MINUTES OF THE BROOKLYN PARK PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING

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1 APPROVED MINUTES MINUTES OF THE BROOKLYN PARK PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING September 13, 2017 Approved Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present were: Commissioners Fletcher, Hanson, Husain, Jackson, Kisch, Mersereau, Morton-Spears, Schmidt, and Vosberg; Senior Planner Larson; Planning Director Sherman; Council Liaison Pha Those not present: none 3. EXPLANATION BY CHAIR 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION FLETCHER, SECOND SCHMIDT TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 AGENDA MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5. CONSENT A. None 6. PUBLIC HEARING A. Steven Westerheim- Case# Plat for a residential lot split at 8141 West River Road Eric Maass, consultant with WSB, approached the podium. He stated that the applicant would like to split this parcel into two lots. Staff recommends approval of this lot split. Commissioner Chair Hanson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one approach the podium, Chair Hanson closed the public hearing. MOTION SCHMIDT SECOND KISCH TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR WESTERHEIM ADDITION SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY B. Gerald Gruwell Jr & Janet Gruwell Kramer- Case# Re-platting one lot into two lots, Page 1 of 12

2 re-zoning, and re-locating a detached garage at Douglas Drive N WSB consultant Eric Maass approached the podium. He stated that the lots to be split do meet the requirements of their zoning district. There are accessory buildings on site and the applicant has proposed to move one of them in connection with a Variance which is also attached to this case. The code states that the accessory structure square footage cannot exceed the square footage of the home itself. The proposed total square footage the applicant has reduced by number and the proposed Plat is not requesting any additional square footage. Staff is recommending approval. Commissioner Chair Hanson opened the public hearing. Dan Shallbetter, th Trail North, approached the podium. He stated that they built their home in Oxbow Creek West in 2007 and the builder had architectural requirements that they had to follow. He stated that his concern is in maintaining the architectural integrity of this neighborhood and he would like to ask that the Planning Commission include those builder requirements as part of the house proposed to be built. Seeing no one else approach the podium, Chair Hanson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Kisch stated that because this property is not part of the Homeowners Association it is public property and the Planning Commission is not able to apply any architectural standards above and beyond what the code allows. MOTION KISCH, SECOND HUSAIN TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR GRUWELL ACRES SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Commissioner Fletcher stated that it looks like there is a garage that overlaps the property line. Planning Director Sherman stated that the blue line is not actually the property line; it is just showing a future boundary. The bottom of the lower portion of the property will still be part of lot two. Commissioner Vosberg asked staff if the accessory structure on lot two is already removed or is intended to be removed. Mr. Maass stated that they intend to remove it. Commissioner Vosberg asked if the park dedication has been agreed to and Mr. Maass stated yes. Commissioner Kisch made a friendly amendment to recommend approval of the Variance requested as part of the original motion. Commissioner Husain seconded it. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C. Kraus Anderson Realty- Case# Amend a Site Plan to replace a portion of a fence taken down by storms at 9530 Noble Parkway Eric Maass, WSB consultant, stated that the applicant thought the vegetation had grown up enough to allow screening Page 2 of 12

3 from the residential properties to the north and east where the fence had been. He stated that the applicant thought replacing only a portion the fence would be necessary. Staff did make a site visit to the property. One thing to be noted is that many of the plantings are deciduous not evergreens. Homes are visible already and in the winter the current vegetation will provide very little screening. At other points the homes are even more visible. Staff is not recommending that the Site Plan be altered and that the privacy fence be required to be re-installed as it originally existed with one note that the fence be re-installed a few feet off of the curb line as it was previously on the curb line and a problem for maintenance and snow removal. Anne Jeske, property manager and agent for Kraus Anderson Realty which is the owner of the property, stated that they would be happy to add more trees for additional screening but they do not feel it is necessary to replace the whole fence. She stated that there are no late night businesses there, all of the businesses have been there for many years, and the applicant does want to work with the residents. She stated they feel the additional vegetation would solve the problem. Commissioner Chair Hanson opened the public hearing. Rich Xiong, 4034 Foxglove Avenue, stated that on behalf of himself and his neighbors, he wants the applicant