PL 06/07/1978 - 30492�,
�
��
CITY OF FRIDL�Y
PLANNING COMMISSION ME�TING�
— JUNE 7, 1978
CALL TO ORDER•
Vice-Cahirperson Lan�enfeld called the June 7, 19?$, Planning
Commission meeting to order at 7:43 P,M.
ROLL CALL•
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Storla, Oquist, Harris (late), Peterson,
Schnabel, Langenfeld
None
Jerrold Boardman, City Planner
APPROVE PLANI`JING COMMIN,SIOA1 MINUTES • MAY 17 197$
MOTIOIV by Ms. Schnabel, seconded by Mr. Peterson, to approve the
May 17, 1978, planning Commission meeting minutes. Upon a voice vote,
a11 voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
1.
CONSIDERl�TION 0__F A PRELIMI
.��a .�N�njL�, _�.1:� HLL11 � vlv, .�z rc�t,�tt�l' �KxU�R: BEING A REPLAT
OF THAT PART OF THE NORTH"I�ST �UARTER OF THE SOUTHI`JEST QUARTER OF
SECTION 2 DESCRIBED AS FOLLOCdS: COMMENCING AT THE INTERSECTION
OF THE SOUTH LSNE OF SAID i�ORTHI'JEST QUARTER AND THE PJESTERLY
RIGHT-OF-t'JAY LI1V� OF STATE HIGHZ�dAY P10. l+7; THENCE NORTHERLY, ALONG
SAID RIGHT-OF-ti�JAY LINE� 1�8.00 FEET TO THE ACTUAL POINT OF BEGINNING•
THENCE ��JESTERLY PARALLEL 1"dITH SAID SOUTH LINE, 1�.3.03 FEET; THENCE �
ON A TANGENTIAL CURVE TO THE RIGHT FOR A DISTANCE OF 96.86 FEET,
RADIUS OF SAID CURV� IS 50.00 FEET; THENCE ALOIVG A COMPOUND CURVE
A DISTANCE OF 65.39 FEET� RADIUS OF SAID CURVE IS 15�,,07 FEET;
THENGE NORTHEASTERLY, TANGENT TO LAST DESCRIBED CURVE, 108.35 �ET;
THENCE ON A TANGENTIAL CURVE TO THE LEFT A DIST�IVCE OF 209.25 FE�T
TO THE SAID RIGHT-OF-ti'JAY LINE, RADIUS OF SAID CURVE IS 266.77 F'r�ET;
THENCE SOUTHERLY, ALONG SAID RIGHT-OF-INAY� TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING,
ALL LYING IN THE SOUTH HALF OF SECTION 2, T-30� R-24, CITY OF
FRIDT,EY, COUNTY OF ANOKA, MINNESOTA.
GENERALLY BOUND BY 79th AVENUE N� AND UPIIVERSITY AVENUE NE ON TH�
IINIVERSITY l'�EST S�RVIC�, DRIV�, TAE SAME BEING 7910 UNIVERSITY
AVENUE NE (GOAFATHER PIZZA).
MOTION by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Langenfeld, to open the Public
Hearing. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried
unanimously. The Public Hearing was opened at 7;47 p�M�
�
PLAPINING C�MMIS �IOT1 MrETIT1G - JUTt� 7, 197$ Pa�e 2
�
Mr. Boardman indicated that tisrhen the City Council allov�ed the Building
Permit for Godfather Pizza, one:of the stipulations v�as that the area �,
be platted. He said that.��he request was being made to complete that
stipulation. .
Mr. Boardman explained that �rhen the Building Permit was granted for
Godfather Pizza it ti*�as granted on a larger po-rtion of property. He
said that in order for Godfather Pizza to split down to a smaller size
property, they had to �o through the platting procedure. He said that
in order to speed up the process of the Building Permit� the condition
of platting the �roperty tiras made part of the Building Permit.
MOTION by Mr. Peterson, secondecl by Mr. Storla, to close the Public
Hearing. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried
unanimously. The Public Hearing ti��as closed at 7:50 P.M.
P40TION by Mr. Peterson� seconded by Mr. Oquist, �hat the Planning
Commission recommend approval of the consideration of a preliminary
plat, P.S. #78-04� East Ranch Estates �.th Addition, by Robert Shroer:
Being a replat of that part of the Northtivest Quarter of the Southt�test
Quarter of Section 2 described as follows;
Commencing at the intersection of the south line of said Northv�est
quarter and the tiVesterly right-of-way line oi State Highti��ay No. 47;
Thence Northerly, along said right-of-�ray line� 1�8.00 feet to the
actual point of beginning;
Thence ��lesterly parallel with said South line, 143.03 feet; �
Thence on a tangential curve to the right for a distance of
g6.86 feet� radius of said curve is 50.00 feet;
Thence along a compound curve a distance of 65.39 feet, radius of
said curve is 156.07 feet; �
Thence Northeasterly, tangent to last described curve� 108.35 feet;
Thence o� a tangential curve to the left a distance of 20g.25 feet
to the said right-of-way line� radius of said curve is 266.77 feet;
Thence Southerly, along said right-of-�ray� to the point of beginning;
All lying in the South Hali of Section 2� T-30, R-24, City of
Fridley� County of Anoka, Minnesota.
