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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 6, 2004PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING APRIL 6, 2004 7:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 8:15 pm by Chairperson, Ted Yehle. Roll Call: Commission Members present-Peterson, Schmitt, and Yehle. Commission Members absent-Szurek and Baker Also present were Tim Johnson (City Planner), Shelley Hanson (Secretary), and Tami Ericson (Council Liaison). Chair Yehle apologized to those in the audience for the late start. We had to wait for one of the commission members to arrive from out of town so there would be a quorum to act on the cases being presented. Motion by Schmitt, seconded by Peterson, to approve the minutes from the meeting of March 10, 2004. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case 2004-04 Conditional Use Permit, Church Expansion First Lutheran Church 1555 40th Avenue NE Case 2004-05 Site Plan Review, Church Expansion First Lutheran Church 1555 40th Avenue NE This is a request from First Lutheran Church and CNH Architects' for Site Plan Review to allow for two additions to the current church facility, an accessory structure and a request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for the church to expand in an R-1 Residential District. The First Lutheran Congregation has decided to add a small office addition onto the south 'side of the facility, and a chapel/music room on the north side. They have proposed to add a two story office addition facing the existing parking lot measuring 13 x 62. The other new construction proposed is to add a 1,500 square foot chapel/music room onto the north side of the building. The current church facilities are in need of renovation. This will be done as part of this project and will include new mechanical and electrical systems proposed for the southwest part of the building, and remodeling throughout the facility. The southwest part of the building will also be updated with new windows and a new pitched roofing system. This southwest building addition will be designed with brick to match the existing chumh exterior. The chapel/music room addition will be built on the north side to match with existing roofing and brick exterior as well. A 36 x 44 foot accessory structure to house church vehicles has also been proposed for future construction on the east side of the property with the exterior color and materials to blend with the existing buildings. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 2 April 6, 2OO4 It was noted that First Lutheran Church held an open house for neighbors to inform them of their plans, and no objections were received. The 2001 Comprehensive Plan designates the property for future religious institutional land use, and allows for expansion of neighborhood churches. The Zoning Classification for the property is R-I, Single Family Residential. Religious facilities are conditional uses in this district. Non-residential building/parking setbacks require a minimum front yard setback of 25 feet: The proposed building additions meet this requirement as the north addition is at 25 feet fi:om the property line, and the south addition is well within the requirements. The future accessory structure on the east side also meets the required setbacks. The required setbacks are reflective of a through lot, which really have no side or rear. Thus, all property lines can be considered front yards. The minimum parking setbacks are 15 feet from the front property line. However, the parking lot situation is not being modified or changed in any way, so this requirement is not applicable. Accessory Structures, non-residential uses: Accessory structures are subject to the same setback, height, and exterior finish regulations as the principal structure. The proposed outbuilding meets setbacks, height, and is compatible with the principal structure. The building will be sided with similar colors initially, but will be bricked eventually to match the church building. The height of the accessory structure shall not exceed the height of the principal structure. The proposed twenty-three foot high outbuilding will not exceed the height of the current principal church structure. The minimum parking requirement for religious facilities is one space per every 3.5 seats--The site plan shows 209 current off-street parking spaces, with the requirement being approximately 171, based on a 600-person sanctuary capacity. However, since the additions do not figure into total parking calculation, this requirement is not applicable. The site plan proposal also includes a landscaping plan, which provides details On existing plant and tree numbers, locations, and species. The ordinance requires a minimum of one tree for every 50 feet of street frontage, and a minimum of 4 trees for every one-acre of lot area covered by buildings, parking area, etc. The overall site requires 68 trees per landscape standards. The campus currently offers 77 trees and a variety of complementary landscaping features. The landscaping plan proposed includes an additional 12 deciduous trees consisting of red maple, and green ash added to enhance the urban landscape. The existing church site exceeds minimum City landscaping standards, with the church adding these additional trees to fill in open areas. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 3 April 6, 2004 There are no design standards for this property. However, the existing building is almost entirely brick, with white widow trim and fascia. The proposed brick additions would match with the existing building and roofing materials, and provide visual interest. The existing site is presently served by 40th Avenue, Tyler Street, Polk Street, and 41st Avenue which provides adequate ingress and egress. The City Engineer has reviewed the site plan and grading/drainage issues. The applicants are not required to submit a formal storm water plan, as the proposed additions to the property do not impact the storm water system to any degree. Erosion control will be required during grading and construction activities. The Fire Department has also reviewed and approved the plans with no concerns. Performance Standards The facility shall be served by a minor collector or higher functional classification of roadway. 