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2007-05-27 Planning Comm MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes May 22, 2007 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 22, 2007 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 7:30 P.M. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Dolan, Commissioners McManus, Norton, Povolny, Lally, Hennes, and Viksnins. Also present were Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek, and Planner Steve Grittman. Minutes were recorded by Becki Shaffer. Approval ofApril25, 2007, Minutes Page 3, paragraph 3, should read as follows: "Public Works Director McDermott answered that the City has no not specific City Ordinances regarding docks." Page 8, second to last par�ph, should read as follows: "Commissioner Povolny said that an emergency vehicle would never get back there." Commissioner Lally moved, seconded by Commissioner Hennes to approve the minutes as corrected. AYES 7 NAYES 0 Hearinks PLANNING CASE #07 -15 Bruce McManus 720 Marie Avenue Wetlands Permit Commissioner McManus (the applicant) recused himself. Planner Steve Grittman reviewed a map showing the location of 720 Marie Avenue, which contains a single family home, zoned R -1 Single Family Residential. Mr. Grittman said the applicant is seeking a wetland permit for the reconstruction of an existing deck and stairway on the southeast corner of the existing home. Mr. Grittman said the deck and stairway is replacing an existing structure, and the applicant has indicated that the replacement is actually smaller than the existing structure and Staff recommends approval of this wetlands permit as there will be no change or alteration of the grounds /landscaping of this space. Chair Dolan said for the record, that the applicant, Mr. Bruce McManus, is a member of the Planning Commission and has excused himself from discussion of this matter. Planning Commission Minutes May 22, 2007 Chair Dolan said the report says the stairway is located over the 30 -ft. minimum setback requirement from the rear property line. Mr. Grittman said there is a setback requirement for structures that are attached to the building, and since this is an existing condition with the existing structure, there is no technical violation here. Bruce McManus, 720 Marie Avenue, said for the record, that he has not, prior to this meeting, had any discussions about this case with any of the members of the Planning Commission. Chair Dolan opened the public hearing. Seeing no one come forward wishing to speak, Chair Dolan asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Norton moved, seconded by Commissioner Povolny, to close the public hearing. AYES 6 NAYES 0 Commissioner Viksnins moved, seconded by Commissioner Lally, to recommend approval of the wetlands permit as presented based on the finding that the alteration would not be a greater threat to the water quality or otherwise have any environmental impact, and be subject to any grading and drainage changes required by the City Engineer. AYES 6 NAYES 0 PLANNING CASE 07 -16 Patrick Hickey 2303 Swan Drive Wetlands Permit Mr. Grittman reviewed the map showing the location of 2303 Swan Drive. The applicant wishes to construct a deck on to the rear of the existing home. Mr. Grittman said the applicant recently constructed an addition onto the northwest portion of the home, which required a wetlands permit due to its location within the 100 -ft buffer. As part of this previous approval, it was recommended that the applicant provide for a natural planting buffer to filter the storm water before it entered the nearby ditch because it flows directly into the lake. Mr. Grittman said this deck is likely to have a much less impact on runoff than the previous project, and no additional landscaping is recommended as a part of this project, and therefore, Staff recommends approval of this wetland permit. Commissioner Hennes said the applicant is a friend and neighbor of his, and will therefore be removing himself from this discussion. Commissioner Norton asked for some history about the vacated street. Mr. Grittman said a portion of this property reverted to the applicant's property. Planning Commission Minutes May 22, 2007 Commissioner Viksnins asked about the natural planting buffer. Mr. Grittman talked about the natural plantings that need to be put in that area. Patrick Hickey, 2303 Swan Drive, said he had no additional comments and would take any questions. Commissioner McManus said this is a large deck but has a significant distance away from the lake. Commissioner McManus asked if there is any natural foliage between the grass and the lake. Mr. Hickey said there is. Commissioner Viksnins asked the applicant about the previous approval and the landscaping that was done. Mr. Hickey explained that the planting will all be done at the very end, so not to disturb any new plantings while the construction of the deck is in progress. Mr. Hickey provided a landscape plan. Chair Dolan opened the public hearing. Seeing no one come forward to speak, Chair Dolan asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Lally moved, seconded by Commissioner Viksnins, to close the public hearing. AYES 6 NAYES 0 Commissioner Norton moved, seconded by Commissioner Viksnins to recommend approval of the wetlands permit for the construction of a deck based on the finding that the application is consistent with the intent of the wetlands ordinance provided that all issues relating to grading and drainage are approved by the City Engineer. AYES 6 NAYES 0 PLANNING CASE 07 -17 Rehder and Associates / Patterson Dental 1031 Mendota Heights Road Preliminary and Final Plat Mr. Grittman reviewed the request for preliminary and final plat proposed for the Patterson Dental property. The parcels in question (there are two lots) house the Patterson Dental facility. The proposal is to combine these two lots into one parcel. The combination of these parcels will allow Patterson Dental continue to develop property without coming back to the City for a PUD. Mr. Grittman reviewed the proposed layout. Mr. Grittman said Staff recommends approval of this plat as presented. Commissioner Viksnins asked what would happen to the PUD designation if the two parcels were combined. Mr. Grittman said the PUD would expire. Planning Commission Minutes May 22, 2007 Chair Dolan asked why this property was a PUD in the first place. Mr. Grittman said the way it was originally subdivided, the development portion of the property had inadequate frontage on Mendota Heights Road to be developed as a separate parcel. Mr. Grittman said it was not developed as a separate parcel and relied on parking from the other property. As the applicant went forward with the development, they relied on the PUD