Loading...
03-26-1985A regular meeting of the Hopkins Zoning and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, March 26, 1985, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the City Hall. Present were Chair Eddy, members Berg, Folk, Janke, Kirscht and Milbert. Also present were Acting City Manager Renne Community Development Director Kerrigan and Community Development Analyst Anderson. Item: Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion that the minutes of the February 26, 1985 meeting be approved and signed. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Hearing on an application by Rapid Oil Change Inc. of 1124 East Excelsior 85 -09 Avenue for a variance to expand a non - conforming use. 7 -9 Mr. Milbert moved and Mr. Berg seconded a motion, upon request from the applicant, that the hearing be continued to the April 30, 1985 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Hearing on an application by Zion Lutheran Church of 241 5th Avenue North 85 -10 for a Conditional Use Permit to relocate a sign in a lesser setback than 10 -206 required and to exceed the maximum area of a single sign. Paul Ahlis, representing Zion Church, reviewed the proposal with the Com- mission. He explained the construction and type of sign to be constructed, the location in relation to the existing sign and also showed the area of neighbors that were contacted regarding the proposal. He stated that there was only one negative response to the proposed sign, and that other responses were in favor of the request. Mr. Janke stated that he felt the sign was much too large for the residential area and that the location was bad in relation to Minnetonka Mills Road. Mr. Milbert moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the request to relocate the sign in a lesser setback than required and the variance for the sign to exceed the maximum area of a single sign by 20 square feet per side. Motion carried; Mr. Janke voting nay. Case No: Hearing on an application by Rudy Luthers Hopkins Motors Inc., for a Concept 85 -12 Review to construct an auto sales showroom and service facility at 427 West 207 -837 Excelsior Avenue, also known as the Hopkins Theatre property. Mr. Gordon Nelson of Hopkins Honda, and Jon Baker and Steve Bell of Baker Associates Inc., reviewed the proposed plans with the Commission. Mr. Nelson stated that they have met with the neighborhood, heard their concerns and are working to resolve the problems. They have also met with the Downtown Economic Development Committee regarding the proposed facility. Mr. Steve Reuter, President of the Park Ridge Association mentioned some of the con - cerns the neighborhood has in regard to the proposed facility: employee and customer parking, paging system, noise from the garage facility, traffic control, lighting from the site and also the rezoning of the northerly portion of the site. They reviewed a letter from the Downtown Economic Development Committee. The Commission viewed the proposal favorably and stated that they wanted the concerns of the residents and Economic Development Committee taken into consideration. Also they want the City Attorney to see if the use of the land to the north and east of the site can be restricted to protect the residential neighborhood. Case No: Hearing on an application by R. J. Walser for a Conditional Use Permit to 85 -14 operate an auto leasing and sales lot at 317 West Excelsior Avenue. 842 -1270 Mr. Sjoquist of Walser Company reviewed the plans with the Commission. He stated that the existing structure would be remodeled and the existing brick cleaned, some landscaping would be undertaken. He stated that they had met with the neighbors and the Downtown Committee. Zoning and Planning Commission meeting of March 26, 1985, continued. Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Janke seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the Conditional Use Permit to operate an auto leasing and sales lot at 314 West Excelsior Avenue with the following conditions: (1) indirect lighting be provided, (2)no fence constructed on the northerly boundary at this time, however, if the neighbors feel it necessary in the future, Walser will construct an approved type of fence along the northerly boundary, (3) no parking except in delineated stalls, (4) sod and maintain the boule- vard area and 4 -6 planting areas along Excelsior Avenue, (5) wrought iron fence to be used along Excelsior Avenue, (6) landscape plan be provided to staff before the City Council meeting, (7) subject to approval by the Fire Marshal. Motion carried unanimously. Case No: Hearing on an application by R. J. Walser for variances for sign height, 85 -13 area of sales lot, size of parking stalls at 317 West Excelsior Avenue. -1309 Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the variances for the area of the sales lot, size of the parking stalls except for the customer and employee parking stalls to be regular size but the height of the sign is to be no higher than 35 feet as allowed by ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. Item: Five Year Capital Budget Workplan continued from the February 26th meeting. 1312 -1407 Mr. Wilson, Director of Parks & Recreation, appeared before the Commission to review the needs for that department. The Commission asked Mr. Wilson to put the items in order of priority by the Park Board and return to the Commission at the next meeting. Item: Review of proposal to change Excelsior Avenue to "MAINSTREET ". 1420 -1500 Mr. Kevin Locke and Becky Nelson of the Downtown Committee talked with the Commission in regard to the proposed change. Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Janke seconded a motion recommending to the Council approval of the proposed name change of Excelsior Avenue to "MAINSTREET ". Mr. Kirscht moved and Mr. Janke seconded a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. ATTEST: Jeanne Eddy, Chair MEMBERS: