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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-12 Work SessionMeeting Notes Planning Commission Work Session Thursday, April 19, 2012 Marion Conference Room The Planning Commission work session commenced at 6:03 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Commissioners Present: Chair Brooks Lillehei, Vice Chair Bob Boerschel, Bart Davis, Karl Drotning, Gerry Grenz, Linda Maguire, and ex- officio Shawn Fitzhenry. Staff Present: Planning Director Daryl Morey, Associate Planners Frank Dempsey and Allyn Kuennen, and planning consultant Daniel Licht, TPC. Others Present: Michael Cronin and Dave Edquist, Holiday Station Stores; Ron Kveton, Ole Piper Inn; Keith Horkey, Keyland Homes; Scott Hurm, Crest Exteriors. Chair Lillehei opened the work session. Zonina and Subdivision Ordinance Amendment — Phase 3 Staff provided background on the first two phases of Zoning and Subdivision ordinance amendments that were approved by the City Council in January and February of this year and presented the potential Phase 3 amendments listed in Mr. Licht's memorandum dated April 13, 2012. Mr. Morey provided a summary of the April 5 th and April 10 focus group discussions concerning the townhouse and buffer yard requirements. In both focus group discussions, the participants concurred with the City's intent of the townhouse and buffer yard requirements but requested greater flexibility to achieve the City's intent. Discussion of the proposed Phase 3 amendment items included: Temporary Cul -De -Sacs Directed staff to prepare drawings that show the impact of a temporary cul -de -sac centered on the dead -end street (i.e. affecting two lots on opposite sides of the street) and one skewed to one side (such that it only affects one lot) for discussion at a future work session. Buffer Yards Agreed that more buffer yard flexibility should be allowed in order for homeowners to maximize the use of their property. Directed staff to research the requirements for buffer yards in other metro areas cities. Staff will prepare possible ordinance modifications for discussion at a future work session. Planning Commission Work Session April 19, 2012 Wayfinding Signs Questioned if the City can have more restrictive standards than MNDOT if the wayfinding signs are allowed. City staff will continue to work with Dakota County staff on the possible placement of wayfinding signs within County right -of -way. Staff will provide the Planning Commission with the Minnesota Logos analysis of wayfinding signs at the City's four interchanges for discussion at a future work session. Painted Signs The Planning Commission discussed the definition of "sign" and how that would apply to a painting on the side of a building that represents the nature of the service or products sold within that building. City staff will provide additional information along with proposed language to limit painted signs to the C -CBD District. Electronic Signs City staff reviewed issues related to allowance of electronic signs and possible controls intended to ensure traffic safety and consistency with community aesthetic goals balancing business identification needs. Michael Cronin, Holiday Station Stores, stated changeable copy signs are an important component of attracting customers to come inside their stores to make purchase other than just gasoline. He stated they operate electronic changeable copy signs in other cities with a rate of change at 10 -12 seconds and the brightness of their signs ramps up or down, depending upon the time of day, in steps rather than all at once. Dave Edquist, Holiday Station Stores, suggested that the City could require an annual license for electronic changeable copy signs. Ron Kveton, Ole Piper Inn suggested the City require heavy fines for electronic sign violations. He concurred with the suggestion of annual licensing and suggested a requirement that the business owner must have the sign annually certified by a professional sign company that the sign is in compliance with the electronic signage requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner Drotning felt the City should make allowances for electronic changeable copy signs on a limited basis with key issues being size, how often the copy changes, brightness, and that there is no animation. Commissioner Davis expressed the same concerns as Commissioner Drotning with an additional concern about the number of electronic changeable copy signs that could be allowed within an area and their location within commercial districts (i.e. adjacent to residential areas). Commissioner Maguire agreed that electronic changeable copy signs should be allowed but expressed concern about driver distraction. 4 Planning Commission Work Session April 19, 2012 Commissioner Lillehei is an advocate of electronic changeable copy signs to promote business in Lakeville. However, allowing these signs will change the culture and character of Lakeville and he would like the change to be made in a respectable manner in consideration of the City's goals for community aesthetics and traffic safety. Commissioner Boerschel expressed concern about the number of electronic changeable copy signs that could potentially be installed in the city, especially in the freeway corridor. He expressed concern about hackers changing the copy on the electronic signs to contain inappropriate messages. He also expressed concern about who will pay for enforcement and whether an annual license would cover these costs. Commissioner Grenz is in favor of electronic changeable copy signs for words, but expressed concern about the impact of allowing graphics. He also questioned if electronic changeable copy freestanding and wall signs would be allowed. City staff will draft proposed language to make allowances for electronic signs based on the Planning Commission's comments for further review and discussion at a future work session. Townhouse Requirements Scott Hurm, Crest Exteriors, stated he is working in the Fox Meadows townhouse development and would like the Zoning Ordinance amended to allow Hardiboard, LP Smartside or similar material on the street side of a townhouse instead of brick, stucco or stone. He stated that the stucco exterior on many of the townhomes built in Fox Meadows, which are less than 10 years old, has deteriorated and needs to be replaced. Keith Horkey, Keyland Homes, is constructing detached townhomes in Stone Borough, a portion of which was re- platted last year to allow RS -4 District single family homes in addition to attached and detached townhomes. He stated that it is difficult for Keyland Homes to competitively market their detached townhomes given the exterior materials requirement for detached townhomes that does not apply to the single family homes being constructed within Stone Borough. Commissioner Drotning stated he feels strongly about having low maintenance materials on the exteriors of townhouse buildings; however he is fine with eliminating stucco as a required exterior material. The Planning Commission agreed that the Zoning Ordinance should be revised to allow Hardiboard, PL Smartside, Nichiha or similar type exterior finish products on the sides and rear of both attached and detached townhouse buildings, even if the side or rear of the building abuts a public or private street, provided the anti - monotony intent of the Zoning Ordinance requirement is still provided for. Staff suggested the side yard setback between detached townhome buildings could be reduced to be consistent with the RS -4 District interior side yard setback requirement. This change would reduce visibility of the area between buildings minimizing concerns about monotony. OP District The Planning Commission agreed with the Economic Development Commission (EDC) recommendation that certain assembly and light manufacturing uses be allowed in the OP District based on the October 18, 2011 report prepared by Mr. Licht. 3 Planning Commission Work Session April 19, 2012 Staff is in the process of reviewing the exterior materials of the existing buildings within Fairfield Business Campus. Staff suggested that a separate exterior building materials requirement be created in the Zoning Ordinance for the OP District that would be a hybrid of the commercial /office /institutional and industrial use requirements. The Planning Commission agreed with this approach as consistent with the intent of the OP District. Planning Director Morey said that City staff will begin work on the items discussed this evening and prepare additional materials for Planning Commission consideration at a future work session likely to be held in June. The work session was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. ly submitted, Director C!