10-25-1988 PC MIN
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MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
OCTOBER 25. 1988
Members Present:
Chairman Kropuenske. Commissioners Kimball.
Johnson. Olsen. Schroeder (7:30 p.m.)
Members Absent:
Commissioners Morton and Fuchs
Staff Present:
Stephen Rohlf. B & Z Administrator and
Steven Bjork. Zoning Assistant
1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River
Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Consider 10/25/88 Planning Commission Agenda
Item 9. "Project Update" which included discussion on commercial zone
changes and environmental issues were added to the agenda.
COMMISSIONER OLSEN
AGENDA AS AMENDED.
CARRIED 4-0.
MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/25/88 PLANNING COMMISSION
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION~ THE MOTION
3.
Consider 9/27/88 Planning Commission Minutes
Chairman Kropuenske noted that the last sentence of Item 7. should be
revised to read as follows: "1st National Bank" instead of "Bank of Elk
River." Commissioner Olsen noted on page 4. the motion was made by
Commissioner Schroeder. and the motion carried 6-0 not 5-0.
COMMISSIONER OLSEN
MINUTES AS AMENDED.
CARRIED 4-0.
MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/25/88 PLANNING COMMISSION
COMMISSION JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
4. Consider 10/5/88 Planning Commission Minutes
COMMISIONER OLSEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/5/88
MINUTES. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
4-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION
THE MOTION CARRIED
Commissioner Schroeder arrived at this time.
5. Consider Conditional Use Permit Request (Daycare for 13 or more Children
in a Church or Public Building) by Reach-Up/Public Hearing.
Chairman Kropuenske explained that Reach-up of St. Cloud is requesting a
conditional use permit to allow the operation of a daycare. The
operation is proposed for the first floor of the Parsonage Fellowship
Hall of the Elk River Assembly of God Church.
Steven Bjork. Zoning Assistant. briefly reviewed the site conditions for
the proposed daycare as outlined in his memo. He further indicated that
the State Fire Marshall has inspected the site and it will have to meet
State Building Code for daycares. He further explained the hours of
operation. this would include two sessions per day.
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Planning Commission Minutes
10/25/88
Chairman Kropuenske opened the public hearing.
Mr. Larry Ketchum of Reach-Up Inc. explained that they are not required
to have outside play area as they have classes three hours or less. All
activities are proposed to take place within the building. They are
State and Federal funded serving low income people and the handicap to
give them a better start on their education. This would include three
and four year olds.
Stephen Rohlf explained that he did receive a call from Mr. Williams
regarding his concern with the number of children that the daycare would
service.
Chairman Kropuenske closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER OLSEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT BY REACH-UP INC. TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF A
DAY CARE WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS:
1. THE DAY CARE IS TO TAKE PLACE IN THE PARSONAGE BUILDING.
2. THE DAY CARE IS ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF 18 CHILDREN AT ONE TIME.
3.
THE HOURS OF OPERATION SHALL BE FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.. MONDAY
THROUGH FRIDAY. TWO SESSIONS PER DAY.
4. PROVIDE ONE OFF-STREET PARKING STALL FOR EACH DAY CARE STAFF MEMBER
AND TWO ADDITIONAL PARKING STALLS.
5. THE CHILDREN MUST BE BUSED TO THE SITE. IN THE EVENT THAT BUSING IS
DISCONTINUED. THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WILL NEED TO BE REVIEWED TO
ADDRESS ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC AND PARKING CONCERNS.
6. THE DAYCARE MUST RECEIVE APPROVAL TO OPERATE FROM THE STATE FIRE
MARSHALL AND CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL.
7. THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER TWO YEARS.
COMMISSIONER SCHROEDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6.
Consider Conditional Use Permit Request (Allow Business and Professional
Office Uses and Personal Services in the Elk River Mall) by Elk River
Shopping Center Corporation/P.R.
Steve Rohlf explained that Elk River Shopping (Barthel Construction) is
requesting a conditional use permit to amend the developer's agreement
for the Elk River Mall. Phase I and II. to allow business and
professional offices. These uses were originally excluded from the
developer's agreement to ensure that the mall would not compete with the
downtown area for these types of businesses.
At this time. Chairman Kropuenske reviewed the standard for a conditional
use permit as other items were also requesting conditional use permits.
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Planning Commission Minutes
10/25/88
Ann Raymond of "Trading Wins Paperback Exchange" asked that No. 1 and
No. 4 standards for a conditional use be reviewed again. Ms. Raymond
felt that approval of Barthel's request would detrimentally affect the
businesses in the mall and create a hardship. She felt that business and
professional offices should not be allowed with retail business. The
mall has a difficult time keeping business because of the high rent.
John Greese, Attorney
like the flexibility,
offices in the mall.
from downtown. We have
sucessfu1 business.
for the Elk River Mall, indicated that they would
if needed, to allow business and professional
It is not their intention to take business away
been on the tenants side to make the mall is a
Ed Orwa11 owner of Jean's Hallmark was against the request. He was under
the understanding that the mall was going to stay retail. He stated
people were leaving because of the high rent to make this a profitable
shopping center. He further noted that professional offices had nothing
in common with retail business. He felt that offices do not have the same
interest and same leases. We need traffic that the retail stores
provide.
