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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-08 MInutes PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 8, 2012 7:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Marlaine Szurek. Commission Members present- Fiorendino, Kinney, Peterson, Little, and Szurek. Also present were Council Liaison (Bobby Williams), Jeff Sargent (City Planner), and Shelley Hanson (Secretary). Motion by Fiorendino, seconded by Peterson, to approve the minutes from the meeting of July 10, 2012. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS CASE NUMBER: 2012-0801 APPLICANT: Columbia Heights Market Place LOCATION: 4915 Central Avenue REQUEST: Site Plan Review Sargent explained that at this time, the applicant is requesting a Site Plan Approval for the construction of a new façade for the Columbia Heights Market Place located at 4915 Central Avenue NE. This property is located within the Design Guidelines Highway District and requires a Site Plan Review in order to ensure compliance with the Design Guidelines. ZONING ORDINANCE The property located at 4915 Central Avenue is zoned GB, General Business District, as are the properties to the north, south and west. The properties to the east are zoned R-2A and R-2B, One and Two Family Residential. DESIGN GUIDELINES. The applicant is proposing a completely new design for the front of the building. He would like to get rid of the existing mansard roof façade and incorporate a new building face that is more consistent with the newer buildings in the area. Design elements include differences in elevations along the new roof line and the use of different building materials. The proposed project is consistent with the Design Guidelines. SIGNAGE. All signage on the building is considered legally nonconforming in terms of size and type of signage being used. The proposed plans indicate that the building will incorporate only 177 square feet of signage, but would be allowed up to 200 square feet of signage if changes are to be made. Any new signage will have to be approved through the Sign Permit process prior to installation onto the building. P & Z Minutes Page 2 August 8, 2012 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Comprehensive Plan guides this area as Commercial. Replacing the existing façade with a new one is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. FINDINGS OF FACT (Site Plan) Section 9.104 (N) of the Zoning Ordinance outlines four findings of fact that must be met in order for the City to approve a site plan. They are as follows: a)The site plan conforms to all applicable requirements of this article. The site plan meets all applicable Design Guidelines for the property. b)The site plan is consistent with the applicable provisions of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan guides this area as Commercial. Replacing the existing façade with a new one is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. c)The site plan is consistent with any applicable area plan. There is no area plan for this portion of the city. d)The site plan minimizes any adverse impacts on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right-of-way. The proposed site plan does not incorporate the expansion of the building, and this will have no impact on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right-of-way. Staff recommends approval of the proposed site plan, as it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and will greatly upgrade the appearance of the building, enhancing the image of the Central Avenue corridor with the following conditions: 1.All application materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information submitted with this application shall become part of the permit. 2.Any new signage incorporated into the building shall be approved through the Sign Permit process. Questions from Members: Kinney asked if this Site Plan Review would trigger the minimum building height to be required. Sargent stated that it doesn’t because this building is a non-conforming building that is grandfathered in in regards to the height. Since they are just changing the top façade of the building it would not trigger require them to meet the 22 foot requirement of the Design Guidelines. Kinney stated she otherwise likes the plan and the materials they will be using. She thought it would blend nicely with some of the other new buildings nearby. P & Z Minutes Page 3 August 8, 2012 Peterson asked if a new business comes into the center if the signage would be affected. Sargent said this proposal is for the design of the front façade only which is improving the existing design of the building. They are limited to a certain square footage of signage, and that is up to the owners and tenants to work out amongst themselves no matter who occupies the spaces. Szurek asked if the doors and windows of the individual businesses would be upgraded also as part of this project. She said several of the spaces still have their original doors and windows and it will become very apparent once the façade work is complete. Sargent responded that was not part of this project being reviewed. Fiorendino asked if the building permit process would trigger them to upgrade the doors and windows. Sargent said the inspector would only be looking at the new work that relates to the permit. The only way he can look at anything else is if something hazardous if obvious, and he doesn’t think that is the case. Public Hearing Opened. John Boveri, Property Manager from Affiliated Realty, and Paul Kuchar the Project Manager, told members that replacement of the doors and windows is not part of this project due to budgetary constraints. Sometimes tenants will pay for that work themselves when it becomes obvious that it would improve the appearance of their space. He said several of the businesses in the center have already done this work, but others such as Insty Prints and Heights Bakery have not. As it stands, if the tenants do not wish to pay for this additional work at this time, it will have to wait until funds are available by the owner. Szurek again stated she thought it would be very obvious once the parapet is re-done. Public Hearing Closed. Motion by Fiorendino, seconded by Peterson, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2011-PZ05, there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Fiorendino, seconded by Peterson,to adopt Resolution No. 2011-PZ05, being a resolution approving a site plan for a remodel of the Columbia Heights Market Place located at 4915 Central Avenue NE. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. P & Z Minutes Page 4 August 8, 2012 RESOLUTION NO. 2012-PZ05 RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION APPROVING A SITE PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FAÇADE FOR THE BUIDLING LOCATED AT 4915 CENTRAL AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, a proposal (Case #2012-0801) has been submitted by Affiliated Realty, to the Planning and Zoning Commission requesting a site plan approval from the City of Columbia Heights at the following site: ADDRESS: 4915 Central Avenue NE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On file at City Hall. THE APPLICANT SEEKS THE FOLLOWING PERMIT: Site Plan approval for the construction of a new façade for the building located at 4915 Central Avenue NE. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has held a public hearing as required by the city Zoning Code on August 8, 2012; 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 related to compatibility of uses, traffic, property values, light, air, danger of fire, and risk to public safety in the surrounding areas; and 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. 