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1998-11-24 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 24, 1998 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, November 24, 1998, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1 10 1 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Duggan, Friel, Betlej and Lorberbaum. Commissioners Koll, Kleinglass and Tilsen were excused. Also present were Public Works Director Jim Danielson, Planner Meg McMonigal, Administrative Assistant Patrick Hollister and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser. ril:j U lately'ril we] a kyj I I aRIN ff-9 Commissioner Lorberbaum moved approval of the October 27, 1998 minutes with corrections. Commissioner Betlej seconded the motion. AYES: 3 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 1, FRIEL A Administrative Assistant Hollister informed the Commission that Mr. Durigan has indicated to staff that he has withdrawn his application for a wetlands permit. He explained that staff has requested a letter from Mr. Durigan confirming the application withdrawal. The Commission acknowledged the request to withdraw the wetlands permit application as submitted by Mr. Durigan. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 1998 HEARING: CASE NO. 98-40 - LLOYD'S BARBEQUE - SETBACK VARIANCE Mr. Ron Schmitz, Vice President of Lloyd's Barbeque, was present to discuss their request for a setback variance of 38.5 feet for an addition to the existing Lloyd's Barbeque facility located at 1455 Mendota Heights Road. Mr. Schmitz informed the Commission that he has been employed with Lloyd's Barbeque for nine years. He introduced other Lloyd's Barbeque employees as well: Mr. Chuck Morrissette, Maintenance Manager, Mr. Jack Goldbach, Plant Manager and Todd Segal, Plant Engineer. Mr. Schmitz informed the Commission that Lloyd Segal is out-of-town and that is why he is representing Lloyd's Barbeque tonight. He informed the Commission that the company is growing rapidly and that the company has tripled in size over the last nine years. He informed the Commission that the size of the company will double in the next four years. Schmitz explained that Lloyd's bought the building from Pabst Meat and then expanded the building in 1987. He explained that they added a sauce plant in 1997. He informed the Commission that in order to fully meet their production requirements, and continue to grow their business, the 7,866 square foot space is necessary. Schmitz explained why they are adding the addition to the west of the building as opposed to the east of the building. He informed the Commission that because of the flow of the product in the factory (raw meat processing and cooked meat processing), and the placement of existing processing equipment (smoke houses), they would have to re -build the factory in order to place the new cooler in another location. Chair Duggan inquired how Lloyd's will double its capacity by the year 2002. Mr. Schmitz explained that last year, Lloyd's added a 4,000 square foot addition to the northwest corner of the building. He informed the Commission that that addition does not relate to the double growth in the company by the year 2002. He stated that there will be one more addition in the year 2000. He stated that this addition will expand the building to the north and will add additional square footage for raw meat processing. Chair Duggan inquired how far north the property extends. Mr. Schmitz PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 1998 2 explained that the property extends north towards the asphalt area. Duggan inquired if the parking is to the extreme edge of the property. Mr. Segal responded no. Mr. Schmitz explained that the plans indicate the year 2000 expansion proposal and that the expansion will include additional parking to facilitate employees. Mr. Schmitz explained that their request for a 38.2 foot variance would not be needed if the State had not widened Highway 13. Schmitz explained that the company owned the land West of the existing building where the new Highway 13 is today. He explained that Lloyd's had no intention of selling the property, with plans of future development of the area as the business grew. Commissioner Betlej inquired about the location of the existing roadway as it relates to the building. Mr. Schmitz explained that the northwest corner of the building is 8 feet from the shoulder and that the southwest corner of the building is 4 feet. Betlej inquired if there will be any changes in the grade between the roadway and the finished addition. Mr. Segal responded that there will be minimal changes to the grade. Mr. Segal stated that the floor elevation of the addition will be the same as the existing building's floor. In response to a question from Chair Duggan regarding two wooden stakes on the southwest corner of the property, Mr. Segal explained that is where the south wall will be constructed. He further explained that the existing patio will remain. Duggan stated that there appears to be a dip in the grade. Mr. Segal responded that it will be filled. Chair Duggan inquired if additional parking spaces have been calculated. Mr. Schmitz explained that the employee base will not increase with this first expansion because it will be used for automation. He explained that the second expansion will increase the employee base. In response to a question from the Commission, Public Works Director Danielson stated that parking calculations are determined upon the type of land use. Mr. Schmitz stated that the land use is manufacturing. Chair Duggan inquired about the existing equipment located on the north side of the building. He stated that the City's Zoning Ordinance requires this equipment to be screened. He inquired about the new addition and whether the proposed chimney will be screened. Mr. Schmitz responded that if this is a requirement, they will comply with the zoning regulations and screen the equipment and chimney. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 1998 3 Chair Duggan suggested that additional landscape screening be planted along the west, north and south side of the building. Mr. Schmitz stated that they will comply with the City's requirements for landscaping. Chair Duggan stated that a hardship exists as a result of the State taking land to widen Highway 13. Duggan inquired about the next phase of adding to the building. Mr. Schmitz responded that the next addition will be 7,000 square feet and will be used for raw meat processing. Commissioner Friel inquired about the total square footage of the building. Mr. Schmitz responded 40,000 square feet on the existing main floor and that the addition will add 7,500 square feet to the main floor area. He explained that there is 12,000 square feet of basement and 15,000 square feet of second floor office space. Friel inquired about the number of existing parking spaces. Mr. Schmitz responded 195 parking spaces. Commissioner Friel stated that 80 parking spaces are required. Planner McMonigal confirmed the calculations by explaining Zoning Ordinance Section 21.1(4)u "at least four off street parking spaces plus one additional space for each 800 square feet of building. One additional off-street parking space shall be provided for each 2,500 square feet or fraction thereof of land devoted to outside storage". Mr. Schmitz stated that there 195 parking spaces available and that there should not be a problem in complying with the parking requirements when the next addition is constructed. Commissioner Lorberbaurn inquired about the number of shifts at Lloyd's. Mr. Schmitz responded there are 2 ten hour shifts and 4 hours of cleaning. He stated the building is occupied 24 hours a day. Chair Duggan opened the meeting to the public. There was no one present to discuss this request. Commissioner Lorberbaum moved to close the hearing. Commissioner Betlej seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 9998 4 Commissioner Friel moved to recommend that the City Council grant a 38.5 foot variance for an addition to the existing Lloyd's Barbeque facility located at 1455 Mendota Heights. Chair Duggan seconded the motion. Chair Duggan offered a friendly amendment by adding that additional landscaping be planted on the west side of the addition and also the north side of the building to help diminish the massiveness of the structure. He further added that landscape plans be submitted for Council review. Duggan suggested that 4 or 5 foot spruce trees be considered. Commissioner Betlej offered a friendly amendment by adding that all ground and rooftop mechanicals be properly screened and that the new addition be built with matching building materials. Commissioner Friel accepted the friendly amendments VOTE ON MOTION: AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 0 0 :1 Will ki 1111101 LCM0191 kJ I &I Chair Duggan moved to. cancel the December 22, 1998 Planning Commission meeting. He stated that this has been the Commission's past practice in canceling its December meeting. He stated that if an urgent matter requires the Commission to meet, staff should inform the Commission as soon as possible. Commissioner Friel seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Public Works Director Danielson gave a brief review of Council action regarding previous planning applications. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 1998 5 There being no further business, the Planning Commission moved to adjourn its meeting at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 1998 6