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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 4, 2001PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 4, 2001 7:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairperson Ramsdell. Roll Call: Commission Members present-Ramsdell, Schmitt, and Yehle. Council Representative Marlaine Szurek Absent were Commission members Johnson and Ericson. Also present were Tim Johnson (City Planner) and Shelley Hanson (Secretary). Motion by Yehle, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the minutes from the meeting of October 2, 2001. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE NEW BUSINESS A. Site Plan Review Case #2001-1217 KFC of America, A & W 5060 Central Avenue NE Planner Johnson explained this is a request for Site Plan approval to open a new KFC/A&W Fast Food Restaurant on the site of the former Udupi Caf6 at 5060 Central Avenue NE. The proposed restaurant will have dining facilities for approximately 58 patrons as well as providing drive-thru service. The site had previously been used for Udupi Caf6 until fire destroyed the building in February, 2001. The subject property is zoned GB, General Business District which does allow Fast Food Service as a permitted use within the district, subject to Specific Development Standards in Section 7, Page 7-11 (a-f). The surrounding property on the north, south and east is also zoned GB and is used commercially. The property to the west is residential and is zoned residentially. The proposed restaurant meets minimum yard and density requirements, including setbacks, parking, lighting, and height restrictions. It also meets the Specific Development Standards and will not require new curb cuts, or major alterations, as this site was previously used as a similar business. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING DECEMBER 4, 2001 PAGE 2 The applicant is proposing a 3,152 sq. ft. restaurant featuring both Kentucky Fried Chicken and A & W. The applicants are proposing the same type of businesses in various locations in the metro area, including one that is already built near Brookdale that will be opening within the next few weeks. The exterior of the building will have a smooth, sand finish stucco, awnings, familiar signage, and clear windows to provide visual aesthetics. They will also construct a new masonry enclosure that matches the building for the waste material. The applicants are proposing to erect a freestanding sign measuring approximately 75 sq ft. on the existing pole in front of the building. According to the floor plan, there will be seating for 58 patrons which requires 29 parking spaces. There are a total of 36 parking spaces provided on the site plan including two handicap accessible parking spaces with an access aisle located on the north side of the building. They' also have submitted plans showing 8 existing trees on the site, as well as four additional maple trees added in front and two spruce trees. This, plus the shrubbery being proposed, exceeds the requirements. The existing fencing at the rear of the property meets the needs for screening between the commercial and residential properties. However, the fencing needs to be repaired and maintained as one of the conditions for approval. The City Comprehensive Plan designates this area for future Commercial development. The proposal should not negatively impact any nearby residential areas and will provide an appropriate reuse of an existing commercial site, so this proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The positive aspects are that it meets the minimum requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and it provides an appropriate use for a commercial site. There are not any negative aspects of the proposal assuming all conditions are met. Therefore, staff recommends Site Plan approval to allow for a KFC/A & W Restaurant in the General Business District, subject to the conditions listed in the recommended motion. These plans have been reviewed by the Fire Department and Public Works, and there appear to be no major concerns. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING DECEMBER 4, 2001 PAGE 3 Motion by Yehle, second by Ramsdell, to approve the Site Plan to allow the operations of a KFC/A & W Restaurant at 5060 Central Avenue NE subject to the following conditions: 2. 3. 4. All required state and local codes, permits, license, and inspections will be met and in full compliance. All proposed signage must be submitted on the City prescribed application form and must fully comply with the Zoning Ordinance. Solid waste material shall be so located and fenced, as to be removed from public view, and shall be enclosed or contained. Landscaping materials shall be installed in conjunction with site development and prior to issuance of a final certificate of occupancy. A letter of credit or other security as acceptable to the City shall be deposited with the Zoning Administrator in an amount equal to ten (10%) of the estimated landscaping costs. Lighting for the site shall not exceed City Standards at ½ footcandle of light at any residential property line, and 3 footcandles of light at any non-residential property line or curb line. The rear screening fence must be repaired and maintained. Stan Katanic, the representative from GPD Associates, made some comments regarding this new concept of a restaurant that combines the menus of two different types of foods. He stated it is becoming quite popular throughout the country. He was asked what would happened with the current KFC site at 4901 Central Avenue NE. He stated that they will try to sell the property, but that is up to the corporate office to decide. KFC felt the new location is a better site, with better access. All ayes. Motion Passed. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING DECEMBER 4, 2001 PAGE 4 B. TIF District Modification The Columbia Heights City Council has proposed to adopt a modification to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan for Housing Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing District #1. MN State Statute 469.175, Subd. 3, requires that the Planning Commission review the modified plans to determine their conformity with the general plans for development and redevelopment of the City as described in the City Comprehensive Plan. Back in May, 1997, the Columbia Heights City Council approved a scattered site redevelopment TIF District to facilitate redevelopment of substandard single family homes throughout the City in order to improve the City's housing stock increase property values, and prevent the spread of blight. Tax increments from the 56 properties listed in the District were to be used to finance land acquisition, demolition, relocations and related development costs. During a meeting in August, it was determined that the City needs to show activity and any modifications need to be complete on each of the 56 parcels in the District by September 8, 2002, or they will be dropped from the district. This would reduce the potential TIF revenue generated for the above mentioned purposes. All project fimds generated by the District need to be obligated by that date. At the EDA meeting of October 16, 2001, Commissioners approved making modifications to TIF District #1 that would add 10 parcels to the District. The modified plans were supplied for review. The EDA will be addressing this issue again in December. They need to know the Planning Commission has approved the modifications before they can formally adopt the plan. PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2001-01 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION FINDING THAT THE MODIFICATION TO THE DOWNTOWN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE CBD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND THE MODIFICATION TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 1 CONFORM TO THE GENERAL PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 4, 2001 PAGE 5 WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, (the "City") has proposed to adopt a Modification to the Downtown Central Business District (CBD) Revitalization Plan for the CBD Redevelopment Project and adopt a Modification to the Tax Increment Financing Plan for Housing Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing District No. 1 (collectively, the "Modified Plans") and has submitted the Modified Plans to the City Planning Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.175, Subdivision 3, and WHEREAS, the Commission has reviewed the Modified Plans to determine their conformity with the general plans for the development and redevelopment of the City as described in the comprehensive plan for the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission that the Modified Plans conform with the general plans for the development and redevelopment of the City as a whole. Motion by Ramsdell, seconded by Yehle, to adopt Resolution 2001-01, and to support the action of the Columbia Heights City Council. All Ayes. MOTION PASSED. STAFF REPORT Planner Johnson reminded the members of the Holiday Dinner scheduled for December 18 at the Shorewood Restaurant at 7 pm. Motion by Yehle , seconded by $chmitt , to adjourn the meeting at 7.'25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Secretary