to understand why the residents want the fence back up. The vegetation will die off eventually and the fence serves multiple purposes. It is for privacy during the day and at night, when cars are coming at through the retail center and flash their headlights right into their homes. The six foot fence will block those lights coming in as well as providing security as it is a deterrent. He stated that they deal with a lot of trash and the issue is not only them having to pick it up all the time but the fact that it can get caught in the multiple culverts in that pond. Seeing no one else approach the podium, Chair Hanson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Chair Hanson asked Ms. Jeske where the fence originally started and ended. Ms. Jeske stated it was across the rear of the property. Planning Director Sherman added additional detail to the location of the previous fence and where the applicant would like to start and stop the new fence and where they would like just vegetation. Commissioner Chair Hanson stated that she agrees with the applicant on what they would like to do. She stated that a lot of young people work in the center and leave between 9:00 and 10:00 pm and that there has been a lot of drug activity in the past. She was told by some of the businesses that the fence panels would be pushed down and people would hide behind them and conduct drug deals there. She was told that since the fence was taken down there is less drug activity so she will not be supporting this. Commissioner Kisch stated that he agrees with a lot that Chair Hanson said but that the seasonal vegetation does not provide enough screening but without a landscape plan. He asked Ms. Jeske if the applicant would be willing to continue this until a landscape plan can be presented, to which she responded yes. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the fence was always along most of the back of the property or if part of it was always just vegetation and part of it was fenced. Planning Director Sherman stated that the whole area was fenced per the requirement of the original Site Plan, but the applicant wants to fence only part of the property this time around and let vegetation take care of screening the rest. Commissioner Schmidt asked when the fence was installed and how long it has been down. Ms. Jeske stated that it was installed in 2002 and went down with the storm in June Page 3 of 12

4 Commissioner Schmidt stated that he would like to see a landscape plan before making a decision also but he does feel that pine trees and other vegetation would work just as well as a fence to discourage the drug use back there. Commissioner Jackson stated that he agrees with the residents and security is a big thing for him. As far as the drugs, he stated that he agrees that vegetation is not a big enough deterrent for him and if they are doing drugs it will cause them to go more towards the residential properties. He stated that he would like to see a different alternative and some supporting documentation and pictures showing how bad the pollution was, how it has affected the pond, and how many police calls there have been. Commissioner Husain asked how much fencing they are talking about replacing. Ms. Jeske stated they want to replace about four hundred feet of fencing. The whole area is about nine hundred feet of fencing. She stated that they need to either remove all vegetation and put up a fence or add ten feet deep of vegetation and not add a fence. If they have both, the vegetation will continue to grow and eventually knock down the fence again and the applicant will be back here again about this same issue in fifteen years. Commissioner Fletcher stated that they could do a fence with a tight weave or one that ivy can grow through for screening. That would be a natural barrier and easy to maintain. Commissioner Vosberg asked about the vegetation that the applicant would have to remove to replace the fence. Ms. Jeske stated that they have vegetation growing right up to the curb and all of that would have to come out to get the posts and the fence in. Because a lot of what is there are evergreens or shrubs they will continue to grow so they need to be cut back or removed. Planning Director Sherman suggested having a meeting with the residents and Kraus Anderson within the next week to try to come up with a solution that suits both parties and table this discussion for this meeting. Commissioner Vosberg stated a fence or vegetation is not going to solve a crime or drug use issue. If they exist, the police, the business owners, and the residents need to be involved. The trash issue is a code violation so putting up a fence is not going to solve it. This needs to be handled by enforcement. MOTION KISCH, SECOND HANSON TO CONTINUE TO A LATER DATE UNTIL A LANDSCAPE PLAN CAN BE PRESENTED AS PART OF THE PROPOSAL. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Commissioner Jackson stated that he would like to see the minimum requirements for landscaping since if they remove all trees and shrubs it may not meet minimum requirements. Also some of those trees would take up to thirty years to mature and he would like to see what size trees they would plan to put in there. Commissioner Schmidt asked the applicant how they plan to maintain any plantings that get put in there because it is not unusual for them to die off if they are not maintained. He asked the applicant to bring better drawings of what they are proposing when this comes back before the Planning Commission. Planning Director Sherman stated that the goal will be to bring this back at the October meeting. Commissioner Chair Hanson stated that the September work session would also be a good time to continue to discuss Page 4 of 12