Generally bound by 79th Avenue NE and University Avenue NE on the
University �`Jest Service Drive� the same being 7910 University Ave NE
(Godfather Pizza) .
IIPON A VOICE VOTE, all voting aye� the motion carried unanimously.
i '1
� PLAPJTtI�1G COMP�ISSION METsTING - JU1`1E 7, 1978 Pa�e 3
�
2.
PUBLIC HFARING:
BY G],R�1LU G. �Ofl
I�'TLT OI' LOT �. � Z
D�'+lELLIPJG UNITS)
R�STAURArdT �SIT��
CO
RTZO
NS01�t: RLZOld� LOTS 5� 6, 7� I�TdD THE iJEST�RLY 136.
UCIA LA.N� ADDITION, FROi�I R-1 (SITdGL� FAMILY
TO C-2 (G�PiFR1�L BUSINESS AREAS) , FOR A PROPOSED
TH� SAME BEING 1145 MISSISSIPPI STREET NE.
MOTION by Mr. Langenfeld� seconded by Mr. Peterson, to open the Public
Hearing. Upon a voice vote, aIl voting aye, the motion carried
unanimously. The Public Hearing ti�ras opened at 7:5z P.M.
Mr. Boardman shoti�red the Commission the plans for the lots. He explained
exactly ti•rhich lots ��rere involved tivith the request. He pointed out that
at the intersection of HighiTtay 65 and Mississippi there was no other
commercial enterprises.
Mr. i'dyman Smith� the attorney representing Mr. Gerald G. Johnson,
explained the rezoning request. He said that Mr. Johnson
had otiEmed the property in question for 22 years. He said that since
Fridley hac� its orzginal zoning scheme laid out9 the property had been
zoned R-1�. He said that it has been maintained as R-1 since that point
in time. He said that the lots vrere nicely wooded lots and that the
neighborhood had definitely benefited from that property. He pointed
out that Mr. Johnson still had to pay taxes on that property and he
has decided that he �Aranted to develop his property. He felt that it
tivas not reasonable to try to develop it as R-1 since it �vas located
on the corner of a very Uusy intersection.
^ Mr. Smith vrent on to explain that the type o£ restauran.t that �rrould
lacate on that property cras a family-type restaurant. He said that
• they planned to have a nicely planned building that tivould be a sit-in
restaurant. He said it tivould not be a drive-in or fast food restaurant.
He said that there ���ould be no liquor license applied for. He said
that the restaurant would real.ly be a good use for the property and
most suitable to the nei�hborhood.
Mr. Jim Lobman, President of the restaurant company that tirould be
located on the pro�osed site, explained that the restaurant tivould
be a nice family-style restaurant. He said that the Company was
local. He said that the restaurant concept was developed in 1962.
He said that he �Janted the neighborhood to understand tY�at the
restaurant �vas not a national chain restaurant trying to move into the
area; he felt that the proposed restaurant �vould actually be very
good for the area.
Mr. �'Jalter Boyd� the real-estate broker working �vith J's Restaurants,
indicated that he ti�ras not a member of the family or an employee, but
that he tivas tivorking tivith Mr. Lobman on the transaction. He explained
to the Commission all the statistics involved tivith the proposed
restaurant. He indicated the taxes it ti�rould bring in as ti�rell as the
employment statistics. He felt that the information tivould be of
interest to the Commission as well as the Community.
�'1
PLI�TdNIP1G COMP4ISSION MTrTING - JUPir 7, 1978 ` Pa�;e 4
Mr. Gerald Johnson, 712 River Lane� Anoka, said that he fel� he had
'�ried long enou�h t.o develop the land as residential property. He said
it didn't seem anyone v+�as interested in buildin� at the corner of
Mississippi and High�ray 65. He feli that the family-style restaurant
tivas the best solution for that piece of property.
Ms. Schnabel asked if the restaurant would be open 21� hours.
Mr. I;ohman indicated that it vrould be open 21� hours every day.
Mr. Clarence Timo, 6517 Lucia Lane P1�� read to the audience and the
Commission the rezoning request objections and petition for denia]..
