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Home My WebLink About2012-06-19 PC Packet AGENDA MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday,June 19,2012 7:00PM City Hall Council Chambers 1830 County Road B East 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a.June 5,2012 5.Public Hearings 6.New Business a.Ordinance Amendment to AllowFlexibility in the Spacing Requirements for Dynamic Display Signs b.Resolution of Appreciation for Tanya Nuss 7.Unfinished Business 8.Visitor Presentations 9.Commission Presentations a.Commissioner report for the city council meeting of June 11,2012. Commissioner Boeser attended.The scheduled items were the metal building ordinance and the cell phone tower to revise the “variance findings” requirements to reflect new statutory language. b.Upcoming city council meeting of June 25, 2012. Commissioner Pearsonis scheduled to attend. Thescheduled items are the turf-parkingordinance and the East Metro Fire Training Center proposal. c.Upcoming city council meeting of July 9, 2012. Commissioner Trippler is scheduled to attend. Potential items for discussion are the dynamic display sign ordinance revision and the resolution of appreciation for Commissioner Nuss. 10.Staff Presentations a.City Council Meeting Attendance Schedule Revision 11.Adjournment DRAFT MINUTESOF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012 1.CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Commissionwas held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 7:00p.m.by Chairperson Fischer. Senior Planner, Tom Ekstrand introduced the two new planning commissioners Paul Arbuckle and Larry Durand to the commission. 2.ROLL CALL Paul Arbuckle, CommissionerPresent Al Bierbaum, CommissionerPresent Absent Joseph Boeser, Commissioner Tushar Desai,CommissionerPresent Larry Durand, CommissionerPresent Lorraine Fischer, ChairpersonPresent Gary Pearson, CommissionerPresent Dale Trippler, CommissionerPresent Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA CommissionerPearsonmoved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by CommissionerTrippler.Ayes –All The motion passed. 4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES CommissionerPearsonmoved to approve theMay 1, 2012,PCminutes as submitted. Seconded by CommissionerAyes –Chairperson Fischer, Commissioner’s Bierbaum, Pearson & Trippler Abstentions–Commissioner’s Arbuckle, Desai & Durand The motion passed. 5.PUBLIC HEARING a.Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit for the East Metro Public Safety Training Center located on Century Avenue South of Holloway Avenue June 5, 2012 1 Planning CommissionMeetingMinutes i.Senior Planner, Tom Ekstrand gave the report and answered questions of the commission. ii.Maplewood Fire Chief, Steve Lukin addressed and answered questions of the commission. iii.SEH Project Representative, Ron Leaf addressed and answered questions of the commission. Chairperson Fischer opened the public hearing but there were no visitors to address the commission for this item. Commissioner Trippler who also serves on the ENR Commission supports this project and sharedhis environmental concerns regarding this project.Chief Lukin and Mr. Leaf answered and addressed the environmental concerns that were raised during the meeting. Commissioner Tripplermoved to approvethe resolution approving a comprehensive land use plan amendment from unguided right-of-way to G (government) for the property located west of the MN Highway 120 and MN Highway 5 intersection. Approval is based on the following reasons: 1.The property is presently utilized by MnDOT which would be compatible with a land use classification of G. 2.The future use of this site is a public safety training center which will be utilized by multiple public jurisdictions. 3.The classification to G would guide a piece of land that currently does not have any future land use classification. This action is subject to the approval of this land use plan amendment by the Metropolitan Council. Commissioner Tripplermoved to approve a conditional use permit for a planned unit development for the proposed East Metro Public Safety Training Facility. This development will be on the west side of MN Highway 120 at its intersection with MN Highway 5. This approval includes theuse of metal siding for the simulation and training building. Approval is subject to the findings required by ordinance and subject to the following conditions: 1.All construction shall follow the site plan date-stamped May 14, 2012. Staff may approve minor changes. 2.The city council shall review this permit in one year. 3.The proposed construction must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. 4.Comply with the requirements of the city’s engineering department. 5.The applicant shall work with the building official and fire marshal to ensure compliance with applicable codes. 6.This approval does not include landscaping plans or building elevations for the classroom training building which shall be submitted for community design review board approval. 