40th Avenue is considered a collector road, and meets this purpose. The parcel upon which the use is located shall have a lot area no less than four (4) times the area of the building footprint. The approximate building footprint of the existing church with proposed additions is 44,347 sq. ft., with an overall site area of 234,997 sq. ft., thus meeting requirements. To the extent practical, new construction or additions to existing buildings shall be complementary and compatible with the scale and character of the surroundings and exterior materials shall be compatible with those used in the immediate neighborhood. The church and proposed additions are brick exterior finish with complementary window features, and varying rooflines. The additions and remodeling activities p~;oposed are complementary with the existing church and with the neighborhood at large. An appropriate transition area between the use and adjacent property shall be provided by landscaping, screening, or other site improvements consistent with the character of the neighborhood. All landscaping and setback areas will be maintained and enhanced so as to provide consistency and create visual interest. The additions will not impact the surrounding neighborhood to any degree that would dramatically alter the way the site currently looks. All accessory residential, school or day care uses shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. There are no current school or day care uses within the facility, so this is not applicable. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 4 April 6, 2004 Conditional Use Permit Required Findings The Zoning Ordinance requires that certain findings are necessary in order to determine if outdoor storage meets the identified standards from the zoning ordinance. These standards are: · The use is one of the conditional uses listed for the zoning district in which the property is located. · The use is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Comprehensive Plan. · The use will not impose hazards or disturbing influences on neighboring properties. · The use will not substantially diminish the use of property in the immediate vicinity. · The use will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that is compatible with the appearance of the existing or intended character of the surrounding area. · The use and property upon which the use is located is adequately served by essential public facilities and services. · Adequate measures have been or will be taken to minimize traffic congestion on the public streets and to provide for appropriate on-site circulation of traffic. · The use will not cause a negative cumulative effect on other uses in the immediate vicinity. · The use complies with all other applicable regulations for the district in which it is located. Site Plan Review Required Findings: The Zoning Ordinance requires that certain findings are necessary before approving a site plan; * The site plan conforms to all applicable requirements of this Ordinance. * The site plan is consistent with the applicable provisions of the City's Comprehensive Plan. * The site plan is consistent with any applicable area plan. * The site plan minimizes any adverse impacts on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right of way. Since all requirements are being met, staff recommends approval of the Site Plan proposal and Conditional User Permit for First Lutheran Church to construct several additions on the property at 1555 40th Avenue NE. Yehle stated that residents in the surrounding area were notified of this meeting and no comments have been received from anyone in the area. Schmitt said the church campus was a nice fit in the neighborhood and was well maintained so she had no problems with their request. Peterson also agreed that he saw no problem with the improvements proposed for the site. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 5 April 6, 2004 Motion by Peterson, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the Site Plan for First Lutheran Church for construction of several additions to the First Lutheran Church property at 1555 40tn Avenue NE, as the Site Plan meets required findings and subject to the following conditions of approval that have been found necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Zoning and Development Ordinance: 1. AH required state and local codes, permits, licenses, and inspections will be met and in full compliance. 2. Approved landscaping and screening shah be installed in conjunction with site development and prior to issuance, of a final Certificate of Occupancy. 3. Cash escrow of $1,500 shah be submitted for engineering inspection and erosion control. 4. The approval of the Site Plan shah be valid for a period of one year. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Schmitt, to recommend City Council approval ora Conditional Use Permit for First Lutheran Church for an expansion of their facilities in a residential district at 1555 40tn Avenue NE, as the requested Conditional Use Permit meets aH required performance standards and required findings. AH ayes. MOTION PASSED. NEW BUSINESS There was no other new business. MISCELLANEOUS Peterson asked about the status of the construction of a new__building for Heights Rental that was previously approved by the Commission. Planner Johnson explained the project may be delayed until 2005. If it is delayed beyond the one year time flame fi.om the approval date, the Commission may grant an extension if they so choose. Motion by Schmitt, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm. AH ayes. MOTION PASSED. Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hanson Secretary