He read, "To the City of Fridley, Planning Commission and Council
Members:
"IPJe as residents of the City of Fridley� Minnesota� hereby
protest the Rezoning Request described in ZOA �#�8-05 for
�he follo�ring reasons:
1) One of the most important objections �ve have to the
Rezoning application is that it is a request for Spot
Zoning; that is to say tha-t the placing of a business
establishment right in the middle of us homeoirners and
citizens oi Fridley� totally surrounded by lots zoned as
R-1 ( single family d��relling units) .
2) The traffic problems
a) The Kni�hts of Columbus Hall at the North end of
Lucia Lane has a number of functions going on at their
Club House at various times. Al1 cars returning from
those functions as irell as the Lucia Lane Apartments are
routed South on Lucia Lane totisrards Mississippi Street,
there being no exit at the North end, From there it
meets all traffic tra�veli�.g east and ti�rest on Mississippi
Street that already has conjestion problems. (He had
a picture he sho1�ed to the Commission of that exact
conjestion problem that he h.ad taken at b:00 P.M.
June 7, 1978).
b) Highway 65 and Mississippi Street already has a
history of many serious accidents at thai corner.
c) Tf the parking lot for the proposec� restaurant were
to fill up; or if some people, including trucks� semi�s�
etc.� wouldn�t feel like getting jammed into a parking lot�
they ti�rould park in front of the homes� creating a further
traf fic hazard.
��
�'1
^
�..�.
PLI�NI�TING COP��IS �ION MFT;TING - JUr1E 7, 1978 Pa�e 5
d) The proposecl drive-rrays to the restaurant, off
Mississippi Street ti�roul�,cross bike trails on Mississippi
�'1 Street. This l•�ould: further compound the hazards oi
trafiic. .�
e) Itinerant traffic� including trucks, semis, etc. from
Highcray 65 ti�rould invariably park on Mississippi Street
or other convenient side streets instead of getting into
the parking lot and ti��ould return via the many side streets
that intersect Mississippi.
3) The depreciation of home value.
Traffic, noise� littering of streets by customers� and
potential hang-out of undesirable resulting in possible
vandalism in the area.
Parkin� lot lights shining in homes all night and ugly
parking lots in the area.
People ���ith small children ��ouldn � t care to buy homes in
the area because of the additional traf�ic on side streets.
The aesthetic quality of the area �vould be lost forever with
the loss of the beautiful trees; sarhere otherti�ise could be
built beautiful homes.
Pollution from cars and trucks; undesirable smells of a
restaurant; placement of industrial garbage containers
� which �vould result as an attraction fox flies and rodents.��
Mr. Timo said that new streets and gutters bvere installed less than
one year ago at the urging of the City o� Fridley to improve Fridley's
residential appearance. He said that the residents did not ti�rant that
appearance ruined.
Mr. Timo said that all the residents in the area purchased their homes
with the understanding that all the property in the area c�as zoned R-1
Mr. Timo proceeded to read the introduction to a petition that had in
excess of 260 signatures. He explained that the people �vere all property
o�vners unless it ti�as indicated after their name that they tivere renters.
"Petition protesting Rezoning: To the Council of the City of
Fridley. - �Ve the undersigned being tax payers and residents
of the City of Fridley, or/and being owners of the property
abutting on Highti�ray 65 and Lucia Lane and Mississippi Street
do hereby join in a petition protesting against � commercial�
business� or industrial building on said residential property
referred to in ZOA #78-05, �rrhich includes Lots 5�6 & 7 and the
, tivesterly 136z feet of Lat !� on Luci�a Lane Addition. l"de request
that you do not allow rezoning of said property 1�rhich notv is
zoned R-1 and tive Nant it to remain R-1. I have personally signed
this petition and a qualified voter of the City of Fridley
and my residence is correctly written after my name.��
�
PL1�t1�liNG coMr�iSSION MF�TING - JUIJE 79 197�3 Pa�e 6
Mr. Timo said that he personally r,rent to most of the people. He said
that Mr. Russell B�rris of 1150 P�ississippi Street riE had accompanied
hiffi on the first ferr. Mr. Timo atiested to the fact that he personally
visited every one of the peo�le ti�.th the exception of the fev� that
P�ir. Burris had visited and the fe��� people that happened to be on vacation
or not home durin� the time he ��ent around v�ith the petition.
MOTION by T�ir. Langenfeld� seconded by Mr. Oquist, that the Planning
Commission receive the petition. Upon a voice vote� all voting aye'
the motion carriec� unanimously.
Mr. Joe Randall� 1210 Mississippi Street N�� said that he had lived
in Fridley most of his life. He said that the original oti�ner oi the
property in question sold the property tirith the raain intent that the
property remain residential. He said that the area consisted of
33 quality homes that tvere occupied .by people ti�aho care for their
neighborhood.
Ms. tqarge Daun� 6546 Lucia Lane, said that they had moved to their
present home from 31�th and Johnson Street NE, and the main reason
vras to get atixray from the very problems that the proposed restaurant
�oulcl create.