Cindy Hadley - Opposed - Felt the developers were not interested in the
mall.
Jake A1breck who lives in Deerfie1d 3rd indicated that he would like to
see retail stores in one area, not mix them with offices.
Ken Barthel indicated that they have a lot of competition across the
street and questioned why they were not restricted to retail only.
Kevin Owens
offices.
Opposed - Indicated that this should stay retail and not
Jim Bundy of 10860 Rawlins was opposed to this request.
John Greese felt this was a
further indicated that it was
professional offices in the mall.
zoning issue and not a lease issue. He
not the landlords intent to put all
Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator noted that some type of
offices would enhance their business and generate more business traffic.
Chairman Kropuenske felt this was a zoning issue and the discussion was
more along the line of resolving lease and communication problems.
It was the consensus of the Commissioners that they would like to see the
merchants and mall owners work out a compromise. Ann Raymond said a
meeting was scheduled with the owners later on that week.
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Planning Commission Minutes
10/25/88
After a lengthly discussion on this matter. several Planning Commission
members requested that staff contact the City Attorney and obtain a legal
opinion on this matter. Specific concerns that the Planning Commission
had were:
1. Whether or not the City has the authority to amend the PUD
Agreement.
2. Whether or not the City has any responsibility for guarantees that
the owners of the mall made to its tenants.
3. Whether or not the proposed amendment would have a detrimental
affect on the surrounding property owners.
COMMISSIONER OLSEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO TABLE THIS
ISSUE UNTIL WE CAN GET A LEGAL OPINION 'FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON:
1. DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT DISALLOWING THESE TYPES OF USES WOULD
CONSTITUTE' ABRITRATION AND CAPRICIOUS ACT.
2.
DETERMINING HOW THIS REQUEST COMPARES WITH STANDARDS
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.
FOR A
3.
IF THE CITY HAD TO CONSIDER THE MALL TENNANTS LEASES WHEN REVIEWING
THIS ISSUE.
COMMISSIONER KIMBALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
7. Consider Conditional Use Permit (Used Car Sales in the C-3A Zone) by
Northstar Service/P.H.
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to table this issue
until adequate information is provided to the City. The site plan that
was submitted was not adequate for review purposes. The petitioners were
not in attendance for this issue.
COMMISSIONER
INFORMATION.
CARRIED 5-0.
SCHROEDER MOVED TO
COMMISSIONER KIMBALL
TABLE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE OF LACK OF
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
8. Preliminary Plat Review for Deerfield 4th by Elk River Development
Corporation
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to table this issue due
to lack of accurate information on the plat to address this issue.
Chairman Kropuenske indicated that they would open the public hearing
beacuse of the number of people present for this issue.
Kevin Owens - 11326 192nd Avenue - stated his concern regarding traffic
on 192nd Avenue. He was further concerned about adequate lighting in
this area.
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Planning Commission Minutes
10/25/88
Jay Galbrecht - 11369 192nd Avenue - Questioned if there was going to be
a park designated for this area. When he bought his house he was under
the impression that there would be a park in this area.
Stephen Rohlf. Building & Zoning Administrator. explained that it is the
City's option to request either 10% of the land being develped for parks
or the payment of the park dedication fee.
Meg Owens questioned if this was going to be only single family homes.
Jim Reiners 11326 192nd Avenue - questioned signage for the area.
Because of the number of children in the area. he would like to see some
sort of signs posted regarding traffic.
Chairman Kropenske explained that the public hearing would be continued.
He further eXplained that they could not address these issues for lack of
adequate information.
Staff indicated that the neighbors would be renotified when this item
would be before the Planning Commission at a later date.
COMMISSIONER SCHROEDER MOVED
SUBMITTED UPDATED I NlORMATION ~
THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE PETITIONERS
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION~
9.
Project Update
a. Danny's Tranies
Stephen Rohlf. Building & Zoning Administrator. explained that John
Lickner and himself would be reviewing the site in a couple of days
regarding environmenal problems.
b. Commercial Zone Changes
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that they would like
a work session on the Commercial Zone Changes before the November
meeting.
c.
Environmental Review of the NSP's. RDF Processing Facility
Stephen Rohlf explained one of the most serious concerns staff has
with the environmental soundness of the NSP. RDF processing facility
is groundwater contamination. He further explained that John
Klovning. Environmental Consultant for the City. will be researching
the documentation for approval to see how this was addressed. If
the permit does not require NSP to retain fire suppression water
that comes in contact with garbage. staff feels that a mistake has
been made that should be addressed the next time NSP's license is
renewed.
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Planning Commission Minutes
10/25/88
10. Seminar Update
Commissioner Johnson
Government Training
Earle Brown Center.
indicated
Seminar to
that she would like to attend the
be held on Thursday. January 5. at the
11. Planning Commissioner Representative to Attend Council Meeting November
21. 1988.
It was indicated that Commissioners Schroeder and Kimball would attend
the November 21. 1988 City Council meeting.
12. Adjournment
There being no further business. COMMISSIONER OLSEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER SCHROEDER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0~
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
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Sharon Maue
Recording Secretary