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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 13, 1996 o U Ar~ .;lja.l/Qlp (j CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 · (612) 755-5100 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - FEBRUARY 13, 1996 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jay Squires on February 13, 1996, 7:00 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Maynard Apel, Lynette Berry, Jeffrey Luedtke, Randy Peek, Lorna Wells Jerry Putnam City Planning Director, David Carlberg Others Commissioner absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 23, 1996: Correct as written. MOTION by Luedtke, Seconded by Berry, to approve the Minutes of the last meeting as presented. Motion carried on a 4 - Yes, 2 - Present (Apel, Peek), l.2.Absent(putnam} vote. r '\ V VARIANCE - OFF-STREET PARKING SETBACK - G-WILL LIQUORS - 139XX ROUND LAKE BOULEVARD NW - RADEMACHER AND ASSOCIATES Mr. Carlberg reviewed the request by Rademacher and Associates for variances on Lot 1, Block 1, Andover Center Second Addition. The request is to vary from the 20-foot setback in the front yard for all off-street parking facilities and to vary from the 20-foot landscaped yard along all streets. He noted the applicable ordinances and explained the need for the variances is because the Andover Review Committee is requiring a private frontage road be constructed along Round lake Boulevard NW from 139th Avenue NW to 140th Lane NW. That private frontage road results in a hardship for landscaping and setback requirements for off-street parking. A similar request was granted to McDonalds at the Downtown Center in 1994. There will still be 15 to 18 feet of green space in the shoulder of the county right of way. / '\ V Mr. Carlberg also noted the frontage road will be private and maintained by the property owners. . The Review Committee is recommending the frontage road to eliminate any more accesses onto Round Lake Boulevard. Because Round Lake Boulevard is a major roadway, the intent is to direct local traffic to the intersections and to allow through traffic to flow smoothly. It is expected that the driveway to the north of this lot would be eliminated eventually and all traffic to this area would enter from either 140th Lane NW or 139th Avenue NW. Mr. Carlberg noted that the county was approached about installing a traffic light at 139th Avenue, but that was not approved. Another reason for the frontage road is for the safety of traffic through that entire commercial area so it does not go through the parking lots. . / ., J Regular Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - February 13, 1996 Page 2 {Variance: Off-Street Parking Setback, G-Will Liquors, Continued} Mr. Carlberg also noted the lot for G-Will Liquors is being designed for the peek time of the year. The parking exceeds the requirements of the ordinance. Commissioner Wells felt that only two feet of grass between the parking spaces and the frontage road is not enough of a buffer to prevent cars from possibly driving over it into the traffic on the frontage road. Commissioner Peek also felt that the bumper of any parked car would hang over that two-foot strip and into the frontage road. Mr. Carlberg stated the finals plans have not yet been drawn, and Staff can work with the developers to try to provide a wider buffer and to provide other safety features in that area. Commissioner Wells wondered if sidewalks are being addressed and are there any parking areas for boats and trailers. Mr. Carlberg stated that is all handled by ordinance and not a part of this discussion. There is a parking area that will accommodate boat trailers and RVs on the north side of the store. Commissioner Luedtke didn't see a real safety issue. If the Andover Review Committee is requiring a 24-foot road, he felt it is a hardship for Rademacher and Associates and that the variances should be granted. / He really didn't think there would be a lot of traffic on the frontage road, only that for the liquor store. Commissioner Berry liked the idea of a frontage road because Round Lake Boulevard gets very busy, but she also had a concern with parking up against the frontage road. Commissioner Wells also was concerned with the safety situation, plus she would like to see trees and other plantings for aesthetics. She thought those residents living across the street would like to see some landscaping. She asked about the size of the new store. A representative of G-Will Liquors stated the existing store has about 54 parking spaces. The new one is proposed to have 96 stalls. Mr. Carlberg pointed out there will be fencing to the east, plus the Committee will be looking at landscaping. They will look at the area again in an attempt to increase the width of green space that is now shown as two feet. Commissioner Peek questioned the safety factor of 14 feet between traffic lanes. He didn't think this could equate with the variance at McDonalds which was only for a drive-through lane, not a frontage road to serve three parcels. Mr. Carlberg again noted the main reason for the frontage road is to keep the traffic off the county road system. Safety is a bigger issue than the setback requirements. / Chairperson Squires stated an option is to deny the variance and the frontage road, which would create additional accesses onto a road which already has a traffic flow problem. He felt it makes sense that if the Ci ty is requiring the frontage road for safety purposes, that the variances also be granted. He saw the frontage road as a benefit and that the variances should be granted, though he agreed with Commissioner Peek that consideration should be given to moving the parking stalls back so they are more than two feet from the frontage road. Regular Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - February 13, 1996 Page 3 (Variance: Off-Street Parking Setback, G-Will Liquors, Continued) Commissioner Peek agreed that the frontage road is probably a good idea from a safety standpoint, but he was not willing to make the concession of the setback to gain it. Commissioner Wells stated she is willing to go along with the variances if the setback is made wider than two feet. MOTION by Apel, Seconded by Luedtke, that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to the City Council approval of the Resolution as received from the Staff with the note to the Staff to work with the owners to address some of the concerns that the other Commissioners brought up. Motion carried on as-Yes, 1- No {Peek}, 1-Absent {Putnam} vote. This will be placed on the February 20, 1996, City Council agenda. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Carlberg updated the Commission on the City Council action at the February 6, 1996, regular meeting. He also reported the Family Task Force is leaning toward looking at the characteristics of the residential districts. They are meeting again the first week in March. MOTION by Luedtke, Seconded by Berry, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent {Putnam} vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~~ul Recording Secretary