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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/10/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 18, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Torrey Kanne, Richard Person, Carl Robertson, Joe Tatalovich MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa Peilen, Ethan Rickert (youth member) STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Jacquelyn Kramer, Gary Morrison 1. Call to Order – Roll Call Vice Chair Robertson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes of October 4, 2017 Commissioner Person moved approval of the minutes of October 4, 2017. Commissioner Tatalovich seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 3. Public Hearings A. Water Treatment Plant 4 – Amendment to Conditional Use Permit with Variance Location: 4701 West 41st Street Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 17-26-CUP, 17-27-VAR Jacquelyn Kramer, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. She explained that the city Engineering Department has requested the applications to make exterior improvements to a stormwater treatment facility on the property. The amendment to the conditional use permit is required for a public services facility in an R-1 district. The variance is required to reduce the front setback from 30 ft. to 15 ft. to allow construction of mechanical equipment and a screening wall on the east side of the building. Ms. Kramer provided an analysis of the conditional use permit. The application meets all requirements. Ms. Kramer discussed the request for variance needed for the remote radiator enclosure along the outside east wall of the existing building. She explained how the variance request meets all criteria for granting a variance. Ms. Kramer noted a neighborhood meeting was held with five residents in attendance. She said overall residents expressed support of the project and the improvements. She said current and future landscaping was discussed. Vice Chair Robertson and Ms. Kramer discussed the side yard setback. Ms. Kramer noted that because of the unique characteristics of the site, the east yard is the optimal location for the radiator and screening wall. Vice Chair Robertson opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak, the Vice Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Tatalovich made a motion recommending approval of the Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit and Variance for decreasing the front setback from 30 feet to 15 feet. Commissioner Johnston-Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Industrial Uses Third Shift Applicant: Lyman Lumber Case No.: 17-25-ZA Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He spoke about the applicant’s desire to expand the operation by starting a 3rd shift. He reviewed Section 36-242(1) of the ordinance which prohibits businesses located in the Industrial Park and General Industrial zoning districts from operating between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when the property is located adjacent to a property zoned residential. Mr. Morrison summarized nine conditions which are proposed for the amendment. Mr. Morrison reviewed the property location, operation activities and the adjacent properties. Mr. Morrison discussed citywide application of the proposed amendment and three industrial areas in the city that may take advantage of the proposed amendment. Mr. Morrison stated a neighborhood meeting was conducted to allow the neighbors to visit the site and see the proposed operations. He said the tour of the site included walking around the building while the operation was running. Noise was not noticeable from outside the building as long as the doors remain closed. He commented that Lyman Lumber conducted a noise study in early 2017. Commissioner Person asked about the operation activities of Lyman Lumber during a third shift. Mr. Morrison responded activities according to code could include any industrial activity that would be manufacturing, processing, and storage conducted entirely within the building overnight. Lyman Lumber’s activity would be applying a finish to cement siding. Commissioner Carper noted a correction to be made to page one, paragraph one of the staff report. Hours of operation referred to should be 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., rather than 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Commissioner Kanne asked about noise and the ventilation system. Mr. Morrison responded that the ventilation system could not be heard outside of the building. The dominant outdoor noise is the highway. He spoke about the noise study conducted which found the exact same results. Commissioner Kanne asked about employee rules. Mr. Morrison said there is no trucking activity during 3rd shift. Employee vehicles shouldn’t be idling. He noted that employee parking is the farthest distance on the site from residential property. He said the city shouldn’t have an ordinance written specifically for Lyman Lumber. We want to make sure the ordinance applies equitably city-wide. Vice Chair Robertson spoke about items like lighting, ventilation and decibel limits. He asked if some of these items should be in the ordinance. Mr. Morrison said the general code addresses lighting. Regarding noise and speakers outside, he said staff could look at that. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, stated the city nuisance ordinance currently does have decibel level restrictions for noise of long duration. Police do have the discretion to identify noise of shorter duration a nuisance. Commissioner Kanne asked the applicant for his response to the more general conditions of approval and assurance that those conditions could be met. Applicant, Mark Thieroff, Attorney for the Applicant, directed commissioners to look at the site drawing which illustrates the distance employee parking would be from residential. He spoke about over the road truck deliveries which will be controlled by purchase order indicating delivery time. Improved on-site signage will also coordinate with that process. Scott Richter, applicant, spoke about activities and operations which will occur during the third shift. Vice Chair Robertson opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Carper said he supports and encourages responsible companies to do business in St. Louis Park. Commissioner Carper made a motion recommending approval of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment pertaining to extended business hours for Industrial uses adjacent to residential properties. Commissioner Johnston-Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 4. Other Business: None 5. Communications Commissioner Person spoke about the city’s Vision 3.0 process. He said the Environment and Sustainability Commission has a subcommittee that will be looking at the Comprehensive Plan. He said that subcommittee would like to have a joint study session with the Planning Commission at some point. Vice Chair Robertson said he thought that was a great idea. Mr. Walther said the Vision 3.0 document is nearing its final version and approval by City Council. He said four neighborhood-based Comprehensive Plan workshops will be held in November. Commissioners are welcome to attend their own area workshop and all workshops. More information will be coming from staff soon. Mr. Walther said the November 1 commission meeting has been cancelled. The November 15 commission meeting may also be cancelled. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary