Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20070122City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 1 of 8 Hastings Planning Commission January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Chair Truax called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1.Roll Call Commissioners Present: Hiedeman, Peine, Truax, Schmitt, Stevens, Zeyen Commissioners Absent: McInnis Staff Present: Planning Director Hinzman Associate Planner Kari Barker 2.Official Oath of Office The Oath of Office was administered to new Planning Commissioner Gary Stevens and returning Commissioners Zeyen and Schmitt. 3.Approval of Minutes – January 8, 2007 Motion by Schmitt to approve the January 8, 2007, meeting minutes. Seconded by Zeyen; motion passed unanimously. Public Hearings 4.Coborn’s Grocery Store – Preliminary Plat, Site Plan, Special Use Permit #2007-04 – rd 225 33 Street W. Planning Director John Hinzman presented a staff report. Chair Truax opened the public hearing at 7:16. Leon Fischer, owner of Country Inn and Suites, stated he was delighted to see life on that end of town. He further stated it was good for the city and felt that Coborn’s could compete with other grocery stores in the area. Fischer also mentioned that the Coborn’s grocery store was putting a vacant building to good use. He concluded by stating it is one of the best things to happen to Hastings in a long time. Amy Leonard, 408 Cari Park, stated she was excited to see the building being put to use. However, she expressed concern that noise would interfere with the wildlife on the pond outside her home. Chair Truax closed the public hearing at 7:19. Preliminary Plat City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 2 of 8 Commissioner Hiedeman asked for clarification on the parking situation. Planning Director Hinzman stated that a joint parking agreement would be put into place for the commercial lot and two outlots. Commissioner Schmitt asked if Outlot B was developable. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the easement on the Outlot will be vacated and outlot replatted as a lot of record before it would be developable. Commissioner Schmitt asked if there were any utilities on the Outlot. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed that there are no utilities in the easement. Chair Truax asked for clarification on the location of the mechanical building. Planning Director Hinzman showed him the location on a map, which was on the back side of the building. Mike Wahlin, Director of Construction and Facility Maintenance at Coborn’s, stated he was excited to be at the meeting and the support from the city. Wahlin stated that the roof cannot hold the refrigeration equipment, thus an exterior mechanical building is needed. He stated the building would be 10 feet tall, 12 feet wide, and 40 feet long. Wahlin also stated that the building can be painted to match the building. Chair Truax stated that he was not impressed by the way the mechanical building looked. He also questioned if there would be noise from the mechanical building. Wahlin responded, stating that it was a fully insulated building and thus, no noise would be heard. Commissioner Stevens questioned if compressors, condensers, or both would be housed in the building. Wahlin confirmed that only compressors would be stored in the mechanical building. Chair Truax asked if the mechanical building could be painted to resemble the Coborn’s building. Wahlin stated that the building could be made more decorative through painting it and placing plants around it. Commissioner Schmitt questioned the future expansion area. Wahlin stated that Coborn’s would have no need to expand the building. Commissioner Schmitt inquired why the future expansion areas were not platted with the preliminary plat. Dan Tilsen, developer’s representative, stated that the future expansion areas were already platted as a separate lot. Planning Director Hinzman stated that Coborn’s will have rights of use for these lots, which will be defined in the Development Agreement. Chair Truax inquired why the lots were platted as separate lots. Tilsen stated he was going on past practice. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 3 of 8 Commissioner Zeyen inquired if a roof could be put on the mechanical unit, similar to one seen in an earlier picture. Wahlin stated it was something that Coborn’s could look into. However, he was not able to commit to it as cost was a concern. Commissioner Peine stated that the mechanical unit was placed in the best place it could be. However, he stated that the screening of the unit was on the neighboring properties. He wanted to make sure Coborn’s screened both the unit and the roof housing. Peine also stated he would be happier if the average foot-candle levels were lower. Commissioner Schmitt inquired how the semi-truck traffic would enter the building. Wahlin stated semi-truck would most likely enter from Tiffany Drive and proceed to the back of the loading dock. Commissioner Schmitt asked if Tiffany Drive was rated to handle truck traffic. Planning Director Hinzman stated the street was rated to handle truck traffic because the properties on Tiffany Drive were originally platted as commercial. Schmitt made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat. Chair Truax requested that an eighth requirement be added that the mechanical unit is allowed access of the separate lot. Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Schmitt to approve the Preliminary Plat of Crossroads Center East with the eighth requirement. Seconded by Peine. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously with the following conditions: 1.Conformance with the plans submitted with the Planning Commission Staff Report dated January 22, 2007. 2.All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems. 3.All streets, drives and utilities within the plat of CROSSROADS CENTER EAST shall be privately owned and maintained. The City of Hastings will not assume any ownership or liability of infrastructure within the plat. 4.Final approval of the grading, drainage and utility plans by the Public Works Director, and reimbursement for any fees involved in plan review. The owner assumes all risks associated with the grading and utility placement prior to formal approvals. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 4 of 8 5.Joint access and parking easements must be concurrently recorded with the final plat of CROSSROADS CENTER EAST to guarantee parking and access rights to all lots and outlots within CROSSROADS CENTER EAST and COUNTY RD CROSSROADS CENTER 3 ADDITION. 6.Satisfaction of any Minnesota Department of Transportation review comments. 7.Approval is subject to a one year Sunset Clause; if significant progress is not made towards construction of the proposal within one year of City Council approval, the approval is null and void. 8.Secure permission to allow mechanical equipment to be located directly south of RD the store on Lot 2, Block 1, COUNTY CROSSROADS 3 ADDITION. Site Plan Commissioner Schmitt asked it the extra window was a requirement of the Site Plan. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed, stating it was condition number 3. Commissioner Schmitt asked if lighting met standards similar to the Shell Station, including lighting shields. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed, stating it was condition number 4. Commissioner Schmitt inquired where the exterior waste storage was going to be located. Wahlin stated there would be a compactor for trash. Commissioner Stevens asked where meats and vegetables would be discarded. Wahlin stated that these items would also go in the compactor, which would be picked up every three weeks. Commissioner Peine stated that Wal-Mart had a requirement placed on it regarding concealing walls for the compactor and loading dock area. He wanted to know if Coborn’s had these same requirements. Planning Director Hinzman stated that Coborn’s did not have this requirement as it was an existing building pre-existing the adoption of such requirements, whereas Wal-Mart was a new building. Commissioner Schmitt questioned the signage requirements for the site. Planning Director Hinzman stated that one monument sign would be allowed or Coborn’s could reface the old Wal-Mart sign. He further stated one sign is allowed per frontage. Commissioner Schmitt stated he did not want the sign on the berm. Wahlin commented that a sign would be located on the corner by the berm. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 5 of 8 Commissioner Truax inquired if the lighting requirements on the canopy would be similar to those placed on the Shell gas station. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed there would be similar requirements. Commissioner Schmitt mentioned his concern with screening. He asked Planning Director Hinzman if he was satisfied with the screening. Planning Director Hinzman stated he was satisfied and showed areas of trees on the aerial map. Commissioner Schmitt also stated he desired the compactor to be screened in some way. Commissioner Schmitt asked Staff to review the landscaping to ensure adequate screening. Commissioner Schmitt motioned to approve with an additional requirement that the gas station canopy would not have any backlighting. Wahlin asked if the second item under the recommendation could be modified from the words “must match” to “must complement” in regards to the paint color of the building not leased to Coborn’s. He stated he did not want customers confused about which building to enter. Commissioners were agreeable to this change. Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Schmitt to approve the Site Plan to covert the former Wal-mart building into a Coborn’s Grocery Store. Seconded by Peine. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously with the following conditions: 1.Conformance with the plans submitted with the Planning Commission Staff Report dated January 22, 2007. 2.The remaining building exterior not leased to Coborns must complement the proposed Coborns improvements. This would likely include painting the building to match. 3.Additional windows (and\or spandrel glass), and metal canopies must be incorporated into the north elevation between the two proposed windows. 4.Any rooftop equipment must be completely screened from the front elevation, any part of the roof top equipment that is visible from any other elevation must be painted to match the building on which the equipment sits. 5.Accessory building and waste enclosure materials and colors shall be consistent with the main building City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 6 of 8 6.Outdoor storage shall be prohibited unless it is screened from public view with a screen wall incorporating materials and colors consistent with the main building. 