00:00:00,000 All right. We’ve got seven. So let’s take our 10s of silence. And we will call the September 1st Planning Commission meeting to order. Uh, Linda, can you take the roll, please? Commissioner slaughter here. Commissioner Horman here. Commissioner Gutman here. Commissioner Collier here. Commissioner Terris. Here. Chair. Mannix. Here. Commissioner. Landy. Here. Commissioner. Alkali. Yes. Commissioner Reddin here. 00:00:26,630 All right, so first up, we have planning case 2605, uh, conditional use permit amendment for outdoor storage. 3241 Wind Park Drive, Sanders property LLC. Thank you very much. And good evening, Mr. Chairman. Members of the Commission, Jeff Sargeant community Development Director. So as stated, our first case is a conditional use permit amendment for outdoor storage. 00:00:50,130 3241 Wind Park Drive. The applicant is requesting to amend the conditions for outdoor storage to actually reduce the amount of outdoor storage that’s currently on the site. This would provide, um, space and convert that some of that outdoor storage area into parking for a new tenant that’s going to be entering the property. 00:01:13,730 The property is located in district Planning District 15, and the comprehensive plan supports the the request of conditions permit within the district, uh, and promotes private reinvestment, in-place expansion and renovation of industrial sites located in this district. The comprehensive plan directs the city to pursue the screening of outdoor storage areas as well. 00:01:34,470 In this district, little bit of specifications on the property. It’s a 1.65 acre piece of property. The areas to the north, west, south and east are zoned industrial as well. There is a little bit of property there on the south that is zoned BW. Business Warehouse. We’ll be hearing about that property and a little bit here. 00:01:58,000 As far as the surge or the actual request for tonight, if you recall those on the Planning Commission in 2023, a conditional permit was approved for outdoor storage on this property. Uh, the area to the north of that building was approximately 8200ft. 00:02:19,330 Um, and the south area, the southwest area for the property was about 12,300ft of outdoor storage, for a total of 20,500ft of outdoor storage. The amendment to the conditions permit would reduce that northern storage area to 3450ft. You can see the gray shaded area or the blue shaded area. 00:02:42,930 There being what was originally approved in 2023 and then the rectangular or the the dashed box there rectangle, there is what’s being proposed as far as the reduction of that. The city zoning code does require a conditional use permit for open outdoor storage in the industrial zoning district. 00:03:01,170 When the outdoor area exceeds 20% of the gross floor area of the principal structure. So even with this reduction of outdoor storage, they are still going to be above that 20% threshold. And that’s why the conditional use permit, at least the amendment to the conditions permit is needed. 00:03:19,130 As far as setbacks, outdoor storage areas would be setback at least five feet from the side and rear property lines, as required by city code. We have had had no issues since 2023 with any of the outdoor storage requirements or setbacks or anything like that for this property specifically related to parking, you could see on the the screen here the number of parking stalls that are required. 00:03:37,430 And this takes into consideration the new tenant that’s going to be on this on the property. So currently there are 21 parking stalls that are required in 2023 because of the uses of the building. Only 17 parking stalls were required and the applicant supplied 18. 00:04:01,330 So the submitted site plan indicates that there’s going to be 25 parking stalls provided as a result of the reduction of the outdoor storage area. This does meet the minimum code requirements as we required 21 parking stalls and the drive aisles meet the all the dimensional standards and there is one disability parking stall 00:04:17,870 depicted by that red arrow. And that also meets minimum code requirements for the disability parking stalls. The building does have four overhead doors that face within Park Drive. Uh, storage, including, uh, the parking of vehicles, detached trailers, machinery and equipment may not take place in this area. 00:04:45,170 The staging of vehicles would be allowed, uh, with attached trailers, but can occur for more than 24 hours in this area. Again, we haven’t had any calls of concern regarding this request or this condition. This was a condition that was put on the conditions permit in 2023 as well. We’ve had no concerns from neighboring properties regarding this. As far as snow storage is concerned. 00:05:07,830 They’re going to remain the same as was approved in 2023. You can see the red arrows indicating the areas on the site plan that this snow will be stored in. They are going to be located within the fence scenarios. All the landscaping, fencing and screening concerns were addressed in the 2023 approval of the Conditional Use Permit. 00:05:28,270 There’s no proposed changes to any of these elements with the current amendment. As far as the trash enclosure is concerned, the industrial uses must provide trash enclosures for any waste containers that contain refuse and recyclable material or equipment. Enclosures must be fully screened. 00:05:48,630 The enclosures must fully screen the containers from view from the adjacent properties, and the waste containers must be located within an enclosure or inside the approved open outdoor storage area. All the exterior storage shall be restricted to the paved open outdoor storage areas depicted on the submitted site. Plans. 00:06:11,000 These areas shall also be restricted to materials and equipment accessory to the on site business may not be located above the height of the screening fence. Again, these are all conditions that we went through in 2023. We just wanted to reiterate them because through the amendment, these conditions don’t go away. We just have to make sure they’re reiterated and reapplied here. 00:06:27,000 As far as hazardous materials are concerned, the storage area is not intended for the storage of any hazardous liquids, solids, gases or wastes, and this will be included as a condition of approval, obviously, that we will not allow these types of materials to be stored as far as lighting, the lighting is hooded and directed so that the 00:06:42,600 light source is not visible from the public right of way or from neighboring residences. The applicant is not indicated that the other storage area will be lit, and if lighting is proposed to be installed, the applicant should provide lighting plans with specifications to staff for review. 00:07:01,230 As far as zoning criteria for approving a conditional use permit, all of the criteria was found to be true and consistent with the zoning code. Notifications were sent by mail within everybody. All the property owners within 500ft of this property. 