Ms. Loretta Lane� 1132 Mississippi Street NE, said that they had
lived at that address for 28 years. She said that they built tivith
the intention of living at that address for a long time. She said
that they did noi like the idea of having spot zoning in the area.
She also said�that it tisrould be very inconvenient to have the
restaurant driveti��ay directly across from their driveiray. She said
that their home ti�rould probably lose their access onto Mississippi
street because of the traffic that 1aould be generated by the
restaurant.
Mr. Russell Burris' 1150 Mississippi Street NE, pointed out that
he presently� also, had enough trouble getting out of his drive�ray.
He didn�t lil�e the Possibility of having access drive��ays for a
restaurant located across from his property either. He said that
there tivas already too much traffic in that area. He didn't feel
it tivould be feasible to put a restaurant in that location� he said
it �rould only add to already hazardous situation. �
Mr. Terry Daun of 6546 Lucia Lane said that if Mr. Johnson �rrould sell
the lots for a reasonable price, he would be able to sell the lots
for residential development.
Mrs. Long' Delll�road Drive� said that there were many little children
that lived in the area. She said that presently the parents have to
constantly be al�rare of the traffic that ivas in the area. She felt
that the restaurant ti+�ould only add to that traffic problem. She said
that the safety of the children should be considered.
�
�7
�
PLI�I�iPII?�1G COPZPZI>;IOPT MP�TII�tG - JUP1F 7, 19�8 _ Pa�e 7
Mr. Donald Melton� 980 P�ississippi Street NE, said that they have
^ lived in the area since 1952. �He'said that if the property �vas
rezoned, it should be cons�.derecl that t�ississi�pi Stree� and
Highr�ay 65 rroulci develop into a. major commercial corner. He said
it ���asn�t viable that only one restaurant titrould be alloti�red in an
area i�rithout elpandin� the entire area into a commercial center. He
said that he r�as totally against that concept.
T�r. Robert Zuehlke� 1260 Mississippi Street NE� said that he has lived
at that address for 15 years. He said that the traffic on Mississippi
Street i�ras already so great and to add so�ething like the proposed
restaurant ti��ould only compound nany of the existing problems. He felt
that there ti�ras enough property available in the area that tiJas already
com�ercially zoned. xe coulcln � t understand t�rhy a person rrould �rant
to locate a restaurani in a residential area. He said that comprehensive
plannin� had been done for zoning and he felt that Fridley should abide
by that plan. He said that he agreed �hat the property could have been
sold years previous if it had been reasonably priced.
Mr. i�Iearl Crosser, 6565 Lucia Lane NE� said that they already had a
traffic problem in the area only added to by the Ynights of Columbus
Hall and the area didn�t need another es-Eablishment that 1rould add
even more traffic. He said that he had bough.t a home nine years ago
bviih plans of staying in the area. Hor,rever, if the traffic increases
much more, he tvould have to consicler looking elsetii�here for housing.
^ Ms. Kathy Nelson� 6306 Pierce Street� said that she represented many
of the neighbors ��rho vrere all opposed to the rezoning. She said that
they had signea the petition and they tvantec� the Commission to knocr
ichat they rrere at the meeting and ti�rere in opposition.
Mrs. Robert Bystrom, 6533 Zucia Lane NE, said that another reason for
her opposition to the proposed restaurant t�ras that she hated to see
all the beautiful trees removed fror� that property, She said tha�
they not only ac�ded beauty to the neighborhood but also acted some�vhat
as a sound barrier.
A persoM in the audience asked ��rhat would become of the J's Restaurant
located north on Aightivay 65.
Mr. Lobman said that the proposed restaurant would not be anything lil�e
that restaurant. He said it would probably be closed.
The person from the audience asked tixrhy he didn�t keep the restaurant
where it �vas presently located rather than moving it further South
against the ti�rishes of the neighborhood.
�
PLAIITIIT•1G COP-11�II��ION M�rTIT1G - JUNE �,1978 Pa�e 8
Mr. Lobman said that there ��ere too man� rules and regulations that
had to be follo��aed by restaurant oti�mers in the present times that �
a lot of the conditions they feared could never happen.
Mr. Lobman said that one of�the aspects of the property that was most
appealing to the restaurant ���as the fact that there �rere many trees on
the property. He said that they planned to keep as many of the trees
as possible.
Mr. Lobman said that he didn't feel that the restaurant �rould or
could have an adverse effect on as many people as signed the
petition. He said that figuring 26 houses per block, 260 signatures
yrould mean that signatures would have been obtained from ten blocks
of homes; he didn't feel that the restaurant could effect.tha.t much
area,
Mr. Lobman agreed that there vras a lot of traffic at Mississippi Street
and Highway 65. He said th.at tiras ��thy he felt it ti�rould be a good
location for a restaurant. He said the traffic problem bxfas another
reason h.e felt that it cras an ideal commercial location. He said
that he tivould never want to build a home at that location to raise
a family. He didn�t feel that it tiJas at all sui-�ed for an R-1 Zoning.