7.Boulevard trees must be planted every 50 feet along the Highway 316 frontage abutting Lot 1, Block 1, County Crossroad East. 8.It appears Tree Numbers 7,9,10, and 11 could be saved and not removed. If removed because of grading can they be relocated to assist in buffering the gas pumps from the homes south of Tiffany Drive? 9.Tree save procedure must be clarified. Orange snow fence should be places at the drip line prior to any moving of equipment of materials over the critical root zone. 10.Existing site landscaping areas must be remediated and any dead planting replaced. 11.A landscape surety shall be established in the amount of 125 percent of the value of the plantings prior to certificate of occupancy and held for one year to ensure landscape viability Additional screening landscaping consisting of evergreen trees should be placed between the gas pumps and Tiffany Drive. The loading dock area must be re-examined to determine adequate screening. 12.All signage will require a separate sign permit. Signage depicted on the site plan submittal does not constitute approval. 13.All ground level mechanical equipment must be screened from adjacent neighbors to the satisfaction of the Planning Director. 14.All lighting shall incorporate shields and cut-offs to direct light on site. Canopy lighting must be recessed. 15.All parking and drive aisle areas shall be constructed to City standards including bituminous surfacing and concrete curb and gutter. 16.All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems. 17.The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements of the City’s property maintenance ordinance. 18.Final approval of the development grading and utility plans by the City of Hastings. The applicant shall be liable for any costs involved in consultant review of the plans. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 7 of 8 19.Submission of an electronic copy of all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or similar format) prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy. 20.Approval is subject to a one year Sunset Clause; if significant progress is not made towards construction of the proposal within one year of City Council approval, the approval is null and void. 21.Any monument signs must be placed at ground level. Special Use Permit Commissioner Schmitt stated his desire that the lighting requirements also be placed as a condition of the Special Use Permit. He also inquired about the types of outside storage that was included in the restrictions in Letter C. Commissioner Schmitt asked if material for sale were excluded such as mulch and salt. Planning Director Hinzman stated that these items were not differentiated in the past, but could be. Commissioner Schmitt inquired into the signage requirements and stated his concerns about meeting these standards. Chair Truax stated that height of signs is taken from the street, so placing a sign on the berm may be over the height limit. Commissioner Zeyen inquired about the hours of operation and the decibel levels of the speakers. Planning Director Hinzman stated that a condition of operation was that the speaker noise was limited. If the noise became a nuisance to neighbor’s, the Special Use Permit could be revoked. Commissioner Zeyen asked about propane exchanged. Commissioner Hinzman stated that propane exchanges were not allowed anywhere in city limits. Wahlin stated that Coborn’s was agreeable to this as long as no other stations in Hastings are allowed propane exchanges. Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Schmitt to approve the Special Use Permit to operate an automobile service station. Seconded by Zeyen. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously with the following conditions: 1)Adherence to the Site Plan presented to the Planning Commission. 2)Any gas station canopy speakers must not be audible to adjacent residential uses. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – January 22, 2007 Page 8 of 8 3)Any modifications or additions to the building may require further city review and approval. 4)Approval is subject to a one year Sunset Clause; if significant progress is not made towards construction of the proposal within one year of City Council approval, the approval is null and void 5)All lighting shall incorporate shields and cut-offs to direct light on site. Canopy lighting must be recessed. 5.Comprehensive Plan Committee Discussion – Staff Report by John Hinzman. Planning Director Hinzman explained the purpose of the committee. Chair Truax, along with Commissioners Peine, McInnis, and Zeyen all expressed interest in serving on the Committee. The names will be forwarded to the City Council for final selection. 6. Other Business Planning Director Hinzman updated the Commission on previous Council activities and upcoming agenda items. Chair Truax stated his desire to have a list of official groups in the City and also that they be registered somehow. 7. Adjourn Commissioner Zeyen motioned and Commissioner Schmitt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Kari Barker, Associate Planner