5 this. D. Brooklyn Park Islamic Center- Case# Site Plan Review for a religious institution at rd Way Commissioner Husain recused himself from the discussion and left the dais. Senior Planner Larson stated that current access to this site is on 93 rd Way which runs through the neighborhood, but that was not always the case. From the 1960s through the late 1990s, the site was accessed off of old 93 rd Avenue North which ran east west. Once Highway 252 and Highway 610 were constructed the access off old 93 rd Avenue was removed to create the freeway. From the 1960s up until about eight years ago, the site was owned and operated by the Riverview United Methodist Church. The church merged with another congregation and this property was sold to Highpointe Daycare, which had operated in the church. The daycare added three classrooms and operated as a daycare until now. The new applicant would like to convert it back to a religious institution. The site is zoned Public Institution and is a permitted use in the zoning district. He stated that the site does have some very old lighting and staff is requesting they provide a lighting plan and that they upgrade the lighting to meet city code. That would be part of the building permit to remove some of the interior walls. Dennis Batty, architect and representative for the Islamic Center, stated that he was available for questions and he introduced the applicant. Imran Qureshi, th Avenue North, stated that they have been holding prayers at the Community Activity Center for the past three years and they need to have a place that they can call their own and have that asset and the flexibility to have additional prayers. Commissioner Chair Hanson opened the public hearing. Jeffrey Hassan, a seventeen year resident of Brooklyn Park, stated that he is also a member of the Brooklyn Park Islamic Center and believes that this community is a model community and one that should be encouraged and held up by the commission and the as representing the good values and principles and morals of this community. Mike Grabow, 9523 Oliver Avenue North, stated that a big traffic problem is being looked at here. It will create traffic in the mornings and in the evening and there is a lot of speeding. People were not happy when the speed limit went from 25 to 30 miles an hour. If this does get approved, he would like to see the 25 miles per hour speed limit again. Kathy Shubat-Yee, 9500 Newton Avenue North, stated that she is also concerned about the traffic. There are not enough parking spaces for that many people to park there. There are no sidewalks and Newton Avenue is heavy with people walking, riding bikes, walking dogs and such. With prayers throughout the day and into the night this traffic will affect people trying to sleep. Orester Hollie, 9344 Newton Avenue North, stated that traffic has been a problem in this area and he would like to see this go to residential. There are a lot of kids out there waiting for buses and it is dark out, especially this time of year and there are a lot people speeding down Newton Avenue. He stated that he fears this will bring more problems than they want to endure. John Wexler, 8040 Mississippi Lane, stated that he thinks this should go forward because he knows a lot of people who would welcome this Muslim mosque to the community and he thinks this is all part of living together and he welcomes it to the community. Co Trinh, rd Way North, stated that when this site was used for a church, it was very busy on Sunday mornings but they were ok with that. When it became a daycare center there was a lot of traffic, especially in the mornings. There is a stop sign in front of her home and sometimes they do not even stop. She stated this new use would create a lot of traffic at Page 5 of 12

6 all hours of the day and night, especially for her, since her home is right on the corner where people turn to go into their parking lot. Barbara Hansen, rd Trail North, stated that in 1968 when this was made Public Institution there was access and the Parkland Manor Addition had not yet been built. Since those things changed, this site no longer fits the Public Institution zoning in this area. This is a fifty year old zoning that no longer supports the infrastructure of this community. She stated that it should have been re-zoned when the daycare center bought the property because there is not good access. Chad Laperle, 9323 Oliver Avenue North, stated that this is really going to be a true traffic issue. Even with the pre-school parents are rushing in in the morning and the afternoon. He stated that a business with one way in and one way out is kind of odd and would be a problem to access for fire and emergency personnel if there was an issue. Cleo Durant, 9352 Newton Avenue North, stated that he has been there for about twenty seven years and this is going to be a really big problem here. He does not think they can handle that much traffic. There are no sidewalks and kids walk in the street now to get to the park. Sarjo Sanyang, 5544 Village Creek Parkway North, stated he has lived in Brooklyn Park for about two years. He stated that he