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06-08-1999 PC MIN - SPECIAL . . . SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, JUNE 8,1999 Members Present: Chair Cote, Commissioners Chambers, Thompson and Schuster. Commissioner Mesich arrived at 6:35 p.m. Commissioner Schuster arrived at 6:55 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioner Morris Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Scott Harlicker, Assistant Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Cote. 2. Consider 6/8/99 Planning Commission Aaenda COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 8, 1999, PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3.1. Elk River Shopping Center Co. Reauest for Preliminary Plat Approval (Elk River Plaza 4th), Public Hearing Case No. P 99-8 3.2. North Memorial Health Care Reauest for Conditional Use Permit for Health Care Clinic - Elk River Plaza 4th Addition, Public Hearinq Case No. CU 99-18 3.3. David Olson Reauest for Conditional Use Permit For Druq Store - Elk River Plaza 4th, Public Hearing Case No. CU 99-19 3.4. David Olson Reauest for Conditional Use Permit for Restaurant - Elk River Plaza 4th, Public Hearing Case No. CU 99-20 Staff report by Scott Harlicker. Elk River Shopping Center Co. has requested preliminary plat approval to replat the existing Elk River Mall into 4 lots. The northern portion of the existing mall will be demolished in order to reconfigure the parking and building sites. Commissioner Mesich arrived at this time (6:35 p.m.) Elk River Shopping Center Co. has also requested conditional use permits for a freestanding retail site on Lot A, and a restaurant on Lot C which will be attached to the existing mall structure. Also, North Memorial Health Care is requesting a conditional use permit to construct a health care facility in two phases on Lot B. Planning Commission Minutes June 8, 1999 Page 2 . Scott reviewed staff's recommendations regarding access and parking, building elevations, grading, drainage, utilities, landscaping and signage, as outlined in the staff report to the Planning Commission dated June 8, 1999. He indicated that currently, the site is short 92 parking spaces. With Phase 1 the site will be short 163 spaces, and 279 spaces short upon completion of Phase 2. Chair Cote opened the public hearing. Lee Hoffman, of Madison Marquette, representing Elk River Shopping Center Co., reviewed the proposed project to demolish the northern portion of the existing mall, noting that 13,000 square feet of the existing 65,000 square foot mall will remain. Mr. Hoffman discussed the parking issues. He stated that parking agreements were entered into in order to sell the theater to Marcus. Mr. Hoffman indicated that representatives of the project met with various citizens in the community and residents living near the project and had positive results. . Jerry Peddler, Director of Property Development for North Memorial, indicated that 9,000 square feet of the 28,000 medical building will house the North Memorial Health Clinic, and the remainder would be leased to other health care groups such as ophthalmology, dental, OB/GYN, orthopedics, etc. He expects Phase 2 to be completed in 3 to 5 years, but Phase 2 may be completed immediately if the demand is there. Mr. Peddler felt the clinic would be compatible with the theater regarding parking needs, since the normal hours of operation for the clinic will be 8 to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the urgent care. Mr. Peddler felt that only 8 to 15 parking spaces would be utilized by the urgent care in the evening hours. Brian Bucholtz of BWBR Architects, architect for North Memorial, reviewed the landscaping plan, stating that North Memorial's landscaping standards will result in a park or country-club like setting for the clinic. Commissioner Schuster arrived at this time (6:55 p.m.) Rich Dahl reviewed the building materials which will be used for the clinic. He indicated that 2 courses of 8" rough face block would be used, followed by 1 course of smooth face block, a stucco-like material for the rest of the face, a row of windows and an aluminum wrap to screen the roof top mechanical, which would compliment the building color scheme. Courtney Kooch of RSP Architects, architect for the drug store and restaurant buildings, reviewed the exterior materials and colors which will be used. Dave Everson of Madison Marquette, reviewed a Parking Demand Study which was completed by Zimmer Consultants for the proposed clinic, drug store, restaurant, and existing theater complex and gym. Mr. Everson indicated that, based on the study, the proposed 756 stalls should be adequate for the proposed tenant mix and size. . Discussion followed regarding the parking study and various factors to also consider such as staggering of show times and movement of traffic through the entire site. Planning Commission Minutes June 8, 1999 Page 3 . Lee Hoffman indicated that he has discussed the possibility of adjusting the traffic signal at School Street and Freeport and extending the right turn lane to "queue up" theater traffic onto Highway 169. There being no further comments from the public, Chair Cote closed the public hearing. Chair Cote asked if there currently is a parking problem at the theater. Scott indicated that there have been some comments regarding theater patrons parking at the Coast to Coast Hardware Store, LaRose's Restaurant and Big Wheel Rossi. He noted that several of the businesses have posted their parking, but he felt that