Mr. Lobman said that the point �ras raised that customers �*rould have to
make a left turn to enter the establishment. He said that many
establishments existed that people had to turn left to enter.
Mr. Lobman didn't feel that any consultant ti=rould consider that corner �
of AZississippi Street and Highl�ray 65 as a residential corner.
Mr. Lobman said that the restaurant garbage would be picked up every
day. He didn�t feel that there ti�vould be any problems of rodents, bugs�
etc. �
P�Ir. Lobman said that the restaurant tivould have green areas. He said
they ti�ould have an underground sprinkling system, maintenance service�
fertilizer companies that take care of the green areas of the
restaurants, shrubs, etc. He said that the landscaping of the
restaurants are excellent.
Mr. Lobman said that� in summary, he did not agree with a lot of .the
points of objections that had been presented.
Mr. �'Vyman Smith said that he agreed ti�rith a lot of the points that had
been made. He said �hat the people that lived close to ihat corner
Nould sign the petition to keep the property in its present state
because it tvas a beautiful piece of property. Hoti�rever, he pointed out
that r1r. Johnson �vas the person paying the taxes on that property and
he� also� had some rights to make use of that property.
�
PLAPiPTING C01��IISSTOTI MrrTIPdG - JUP1F 71 1978 Pa�e �_
Mr. Smith said that it vras very obvious that the property vras not a
� lo�ical residential site. He said that it �vas an obvious commercial
site. He said that the proposed restauran� ti�ras a good use for that
site. He said that it ���as a iamily restaurant that could be reasonably
located in a residential area.
Mr. Smith �a.id tha� the traffic v�as already existent in the area. He
said the Courts have lon� said that the increase of traffic because
of the use of property vras not an excuse for not doing it. He said
that aesthetics has never been used as criteria for denial of a
request. He said that the request hac� a minimal problem in the area
of health ana safety of the public.
Mr. Henry T�Ietcher, 6500 Pierce Street rt�, said that he was definitely
against any type of s�ot rezoning in Fridley. He said that Mr. Johnson
knetl the property tlas zoned R-1 r�hen he purchased it. He said that
PZr. Johnson cou7_d have sold that property as R-1 if he vrould have been
ti��illing to accept the dollar value of R-1 property. He said that it
ti�as felt by some of the neighbors that the main rea_son he hasn't sold
the property tiras because he �ranted to sell the land as commercial and
not residential. He said that he ti�ras definitely against the reque�.t.
MOTION by Mr. Storla, seconded by t•�s, Schnabel, to close the Public
Hearing. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried
unanimously. The Public Hearing �T�as closed a't 8:1�� P.M.
^ Mr. Langenfeld co�i�ented that it cras his opinion that some of the
statements regarding the rezoning r�ere assumptions. He said that he
didn�t feel the petitioner ��ras trying to mislead anyone �rith his
statements abouts the taxes� etc. He asked �vhat the Staff had to say
regarding the request.
Mr. Boardman said that it could be a useable residential area. He said
that if a rezoning raas granted on that proPerty, there �srould be enough
demand to have to consider the sarae request for the other corners
of Highi•day 65 and T�Zississippi. He said that ii �+rould. result in similar
problems �hat �n�ere Present lrhere the corner �F�as commercial and the
remainder of the block tiiras residential.
Mr. Boarclman said that it ti•ras spot development and Fridley has been
trying io get ati�ray from that type of thing. He said that it ti�rasn�t
vieti�aed as a good rezonin�.
Ms. Schnabel said that she had al�rays tivondered tifhy that corner had
never been developed. She saic� that it �vas a beau-�iful corner and felt
it trould make nice home sites. She pointed out that many trees would
still have to be removed to construct three separate houses. She said
it rras possible that ihe same number of trees ti��ould have to be removed
for the three individual home sites as tivould have to be removed to
construct the proposed restaurant.
,-� Mr. Peterson asked when the lots �rere zoned R-1.
Mr. Boardman said that it was zoned R-1 in 1955 and has albvays been zoned
R-1.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 7, 1978 Page 10
MOTION by Mr. Langenfeld, seconded by Mr. Oquist, that the Planning
Commission recommenc, denial of the consideration of a rezoning request, �
ZOA #78-05, by Gerald G. Johnson: Rezone Lots 5,6, 7 and the westerly
136.50 feet of Lot 4, Lucia Lane Addition, from R-1 (single family
dwelling units) to C-2 (General Business Areas), for a proposed
restaurant site, the same being 1145 Mississippi Street NE, for the
follcwing reasans:
1) It would definitely be a spot rezoning;
2) There would be a traffic prcblem (which already existed);
3) It would interfEre with the bike trails;
4) It could have an effect on the depreciation of the homes
in the area;
5) It would have an environmental impact in regards to noise
and aesthetic values.
