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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 10-29 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes RegularMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA PLANNING COMMISSION HELD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1975 EDINA CITY HALL Members Present: W. W. Lewis, Chairman, S. P. Hughes, C. E. Johnson, G. V. Johnson, F. S. Dean, Mary McDonald, and R. E. Kremer. Staff Present: Greg Luce, City Planner, and Lynnae Nye, Secretary. I. Approval of the September 24, 1975, Planning Commission Minutes. Mr. Hughes moved the September 24, 1975, Planning Commission minutes be approved as written and submitted. Mr. C. Johnson seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. II. PUBLIC HEARING ON WESTERN EDINA PLAN AMENDMENT. Mr. Luce recalled the proposed Western Edina Plan amendment was discussed briefly at the 9-24-75 Planning Commission meeting. He stated the proposed amendment would identify the potential land use for the property in question (formerly known as the "Roushar Square" property, generally located east of County Road 18, south of Fabri-Tek and north of the Edina West condominiums) as multiple residential only. The Western Edina Plan presently shows that property divided diagonally and indicates the land use should be transitional and could be either planned industrial or multiple residential. Mr. Luce recalled the question of which land use would be more appropriate was discussed at length when the Darrel A. Farr Development Corporation requested rezoning to develop the property. He presented preliminary site plans prepared at that time illustrating typical office building and industrial building developments as well as a multiple residential project. He stated the Planning Commission and Council decided then that the best land use would-be multiple residential rather than industrial, and subsequently rezoned and platted the land for the multiple residential development, "Roushar Square". Since then many people have purchased homes in the vicinity, specifically in the Edina West condominium development, with a dependence and reliance on that decision and on the residential quality and character of Roushar Square as illustrated in the approved site plan, landscape plans, etc. Because of that reliance and inasmuch as the Roushar Square plat and project have now been abandoned and the zoning has reverted to R-1, Mr. Luce recommended the Western Edina Land Use Plan be officially amended to reflect the decision that the land use should be multiple residential and not planned industrial. Mr. Luce noted that although the Roushar Square plat and zoning were rescinded at the request of the Darrel A. Farr Development Corp. (the former owner) and the First Wisconsin National Bank (the mortgage holder), the bank is now requesting that the Western Edina Plan not be amended to preclude future industrial development. He pointed out, however, that the bank's involvement came after the property was zoned to multiple residential, so a land use other than that should not be expected. 71 10-29-75 Planning Commission Minutes, page 2 After brief discussion regarding the allowed density and the effect, if any, of a pending amendment to the comprehensive plans clarifying densities based on certain physical and environmental criteria, Mr. Kremermovedthe Western Edina Plan be amended to identify the potential future land use for the property in question as multiple residential only at 0-12 units per acre. Mr. Hughes seconded the motion. Mr. Ben Caputo of the First Wisconsin National Bank read the attached letter to the Edina Planning Commission dated October 29, 1975, which states that "First Wisconsin Mortgage Trust opposes the present attempt to amend the 'Western Edina Land Use Plan' . because it is unnecessary at this time to take any action which would serve to further define the 'plan' in its relationship to the subject property".. Mr. Caputo stated "money was loaned to Darrel A. Farr to acquire the property to build apartments, but we were under the understanding that it would be suitable also for industrial land." Mr. Luce responded that although a request for industrial zoning might have been approved at one time, the Planning Commission and Council have determined that multiple dwellings would be more appropriate on the property in question than an industrial building because the people who purchased condominiums in Edina West relied on the rezoning that occurred and on an approved site plan, a landscape plan and bond, a letter of credit for the requisite parkland dedication fee, and other seemingly firm commitments to develop Roushar Square. After further discussion, Mr. Lewis recalled the Mr. Kremer's earlier motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to approve the proposed Western Edina Plan amendment. All voted aye. Motion carried. III. REZONING: Z-75-8 Eberhardt Company for the Cahill Shopping Center. Generally located at the southeast corner of West 70th Street and Cahill Road. C-1 Commercial District to C-2 Commercial District. Mr. Kremer abstained from the discussion and subsequent vote on this rezoning request. Mr. Luce explained the Eberhardt Company, agent for the owner of the Cahill Shopping Center, has requested that that commercial center be rezoned from C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District to C-2 Community Commercial District to allow a broader tenant selection. Mr. Luce presented a list of those uses currently allowed in the C-1 and C-2 zones, and noted that several of the C-2 uses would be compatible in C-1 areas and, in fact, have been permitted to locate and remain in the Cahill Shopping Center (e.g. the ski shop and men's clothing store). Mr. Luce