Approved
 
PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON

 

 

Regular Meeting  01-15-02                                                                      7:30 p.m.

 

Present:          Commissioners Larry Baker, Jim O’Brien, Norm Schiferl, Thomas O’Keefe, David Schmitz and Paul Zisla

                       

Absent:           Commissioner Jeff Schopf

 

Also Present:    Patrick Boylan, City Planner

                          Char Samuelson, City Council

                          Kevin Locke, Community Development Director

                          Mark Andrle, Community Development Specialist

 

·        Minute Approval -  January  18, 2002

·        Agenda Review -  No additions

·        Council Action  - Council approval of Special Use Permit

for the auto repair shop at the South China Inn location.

Neighborhood meetings starting.

Community Police Academy – 8 sessions.

Town Hall Meeting – March 23, 2002.

 

Rezoning Three Vacant Lots Owned By Johnson Screens (PINs: 17-30-23-44-0002, 17-30-23-44-0003, 17-30-23-44-0004)  from  I-2, Heavy Industrial to MX, Mixed Use. 

Continuation of January Meeting.

 

Mark Andrle, Community Development Specialist explained the main reason for rezoning is because the Comprehensive Plan has these properties designated  as MU

(Mixed Use) and by law the Comprehensive Plan designations need to match up with our zoning designations.  Thus the rezoning to MX. 

 

At the December meeting the Planning Commission directed staff to explore with Johnson Screens the possibility of the City having an agreement with Johnson Screen to have the first option  to purchase these properties if they became available.  This was discussed briefly with Mr. Bob Norell and he will consult with his colleagues at Johnson Screen.  Mr. Andrle presented the Planning Commission with two actions they could take:

1)      Recommend to rezone the three properties to MX, Mixed Use to make the Comprehensive Plan and zoning designations consistent.

2)      Recommend to not rezone the three properties and make a change to the Comprehensive Plan to have the Comprehensive Plan and current zoning designation consistent.  The commission may also want to recommend to the Council that staff develop an agreement with Johnson Screens to give the City the first option to purchase the three vacant properties. 

 

If the property is rezoned and at some point Johnson Screens informs staff that they would like to expand their current building to the south, the properties can be again rezoned so that the use would be allowed. 

 

The Commission was made aware that staff was contacted by a developer who stated they were negotiating with Johnson Screens to purchase the vacant properties.  Mr. Norell has stated to staff that Johnson Screens has no agreement with a developer and the properties are not for sale. 

 

Staff’s recommendation is to rezone the properties to MX, mixed use, from I-2, Heavy Industrial. 

 

The property owner, Bob Norell, introduced himself and asked to retain the I-2 designation of the property, with the recognition if they decided to expand and had to come back and ask to be rezoned from MX to I-2, they would be going against the Comprehensive Plan and question how well received that request would be.  He again

stated they would like to maintain the I-2 designation at this time.  He explained their corporate people are putting together a proposed contract to say the property would retain its I-2 designation until the point of sale.  At any time they would be considering selling it would become an MX designation and it could not be sold as I-2 property. 

 

A commissioner asked the question of Mr. Norell if they are negotiating with a developer.  Mr. Norell explained they are not.  Mr. Norell also explained upon questioning that their preference would be to expand to the north and would not expect this to happen for approximately five years.  Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of leaving the designation the same or rezoning to MX and asked pertinent questions of staff. 

 

Moved and seconded to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. 

6 Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion Carried. 

 

Motion by Zisla, seconded by O’Brien, to approve the staff’s recommendation and  WAIVE THE READING AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF R01-4, REZONING THE THREE VACANT LOTS OWNED BY JOHNSON SCREENS FROM I-2, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL TO MX, MIXED USE. 

 

For the public record, the Planning Commission is supportive of efforts to work with Johnson Screens on expansion possibilities. 

 

4 Ayes, 2 Nays,  Motion Carried. 

 

Per Chairman Baker, the minutes reflect that Commissioner O’Brien has excused himself from the meeting. 

 

The PUBLIC HEARINGS consist of  a rezoning of seven parcels from R-1A, Single Family Residential to B-4, Downtown Business, to consider a site plan to allow police and fire service uses at 785 Old Highway 8NW; and, to review a General Development Plan for a new Public Safety Facility.  Mr. Boylan explained the background of the project.  He displayed a mosaic for commissioners to review.  Commissioners had several questions for staff.  Bob Jacobs, Director of Public Safety, also addressed the commissioners to answer questions, specifically if other properties had been considered that would not require rezoning.  He explained this site was chosen by the Task Force, with location being the driving force. 

 

Jim O’Brien presented the diagrams of the project.  The upgrade to the landscaping plan is not ready at this time, but Mr. O’Brien, in response to a question, summarized the plan.

 

Danny Dahms of 675 4th Ave. NW, expressed concern regarding building for the present and not for the future.  If further expansion is needed down the line and more parking it would again require nibbling at the neighborhood. He mentioned the issue of Homeland Security and the possible increased roles of the police and fire departments requiring more space than this would allow.  He also expressed concern about the view, the traffic and the parking, as well as the clustering of all city services in one area.

 

Charles Cadenhead of 748 3rd Ave. NW, expressed the desire to see the continuation of a sidewalk around the whole block.  This would assure safety for people walking. 

 

Tom Germundson, 751 4th Ave. NW, requested drawing of where the driveway would be.

 

There was considerable discussion between commissioners and staff regarding the parking spaces.  Mr. O’Brien stated he would add continuation of sidewalk to the plan.

 

Mr. O’Brien was asked to explain how the possible need for expansion in light of recent events has been addressed.  They started with a plan for 6 bays and have added 2 more.

There is room for an emergency vehicle if needed.  The Task Force looked at long range needs and this is really a building for the future.  It is somewhat oversized now and the general consensus by staff is that the building is adequate for future needs. 

 

Tom Germundson again had questions regarding the driveway location and it was determined it would be across from his house. 

 

 

Motion by O’Keefe, seconded by Zisla, to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion Carried.

 

Motion by Schiferl, Seconded by Zisla, to WAIVE THE READING AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF SP 01-016 AND RZ 01-005 SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

 

1.         The applicant shall provide an updated landscape plan which shall be reviewed

            by the City Forester. 

2.         The applicant must submit a lighting plan showing lumen levels along the east property line.  Said on-site lighting shall not exceed .4 foot candles along the line. 

3.         Any new utility hook ups shall be done per approval of the City Engineer. 

4.         The Applicant shall apply for the following: 

            a.  A Final Plat to consolidate all lots into one parcel and vacate the alley; and,

b.  An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to reconcile the Zoning Map with the Plan.

5.         Include a determination of how the number of parking spaces for the new facility was determined and development of a parking plan to assure that parking generated by this facility will not  unreasonably affect adjoining residential neighborhoods. 

 

5 Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion Carried. 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS:  None

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES:   Reappointment of Commissioners Thomas O’Keefe, Norm Schiferl and Paul Zisla to the Planning Commission for another term. 

Their present term expires the end of this month and the new term begins next month. 

All commissioners were thanked for their dedication and public service.

 

The second announcement is that Kim Moore-Sykes will be the new council representative to the Planning Commission.  Char Samuelson was thanked for her help the past year. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Patrick Boylan, Intermediate City Planner