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09-22-2020 PC MINMeeting of the Elk River Planning Commission Held at Elk River City Hall Tuesday, September 22, 2020 Members Present: Chair Jill Larson -Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise, Alexander Feinstein, Eric Johnson, John Jordan, Robert Rydberg, and Brad Thiel Members Absent: None Also Present: Councilmember/Liaison Nate Ovall Staff Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg and Sr. Admin. Assistant/Recording Secretary 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 6:42 p.m. by Chair Larson -Vito. 2. Consider September 22, 2020, Planning Commission Agenda Moved by Commissioner Thiel and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to approve the September 22, 2020, Planning Commission agenda. Motion carried 7-0. 3. Consider August 25, 2020, Planning Commission Minutes Moved by Commissioner Thiel and seconded by Commissioner Rydberg to approve the August 25, 2020, Planning Commission minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 4.1 SpeedCutters Outdoor Maintenance, LLC — 19128 Industrial Blvd. NW ■ Conditional Use Permit to Operate a Landscaping Contractor Yard, Case No. CU 20-16 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing. Planning Commission September 22, 2020 Page 2 Commissioner Rydberg asked for clarification of condition 5 and asked about vehicle storage. 11�1� Mr. Leeseberg indicated vehicles would be stored inside the fenced in area overnight but would be allowed in the parking lot during the day, coming and going from the business. The applicant, who was in the audience, indicated employee parking would be located outside the fenced area. Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jordan to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit to operate a landscaping contractor yard at 19128 Industrial Blvd. with the following conditions to satisfy the standards set forth in Section 30-654: 1. The outdoor storage area shall be completely enclosed within the existing six -foot -tall privacy fence. 2. There shall be no storage of any materials and/or products on the property outside of the outdoor storage area. 3. Materials shall not be stacked higher than six (6) feet in the outdoor storage area. 4. If the outdoor storage area is to be increased more than 20,000 square feet, an amendment to the conditional use permit shall be required. Motion carried 7-0. 4.2 Wash N Fill Properties of Minnesota, LLC — 18296 Zane St. NW ■ Preliminary Plat of Elk River Crossing Eighth Addition, Case No. P 20-20-16 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing. Robert Foster, attorney for the applicant, and David Kroona, the property owner, were present and explained long-time client Jiffy Lube has recently gone out of business in this location and his client has been approached by potential buyers, who indicated they may wish to buy the real estate in addition as operating the building. He stated they submitted a joint access easement to allow access to both parcels. There being no one else to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Thiel and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to recommend approval of the request by Wash N Fill for the Preliminary Plat of Elk River Addition Eighth Addition with the following condition: 1. Ingress/Egress easements providing perpetual access to the public street for both parcels be recorded with the plat. Motion carried 7-0. pINEREI 11 Waru�� OR Planning Commission September 22, 2020 ----------------------------- Page 3 4.3 Elk River Municipal Utilities — 1643 Main St. NW ■ Zone Change from R -2a Two Family Residential to R- I c Single Family Residential, Case No. ZC 20-03 ■ Conditional Use Permit to allow a government facility in the R- I c zoning district, Case No. CU 20-19 ■ Preliminary Plat of ERMU Addition, Case No. P 20-13 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. He noted a change in the hours of operation to 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Chair Larson -Vito read into the record an email from Rita Clark Johnson, 508 Tipton: The expansion of the ERMU facilities Is a large project for our neighborhood which has been residential for many years. It is important that a project of this magnitude is planned with respect for the residents' investments in their homes; for many of us, it is our most valuable asset. As noted in the Conditional Use Application, the site plan is designed to be compatible with the residential character of our neighborhood. The hours of operation are normal business hours, except in an emergency. This is an important consideration. Regarding aesthetics, the landscape as depicted in the site plan appears to be a continuation of the current tree plantings which screen the existing Utility building. As the process moves forward, I would like an opportunity to look at the full landscape plan in order to gain a better sense of the visual impact. If the monument sign location and design is not included in the landscape plan, I would appreciate an opportunity to review the signage, as well. Thank you, Rita Clark Johnson, 508 Tipton Ave. NW, Elk River, MN. Chair Larson -Vito then opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Rydberg and seconded by Commissioner Beise to recommend approval of the Zone Change from R -2a Two Family Residential to R -lc Single Family Residential at 1643 Main St. NW for the following reason: 1. The rezoning is consistent with the City of Elk River Land Use Plan adopted as part of the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried 7-0. Moved by Commissioner Rydberg and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit to allow a government facility in the R -1c zoning district at 1643 Main St. NW with the following condition: 1. The hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for emergencies. Motion carried 7-0. Planning Commission September 22, 2020 Page 4 Moved by Commissioner Rydberg and seconded by Commissioner Beise to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat for ERMU Addition. Motion carried 7-0. 