currently has to go to Minneapolis five times a day and all of the Islamic centers he prays at are all in the city. The Columbia Heights center is surrounded by a residential area and there have been no complaints. Some residents have even put signs in their yards that say welcome to our Muslim neighbors. He stated that Brooklyn Park is the only city that does not have a Muslim center and there are over fifty Islamic centers in the twin cities. This center is needed and Brooklyn Park was chosen because it is a dynamic community that they want to be a part of and they want to contribute to the community. Taqwa Dardery, 8767 Stratford Crossing, stated that he is a member of the Brooklyn Park Islamic Center. He stated that he has been a university professor for forty years and he teaches classes on Islamic culture. He stated that they need to work together to come up with ways to address the traffic issue like lowering the speed limit, putting in speed bumps or whatever makes the neighbors happy. He stated that they hope they can have an open house once they move in where everyone can get together. Noshena Hussain, 9136 West River Road, stated that she has been a resident of Brooklyn Park for fifteen years she also serves on the Charter Commission. She stated that she grew up in Elgin, Illinois, a small town where their mosque was in their neighborhood. They had about ten parking spaces and thirty to forty families. She stated that on Fridays between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. when they had their most important prayer happening they would see the most traffic on that street. When they went into or out of their mosque, their neighbors would wave and greet them and they would visit during open houses to learn more about them. She stated that she currently has to leave Brooklyn Park to have her spiritual needs met and wants to be able to do that in her own city of Brooklyn Park. She stated that when she looks at how diverse and inclusive and welcoming Brooklyn Park is, especially given the goals are for the future, this Islamic center is going to be a testament to that. Adeel Ahmed, 4131 Prairie View Trail, Medina, stated that he grew up in Brooklyn Park and that he manages a mosque in Plymouth, Minnesota. He stated that traffic in the daytime will likely be only about ten people, unless this is a very religious community and maybe twenty people in the evening. There will be about seventy or so people coming on Fridays. He stated that across the twin cities most religious institutions are zoned into the middle of residential neighborhoods. As residents, you are invited to come sit with, eat, and talk because this is a community center. Shameem Khan, Evergreen Court North, stated that he has lived there for twenty seven years but it is not home yet because they do not have their own place of worship here and he has to go to Columbia Heights to worship. There are approximately one hundred Muslim families in Brooklyn Park. He stated that he challenges anyone to find any police Page 6 of 12

7 report against a Muslim family in Brooklyn Park as they are a very peaceful community. He stated that they have the right to have their own place of worship like anybody else as they are a part of the community. This site was already a daycare center with traffic and there will not be a lot more traffic coming now. Rochelle Turan, 9533 James Avenue North, stated that she hopes this is truly about traffic issues because she has read on a neighborhood app she belongs to that people are concerned about crime and not wanting the Islamic center to be a part of the neighborhood. She stated that she welcomes the Islamic center to the neighborhood. Scott McGraw, rd Trail, stated that this neighborhood cannot support the additional traffic coming into the community. This small pocket cannot support the traffic. Cory Funk, 9313 Newton Avenue North, stated that he has lived about one hundred yards from the site for about twenty seven years. He stated that the resolution for this application states that existing traffic and the effects on the neighborhood have been considered but he stated that this is not entirely true because there was no discussion about the children in the neighborhood, and the bus stops, and the fact that there are no sidewalks. In some cases there are no provisions to add them. He stated that based on the document submitted with the application, the parking lot will need to be expanded because will there will be way more cars than that parking lot can hold. There is no mention in the resolution about no parking on 93 rd Way, only about no parking on Newton Avenue. He stated that he would like that item put into to the resolution. He stated that he also sees nothing addressing a call to prayer; an audible announcement that would occur if that is going to be broadcast at this facility five times a day. He stated that he would like it added that would be no call to prayer in the neighborhood. He stated that he believes this application should be denied as it is really an event center, it is not accessible by bus or foot, there is too much traffic and not enough parking, and there was not a wide enough notification to residents. He stated that the Islamic community is welcome in Brooklyn Park but this is not the place for them. Chad Gomez approached the podium. He stated that there is currently an Islamic center in Brooklyn Park off of Jefferson Highway. He stated that