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3.1. PC DRAFT MINUTES (2 sets) 08-25-2020 WA City of Elk Meeting of the River Elk River Planning Commission Held at Elk River City Hall Tuesday,July 28, 2020 Members Present: Chair Jill Larson-Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise,Alexander Feinstein, Eric Johnson,John Jordan, Robert Rydberg, and Brad Thiel Members Absent: None Staff Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton and Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg I. Call Meeting to Order A&W 1%16" Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 6:52 p.m. by Chair Larson-Vito. 2. Consider July 28, 2020, Planning Commission Agenda Moved by Commissioner Thiel and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to approve the July 28, 2020, Planning Commission agenda. Motion carried 7-0. 3. Consider Planning Commission Minutes Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Thiel to approve the June 23, 2020, Planning Commission minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 4.1. Copart Phase II Update: Copart of Connecticut, Inc. — 15932 Jarvis St. NW ■ Conditional Use Permit to Operate a Salvage Yard, Case No. CU 20-14 ■ Preliminary Plat of Cascade Industrial Park Third Addition, P 20-11 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. He explained the need to open and continue the public hearing to a special meeting August 12, 2020, to allow review of the land use amendment. He stated the Parks and Recreation Commission will also review the request and make a recommendation regarding the Park and Recreation Master Plan, and the City Council will review on August 17, 2020. Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. Phil Collins - 16234 Jarvis St., Elk River—lives and operates his business near the site and explained his concerns with the speed of truck traffic leaving Copart's Planning Commission Page 2 July 28,2020 ----------------------------- current site,noting that due to the difficulty of vehicles attempting to enter Highway 10 from Jarvis Street,vehicles instead travel north on Jarvis to 164"'Lane and through the Northfork development in Ramsey. He felt they also travel in that route to avoid passing the weigh station. He suggested an acceleration lane on Highway 10 at Jarvis to provide time to get up to speed. He stated there are 5-10 vehicles a day entering the property and you notice from the truck traffic back and forth. Northfork has placed `no truck traffic' signs in their development. Mr. Collins stated Ramsey Police also contact him regarding the truck traffic in the neighborhood and he indicated the vehicles were not his company's but sub-contractors that work for Copart. He felt some of the vehicle traffic seemed sketchy. His other concern was with truck parking and wondered if there will be future parking on roads. Dan Privette property manager for Copart. He stated their hours are 8-5 and they do not allow overnight parking. He stated most of their haulers are independent contractors although they have two or three truck. He stated he cannot control their actions but did tell them not to travel through the neighborhood. He stated they are only operating two days a week. Security cameras on site are monitored 24/7. There being no one else to speak, Chair Larson-Vito closed the public hearing. Mr. Carlton explained Condition 7 of the Conditional Use Permit,which outlines that parking, stalling, and staging on Jarvis St. and 163Td/165"'Avenues or any other rights-of-way in the area is prohibited. He said when the vehicles enter Copart property, a gate is entered and staging of unloading vehicles occurs on a paved area while being checked in. He stated when the prior CUP was approved,the city recognized traffic challenges,which is why they required two rounds of traffic analysis,which ultimately showed that it didn't meet any warrants for improvements after Copart was constructed. He stated MnDOT is also completing an analysis of improvements along Highway 10, specifically along this interchange to the county line as the city wants to better understand what traffic circulation will be along Highway 10. An additional study was completed by the city of Ramsey reviewing the area between Alpine and Jarvis and how that can be combined into one intersection, and MnDOT is currently working. He stated they can work with law enforcement to continue monitoring traffic concerns. Commissioner Rydberg asked if streets are weight-restricted to exclude that kind of vehicle. Mr. Carlton stated it sounded like most of the vehicles are in Anoka County/city of Ramsey so staff will work with those agencies. Councilmember Ovall asked if there are no parking signs on Jarvis St. so their vendors are aware they cannot park there. Mr. Carlton stated he didn't know if the streets were signed but he could look to Copart as it is a condition of their CUP and a violation could be grounds for revocation,a concern they have heard since day one. He stated they would work it-401 wEeEUo0IE IYAR' Planning Commission Page 3 July 28,2020 ----------------------------- with Copart to address those concerns and facilitate the enforcement and communication. Mr. Collins stated Jarvis has no parking signs and the two cul-de-sacs do not have parking signs. He stated the drivers do not ask to park there either and he wants to keep things good,but asks for respect, keep the area clean, and prevent problems now before they become larger. Chair Larson-Vito asked how independent contractors would receive communication knowing there are specific rules in place, as the applicant is still responsible for their actions. Commissioner Rydberg stated he is an independent contractor and companies have agreements in place with standards,rules, and regulations to meet. He stated he did not feel it would be a problem to include parking rules and restrictions. Commissioner Johnson stated he still has concerns about screening along the railway and felt Copart did a good job screening with phase L`He wondered as the expansion continues,will the grading influence the view from the YAC fields and park expansion. He wondered with 15' above grade and 7' above the fence line,will people see a junk yard. He would like to see taller trees and a taller fence that will screen the view, and suggested*11�ace,%nt of the YACarking lot closer to the Copart property. Mr. Carlton stated"theyeould aely requireGreening,which is why they called out that concern to Copart,who will have their engineer adjust the grade as much as possible. He stated it is a unique situation to have athletic fields in this area and more screening along with placement of the stormwater pond on the exterior of the property,thy, e and the n.,a, ene will attempt to create as much separation as possible.,.:' a_ v Councilmember bvall asked if Parks and Recreation weighed in on this design. Mr. Carlton stated Parks and Recreation Commission will review this design on August 12 and will have a formal recommendation to the City Council whether in support or opposition to the project,which is a condition of approval of the plat. Commissioner Thiel stated if the Parks and Recreation recommends approval of this phase,the city could also provide an additional buffer for this or any other industrial use near YAC. Moved by Commissioner Thiel and seconded by Commissioner Beise to continue discussion of the Copart Phase II Update to August 12, 2020. Motion carried 7-0. 