00:07:23,730 Uh, the public hearing notice was published in the Sun Post and on the city’s website. And a land use petition sign was also installed. And we did get one inquiry report about the request. Um, after explanation, their understanding of what was going on there. 00:07:42,800 As far as the recommendation, it’s recommended that the Planning Commission approved the amendment to the conditional use permit for the open outdoor storage at 3241 Wind Park Drive North, subject to the following conditions. Number one, the exterior storage shall be restricted to the paved open outdoor storage areas depicted on the submitted site. Plans number two. 00:08:02,200 The exterior storage shall be restricted to materials and equipment and accessory to the on site businesses, and not be located above the height of the screen. Fence number three the open outdoor storage area shall be screened from adjacent public rights of way number four. The area east of the four overhead doors shall not be used for storage. 00:08:20,200 Staging of the vehicles within with attached trailers should not occur in the area for more than 24 hours. Number five all proposed On-Site. Parking shall occur in the designated code compliant areas that are striped and meet dimensional standards specified within the city code. Parking and storage shall not take place within the drive aisles, loading areas, fire lanes, or on the street. Number six. 00:08:40,470 The open outdoor storage area shall be separated from the adjacent required parking area with striped line to prevent equipment, machinery and materials from occupying necessary and required parking stalls. Number seven short term and permanent plans for containment of material stored within the concrete bins, subject to approval by the stormwater specialist and building Official Number eight. 00:09:05,600 Temporary storage containers may only be located outdoors on the property for 30 consecutive days per calendar year. The number nine, the open outdoor area storage area should not be used for storage of hazardous liquids, solids, gases or wastes. Number ten the open outdoor storage shall be kept free of refuse, trash, debris, weeds and waste. 00:09:26,400 Fill number 11. If lighting is proposed for the storage area, the applicant shall submit lighting plans for staff to review and approve number 12. Loading berths shall be maintained in accordance with the City code requirements applicable to the Industrial properties and number 13, the amendment. 00:09:47,330 The Amended Conditions Permit shall be recorded against the property and the office of the Hennepin County Recorder. I know the applicant is in attendance tonight. If the Planning Commission has any questions. Otherwise, staff in the applicant are available for any questions that the Commission might have. Thank you. Any questions for Jeff? Not for me. Any questions for the applicant? I have one question for the applicant. 00:10:09,800 And invite the applicant up to the podium. If you could state your name and address, business address is fine. Sure. My name is Terry Sanders. Our business address is 3243 Wynn Park Drive, North, Minnesota. Thank you. Are you comfortable with all the conditions that we’ve outlined? Yes. Okay. Okay. 00:10:36,300 All right. You could’ve sat there. You asking? Yeah. So I just wanted to make sure that there’s quite a few there that you’re comfortable with. All of them. They’re the same. We have them. Yeah, right. Super. All right. Um, if no other questions, then I’d entertain a motion. 00:10:57,330 So moved. We approve the planning case. We ended up hearing. First, we got a close I. Yeah. I’m sorry. Motion? Nope. Motion open the public hearing. Second. All in favor are, um. If anyone moved to approve. We got to close it. First I move, we close the public hearing. Second. We do. Let’s have the public. We didn’t. 00:11:17,300 Even open it. First. We wanted to get. Just just just a minute. Now, if if anyone would like to speak. We will give you time. Otherwise, I will entertain a motion. Motion to close second. All in favor? All right. Roger. All right. I, uh, approve the planning case. 2605 Outdoor Storage Amendment. 00:11:50,200 Subject recommendations, subject to the recommendations. Thank you. Yes, I have a second, second. All right. Linda, can you take the vote, please? Commissioner slaughter. Yes, Commissioner. Harmon. Yes, Commissioner. Griffin. Yes, Commissioner. Collier. Yes, Commissioner. Terrace. Yes, chair. Maddox. Yes, Commissioner. Landy. Yes, Commissioner. Alkali. Yes, Commissioner. Redden. Yes. All right. 00:12:19,170 So this will go to the, uh, City Council meeting on the 21st of September, which will be right back here in this room. So thank you so much. Thank you. Good luck. Thank you. All right. Next we have plenty case 2606 a conditional use permit amendment for outdoor storage of commercial vehicles at 3216 Winnetka Avenue. Good evening, Mr. Chairman. 00:12:41,800 Members of the commission, Jeff Alger, development specialist. The applicant for this property is requesting an amendment to the conditional use permit for open outdoor storage to allow for the rental, storage and display of U-Haul trucks at 3216 Winnetka Avenue North. 00:13:04,800 Conditional Use Permit or a copy was approved in 2017 to allow for the conversion of the warehouse into a self storage facility with an open outdoor storage area. Much like the last property it is located in, Planning District 15 and and again, the comp plan supports the requested conditional use within the district and promotes private reinvestment in place. Expansion and renovation of industrial sites located in the district. This is a 6.23 acre property is zoned BW Business Warehouse. 00:13:30,870 Surrounding land uses include industrial and business warehouse to the north, single family residential to the west that is the city of Crystal. Multifamily residential to the south again. City of Crystal and industrial to the east. And that’s the city of Crystal. 00:13:54,470 A condition of approval that was associated with the 2017 Cup prohibited all commercial uses other than storage at this property. The self storage facility is currently operated by U-Haul, and U-Haul is requesting approvals to park a maximum of four U-Haul trucks at the property. 00:14:16,170 Three new parking stalls would be added to the northwest corner of the existing open outdoor storage area, in an area that’s currently paved, and then the northernmost stall in the parking lot along Winnetka Avenue North would be reserved for dropping off and displaying U-Haul trucks. Getting into the zoning analysis, starting with circulation. As you can see, there is a drive aisle lane that provides customers access to the building for self-storage transaction. 