Planning Commission Minutes 04-23-1990 (Special Meeting)
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, April 23, 1990 - 6:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Dan McConnon, Cindy Lemm, Richard Martie,
Richard Carlson
Members Absent:
Mori Malone
Staff Present:
Gary Anderson, Jeff O'Neill
1.
The special meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan
McConnon at 6:08 p.m.
2.
Public hearinq - Consideration of amendment to off-street
parkinq requirements. Applicant, Monticello Theater.
Assistant Administrator, Jeff O'Neill, explained to Planning
Commission members and the public the background to the
Monticello Theater's four public hearing requests. Monticello
Theater is proposing to add two additional screens to the west
of their existing building with the purchase of the additional
land area from the Wright County State Bank. The Wright
County State Bank is proposing to purchase the existing Stokes
Marine building. They'll have the building demolished and
sell their existing drive-in area off of East Broadway to the
Monticello Theater for the construction of the two additional
screens to the west of their building. The existing two lots
of Stokes Marine and the adjoining lot to the west would be
combined to accommodate off-street parking requirements. The
Wright County State Bank is proposing to lease the area of the
old National Bushing store and the Stokes Marine building to
the Monticello Theater to accommodate 37 off-street parking
spaces, with 7 additional spaces to be created in back of the
existing Monticello Theater property. There will be a total
of 44 off-street parking spaces created.
The first consideration by Planning Commission members is an
amendment to the off-street parking requirement. The current
off-street parking requirement is one off-street parking space
per four seats. Monticello Theater is proposing the ordinance
be amended (to apply to a multi-screen theater) to one off-
street parking space per five seats.
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Special Planning Commission Minutes - 4/23/90
On the enclosed two charts submitted with this agenda item
supplement, it was shown that there would be sufficient off-
street parking spaces for one off-street parking space per
five seats during weekday theater operation; however, it was
shown that on the weekend, the one off-street parking space
per five seats was not sufficient to accommodate weekend
theater patrons.
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Chairman, Dan McConnon, opened the public hearing. Mr. Dale
Lungwitz, partner in the Wright County State Bank, explained
to the Planning Commission members the bank's position to
purchase the existing Stokes Marine building, have the
building demolished, and sell their existing land area for the
entrance to the bank off of East Broadway to the Monticello
Theater. Mr. Lungwitz indicated the existing Stokes Marine
building is basically land locked with very little off-street
parking for a new proposed business if it would choose to
relocate there. It is very limited to any type of potential
development other than to demolish the building and open up
more area downtown for off-street parking. By the creation of
this new project, the Wright County State Bank hopes to
achieve more visibility from the intersection of Highway 25
and Broadway. It would also open up the area for more off-
street parking in the downtown area. This project will not
come to be unless it is approved by the Federal Banking
Commission, which controls the acquisition and demolition of
property for the banking industry to which Wright County State
Bank belongs.
Mr. Don Smith, publisher of the Monticello Times, explained
that he was very supportive of the proposed project. The
project is probably a long time coming for all of the
businesses on the block. He felt that it would be a win/win
situation for all affected properties, even for the City of
Monticello, which has the existing Senior Citizens Center
within this block.
Chairperson, Dan McConnon, closed the public hearing and
opened the meeting for input from the Planning Commission
members. The members voiced some concern about the precedent
that might be set by creating a five seat to one parking space
ratio in the downtown area. If the City were to grow, there
might be the possibility of another multi-screen theater
developing out in an open land area. If it is developed in an
open area and they provide all the off-street parking spaces
on site under the five seat per one parking space requirement,
they may come up short in accommodating the total number of
spaces per number of people in attendance.
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Special Planning Commission Minutes - 4/23/90
Therefore, motion was made by Richard Martie, seconded by
Richard Carlson, to approve the ordinance amendment to the
off-street parking requirements. Motion to read: 27) Theater:
at least one parking space per five seats based on the design
capacity of the main assembly hall facilities may be provided
in conjunction with such buildings or uses shall be subject to
additional requirements which are imposed by this ordinance.
A. In the inner city of Monticello, the Original Plat and
Lower Monticello Additions in the city of Monticello, at
least one parking space per five seats based on the
design capacity of the main assembly hall.
B. In all other platted and unplatted areas of the city, at
least one parking space per four seats based on the
design capacity of the main assembly hall.
Motion carried unanimously, with Mor! Malone absent.
3.
Public hearinq - Consideration of ordinance amendment which
would allow theater to utilize joint off-street parkinq
facilities located within (500) five hundred feet of theater.
Applicant, Monticello Theater.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, explained to Planning
Commission members and the public the Monticello Theater's
request to have the area for joint off-street parking
facilities increased from 300 lineal feet to 500 lineal feet.
Jeff 0' Neill indicated out on the 500 lineal feet radius
parameters some additional off-street parking that could be
utilized, whether it be for private off-street parking or
public off-street parking facilities. It could be used during
off-peak hours by the existing businesses and during peak
hours by the theater.
Chairperson, Dan McConnon, opened the public hearing.
