October 12, 2016, Planning Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 12, 2016 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Mason at 7:01 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Acting Chair Mason led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Planning Commissioners Michael Mason, Acting Chair; Max Avalos; Catherine Palen; and Pete
Present: Kaczanowski
Planning Commissioners Jeff Hoffman, Chair
Absent:
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Al Brixius, City Planner; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
Others Present: Shirley Bren, Council Member/Planning Commission Liaison and Pam Horton, City Council Member.
4. ADOPT AGENDA
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from September 14, 2016.
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to approve the minutes.
Motion carried 4-0.
6. CONSIDERATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Brewery/Taproom Ordinance Amendments Public Hearing - City Planner Brixius presented draft ordinance language regarding allowing brewery/taprooms in Spring Park. He detailed the proposed changes in zoning and liquor licensing requirements. He further explained the differences between a brewpub and a brewery/taproom.
City Planner Brixius presented a thorough issue analysis including:
• Combined commercial/industrial land uses
• Brewery/taproom/brewpub locations
• Production scale
• Shipping and receiving
• Parking/access
• Ancillary uses
• Zoning changes in the C-1, C-2 and M Districts
• Liquor licensing requirements
Commissioner Kaczanowski noted that there are approximately 105 parking spots in the proposed area, including the Marina Shopping Center, so parking should not be an issue for the current applicant.
Commissioner Avalos requested clarification on whether the proposed changes would affect the entire City or only be allowed in the specific area of the current applicant.
City Planner Brixius responded that the proposed changes would affect all C-1, C-2 and M Districts in the City.
i. Open Public Hearing – Acting Chair Mason opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m.
Josh Leddy, owner of Back Channel Brewery Collective, was available for questions.
Phil Tullbane, 4744 West Arm Road, had questions regarding the odor requirements and noise regulations.
City Planner Brixius responded that odor requirements would follow property lines and be restricted to that specific lot in the Marina Shopping Center. He does not anticipate any odor issues but the potential issue needs to be addressed in the Code.
City Planner Brixius stated the City already addresses noise concerns with the City’s noise control ordinance. Furthermore, any special events or concerts would need to be approved through a special event permit which would need City Council approval.
Mr. Leddy responded that their expected closing time for Friday and Saturday nights is 11 p.m.
Jeff Hagen, 4748 West Arm Road, stated his concern about the exterior appearance of the building based on other local brewery/taprooms that don’t enhance the appearance of the cities they are located in. He further stated that he would’ve preferred a restaurant at the location instead.
Mr. Leddy responded that the outside patio area would be fenced in and it would be located on the south side of the property so nothing would be visible on Shoreline Drive. He further commented that he is hopeful that the brewery/taproom will encourage more restaurants to come in the area since it will benefit the entire community.
Mr. Tullbane added that the appearance of the exterior of the building will definitely improve from its current condition due to the upgrades and improvements they are working on now.
Mr. Leddy stated it is his top priority to maintain a high class operation. This will be a family-friendly establishment that will offer craft sodas as well so there is something for everyone. Furthermore, the owner of the building is working on improving the shoreline area and has applied with the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) for additional boat slips.
City Administrator Tolsma stated this process has two phases: 1) ordinance amendments and 2) conditional use permitting. If the ordinance amendments are approved then the conditional use permitting phase will require another public hearing, Planning Commission and City Council review.
ii. Discussion – Commission Avalos questioned whether the proposed changes would apply to micro-distilleries.
City Planner Brixius responded that the proposed changes would not allow micro-distilleries.
iii. Close Public Hearing
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to close the public hearing at 8:08 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
iv. Recommendation
M/Kaczanowski, S/Avalos to recommend to the City Council to approve draft ordinance language, presented in Exhibits B and C of the Planning memorandum dated October 6, 2016, regarding zoning and liquor licensing amendments related to brewery/taprooms.
Motion approved 4-0.
a. Floodplain Ordinance Public Hearing - City Planner Brixius presented draft ordinance language regarding floodplain ordinance changes discussed at the July and September 2016 Planning Commission Meetings.
City Planner Brixius noted that the City has limited areas where the floodplain extends landward. Based on previous discussions with the Planning Commission these areas may impact existing development which need some opportunity for future use. He further commented on floodway permitted and conditional uses.
i. Open Public Hearing – Acting Chair Mason opened the public hearing at 8:29 p.m.
ii. Discussion – None.
iii. Close Public Hearing
M/Avalos, S/Palen to close the public hearing at 8:30 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
iv. Recommendation
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to recommend to the City Council to adopt the draft floodplain ordinance language dated October 6, 2016.
Motion carried 4-0.
b. Outdoor Storage Discussion - City Planner Brixius presented draft ordinance language regarding outdoor storage based on the discussion at the July, August and September 2016 Planning Commission Meetings. He recommended that the Planning Commission table the discussion until the November 9 Planning Commission meeting so that the commissioners have more time to read through the changes carefully, make notes and ask questions of staff so they can make an informed recommendation at that time.
Commissioner Avalos stated that he liked seeing the examples from other communities. One example he thinks should at least be considered is having the allowable number and size of recreational vehicles based on lot size since larger lots can hold more.
City Planner Brixius responded that he will provide examples (lot size information and aerial photos) of what that potential change could look like in Spring Park. He stated that it is not only lot size that needs to be considered but the separation of homes since many lots in Spring Park are very narrow.
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to table the discussion regarding outdoor storage until the November 9 Planning Commission meeting.
Motion carried 4-0.