00:14:41,430 There’s a separate lane on the south side of the property that provides access to the open outdoor storage area. The U-Haul trucks would primarily be parked within the open outdoor storage area that is east of the building. Rental drop off would occur on the west side of the building along Winnetka Avenue North. 00:14:59,000 Customers would park the truck in the northernmost stall in the parking lot along Winnetka, give the keys to a U-Haul employee during regular business hours, and then that employee would move the vehicle to the open outdoor storage area on the east side of the property. 00:15:16,730 If the truck were to be dropped off after hours, it would be parked in that stall on Winnetka Avenue North. The key would be placed in a drop box. The vehicle that would then be moved the next day by a U-Haul employee rental pickup would involve customers getting the keys for the trucks from inside the building during 00:15:36,000 regular business hours, retrieving a truck from the open outdoor storage area, and then exiting to the east on Wind Park Drive. None of these vehicles that are would be rented at this property would exceed 15ft in length. 00:15:56,130 The city code does not specify a parking standard for self storage facilities. Due to the nature of the business and the low traffic count, the parking demand is usually significantly less than standard warehouse or industrial uses. The copy that was approved in 2017 included a total of nine standard parking stalls and two accessible stalls along Winnetka, as well as 12 proof of parking stalls. 00:16:15,870 North of that lot. The proof of parking would only be required if the building use demonstrated demand for the parking that exceeded what was available. We’ve seen no issues with parking, received no complaints about parking since those approvals were granted. 00:16:34,700 As part of the request to amend the conditional use permit, the northernmost stall in the parking lot along Winnetka Avenue North would be reserved for dropping off and displaying U-Haul trucks, reducing the total number of standard stalls to from 9 to 8. Again, another three new parking stalls would be added to the northwest corner of the existing open outdoor storage area, in an area that’s already paved. 00:16:57,570 Fencing and screening. The existing open outdoor storage area is fully fenced in compliance with code requirements. At the time of the application, some sections of the storage area were not fully screened from within Park Drive and from 32nd Avenue North. Those areas, including gates, would need to be screened in order to comply with the code requirements. 00:17:21,030 Surfacing and pavement. No. Again, no new pavement is being proposed as part of this application. Right after the application came in, a site visit was completed by staff and it was determined that the curbing along the north side of the Winnetka Avenue parking lot was deteriorating. 00:17:40,470 The curbing was promptly replaced by the applicant. So we thank the applicant for taking quick action and already having that done. As far as zoning code criteria goes, contingent upon the conditions of approval, the proposal was found to be consistent with the Cop review criteria outlined in the city Code. 00:18:04,730 In accordance with section 816 of the city code, a license is required for the rental of trucks and trailers, and that’s an annual license that the business will need to obtain and renew each year. Similar to what Jeff mentioned with the last application, property owners within 500ft of the parcel were notified by mail of the request. 00:18:23,470 The legal notice was published in the Sun Post newspaper and on the city’s website. The applicant and installed signs on the property. We did receive again one inquiry about the request and that individual expressed interest in speaking at the public hearing, but I’m not sure if they doesn’t look like they ended up making it. 00:18:44,200 It’s recommended that the Planning Commission approved an amendment to the conditional use permit for open outdoor storage for the rental, storage and display of U-Haul trucks at 3216 Winnetka Avenue North, subject to the following conditions one. Rental vehicles stored on site shall be limited to four designated stalls shown on site, shown on August 4th, 2026. 00:19:06,970 Site plan including one stall on Winnetka Avenue North parking lot and three stalls in the open outdoor storage area. Screening shall not be required for the vehicle. Located on Winnetka Avenue North, stall rental vehicles shall not exceed 15ft in length. Two all on site parking shall occur in designated code compliant striped bituminous areas that meet city code dimensional standards. 00:19:29,670 Parking and storage is prohibited within drive aisles, loading areas, fire lanes, unpaved surfaces, and public streets. Three open outdoor storage areas shall be screened from adjacent public right of way, and residential properties for the vehicle display area shall be kept free from dirt, weeds, garbage, trash and other debris. 00:19:50,470 Five the west side of Winnetka Avenue North parking lot shall be striped and signed as no parking zone as required by the West Metro Fire Rescue District six. The Fire Department connection shall be painted and adjusted so that all components spend freely in an approved FDC sign shall be installed as required by the West Metro Fire 00:20:09,900 Rescue District. Seven gate Access card for the open outdoor storage area shall be provided to West Metro Fire Rescue District eight. Property shall comply with all city licensing requirements related to the rental of trucks and trailers, and nine Amended Conditional Use Permit shall be recorded against the property in the office of the Hennepin 00:20:31,130 County Recorder. So this evening, we do have the applicant, Lucy Vivian West, in attendance. I know she would be happy to address the Or the commission and staff would be happy to answer any questions. As well. Ask the same question. Yeah, just just ask any questions. I’ll ask a question this. time of the applicant, please. Yes. 00:20:53,530 I invite. You up to the podium and state your name and address. For the record for. Receiving West 3216 Winnetka. And my only my only question is, is you aware of all the recommendations and in agreement with them. all. Most of them, almost 99% of them are already done. So. 00:21:10,570 All right. Very good. I’m not surprised by that answer. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you dad. Any other questions that. We did. That was it. That was to we really make you jump through hoops here. 00:21:27,800 Yeah it’s okay I think it the recommendations and getting ahead of them like let me get it all done for tonight. So great. That’s great. I just want to know who’s getting this on post. Yeah I think. What are you getting us on post here. Yeah. Are you really. You still do. I thought they were gone. 00:21:41,530 No no no no no. You have to subscribe. You have to pay for it. Oh pay. For it. Open Cambridge area. They have the Scotsman. Yeah, I think so. You have to pay for. It. Yeah you do, you do the sun post now. It was free for years. Yeah, yeah yeah. Okay okay. All right. 