Mr. Mike Muller, Monticello Theater, indicated that at his
Waconia Theater location some off-street parking is provided
at the far end of the parking lot in excess of approximately
600 feet from the theater location. The city developed
additional off-street parking as part of his five screen
original theater project; and also with the possible addition
of a sixth screen, which is currently leased out, the City
would provide an additional 64 off-street parking spaces for
this facility. Mr. Muller indicated that he had spoken with
the most affected property owners and businesses that lease
from these property owners. The majority were in favor of his
proposed theater expansion which would open up additional off-
street parking across the street from the existing businesses.
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Special Planning Commission Minutes - 4/23/90
He also indicated that he would go a step further and have a
map drawn up to place in full view of the theater patrons
which come to the theater. Also, he would possibly have a
short movie presentation shown at the beginning of each show
to indicate where the Monticello Theater parking is to be.
There being no input from the public, Chairperson Dan McConnon
opened the meeting for any discussion from the Planning
Commission members.
There being no input from the Planning Commission members, a
motion was made by Cindy Lemm, seconded by Richard Martie, to
approve the ordinance amendment to allow theaters to utilize
the joint off~street parking facilities located within 500
feet of a theater. Motion carried unanimously, with Mori
Malone absent.
4.
Public hearinq - Consideration of a conditional use permit
allowinq the Monticello Theater to use certain public parkinq
areas as "joint parkinq." Applicant, Monticello Theater.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, explained to Planning
Commission members and the public the Monticello Theater's
conditional use request to allow the theater to use certain
public areas as joint parking. He explained that there are
additional parking spaces in adjoining public and private lots
that could be utilized during theater operation hours for off-
street parking. Jeff O'Neill explained the areas where this
joint parking could be shared on public and private parking
lots. There appears to be ample area for theater parking in
these areas as mentioned above. There would be an on-going
process to encourage theater patrons to use designated parking
areas and to stay away from private parking areas that are
closer to the theater. Jeff O'Neill explained the proposed
condi tions that would be applied to the conditional use
permit, and they were as follows:
A. The City-approved joint parking areas shall be located
within 500 feet of the theater.
B. No substantial conflict in the principal operating hours
of the two uses (theater/retail, service) for which the
joint use of off-street facilities is proposed.
C.
A properly drawn instrument, executed by the parties
concerned for joint use of off-street parking facilities,
duly approved as to the form and manner of execution by
the City Attorney shall be filed with the City
Administrator and recorded with the County Recorder.
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D.
A properly drawn instrument executed by the Wright County
State Bank and Monticello Theater outlining full and
uninterrupted use by the Monticello Theater of 37 parking
stalls. Said instrument shall be filed with the City
Administrator and recorded with the County Recorder.
E.
Owner/operator shall provide information to patrons
regarding location of approved parking areas. The notice
shall include publication of maps in the official city
paper, posting of parking areas in the theater lobby,
review of parking areas at each show preview.
Chairperson, Dan McConnon, opened the public hearing.
Mr. Mike Muller, Monticello Theater, reiterated his intention
to fully abide by the five conditions as noted by Jeff
O'Neill. There being no input from the public, he opened the
meeting for any discussion from the Planning Commission
members. The Planning Commission members felt a little uneasy
approving such a request without the proper documentation
being completed prior to this meeting date. It was indicated,
however, that they could approve it subject to this joint
agreement being documented, executed, and recorded.
Therefore, a motion was made by Richard Carlson, seconded by
Richard Martie, to approve the conditional use request
allowing the Monticello Theater to use certain parking areas
as joint parking. The following were listed as five
conditions of their approval:
A.
B.
C.
D.
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The City-approved joint parking areas shall be located
within 500 feet of the theater.
No substantial conflict in the principal operating hours
for the two uses (theater/retail, service) for which the
joint use of off-street parking facilities is proposed.
A properly drawn instrument, executed by the parties
concerned for joint use of off-street parking facilities,
duly approved as to form and manner of execution by the
City Attorney shall be filed with the City Administrator
and recorded with the County Recorder.
A properly drawn instrument, executed by the Wright
County State Bank and Monticello Theater outlining full
and uninterrupted use by the Monticello Theater of 37
parking stalls. Said instrument shall be filed with the
City Administrator and recorded with the County Recorder.
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E.
owner/operator shall provide information to patrons
regarding location of approved parking areas. Notice
shall include publication of maps in the official city
paper, posting of parking areas in the theater lobby, and
review of parking areas at each show preview.
Motion carried unanimously, with Mori Malone absent.
5. Public hearinq - A variance request which would allow more
than 50 percent of the off-street parkinq for the Monticello
Theater addition to be supplied by a joint parkinq facility.
Applicant, Monticello Theater.
Dan McConnon indicated that with the new parking spaces as
counted, the variance would not apply in this case, as the
Monticello Theater would be able to supply at least 50 percent
of the off-street parking spaces.
6. Adjournment.
Motion was made by Cindy Lemm, seconded by Richard Martie, to
adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary ~~r:ri~
Zoning Administrator
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