2016.09.20 PC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 would be 3-5 rows in height, with the attached Project Images depicting four row cabinets. Two benches are proposed between the stone cabinets and the easterly, north-south property line. Additionally, three bituminous parking stalls are proposed, 6’ wide concrete walkways with accent granite pavers, planters, landscaping, a small internal directional/identification sign, and an area to accommodate a future sculpture. Planning Director Gundlach indicated the cemetery use has existed on this property since 1909. The applicant has indicated the property is reaching capacity and the proposed improvements will allow them to accommodate additional demand and respond to the rise in cremation popularity. Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit and Variance, subject to the following conditions: 1. The improvements shall be constructed consistent with the plans attached to the Planning Report dated 9-15-2016. 2. The Columbaria shall be phased in, with the three most easterly cabinets to be constructed first. The remaining cabinets to be installed at a future date based upon demand, locations as depicted on the plans, will not require additional Special Use Permit approval. 3. The main walkway, parking spaces, and landscaping shall be installed with the three initial cabinets. The additional paved surfaces and benches surrounding the future six cabinets shall be installed at a future date with the additional cabinets. 4. The sculpture may be installed at a future date as donor and funding dictates. 5. The internal sign depicted on the Layout Plan, Sheet L1-2, cannot exceed 4 SF in graphic area and shall be considered an internal directional sign. Commissioner McPherson asked if the new structures could be moved over in order for the 30-foot setback to be met. He understood that two of the columbaria would be lost if the applicant were to proceed in this manner. He explained that the columbaria were significantly larger than a gravestone and would be visible from the street. Commissioner Frischman inquired if staff had a visual of the property from 11th Avenue. Planning Director Gundlach reviewed several images with the Commission and explained she did not have any visuals from 11th Avenue looking into the cemetery. Commissioner Frischman commented on the large size of the columbaria and believed it would be beneficial to have a better idea on how these blocks would look from 11th Avenue. Commissioner Danger questioned how high the blocks would be. Planning Director Gundlach understood the blocks would be four levels high, but requested further comment from the applicant on this matter. Paul Kangas, Loucks, thanked the Commission for their consideration. He believed the proposed columbaria would be a valuable asset to the community. He noted high end materials would be used for the structures and stated he would be happy to provide the group with imagery of the columbaria from 11th Avenue. It was his opinion the columbaria blocks would appear to be park-like in nature as the area would have landscaping and benches. He described how the cabinets closest to 11th Avenue had been fanned out in order to reduce the visual impact from the adjacent properties. He provided further comment on the size of each of the cabinets noting this was a much needed element in the City of New Brighton. Commissioner McPherson questioned how many units the columbaria blocks would have. Mr. Kangas estimated that 300 units would be installed in Phase I of the plan. Commissioner McPherson asked how many units would be lost if the units were to shift away from the street and one row were eliminated. Mr. Kangas reported 112 units would be lost. He anticipated this loss could be made up by increasing the height in the remaining units. Commissioner Miwa feared the columbaria units may be susceptible to vandalism and questioned if the units could be opened by the visiting public. Mr. Kangas explained the property was fenced and stated vandalism