00:22:01,970 So first I think we should talk about a public hearing. I move, we open the public hearing second. All in favor? Aye. And if anyone would like to speak, uh, we have the opportunity to, um. Otherwise, I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing. Second. All in favor? Aye, aye. All right. 00:22:22,470 And lastly, if anyone would like to make a motion for. Oh, I’ll make a motion for. I gotta get my agenda here. Sorry that we approve. Um. Thank you. Uh, keep planning case 2606 for outdoor storage of commercial vehicles at 3216 Winnetka. Subject to recommendations. Second, thank you, Linda, can you take a vote, please? Uh, Commissioner Harmon? Yes, Commissioner. Pittman. Yes. 00:22:49,800 Commissioner. Collier. Yes, Commissioner. Terrace. Yes, chair. Maddox. Yes, Commissioner. Landy. Yes, Commissioner. Alkali. Yes, Commissioner. Redden. Yes, Commissioner. Sato. Yes. All right. And this also will go to the council meeting on the 21st of September, which again be right back here. So thank you. Thank you so much. 00:23:11,970 Thank you very much. Yeah. All right. Next up we have planning case 2603 variance two parking lot setback standards and conditional use permit for deferment of required parking 4300 Quebec Avenue North. Thanks again. Chair Maddox. 00:23:37,930 Members of the Commission, the applicant is requesting variances to parking lot setback standards, as well as a conditional use permit for the deferment of required parking. This is the same property that received council approval for an antenna tower back in May, so may look familiar as the council or the commission reviewed that case as well. 00:23:56,670 It is still located in Planning District nine, and and with all of its existing and proposed uses, it’s consistent with the proposed land use map included in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The site is 4.98 acres zoned industrial, and you’ll see the surrounding land uses on screen. 00:24:17,130 There is high density residential to the east, however, there is the rail line that runs in between the two properties. As we look at the site plan here on screen, the south side of the property is on your left, the north side is on your right and it should be noted that no new pavement was proposed as part of this application, just the striping of currently paved areas. 00:24:37,230 The variance request relates to the north and south sides of the property. 28 proposed stalls in area A on the left side of your screen. Three proposed stalls and 17 proof of parking stalls in area E on the right side of your screen. 00:24:58,630 In addition to the parking setback variance, the applicant is requesting a conditional use Permit for the deferment of required parking based on the proposed and existing uses inside of the building. The city code requires a minimum of 75 parking stalls for personal vehicles, and one stall for every company vehicle stored on the property. The site plan includes 30 stalls for 30 commercial vehicles in area G. 00:25:19,870 The applicant is proposing to strip 64 of the 81 personal vehicle stalls shown on the site plan, and would defer striping of the remaining 17 stalls, which are shown in area E as a result, 64 of the 75 required personal vehicle stalls would be striped and 30 of the required 30 commercial vehicle stalls would be striped. 00:25:45,470 The introduction of a new tenant, air movers and commercial vehicles being stored on site has resulted in a need for additional parking at the property. Parking stalls have not been striped at the property for many years. Until recently. 00:26:07,400 The applicant has prepared a plan that includes two clusters of parking stalls that would not meet setback requirements. The zoning code requires that off street parking must be set back at least three feet from neighboring property lines, and that curbing must be set back at least five feet from neighboring neighboring property lines. 00:26:29,870 During the 2006 construction of village on Quebec, which is the retail center directly south of the subject, property adjustments were made along the shared property line, a driveway that provided access to 4300 Quebec Avenue North, located on the village on Quebec property, was eliminated. 00:26:51,870 As you can see, the aerial photos, curbing, landscaping and parking stalls were added to the village on Quebec property, helping to more clearly delineate the shared property line. In recent years, curbing was added around the parking areas and drive aisles to the south and west of 4300 Quebec Avenue North. The subject property. So if we look at the left side of the screen, the proposed parking plan for 4300 Quebec includes 28 stalls. 00:27:10,930 That’s on the south side of the property, and those would be set back approximately 1.4 to 1.7 five feet from the south property line. Looking at the right side of the screen, the application narrative states that the stalls, the three stalls and the 17 proof of parking stalls on the north 00:27:30,130 side of the property would be located in a similar proximity to the lot line. As the south stalls. However, it does not list exact distances. There is no curbing north of the stalls proposed along the north side of the property. 00:27:48,800 All proposed parking areas are again are currently paved and no new pavement is proposed. A recommended condition of approval requires that parking stalls be set back at least one foot from the north and south property lines. As a result, the following variances would be necessary. 00:28:12,870 First, a two foot variance to the off street parking setback requirement and a four foot variance to the curbing setback requirement along that south property line. Secondly, a two foot variance to the off street parking setback requirement along the North property line. Again, there’s no curbing along that north property line. 00:28:35,270 Recommended condition of approval requires that the parking stalls be set back at least one foot from the north and south property lines. As a result, these are the variances that would be requested. Based on the proposed and existing uses inside of the building, minimum parking requirements are shown on screen. 00:29:06,330 So with the warehousing, manufacturing office, we’re looking at a requirement of 75 personal vehicle stalls with the commercial vehicles 30 stalls are required. The site plan includes the 30 stalls for the 30 commercial vehicles in area G, on screen, the applicant is proposing to stripe 64 of the 81 personal vehicle stalls shown on the site plan, and would defer striping of the remaining 17 stalls in area. E. 00:29:33,400 Public works staff is supportive of the applicant using the easement areas both inside and outside of the fence along that north property line for parking provided access to the sanitary sewer line along the East property line is maintained through the gate and drive lanes. 