4.4 City of Elk River — Ordinance Amendment, Section 30-804 (h)(1) ■ Wind Turbine Signage, Case No. OA 20-06 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. He indicated a change to the language proposed in the staff report to amend the language to include the following: (1) Signage: Signage or advertising for the owner/operator may be placed on the nacelle. The commission questioned if any negative impacts could occur with signage on the turbines but concluded there were not. Commissioner Rydberg asked what the motivation was behind the proposed amendment. Mr. Leeseberg stated the YAC wind turbine that was recently installed generated the question if signage could be placed on it. Commissioner Beise asked if this signage would be imprinted onto the turbine or an actual sign. Mr. Leeseberg explained the signage would be on the casing of the motor structure called the nacelle, a covered housing that houses all the generating components in a wind turbine. Chair Larson -Vito asked if other cities have allowed this signage. Mr. Leeseberg stated no and when this ordinance was drafted, it came from other city ordinance language. Chair Larson -Vito asked if the city could restrict the content of the signage. Mr. Leeseberg stated the city could not. Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson stated he has always been against having tall signs in the city and felt this would go even beyond that by it being a large wind turbine and adding the potential of advertising he felt it could be an eyesore. He stated he would not be opposed to this amendment if the signage was limited to the manufacturing company name or operator of the turbine and if the size of the signage was determined. NATURE Planning Commission September 22, 2020 Page 5 The commission discussed the size of the nacelle and height of the turbine and asked if there was any proposed signage and sizing. Mr. Leeseberg stated nothing had been officially submitted so he did not have those details but indicated it would be either the owner of the wind turbine or operator. Chair Larson -Vito Like stated she would like to see further clarification on what is being proposed for the YAC wind turbine as. she felt it needed to be specific about what was allowed. Commissioner Thiel felt this type of advertisement would not be catching his eye driving down Highway 10 as would another type of sign advertisement. Commissioner Feinstein explained his kids play football at the YAC fields and the turbine can be seen as you walk from the parking area and enter the complex. Commissioner Johnson stated he did not feel this specific turbine was a big deal if they were merely advertising the company name or owner of the turbine, but there was the potential to advertise something else. He stated in this situation the YAC site is owned by the city but there could be other spots in the city with wind turbines on property not owned by the city. Commissioner Rydberg stated he is not concerned with advertising on this unless it was an electronic billboard or something garish hanging on it. Commissioner Jordan stated he was not bothered by it as he felt the lettering would be very small and unmarketable. Moved by Commissioner Rydberg and seconded by Commissioner Thiel to recommend approval of the Ordinance Amending City Code Section 30-804, wind turbines to allow signage or advertising for the owner/operator of a wind turbine. Motion carried 7-0. 4.5 City of Elk River — Public Safety Building Expansion — 13065 Orono Parkway NW ■ Amendment to Conditional Use Permit CU 20-09 to allow Expansion bf existing police and fire department facilities, Case No. CU 20-17 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit 02-09 and allowing WVEI II U 'E' Planning Commission September 22, 2020 expansion of the existing police and fire department facilities with the condition that the associated variance (V 20-13) is approved. Motion carried 7-0. 4.6. City of Elk River ■ Preliminary Plat of Orono Park Addition, Case No. P 20-15 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing. Page 6 Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to recommend approval of the request by the City of Elk River for the Preliminary Plat of Orono Park Addition with the condition that the plat includes all required drainage and utility easements to preserve access to public and private utilities. Motion carried 7-0. S. Council Liaison Update Councilmember Ovall presented an update to the Planning Commission about recent city council activities. 6. General Business There was no general business to discuss. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m. 'Minutes prep by Jennifer Green. Tina Allard City Clerk Jill arson -Vito Planning Commission Chair V EI'rURE