Mr. Langenfeld said that he fully realized the rights of the property
owner, but he felt that the particular type of zoning request should
be denied.
Mr. Peterson asked the petitioner.if he would consider operating the
restaurant on less than a 24-hour basis.
Mr. Lobman said that he didn't feel a reduction in hours would make
the neigrborhood residents feel any differently about the proposed
restaurant. �
Chairperson Harris said that he understood the petitioner's dilemma;
however, he felt that the rezoning of the property would r!ot be in
concert with the rest of the surrounding properties as it has been
developed. He said that the surrounding neighbors had the right to
expect that since the property was zoned as R-1, that the status quo
would be maintained. �r. Harris felt that the property in question
could be developed in an R-1 manner. He indicated that because of
the above statement he would vote in favor of denial of the request.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
Chairperson Harris declared a break at 9:22 P.M.
Mr. Storla left the meeting because of prior commitments.
3. CONTINUED: ENERGY COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Mr. Oquist indicated that Mr. Storla had left some comments on the
Energy Committee. He read the statements to the Commission:
Mr. Storla felt that people that should be considered
as members of the Energy Committee could be someone from the
American Legion and from the Leaque of Women Voters because
both of the groups' National Committee has recommended that �
they get involved in the Energy problem. -
Mr. Storla also felt that someone from the Cabel TV or the
Sun Newspaper should be a member of the Committee to act
as a public relations person.
PLANNING__COMMISSIQN MEETING - JUNE 7, 1978 Page 11
Mr. Langenfeld said that in regards to the information provided by
^ Staff, he was ir. agreement with the Purpose and Scope. He said
that as the section on Membership was stated was the manner he
would like to see the Energy Project Committee set up.
Mr. Langenfeld wanted to know what was needed as far as the
"Length of Project".
Mr. Boardman said that there should be some time period that the
Project Committee should work under.
Mr. Peterson said that he felt very strongly about the manning of the
Energy Project Committee. He said that some procedure should be looked
at in order to properly man the Committee. He said that as the
Chairperson, Mr. Harris had the prer.ogative to�appoint and as a Commission,
they would have the prero�ative to suggest and approve.
Mr. Peterson said that whether or not everyone agreed about the
Energy situation; and whether or not everyone agreed that an Energy
Project Committee would arrive at answers, he felt that the situation
being a� it was and Energy being so vital to the total life style today,
it behooved the City of Fridley to put a project committee into action.
Chairperson Harris said th�.t the City of Fridley should have an
Energy Policy.
Chairperson Harris said that a Chai•rperson and liaison person
^ should be decided upon.
Mr. Boardman suggested that a member of the Planning Commission be
chairperson of the Project Committee, primarily to give direction and
to report back to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Oquist said that it was possible that the Chairperson could be
an elected person that could appear at the Planning Commission meeting
to give the status report of the Project Committee.
Mr. Langenfeld said that perhaps a person from the Planning Commission
could start the Project Committee and, at a later time, have the members
of the Committee elect a person to be the Chairperson. He said that
the member of the Planning Commission could get the Committee going,
giving it p roper di're�ction, and then once established the members of
the Committee could take over.
Chairperson Harris said that since his main responsibility was to be
Chair•person of the Planning Commission, he would agree to start the
Committee off in the right direction, if �hat was what the Planning
Commission wanted him to do.
Mr. Boardman said that if the Chairperson of the Project Committ.ee was
not a member of the Planning Commission, exactly what would the
responsibility of Staff be to that Committee. He wanted tc know exactly
^ what the Planning Cammission wanted from Staff as to the support for
the Project Committee.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 7, 1978 Page 12
Ms. Schnabel felt that Staff support would �e very important to the
Energy Prcject Committee.
Mr. Boardman said that someone was needed to give general direction
to the Energy Project Committee and to keep the members of the
Committee going in that direction. He said the reasan he wanted a
person from the Planning Commission to be the Chairperson was so
that member could keep the Committee in a certain direction and only
call on Staff when it was needed and not necessarily have a full-time
staff person available for the Project Committee.
Ms. Schnabel said that if the right person was chairing that Committee
it would proceed in that manner. She said that the Chairperson would
probably be so intensly interested in the subject that they would
probably do most of the work�themselves.
Mr. Boardman said that a certain Scope of the Project Committee had
to be set up with a person that could keep the Committee in line with
tha� scope .
Mr. Peterson said that what was needed was someone like Pat Gabel
who did a fantastic job on the Sign Committee. He said that
Ms. Gabel kept that Gommittee moving with very little Staff help.
He said that the Sign Committee did such a great job because of this
individual.