he also not feel that this is the right location for any type of religious institution or business. Bonny Hassan, 9329 Oliver Avenue North, stated that he bought his home in this neighborhood because there was a church in the neighborhood. He would like to ask the neighbors to reconsider their position on this. Seeing no one else approach the podium, Chair Hanson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Chair Hanson thanked the people who spoke for their respectfulness. Commissioner Jackson stated that hearing support and concerns from the residents is very important. He stated that he heard concerns about traffic and pedestrian concerns but he also heard comments that because of the type of institution going in there it should be re-zoned and that is something that he does not support. He stated that he believes that the type of institution is correct for this type of zoning. He stated that they are there to discuss the interior walls of the building being torn down and the lighting of the building and that is what they should stick to. He stated that he supports this but he does agree that traffic and pedestrian safety issues need to be discussed also. Commissioner Schmidt stated that the does not have the ability to change the speed limit for any public streets as that is up to the State of Minnesota. He asked staff if the applicant has to come back for approval if they want to increase the size of the parking lot. Senior Planner Larson stated that they do not unless it exceeds a ten percent increase in building size or parking space. They would have to come back for approval through the City Council if they increase it more than that. Commissioner Schmidt asked staff if they know how many students Highpointe had in their daycare to which Mr. Larson Page 7 of 12

8 stated no. Commissioner Fletcher asked staff if there are any regulations about the level of sound like church bells and that type of thing. Senior Planner Larson stated there are not any regulations for this as it is protected by the Constitution. Planning Director Sherman stated that the applicant could address whether they will have a call to prayer or not. Mr. Qureshi re-approached the podium. He stated that they will not have an audible call to prayer outside of their building. Commissioner Fletcher asked what the plan is for parking. Mr. Qureshi stated that they will enforce anything over the allowed limit on parking. Commissioner Fletcher stated that zoning of a property runs with the land so it is not something that they can just arbitrarily change. Commissioner Kisch stated that the religious institution this applicant is requesting is a permitted use. What the Planning Commission is tasked with reviewing is parking but not the traffic in and out of the property. The zoning code requirements for a religious institution are one stall for every 2.5 seats. With 47 stalls that equates to 117 seats. Mr. Batty re-approached the podium and stated that they were asked to do a code review of this building, which they did. The parking is an ordinance issue and the area where worship will take place would handle between 110 and 120 people comfortably. Commissioner Kisch asked what exactly would determine when the parking capacity needs to be expanded. Commissioner Vosberg asked if there is an aversion to expanding the parking lot, since there seems to be a lot of room for more parking and it would avoid people parking on the streets. She stated that she thinks this is a good fit but they should look at ways to improve traffic issues. Commissioner Schmidt stated that there has been a daycare center there for six or seven years so there must have been traffic there. It was mentioned that there would be twenty or thirty or forty more cars coming there but he stated that he assumes that would not be the case all the time. They will probably come as families or groups and it will probably far less than that number of cars. Related to traffic, he stated the streets are public streets and anybody can park there. There needs to be discussion between the residents and the mosque. Maybe they can form a neighborhood meeting group. Commissioner Chair Hanson asked about the statement in the resolution that there will be no parking on Newton Avenue. Senior Planner Larson stated that on-street parking in the cul-de-sac that surrounds the church would be allowed. If that parking begins to exceed that small area, the parking lot size needs to be addressed. Commission Chair stated that she would like the parking reviewed in a particular period of time like 90 days to see if the parking lot needs to be expanded or not. Commissioner Kisch stated how he would like one of the resolutions to read and he also agrees with the language Commissioner Chair Hanson would like to add with a change to review every six or twelve months. Planning Director Sherman stated that to add that requirement would go beyond what restrictions staff can put on a Site Page 8 of 12