00:29:53,730 Striped personal vehicle stalls would be located along the south, which is a southwest B West C, northwest D, and northeast F sides of the lot. The applicant has calculated a maximum personal vehicle demand between the two tenants of 90 personal vehicle parking stalls. This includes ten spaces for Truex Company employees and 80 spaces for air movers. 00:30:23,900 Truex company has employed no more than ten people at any given time while operating at this property. Air movers employs 20 or fewer people who work on site as office or warehouse support staff, as well as up to 60 people who arrive on site, pick up a company vehicle and then drive off site. 00:30:43,930 The application describes a dual use system for the 30 commercial vehicle stalls in the area, circled on screen. When operators arrive for work, they would park their personal vehicles inside the same large stall that their assigned commercial truck occupies. Each truck has two operators, and the commercial vehicle stalls are large enough to fit two personal vehicles. 00:31:06,930 The truck departs for the day, allowing for the two personal vehicles to be stored in each of the 30 commercial parking stalls. The applicant states that up to 60 personal vehicles could be parked in this manner, therefore reducing the number of stalls that need to be striped. 00:31:25,070 The city code does not address this type of scenario, and as a result, the commercial vehicle stalls are not counted as personal vehicles. Stalls. As part of the city’s analysis. In summary, 64 of the required 75 personal vehicle stalls would be striped. 17 proof of parking stalls would be reserved if necessary. In the future, and 30 of the required 30 commercial vehicles would be striped. 00:31:50,200 The city code allows for a deferment of required parking, if not less than one half of the amount of parking required by ordinance is deferred, so 50%, excluding those commercial vehicle stalls. The request results in the property having 86% of stalls required by city code. 00:32:10,570 If the deferred parking were to be approved, the city could require the proof of parking area be converted into actual parking stalls if needed. In the future. Looking at accessible parking, the site plan includes five Ada compliant parking stalls, all of which are located near the southwest corner of the property, and that blue circle blue circles. 00:32:32,870 The accessibility specialist with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry verified that constructing accessible stalls in the parking lot closest to the main entrance, which is denoted with the red arrow, is considered technically infeasible, and it was also confirmed that the five proposed Ada compliant parking stalls meet all required accessibility standards. Subject to the plan. Grading modifications. 00:32:58,700 A recommended condition of approval requires the installation of additional concrete curbing along the South property line, extending northward to clearly delineate the parking area and provide physical separation for the westernmost Ada stall shown on screen with the red arrow. Access. Drive, aisle lanes and circulation. So the site includes five existing curb cuts along Quebec Avenue North. 00:33:27,900 The 19 commercial vehicle stalls on the southeast side of the building would require truck drivers to access the site from the southernmost driveway, drive along the north, drive north along the East property line, and then back into a stall. When departing, the trucks would travel north and exit through the northernmost driveway. 00:33:49,300 In this dual use scenario, there would be instances where two passenger vehicles would be parked in one commercial vehicle stall. Truck drivers would be required to move both passenger vehicles prior to backing the commercial vehicle into that stall. 00:34:10,600 The proposed parking and gate configuration at the southeast corner of the site must maintain an approved emergency vehicle access route in order to allow for proper fire apparatus maneuvering. That access gate must be adjusted to align with the East Drive aisle. 00:34:31,670 The fire lane along the East property line must remain unobstructed, with the minimum 20 foot clearance, and no parking signs would need to be installed along that east property line. Trash enclosures. There are two trash dumped retail dumpster locations shown on the site. Plan the enclosures enclosures would be required for any containers on the site. Snow storage. You’ll see the snow storage areas shown on the site plan near the northeast corner of the property. 00:35:00,370 Air movers has committed that that excess snow will be moved off site if the snow storage locations identified on the site plan are unsuitable or insufficient. The zoning code criteria specifies the areas of consideration for variance requests and existing as an existing condition that has been in place for many years. Staff is supportive of the request for a variance to allow for the parking stalls. 00:35:26,900 Aside from striping the parking spaces, no physical changes are being proposed to the property and contingent upon approval of the variance request, the proposal was found to be consistent with pickup or conditional use permit review criteria outlined in the city code. 00:35:49,800 A recommended condition of approval restricts parking to the subject property, and allows the city to require paving or striping of the deferred parking area if necessary. Again, property owners within 500ft of this parcel were notified of tonight’s public hearing published. The legal notice was published in the Sun Post newspaper. 00:36:12,270 Land use petition sign was installed at the property and at the time, uh, as of today, we had received one inquiry about the proposed changes and some concerns were raised about, parking along Quebec Avenue north on the street. There. 00:36:37,330 Staff recommends that the Planning Commission conduct a public hearing and approve a two foot variance to the off street parking setback requirement, and a four foot variance to the curbing setback requirement to allow for the striping of 28 parking stalls along the South property line and a two foot variance to the off street parking setback requirement to allow for the striping of three parking stalls and 17 proof of parking stalls along the North property line at 4300 Quebec Avenue 00:36:57,670 North. Staff also recommends the approval of the request to defer the painting of 17 stalls along the North Property line, subject to the following conditions one. A total of 64 personal vehicle stalls and 30 commercial vehicle stalls shall be striped in areas shown on the site. 00:37:19,000 Plan no later than November 30th, 2026. All on site parking shall occur in designated code compliant striped bituminous areas that meet city code dimensional standards. Parking and storage is prohibited within drive aisles, loading areas, fire lanes, and unpaved surfaces. 