Loading...
PL 05/16/2012 - 31328PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING May 16, 2012 Vice-Chairperson Sielaff called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jack Velin, Brad Sielaff, Brad Dunham, and Tim Solberg MEMBERS ABSENT: David Kondrick, Dean Saba, and Leroy Oquist OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, Planner Steve Spry, Landmark Architectural Signs Ray and Kathleen Korzenowski Approval of Minutes: April 18, 2012 MOTION by Commissioner Solberg to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of a public hearing for a special use permit, SP #12-02, by Landmark Architectural Signs, on behalf of St. Williams Church, to allow the construction of a new free-standing sign that incorporates an electronic message center sign, generally located at 6120 — St" Street NE. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:01 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, Planner, stated the petitioner, Steve Spry of Landmark Architectural Signs, who is representing St. Williams Catholic Church, is requesting a special use permit to allow an electronic message center sign to be part of a new free-standing sign on the church property, which is located at 6120 St'' Street. Ms. Stromberg stated the church would like to construct a new 40 square foot free-standing sign, of which 20 square feet of the sign will be the electronic message center. Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is located on the corners of 61St Avenue and St'' Street and the University Avenue Service Road. The property is zoned R-3, Multi-Family. There are commercially zoned properties to the west and north and residential properties to the south, north and east. The original church building was constructed in 1964; with a building addition in 1990. The existing 40 square foot free-standing sign was constructed in 2007. Ms. Stromberg stated the Planning Commission and City Council may recall, that in 2006 a sign code text amendment was approved to allow institutions (churches, schools, hospitals, medical clinics) that are located on residentially zoned property to have similar standards for signage as commercially zoned Planning Commission Meeting May 16, 2012 Page 2 property, provided certain code requirements can be met. The new language for free-standing signs states that institutions are allowed to have one free-standing sign per development at 32 square feet. The sign may be increased to a maximum size of 80 square feet provided that the sign is placed a minimum of 50 feet from any neighboring residentially zoned property (not including a residential site an institution is located on), the illuminated sign face is perpendicular to an adjacent roadway and the sign does not create glare that will impact adjacent residential properties. Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed sign will be located approximately 80 feet from the closest residential properties, which are located across 61St Avenue at 6081 and 6120 - 4t'' Street. It will be approximately 360 feet from the property located at 6106 - St'' Street. The illuminated sign faces will be facing east and west, which is perpendicular to 61St Avenue, therefore reducing the likelihood of creating glare to adjacent residential properties. Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed sign also complies with all other code requirements, and will be located in the same spot as the existing sign. Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner is requesting a special use permit to allow the electronic message center as part of the new free-standing sign. Electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in any zoning district, except residential, unless meeting the requirements for Institutional Signs; provided the electronic message center sign does not change more often than once every 45 seconds. The sign also needs to be in conformance with all other sign requirements, which as stated above, it does. Ms. Stromberg stated City staff has not heard from any neighboring property owners. Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of the special use permit as electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in a residential district, provided all requirements for Institutional Signage can be met, 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 a sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any signage on site. 2. Message on electronic message center sign shall not change more often than authorized under Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code. 3. Message on electronic message center sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. Commissioner Solberg stated it seems pretty straightforward. Steve Spry, Landmark Architectural Signs, stated as far as obtaining a sign permit that is not going to be any issue for them. The church wanted everybody to know they could work easily with the neighborhood if there are any issues with the lighting, etc. They are not too concerned with the 45-second changeover. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:07 P.M. Planning Commission Meeting May 16, 2012 Page 3 Commissioner Dunham stated they have been doing a bunch of these, and he sees nothing wrong with it. MOTION by Commissioner Solberg approving a public hearing for a special use permit, SP # 12-02, by Landmark Architectural Signs, on behalf of St. Williams Church, to allow the construction of a new free-standing sign that incorporates an electronic message center sign, generally located at 6120 — Stn Street NE. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a resolution for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, CP #12-01, by the City of Fridley, to consider an amendment to Section 6.8, Opportunities for Improvement, of the Transportation Chapter of the Fridley 2030 Comprehensive Plan to recognize the East River Road Corridor Plan that was recently adopted by the Fridley City Council. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Solberg. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:08P.M. Ms. Stromberg stated the Fridley City Council recently accepted the East River Road Corridor Study this past March 26. The City of Coon Rapids and Anoka County have also accepted the final draft of the Study. This multi jurisdictional study lays forth a plan for changes in the design of East River Road necessary over the coming decades as anticipated increases in traffic congestion occur. These changes are proposed to ensure public safety and to preserve the parkway feel of this historic river road. Since the County anticipates applying for many sources of grant funds over the coming years to fund the needed improvements to the roadway, it is important that the Study is referenced in Fridley's Comprehensive Plan. Many grant funding sources require or provide added points in a scoring system if the improvements sought are recognized in the text of an adopted Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Stromberg stated in order to change the text of the Fridley Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in 2009 to recognize this new study, the City needs to approve a minor comprehensive plan text amendment. This process includes a public hearing at the Planning