7.Hours of operation shall be limited to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the site must be in compliance with the city’s noise ordinance at all times. June 5, 2012 2 Planning CommissionMeetingMinutes 8.City Council must approve a joint powers agreement with partnering jurisdictions that will limit the use of the burn buildings when weather conditions may cause smoke and other irritants to affect nearby residential neighborhoods. Seconded by Commissioner Pearson.Ayes –All The motion passed. This item goes to the City Council on June 25, 2012. 6.NEW BUSINESS a.Ordinance Amendment to Allow Reinforced Turf Parking Lots i.Senior Planner, Tom Ekstrand gave the report and answered questions of the commission. Commissioner Arbuckle moved to approvethe resolution amending Section 44-17 as it relates to (Adding preferably made of a recyclable the permitted surface materials for parking lots. material). Seconded by Commissioner Trippler.Ayes –All Commissioner Trippler offered a friendly amendmentto add a word to thelast sentence of the preferably last bullet in the staff report so it reads “aesthetics and that are made of a recyclable material. The motion passed. This item goes to the city council on June 25, 2012. b.Election of Chair and Vice Chair The commissionvoted to keep Lorraine Fischer asthe Chairpersonand Tushar Desai as the Vice Chair. 7.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS None. 8.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. 9.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a.Chairperson Fischer gave the commission report for the city council meeting of May 14, 2012, where the Holiday Sign Variance was discussed.The city council moved to approve the Holiday Sign Variance 4-1. Staff indicated they will bring the item back to the commission. b.Upcoming city council meeting of June 11, 2012. Commissioner Boeser is scheduled to attend. The scheduled items are the metal building ordinance and the tower ordinance to revise the “variance findings” requirements to reflect new statutory language.Staff will contact Commissioner Boeser to ensure his availability. June 5, 2012 3 Planning CommissionMeetingMinutes 10.STAFFPRESENTATIONS a.Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation for July 3, 2012, due to the Independence Day Holiday. The planning commission agreed to cancel the PC meeting for July 3, 2012. 11.ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Fischer adjourned the meeting at 8:03p.m. June 5, 2012 4 Planning CommissionMeetingMinutes MEMORANDUM TO:James Antonen, City Manager FROM:Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner Chuck Ahl, Assistant City Manager Dynamic Displays—Sign Ordinance Amendment SUBJECT: DATE: June 13, 2012 INTRODUCTION On May 14, 2012, the city council approved sign variances for two dynamic display message panelsproposed on the pylon signs at the Holiday Stationstore, 280 McKnight RoadSouth.These sign variances allowed the proposed four-foot x eight-foot sign panels to be closer than code allows to the residential district to the south and to the county regional park/open space land to the north. Code Requirements The sign spacing requirements in the sign ordinance require that on-site dynamic display signs have the following minimum separations: 200 feet from a park or open space 200 feet from a residential lot line 100 feet from a side property line City Council’s Action The city council approved the following variances: Northerly Freestanding Sign Reduction of the spacing requirement from the RamseyCounty Regional Park from 200 to 90 feet (110 foot variance). Reduction of the spacing requirement from the townhome property to the south from 200 to 180 feet (20 foot variance). Southerly Freestanding Sign Reduction of the spacing from the townhome property to the south from 200 to 25 feet (175 foot variance). Reduction of the side yard spacing requirement from 100 feet to 25 feet (75 foot variance). Council’s Direction As requested by the planning commission, the city council directed staff toreview the dynamic display ordinance. The council requested wording changes to better address unique circumstances that could occur when evaluating signage requests and specifically, the application of sign spacingrequirements. The council was notlooking for an “overhaul” ofthe ordinance, but wanted to “be better prepared for less than standard” circumstances that could occur. DISCUSSION The planning commission’s concern with the Holiday sign variances was that, since the variances were so large, might the dynamic display sign spacing requirements be too stringent and perhaps unrealistic. Intent of the Ordinance The intent of the dynamic display ordinance is to: Minimize driver distraction and, therefore, keep roadways safer, and Preserve the residential character of neighborhoods by requiring substantial setbacks from residential property. Theordinance givesno reason for the required 200-foot spacing from a park or open space land. Presumably, it is to limit the commercial impact on recreational property. Proposed Ordinance Revision Staff considered reducing the required spacing requirements, but felt that adding language on flexibility may be a better approach. Therefore, staffrecommends adding ordinance language to allowflexibility tothe sign spacing or setback requirements for dynamic display signs.Staff suggests that the city council could vary the spacing requirements ifthey determine that: There would not be an adverse impact ondrivers’safety due to the limited use of adjacent or nearby dynamic display signs. There would not be an adverse impact on the residential character of a neighborhood due to suitable screening or bufferingof the proposed signfrom residential properties. There would not be an adverse impact of suchsign panelson nearby park or open space lands. 