Planning Commission Minutes 10-14-2002 (Special Meeting)
.
MINlJTKS
SPECIAL MEKTING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday - October 14, 2002
5:30 P.M.
Mem bers:
Absent:
S tafT:
Dick Frie. Robbie Smith, Richard Carlson, Rod Dragsten and Lloyd llilgart
Council Liaison Clint Herbst
Jeff O'Neill and Fred Patch
1. Call to order.
Chair hie called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
2.
Consideration of allowinl.! a 36' pylon sil.!n to be incorporated into an approved planned unit
devclonment. Anplicant: Dave Peterson Ford/JeffSclL West Metro
.
.leffO'Neill provided the report advising that the applicant is asking for a separate pylon
sign to advertise a new franchise. This sign is to replace a sign that has already been
approved via PUD when the overall sign plan was approved. lIe stated normally that would
be acceptable, but in this case there was no record of what the sign height or area was. The
proposed sign makes it 4 feet taller than what is currently allowed and therefore would be in
violation of the code. O'Neill stated the question was how tall the original sign was. adding
that they asked Mr. Sell and Mr. Peterson to provide this information, but they had no record
orthis either. Today Mr. Sell informed O'Neill that he did find information that the original
sign height was 36' and tberef()re would be allowed.
Jeff SelL Metro West. 1001 Ilwy 25, stated he received a letter from Ford Motor Co. dated
10/1 0/02, verifying that the sign was 36 feet. Sell advised that the letter was signed by Tom
McShane, Marketing Rep Specialist in charge of Ford's marketing. lIe added that they are
placing this sign within 5 ft. of the original sign. He also stated he was not aware of the 32'
limit, he was going by what appeared to be the height of the other signs in the area, adding
that this is a basic, medium size sign of the Ford Motor Co.
Frie stated that from his conversation with O'Neill, what the applicant has now provided and
put on record justifies what was initially intended to be put up. Frie advised Mr. Sell that the
Planning Commission must start maintaining a consistency in the code regarding signage,
and the need for bringing them into conf()fmance. Frie added that if they can base their
decision on what was originally approved they would feel comfortable with that. O'Neill
concurred and stated itis up to the Planning Commission to determine if the letter from Ford
is acceptable.
Fred Patch advised the sign is approximately 135 sq. ft., stating they would be allowed up to
200 sq. ft., comparing this sign to the Dunlo sign which is 200 sq. 1'1.. it is considerably
smaller. Pateh also stated that the freeway ramp changed elevations when it was redone,
lowering it by about 4 feet. and therefore the sign will end up being approximately 8 feet
.
-1-
.
.
.
Special Planning COll1rn ission Minutes - 10114/02
higher than what is now allowed by code, but only due to the L1ct that this is a replacement
for what was originally approved. There was further discussion on verifying the original
sign height, consistency, and that the Amoco site across from the applicant's site was not
allowed to replace their existing sign at 36 feet. Patch advised that Amoco has chosen to
keep the existing sign and make no changes at this time.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY RICHARD CARLSON TO APPROVE THE
INST ALLA nON OF THE SIGN UNDER THE ORIGINAL PUD STANDARDS, BASED
ON A FINDING TIIA T THE SIGN IS WlTI!IN THE INTENT OF 'I'HE ORIGINAL
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. ROD DRAGSTEN SECONDED Tl--JE MOTION.
There was further discussion to add to the motion that the sign width be limited to 135 sq. 1'1..
and height to 36 feet, as well as staff to verify the letter from Mr. McShane of Ford Motor
Company.
RICHARD CARLSON AMENDED HIS MOTION TO ADD THE LIMITED SIGN
HEIGHT AND WIDTH, AS WELL AS STAFF VERIFICATION OF THE LETTER
FROM MR. MCSI-IANE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
,
-) .
Consideration of an amendment to conditional use permit for planned unit devclonment
allowing. for expansion of truck narkinl.!. bulk LP storal.!e, service bay additions. pavinl.! fl.)]'
bulk waste Droduct transport. sidewalks and landscaning. AnDlicant: Sunny Fresh Foods
Jeff O'Neill provided the report stating that Sunny Fresh Foods was requesting an
amendment to their CUP and noted there were a numbcr of concerns such as a license
agreement, employee count for the area, and that staff wanted to use this opportunity to
address these concerns. Thcir redevelopment plan is positive for this area of the city, but
they want to make sure all these issues are taken care of as well.
O'Ncill statcd that Sunny Fresh put together a site plan, but that it was somewhat rushed to
have it ready for this special meeting. Unfortunately, the plans submitted on Wednesday
were changed and not received back from Sunny Fresh until late on Friday, so ncither staff
nor Steve Grittman had sufficient time to review. I-Ie added that the Planning Commission
could request that Sunny Fresh go through another planning cycle so a full report could be
provided by Steve Grittman prior to the next City Council meeting, adding that they could
still get the project started before the snow. O'Neill also advised that stalThas been trying to
work with Sunny Frcsh to get this project through quickly due to thc construction season.
O'Neill provided comments received from Grittman via e-mail relating to the original site
plan which included the following issues:
1. No setback for on-site landscaping adjacent to railroad/pathway.
2. Inadequate screening of trailer area from south.
-2-
Special Planning COll1ll1ission Minutes - 10114/02
.
3. Crushed granite material for trailer surface areas - paving only in automobile
parking lot area. If semi-trailers will damage asphalt. applicant should consider
concrete - gravel/crushed granite does not meet City code.
4. Curbing around parking area? Plan not clear.
5. No landscaping adjacent to property to north - fence will not screen view of
trai lers.
6. Drainage issues based on City's Storm Sewer system - Engineer indicates that pipe
size may not be adequate.
