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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 6, 2007 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 6, 2007 7:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair-Marlaine Szurek. Commission Members prescnt- Thompson, Schmitt, Peterson, and Szurek. Excused members: Fiorendino. Also present were Jeff Sargent (City Planner), Gary Peterson (Council Liaison), and Shelley Hanson (Secretary). Motion by Peterson. seconded by Schmitt. to approve the minutesfi'omthe meeting o.fOctober 2, 2007. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS CASE NUMBER: APPLICANT: REQUEST: 2007-0903 City of Columbia Heights Zoning Amendmcnt to the Zoning Code as it rclates to Nightclub Uses Planner Sargent explained that this amendment is being withdrawn. When the amendment is completed it will be re-published and brought before the commission as a new case. CASE NUMBER: APPLICANT: LOCATION: REQUEST: 2007-1101 Signminds 999 50th Avenue NE Site Plan for Signage INTRODUCTION At this time, Signminds is requesting a site plan approval for new signage for the office building located at 999 - 50'h A venue. The office building currently has a wooden freestanding sign and would like to upgrade to a monument sign in the same location. The Design Guidelines require site plan approval for any new signage proposed for a business. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Comprehensive Plan guides this area for Commercial related activities. One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is to provide opportunities and mechanisms for successful redevelopment of targeted areas within the community. Incorporating a monument-style sign for the business at 999 - 50'h A venue would be compliant with the Design Guidelines, and thus consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. ZONING ORDINANCE The property is located in the General Business District (GB), as are the properties to the north and west. The properties to the east are zoned R-2A, One and Two Family Residential and the properties to the south are zoned R-2B, One and Two Family Residential. The subject parcel is also located within the Design Overlay Highway District, and is subject the regulations for such properties. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 2 November 6, 2007 The City Code at Section 9.106 (P)(12) states that monument signs in the GB District shall be limited to 40 square feet per side, eight feet in height, and shall be set back a minimum of five feet from all property lines. The applicant's sign plan indicates that the monument sign will be six (6) feet in height and 32 square feet in area. The site plan for the sign also indicates that the monument sign will be located five (5) feet from the fi'ont property line. DESIGN GUIDELINES SIGNAGE. The Design Guidelines prohibit the use of pylon signs and require that all monument signs be constructed of materials compatible with those that are used on the principal structure. The proposed plans indicate that the monument sign's base will be constructed of brick to match the building. The Design Guidelines also prohibit internally lit box signs. The proposed monument sign incorporates backlit channel letters that would be consistent with the intent of the Design Guidelines. FINDINGS OF FACT Site Plan Approval Section 9.1 04 (M) requires that the Planning and Zoning Commission shall make each of the following findings before approving a site plan: 1. The site plan conforms to all applicable requirements of this article The proposed site plan meets all the Design Guidelines standards fill' monument signs in relation to the color (!lthe sign and the types 4materials used to construct it. 2. The site plan is consistent with the applicable provisions ofthe city's comprehensive plan. The proposed sign plan is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, as it is consistent with the Design Overlay Highway District. 3. The site plan is consistent with any applicable area plan. There is no applicable area plan/or this area. 4. The site plan minimizes any adverse impacts on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right-of-way. The proposed signage meets all the minimum setback requirements and all Design Guideline requirements. For this reason. the property in the immediate vicinity should not be adversely impacted. The signage plan conforms to all standards outlined in the Design Guidelines. Staff recommends approval of the site plan for the office building located at 999 - 50th Avenue. Questions from Members: Schmitt asked for clarification for the record on the need to go through the site plan process for approval of this new sign. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 3 November 6,2007 Commission members thought the new monument sign would be much nicer looking and meets the Design Guidelines, therefore enhancing the appcarance of the site. Public Hearing Opened: A representative from Signminds and the owner of the business were present. They were happy the Commission liked the design of the new sign. Public Hearing Closed. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Schmitt, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2007-PZ07, there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Schmitt, to adopt Resolution No. 2007-PZ07, being a resolution approving a site planfor the office building located at 999 - 50lh Avenue. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. RESOLUTION NO. 2007-PZ07 RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION APPROVING A SITE PLAN FOR SIGNAGE AT 999 - 50Tll AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, a proposal (Case #2007-1101) has been submitted by SignMinds to the Planning and Zoning Commission requesting a site flan approval from the City of Columbia Heights at the following site: ADDRESS: 999 - 5011 Avenue LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On file at City Hall. THE APPLICANT SEEKS THE FOLLOWING PERMIT: Site Plan approval for signage for the oftice building at 999 - 50th A venue. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has held a public hearing as required by the city Zoning Code on November 6, 2007; WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission has considered the advice and recommendations of the City staff regarding the effect of the proposed site plan upon the health, safety, and welfare of the community and its Comprehensive Plan, as well as any concerns rclated to compatibility of uses, traftic, property values, light, air, dangcr of fire, and risk to public safety in the surrounding areas; and Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 4 November 6, 2007 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Columbia Heights after reviewing the proposal, that the Planning and Zoning Commission accepts and adopts the following findings: 1. The site plan conforms to all applicable requirements of this article, except signage. 2. The site plan is consistent with the applicable provisions of the city's comprehensive plan. 3. The site plan is consistent with any applicable area plan. 4. The site plan minimizes any adverse impacts on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right-ot:way. FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the attached conditions, maps, and other information shall become part of this permit and approval; and in granting this permit the city and the applicant agree that this permit shall become null and void if the project has not been completed within one (1) calendar vear after the approval date, subject to petition for renewal ofthe permit. Passed this 6th day of November 2007, Offered by: Seconded by: RollCall: Ayes: Nays: CHAIR Marlainc Szurek Attest: SECRETARY, Shelley Hanson -------- ------------- --------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- -- Approval is contingent upon execution and return of this document to the City Planning Office. I have read and agree to the conditions ofthis resolution as outlined above. Catherine Monnens Date Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 5 November 6, 2007 NEW BUSINESS Planner Sargent stated that only eight people were in attendance at the Public Forum seeking input for the renewal oCthe Comprchensive Plan held November 1,2007, at Murzyn Hall. Out of the eight people attending, only one pcrson was not a current member of a Board, an elected official, or a stall' member. Staff was somewhat disappointed by the lack of interest in something so important to the future of our city. Sargent said stall' will contact several community groups and seek feedback II'om a surveyor questionnaire that will be prepared. He said they plan on approaching several groups including the High School, the Sr. Group, possibly the Asian community and the Hispanic residents, so input from a cross section of residents is obtained. The next meeting was originally scheduled for December 101h, but this will probably be re-scheduled for January so that further input from these groups can be gathered. Szurek informed Sargent that the response 01' interest in this process was similar the last time it was done. Schmitt suggested that maybe something should be put on the website or on cable allowing people to e- mail in their comments or to fill out a survey online. People are more apt to respond this way as it doesn't commit them to a meeting 01' take up as much time. OTHER BUSINESS Gary Peterson spoke to the members about re-zoning Central Ave II'om 441h to 451h Avenue that will be on the December meeting agenda. The VFW is seeking this re-zoning f1'om Limited Business to General Business so they can build a patio next to their building. They want to get the slab in yet this year, so they may pour that prior to the December meeting, with the understanding they are doing so at their own risk. He said they will be adding a roof and partial walls latcr that wi II meet necessary requirements for an outside patio. The meeting was adjourned at 7: 20 pm. All Ayes. Respectfully submitted, _.(_~ ~lt9.V MCt'^-'O <\Y\ Shelley Hanson G Secretary