Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 08-06 PC MINUTESGem Lake Planning Commission David K. Gardner, Chairman 1399 E. County Road "E" Gem Lake, Mn 55110-5231 (612)429-9288 FAX 429-5034 August 6, 1996 Paul R. Emeott, Mayor 3960 Scheuneman Rd. Gem Lake, Mn 55110 Dear Paul: The Gem Lake Planning Commission held its regular monthly meeting on August 5, 1996, 7:00 PM, at Tousley Ford. The meeting was rescheduled from August 12, and notice was published in the White Bear Press both July 24 and 31. Present were Emeott, Gardner, Nielsen, and Titcomb. Also in attendance were Mr. Rob Hansen, Mr. Michael Gerner, and Mr. and Mrs Judson Bemis. Mr. Gerner submitted a revised, and more complete, site plan for the project at 3630 Scheuneman Road, immediately south of his residence. The plan was only delivered to Mr. Gardner on the previous Friday due to the acceleration of the meeting. Chris Cavett of SEH was able to briefly review the plan and raised two concerns: disposal of runoff water and off-street parking. Discussion focused primarily on the parking issue. The verticals of the building show six large overhead doors, which, to be accessible, would eliminate six to nine parking spaces. Mr. Gerner suggested that employees could park in front of the door, but Mr. Gardner argued that when the doors were in use, the employees would simply move into spaces intended for customers. As discussed last month, the Commission is vitally concerned that adequate off-street parking be provided. Although the intended uses of the three units of this project currently involve no retail business, the format does not allow adequate parking for any future retail use. There is also a concern that four of the spaces are to be provided on railroad land, and the terms of that lands availability have not been demonstrated. Ultimately, the Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve the site plan on the following conditions: 1. the site plan be revised to show a. a wood fence along the east end of the parking area to screen the lot from view by residents of White Bear Lake b. a curb along the south line of the parking area to direct runoff water into c. a catch -basin at the southwest corner of the parking area connected to a pipe carrying the runoff to the drainage ditch, and, d. that the nine trees indicated in the landscaped areas are to be 5-foot spruce, 2. permits for signage and lighting will be required and must conform with the ordinance, and, 3. Mr. Gerner enter into a developers agreement with the City providing, in addition to the usual and customary terms, that no retail business will be allowed in this development unless adequate off-street parking, as described by the ordinance, is provided. Council action is required prior to the issuance of a building permit. The Commission also encourages the Council to require proof of the permanent availability of the railroad property for parking. Discussion then focused on the second project, the proposed cabinet shop, immediately north of Mr. Gerner's homestead. The site plan did not include any verticals of the building, and the parking area is severly limited. The Commission feels that the building is just too large for the site, or that there is far too little off-street parking provided for the intended use, let alone possible future uses. Mr. Gerner indicated he will revise his plans, and may go back to his original concept of cold storage, which requires limited parking. Mr. Bemis offered several suggestions regarding the language of the Comprehensive Plan draft which were gratefully received. He also specifically objected to the wording of the proposed transportation plan segment regarding the possible cul-de-sac on Scheuneman Road. The Commission agreed to revise that paragraph of the Plan to reference the exploration of all options for substantially reducing the traffic on Scheuneman Road. He also strongly suggested that the City needs to hire a professional zoning administrator! Mr. Hansen objected to the draft description of the "Low Density Business District", and specifically to the inclusion of a 60g green space requirement, which is higher than that required by current ordinance. He asked the source of the new number, and who supported it. He was advised that the number was provided by the City's planner, Roger Bromander, and that the Commission had discussed the change and had supported it. However, he was reminded that this is a draft document, and proposed changes such as this are subject to comment and review in the public hearing process. (See attached note) The September meeting of the Commission will be held on Wednesday, September 4, instead of September 9. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Dav�d /K . Gardner, Chairman cc: Planning Commission Gerner Hansen Magnuson GEM LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION DAVID K. GARDNER, CHM. 1399 E. COUNTY ROAD "E" GEM LAKE, MN 55110-5231 (612)429-9288 FAX 429-5034 TO: ROGER BROMANDER, SEH 490-2150 AUGUST 6, 1996 HI ROGER! HEREWITH SEVERAL ADDDITIONAL CHANGES TO THE MAY 1996 DRAFT YOU SENT: 1. THE REVISED (7-9-96) DESCRIPTION OF THE "LDB" DISTRICT, PARA 3. CONTAINS A REFERENCE TO RESIDENTIAL USE WHICH NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED. THE INTENT IS NOT TO REVERT TO THE ORIGINAL ZONING OR REMOTE SINGLE- FAMILY, BUT TO PROVIDE AN OPTION OF "LIFE-CYCLE"/CONDOMINIUM-TYPE CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE MAKE SOME SUGGESTIONS RE TERMINOLOGY. ALSO, SAME SECTION, PARR. 5, THE SECOND SENTENCE SHOULD READ: "PARKING LOTS MAY BE LIGHTED ONLY WHEN NECESSARY DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS" 2. 5.3.7 "RECREATIONAL" AREA, ADD TO THE FIRST PARAGRAPH: THIS GOLF COURSE... IN THE CITY OF GEM LAKE, AND SUBSTANTIALLY ENHANCES THE FEELING OF OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT SO TREASURED BY THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY. 3. 6.2.1 ROADWAY CHANGES, PARR 3: CURRENTLY... U.S. HIGHWAY 61. ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS SHOULD BE EXPLORED TO SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE TRAFFIC ON SCHEUNEMAN ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH AN UPDATED DRAFT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE MEET NEXT ON SEPTEMBER 4. ALSO, TO CONFIRM OUR DISCUSSION TODAY, AND IN RESPONSE TO ROB HANSEN'S REQUEST, PLEASE RESEARCH THE ISSUE OF OPEN SPACE IN OFFICE PARK DEVELOPMENTS AND PROVIDE US WITH SOME SOLID IDEA OF "NORMAL" PRACTICE. THANKS!