Mr. Boardman said that the Ener•gy Project Committee could obtain
Staff help, Staff liaison, and secretarial help. He said that it
would have to be recommended by the Planning Commission to the Gity
Council.
Chairperson Harris suggested that the Planning Comrnission start the
Energy Project Committee out and convene and run it for a period of
time until the Committee was completely organized and operating and
at that time, it can be decided if the Committee should have an
election of a Chairperson. He felt that someone from the Planning
Commission should initially Chair the Energy Project Committee. He
said-that he would go to City Council and request some Staff time
and secretarial help.
Ms. Schnabel said that the Staff assistance should be on an "as need"
basis and that secretarial help should be on a regular b asis.
She said that all the organizational work should be completed on the
Energy Project Committee before the first meeting so that the members
would know exactly what would be expected of them.
�
Mr. Peterson said that the Planning Commission should have all the
preliminary work done for the Energy Project Committee by July 26, 1978.
�
Mr. Boardman said that he would put together a package of al1 the
information that he had thus far so that the members of the Plann3ng
Commission could gather their thoughts to get the Energy Project �
Committee into acticn.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 7, 1978 Page 13
MOTION by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Ms. Schnabel,that the
� Planning Commission recommend..to City Council the need of
City Administrative help.on an "as need" basis and for secretarial
help on a regular basis�for the Energy Project Committee; and
that the Planning Commission accept the volunteering of Mr. Harris
to act as Chairperson of the Energy Project Committee; ar.d that the
organization of the Energy Project Committee be completed by
July 26, 1978.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
4. CONTINUED: RECYCLING PROJECT REPORT:
Ms. Schr_abel indicated that the item had been continued until such time
as a member of the Project Committee was present to answer questions.
She said that there was no one at the meeting from the Project Committee.
_Mr. Langenfeld said that the person most involved was on vacaticn and
no one else was able to appear at the meeting that evening. He felt
that since the Planning Commission had questions regarding the
Recycling Project Report, a representative of that Committee should
be present to answer those questions.
MOTION by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Langenfeld, to continue the
item until such time that a member of the Project Committee could
be present to answer the questions of the Planning Commission.
� Upon a voice vate, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
5. RECEIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES:
MAY 9, 1978 —
MOTION by Mr. Oquist, seconded by Mr. Peterson, that the Planning
Commission receive the May 9, 1978�, minutes of the Community
Development Commission meeting.
Mr. Oquist said that the Advisory Standards for Land Use Regulations
was discussed at the meeting. He said that a motion was made by Connie
Modig and seconded by Kenneth Vos, to recommend to Planning Commission
that the minimum lot size for single family dwellings be no less
than 7,500 square feet and a minimum of 60 feet wide.
Mr. Oquist said that a motion was also made by Connie Modig and
seconded by A1 Gabel, to recommend to Planning Commission that the
existing Zoning Or•dinance was adequate for house size and that portion
of the Ordinance should not be changed.
He said that the recommendations were made primarily for the time
that the Zoning Ordinance would be reviewed.
/"�
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 7, 1978 Page 14
Mr. Oquist said that a Motion was made by Kenneth Vos, and seconded
by Connie Modig, that a garage was a structure which could be �
considered a necessity for basic living needs and should still be
required in the Ordinance.
Mr. Harris said that the section of the Ordinance that addressed
garages was most confusing.
Mr. Boardman said that the main problem witr, the Ordinance was
that it always stated lot sizes and he felt that density should be
involved.
Chairperson Harris suggested that any land platted after a certain
date could be addressed in regards to density rathe r than lot sizes.
He said that a special platting ordinance could be drawn up to handle
that type of thing. He said in that way each parcel could be
addressed by itself.
Mr. Boardman said that something had to be developed to address
redevelopment of properties.
Chairperson Harris said that he didn't think that all the remaining
commercial lots could be developed as commercial enterprises. He
said it was very possible that requests will be received to have
many of those lots rezoned to residential.
�r. Oquist said that the point was that the Commission felt that � i
garages should be required.
Ms. Schnabel cited an example where the Appeals Commission felt it
had been right to waive the garage requirement. She said that there
were some situations that came up that would make it economically
unfeasible to build the garage at the time tY�e house was constructed.
Mr. Oquist said that the citizens would still have the Appeals option.
Chairperson Harris said that the best way to handle the situation would
be by having a Platting Ordinance. He said that way rezoning hearings
would not have to be held.
Mr. P�oardman said that by addressing the density rather than lot size
would allow the flexibility to have lot size coordinate with the
entire development.
Mr. Peterson said it would take maximum advantage of the topography
of the area being developed. He felt that it would be a very workable
idea.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, all voting aye the motion carried unanimously.
The Community Development Commission minutes of May 9, 1978, were
received at 10:39 P.M.