9 Plan Review. A condition could be added for a trigger point of when that should have to happen but they cannot subject them to something they do not require of other religious institutions. Commissioner Kisch stated that maybe they could say that if attendance goes over a certain number of attendees that would trigger it. Planning Director Sherman stated that they should not do that. The wording should just be that if parking becomes an issue the lot will need to be expanded. Commissioner Jackson stated that he thinks the discussion is intentionally bringing attention to this property with an ongoing audit of their parking situation and that is not being imposed on any other businesses here. MOTION SCHMIDT, SECOND FLETCHER TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION AT RD WAY NORTH SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION. Commissioner Kisch put forth a friendly amendment that the parking lot will be required to be expanded to meet zoning requirements per city staff review in the event that it is proven that parking is insufficient to meet demand. Commissioner chair stated that she would only support this with the ninety day language included. Commissioner Vosberg stated that there was really no discussion about traffic and she would like to see this addressed with the neighborhood so things can be done to help with this issue. Planning Director Sherman stated that staff had a long conversation with the City Transportation Engineer today and this road was evaluated more than once and the volumes were well within the standards for a residential street. He had no concerns about the volume on Newton Avenue. Staff has asked him to go out and take some counts and check speeds. Senior Planner Larson stated that a meeting could be set up with the neighborhood to discuss sidewalks, stop signs, traffic issues, things like that. MOTION PASSES 7-1, COMMISSION CHAIR HANSON VOTING NO AND COMMISSIONER HUSAIN RECUSED HIMSELF. E. Aspen Lane Self-Storage- Case# Conditional Use Permit & Variance for a four story self-storage facility at 8570 Aspen Lane North Commissioner Husain returned to the dais. Senior Planner Larson showed renderings of the building and stated that the building does meet the city articulation and material change provisions. Staff had concerns about how the four story building would affect the neighbors so there was a shadow study done, which showed that shadows did affect some of the neighbors at certain times but did not fully engulf any of them. There is a small parking area up front that they feel meets their needs based on usage at some of their other facilities. There would also be a couple of spaces with drive-in doors where people would do their loading and un-loading. They are also requesting a Variance for the building footprint. They exceed the footprint by approximately three percent. Their hardcover is well below the maximum allowed. Greg Hayes, E & R Investments/Ebert Construction, stated this is a high quality facility with very low traffic and all loading and un-loading is handled within the building. He stated that the building blends well with the slope on Highway 169, and it sits behind other buildings, giving it a good tapered presence. There is also a berm with a lot of landscaping. He stated that staff did receive a couple of comments from Osseo residents. One comment was a concern that traffic would go up 6 th Street, but traffic cannot go that way. The other concern was that the building would act as a sounding board from 169 even Page 9 of 12

10 though there is a sound wall and it turns the corner and goes on to the berm. After discussing with staff, they would be willing to add three more trees if that is felt to be needed. Commissioner Chair Hanson opened the public hearing. Jenny Boler-Penny, th Avenue SE in Osseo, read a letter from her neighbor at th Avenue SE which stated that she is opposed to a four story building there as they live in a residential neighborhood and a four story building detracts from a feeling of home. She asked that they re-consider and build it one or two stories tall. Ms. Boler-Penny stated that she went around the neighborhood to get feedback on this proposal and a lot of the concerns were more noise and traffic and speeding going down 4 th Avenue. The height of the building was a concern as it seems like it will be towering over their neighborhood. People wondered what the hours would be and were concerned about more noise. She stated that the height of the building on that small property is a concern for her. Harold Johnson, 12 6 th Street NE #106, Osseo, MN, stated that he is a City Council member for the City of Osseo but he is not speaking for the city council. He stated that a four-story facility is over-done for that property but he is happy to see something being put in there. He found from the staff report that Aspen Lane is a private road, and he had always thought it was a Brooklyn Park street that Brooklyn Park maintained it. He stated that he did know that 4 th Street SE was shared by Brooklyn Park and Osseo. This is something that should be addressed because at some time that roadway is going to go and they need to know who really owns that road. He stated that another concern is that as people approach County Road 81, especially in the winter time, it is a very steep incline to get up to the stop sign. Any additional traffic added is going to be a problem. He stated that he is not opposed to this but there are some things that need clarification. Seeing no one else approach the podium, Chair Hanson closed the public hearing. MOTION FLETCHER SECOND JACKSON TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCE FOR A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED SELF-STORAGE FACILITY AT 8570 ASPEN LANE NORTH, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION. Commissioner Kisch asked if there are any existing easements on the property