03-11-2008 PC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, MARCH I I, 2008
Members Present: Chair Scott, Commissioners Anderson, Austad, Lemke, Staul and Westberg
Members Absent: Commissioner Westgaard
Staff Present: Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manager; Sheila Cartney, Senior Planner; Chris
Leeseberg, Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
was called to order at 6:53 p.m. by Chair Scott.
2. Consider 3/11 /08 Planning Commission Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER STAUL TO APPROVE THE MARCH 11, 2008 PLANNING
COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
3.1. Consider 2/12/07 Planning Commission Minutes
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STAUL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LEMKE TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 12, 2008 MINUTES. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
3.2. Consider 2/26/07 Special Planning Commission Minutes
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STAUL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LEMKE TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 26, 2008 SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
4. Planning Commission Representative to Attend City Council Meeting
Commissioner Lemke will attend the March 17, 2008 City Council meeting.
5.1. Request by Gxeat River Energy (GREI fox a Conditional Use Permit for Storage Building
Addition. Public Hearing -Case No. CU 08-05
Ms. Cartney presented the staff report for Amcon's request to replace an existing high bay
garage area, parking area, and office area, with a 43,000 square foot building of the same
nature. Staff recommends that the parking lot be landscaped as illustrated in the staff
report, and trees removed for the fire lane should be replaced on site.
Commissioner Lemke asked Ms. Cartney to clarify the landscaping requirements for parking
lots. Ms. Cartney explained that there are no set standards for requirement for a specific
number of stalls. Mr. Barnhart explained that the ordinance states that landscaped islands be
included to break up large expanses of paved surface, which also help to control internal
Planning Commission Minutes Pagc 2
March 11i 2008
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traffic. He stated that that staff feels a long curb island would be beneficial to traffic and
would help to define the drive aisles more clearly, and trees would help provide identification
to the defined island areas and shade in the parking lot. Mr. Barnhart noted that staff would
be happy to work with the applicant to meet their needs.
Commissioner Staul asked if the parking area was primarily used by employees and general
contractors. Ms. Cartney stated that was correct.
Chair Scott opened the public hearing.
Matt Knutson, representing the applicant -stated that the drainage plan calls for the
parking area to sheet drain, and any changes to the parking lot plan would require a need to
change the drainage plan. He stated that they will be increasing landscaping in other areas of
the site.
Commissioner Staul asked what the size was of the current building. Mr. Knutson stated
that the new building will be approximately the same size.
Commissioner Anderson asked where the railroad tracks were in relation to the site. Ms.
Cartney explained. Commissioner Anderson suggested that landscaping be added between
the railroad tracks and the building, since the Northstar commuter rail will pass by this site.
Mr. Barnhart stated that the property abuts the railroad and staff could investigate this
option.
Chair Scott closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Austad stated that some landscaping would add aesthetic value to the
Northstar Corridor, and he agreed it made sense to start laying a foundation for adding
landscaped areas along the route. Commissioner Anderson stated he realized there are no
landscaping requirements for light industrial of this type, but felt the landscaping would
enhance the curb appeal from the light rail view.
Commissioner Lemke stated that he was comfortable having staff work out the details of the
landscaping. He stated that many areas along the light rail corridor are working industrial
areas and he did not know if it was fair to put another burden on businesses.
Commissioner Staul stated that he could support protecting the public view from the rail,
but that he sees less of a need for landscaping the parking lot, since it will be employees and
contractors who visit the site. He did not feel it would be a burden to landscape the public
area and would enhance their business.
Commissioner Anderson stated he was not opposed to the applicant's request, but that he
sees it as an opportunity to look at these areas on both side of the light rail corridor. Chair
Scott concurred.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STAUL AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST
BY AMCON ON BEHALF OF GREAT RIVER ENERGY FOR A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A BUILDING ADDITION,
CASE NO. CU 08-05, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
Planning Commission Minutes
March 11, 2008
Pagc 3
1. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER'S MEMO DATED
FEBRUARY 27, 2008 SHALL BE ADDRESSED.
2. AS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS NOT A BUILDING PERMIT, THE
APPLICANT SHALL APPLY FOR ALL REQUIRED PERMITS.
3. A NPDES PERMIT IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO FINAL APPROVAL OF
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS.
4. THE APPLICANT SHALL PROVIDE LANDSCAPE OPTIONS IN THE
PARKING LOT TO STAFF.
5. ANY TREES REMOVED FOR THE FIRE LANE SHALL BE REPLACED
ON SITE.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
Other Business
Mr. Barnhart noted that elections will be held at the March 25th Planning Commission
workshop.
Commissioner Anderson noted that the Burger King project was approved by the Ciry
Council at their March 3, 2008 meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE AND
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER AUSTAD TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commmission adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by:
+C~~
Debbie ner
Tina Allard, City Clerk