HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 1, 2003PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 1, 2003
7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairperson, Tom Ramsdell.
Roll Call: Commission Members present-Yehle, Sch.rnitt, Baker, Peterson, and Ramsdell.
Also present were Tim Johnson (City Planner), Shelley Hanson (Secretary), and Tami Ericson (Council
Liaison).
Motion by Yehle, second by Schmitt, to approve the minutes from the meeting of March 4, 2003. All
ayes. MOTION PASSED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE
NEW BUSINESS
Case #:
Owner:
Address:
Phone:
2003-1M06-Site Plan Review
Glenn Stauffacher
3825 3rd Street NE
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
(763) 788-6418
Applicant:
Rosa Architectural Group
1084 Sterling Street
St Paul, MN 55119
Parcel Address: 3929 California Street NE
Profile Tool is requesting a Site Plan Review to construct, a new 19,179 square foot facility on the
property at 3929 California Street NE. The site is undeveloped and was identified as North Lomianki
Park until the City Council removed the park designation fi:om this property in January 2003.
The site is currently zoned Industrial. The surrounding property to the south and west is zoned and used
industrially. The property to the east across the alley is zoned and used residentially. The property to
the north appears to be open space with a few homes, and is located in the City of Fridley.
Profile Tool and Engineering has proposed to construct a new 19,179 square foot facility to house their
metal tooling and machining business. The business is currently located at 3825 3rd Street NE, and has
outgrown their existing space. The business currently employs ten people and is anticipated to add a few
additional employees in the design-build process. The owner has indicated that the opportunity to build
a new facility will allow for him to dramatically improve his business efficiency and increase production
output. In moving forward with this project, Profile Tool has been working with City staff to identify
the necessary processes and related approvals since fall of 2002. As you're aware, the City has granted
several approvals that were necessary for this project to move forward; including a recent vacation of a
portion of California Street, and the removal of park designation fi:om the parcel formerly identified as
North Lomianki Park. The City also approved a Comprehensive Plan change from Parkland to
Industrial, which the Metropolitan Council endorsed in January 2003. The proposed construction
schedule from start to completion is approximately 5 months, beginning this spring.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
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APRIL 1, 2003
The 19,179 square foot building will be constructed of painted rockface masonry block with steel bar
joists. The rockface masonry units will be complemented by two smooth accent stripes that extend
around the building. The building entrance area will have an EIFS (stucco) finish that will signify and
provide some visual interest to the west side of the structure. It will also be complemented by a colored
metal vaulted canopy and glass entry door with side lights. The building will feature a number of high
windows on several facades to allow for natural light into the shop space. The south and west building
elevations will have windows and doors to create curb appeal and will feature a variety of trees and
shrubs to screen the loading dock area from California Street. The proposed front fagade and front
entrance facing the parking lot project a distinct character, and maximize natural surveillance and
visibility. The total number of large anodized aluminum insulated glass windows alone is eleven, which
does not include the total number of higher moUnted windows shown on the elevation drawings.
Although the project does not quite achieve the 30% window and door area requirement for non-
residential uses, staffbelieves that the proposal meets the intent of the ordinance and provides what staff
considers a visually appealing structure.
Commission member Ramsdell questioned whether to enforce the 30% requirement and that he did not
like to set a precedent by making an exception. Mr. Russ Rosa, froTM Rosa Architectural Group Inc.,
passed out new renderings of the site and noted that additional windows were added to the building at a
higher level to compensate for not meeting the 30% requirement of our Ordinance. Our Ordinance
requires 30% window and door space between the two foot and ten foot height on the front of the
building facing the parking area. However, as this is an Industrial Building, this requirement would limit
the use of the building for the machinery and racking that would be placed against the walls. 'The owner
wanted some natural light and has allowed for this at a higher level than our Ordinance mandates. Mr.
Rosa said the proposed plan allows for about 12% in the required 2-10 ft height, but by including the
higher mounted windows it comes very close to the 30% requirement. He argued that other cities do not
have this restriction in their Ordinances for Industrial Buildings as it is prohibitive to the owners.
Commission member Yehle agreed with staff and the owner in that he felt the design made a good
attempt to meet the requirement, and thereby meets the intent of the ordinance.
The loading area will consist of two overhead doors for delivery purposes. The building will consist of
approximately 2,533 square feet of office space, and 16,646 square feet of shop space. The proposed
building will be located adjacent to the existing cul-de-sac on California Street for adequate ingress and
egress, and will be served by 39th Avenue and California Street. The site traffic and loading will be
completely separate from the adjacent residential properties and will not have an entry point on the alley
side. The renderings provided included elevations of what each building side will generally look like
and the approximate height of the building. It was noted the door on the north side is only for air. It
will not have a driveway access to that side of the building. The roof will be flat and will feature an
interior roof drainage system that will catch storm water and pipe it underground to the detention pond
on the south side of the site. The rooftop venting and mechanical units will be appropriately screened
from view. It should be noted that the building will not be more than 26 feet in height, but will vary in
height from 21 to 26 feet because of the sloping topography from north to south.