ordinance to satisfy the parking demand. Chair Dolan asked why this property contained two lots in the first place. Mr. Grittman said he did not know. Commissioner Lally said of the joint parcel will be just less than 14 acres, and almost half of that is in the water. Mr. Grittman said that was correct. Commissioner Lally asked if there are current plans for expansion at this site. Mr. Grittman said the applicant has talked about opportunities for expansion on this site on this parcel. Commissioner McManus asked if they plan on expanding on the lake side or shore side. Mr. Grittman said the applicant will be able to ask that question. Commissioner McManus asked why this was not done in the first place. Mr. Grittman said in the 2004 expansion that was done, that was a comment that Staff made to them, and by the time the request was in process, it was more expedient to proceed with obtaining the PUD and then come back at some point and do the plat. Mr. Tim McILwain, architect with HCM Architects in Minneapolis, and Mr. John Krausert, from Rehder and Associates were available to take questions. Mr. McILwain, said when Patterson Dental purchased the property in 1984, the property was already a PUD. The original developer was going to build for National Cash Register and tried to leverage the property. He applied and received a PUD in order to sell off the front parcel as the PUD would provide shared parking between the two businesses. National Cash Register went away and Patterson Dental came in, never doing the "house cleaning" at the time to erase the PUD. Mr. MclLwain said roughly 20,000 sq. ft was added about 6 years ago and at that time, when the applicant came to the City, the process showed that the PUD was in place, and about two months ago, they came to the City to begin the process for this application as they have more time now to take care of this issue. Commissioner McManus asked if there will be enough parking spaces to satisfy all the business' additional building. Mr. McILwain said there will be. Commissioner Lally asked if there will be surface parking or a ramp. Mr. McILwain said surface parking will be put in as a deck is not feasible due to the position of the building relative to the property lines. Commissioner Hennes asked what the size of the company in terms of employees and square footage is. Mr. McILwain said they are still working through the final numbers, and was before the Council about two years ago with a proposed expansion that was not approved, and was estimated at an additional 28,000 sq. ft. to the south end. This expansion will be roughly that size. There are currently about 250 staff members and 66,000 sq. ft. Planning Commission Minutes May 22, 2007 Chair Dolan opened the public hearing. Seeing no one come forward to speak, Chair Dolan asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner McManus moved, seconded by Commissioner Viksnins, to close the public hearing. AYES 7 NAYES 0 Commissioner Lally moved, seconded by Commissioner Hennes to recommend approval of the proposed preliminary final plat for Patterson Dental's addition based on the finding that the this is consistent with the City's applicable zoning and subdivision regulations. AYES 7 NAYES 0 Verbal Review Planning Case No. 07 -06 Randall Johnson Wetlands Permit • Approved 5 -0 by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission. Planning Case No. 07 -07 Gary Jones Wetlands Permit • Approved 5 -0 by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission. Mr. Sedlacek said the "Dory" Sailboat was in the water today by 6:00 pm. Planning Case No. 07 -08 Vernon Edgerton Conditional Use Permit • Approved 5 -0 by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission. Planning Case No. 07 -09 Simon Abramovich Wetland Permit • Approved 5 -0 by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission. Planning Case No. 07 -11 Noel Nelson Conditional Use Permit for Garage and Rear Yard Setback Variance • Approved 5 -0 by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission. Planning Case No. 07 -12 Carol Nelson Conditional Use Permit for Detached Garage and Critical Area Permit • Approved 5 -0 by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission. Planning Case No. 07 -10 RJ Ryan Variance • Approved 5 -0 by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission. Planning Case No. 07 -14 United Properties Amendment to Comprehensive Plan • Motioned failed 2 -3 by the City Council with the finding that the proposed amendment did Planning Commission Minutes May 22, 2007 not fit with the character or the vision for that area. Planning Case No. 07 -13 Mendota Mall Associates PUD Concept Review Council's feedback was very similar to the Planning Commission, with more emphasis on "where's the mixed use in this development ". Paster Enterprises property will be a part of the comprehensive plan workshop. Other Business Mr. Sedlacek said the comprehensive plan workshop is scheduled for May 30th, 7:00 am at City Hall. Chair Dolan asked if this workshop is to discuss potential changes to the comprehensive plan. Mr. Grittman said that will be a part of the workshop, as well as Staff's plans to update everyone on the beginning process. The bulk of the workshop will be talking about city properties and other issues that people want to bring up. Mr. Sedlacek said this will be the first chance for Council and the Planning Commission to sit down with Staff and the Planner to get some ideas and talk about the structure of the plan. There will be opportunity for public input later in the process. Commissioner McManus asked if there will be any materials distributed in advance. Mr. Grittman said an agenda will be going out that lists the number of properties slated for discussion. Chair Dolan asked about the United Properties and was the thought that the existing property is more industrial character and the Council did not see a retail use there. Mr. Sedlacek said that was true, and that the City Council voiced concerns about traffic patterns and potential users that may not be individuals who neither live nor work in Mendota Heights. Commissioner Hennes asked if the Council had suggestions as to what the developer may do with this property. Mr. Sedlacek said the Council is still holding fast for a restaurant, and seemed more inclined to accept retail; and the biggest concern being a convenience store. Commissioner Hennes asked what the reaction of the developer was. Mr. Sedlacek said they are looking at different types of uses and seeking to find what the tenants of the business park wish to see in there. Commissioner Lally moved, seconded by Commissioner Norton, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm Respectfully submitted, Rebecca Shaffer, Recording Secretary