admitted the Cahill Shopping Center in the last few years has been treated more as a community commercial center for the south- west area than as a neighborhood center so that certain community services could be provided within a reasonable distance, with a minimum of travel time and congestion. He noted the closest community service shopping 10-29-75 Planning Commission Minutes, page 3 centers at the present time are Jerry's and Southdale; neither of these areas are within a reasonable distance, and Southdale, actually a regional center, is extremely over -used and congested. Mr. Luce recommended the rezoning from C-1 to C-2 be approved for the reasons noted and because the area already has a variety of uses, all of which would be compatible with C-2 uses and would provide a service to the southwest Edina neighborhood. In addition, C-2 zoning would not conflict with the Southwest Edina Plan. Mr. G. Johnson observed there are some C-2 uses which would not be appropriate in the Cahill Shopping Center. Mr. Dean recalled that when C-2 zoning was requested for the former National Tea building on Wooddale and Valley View Road, the Planning Commission decided that rather than rezone the building to C-2 and give "blanket approval" to all of the C-2 uses, proposed C-2 tenants in C-1 areas should be considered individually, on an exception basis. Mr. Luce indicated the C-1 ordinance could be expanded to include those C-2 uses which would be compatible in a C-1 area, and reviewed the amendment procedure. All generally agreed the lists of permitted uses in the C-1 and C-2 commercial districts should be amended. Mr. Luce asked the Planning Commission to make any suggestions they might have on the current list of permitted uses and return that list to him within two weeks After further discussion, Mr. Dean moved that Eberhardt's request to rezone the Cahill Shopping Center from C-1 to C-2 be denied because some of the permitted uses in a C-2 zone would not be appropriate in a C-1 district. Instead, the staff should prepare an ordinance amend- ment incorporating the appropriate C-2 uses in the list of uses permitted in a C-1 zone. Mr. G. Johnson seconded the motion.- All voted aye except Mr. Kremer, who abstained. Motion carried. IV. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Request to Amend C-1 Commercial District Ordinance to Allow Amusement Establishments Utilizing Coin -Operated Vending Machines. Mr. Luce explained that Mr. Paul Dean is proposing to open a recreation center in the former National Tea building on Wooddale and Valley View Road for boys and girls 10-17 years old. Because "amuse- ment and recreational establishments such as bowling alleys, pool halls, swimming pools, and skating rinks" are allowed in the C-2 zone and "vending machines which are coin or card operated" are allowed in the C-1 zone, the proponent is requesting an amendment of the C-1 ordinance to allow recreation centers utilizing coin-operated vending machines. Mr. Luce recommended the C-1 ordinance not be amended as requested because the proposed establishment would not be compatible in a small neighborhood type commercial facility. He noted the present C-1 commercial areas in Edina are on 44th and France, the Cahill Shopping Center, and the Wooddale and Valley View Road area. The larger Y 10-29-75 Planning Commission Minutes, page 4 community and regional commercial areas within Edina, where the proposed recreation center could be located, are Southdale, the Grandview Shopping Center on Vernon Avenue, and the 50th and France commercial area. Mr. Paul Dean, the proponent, stated he wants to locate a foosball center on Valley View and Wooddale. He noted the other commercial areas are not feasible because of the rental cost or because the areas are presently fully leased. In reply to Mr. Luce, he stated amusement games are more popular now than°in the past and vending machines no longer draw"the bad element of people". He indicated the recreation center would be compatible in that location because it will be operated by a responsible adult at all times, all curfews will be enforced, no beer will be sold, and there will be little or no traffic demand or congestion. Mr. G. Johnson suggested the proposal be withdrawn until after the C-1 ordinance amendment requested in connection with the earlier discussion about the Cahill Shopping Center (Z-75-8) is prepared by the staff and presented for consideration. Mr. G. Johnson stated that if the proposal is not withdrawn, he would move to deny the proponent's request because of pending study of the C-1 ordinance. After brief discussion, the proponent agreed to withdraw his request at the present time. No action taken. 2. November Planning Commission Meeting Date. It was decided the regular November meeting, scheduled for Thanksgiving eve, be held instead the following Wednesday, December 3, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. at the Edina City Hall. Mr. Hughes asked that the minutes reflect his request for an excused absence because he arranged to be out of town the week of December 3rd so he would be able to attend the Planning Commission meeting on November 26th. 3. Mr. Hughes moved that Mr. Luce be .instructed to write a resolution of commendation from the Planning Commission for Wayne Bennett, the retiring Police Chief and Director of Public Safety, to be presented by the Planning Commission chairman, Mr. Lewis. Mr. Kremer seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. 4. As requested by Mr. G. Johnson, Mr. Luce agreed to contact Dayton's regarding the outdoor storageandsale of rock salt and other unrelated products at the Dayton's gas station at Southdale. V. ADJOURNMENT at 8:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Lynnae C. Nye, Secretary