and the petitioner is interested in purchasing it contingent upon this special use permit being approved by the City. Ms. Stromberg stated the property is zoned M-1, Light Industrial. It was developed in 1968 with the construction of the original building and then several additions have been added since that time. In 2009 a special use permit was issued for this property to allow outdoor storage in the rear yard of the lot. Ms. Stromberg stated the site itself and the building will remain as it is. There will not be any addition of building or hard surface. Ms. Stromberg presented a slide of the site plan showing employee and public parking in front of the building. The impounded vehicles will be parked along the west side and behind the building and also within the building. There will be a one-way loop around the building for circulation of vehicles, and that will also provide fire access to the site. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ Ў ƚŅ ЊЏ Ms. Stromberg stated New Brighton. They plan to keep that site and purchase the subject property, making the Fridley site their primary location. Ms. Stromberg stated City Code allows a towing service business as a special use in the M-1, Light Industrial zoning district, provided certain conditions will be met. Those conditions and how the petitioner plans to meet them are highlighted below. 1.The storage aspect of said towing service operation shall be secondary, in terms of use, to a principal building that houses a towing office, repair/maintenance facility for towing fleet, and an interior storage area for a portion of the impounded collection of vehicles. The existing building will be used as a towing office for dispatch, storage of vehicles and for light maintenance of the towing vehicles. The storage of the towed vehicles is considered secondary to the principal use (building) of the property. 2.The towing service site shall be located on a street with traffic volumes of less than 1,500 ADT (average daily trips). The petitioner notes that this businesses with have less than 100 average daily trips. Baker Street is a low volume street, that generally has less than 1,500 average daily trips. 3.No storage of impounded or other vehicles associated with towing service business shall be parked on street(s) adjacent to towing service facility. The petitioner has stated that they wicles of any type to be parked on the street, so they have no problem complying with this condition. This will be monitored by staff. 4.All storage shall be located in the side or rear yard of the towing service facility. The petitioner states in his narrative that all impounded vehicles and tow trucks will be parked in the sides and rear yard behind a privacy fence. 5.All areas where vehicles are to be driven, towed or parked shall be surfaced with either asphalt or concrete and those parking areas shall have concrete curb and gutter of B6-12 standard or a suitable alternative, approved by the City Engineer, surrounding their perimeter. Already completed on this site. 6.Areas where stored vehicles are intended to be parked shall be fenced, screened and adequately lit from sunset to sunrise for security purposes. Lighting shall only include shielded downcast fixtures. Property has security lighting around the building and a security system. The petitioner plans to install security cameras also. Fencing already exists along the side and rear yard. The petitioner plans to install gates from the fence to the edge of the building to secure the parking area for towed vehicles. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ Џ ƚŅ ЊЏ 7.Parking stalls intended for storage of towed vehicles and towing truck fleet shall be separated from those required by Code for customers and employees. Employee and customer stalls can be in the side yard or front yard, but shall not be within the fenced area intended for towed or impounded vehicles, or the towing fleet. There are 29 parking stalls in front of the building that will be used for employees and customers. 8.No intercom system shall be used in the open yard area if site is directly adjacent to residentially zoned property. Petitioner has read and agrees with this condition 9.No crushing, dismantling, or salvage of vehicles shall occur on the subject property. Petitioner has read, agrees and states that all vehicles are hauled off the property to a 3 rd party vender for dismantling or salvage. 10.All towing operations whose storage yard is within 250 feet of a residential dwelling at the time of issuance of the special use permit, shall be required tool use and construction, which are: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday. The nearest two-family zoned property is approx. 350 ft. from the storage yard and the nearest manufactured home in Fridley Terrace is approximately 225 ft. from the property. The petitioner states in his narrative that yard operations on site will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The tow-trucks will run 24 hours, but after business hours, drivers will be coming from their homes to pick up the vehicle that needs to be towed. Drivers may drop off a towed vehicle otherwise be done. 11.Towing services shall not be located within a multi-tenant industrial complex. The subject property has a free-standing building that will be fully occupied by Statewide Towing. Ms. Stromberg stated City staff recommends approval of this special use permit, with the following stipulations: 1.The petitioner shall comply with all the conditions set forth within the M-1 zoning district code standards for a towing service business. 