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1998-12-22 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS WAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 1. The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, December 22, 1998, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.' The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Duggan, Koll, Friel, Kleinglass, Tilsen, and Betlej. Commissioner Lorberbaum was excused from the meeiirig. Also'present were Public Works Director Jim Danielson, MFRA Consultant Meg McMon gal, and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. MINUTES t Commissioner Friel moved to approve the November 24, 1998 minutes with corrections. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 2 (Tilsen, Doll) PLANNING ,, ROYAL REDEEMER LUTHERAN Reverend Connie Macalester of Royal Redeemer Luther Church introduced herself and her architect, Jerry Petschen, to the Planning Commission. Rev. Macalester explained that the church had already applied for a state license to operate the daycare and that the application was still pending. Rev Macalester said that the hours of operation for the daycare would be from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Rev. Macalester said that the church facility would only need to undergo minor changes to accommodate the daycare. Rev. Macalester elaborated that two smaller classrooms would have to be opened up to create one larger classroom, and that the half wall separating the kitchen would have to become a full wall. Rev. Macalester said that part of what is now the' fellowship hall would become the preschool. Rev. Macalester estimated that 'up to 52, children would be using the daycare facility. Rev. Macalester `add'ed that the church has also applied to the state for all applicable permits, including fire;' health, safety, and square footage. Rev. Macalester said that the church has met with the:Mendota Heights Fire Marshall twice to discuss this matter. Chair Duggan said that the main concern for the Planning`Commission this evening was the question of the daycare facility as a land use within the R-1' `zone. Chair Duggan said { that his main concern was the possible safety and traffic concerns from dropping off and picking up 52 children at the same time. Rev. Macalester said that the church currently has a one-way arrow painted in the Sunday School drop-off area, and that that has worked well for Sunday school and would work well for the day care. Chair Duggan asked for any other comments or questions from other Planning Commissioners. Commissioner Tilsen said that the day care facility would be a benefit to the community, and that the church had demonstrated a need for this service in the materials that they had submitted to the Commission. Commissioner Tilsen asked if the church was still using its own well. Rev. Macalester replied that the church uses City sewer and water. Commissioner Tilsen asked Rev. Macalester if she had seen the Planner's report on this application, and if she had any concerns about Planner McMonigal's recommendations. Rev. Macalester said that she had no concerns, and that the Planner's recommendations were consistent with those of the State of Minnesota. Commissioner Betlej asked if the church planned eventually to fence in the play area. Rev. Macalester said that the play area was already fenced and that the church plans to landscape the play area with more shrubbery. Rev. Macalester said that for safety reasons, the church did not want a group of children playing outdoors to be visible to anyone driving along Highway 110. Commissioner Friel asked how far along the church was in regard to getting all of the necessary approvals from the state. Rev. Macalester said that the paperwork for the state is basically finished, but that of course the church still needs the final City approvals, including approvals by the Building Inspector and the Fire Marshall. Rev. Macalester added that the church also needs to get proper insurance. Commissioner Friel asked what the church's time frame was to open this daycare. Rev. Macalester said that the church would like to open the day care in February or March. Commissioner Friel asked what other changes for the church are on the horizon after commencing the day care. N Rev. Macalester said that the church plans to add a new fellowship hall and permanently change the old fellowship hall to the daycare facility. Rev. Macalester said that the church will need to raise $1.5 million dollars to achieve this. Commissioner Koll said that her only concern would be traffic flow and a possible stack up of cars in the morning or afternoon. Rev. Macalester said that there would be no stack -up of cars in either the morning or the afternoon. Commissioner Koll asked if one had to be a church member to place one's child in the day care. Rev. Macalester said that anyone, church member or not, was eligible to use the day care, but that the day care would be a Christian day care, for which she felt there was a unique demand in the community. Chair Duggan asked if the day care would require additional signage or an expanded sign. Rev. Macalester said that no change in the church's current signage would be necessary. Chair Duggan said that after walking the site he anticipated that some parking spaces would have to be removed in the drop-off area. Rev. Macalester confirmed that the church intend to remove some parking spaces in the drop-off area. Rev Macalester added that there was still a question about whether or not the church would have to add fire sprinkling because of the day care area. Chair Duggan asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. Bob Klepperich of 1092 Vale Drive said that he was mainly upset about the new sign for the church. Mr. Klepperich said that he was not aware when the sign was going in, and that the sign used to be on all night. Mr. Klepperich said that fortunately the sign was now turned off at night, but that it was still very bright. Chair Duggan said that the City had placed a requirement on the sign that it be no brighter than the signs at City Hall. Rev. Macalester said that the church would revisit the brightness of the sign to make sure that it conforms to the City's requirements. Mr. Klepperich asked if there would be any additional lighting in the church parking lot for the day care. Mr. Klepperich said that he was also concerned about the increased traffic, particularly in the morning. Mr. Klepperich said that he did not want the facility to be any larger than 52 students. Rev. Macalester said that she would be happy to discuss these matters with Mr. Klepperich. Chair Duggan moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 Chair Duggan asked for a motion on the application. Commissioner Friel moved to recommend that the Council approve the Conditional Use Permit application subject to the applicant complying with all City requirements and State licensing requirements. Commissioner Koll seconded the motion Commissioner Tilsen added a friendly amendment that the day care have a maximum of 52 children and 10 employees, and that the hours of the day care be limited to 6:30 am to 6:00' p.m., Monday -Friday. Commissioner Friel accepted the friendly amendment. Commissioner Koll seconded the amended motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 Chair Duggan instructed Rev. Macalester to attend the January 5, 1999 meeting of the City Council to discuss this application. Mr. Danielson provided the review of previous planning cases. ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Duggan and seconded by Friel. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister 0