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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/01/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JANUARY 6, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Lisa Peilen, Richard Person, Carl Robertson, Ethan Rickert (youth member) MEMBERS ABSENT: Claudia Johnston-Madison, Joe Tatalovich STAFF PRESENT: Gary Morrison, Sean Walther, Nancy Sells 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of October 21, 2015 Commissioner Robertson moved approval of the minutes. Commission Peilen seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 4-0. 3. Public Hearings A. Japs Olson West Expansion Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, Plat, Special Permit Amendment and Conditional Use Permit Location: 7500 and 7630 Excelsior Boulevard Applicant: Japs Olson Company Case Nos.: 15-46-CP, 15-47-Z, 15-48-CUP, 15-49-S Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. Mr. Morrison stated that the applicant proposes an expansion in two phases. The parking lot project which required a Conditional Use Permit was completed in the fall of 2015. The current application is for construction of a 192,000 sq. ft. addition. Mr. Morrison reviewed the relocation of municipal boundary between the City of St. Louis Park and the City of Hopkins which was required for the expansion and which has been approved by both cities and the State of Minnesota. Mr. Morrison explained that before the expansion can be constructed, the property now in St. Louis Park has to be guided “Industrial” in the Comprehensive Plan land use map, zoned “General Industrial” in the Zoning Map, and combined into one platted lot. The existing Special Permit also has to be amended to reflect the expansion, and a CUP has to be approved to allow for the removal of 35,000 cubic yards of material. Official Minutes Planning Commission January 6, 2016 Page 2 Mr. Morrison discussed the comments received from Hennepin County’s review of the preliminary and final plat. Mr. Morrison reviewed parking, setbacks, landscaping, stormwater and architectural plans for the proposed expansion. He noted that the applicant is requesting an appeal from the provision of visual deviation along long walls. Mr. Morrison explained that in this case, that cut into the building space would interfere with the layout and operation of the large machinery used by the company and pilasters outside the building would not match the existing building. The applicant proposes using tinted spandrel glass panels to provide visual breaks. The glass panels will also tie the architecture of the proposed building to the existing building. Mr. Morrison discussed the conditional use permit for excavation. He showed the proposed haul route. Commissioner Robertson commented that the presentation was comprehensive and the requests were straightforward. Chair Person opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Peilen made a motion to recommend approval of the requests for Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map amendment, Zoning Map amendment, Preliminary and Final Plat, major amendment to a Special Permit, and Conditional Use Permit. She stated she was delighted that Japs Olson chose to expand in St. Louis Park and that the company is an asset to the community. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 4-0. 4. Other Business A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Robertson made a motion to nominate Claudia Johnston- Madison as Chair and Lisa Peilen as Vice Chair. Commissioner Carper seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 4-0. B. Resolution of Recognition for Robert Kramer Chair Person read Resolution No. 88 recognizing Commissioner Kramer’s eleven years of service on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Official Minutes Planning Commission January 6, 2016 Page 3 Carper made a motion approving the resolution and added his thanks to Robert Kramer. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion and added that Robert will be missed and that he added a lot to the Commission discussions. The motion passed on a vote of 4-0. 5. Communications 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Sr. Office Assistant