111`41AWRE . . .. . . . . . . Planning Commission Page 4 July 28,2020 ----------------------------- 5. Council Liaison Update Councilmember Ovall discussed the Copart project work session the council had to review this Phase II update. He also discussed in detail the CommonBond approval by the City Council with a split vote and in the end felt compelled to move forward with the project. He explained he did not like overriding both staff and Planning Commission recommendation and provide some insight why he voted in favor of the project. He stated he talked with numerous citizens in his ward who were against approving the project. He went into the vote without prejudice but was conflicted with his decision. He stating he felt CommonBond did an exceptional job of community outreach and articulated sound counter positions and exceptions made to accommodate the community. He appreciated the developer coming to the meeting. He felt CommonBond, a long-standing company,is a strong entity in the affordable housing industry. He also discussed the traffic studies for high density housing and that it seems to have less traffic than retail. He finished stated in the end he was in favor of this project and we have an affordable housing problem in Elk River. Commission Thiel thanked Councilmember Ovall, noting he was personally offended by some of the comments opposing the project he had received and read. He asked about the parking s. Councilmember Ovall stated the council held the developer on the 2.5 stall parking standard and the developer has offered for proof of parking the adjacent land across the street for internal circulation road. He stated they also discussed the height and mass of the building to the surrounding area. He noted a commercial lighting could be even higher and felt the design would;fit into the area better than a commercial building. _ 6. General Business ere was no general business to discuss. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green. Tina Allard City Clerk Jill Larson-Vito Planning Commission Chair 111`41AWRE . . .. . . . . . . VA City of Elk Special Meeting of the River Elk River Planning Commission Held at Elk River City Hall Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Members Present: Chair Jill Larson-Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise,Alexander Feinstein, Eric Johnson, and Brad Thiel Members Absent: Commissioners John Jordan and Robert Rydberg Also Present: Councilmember Nate Ovall Ad# Staff Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, and Planning Sr. Administrative Assistant Jennifer Green I. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by Chair Larson-Vito. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Copart Phase II Update: Coart of Connecticut, Inc. - 15932 Jarvis St. NW ,. ■ Conditional Use Permit to Operate a Salvage Yard, Case No. CU 20-14 ■ Preliminary Plat of Cascade Industrial Park Third Addition, P 20-11 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Chair Larson-Vito re-opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson-Vito closed the public hearing. Commissioner Beise asked if the site grading concerns were addressed. John Blenker with Westwood Engineering, stated they lowered the high point as much as possible to keep the earthwork balanced. He stated those efforts will push more dirt to the north,raising up the fence and allow for more buffering to the north and along the railroad tracks. He noted there will be ditches buffering the property lines as well as fencing. Councilmember Ovall asked what the minimum size requirements were for trees. Mr. Carlton stated any deciduous trees would be 2.5" caliper, evergreens are 6 feet high, and green and ornamental trees are 1.5" caliper. Trees will be a variety of deciduous trees to the west abutting the railroad tracks, and to the north a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees to help create the buffer along the proposed park space. Planning Commission Page 2 August 12,2020 ----------------------------- Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to recommend approval of an amendment to the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan, swapping industrial and open space land uses with the condition that the associated preliminary plat (P 20-11) and CUP (CU 20-14) are approved by the City Council as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat for Cascade Industrial Park Third Addition,with the following conditions: 1. A recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission (supporting or opposing) must be provided to the City Council. 2. Submittal of the Phase 1 environmental assessment for PIDs 75-712- 0030, 75-712-0040, and 75-603-0020. 3. Council adoption of a resolution vacating the right-of-way for Buchanan Street NW and 161st Avenue NW. 4. Planning Commission adoption of a resolution stating the proposed land swap has no impact on the Comprehensive Plan. 5. The Land Use Amendment (Case No. LU 20-03) swapping industrial and open space land uses is approved. Motion carried 5-0. X �N Moved by Commissioner Beise'and seconded by Commissioner Thiel to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit authorizing operation of a salvage yard on Lot 1, Block 1, Cascade Industrial Park Third Addition, with the following conditions: 1. City Council approval of the Preliminary and Final Plat of Cascade Industrial Park Third Addition. The site plan must show the presence of an approved surface (bituminous, gravel, or concrete) on all driving and parking areas. 3. All fencing shall be eight feet tall and green in color in order to reduce visual impacts around the property. 4. " Follow the 2015 Minnesota State Fire Code Appendix D for Fire Apparatus Access Roads. 5. Follow all city stormwater management practices and procedures established as part of Phase 1 of the Copart project. 6. NPDES permit should be amended to include both phases. 7. Submit a vehicle staging plan. Parking, stalling, and staging will not be permitted on Jarvis St., 163rd Ave., 165th Ave., or any other rights- of-way. 8. Staff approval of a vegetated screen along the railroad tracks. 9. Satisfaction of all staff comments in the letter dated July 9, 2020. 10. Staff approval of all site and civil plans. Motion carried 5-0. rawEeEo 1Y Planning Commission Page 3 August 12,2020 ----------------------------- Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Beise to adopt Resolution 20-01 finding compliance with the Comprehensive Plan regarding the proposed land swap with the applicant. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green. Tina Allard City Clerk Jill Larson-Vito Planning Commission Chair IN' ' wEe'fE'oReEr"