Commission level and approval by the City Council by resolution. Staff has found that the best location to mention the Study in Fridley's 2030 Comprehensive Plan is in Section 6.8 Opportunities for Improvement of the Transportation Chapter. The modified section of text, with the new language underlined, is attached for your review. Ms. Stromberg stated staff recommends approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to recognize reference to the East River Road Corridor Study in Fridley's 2030 Comprehensive Plan to the City Council for consideration at their June 11 meeting. Ms. Stromberg stated some of the Planning Commission members may have been involved in the Corridor Study. There were several neighborhood meetings and several meetings with the Council. This is just a plan. It is not a project per se that the City has any funding for, however, without having a plan in place the City cannot potentially get grant funding for the things that are in the plan. It could be years before they see any of the things in the plan constructed. Planning Commission Meeting May 16, 2012 Page 4 Co-Chairperson Sielaff asked how many meetings were there? Ms. Stromberg replied, there were approx. four at the beginning of the study and then another four as they were closing in on the recommendations of the plan. Co-Chairperson Sielaff asked was everybody in agreement with what the recommendations were? Ms. Stromberg replied, there are some residents who are and some who are not happy about the proposed changes. Ray Korzenowski, 529 Janesville Street, stated he lives on one of the proposed cul de sacs on Janesville Street. They did not know what this hearing was about today and thought there was an amendment to the improvement of the East River Road project. They wanted to find out what it was about because they vehemently oppose the cul de sacs on the three streets in the Janesville, Kimball, Layfayette sections of the City. They went to the Anoka County Planning Commission who had some reservations about it when Mr. Kozlowski told them about it. The Anoka County Planning Commission said that section of Fridley does not really need those cul de sacs. Mr. Korzenowski stated they talked to must have been 150 people living on those streets who were against it except for only two people, one said they were for it and the other person said they did not care. Commissioner Dunham asked Ms. Stromberg, if there is a correlation to this plan and the cul de sacs Mr. Korzenowski is talking about? Ms. Stromberg replied, yes, within the plan there are cul de sacs laid out for several of the streets along East River Road to reduce the amount of access points on East River Road. Mr. Korzenowski stated since they redid East River Road ten years ago, it has improved traffic tremendously. As far as safety, there have not been any accidents because of the turnoffs they have now. To think they would try and change that and make it worse, it just does not make any sense. Kathleen Korzenowski, 529 Janesville Street, stated she explained to the Anoka County Planning Commission that it really is going to be a hardship if they cul de sac their street in particular because in the wintertime, many times, she cannot get up that hill. People need better access to East River Road, and it is absolutely frightening they would even think about blocking it of£ The Anoka County Planning Commission had no idea it was such steep terrain in the area. Co-Chairperson Sielaff asked Ms. Stromberg would these peoples' concerns be taken up with the City Council, too? Ms. Stromberg stated , public comment has already been received on this plan and if they were at the neighborhood meetings staff would have talked to them about that then. Also, residents concerns are in the plan. Staff is asking for this plan to be put into the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, this is just a study and is not saying it is going to happen tomorrow, five or ten years from now. However, there are closures within the plan and whether they happen will be evaluated as the City gets funding for them in the future. Co-Chairperson Sielaff asked, there will be opportunities for public comment and input at those times? Planning Commission Meeting May 16, 2012 Page 5 Ms. Stromberg replied, she is sure there will because all of the cul de sacs need to be designed. It is just a concept, a plan, right now. There are so many aspects to the plan. The closures are not the only thing that went into this plan. It is also about creating a more park-like feel, and providing for multi-modal transportation. Co-Chairperson Sielaff stated and the public will be notified. Ms. Stromberg, stated, yes. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:24 P.M. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to approve a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, CP # 12-01, by the City of Fridley, to consider an amendment to Section 6.8, Opportunities for Improvement, of the Transportation Chapter of the Fridley 2030 Comprehensive Plan to recognize the East River Road Corridor Plan that was recently adopted by the Fridley City Council. Seconded by Commissioner Solberg. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. Receive the Minutes of the April, 2012, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Velin to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Stromberg stated, the next meeting is scheduled for June 20, 2012. ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Dunham adjourning the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Solberg. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Denise M. Johnson Recording Secretary Planning Commission Meeting May 16, 2012 Page 5 Ms. Stromberg replied, she is sure there will because all of the cul de sacs need to be designed. It is just a concept, a plan, right now. There are so many aspects to the plan. The closures are not the only thing that went into this plan. It is also about creating a more park-like feel, and providing for multi-modal transportation. Co-Chairperson Sielaff stated and the public will be notified. Ms. Stromberg, stated,yes. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:24 P.M. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to approve a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, CP #12-01, by the City of Fridley, to consider an amendment to Section 6.8, Opportunities for Improvement, of the Transportation Chapter of the Fridley 2030 Comprehensive Plan to recognize the East River Road Corridor Plan that was recently adopted by the Fridley City Council. Seconded by Commissioner Solberg. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. Receive the Minutes of the April,2012,Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Velin to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Stromberg stated,the next meeting is scheduled for June 20, 2012. ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Dunham adjourning the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Solberg. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, M Denise M. Johnson Recording Secretary CITY OF FRIDLEY SIGN-IN SHEET PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Name Address/Business f ' D P <., Lit / l 161 1%OFl1 / I�• � '