�
�
PLANNING COMMISSTON MEETING - JUNE 7, 1978 Page 15
6. RECEIVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSIO`N MINUTES:
MAY 16, 1978
MOTION by Mr. Langenfeld, seconded by Ms. Schnabel, that the Planning
Commission receive the Environmental Quality Commission minutes of
May 16, 1978. °
Mr. Langenfeld referenced Page 6 of the minutes regarding the Highway
Chemical Uses and Effects -- Run-Off. He said that he had gone
to the area in question and noticed exactly where the salt was going
into the soil and running into the river. He said that from the
river side, actual discoloration of the soil and the soil running
into the river was obvious. He said that the situation appalled him.
Mr. Langenfeld said that he decided to go into the area again and
confirm to himself what he had seen. He said that when he approached
the area, there were "No Trespassing" signs posted. He, therefore,
did r,ot go into the property.
Mr. Boardman stated that the storage area of highway chemicals.
was in the flood p1Gin as well as in the Critical Area. He suggested
that a report be requested irom staff regarding any p roblems that
were being experienced in that area. He said that way they could
find out what the State planned for that area as well as how it
would effect the Critical Areas.
i'`� Mr. Langenfeld said that Ray Leek had all tYie information. He
said that Mr. Leek was going to review the information to find out
if there were other areas that could be effecting the Critical Areas.
He said the information was from the work Mr. Langenfeld had done
regarding the "Non-Point Source Pollution Introduction".
UPON A VOICE VCTE, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Langenfeld, that Staff be
directed to gather all the necessary information regarding possible
pollution problems in regards to the storage of highway chemicals
on East�River Road, south of Interstate 694; and that a member of
the Environmental Quality Commission be allowed to attend when the
Staff person visited the site. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye,
the motion carried unanimously.
7. RECEIVE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSIOIV MIIVUTE5:
MAY 22, 1978
MOTION by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Langenfeld, that the Planning
Commission receive the May 22, 1978, minutes of the Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting.
�
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 7, 1978 Page 16
Mr. Peterson referenced pages 9& 10 of the minutes regarding the
Hillcrest Petition for park area. He said°that a motion was
made by Jan Seeger, seconded by Robin Suhrbier, to recommend to
City Council, through Planning Commission, that the property in
question had never been park land, that it was not part of the
park plan, so additional land should r.�ot be p��rchased and developed,
and that the possibilities of selling the land be explored and
the money from the selling of the land and money that would be
allocated by the developer be put into escrow for providing access
under the railroad tracks to connect that neighborhood with the
entire park system.
Mr. Peterson said that the Parks & Recreation Commission wanted
the Planning Commission to indicate whether or not they concur
with the above motion, so that it would be forwarded to the City
Council.
Chairperson Harris asked what was developing regarding Locke Fark
and the possibility of Anoka County taking over the mair�tenance of
same.
Mr. Boardman said that he hadn't heard of anything regarding Locke
Park.
Chairperson Harris indicated that as Chair of the Planning Commission
he was requesting that the City Council respond to the previous
request on the possibility of turning Lock Park over to Anoka County
for maintenance and operation as per an original request made some i"``�
time ago.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, all voting aye, the
The minutes of the May 22, 1978, Parks
meeting were received at 11:00 P.M.
motion carried unanimously.
and Recreation Commission
MOTION by Mr. Langenfeld, seconded by Ms. Schnabel, that the Planning
Commission concur with the motion made by Jan Seeger and seconded
by Robin Suhrbier regarding the Hillcrest Petition for park area.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
8. RECEIVE APPEALS COMMISSION MINUTE5: MAY 23, 1978
MOTION by Ms. Schnabel, seconded by Mr. Oquist, that the Planning
Commission receive the Appeals Commission Minutes of May 23, 1978.
Ms. Schnabel explained the discussion the Appeals Commission had
regarding a variance request by Mr. & Mrs. Bethel. She said that
after much deliberation, it was decided that the intent had been
carried out in terms of the notifying the adjacent neighbors and
involved property owners. She said the Appeals Commission had been
uncomfortable handling the request because it was carried
through by the petitioners rather than through the normal channels.
�
__ . � . .: _ . . . �.��,
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - JL'NE 7, 1978 Pa,e 17
'� Chairperson Harris indicated that a hand-carri:ed notice was a proper
procedure of notification. H'e.said that there had been a Supreme
Courth ruling that the fiand-carried notice was one of the ways of
properly notifying involved property owners.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
9. OTHER
Mr. Langenfeld s2id that the "gr�und breaking" ceremony for the new
Senior Citizen building located across from City Hall had been
very interesting.
ADJOURNMEIVT
Chairperson Harr•is declared the June 7; 1978, Planning Commission
mee�ing adjourned at 11:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
MaryLee Carhill
Recording Secretary
r�
