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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 6, 2001CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692 Visit Our Website at: www. ci. columbia-heights, mn. us 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 PLANNING AND ZOING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - MINUTES 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 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2001 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". PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2001 PAGE 4 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