HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 6, 2001CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING- MINUTES
February 6, 2001
MEMBERS
Tom Remsdell, Chair
Donna Schmitt
Ted Yehle
Stephan Johnson
Tammera Ericson
The February 6, 2001 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Chairperson Ramsdell. Members present were Schmitt, Ericson, and Ramsdell. Commissioners Johnson and Yehle
were not in attendance. Also present were Kathryn Pepin (Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission), and
Tim Johnson (City Planner).
Motion by Ericson, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the minutes from the meeting of January 9, 2001 and the
work session of January 23, 2001 as presented in writing. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Site Plan Review
Case//2001-0201
PMJ Group, Inc.
RE: 4417 University Avenue
Planner Johnson presented the request of Mike Juaire, representing the PMJ Group, Inc. for site plan approval of
plans for a four unit rental townhouse on the vacant property located at 4417 University Avenue N.E. Mr.
Johnson explained that Mr. Juaire has previously constructed a similar style four unit rental townhouse building to
the south of this proposal. He stated that the PMJ Group has purchased the northernmost parcel and combined
lots 19, 20, and 21 for a new parcel measuring 120 feet by 119 feet. The plans indicate a building footprint of 88
feet by 56 feet which includes 1,232 square feet of living space for each four units and each has an attached
garage of 20 feet by 20 feet. He directed the Commission's attention to elevation drawings and floor plans for
these two level split entry design townhouse units.
Mr. Johnson informed the Commission that this proposal is a permitted use in the LB, Limited Business District in
which this parcel is located. The property on the north and south of this parcel is zoned LB, Limited Business, and
is also used residentially as is the property to the east. To the west is the University Avenue frontage road.
He stated that the proposal meets and exceeds the minimum yard and density requirements of the Zoning
Ordinance as follows:
· Lot Width shall be at least 50 feet. The subject parcel exceeds this requirement with a lot width of 120
feet.
· Minimum lot area shall be at least 10,000 square feet for each four units. The subject parcel exceeds this
requirement with 14,280 square feet.
· Front yard setback shall be 12 feet. The proposed building will front on the service road facing University
Avenue as currently proposed and exceeds the requirement with a twenty foot setback. The twenty foot
setback is necessary as the garage doors face a street.
· The side yard setback shall be 1§ feet. The proposal will exceed this requirement with 16 foot setbacks
from both property lines.
· Rear yard setbacks shall be 20 feet. The subject parcel exceeds this requirement with a 43 foot setback.
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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FEBRUARY 6, 2001
PAGE 2
He added that the parking requirements will be met as each unit includes a two stall attached garage which is
proposed to be 20 feet by 20 feet which is the minimum recommended size for a two stall garage.
Planner Johnson informed the Commission that the 1992 Comprehensive Plan designated this area as a future
redevelopment area as a potential light rail transit development influence area. However, it was his opinion that
light rail transit in the immediate future would not be likely given fiscal and competitive constraints. The Land Use
Plan shows this area for development of a LRT station with medium density residential immediately to the north.
One goal of the land use and redevelopment plan is to protect the nearby residential neighborhoods. Additionally,
the plan promotes the rehabilitation of existing development in the city. It was his opinion that the proposal would
not negatively impact any adjacent residential areas and would provide an appropriate aesthetic improvement to
the former vacant residential use. Therefore, the proposal would be considered to be consistent with that portion
of the City Comprehensive Plan. He added that the recently built four-unit townhouse building has provided visual
improvement to the 44t~ and University Avenue intersection and this new development should also be an
improvement. He stated that the new Comprehensive Plan designates this area as Transit Oriented Development
wherein a higher percentage of service-oriented commercial/retail development would be necessary with high-
density residential development providing the balance of the development. Permitting this development to go
forward would likely necessitate any future transit development to the south side of this intersection or another of
the identified sites along the corridor.
Planner Johnson stated that the positive aspects of the proposal would be that the proposal is an opportunity to
meet the identified need for more upscale townhouse and condominium style housing in the city, would also provide
an opportunity to enhance University Avenue, the tax base would be increased, and the community image would be
improved. On the negative side, he stated that the proposal would remove a potential site in the city for a LRT
station as identified in the 1092 Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner Ericson asked what the modifications were that were required on the site plan for the first building.