00:37:44,070 Two all parking is associated with the subject property shall be accommodated entirely on site within the designated private parking lot. Public streets, including Quebec Avenue North, shall not be utilized for parking, staging or queuing of any vehicle involved with the operations of businesses occupying the building. Three parking stalls along the South Property line shall be located no less than one foot from the South property line. 00:38:05,930 Parking stalls and potential future parking stalls along the North property line shall be located no less than one foot from the north property line. Survey shall be updated by licensed surveyor to include distances between North and South property lines and parking and proof of parking stalls, and submitted to city with parking lot permit application for a restrictive 00:38:29,470 covenant shall mandate the construction of the proof of parking area. If the city finds that the demand for On-Site parking exceeds the available supply, this covenant shall preserve the proof of parking area from any type of construction. If striping of the proof of parking area along the north property line within the easement is required. 00:38:47,630 Access to the sanitary sewer along the East property line shall be maintained through gates and drive lanes. Five Ada compliant parking stalls shall meet all required accessibility standards. 00:39:11,130 Six concrete curbing along South Property Line shall be extended northward to delineate parking area and provide physical separation for the westernmost Ada compliant parking stalls. Adjustments to the plan shall be subject to approval by the City Engineer. Seven excess gate at the southeast portion of the property shall be adjusted to align with East Drive. I’ll fire Lane along the East property line shall remain unobstructed, maintaining a minimum minimum 20 foot clearance. 00:39:33,830 No parking signs shall be installed along the East Property line in accordance with fire code requirements. Eight lock boxes with keys to gated area shall be installed on gates to allow access to West Metro Fire Rescue District and Public Works Department. Nine. All waste containers shall be located within enclosures constructed and maintained in accordance with city code requirements applicable to industrial trash enclosures. 00:39:59,330 Ten snow storage shall not interfere with parking drive aisles, loading areas, fire lands or be placed in the street or stormwater pond. Excess snow that cannot be placed in designated storage areas shall be hauled off site. 00:40:20,000 And lastly, 11 Variance Conditional Use Permit and Restrictive Covenant shall be recorded against the property in the office of the Hennepin County Recorder. This evening. We have a representative of the business, Kip Christianson, in attendance. I know he would be happy to address the commission with any questions, and staff is available as well. Thank you Jeff. Thank you. 00:40:40,270 Any questions for Jeff to start? Any questions for the applicant? I have one because I always have to ask this. And that is to my recollection, the variance always stays with the property. Then once we once it’s enacted by the council. That’s correct. Right okay. Thank you. Yes. Go ahead and step up. 00:40:59,330 Oh if you could just state your name and address for the record, please. Happy to. Um, Kip Christiansen, 4200 Quebec. Thank you. Any questions? For the only. Question I have again is are you comfortable with all the conditions we. Will be able to abide by the conditions and we’ll see you. Thank you. Let me get you a t shirt. 00:41:18,330 Yeah. All right. Um, I would entertain a motion for a public hearing. So. Moved. Second, all in favor? Aye, aye. Motion to close the public hearing. Second on favor? Aye. All right. Um, and then finally, a motion. Go for it. 00:41:49,400 I recommend we approve planning case 2603 through acts Group, LLC, subject to the conditions that are in the report. Do I have a second, second. Linda, can you take the vote, please? Commissioner Griffin. High Commissioner Collier, high Commissioner Terrace. Yes, chair. Mannix. Yes, Commissioner. Landy. Yes, Commissioner. Alkali. Yes, Commissioner. Redden. Yes. Commissioner. Sato. Yes, Commissioner. Harmon. Yes. 00:42:18,530 Right. And this will also go to the September 21st council meeting, which will be right back here. So thank you so much. Thank you, thank you. Thank you. Your help. Yes. Good luck. All right. So it looks like we have some new business today. We do. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I’ll start. With I. 00:42:38,430 Turn on my microphone first. Here. I’ll start the conversation and then, uh, perhaps, uh, our planner could jump into. And this is essentially just a discussion regarding our current ordinance as it relates to decks and setbacks. Um, as you recall, we, uh, we process a variance for a dark side site. Uh, setback variance for a deck. 00:43:00,200 And there is some discrepancy. If that deck was a first floor deck, it would have not needed the variance. But because it was on the second floor deck, it did need the variance. 00:43:13,300 So as we’re looking through the code, we noticed that there’s some more discrepancies in the code that make it seem that we had some concern about about we wanted to get some feedback from the Planning Commission as to whether, uh, the Commission feels it’s necessary to amend the ordinance. 00:43:29,530 Uh, if the Commission ultimately feels it is necessary, we will work on that amendment and bring it back to a subsequent Planning Commission meeting. But namely, our code allows for some permitted encroachments into the yard, into the required yards. 00:43:58,400 It says that the following structural elements or equipment shall not be considered as encroachments on yard setback requirements, and in the rear yard it says that recreational and laundry drying equipment, arbors and trellises, balconies, breezeway, open porches, decks, detached outdoor living rooms, garages and air conditioning or heating equipment would not be considered as an encroachment into the the rear yard with the other, uh, allowances in the front and the side yard. 00:44:26,830 Um staff’s interpretation of the ordinance essentially is saying that for decks, specifically, encroachments of no more than five feet are allowed. If the deck does not exceed the height of the ground floor level of the principal structure, and that’s in the front yard decks and the side yard. If the deck exceeds the height of the ground floor level of the principal structure, then no encroachment is allowed at all. 00:44:41,600 But if a deck is at or below the ground floor level, then the deck may be located essentially all the way to the property line. It doesn’t give any restrictions as far as how close that deck can be. If it’s a first floor and then in the rear yard, it says that decks of any height. 