2.Per Section 205 of the Fridley City Code, this Special Use Permit will become null and void one year after the City Council approval date if work has not commenced or if the Petitioner has not petitioned the City Council for an extension. Commissioner Heintz asked what happens in the middle of winter if there becomes frequent towing late at night? Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ А ƚŅ ЊЏ Ms. Stromberg replied, from what she understands the drivers will be dispatched from their homes and they will pick up the vehicles and drop them off on site. If the City starts receiving a lot of complaints or the Police Department notices a lot of overnight street activity, then staff would need to talk to them about it and potentially they would need to come back before the Council to have the special use permit reviewed. That is just something the City will need to watch for sure. Commissioner Hansen asked what types of vehicles will be towed to this facility? Will they be vehicles that are generally in good state of repair or vehicles that have been in an accident? Bill Kowalik, Statewide Towing Inc., replied some accident stuff will be towed in, however most of their towing is through dealerships and repair shops. Most of the impounded vehicles are cars that are left there for substantial amounts of time, more than 30 days. That is 90 percent of their business. Commissioner Hansen asked how long would an accident-towed car be at the facility? Mr. Kowalik replied, they usually try and get them out of there in three to five days because they are paying storage on the car. Commissioner Heintz asked, what happens to vehicles that may be leaking fluids, etc.? Mr. Kowalik replied, before they get to their place they are usually done leaking fluid, for instance, in an accident. Commissioner Hansen asked, would they have measures to contain that? Mr. Kowalik replied, yes, they have spill kits in every one of their trucks; and they have containment kits at their shop now. Commissioner Sielaff Mr. Kowalik stated 90 percent of their business is towing cars from? Mr. Kowalik replied, for car dealerships and repair shops. For example, if you buy a new car and it breaks down, we will then tow it to the dealership or repair shop to be fixed. We tow for 14 dealerships. If you bring the car to a dealership and you abandon it there, they call Mr. Kowalik dispose of most of them at junk yards. Commissioner Sielaff stated he is trying to get a sense of how many cars they store at a time. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ Б ƚŅ ЊЏ Mr. Kowalik replied, it varies. Right now at their shop they probably have about 20 cars. Commissioner Sielaff asked whether it has gotten above that? Mr. Kowalik replied, yes, it has gone above that. Commissioner McClellan asked, and there is adequate space? Mr. Kowalik replied, yes, and they will continue that in both places. Chairperson Kondrick asked, how many cars can they have when they are jammed up? Mr. Kowalik replied, at the Fridley location, 40 probably. Commissioner McClellan asked if they have a lot of cars, the meter is running for somebody, so there is an incentive to get it out. Mr. Kowalik replied, $35 a day. For crash vehicles the insurance companies want them out of there. Commissioner Oquist asked what is a typical length of time a car is there? Mr. Kowalik replied, a lot of their cars sit for quite a while. Normally they come and pick them up that first day or they sit. Commissioner Oquist asked whether they can sit for a month? Mr. Kowalik replied, they have to legally keep them for 45 days. Then they dispose of them either to a junk yard or Metro Metals. Commissioner Sielaff asked who are their customers that would be coming to their site? Mr. Kowalik replied, for example, if you abandon your vehicle at a repair facility, we will tow it to our lot. We will send the owner a letter usually the first or second day explaining what is going on; and the owner will come and pick up the vehicle or they abandon them. Insurance companies know immediately. A lot of times they have liens or leases and they are there usually quite quick to pick them up. Commissioner Sielaff asked who is their biggest customer base? Mr. Kowalik replied most of their daily towing stuff is going to a repair shop. They do not actually come to their shop. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ В ƚŅ ЊЏ Chairperson Kondrick stated they are the folks who pick up the car and deliver them to the repair place. Mr. Kowalik replied, yes, that is 90-95 percent of their business. Commissioner McClellan asked Mr. Kowalik how long has he been in the towing business? Mr. Kowalik replied, 1994 is when he started Statewide Towing. Prior to that he worked at another place for about 16 years. He has been in New Brighton since 1999 and prior to that he was in Columbia Heights. He rented in Columbia Heights and own in New Brighton. Commissioner Sielaff asked Mr. Kowalik whether he will have administrative offices at this location? Mr. Kowalik replied, yes, they will be moving their offices to Fridley, because their building in New Brighton is not that big. Chairperson Kondrick stated so all of his management/office staff will be in Fridley. Mr. Kowalik replied, correct. There is quite a bit of office space in the building. Commissioner Oquist asked how many communities do they service? Mr. Kowalik replied, they go anywhere. They have been to Boston, Montana. For their customers they will pretty much go anywhere. Commissioner Sielaff asked Mr. Kowalik does he have contracts with the dealerships then? Mr. Kowalik replied, yes. They tow for 14 dealerships. Probably about 30 repair shops, and they do some motor club stuff. MOTION by Commissioner Oquist to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Schwankl. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:26 P.M. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ ЊЉ ƚŅ ЊЏ Chairperson Kondrick stated these guys know what they are doing. The location is not inappropriate or offensive and will not be too much traffic. He does not see anything wrong with this. Commissioner Schwankl stated she agrees. There will be no on-street parking. They will have a privacy fence for the tow yard. There are a lot of compatible uses immediate adjacent to them. MOTION by Commissioner Schwankl approving Special Use Permit, SP 19-03, by Statewide Towing Inc., to allow a towing business on the property, generally located at 7645 Baker Street with the following stipulations: 1.The petitioner shall comply with all the conditions set forth within the M-1 zoning district code standards for a towing service business. 2.Per Section 205 of the Fridley City Code, this Special Use Permit will become null and void one year after the City Council approval date if work has not commenced or if the Petitioner has not petitioned the City Council for an extension. Seconded by Commissioner McClellan. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM OTHER COMMISSIONS THROUGH ONE MOTION: 1. June 6, 2019, Housing and Redevlopment Authority Commission 2. July 11, 2019, Housing and Redevlopment Authority Commission 3. June 3, 2019, Parks & Recreation and Environment Quality & Energy Commission 4. July 9, 2019, Environment Quality & Energy Commission 5. August 13, 2019, Environment Quality & Energy Commission 6. August 5, 2019, Parks & Recreation Commission MOTION by Commissioner Hansen accepting the above minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Conceptual University Avenue Service Road Traffic Changes Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ ЊЊ ƚŅ ЊЏ Brandon Brodhag, Civil Engineer, stated he apologized. The letter that got sent out to s meeting. Mr. Brodhag stated he wants to provide the Commission with an update on the conceptual changes to University Avenue. The project started out with community meetings with MnDOT personnel, City staff, and Fridley residents. There were four different meetings discussing Highway 47 and Highway 65. There was discussion about what needs to happen on those two corridors and recommendations to improve safety and image. Mr. Brodhag stated MnDOT and City staff have since been coordinating the recommendations. MnDOT did write a report from the meetings and is trying to help improve the safety and image along Highways 47 and 65. Mr. Brodhag stated the existing chainlink fence along Highway 47 has brought up quite a bit as a concern. It is an image problem for the City and we would like to consider alternative buffers. Mr. Brodhag presented a map showing n along University Avenue. There are different colors within the map representing different things. Green is where they are going to keep it which basically means they will remove the existing chainlink fence and replace it with a brand new chainlink fence. The red segments are where they are going to completely remove the fence. The blue line is showing where they are going to convert to decorative fencing like they have near the Cielo Apartments. The yellow is possible replacement under a different project. The black segments are where they are looking at creating alternative buffers, which is at three different locations. Mr. Brodhag stated City public works and community development staff are currently in the preliminary process of analyzing different buffer alternatives at certain locations. Those include landscaping, berming, or swales instead of having a fence. Mr. Brodhag stated tonight he is going to talk about two segments they have been looking at. The first one is the University Avenue West Service Road between Rice Creek Terrace and 67 th Avenue, just north of the Holly Center. What they are proposing there is a southbound one-way and eliminates on-street parking. With that, if they move forward with that traffic change, it would give the City more space between University Avenue and the Service Road to allow alternative buffers. Mr. Brodhag stated the second location would be a proposed road closure on the East Service Road between 66 th and 67 th Avenues, just north of Walgreens. Again, that would give the City more space for alternative buffers and not replacing the fence. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ ЊЋ ƚŅ ЊЏ Mr. Brodhag stated with this they did have three neighborhood meetings. One for each segment. The first meeting was on August 13 for the East Service Road between 66 th and 67 th. They had nine attendees at that neighborhood meeting with no strong opposition to the traffic changes. That one was where they would be closing the road down in between 66 th and 67 th. Mr. Brodhag stated the second meeting was for the University Avenue West Service Road between Rice Creek Terrace and 67 th Avenue. That was on September 10. They had five attendees that only included City staff and Councilmember Bolkcom. Nobody from the neighborhood showed up for that neighborhood meeting. They did have a third neighborhood meeting where they got mixed results from. At this point they are looking at different possibilities as to how they want to move forward with that neighobrhood. Mr. Brodhag presented a map of the East Service Road between 66 th and 67 th. This map was sent out in the letter to the residents just showing where they proposing to permanently close the street and where they would construct turn arounds. He presented a slide showing a couple of concepts as they are just preliminary. On the left of 66 th Avenue they are proposing possibly a cul de sac. Mr. Brodhag stated the second segment is the West Service Road in between Rice Creek Terrace and 67 th. In the map he presented they can see on Rice Creek Terrace Plaza Curve and 67 th Avenue they would continue two-way traffic. They would also continue the southbound one-way that goes into the Holly Center. With the proposed traffic change they would bump out the curb to the west and have a southbound lane from Rice Creek to 67 th Avenue. Mr. Brodhag presented an illustration of the existing condition on the West Service Road, that has two drive lanes. It is 26-feet wide face to face with the curb, so technically not big enough for a parking lane. Then they have the right-of-way with MnDOT fencing in between the Service Road and Highway 47. Mr. Brodhag presented a slide showing their proposed concept which would be only a southbound drive lane that is 14-feet wide. They would have green space in between the Service Road and Highway 47. It could be a swale with trees and shrubs or they could even berm it. They are at the preliminary discussions of what would go in that place. There would be a temporary MnDOT fence as they would have a schedule on the City and would want some kind of buffer barrier in between the Service Road and Highway 47 until the City would be able to get in and do the construction if they did move forward with this project. Mr. Brodhag stated they are proposing these traffic changes based on comments from the public meetings and meetings with MnDOT. Staff feels that the buffer alternatives for landscaping, berming, and swales would be a better image for the City rather than just Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ ЊЌ ƚŅ ЊЏ replacing it with another chainlink fence. However, to achieve the buffer alternatives they would need more space and so that is why the traffic changes are being proposed. Traffic counts do not support need and maintenance on these roads. Currently there is less than 50 cars a day that travel these streets. The City is looking to reduce pavement in and by doing so, it helps with water quality. Mr. Brodhag stated staff recommends that the Planning Commission provide input on the project, receive feedback from the public, and concur with repurposing the right-of- way. Chairperson Kondrick stated on the west side Mr. Brodhag is talking about, who is going to maintain that grassy area around the fence, from the fence to the Service Road? The City? Mr. Brodhag replied, yes, the City will do the maintenance. Chairperson Kondrick asked, as to the Service Road on the west side where you get off of 47 and you make a quick right and travel on down to get into the Holly Shopping Center, what if that Center should change in size, traffic volume, a need for a bigger road? They go from 50 cars to 300 cars? Are they able to do anything about that? Has the City thought that through? Has that been talked about at all? Mr. Brodhag replied, that has not been talked about. If that were to go forward, and there was more traffic, there is an alternative route to get to the Holly Center. Chairperson Kondrick stated to go up to Mississippi and make a right hand turn and go in that way? Mr. Brodhag replied, correct. Commissioner McClellan stated that exit would disappear. Mr. Brodhag replied, at some point it possibly could. Commissioner Hansen stated it is a pretty seldom used entrance to Holly Center. You cannot go from that exit into the neighborhood. Commissioner Schwankl asked would the traffic change or closures result in special Mr. Brodhag replied, they would not special assess for the project. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ ЊЍ ƚŅ ЊЏ Commissioner Heintz asked on 67 th why are they not doing a cul de sac there, too, instead of a pull in and back out and turn around? Mr. Brodhag replied, on the east side they do not have the space and right-of-way like they do on 66 th so they would have to do more of a hammer head turn around rather than a cul de sac. Chairperson Kondrick asked if that would be a problem for snow removal by the plows and trucks? Can they handle that as easy as they can a cul de sac? Mr. Brodhag replied, it would probably be easier. Because even with the curb they can make it surmountable rather than their standard B618 curb so the equipment can go right over the to of it. Especially if they have the trail right there that would not be an issue. Commissioner McClellan asked when MnDOT does a temporary fence, what is it likely to be constructed of? Mr. Brodhag replied, it will be a black chainlink fence. Like everywhere else with the plan of tearing it out if the City moves forward with this project. Commissioner McClellan asked by definition for the timeline what would likely be temporary? Mr. Brodhag replied, MnDOT is planning to start removing this winter, next spring, and it will go through the next year. The project staff is proposing could come as early as next year. They have gone through Council for the initialization of the project, but they will have to do a feasibility report and get blessing before they can start moving ahead. Commissioner Schwankl asked Mr. Brodhag if he had any idea of cost? Mr. Brodhag replied, at this time he did not. Mr. Kosluchar talked about this at the different neighborhood meetings because a lot of times maintenance came up. The maintenance between vegetation vs. maintenance of the roadway, if it were kept the same, is basically a wash. Granted if they start putting flowers, bushes and trees that does add maintenance for City staff; but it is about the same as when they go out and do potholes, street recon, etc. Commissioner Hansen asked if they are looking at trees, he gets the sense on the west side they are looking at more for trees or vegetative screening. Mr. Brodhag replied, right now they have not made any final decisions on what type of landscaping. It kind of just depends on space and what MnDOT allows. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ ЊЎ ƚŅ ЊЏ Commissioner Hansen stated he assumes the trees would have to be located on City right-of-way? Mr. Brodhag replied, correct. Commissioner Hansen asked will there be thought given to the type of tree species and other vegetation that would be salt-resistant presumbaly to be able to absorb the salt? Mr. Brodhag replied, yes, because MnDOT does salt their roads, all plants/vegetations would be salt-tolerant. Chairperson Kondrick stated he got the understanding after reading the material sent to them that by and large the neighbors have been very cooperative and interested in what Mr. Brodhag replied, correct. Chairperson Kondrick stated and it has been very positive? Mr. Brodhag replied, for the most part, yes. Commissioner Hansen asked as to 66 th Avenue, if a turn around goes in there that results in a fairly lengthy cul de sac, is that going to cause any problems for public safety to get to those people or would they be able to take the trail if they had to if something was in the way of the extra long cul de sac to create more than one way in? Mr. Brodhag replied, Public Safety has seen that concept and they said there is no issue. They said they will do anything they need to do to get to those that need them. Joe Siedlecki, 425 67 th Avenue NE, stated he lives on the east side on 67 th Avenue. He is generally in favor of it. It sounds like a good idea. He has one concern, where they mention the snow getting potentially pushed on the path. He assumes the path will be plowed and passable in the winter? Mr. Brodhag replied, correct. Chairperson Kondrick stated one thing that was mentioned was the homeless people living down by the creek going down past Walgreens. He is sure the Police are aware of that as well as the City. He asked if that is something the new path, having access to that area, will do two things make access by law enforcement to get down there to scope it out and on the other hand make it easier for those people who want to camp out down Fridley Planning Commission Meeting September 18, 2019 tğŭĻ ЊЏ ƚŅ ЊЏ there to get down there and set up camping facilities. However, the Police Department is aware of that, right? Mr. Brodhag replied, that is correct. MOTION by Commissioner Hansen accepting the Conceptual University Avenue Service Road Traffic Changes. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Stromberg stated there will be a October meeting. She has stated that the massage therapy business text amendment that was in front of the Commission in July was approved by the City Council. The other text amendment for the dissolution of the appeals commission, has been contined to the September 23 rd Council meeting to answer a question related to membership of the Commission after the . ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Heintz. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Denise M. Johnson Recording Secretary