2 RECOMMENDATION Adopt the resolution for the attached revisions to the dynamic display sign ordinance. p:\ORD\Dynamic Displays Sign Code Amendment 612 te Attachment: 1.Ordinance Amendment to the Dynamic Display Sign Ordinance. 3 Attachment 1 ORDINANCE NO. ___ AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT CONCERNING THE SPACING REQUIREMENTS FOR DYNAMIC DISPLAY SIGNS The Maplewood City Council approves the following revisionto the Maplewood Code of Ordinances. (Additions are underlined) Section 1. Section 44-743 (k)of the Maplewood Code of Ordinancesis hereby addedas follows: (k) Flexibility. The city council may vary the spacing requirements for dynamic display signs if they determine that: (1)There would not be an adverse impact on drivers’ safety due to the limited use of adjacent or nearby dynamic display signs. (2)There would not be an adverse impact on the residential character of a neighborhood due to suitable screening or buffering of the proposed sign from residential properties. (3)There would not be an adverse impact of such sign panels on nearby park or open space lands. The Maplewood City Council approved this ordinance revision on ___________. _________________ Mayor Attest: ______________________ City Clerk 4 MEMORANDUM TO:James Antonen, City Manager FROM:Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner Chuck Ahl, Assistant City Manger Resolution of Appreciation for Tanya Nuss SUBJECT: DATE:June 11, 2012 INTRODUCTION Tanya Nuss hasresigned from the planning commission.The planning commission appreciatesher twoyears of serviceto the cityand wishesher the best in the future. RECOMMENDATION Approvetheattached resolution of appreciation forTanya Nuss. P:Planning Commission\Resolutionsof Appreciation for Tanya Nuss612te Attachment: Resolution of Appreciationfor Tanya Nuss JOINT RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION WHEREAS, Tanya Nuss has been a member of the Maplewood Planning Commission since February 8, 2010and has served faithfully in that capacity; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commissionhas appreciated Tanya’s experience, insights and good judgment; and WHEREAS, Tanya has freely given of hertime and energy, without compensation, for the betterment of the City of Maplewood; and WHEREAS, Tanya has shown sincerededication to herduties and has consistently contributed herleadership, timeand effort for the benefit of the City. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED for and on behalf of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, and its citizens that TanyaNuss is hereby extended our gratitude and appreciation for herdedicated service. Passed by the Maplewood City Council on ___________, 2012 ____________________________________ Will Rossbach, Mayor Passed by the Maplewood Planning Commission On_____________, 2012 ____________________________________ Lorraine Fischer, Chairperson Attest: ________________________________ Karen Guilfoile, City Clerk MEMORANDUM TO:James Antonen, City Manager FROM:Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner 2012-2013 Planning Commission Schedule for City Council SUBJECT: MeetingAttendance DATE:June 11, 2012 INTRODUCTION The planning commission has established a schedulefor their attendance at city council meetings when there are commission actionsto present.Attached is the revised 2012- 2013planning commission schedule for future city council meetings.Please review this schedule and provide staff with any revisionsto your telephone numbers if they are different than shownor if you wish different numbers listed. The city council is in the process of filling the final two vacancieson the planning commission—Mr. Boeser’s position and one additional vacancy. P:planning commission\2012schedule for city council minutes#3 Attachment: 2012-2013 Planning Commission Schedule for City Council Meeting Attendance 2012-2013PLANNING COMMISSION SCHEDULE FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGATTENDANCE Lorraine Fischer12-26-1105-14-1209-24-1202-11-13 Vacancy01-09-1205-28-1210-08-1202-25-13 Joe Boeser01-23-1206-11-1210-22-1203-11-13 Gary Pearson02-13-1206-25-1211-12-1203-25-13 Dale Trippler02-27-1207-09-1211-26-1204-08-13 Tushar Desai03-12-1207-23-1212-10-1204-22-13 Paul Arbuckle03-26-1208-13-1212-24-1205-13-13 Larry Durand04-09-1208-27-1201-14-1305-27-13 Al Bierbaum04-23-1209-10-1201-28-1306-10-13 ndth City Council meetings areheld the 2and 4Mondays of each month. If you cannot attend a city council meeting on your scheduled date, please arrange to trade dates with another commissioner and alsoplease inform staffas well. Tom Ekstrand651-249-2302tom.ekstrand@ci.maplewood.mn.us Mike Martin651-249-2303michael.martin@ci.maplewood.mn.us Tammy Young651-249-2301tammy.young@ci.maplewood.mn.us P:planning commission\2012schedule for city council minutes#3