00:44:58,130 It’s our interpretation that decks of any height may be located up to that rear property line as well. Doesn’t make sense in our estimate that we allow for structures that are essentially could be attached to the principal structure to have no setback requirements and allow an encroachment all the way up 00:45:16,330 to a property line. I don’t know when the code was written. I don’t know what the intent of this code was. I’m sure that the intent was completely different than how we’re interpreting it. 00:45:33,330 But if we use a layman standards and we’re interpreting it the way that we have been, I think that some, uh, ordinance change should be recommended and pursued. Also, if you if you recall, in the rear yards, we also mentioned things like open porches, detached outdoor living rooms and garages. So essentially that’s also saying that a detached garage would have no, uh, no requirement for setbacks. 00:45:57,030 That one’s a little bit different than the fact that there is another code section in our ordinance that does restrict it to five feet. So anytime there’s a competing ordinance, you always take the most restrictive of the two. But still it’s something that needs to be cleaned up in my estimate. 00:46:12,370 As far as anybody else who’s reading this for a first time and understanding that these are, what we are allowing so or what we want to allow. So a couple questions. Obviously the main question should the current definition be updated. So we understand exactly what a deck means. Um obviously we’ll open this for more conversation. 00:46:35,530 Um, should relevant attachments such as stairs be included in the definition of a deck? So in other words, I have my main, my main deck area platform, and I have stairs that are accessing that deck. Do those stairs count for setback requirements? Um, there’s other questions in the in the the memo that was given in the packet. 00:46:56,670 Um, but I would open it up right now just for some feedback and discussion, get some ideas from the Planning Commission and we could go from there. Well. The stair thing, I mean, you don’t want it all the way to the property line. That would be silly, because if the stairs started at. 00:47:13,130 The property line, you’d have to be on the other property to get on the stairs. And if you don’t like your neighbor, that doesn’t happen. I also feel like it opens it up to people expanding what’s included in the stairs and kind of being like, oh look, it’s a whole like patio, you know, like, yeah. So I don’t know. In my mind it would be included as well. 00:47:29,670 I agree, I, I honestly, I don’t like anything that’s an encroachment to a setback. They’re there for a reason. And when you read the exceptions I was like, okay, what’s not an exception? Right. I think. That needs to be cleaned up even more than what we’re looking at for that piece. Uh. 00:47:45,200 Especially one of the things that was excluded from the setbacks in some. Part was, uh, air conditioning, you know, the kind of equipment that tends to be noisy. And it’s going to be right there on the right there and can encroach on the property line, putting the noise into the other building. 00:48:00,770 I don’t like that piece of it. The, the laundry stuff like that. Um, I don’t like that either. I think I could be okay with something like an outdoor, uh, living room, though I don’t know if that’s really in style anymore, but, uh, I think that two things should be done for the statute, for the, uh, 00:48:17,270 ordinance. One, all of our definitions should be uniform for how we’re going to define those pieces, and we should not have a contradiction within any ordinance about what a setback should be. Bring those into line. 00:48:30,070 And honestly, I don’t know if the rest of the commission thinks, but I think that we should limit most of those encroachments on to the setbacks. Otherwise, why do we have a setback? I agree. I. Agree as well.. A question I have is does the garage piece need to be in decks because it’s not clear? It’s clearly not a deck. But you know. 00:48:54,830 The garage piece was essentially another encroachment, uh, of building encroachment that would be allowed. So we didn’t know why that was in there at all. Well, the other part with that, too, is if they’re going out there and there’s any person makes any kind of mistake when constructing a garage, but that close to the setback, they can 00:49:08,470 encroach on the other property lines through the lawsuit, too. That should be gone as well, right? Right, right. So the garages. Does not like alleys and any of the houses. So that doesn’t apply in this. Home. Because that would be a property line. Right? Right. 00:49:25,800 So that wouldn’t apply because we don’t have any outlets in the middle. Got it. No. No Alex. Yeah. We do have. A detached garage. We have a detached garage. There’s no back alleys. That between. No no no no. Yeah. 00:49:40,430 Yeah, it was from the front of the house to the back because I have one that goes from the front of the property all the way to the back. It sets to the back of the property. But you access from the front, from the front in the. Yeah, yeah. Does that give you I guess. I think so, yeah. Obviously we’re going to need some. Uh, I think it’s clear direction that something needs to be done. 00:50:04,770 We will work on it. Yeah. 15/1515 proud. We’re not opinionated all. About these things. We will make sure. That we’ll. We’ll try to make sure every time an amendment is done, uh, to the, to the ordinance, there’s a it’s inevitable that another section of the code that’s rarely ever looked at also applies. Or could. be referenced. 00:50:26,600 In some weird way, which I think this is one of those cases where I don’t know if anybody would ever consider looking here when they’re considering what’s a garage setback? Right, right, right, right. Or what’s a Dec setback. Right. So, uh, certainly. 00:50:43,170 Will we always try to clean up the ordinance whenever we can? That’s why we’re here in front of you. Right now. So the deck that we approved, that was a three foot outside of the or closer to the property. Line. Correct. And the setback from that property line was, what, five feet? I think it was seven.. Seven feet. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. The variance ended up being. 00:50:59,170 And this is has some loopholes where they might not have to have any. Yeah. Right. We approved seven versus ten right. Yeah. Right. Right right. And that was just the stairs too. That was just the stairs. Right. That was the stairs. Yeah. 00:51:14,770 Anytime we got a chance to clean it up because that, that ordinance just sounds from what you read it like, it’s been a minute, a few times and then played with and easy clean. They wrote that right after happy hour. I have. Very well been. Yes that’s correct. 