enforcement is difficult. Commissioner Chambers asked how many people will be employed by the clinic. Jerry Peddler indicated that he estimates there will be 20 - 25 people employed by the primary care and urgent care clinics, and 30 - 40 for the other health care uses, for a total of 50 - 60 employees. He noted that these estimates are probably high and he will not know exact numbers until the leasing is completed. . Commissioner Mesich expressed his concern that signalization may be necessary at the intersection of the main entrance and Freeport. Mr. Hoffman felt that experience will determine if a signal is necessary, once the project is complete. Commissioner Mesich indicated that turn lanes will be needed on the private drive within the site for people exiting onto Freeport. Discussion followed regarding adding a right turn lane, and whether or not Marcus Theaters would be willing to provide the lane, since they own the roadway. Michele McPherson, Director of Planning, indicated that it appears on the site plan that there may be space to add a right turn lane. Commissioner Thompson stated that she did not want to see the green space lost along Freeport. Further discussion followed regarding theater parking in other communities and impact on adjacent businesses. The Commissioners were in agreement that it appears the parking study demonstrates the parking needs can be met. Commissioner Mesich asked that the applicant consider matching the exterior of the drug store with the clinic. Commissioner Chambers expressed his agreement with Commissioner Mesich's suggestion. Dale Everson indicated that there are height restrictions imposed on the drug store which may make it difficult to match the building exteriors. Michele McPherson suggested matching the color palette for the exterior, banding on the top of the building, cornerstones and columns, and adding some windows to the drug store could accomplish the Planning Commission's request. She also suggested including landscaping to add some vertical green lines, and possibly flowering crabs. Chair Cote expressed his support for the project. . Commissioner Schuster expressed his concern regarding traffic flow through the site. Further discussion followed regarding the Planning Commission's desire to recommend a right turn lane from the theater property onto Freeport. Mr. . . . Planning Commission Minutes June 8. 1999 Page 4 Hoffman indicated he will discuss this issue with the theater owners before the City Council meeting on June 21, 1999. COMMISSIONER MESICH MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY ELK RIVER SHOPPING CENTER CO. FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL (ELK RIVER PLAZA 4TH ADDITION), PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. P 99-8, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT BE SHOWN ON THE PLAT PER ELK RIVER UTILITIES RECOMMENDATION. 2. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER BE ADDRESSED. 3. ALL NECESSARY CROSS PARKING AND ACCESS AGREEMENTS BE APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY AND RECORDED WITH SHERBURNE COUNTY. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. COMMISSIONER MESICH MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY DAVID OLSON FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DRUG STORE (ELK RIVER PLAZA 4TH ADDITION), PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. CU 99-19, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. WINDOWS AND TREES BE PROVIDED ALONG THE FRONT FACADE. 2. THE ACCESS BETWEEN BURGER KING AND THE DRIVE- THRU AISLE BE ELIMINATED AND LANDSCAPED. 3. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER BE ADDRESSED. 4. THE ELK RIVER PLAZA PUD AGREEMENT BE AMENDED TO ALLOW A 15,000 SQUARE FOOT RETAIL BUILDING AND SIGNAGE AS SHOWN ON THE APPROVED SITE PLAN. 5. ALL WALL SIGNS SHALL REQUIRE A SIGN PERMIT AND COMPLY WITH THE ELK RIVER PLAZA PUD AGREEMENT. 6. THE LANDSCAPE PLAN BE APPROVED BY THE CITY. 7. COORDINATE THE FACADE OF THE DRUG STORE WITH THE CLINIC. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY DAVID OLSON FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A RESTAURANT (ELK RIVER PLAZA 4TH ADDITION), PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. CU 99-20, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. THE ELK RIVER PLAZA PUD AGREEMENT BE AMENDED TO ALLOW THE 200 SEAT CLASS I RESTAURANT WITH ON-SALE LIQUOR AND 6,444 SQUARE FOOT RETAIL SPACE AS SHOWN ON THE APPROVED SITE PLAN. . . . Planning Commission Minutes June 8. 1999 Page 5 2. THE MONUMENT SIGN BE INSTALLED AS SHOWN ON THE APPROVED SITE PLAN AND RECEIVE THE REQUIRED SIGN PERMIT. 3. ALL WALL SIGNAGE COMPLY WITH THE ELK RIVER PLAZA PUD SIGN AGREEMENT AND RECEIVE THE REQUIRED SIGN PERMITS. 4. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER BE ADDRESSED. 5. THE LANDSCAPE PLAN BE APPROVED BY THE CITY. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY NORTH MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. CU 99-18, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER BE ADDRESSED. 2. THE ELK RIVER PLAZA PUD AGREEMENT BE AMENDED TO ALLOW THE MEDICAL CLINIC AND SIGNAGE AS PROPOSED. 3. LIGHTING STANDARDS AND LIGHTING PLAN BE APPROVED BY THE CITY. 4. THE LANDSCAPE PLAN SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE CITY. COMMISSIONER MESICH SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 5. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER MESICH MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ZJ~e~ Recording Secretary