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-of-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 year after the approval date, subject to petition for renewal of the permit. CONDITIONS ATTACHED: 1. All application materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information shall become part of the permit. 2. Any new signage incorporated into the building shall be approved through the Sign Permit process. th Passed this 8 day of August, 2012, Offered by: Fiorendino Seconded by: Peterson Roll Call: ALL AYES P & Z Minutes Page 5 August 8, 2012 CASE NUMBER: 2012-0802 APPLICANT: Family Dollar / Brian Fabo LOCATION: 5220 Central Avenue NE REQUEST: Site Plan Approval for New Façade Sargent stated the applicant is requesting a Site Plan Approval for the construction of a new façade for the new Family Dollar store located at 5220 Central Avenue NE. This property is located within the Design Guidelines Highway District and requires a Site Plan Review in order to ensure compliance with the Design Guidelines. ZONING ORDINANCE The property located at 5220 Central Avenue is zoned GB, General Business District, as are the properties to the north, south and east. The properties to the west are zoned R-2A and R-2B, One and Two Family Residential. PARKING. The building is approximately 8,300 square feet in area. The City Code requires 1 parking space for each 300 square feet of retail space, requiring a minimum of 25 parking stalls on site. The site currently has 46 parking stalls, exceeding the City’s minimum requirements. DESIGN GUIDELINES. The previous use of the property was for a Blockbuster Video store. The applicant would like to remove the blue awning associated with Blockbuster and replace it with a color scheme consistent with Family Dollar, namely a two-toned tan brick building with a red roof. The proposed color scheme is consistent with the Design Guidelines. SIGNAGE. Any new signage will have to be approved through the Sign Permit process prior to installation onto the building. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Comprehensive Plan guides this area as Commercial. Replacing the existing façade with a new one is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. FINDINGS OF FACT (Site Plan) Section 9.104 (N) of the Zoning Ordinance outlines four findings of fact that must be met in order for the City to approve a site plan. They are as follows: P & Z Minutes Page 6 August 8, 2012 a)The site plan conforms to all applicable requirements of this article. The site plan meets all applicable Design Guidelines for the property. b)The site plan is consistent with the applicable provisions of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan guides this area as Commercial. Replacing the existing façade with a new one is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. c)The site plan is consistent with any applicable area plan. There is no area plan for this portion of the city. d)The site plan minimizes any adverse impacts on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right-of-way. The proposed site plan does not incorporate the expansion of the building, and this will have no impact on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right-of-way. Staff recommends approval of the proposed site plan, as it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and will severely upgrade the appearance of the building, enhancing the image of the Central Avenue corridor with the following conditions: 1.All application materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information submitted with this application shall become part of the permit. 2.Any new signage incorporated into the building shall be approved through the Sign Permit process. Sargent told members he had received a call from someone who had received a notice and they had inquired whether the site had enough parking spaces for this type of use. Sargent said the parking analysis indicates they exceed the requirements. Questions from members: Kinney asked how the new façade would cover the mechanical equipment on the roof. Sargent said that when that equipment is replaced it will need to be screened and a fence around the equipment is enough to satisfy the requirement. The façade does not have to cover that equipment. Fiorendino asked if all new materials would be installed or if the existing would just be painted to the new color. Sargent believes they will just be painting the current materials. P & Z Minutes Page 7 August 8, 2012 th Little asked if this store would be replacing the present location at 40 and Central. Sargent said he has asked that question but has not received a clear answer on that. Little then asked if there are any landscaping requirements due to the change in tenants since the site is pretty barren, and plain. Sargent said a tenant change does not require landscaping modifications, only new development would. Public Hearing Opened. No one was present to speak on this issue. Public Hearing Closed. Motion by Kinney, seconded by Fiorendino, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2011-PZ06, there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Kinney, seconded by Little, to adopt Resolution No. 2011-PZ06, being a resolution approving a site plan for a new façade for the Family Dollar store located at 5220 Central Avenue NE. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. RESOLUTION NO. 2012-PZ06 RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION APPROVING A SITE PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FAÇADE FOR THE BUIDLING LOCATED AT 5220 CENTRAL AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, a proposal (Case #2012-0802) has been submitted by Brian Fabo, to the Planning and Zoning Commission requesting a site plan approval from the City of Columbia Heights at the following site: ADDRESS: 5220 Central Avenue NE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On file at City Hall. THE APPLICANT SEEKS THE FOLLOWING PERMIT: Site Plan approval for the construction of a new façade for the building located at 5220 Central Avenue NE. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has held a public hearing as required by the city Zoning Code on August 8, 2012; 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 related to compatibility of uses, traffic, property values, light, air, danger of fire, and risk to public safety in the surrounding areas; and P & Z Minutes Page 8 August 8, 2012 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. 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-of-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 year after the approval date, subject to petition for renewal of the permit. CONDITIONS ATTACHED: 1. All application materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information shall become part of the permit. 2. Any new signage incorporated into the building shall be approved through the Sign Permit process. th Passed this 8 day of August, 2012, Offered by: Kinney Seconded by: Little Roll Call: All ayes NEW BUSINESS No other new business. OTHER BUSINESS Sargent told members they will be serving as a Board of Appeals and Adjustment at a Hearing that is scheduled for August 21, 2012. He reviewed the process with the members. The Board will need to render a decision in regards to action taken by Staff in interpreting City Codes. Staff will present the facts to the Board but will not be making any recommendation on the matter since the Board will be judging whether the correct action was taken. Sargent told members they will get a packet ahead of time to review. The applicant has been informed of the date and that he can include any information he wants the Board to see in the packet. Sargent explained that P & Z Minutes Page 9 August 8, 2012 the City Attorney, the Fire Chief, and the Building Official will all be present to answer any questions the Board has. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hanson Secretary