HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/05/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularMeeting: City council
Meeting date: June 20, 2022
Consent agenda item: 4o
Official minutes
Planning commission
May 11, 2022 – 6:00 p.m.
Members present: Jim Beneke, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Michael Salzer, Tom Weber,
Joffrey Wilson
Members absent: None
Staff present: Gary Morrison, Sean Walther
Guests: Jeff Miller, consulting planner
1. Call to order – roll call
2. Approval of minutes – April 6, 2022
Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Salzer to approve the
minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Hearings
3a. Xchange II Medical Office – 6301 Wayzata Blvd.
Applicant: Davis Healthcare Real Estate Services
Case No: 22-10-S, 22-11-CUP
Mr. Miller presented the report.
Commissioner Weber asked for clarification on the sidewalk. Mr. Miller stated the land
could be dedicated by the applicant for sidewalk but they are proposing to have the
easement recorded to allow for the sidewalk.
Commissioner Weber asked about the other medical building and if this project were in
anyway part of that project or that it would be a possibility. Mr. Walther stated this was
not proposed at the time of the original project but with the success of the first building,
they see continued demand for the new facility.
Commissioner Salzer asked if there is any history of flooding in this area. Mr. Walther
stated yes but he does not know the extent or frequency of the flooding. He added in
the recent comprehensive plan, the city conducted modeling that has better defined the
flood elevation for this area, as the elevation was undefined in federal mapping.
Chair Beneke opened the public hearing.
The applicant thanked the commission for their consideration of their second building.
He noted they have tried to purchase the entire block, however, they were not
successful in doing that. No tenants have been secured for the new building yet.
City council meeting of June 20, 2022 (Item No. 4o) Page 2
Title: Planning commission minutes of May 11, 2022
Chair Beneke closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Wilson to
recommend approval of the preliminary and final plat and conditional use permit
subject to the conditions recommended by staff.
The motion passed 6-0.
3b. 2220 Florida Ave. S. – plat and conditional use permit
Applicant: Martin Bell
Case No: 22-15-S, 22-21-CUP
Mr. Morrison presented the report.
Commissioner Weber asked why this item is being tabled and then will come back to the
commission again. Mr. Morrison stated ideally staff will review and present any possible
changes to the planning commission to recommend to council. Mr. Walther added
notices were sent out already for the public hearing when staff learned the level of
detail needed to evaluate the stormwater plan was not included from the applicant.
Staff decided to go ahead with the public hearing and then bring it back. Mr. Walther
added the hearing can go ahead today, testimony can be taken, and then handled under
other business on the on the commission’s June 1 agenda.
Chair Beneke opened the public hearing.
Diana Duclos, 6731 Elliot View Road, stated they are in the industrial park area and they
have concerns about the noise. She noted the loud noises disturb their cats and the
bright lights will be difficult. She added the beeping from trucks which is very loud and is
very disturbing. Ms. Duclos stated they assumed there would be truck parking there as
well as forklift noise. She asked if this for regular parking of cars when in the new
building. Mr. Morrison stated it is for customers to park when going into the building.
Ms. Duclos stated she does not have a problem then if the parking is only for cars.
Commissioner Weber asked if the noise is coming from this exact business or other
businesses around there, adding the commission can only discuss issues related to the
project in question this evening.
The applicant Mr. Bell stated they have been in the neighborhood for over 40 years and
there are some sheet metal companies in the area. He noted their business is only
warehousing and nothing else.
Chair Beneke closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Weber stated the commission is limited on rulings, and it sounds from
the applicant, the noise is not coming from this building. He suggested the resident
contact their city council representative for further information. Mr. Walther suggested
the resident contact Mr. Morrison to discuss the noise issues.
City council meeting of June 20, 2022 (Item No. 4o) Page 3
Title: Planning commission minutes of May 11, 2022
Chair Beneke made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Weber to table consideration
of the applications for conditional use permit and preliminary plat of Bellboy Addition to
the June 1, 2022, planning commission meeting to allow time for additional materials to
be submitted.
