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2020-03-24 Planning Commission MinutesMarch 24, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 1 of 5 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 24, 2020 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 7:00 P.M. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Mary Magnuson, Commissioners Patrick Corbett, Michael Toth, Brian Petschel, and Andrew Katz. Those absent: Commissioners John Mazzitello and Litton Field. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as submitted. Approval of February 27, 2020 Minutes COMMISSIONER TOTH MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CORBETT TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 27, 2020 AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Hearings A) PLANNING CASE 2020-04 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, 2121 DODD ROAD – CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained that the Mendota Heights Fire Department is seeking a conditional use permit to provide a new freestanding electronic (LED) message display sign, located on the fire station property at 2121 Dodd Road. The property is generally located at the NW corner of Dodd Road and Mendakota Drive. Hearing notices were published and mailed to all properties within 350-ft. of the site; no comments or objections to this request were received. Community Development Director Tim Benetti provided a planning staff report and a presentation on this planning item to the Commission. Staff recommended approval of this application based on the findings and with conditions. Commissioner Katz asked if there would be electric run underground to power the sign and whether there has been consideration of solar power. March 24, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 2 of 5 Community Development Director Tim Benetti replied that the fire station has solar panels on the roof already which make the building self-sufficient in terms of energy needs. Commissioner Toth stated that it appears the sign would be setback 40 feet from Dodd Road and wanted to ensure that the lighting for the sign would not be distracting to drivers. Community Development Director Tim Benetti replied that the ordinance has a brightness threshold for signs and the City would ensure that it meets the Code requirements. He noted that if there are any complaints, the City could easily make the necessary adjustments. He provided additional details on the messaging that would be posted on the sign. Chair Magnuson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Magnuson asked for a motion to close the public hearing. COMMISSIONER CORBETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KATZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 COMMISSIONER CORBETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETSCHEL, TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, WHICH ALLOWS THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW FREESTANDING (MONUMENT) ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SIGN AT THE FIRE STATION PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 2121 DODD ROAD, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. THE NEW FREESTANDING MESSAGE SIGN SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL STANDARD UNDER CITY CODE SECTION 12-1D-15: SIGNS: SUBSECTION h. SIGNS IN R DISTRICTS, SUBPAR. 7. 2. THE FINAL LANDSCAPED PLANS FOR THE NEW SIGN AREA SHALL BE REVIEWED BY THE MASTER GARDENERS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY’S POLLINATOR FRIENDLY POLICY. ANY PLANTINGS OR REVISIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE MASTER GARDENERS WILL BE INCORPORATED (AS BEST ASS POSSIBLE) BY THE CITY’S CONTRACTOR. 3. A NEW SIGN PERMIT FOR THE ELECTRONIC SIGN SHALL BE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND CITY STAFF PRIOR TO ANY WORK ON THE SIGN. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Chair Magnuson advised the City Council would consider this application at its April 7, 2020 meeting. March 24, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 3 of 5 B) PLANNING CASE 2020-05 SEAN HOFFMAN AND JEFF WIELAND, 2030 DODD ROAD – VARIANCE Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained that Sean Hoffman and Jeff Wieland, manager and owner of Mendota Heights BP-Amoco Station, are requesting consideration of a variance to the provisions of City Code Section 12-1D-1 related to nonconforming uses, structures and lands. This variance would allow the owners to expand a legal nonconforming structure and use at this location. The property is located at 2030 Dodd Road. Hearing notices were published and mailed to all properties within 350-ft. of the site; no comments or objections to this request were received. Community Development Director Tim Benetti provided a planning staff report and a presentation on this planning item to the Commission. Staff recommended approval of this application based on the findings and with conditions. Commissioner Corbett asked where the findings of fact could be found. Community Development Director Tim Benetti provided clarification on where those details can be found in the staff report. Commissioner Katz referenced the project scope plan, noting that it appears an existing service bay would be converted to a carwash. Community Development Director Tim Benetti replied that is an outdated plan (old survey from 1966) that is not a part of this plan. Commissioner Katz stated that the existing cashier and convenience store area are being turned into a service bay and asked if the pumps would need to be relocated. Chair Magnuson asked what the Commission is being asked to vary. Community Development Director Tim Benetti replied that the variance is the expansion of a nonconforming structure that does not meet setbacks. He stated that the main goal with an expansion is not to increase any nonconforming elements. He stated that the established footprint would not be expanded as the expansion would be filling in a notched area with more building. Chair Magnuson stated that if the setback requirements for today were imposed on the site, there could not be a gas station at that location. Community Development Director Tim Benetti confirmed that to be true. Chair Magnuson opened the public hearing. March 24, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 4 of 5 Sean Hoffman, 2030 Dodd Road, stated that they want to expand into a third bay, under the existing roofline, to increase flexibility in scheduling. He stated that the pumps are not going to be moved, but the first pump nearest the garage doors may be eliminated if it becomes nonviable. Commissioner Toth stated that it appears the storage area will become part of the convenience store and asked where the storage would occur. Mr. Hoffman provided details on the storage that would occur, noting that they follow a similar model at another location. Commissioner Toth asked for input on the statement in the applicant’s narrative that there is demand for an additional service bay. Mr. Hoffman replied that they have had an increase in business as the residential areas in the community continue to grow. He stated that he has had to delay appointments because of scheduling, which sometimes causes customers to go to another business. Commissioner Toth commented that the parking space is condensed onsite. Mr. Hoffman noted that they also rent parking spaces from the adjacent mall. Commissioner Toth commended the business for keeping a clean site. Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Magnuson asked for a motion to close the public hearing. COMMISSIONER CORBETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 COMMISSIONER PETSCHEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CORBETT, TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE VARIANCE REQUEST WITH THE FINDINGS OF FACTS TO SUPPORT THE GRANTING OF SAID VARIANCE, WITH THE CONDITIONS NOTED THEREIN. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Chair Magnuson advised the City Council would consider this application at its April 7, 2020 meeting. March 24, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 5 of 5 Staff Announcements / Updates Community Development Director Tim Benetti gave the following verbal review: • The City is still in the midst of changing conditions due to COVID-19 and staff will advise the Commission if conditions change. Chair Magnuson stated that she would be concerned that people would be concerned with attending to provide public comments. Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that staff continues to communicate to the public to encourage residents to reach out via telephone or email. He explained that residents can submit comments via telephone or email that could then be presented to the Commission. Chair Magnuson stated that comments sent directly to the Commission members are read and encouraged residents to use that method as well. Adjournment COMMISSIONER CORBETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:36 P.M. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0