as it stands for access on Aspen Lane since it straddles both this property and adjacent properties. Senior Planner Larson stated that it is a private road that is shared by all four properties with an agreement in place on the survey page in the packet showing it identified. Commissioner Vosberg asked if adding three more trees will solve the noise problem. Senior Planner Larson stated that he spoke to the person who wrote that letter and the problem is with road noise, not noise from the development that will be on this property. Commissioner Kisch mentioned the screening of the rooftop equipment. He stated that he would like to have some sightline analysis done for when this goes to the City Council. Commissioner Schmidt asked the developer how a four story storage facility works. Mr. Hayes re-approached the podium. He stated that people come into the building, take a cart, and deliver their goods by elevator. It is a pretty high security building which is not staffed or accessible twenty four hours a day. The management determines the hours they want it to be available. Commissioner Mersereau asked the other commissioners does no one have any concerns about the size of the building they want to build there. She stated that she shares the views of the residents. Page 10 of 12

11 Commissioner Jackson stated that he agrees that the building is too big for the site. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Planning Director Sherman stated it is time to discuss a new appointee for liaison to the Recreation and Parks Commission. Commissioner Husain stated that he was willing to continue in that role at least through December. Ms. Sherman stated that she would add it to the December agenda for further discussion at that time. 8. OTHER BUSINESS A. Approval of August 09, 2017 Minutes MOTION KISCH, SECOND FLETCHER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 09, 2017 MEETING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 9. INFORMATION ITEMS A. City Council comments Council member Pha stated that the City Council did approve all items from the August Planning Commission meeting. She invited all member of the Planning Commission to the Business Forward Forum on October 5, B. Commission Comments Commissioner Mersereau stated that she knows it will not change the outcome but that she wants to change her vote from the Aspen Lane Self-Storage case they just discussed. Chair Hanson and Planning Director Sherman stated that she could no longer change her vote once the vote has been called and voted. Commissioner Jackson asked if the amendment to the original resolution about the parking was approved on Stone Mountain Plaza. Planning Director Sherman stated that it was. Commissioner Schmidt stated that they had a meeting for the Bottineau Line and he passed out updated renderings of the West Broadway stations. They are coming back up for review again when they hit the ninety percent design ready point. He stated that the liability cap for the railroad should there be any accidents on the line has not been signed yet for the Blue Line, only for the Green Line. They did make their initial application with the Federal Transit Authority and it came back with a rating of medium high. It will be re-submitted at the ninety percent point of the Engineering design. Commissioner Kisch asked if there was any presentation about what is going on north of Highway 610 or down at the 63 rd Avenue station as far as station area design. Commissioner Schmidt stated that 63 rd is going to be an addition off to the side of the parking ramp and they are going to build a skyway over the railroad tracks and come down on the other side. There was talk about trying to turn the parking lot area on the north side into some kind of community space potentially. A lot of the work north of 610 is still in flux because the city is partnering with the county and with Metropolitan Transit for some significant re-design of streets, traffic patterns, and how all that is going to work together. Commissioner Chair Hanson stated that Commissioner Schmidt was chosen to attend receive a grant to attend RailVolution Page 11 of 12

12 to learn more about light rail and options for the community. C. Staff Comments Planning Director Sherman stated that the Blue Wolf Brewery has applied for their building permit so they are moving forward which is pretty exciting. She stated that she will send an invite to the members of the commission for the Business Forward Forum that City Council liaison Pha referred to. There will be a work session on September 27 th as there is an application in for a couple of business park buildings at 93 rd and Winnetka. There will be a community meeting for the Trident proposal on September 26 th for a proposed apartment project on 93 rd Avenue just to the east of Super America. Commissioner Chair Hanson asked about something that has hit the news recently about Hy-Vee partnering with Wahlberger s. She asked Planning Director Sherman if there is any news that Wahlberger s will be coming to Brooklyn Park. Planning Director Sherman stated that there could be an opportunity for them to partner with Hy-Vee to put it on the balance of the site just south of them but there has been no specific discussions with them. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Chair Hanson adjourned the meeting at 9:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Valez Planning Assistant Page 12 of 12