7. Plain gravel surface shown in right of way of Linn Street - should be paved to
provide access to parking and storage areas.
8. I ,ighting plan - shows a light on power pole in rail/5th Street R.O. W, and "wall
pack" lighting on buildings - need a photometric plan.
9. Wastewater hauling station on 4th Street side - should be moved to meet 5 foot
setback, and provide landscaping/screening between edge of driveway/concrete
apron and sidewalk.
.
Other issues are raised by this proposal, including location/need for LP Gas tank location,
and subdivision necessary to split this parcel from the Little Mountain feed property.
Grittman added that given the time frame, he did not think they should proceed. There a
number of basic compliance issues, not to mention engineering/public works concerns that
should be reviewed, as well as the need to analyze parking issues and elnployee counts.
O'Neill addressed a few of the issues such as the current curb line and landscaping being
placed on the ROW, stating that because the ROW is not currently being used the Planning
Comlnission might allow them to place a buffer there. O'Neill also stated he was unsure of
Grittlnan's response to outside storage area in that gravel/crushed granite did not meet city
code as he felt that as long as Sunny Fresh was able to control dust it may be allowed.
There was more discussion regarding the paving of Linn Street and submittal of photometric
plans. The applicant had not indicated they would be paving Linn Street and staff wanted
some type of material to control the dust. O'Neill stated that stall had suggested moving the
"waste discharge" area also. Dennis Darnell, head of manufacturing at Sunny Fresh Foods,
addressed the Planning Commission and stated they had looked into relocating the waste
discharge area but that it was not possible, and he further explained the process. It was
advised that the city did not want to vacate I ,inn Strcet as they may need the street in the
future, thercfl.)re the city issued a license to Sunny Fresh to use the street. O'Neill added that
perhaps the license agreement could state that Sunny Fresh would be required to maintain
Linn Street.
.
-3-
Special PlanningCOlllmission Minutes- 10/14/02
.
O'Neill stated that the issues brought up by Grittman could be resolved by meeting further
with Sunny Fresh and that there was no major concern regarding the expansion.
Chair Frie opened the public hearing. Frie asked Mr. Darnell to address the commission.
Darnell thanked the staff i()r their help in organizing this matter and stated they really have
about 4 different projects at this time and are concerned with the weather. As far as the
recommendations that have been made, he did not feel they were unreasonable. Darnell
further stated they did not plan to pave Linn Street as they felt it was too expensive, and that
they are not using it for anything other than egress for ear and trai IeI' parking.
I n regard to the concern with the area where they currently pump the waste, he stated it was
a physical problem in that they would need to add about 20 feet of hose and that would make
it impossible fix one person to handle. He did state they have other plans for ventilation
along that side of the bui Iding. They would do the best they can on north side with
plantings, admitting it was bad right now. In regard to curbing, he felt they have enough
room, but they would change plantings rather than break up the curb line, adding that he felt
it looked pretty good right now and they have other plans that will dress it up further. It was
advised that curbing still needs to be discussed as far as where they need to lay curb for
future expansion. Darnell added that they are hoping to improve the area and make the
traftic tlow safer as well.
.
Roman Svoboda, owner of a property on 4th Street and I,inn Street, stated he is concerncd
about the whole project as the way it is now the noise is quite extravagant and people cannot
sleep with their windows open. He asked if the project goes forward would it increase the
noise or will there be a barrier? Darnell stated that one of the measures they have taken was
to improve their refrigeration as a portion of the noise was from the pinions on the trailers
running, stating previously they did not have the capacity inside the building to handle
refrigeration. Darnell added that the plan for parking thc trailers in the area that they have
suggcsted will also help, stating this should cut the noise 80% to 90%. Svoboda also added
that thc trucks that move the trai leI'S back and forth do not appear to have the proper mu111ers
either, and Darnell added they arc not street grade and it is certainly something that can be
addressed and will takc that under advisement.
Chair Frie then closed the public hearing. There was further discussion regarding the time
frame, but the members not comfortable in making a decision on such short notice. They
also felt that Sunny Fresh could work with staiTin resolving the issues and they were
comfortable with the building department issuing a permit for the applicant to get footings
in. It was stated that there wcre concerns maintaining Linn Street and this would need to be
worked out with the Public Works Department and I':ngineering. Frie suggested scvera]
options such as tabling thc matter and holding a special meeting in two weeks, prior to the
City Council meeting, or tablc it to the November meeting.
.
Chair Frie asked Darnell if he was aware of the 9 concerns listed by Grittman, stating he felt
-4-
.
.
.
Special Planning COllllllission Minutes - 10/14/02
that these could be worked out with staff, and Darnell stated he had not seen the list but was
aware or some of the issues and felt confident that these issues could be worked out with
staff Darnell added that the area they are asking for a building permit for was fix employee
safety issues. stating it's a small part of the whole project. and asked that if at all possible
could they get started on the f()otings due to the safety issues.
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to proceed with the building permit and
table the other items to a special meeting. Patch agreed a permit could be issued, but added
that there arc many site related issues that need to be addressed.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROD DRAGSTEN TO 'TABLE ACTION AND CONDUCT
A SPECIAL MEETING OF TI IE PLANNING COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 28.2002
AT 6:00 P.M. ROBBIE SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOlION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROD DRAGSTEN TO APPROVE THE ADDITION FOR
THE SUNNY FRESH PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT TO PROCEED WITH
FOOTINGS AND CONSTRUCTION. RICI-lARD CARLSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4.
Adiourn.
A MOTION WAS MADE I3Y ROBBIE SMITH TO ADJOURN TilE MEETING Ar
6:30 P.M. RICHARD CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
~
-5-