Planner Johnson stated that Ken Anderson, former Community Development Director, handled the site plan review
for the initial building and it was Mr. Johnson's opinion that minimum setback adjustments were warranted. She
also
questioned Planner Johnson on the size of the proposed attached garages as the building floor plan shows the
garages to measure 1 § feet by 20 feet and it was her opinion that the proposed size would not meet the standards
addressed in the new Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Juaim was present to address the garage size and stated that this floor plan was the same as the previously
constructed building in order to gain more open area in the center of the building for the entry. He added that he
would amend the plans to the required 20 foot by 20 foot garage size and decrease the entry opening at the center
of the building.
Commissioner Ramsdell added that the amended floor plan should be submitted to Staff for approval. He stated
that the completed buildino at 315 N.E. 44t" Avenue looks nice and is a complement to the area. He did have
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PAGE 3
concerns with the parking spaces available on site for the two buildings even though the proposal meets
requirements.
MOTION by Ericson, seconded by Ramsdell, to approve the site plan as modified to allow the construction of an
88 foot by 56 foot four unit rental townhouse building at 4417 University Avenue N.E. in the LB, Limited Business
District contingent upon approval of the amendments to the garage size by Staff. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion
passed.
Motion by Ericson, seconded by Schmitt, to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Voice Vote: All Ayes.
The Planning and Zoning Commission reconvened as a work session to continue review of the proposed Zoning
Ordinance commencing with Page 7-11, Food Service, Convenience (Fast Food).
In reviewing Nursing Home requirements on Page 7-13, Commissioner Ericson recommended that the definition of
Nursing Home be amended to read: "A place, residence, or home used for the boarding and care of elderly or infirm
that are fully dependent upon the services of others".
On Page 7-13, Outdoor Sales/Display, the Commission recommended that (a) be amended to read: "The outdoor
sales/display use shall be accessory to a commercial use and subject to all the provisions of this Ordinance'.
On Page 7-13, Outdoor Sales/Display, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to eliminate (i) as they did not
want hazardous materials to be stored inside the building and any storage of hazardous materials outside the
building would have to comply with any and all codes of any governing body including Fire Code. Renumber the
remaining paragraphs in that section.
On Page 7-14, Outdoor Storage, amend (e) to read: "The storage area shall be fenced and screened from adjacent
uses and the public right-of-way. Required screening shall consist of a fence, wall, eartheR bermk~ and/or
vegetation no less than six (6) feet in height and no less than 80% opaque on a year around basis".
On Page 7-14, Outdoor Storage, amend (f) to read: "All goods, materials and equipment shall be stored on an
impervious ;.-'.'c,d :r Gr:?c! surface ~".
On Page 7-14, Outdoor Storage, eliminate (i).
On Page 7-14, Pawnshop, (a) should be amended to read: "The use shall be located at least 1000 feet from all
existing pawnshops, currency exchanoes and consignmentlt~r!ft secondhand stores".
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On Page 7-18, Residential Care Facility, delete (h). It was the opinion of the Commission that there was no need
for the City to be involved in the management of the facility and the floor plan required is already required to be
submitted and reviewed by City Staff as far as sleeping areas, emergency exits and bathrooms prior to a building
permit being issued.
On Page 7-19, Residential Care Facility, Correctional, delete (h) for the same reason stated above.
On Page 7-22, Shopping Center, amend (a) to read: "Only useds allowed within i~ the zoning district, in which the
shopping center is located, shall be allowed in the shopping center".
On Page 7-22, Transitional/Emergency Housing, delete (f).
Discussion started on Section 9.801 and stalled regarding the Mixed Use Planned Unit Development District.
Planner Johnson was directed to contact the former Planner, Joe Holmann to see if what the consultant has
proposed is what was intended and to obtain input from Joe as far as the intent of this new district and what
area(s) it was to encompass.
The Planning and Zoning Commissioners discussed scheduling an additional workshop. It was decided that a work
session would be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 in Conference Room 1 at City Hall commencing with Section
9.801 on page 8-1.
Motion to adjourn the work session by Ericson, seconded by Schmitt, at 9:40 p.m. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion
passed.
Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission
kp