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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 22 2014 PC meeting minutes PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, December 22, 2014 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Commissioner Larson called the Monday, December 22, 2014 Prior Lake Planning Commission meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Those present were Commissioners Adam Blahnik, Bryan Fleming, Wade Larson and Mark Petersen; City Planner Jeff Matzke and Development Service Assistant Sandra Woods. 2. Approval of Agenda: MOTION BY PETERSEN, SECONDED BY FLEMING TO APPROVE THE MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2014 PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. . VOTE: Ayes by Blahnik, Fleming, Larson and Petersen The Motion carried. 3. Approval of Monday, December 1, 2014 Meeting Minutes: MOTION BY PETERSEN, SECONDED BY FLEMING TO APPROVE THE MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. . VOTE: Ayes by Blahnik, Fleming, Larson and Petersen The Motion carried. 4. Public Hearings: A.DEV14-001036 Elander Re-Zoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment Elander Mechanical is requesting a rezoning of property at 4285 Fountain Hills Drive NE from C-2 (General Business) to C-3 (Business Park) and a 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Amendment from C-CC (Community Retail Shopping) to P-US (Planned Use). PID: 25-390- 002-0. Planner Matzke introduced the Rezoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendments at 4285 Fountain Hills Drive NE and explained the history, current circumstances, site characteristics, conclusion, comprehensive plan amendment findings goals and objectives, comparison of C-2 versus C-3 uses, zoning ordinance amendment findings, issues and alternatives. He provided a location map, amended comprehensive land use plan map, official zoning map, and conceptual site plan for Elander Mechanical. Commission Comments/Questions: Petersen asked if this is the last of the shovel-ready properties in that area. Planner Matzke replied there are a couple other sites; however, this is the preferred site as the last one on the south side of Fountain Hills Drive NE. Peterson asked if the other properties on the north side are zoned the same as the proposed area. Planner Matzke replied yes, it is zoned C-2 which is the same zoning as 4285 Fountain Hills Drive NE. 1 Fleming asked if the adjacent areas are zoned residential, and further asked about the timeline of build- outs for these adjacent parcels. Planner Matzke replied the surrounding vacant areas owned by the Vierling family. Those to the south are guided for medium density residential, and those to the west are guided for business park land uses. He also explained the density and zoning of the land to the east of the subject site. Fleming asked how many applicants were interested in this subject property in the prior two to three years. Planner Matzke replied none in the past couple years; however, between 2005 thru 2008, there were a number of applicants, but nothing materialized. Fleming asked to be refreshed on setbacks. Planner Matzke explained the setback distances and the changes between zoning districts. The setback distances will not be changing much from one zoning district to another. This site is located at an area that has recently been reviewed for proposed changes for the C-3 Zone, which would allow the setbacks to be closer. Fleming asked if the concept plan could change. Planner Matzke replied yes, it could change since this plan is only conceptual for purposes of the proposed amendments. He explained topography changes and the elevation of the residential homes to the east. He said the location of this building is not just to further itself from residential areas, but also due to physical characteristics of the site. Fleming asked when the mailing notice to the residence was sent out. Planner Matzke replied mailed notices are sent out ten days in advance of the public hearing; publications to the newspaper are usually out 2 ½ weeks prior to meeting. Fleming asked about what amenity the proposed building and business would provide to the city. Planner Matzke replied that Elander Mechanical business provides services for mechanical and plumbing contracting business in the area. Fleming asked about the existing undeveloped business park to the west and what is the timeline on developing this site with utilities. Planner Matzke explained the location of where the utilities would run if the city received a desired application to develop the site. He said the amount of traffic on County Highways 21 & 42 is making this area more interesting to developers; therefore, it is a matter of having a willing buyer and seller. Blahnik asked whether it is the same standard for amending the ordinance whether it is a request of the applicant or of the city. Planner Matzke replied yes, the standard would be the same. 2 Blahnik asked if it is correct that in order to amend the zoning ordinance, one of the three criteria in the zoning ordinance being met would give grounds for approving the amendment. Planner Matzke replied yes, that is correct. Petersen asked what year the townhomes were built that are adjacent to the proposed property. Planner Matzke replied sometime between 2000 and 2002, which was the same time period as the Fountain Hills Plat was approved by the city. Petersen asked if the developer or the builder would have known of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and any potential changes. Planner Matzke said nothing has changed yet since the 2030 plan was approved in 2006, except for the Planned Use designation in 2014 along the County Highway 42 corridor. Petersen asked if the townhome owners will be surprised that there