10-12-1999 PC MIN - SPECIAL
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12,1999
Members Present:
Chair Cote, Commissioners Kuester, Mesich,
Thompson and Schuster
Members Absent:
Commissioner Chambers
Staff Present:
Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Scott Harlicker, Senior
Planner
1 . Call Meetinq To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning
Commission was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Chair Cote.
2.
Consider 10/12/99 Planninq Commission Aqenda
COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 11, 1999,
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.1.
Request by Wal-Mart Stores. Inc. for Conditional Use Permit. Public Hearinq Case
No. CU 99-32
Staff report by Scott Harlicker. Wal-Mart Stores. Inc. has requested a conditional
use permit for a 143,000 square foot retail store, including a garden center with
outdoor display and storage, and an automotive center. The store is proposed to
be located on Lot 2. Block 2, Elk River Crossing (southeast comer of Highway 169
and Main Street).
Kathy O'Connell, MFRA, reviewed the changes to the elevations. She requested
that the Planning Commission consider the use of "quick'brick" for knee-walls as
opposed to brick. Quick-bricks are a 4" x 16" structural unit (masonry) that is
treated to look like brick.
Ms. O'Connell requested that the Planning Commission consider smooth face
block as opposed to split face block on the front of the store. This is for purely
aesthetic reasons. The number of textures would make the front of the building
very "busy".
Ms. O'Connell requested that the Planning Commission consider allowing the
outdoor sales area for year-round use (Le., Christmas trees).
Commissioner Mesich asked how the walls would be constructed.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1999
Page 2
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Commissioner Mesich asked about the storage of materials at the Bloomington
Store. Ms. O'Connell stated she could not respond to the question.
Chair Cote asked about the use of blue by the store.
Ms. Darcy Winter, realtor representing the applicant, stated that the blue is Wal-
Mart's corporate color.
Chair Cote shared Commissioner Chamber's concerns with the Commission.
Chair Cote stated he had contacted the Maple Grove regarding Quick-brick on
the Edina Realty building. He felt it looks nice from 1-94, but the effect is not as
nice from up close. Maple Grove is evaluating its continued use.
Chair Cote asked if the proposed plan included lighting and sidewalk textures.
Mr. Harlicker asked the Commission its opinions regarding lighting and sidewalk
treatments.
Ms. Kuester stated that she did not want to apply standards unless it applied to all
the parcels. It is also unknown as to what will happen downtown.
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Commissioner Mesich asked why the Eden Prairie store is brick and this store is
proposed to be concrete block.
Commissioner Mesich stated that there was excessive signage.
Commissioner Mesich stated that blue is not an earth tone color and questioned
if there was an excessive amount of blue on the plan.
COMMISSIONER COTE MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY
WAL-MART STORES, INC., PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. CU 99-32, WITH THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS CONTINGENT UPON FINAL PLAT APPROVAL
FOR ELK RIVER CROSSING.
2. THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS CONTINGENT UPON RECORDING THE PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AND THE SITE PLAN, LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING,
SIGNAGE AND BUILDING ELEVATIONS COMPLYING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS ESTABLISHED IN THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
3. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER BE ADDRESSED.
4. THE BUILDING ELEVATIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:
A. SPLIT FACE BLOCK, INSTEAD OF SMOOTH FACED BLOCK, AS THE
PREDOMINANT MATERIAL ON THE FRONT FA<;ADE WITH RED BRICK
ACCENT MATERIAL IN THE PILASTERS AND KNEE WALL.
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1999
Page 3
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B. THE COLUMNS AND KNEE WALL IN THE GARDEN CENTER CONSIST OF RED
BRICK TO MATCH THE KNEE WALL AND ACCENT PILASTERS ON THE
BUILDING.
C. CORNICE AND/OR PARAPET DETAILS BE INCORPORATED INTO THE
FACADES WHICH FACE COUNTY ROAD 12 AND TWIN LAKES ROAD.
D. THE CHAIN LINK FENCE ENCLOSURE IN THE REAR OF THE BUILDING BE
CHANGED TO SPLIT FACE BLOCK.
ELEVATIONS DATED OCTOBER 11, 1999 COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE ITEMS.
5. THE LANDSCAPING PLAN AND LIGHTING PLAN BE APPROVED BY STAFF.
6. THE DUMPSTER AND TRASH COMPACTOR BE INCORPORATED AS PART OF THE
BUILDING AND THE EXTERIOR CONSIST OF THE SAME MATERIALS AS THE
BUILDING.
7. ALL WALL SIGNAGE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A CITY SIGN PERMIT.
8. NO FREESTANDING SIGN HAS BEEN APPROVED AS PART OF THIS CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT.
9. ANY FUTURE EXPANSIONS OR ALTERATIONS TO THE SITE SHALL REQUIRE A NEW
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.
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10. THE OUTDOOR GARDEN CENTER SHALL BE FOR SEASONAL DISPLAY, SALES AND
STORAGE OF GARDEN CENTER RELATED GOODS ONLY. DISPLAY, SALE AND
STORAGE SHALL BE LIMITED TO APRIL - SEPTEMBER. YEAR ROUND STORAGE, SALE
AND/OR DISPLAY IS PROHIBITED.
11. SEMI TRAILERS, DROPPED TRAILERS OR CONTAINERS, OR OTHER TRUCKS SHALL
NOT BE KEPT ON SITE OR USED FOR STORAGE.
12. OVERNIGHT PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IS PROHIBITED.
13. OUTDOOR STORAGE, OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING OR WITHIN THE GARDEN
CENTER, OF PALLETS, BOXES, BUNDLED CARDBOARD OR OTHER PACKAGING
MATERIAL, BROKEN MERCHANDISE OR MERCHANDISE NOT NORMALLY SOLD
WITHIN THE GARDEN CENTER IS PROHIBITED.
14. GROUT USED ON THE EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS SHALL MATCH THE COLOR OF THE
BLOCK.
Commissioner Mesich stated that the fa<;ade screams "Wal-Mart" and does not
support the historic downtown. He stated that the peaks are too unusual.
Commissioner Schuster stated that he felt the building is a nice building and that
this development is not part of the downtown.
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1999
Page 4
COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION.
COMMISSIONER COTE MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION BY INCLUDING THE
FOLLOWING CONDITION:
15. MAXIMUM SQUARE FOOTAGE ALLOWED FOR WALL SIGNAGE IS 440 SQUARE
FEET.
COMMISSIONER MESICH SECONDED THE MOTION. THE AMENDMENT TO MOTION
CARRIED 4-1. Commissioner Kuester opposed.
THE AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.2. Approve Revised License Aqreement with Elk River Country Club
Michele McPherson, Director of Planning, reviewed the revised license
agreement with Elk River Country Club.
COMMISSIONER MESICH MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REVISED
LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH ELK RIVER COUNTRY CLUB. COMMISSIONER KUESTER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Other Business
4.1. Development Standards for Elk River Crossinq
Mr. Tony Gleekel, representing the developer of Elk River Crossing, thanked the
Commissioner for their time. He explained the history of the development. Mr.
Gleekel stated that he would like more flexibility in terms of wall signage, since
some tenants have longer names and would need more space.
The Commission reviewed and adopted some of Mr. Gleekel's proposed
changes.
COMMISSIONER MESICH MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ELK RIVER CROSSING. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. Adiournment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO ADJOURN
THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER MESICH SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
7 //&dUO y/;cIJIL~{)w/L dk/I
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Director of Planning