The motion passed 6-0.
3c. Chick-fil-A Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment
Applicant: Todd Richards, HR Green, on behalf of Chick-fil-A
Case No: 22-13-PUD
Mr. Miller presented the report.
Commissioner Wilson asked why it was not two lanes to begin with.
Mr. Joe Vavrina, applicant, from HR Green stated the original plan was the model that
Chick-fil-A’s all had prior to Covid, and since the temporary changes made during Covid,
they are now changing all their stores over to two lanes instead of one.
Commissioner Weber stated the two lanes seem cramped. Mr. Vavrina stated it will not
be a problem and two lanes can easily be fit there.
Commissioner Salzer asked if the traffic flow will change. Mr. Vavrina stated the traffic
flow will be the same as it currently is – both in and out.
Commissioner Weber asked if this would affect rush hour traffic flow with two lanes.
Mr. Vavrina stated yes it will help with traffic during peak hours. In non-peak hours, it
can serve as a by-pass lane. During peak hours, multiple order takers will be utilized and
additional doors created to get orders to customers quicker.
Chair Beneke opened the public hearing.
William Bropy, Texas Avenue, stated he is curious why there is no proposed canopy over
the north side, with another lane there. He asked why that is.
Mr. Vavrina stated they would like to do that but there are utilities and existing
easements there; there could only be the one canopy over the first lane.
Commissioner Salzer asked if the orders are picked up on east or north side. Mr. Vavrina
stated orders are taken on the south side and picked up on the north side.
Chair Beneke closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Kraft made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Salzer to approve the
PUD amendment as presented.
City council meeting of June 20, 2022 (Item No. 4o) Page 4
Title: Planning commission minutes of May 11, 2022
The motion passed 6-0.
3d. Zoning ordinance amendment- electronic signs
Applicant: City of St. Louis Park-operations and recreation department
Case No: 22-12-ZA
Mr. Morrison presented the report.
Commissioner Weber stated he counted 13 properties that are now eligible for this type
of sign and asked if any are interested at this time.
Mr. Morrison there has been some interest from the Central Community Center.
Chair Beneke asked about the scrolling messages on the signs at Lennox Community
Center and the nearby church if they would be out of code. Mr. Morrison stated they
should meet code with static images.
Commissioner Salzer asked if there are any concerns for residents nearby related to
brightness of these types of signs. Mr. Morrison stated illumination limitation levels are
applicable. Mr. Walther added, with electronic signs, the city requires the lighting to
adjust based on ambient lighting and there is no proposal to change this.
Commissioner Kraft asked if there are limits on hours that these signs can be on. Mr.
Morrison stated not at this time.
Commissioner Salzer asked if the images will be static. Mr. Morrison stated yes and for
three seconds before a message change.
Chair Beneke opened the public hearing.
Chair Beneke closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kraft to recommend
approval of the zoning code text amendment pertaining to electronic signs.
The motion passed 6-0.
4. Other Business
4a. Beltline Station Development economic development authority (EDA) land sale
conformance with the comprehensive plan.
Applicant: Sherman Associates, Inc.
Mr. Walther presented the report.
Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Wilson to adopt the
Resolution finding the proposed EDA land sale for Beltline Station Development to be in
conformance with the comprehensive plan of the City of St. Louis Park.
City council meeting of June 20, 2022 (Item No. 4o) Page 5
Title: Planning commission minutes of May 11, 2022
The motion passed 6-0.
5. Communications
Mr. Walther noted the following:
x The May 18 planning commission meeting is cancelled.
x Two new commissioners will be appointed on May 16 and begin June 1
x Commissioner Wilson’s last meeting is this evening and staff and the commissioners
thanked him for his service and contributions to the commission
6. Adjournment – 7:03 p.m.
Sean Walther Jim Beneke
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Sean Walther, liaison Jim Beneke, chair member