is going to be development. Planner Matzke replied no; it has always been proposed for a future site of a commercial business. Applicant Tom Elander representing Elander Mechanical resides at 15091 Wilderness Ridge Lane in Prior Lake and owns a plumbing and heating business that has been in business for 30 years, currently located in Shakopee. He mentioned that they have outgrown their offices in Shakopee and have been looking in the southwest metro. He said this subject site became an option to him because he resides extremely close to the area and would like to stay in Prior Lake for both home and office. He stated that his company services four national builders in the Twin Cities, and he employs 55 to 68 employees. He mentioned while there will be a few trucks parked on the property, a large portion of the company trucks go home with the employees each night. Petersen asked if they worked both with commercial and residential customers. Applicant Elander replied that ninety-five percent of their work is residential. Petersen asked if this company was focused more for storage or manufacturing; he is concerned about potential noise issues. Applicant Elander replied they buy all materials prebuilt; therefore, there is no bending or cutting, or anything like that on site. The building is used more for storage. Petersen asked about the elevation shown on the site plan and why they were not going further to the east with their building. Applicant Elander explained there is a drop from the townhomes; he feels the way it is being proposed is conceptual at this point, but it does seem to make the most sense on this site. Petersen asked if they have any plans of using all the land and/or expanding out into the open area. 3 Applicant Elander replied they would like to utilize as much as they can, but expansion would be in the future if needed; it is a plus to have that option. Petersen asked if they have a showroom. Applicant Elander replied currently they do not have a showroom and explained they do have showrooms in Plymouth only; Petersen asked about their hours of operation. Applicant Elander replied 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fleming asked when are they hoping to have this completed and open for business. Applicant Elander replied by this time next year; he stated they would need to lease another property until then. MOTION BY BLAHNIK, SECONDED BY FLEMING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARINGAT 5:32 P.M. . VOTE: Ayes by Blahnik, Fleming, Larson and Petersen The Motion carried. Public Comment : None. MOTION BY FLEMING, SECONDED BY BLAHNIK TO CLOSE THE PUBLICHEARING AT 5:33 P.M. . VOTE: Ayes by Blahnik, Fleming, Larson and Petersen The Motion carried. Commission Comments/Questions: Petersen stated he does not see any harmful consequences from the proposed plan and zoning changes. He understood frustrations that may arise from the townhome owners to have open land change into a building, but stated that this land was zoned for a commercial building to be constructed there. He stated that this is the ideal business to have by a residential area as it will have low traffic volumes. He stated he is in support of the proposed amendments. Fleming is supportive of this amendment and stated he appreciated staffs due diligence conducted on this amendment change. He mentioned his initial concern was of impact and aesthetics. He stated the proposed amendment is supported within the objectives of the comprehensive plan, including to encourage diversity of economic employment opportunities. Blahnik stated he will be supporting the Comprehensive Plan amendment. He believes the changes provide for a good balance of commerce, industry and population in the area as well as being consistent with Commission Flemings comments. These amendments would add an amenity to nearby existing and future land uses, and the use would be attractive to companies wanting to locate in this area. With regard to the Zoning Ordinance amendment, of the three criteria under section 1108.6, two of the three criteria would be satisfied. The area in which the rezoning is requested has changed or is changing to such a degree that it is in the public interest to rezone in order to encourage development in the area. Also, the 4 permitted uses allowed within the proposed use district will be appropriate on the subject property and compatible with the adjacent properties in the neighborhoods. Larson stated he echoes sentiments of Commissioner Blahnik regarding the Zoning Ordinance amendment findings of the two items in section 1108.600. He also is in agreement with the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment which will allow for a balance of commerce uses in the area and will act as an amenity to the nearby future commercial land uses. He stated for these reasons, he would be in favor of the proposed amendments. MOTION BY PETERSEN, SECONDED BY FLEMING TO recommend the amendments to the 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Amendment from C-CC (Community Retail Shopping) to P-US (Planned Use) and amendments to the Official Zoning Map from C-2 (General Business) to C-3 (Business Park). . VOTE: Ayes by Blahnik, Fleming, Larson and Petersen The Motion carried. 5. Old Business: No Old Business 6. New Business: No New Business 7. Announcements / City Council Updates: th Meeting on Monday, January 5, 2015 will be canceled; as of now, the next scheduled meeting would be January 20, 2015 which is a Tuesday, due to a legal holiday. 8. Adjournment: MOTION BY FLEMING, SECONDED BY PETERSEN TO ADJORN THE DECEMBER 22, 2014 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. . VOTE: Ayes by Blahnik, Fleming, Larson and Petersen The Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m. Sandra Woods, Development Services Assistant 5