HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/06/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - Board of Zoning Appeals - Regular
OFFICIAL MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 2016
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
The St. Louis Park Board of Zoning Appeals conducted a meeting on June 23, 2016, 6:00
p.m., at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
in the Council Chambers
Members Present: Susan Bloyer, Justin Kaufman, James Gainsley, Henry Solmer
Members Absent: Paul Roberts
Staff Present: Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator
1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2016
Commissioner Solmer made a motion recommending approval of the minutes of
March 24, 2016. Vice Chair Kaufman seconded the motion, and the motion
passed on a vote of 2-0-1 (Gainsley abstained). Commissioner Bloyer arrived at
6:15 p.m.
3. CONSENT AGENDA: None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Variance: Maximum Allowed Floor Area
Location: 4331 Excelsior Boulevard
Applicant: Salon Concepts, Brent Van Liev, CEO
Case No: 16-22-VAR
Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He
explained that the applicant is requesting a variance to increase the allowed floor
area from 2,500 square feet to 5,100 square feet so the Salon Concepts can occupy
the existing building as the sole tenant. He reviewed the definition of service land
use in the zoning ordinance which includes salon use. He discussed existing and
proposed property conditions.
Mr. Morrison went over the variance criteria. He said staff has discussed
number of parking spaces in great detail with the applicant. He said in order for
the variance criterion regarding effect on health, safety, and welfare of the
Official Minutes
Board of Zoning Appeals
June 23, 2016
Page 2
community to be met the Applicant will maintain and enforce a parking plan that
outlines parking alternatives and procedures with the goal to avoid any
commercial customers or staff from parking in the surrounding residential
neighborhoods.
Mr. Morrison stated that staff recommends adoption of a resolution approving the
requested variance for a 5,100 sq. ft. salon instead of the maximum 2,500 sq. ft.
allowed.
Commissioners Gainsley and Solmer asked how parking could be enforced to
prevent parking in residential areas.
Mr. Morrison said the intent is that employees would not park in residential areas.
If problems arose staff would go back to the contingency parking plan as part of
the variance approval.
Mr. Morrison spoke about the Excelsior Blvd. Ellipse development parking plan
which has been monitored and enforced successfully.
Vice Chair Kaufman asked if there have been any parking issues at the site in the
past.
Mr. Morrison responded that there have not been any issues and the site has been
a very low traffic generator.
Vice Chair Kaufman opened the public hearing.
Jake Stein, attorney, Salon Concepts, spoke about the company. He said they are
confident based on company experience that there shouldn’t be any issues with
the parking lot. He commented that the lease is for 10 years.
Brent Van Liev, CEO, Salon Concepts, was present to answer any questions.
Gregory Rich, property owner adjacent to Salon Concepts, said he was present to
speak in favor of the variance request.
The Vice Chair closed the public hearing as no one else was present wishing to
speak.
Commissioner Gainsley stated he thinks it is an excellent plan with a great use of
building space and use that is intended. He made a motion to adopt a resolution
approving the variance.
Official Minutes
Board of Zoning Appeals
June 23, 2016
Page 3
Commissioner Solmer spoke about staff’s attempt to find the origin of the 2,500
sq. ft. allowed floor area. He said perhaps City Council needs to take a look at
this and reevaluate it.
Vice Chair Kaufman said he supported the variance request.
Commissioner Bloyer commented that she was sorry to have missed the
discussion. She said based on the report she did not support the request.
Commissioner Solmer seconded the motion. The motion to approve variance
passed on a vote of 3-0-1 (Bloyer opposed).
Mr. Morrison read the statement regarding appeal to the City Council.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
6. NEW BUSINESS: None
7. COMMUNICATIONS: None
8. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sells
Recording Secretary