00:51:28,570 So yeah, we’ll we’ll take a look at that ordinance a little bit more in detail, not just focusing on decks, but taking a look at the other elements that are in there. Sure. Uh, and then we’ll bring it back to a meeting sometime in the future. Sounds good. Maybe when we have other items on the agenda. So it’s not. Just for that. I don’t know. 00:51:45,470 That’s that’s that sounds like in order to make a lively meeting just on. Its own, if you could right back to the future. So. All right. Um, Committee reports. Uh, yeah. Sorry. Next design review committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Um, I would imagine it’s September 17th of 2026. We do have two, uh, applicants for our pre-application meetings. 00:52:14,300 So depending on if they decide to move forward, then we’ll know if there’s a meeting. Uh, and then a design review meeting as well. So we’ll keep everybody updated on that. Okay. Great. Um, old business. Do we have some minutes to, uh, approve? I move, we approve the August 5th to 20, 26 minutes second. All in favor? Uh. Any announcements today? Yes. 00:52:41,670 I have, I, uh. submitted my resignation from the Planning commission to Jeff Bond on Monday, effective the third, after 38 years in new Hope, 36 years in the same house had. And I are moving to date. Wow. And at the end of the Ohio. Yeah. Ohio in the far away from here. 00:53:03,630 No, no, no, you’re just up. Just up. You’re gonna you’re gonna enjoy and join up on that. For our meeting. I found that out when I was looking up to the city city government in Dayton. I said, well, that’s got to be a coincidence. Yeah, but, um, no, we’re gonna move there. We’ve been here for for a long time. 00:53:18,030 It’s been my pleasure to serve on this commission. I served on the Citizens Advisory Commission on the on the City Council, and this commission. My son was a police officer here. My wife was a head election judge. So we’ve done a lot of volunteer work in the city of new Hope, and we’re going to miss it. 00:53:32,200 And I’m working with all of you done. Make sure the mayor once. For, for, for about nine months after meeting. You can’t you can’t leave that out. There are a lot of people, even those men over 20 years, that would like me to know, but I but I was I was that also. 00:53:50,600 But uh, so we’ve enjoyed we’ve enjoyed our time in new Hope and uh, but we’re on to new adventures. We wish you well. Thank you very much. Thank you. Congratulations to you. Thank you. Are you building a house or is. It already. No, we. We bought one. Already built? Yes. Everything on one floor. Nice. 00:54:07,300 I know. Pardon me. Jeff. You’re plenty. There’s plenty of houses being built in Dayton. Yes. There are. A lot of things. About 20 per month. Those for our meetings, you know. Oh, that’s. That’s how it goes. To join the. They’re planning commission. No, no. He saw their needs. 00:54:24,200 I asked Jeff I said no. Was that you the survey. He says yeah, they’re for their four hours long because they don’t do design and review like on a Thursday morning. They do it before the meeting and then they have the plan ahead of who we have for our meeting. You know, this is a long one. 00:54:38,070 It’s almost an hour. Yes. I was. Going to say in my. Contract it said. 20 minutes. Yeah. What’s going on here? You get paid the same amount? Yeah. Yeah. Technically, yeah. You get paid more at this time, right. Yeah, yeah. Good luck. Uh. Motion to adjourn. Well, I have one more announcement to. Actually. 00:54:56,700 And I appreciate the the the. The thought he would go first. Yeah. I’m sorry. We will be looking at obviously with the design review committee being early in the morning and not everybody being able to attend. Um, we, we’re going to be looking at potentially restructuring that what that might look like. 00:55:13,970 Uh, if that becomes a night meeting or if it becomes a meeting that doesn’t involve the planning commission or the those who might be able to attend. Right. So historically, we’ve had about four or half the planning commission attending that meeting, but with everybody living their lives and not everybody retired or having 00:55:31,430 that time available, uh, we are struggling with getting a group of people together that makes the difference for the Planning Commission to attend those meetings. So there might be a restructuring of that, what that might look like. 00:55:47,970 And obviously anybody who’d want to attend could certainly attend that as well. But it might look like we are going to be conducting those meetings as just staff, only with the applicant, instead of including the planning Commission, unless the Planning Commission really wants to be there part of them, or if it’s just we are not going to shut the door on Roger if he wants. 00:56:03,370 To step in. Because he has. A question. Yeah. Are you going. Or or anybody else that wants to attend? So I was says this after schlepping down here at 730 in the morning on Thursdays. When we do this now, you change it. Right? Yeah. 00:56:23,400 But but at the at the same token, I kind of feel bad that you’re going to be staff only because I think I think I think it helps to have planning commissioners there. So, you know, I just, I just throw that out because one it gave us some information. But I think also questions and comments when we meet with the applicant, hopefully we’ve added something. So I just throw that out. 00:56:44,270 I think perhaps what we’ll do is we’ll probably still have it at the same time. Um, but there won’t be a requirement of the planning Commission to be there. 00:56:59,670 We’ll always know that I’m thinking of it will probably always just, um, advertise when the meeting is to the full planning commission. And whoever shows up shows up. Okay. The only the only problem. And I don’t think we’ll ever have this problem with the only issue might be a quorum. So we have to make sure that there’s not enough people there to to constitute a quorum at that meeting. I don’t think that’ll be an issue, but. 00:57:14,500 But if you’re the fifth person you’re going to get sent. Home, you’re going to be sent home, right? That’s correct. So that’s the only issue. Um, the only other announcement I have, I. think.. Um, I think emails have been distributed regarding the commissioners bus tour, which is on the 22nd. 00:57:29,330 So if you have already RSVP’d, um, thank you very much. If you haven’t, make sure that you want to come. Make sure you let Jeff know Jeff Alger now so we can make sure there’s available seats on the bus. I think there are plenty of seats left, but then we can plan accordingly as well. So that’s all I have. 00:57:48,270 All right. Thank you, Commissioner Redden. Uh, yeah. Motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? Adjourn. Good job. What’s your. What’s your question? Question? Yeah. Are you coming forward now? Are you. What’s