The minimum front yard building setback is 20 feet and the proposed building exceeds this requirement
as it is 51 feet from the property line. The minimum side yard building setback is 12 feet and the
proposed building exceeds this requirement as it is approximately 55 feet from the west property line.
The minimum rear yard building setback is 24 feet and the proposed building meets this requirement, as
it is exactly 24 feet from this property line.
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APRIL 1, 2003
The minimum requirements are 2 parking spaces per every 3 employees, or 1 space per 1,000 square
feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater. The site plan shows 20 parking spaces, (including one
handicap space) with the requirement being 19 spaces. The parking will be on the west side of the
building which will be considered the front side, and therefore, will have little affect on the residential
neighbors. The west and north sides of the building and the south facing loading area will feature
several wall pack lights. It should be noted that the lighting plan submitted provides details on the
footcandle measurements, which meet the City requirements for lighting intensity.
There was some discussion regarding the handicap space being located at one end of lot. Mr. Rosa
stated this was done to be code compliant with the slope requirements for such a space. Due to the
elevations of the site and where the door is located, this is the best place to place the handicap parking
space to meet the proper slope.
The site plan proposal includes a landscaping plan, which provides details on plant and tree numbers,
locations, and species. The ordinance requires a minimum of one trec for every 50 feet of street
frontage, or a minimum of 4 trees for every one-acre of lot area covered by buildings, parking area, etc.
The landscaping plan provided includes approximately 15 evergreen and ash trees measuring 6 feet in
height, 4 existing trees, as well as approximately 19 shrubs. This plan more than meets the minimum
landscaping standards established by the ordinance. A majority of the tree plantings will be a natural
buffer for the residential homes on the east side of the site, but additional evergreen trees will be planted
adjacent to the detention pond and the loading dock area. The neighbors in the area had requested a
natural buffer of trees and shrubs rather than fencing. In addition, the non-bituminous areas on the
project site will be seeded, sodded and mulched. Also, the dumpster will be located next to the loading
area, and .will be enclosed as required by ordinance.
Public Works Director Kevin Hamen has reviewed the plans and his analysis indicates that on-site
surface water ponding has been proposed for the site, and meets the City storm water requirements and
well as MPCA Storm Water Permit requirements. It should also be noted that the City has requested a
ten-foot easement around the easterly radius of the cul-de-sac for street and utility purposes. Thc City
will also maintain a 30 foot access up to 40~ Avenue in ease the City would ever need to reach thc north
and west sides of thc property for utilities or maintenance purposes.
The Fire Department has also reviewed and preliminarily approved the plans with some comments. To
note, the owner.plans on installing a sprinkler system, which eliminates a prior fire lane concern by the
Fire Department.
The proposed construction is consistent with the 2001 City Comprehensive Plan which designates the
property for future industrial use. The new facility will further enhance the tax base and create additional
good paying jobs. The building features varied architectural materials designed to create visual interest
and to provide consistency with the surrounding area and will provide a buffer for the residential
properties from the railroad switching yards to the west. Therefore, staff recommended approval of the
Site Plan proposal to construct a new 19,179 square foot facility on the property at'3929 California
Street NE.
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APRIL 1, 2003
There was more discussion regarding the retention pond and whether fencing should be required.
Planner Johnson explained that Public Works does not advise fencing of these ponds due to trapping
children inside and that it limits public safety personnel from rescue attempts if necessary. He also
stated that the pond will not hold water all the time. It is only meant to alleviate problems during
torrential rains or wet years. It was the general consensus that some type of planting be put around the
perimeter as necessary to deter children from playing there.
Motion by Ramsdell, seconded byYehle, to approve the Site Plan for Profile Tool and Engineering for a
19,179 square foot industrial facility on the property at 3929 California Street NE, subject to the
following conditions:
1. All required state and local codes, permits, licenses and inspections will be met and in full
compliance.
2. Final review and approval of grading/drainage, water and sewer plans by City Engineer and
Fire Chief.
3. Approved landscaping and screening shall be installed in conjunction with site development and
prior to issuance of a final certificate of occupancy.
4. Additional landscaping be added as necessary around pond area with restrictive plantings as
approved by staff.
All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
MISCELLANEOUS
There was a discussion regarding the status of the south piece of Lomianki Park. Council member
Bobby Williams stated that the Park Status had been removed from that piece of property. Cowmission
member Peterson stated the City Council should look at re-zoning the property if they wish to market it
as residential property.
Motion by Yehle, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm. All Ayes.
Respectfully submitted,