HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 5, 2008
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Vice-Chair-Donna Schmitt.
Commission Members present- Thompson, Fiorendino, Schmitt, and Peterson.
Commission Members absent- Szurek.
Also present were Jeff Sargent (City Planner), Gary Peterson (Council Liaison), and Shelley Hanson
(Secretary).
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Fiorendino, to approve the minutesji'om the meeting of October 7,
2008. All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CASE NUMBER:
APPLICANT:
LOCATION:
REQUEST:
2008-1101
City of Columbia Heights
950 40th Avenue NE
Lot Split
INTRODUCTION
Sargent explained that the Cit~ of Columbia Heights is requesting a minor subdivision (lot split) for the
property located at 950 - 4011 Avenuc NE per Code Section 9.104 (J). Currently, the City owns the
property, which consists of a parking ramp and plaza area. Thc City would like to split the land containing
the plaza area off from the parking ramp at this time, creating two separate lots.
The plaza area is a "self-defined parcel" described in an existing 1982 development agreement between the
City of Columbia Heights and the office building to the west. The proposal is to utilize the plaza area in an
exchange program with the current owners of the office building. The plaza area would be acquired from
the city in exchange for exterior investments into the office building, which would help complete an overall
renovation of the offices. It should be noted that the Planning Commission's role should be focused on the
technical portion ofthe request, and all details relating to the exchange program will be dealt with
separately.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Plan guides this area as Commercial. A lot split which effectively transfers the
ownership of a parcel of land from one entity to another is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The property is zoned CBD, Central Business District. The use of the property is controlled by an
agreement between the City of Columbia Heights and the current owners of the of1ice building, and is
permitted in the CBD District.
PARK DEDICATION. The park dedication fee for this property is $1,500. This amount is 10% of the
estimated value of the land in question. The park dedication fee shall be paid at the time of the recording of
the subdivision with Anoka County.
Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes
Page 2
November 5, 2008
FINDINGS OF FACT (Minot' Subdivision)
Section 9.104 (1) of the Zoning Ordinance outlines eight conditions that must be met in order for the City to
grant a minor subdivision. They are as follows:
(a) The proposed subdivision of land will not result in more than three lots.
The proposed subdivision will result in the creation of two parcels.
(b) The proposed subdivision of land does not involve the vacation of existing easements.
No existing easements will be vacated as a result of the proposed minor subdivision.
(c) All lots to be created by the proposed subdivision conform to lot area and width requirements
established for the zoning district in which the property is located.
There is no minimum lot area requirement for the CBD District. The minimum lot width in the
CBD is 20 feet. The proposed new lot will meet these minimum requirements.
(d) The proposed subdivision does not require the dedication of public rights-of~way for the
purpose of gaining access to the property.
The property currently has adequate access to 40'" Avenue and will not require a dedication of
the public right-ol-way for access purposes.
( e) The property has not previously been divided through the minor subdivision provisions of this
article.
This property has not been previously subdivided through the minor subdivision process.
(1) The proposed subdivision does not hinder the conveyance ofland.
This is a true statement.
(g) The proposed subdivision does not hinder the making of assessments or the keeping of records
related to assessments.
This is a true statement.
(h) The proposed subdivision meets all of the design standards specified in Section 9.114.
Section 9.114 refers to the subdivision regulations set forth in the City's Zoning Code. The
proposed subdivision meets all of the design standards specified in this section.
Sargent explained that an agreement is being negotiated between the City and the new owners of the offiee
building that will go before the City Council on November 24, 2008. Therefore, consideration of this lot
split will also go before the City Council on that date if the agreement is approved. I-Ie reviewed pictures of
the improvements that recently have been made to the exterior of the building, showing the new owner's
commitment to update the property.
Ouestions from members:
Fiorendino asked if the lot will be split on the east or west side of the alley. Sargent stated it would be
along the east side, next to the parking ramp.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
PAGE 3
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Schmitt asked who would be paying the Park Dedication fees. Sargent said that is part of the agreement
still being negotiated. She then asked to have the Plaza area defined. Sargent explained it includes the 211(1
floor patio/plaza area and the piece underneath used as the drive-through for the bank. This entire piece is
used by the tenants of the adjacent commercial building.
Public Hearing Opened.
No one wished to speak on this issue.
Public I-Iearing Closed.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Fiorendino, that the Planning Commission recommends the City Council
approve the minor subdivision of the property located at 950 - 40lh Avenue, subject to certain conditions of
approval that have beenfound to be necessmy to protect the public interest and ensure compliance with the
provisions of the Zoning and Development Ordinance, including:
1. All applications materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information submitted with this
application shall become part of the permit.
2. The applicant shall pay a park dedicationfee in the amount of$I.500, due at the time of the
recording of the minor subdivision with Anoka County.
All Ayes. MOTION PASSED. Thefollowing Resolution will be considered by the City Council on
November 24, 2008.
DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. 2008-XX
RESOLUTION APPROVING A MINOR SUBDIVISION
WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
WHEREAS, a proposal (Case No. 2008-110 I) has been submitted by the City of Columbia Heights requesting a
subdivision from the City of Columbia Heights Subdivision Code at the following site:
ADDRESS: 950 - 40'1. A venue NE
EXISTING LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On File at City Hall
PROPOSED LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On File at City Hall
THE APPLICANT SEEKS APPROVAL OF A MINOR SUBDIVISION.
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the advice and recommendations of the Planning Commission
regarding the effect of the proposed snbdivision upon the health, safety, and welfare of the community and its
Comprehensive Plan, as well as any concerns related to traffic, property values, light, air, danger of fire, and risk to
public safety, in the smrounding area; and has held the required public hearing on this proposal on November 5,
2008.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights after reviewing
the proposal, that the City Council accepts and adopts the following findings of the Planning Commission:
1. The proposed subdivision of land will not result in more than three lots.
2. The proposed subdivision of land does not involve the vacation of existing easements.
3. All lots to be created by the proposed subdivision conform to lot area and width requirements
established for the zoning district in which the property is located.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
PAGE 4
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
4. The proposed subdivision does not require the dedication of public rights-of-way for the purpose of
gaining access to the property.
5. The property has not previously been divided through the minor subdivision provisions of this
article.
6. The proposed subdivision does not hinder the conveyance ofland.
7. The proposed subdivision does not hinder the making of assessments or the keeping of records
related to assessments.
8. The proposed subdivision meets all of the design standards specified in the 99.114.
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the attached condition, plans, maps, and other information shall
become part of this subdivision approval.
CONDITIONS:
1. All applications materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information submilled with this
application shall become part of the permit.
2. The applicant shall pay a park dedicationfee in the amount of$1.500, due at the time of the
recording of the minor subdivision with Anoka County.
OTHER BUSINESS
Taco Bell held their Grand Opening last week. Border Foods may bring plans in for the property adjacent
to this site soon.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~Q ~cIk~dYl
Shelley Hanson
Secretary