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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-17 PC Minutes MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Joseph Boeser Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Harland Hess Commissioner Robert Martin Commissioner Gary Pearson Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Joe Walton Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood City Staff Present: Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Absent Present Michael Martin. Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Hess moved to approve the amended agenda tabling item 6.a.-City Attorney Discussion. Commissioner Desai seconded The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. January 20, 2009 Ayes - all Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the minutes of January 20, 2009 as submitted. Commissioner Pearson seconded The motion passed. V. PUBLIC HEARING Ayes - Boeser, Fischer, Martin, Pearson, Trippler, Walton Abstention - Desai, Hess, Yarwood a. 7:00 p.m. - Conditional Use Permit-Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Church, 2020 Rice Street Planner Martin presented the staff report for the request for a conditional use permit by Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries to open a church in an existing 13,292 square-foot building located at 2020 Rice Street. The building site had previously housed an Abra Autobody business. Planner Martin explained that currently the owner of the site is contracting to store trucks on the east side of the lot and if this conditional use permit is approved, the trucks will no longer be able to be stored on the site. Planner Martin said the church has indicated that at this time no exterior remodeling would take place and they would use the interior of the building as it is. Planning Commission Minutes of 02-17-09 -2- Planner Martin explained that the citizen comments received largely regarded parking concerns. Planner Martin said the church would be required to constantly monitor its parking to ensure compliance with city code and if the church finds that it cannot continue to meet parking requirements, it would need to consider alternatives such as holding multiple services or establishing a shared parking agreement. Commissioner Boeser asked for clarification on whether the conditional use permit applies to the person or the site and if the building is leased if the CU P will still apply. Planner Martin explained that the CU P runs with the property rather than a specific property owner and if the church were not to go through with this purchase, the CUP would expire after a year. Commissioner Hess asked if the building has been checked for hazardous materials since it was previously used for auto repair. Planner Martin responded that part of the CU P approval would be conditioned on the building official's staff report requirements. Pastor Lekan Utan, representative for Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, suggested that additional parking could be extended on the east side of the site or the area behind the current parking could be filled for additional parking should the need arise. Chair Fischer asked if there was any problem with the conditions required in the staff report. Pastor Utan responded that there was no problem with those conditions. Commissioner Yarwood asked Pastor Utan if they expect much use of the church during the week. Pastor Utan responded that the building would be used on Fridays, but the highest traffic use would be on Sundays. Commissioner Hess asked what the width of the parking stalls will be. Planner Martin responded that they will be 9 Y:! feet, the same as required of the Abra Autobody facility. The representative said they would like to have another church's members join them once or twice a year for a retreat and worship, possibly during the week rather than on Sunday. The public hearing was opened for comments from the public. Carolyn Peterson, 1801 Gervais Avenue, asked how many handicapped parking spaces are planned. Planner Martin responded that the site has three, but conditions of the building official listed in the staff report and by current city code require that accessible parking be provided Ms. Peterson also questioned the church's plans to use the second floor for worship services that was not handicapped accessible. Planner Martin responded that the building official's staff report comments also note a condition requiring verification of the second level use and that the occupant load is based on building code. Commissioner Boeser commented that from the procedural standpoint for the ADA, the building codes would be updated to reflect the standards legally required in the ADA. Mr. Boeser also mentioned that the city would be working with the church to make sure everything is up to code before the building is occupied. Commissioner Pearson asked whether the CUP for the auto body shop would be discontinued. Planner Martin responded that the auto body CUP that existed on the site has already expired. There were no further public comments; the public hearing was closed. Planning Commission Minutes of 02-17-09 -3- Commissioner Hess moved to recommend adoption of the condition use permit for Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries to operate a church in the building at 2020 Rice Street, Maplewood, bases this permit on the findings required by code and subject to the following conditions: 1. The proposed church must be started in this location within one year after council approval or the permit shall end. The council may extend this deadline for one year. 2. The owner and the church operators shall ensure that the church space meets all the requirements of the building code as determined by the building official and the fire marshal. In addition, city staff shall determine the maximum capacity of the church upon review of the final floor and building plans. 3. The proposed church must ensure compliance with the city's parking requirements. If the church were to grow in membership making it difficult to provide the required parking, the church would be obligated to utilize alternatives such as holding multiple services, establishing a shared parking agreement or seeking a new site. 4. The city council shall review this permit in one year. Commissioner Boeser seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Commissioner Hess reported on the January 26 city council meeting. b. Commissioner Martin reported on the February 9 City Council Meeting c. February 23 City Council Meeting - Commissioner Martin volunteered to attend. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS None XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.