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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/06/2005 MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesdav, September 6, 2005, 7:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. August 1, 2005 s. Public Hearings 7:00 K and W Roll-offs (1055 Gervais Avenue) Conditional Use Permit (Outdoor Storage) Conditional Use Permit (Commercial Building within 350 feet of residential district) 6. New Business None 7. Unfinished Business None 8. Visitor Presentations 9. Commission Presentations August 8 Council Meeting: Mr. Trippler August 22 Council Meeting: Mr. Desai September 12 Council Meeting: Mr. Ahlness September 26 Council Meeting: Mr. Kaczrowski 10. Staff Presentations 11. Adjoumment MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Eric Ahlness Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai Commissioner Mary Dierich Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Michael Grover Commissioner Jim Kaczrowski Commissioner Gary Pearson Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood Present Present Present Present Absent Present Absent Present Present Staff Present: Ken Roberts, Planner Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Fischer asked Commissioner Trippler to report on the Gladstone Task Force meeting during Commission Presentations. Commissioner Yarwood moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Dierich seconded. The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ayes - Ahlness, Desai, Dierich, Fischer, Kaczrowski, Trippler, Yarwood Approval of the planning commission minutes for August 1, 2005. Commissioner Trippler had corrections on page 11, item b., second line, removing the words aAy r-e8LJCe and replace it with and remove. Chairperson Fischer had a correction on page 15, the first paragraph, first sentence, change the word verses to versgs. Commissioner Desai moved to approve the planning commission minutes for August 1, 2005, as amended. Commissioner Trippler seconded. Ayes - Desai, Dierich, Fischer, Trippler, Yarwood Planning Commission Minutes of 09-06-05 -2- Abstentions - Ahlness, Kaczrowski V. PUBLIC HEARING a. K and W Roll-offs (1055 Gervais Avenue) (7:02 -7:33 p.m.) Mr. Roberts said Kristopher and Wesley Scherping are requesting city approvals to make improvements to the property at 1055 Gervais Avenue for their business, K and W Roll-offs. Specifically, they are proposing to add a gravel outdoor storage yard, build a 40-foot by 49-foot storage building and a new driveway on the property. They want to make these changes to the property so that they can relocate their roll-off (dumpster) business to the property. Mr. Roberts said the applicants also are proposing to surround the rear part of the property, around the storage yard, with an eight-foot-tall chain-link fence. The applicants are proposing to install screening slats in the fence to provide screening of the outdoor storage area. Commissioner Yarwood asked staff for a point of clarification. On page 2 of the staff report, under the screening paragraph it states staff finds the screening acceptable as long as the slats of the fence create at least an 80 percent opaque screen of the property. In the resolution it states 100 percent opaque screening. He asked which statement was correct? Mr. Roberts recommended the 100 percent opaque screening as shown in condition B. number 2. Commissioner Yarwood asked what the approximate distance between the proposed shed on the property and the actual houses at 1026 and 1032 Sextant Avenue would be? Mr. Roberts said the shed would be about 180 to 200 feet in distance from the homes. Commissioner Trippler said under the requests listed in the staff report it states under number 2. the applicants are asking the city to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) to have a new commercial building within 350 feet of an existing residential district. Commissioner Trippler said this lot isn't even 350 feet deep and he asked what could have been built here without getting a CUP? Mr. Roberts said nothing could be built there. M-1 zoning has the extra layer of protection for residential uses within 350 feet for any commercial use or building. Chairperson Fischer said basically it doesn't say you can't build within the 350 foot distance, it says you need a special use permit if you are within that distance. Mr. Roberts said correct. Chairperson Fischer asked the applicant to address the commission. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-06-05 -3- Mr. Kristopher Scherping, 1055 Gervais Avenue East, Maplewood, addressed the commission. Mr. Scherping said the fence will be 100 percent opaque. And he doesn't see a problem with not using Keller Parkway for their trucks. They have no problems or concerns with the staff conditions. Commissioner Dierich asked how often the dumpsters get changed out during the course of a week? Mr. Scherping said during the summer the dumpsters are usually all being used. When a dumpster is done being used, they dump the contents and usually bring the dumpster to the next customer or location. They rarely retum the dumpsters back to the site because there is usually another customer waiting for a dumpster. The exception is when a transfer station was closed then they do have to bring the dumpsters back to the site, cover it with a tarp so things don't blow around and then drive the dumpster to the transfer station the next day. Commissioner Dierich asked if these dumpsters were used for construction debris or for garbage and household items? Mr. Scherping said the dumpsters are only for construction debris. Commissioner Ahlness asked if there would be any maintenance on the dumpsters or if that maintenance is done off site? Mr. Scherping said these are all brand new dumpsters. Commissioner Ahlness asked where the dumpsters are cleaned out? Mr. Scherping said the dumpsters are all cleaned at the landfill or transfer stations. Mr. Eugene Kern, 1032 Sextant Avenue, Maplewood, addressed the commission. He said his property abuts this property. His main concern is the possibility of standing water on the site. There's a ditch that runs around his property and down by the motel and there is standing water there and he and his neighbors are concerned that the runoff from this property doesn't create anymore standing water. He is concerned that a small child could get into that standing water and drown. Chairperson Fischer asked staff if engineering had determined if there would be additional water runoff from this site that could cause a problem? Mr. Roberts said Chuck Vermeersch, Maplewood Engineer, didn't specifically say anything in his report about standing water but staff will alert engineering of the concern before this goes to the city council. Commissioner Trippler said he walked the site over the weekend and he assumed the storage pond that is being engineered into this plan is to collect water that is generated from this site. Mr. Roberts said the city wants to ensure that any water that drains out of the pond if it doesn't soak into the ground doesn't cause drainage problems on the site. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-06-05 -4- Mr. Kern said he has wetlands on his property which extend into the ditch which goes down by the motel. Mr. Kern's concern was the property used to have 75 to 100 trees on the site and a ravine and then a large amount of fill was brought to the site by a previous property owner to level the lot. Chairperson Fischer said it sounds like the topography has been altered considerably. Mr. Kern said correct. Commissioner Yarwood said he would like to see number 4 on page 34 of the resolution and page 36, number 3. changed in the resolution to say Monday through Saturday, and all day Sunday (rather than) ef-all day Sunday. That should be clarified to eliminate the possibility of any misunderstandings by the applicant. Commissioner Ahlness said in the staff report on page 34, condition number 9., in the second sentence, we should include the words Keller Parkway so it then reads There shall be no truck traffic from this business on Cypress Street ami or on Keller Parkwav. Commissioner Trippler moved to adopt the resolution starting on page 33 of the staff report. This resolution approves a conditional use permit for the outdoor storage of roll-off containers, trailers and associated materials on the property at 1055 Gervais Avenue. The city bases approval on the findings required by the code and subject to the following conditions: (changes to the motion are underlined and deletions are stricken.) 1. All construction shall follow the project plans as approved by the city. This shall include providing a driveway to the gate of the storage yard, subject to the requirements of the fire marshal. 2. The approved exterior storage is limited to roll-off containers, trailers and vehicles associated with a roll-off delivery business. All vehicles must be licensed and operable. 3. The owner or applicant installing and maintaining a screening fence that is 100 percent opaque around the perimeter of the outdoor storage area. The owner shall maintain and repair the fence so that it remains in good condition and 100 percent opaque. 4. There shall be noise-making business activity conducted in the property, or made by vehicles entering or leaving the lot, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., Monday through Saturday, GI' and all day Sunday as required by city code. 5. The proposed construction and the outdoor storage on the property must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. The council may extend this deadline for one year. 6. The city council shall review this permit in one year. 7. The city council may require more parking spaces should the need arise. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-06-05 -5- 8. The property owner shall keep the site clean of debris and shall cut or remove any noxious weeds. 9. The owners and operators shall only use Maplewood Drive and Gervais Avenue for access to the site. There shall be no truck traffic from this business on Cypress Street aA4 or on Keller Parkway. Comrnissioner Trippler moved to approve the resolution starting on page 35 of the staff report. This resolution approves a conditional use permit for the construction of a 40 by 49-foot storage building within the M-1 (light manufacturing) zoning that would be within 350 feet of a residential zoning district at (at 1055 Gervais Avenue). This approval shall be subject to the following conditions: 1. The approved exterior storage is limited to roll-off containers, trailers and vehicles associated with a roll-off delivery business. All vehicles must be licensed and operable. 2. The owner or applicant installing and maintaining a screening fence that is 100 percent opaque around the perimeter of the outdoor storage area. The owner shall maintain and repair the fence so that it remains in good condition and 100 percent opaque. 3. There shall be no noise-making business activity conducted in the property, or made by vehicles entering or leaving the lot, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., Monday through Saturday, 9f and all day Sunday as required by city code. 4. The proposed construction and the outdoor storage on the property must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. The council may extend this deadline for one year. 5. The city council shall review this permit in one year. Commissioner Ahlness seconded. Ayes - Ahlness, Desai, Dierich, Fischer, Kaczrowski, Trippler, Yarwood The motion passed. This itern goes to the city council on Monday, September 26, 2005. VI. NEW BUSINESS None. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-06-05 -6- IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Mr. Trippler was the planning commission representative at the August 8, 2005, city council meeting. Iterns to discuss included the Woodlands of Maplewood (McMenemy Street north of Kingston Avenue) for the Land Use Plan Change, Zoning Map Change, Street Right-of-Way Vacation, CUP and Preliminary Plat. This was tabled by the city council which the applicant agreed to until Monday, September 12, 2005, so the plan could be reworked to fit the site and take care of some of the concerns that were brought up. The Utility Easement Vacation (Heritage Square Fourth Addition> was passed by the city council. The Walgreen's Pharmacy Land Use Plan and Zoning Map Changes were denied and if and when the legal issues are worked out by the applicant and the owner this proposal can be brought back to the city to be processed. The Maplewood Toyota Vehicle Parking and Sales Facility NW corner of Highway 61 and Beam Avenue for CUP and setback variance for a parking ramp, and Maplewood Toyota Expansion north of LaMettry's Collision (2923 Highway 61> for a CUP for the outdoor motor vehicle storage and Variance to store motor vehicles within 350 feet of residential district were all passed by the city council. b. Mr. Desai was unable to represent the planning commission at the August 22,2005, city council meeting. Mr. Roberts reported the only planning commission item was Best Buy, 1801 County Road D, for the building setback variance and parking count variance which was passed by the city council. On August 23, 2005, the CDRB reviewed some redesigned building elevations per the request of the CDRB. The CDRB selected one of the plans that they felt was a better plan which was later approved by the city council as well. Commissioner Trippler inquired about the final decision regarding the parking stall width at 9 feet wide or 10 feet wide as recommended by the planning commission. Roberts was unsure of the final design plans but would get back to the commission regarding that. c. Mr. Ahlness will be the planning commission representative at the September 12,2005, city council meeting. So far the only planning commission item to discuss is the unfinished business of the Woodlands of Maplewood (McMenemy Street north of Kingston Avenue) for the Land Use Plan Change, Zoning Map Change, Street Right-of-Way Vacation, CUP and Preliminary Plat. d. Mr. Kaczrowski will be the planning commission representative at the September 26, 2005, city council meeting. So far the only planning commission item to discuss is the K and W Roll-offs at 1055 Gervais Avenue for the conditional use permit. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-06-05 -7- e. Gladstone Task Force meeting update. Commissioner Trippler reported on the August 31,2005, Gladstone Task Force meeting that was held at the Maplewood City Hall in the city council chambers. The next "public" meeting will be Thursday, September 29, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center. The next "Task Force" meeting will be October 13, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center. The last public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, 2005, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center. More information on the Gladstone Redevelopment area can be found on the City of Maplewood's websjte at www.cLmaplewood.mn.us. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS None. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.