7. COMMUNICATIONS – None.
8. MISCELLANEOUS – None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
M/Mason, S/Palen to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
Date Approved: November 9, 2016
_____________________________
Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
____________________________
Dan Tolsma, City Administrator
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 12, 2016 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Mason at 7:01 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Acting Chair Mason led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Planning Commissioners Michael Mason, Acting Chair; Max Avalos; Catherine Palen; and Pete
Present: Kaczanowski
Planning Commissioners Jeff Hoffman, Chair
Absent:
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Al Brixius, City Planner; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
Others Present: Shirley Bren, Council Member/Planning Commission Liaison and Pam Horton, City Council Member.
4. ADOPT AGENDA
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from September 14, 2016.
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to approve the minutes.
Motion carried 4-0.
6. CONSIDERATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Brewery/Taproom Ordinance Amendments Public Hearing - City Planner Brixius presented draft ordinance language regarding allowing brewery/taprooms in Spring Park. He detailed the proposed changes in zoning and liquor licensing requirements. He further explained the differences between a brewpub and a brewery/taproom.
City Planner Brixius presented a thorough issue analysis including:
• Combined commercial/industrial land uses
• Brewery/taproom/brewpub locations
• Production scale
• Shipping and receiving
• Parking/access
• Ancillary uses
• Zoning changes in the C-1, C-2 and M Districts
• Liquor licensing requirements
Commissioner Kaczanowski noted that there are approximately 105 parking spots in the proposed area, including the Marina Shopping Center, so parking should not be an issue for the current applicant.
Commissioner Avalos requested clarification on whether the proposed changes would affect the entire City or only be allowed in the specific area of the current applicant.
City Planner Brixius responded that the proposed changes would affect all C-1, C-2 and M Districts in the City.
i. Open Public Hearing – Acting Chair Mason opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m.
Josh Leddy, owner of Back Channel Brewery Collective, was available for questions.
Phil Tullbane, 4744 West Arm Road, had questions regarding the odor requirements and noise regulations.
City Planner Brixius responded that odor requirements would follow property lines and be restricted to that specific lot in the Marina Shopping Center. He does not anticipate any odor issues but the potential issue needs to be addressed in the Code.
City Planner Brixius stated the City already addresses noise concerns with the City’s noise control ordinance. Furthermore, any special events or concerts would need to be approved through a special event permit which would need City Council approval.
Mr. Leddy responded that their expected closing time for Friday and Saturday nights is 11 p.m.
Jeff Hagen, 4748 West Arm Road, stated his concern about the exterior appearance of the building based on other local brewery/taprooms that don’t enhance the appearance of the cities they are located in. He further stated that he would’ve preferred a restaurant at the location instead.
Mr. Leddy responded that the outside patio area would be fenced in and it would be located on the south side of the property so nothing would be visible on Shoreline Drive. He further commented that he is hopeful that the brewery/taproom will encourage more restaurants to come in the area since it will benefit the entire community.
Mr. Tullbane added that the appearance of the exterior of the building will definitely improve from its current condition due to the upgrades and improvements they are working on now.
Mr. Leddy stated it is his top priority to maintain a high class operation. This will be a family-friendly establishment that will offer craft sodas as well so there is something for everyone. Furthermore, the owner of the building is working on improving the shoreline area and has applied with the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) for additional boat slips.
City Administrator Tolsma stated this process has two phases: 1) ordinance amendments and 2) conditional use permitting. If the ordinance amendments are approved then the conditional use permitting phase will require another public hearing, Planning Commission and City Council review.
ii. Discussion – Commission Avalos questioned whether the proposed changes would apply to micro-distilleries.
City Planner Brixius responded that the proposed changes would not allow micro-distilleries.
iii. Close Public Hearing
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to close the public hearing at 8:08 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
iv. Recommendation
M/Kaczanowski, S/Avalos to recommend to the City Council to approve draft ordinance language, presented in Exhibits B and C of the Planning memorandum dated October 6, 2016, regarding zoning and liquor licensing amendments related to brewery/taprooms.
Motion approved 4-0.
a. Floodplain Ordinance Public Hearing - City Planner Brixius presented draft ordinance language regarding floodplain ordinance changes discussed at the July and September 2016 Planning Commission Meetings.
City Planner Brixius noted that the City has limited areas where the floodplain extends landward. Based on previous discussions with the Planning Commission these areas may impact existing development which need some opportunity for future use. He further commented on floodway permitted and conditional uses.
i. Open Public Hearing – Acting Chair Mason opened the public hearing at 8:29 p.m.
ii. Discussion – None.
iii. Close Public Hearing
M/Avalos, S/Palen to close the public hearing at 8:30 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
iv. Recommendation
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to recommend to the City Council to adopt the draft floodplain ordinance language dated October 6, 2016.
Motion carried 4-0.
b. Outdoor Storage Discussion - City Planner Brixius presented draft ordinance language regarding outdoor storage based on the discussion at the July, August and September 2016 Planning Commission Meetings. He recommended that the Planning Commission table the discussion until the November 9 Planning Commission meeting so that the commissioners have more time to read through the changes carefully, make notes and ask questions of staff so they can make an informed recommendation at that time.
Commissioner Avalos stated that he liked seeing the examples from other communities. One example he thinks should at least be considered is having the allowable number and size of recreational vehicles based on lot size since larger lots can hold more.
City Planner Brixius responded that he will provide examples (lot size information and aerial photos) of what that potential change could look like in Spring Park. He stated that it is not only lot size that needs to be considered but the separation of homes since many lots in Spring Park are very narrow.
M/Avalos, S/Kaczanowski to table the discussion regarding outdoor storage until the November 9 Planning Commission meeting.
Motion carried 4-0.
7. COMMUNICATIONS – None.
8. MISCELLANEOUS – None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
M/Mason, S/Palen to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
Date Approved: November 9, 2016
_____________________________
Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
____________________________
Dan Tolsma, City Administrator