02-16-2021 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, February 16, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Staff presented a summary packet of information. The Applicant is requesting a CUP to allow a day nursery and Planning Staff recommends approval. The Application is requesting a CUP to utilize the property for a day nursery for a children's workshop, which is the City Code words for a daycare center. The proposed business will occupy the entire building. Other than signage there are no proposed changes to the exterior of the building. The application proposes a fence in the rear of the building to establish the required dedicated play area. This will remove some existing parking space and the available parking remaining meets the minimal requirements outlined by City code. The building is currently vacant and directly abuts a greenhouse with outdoor storage to the west, and commercial businesses and gas stations to the east. There is a residential development to the north of the parcel and the Applicant is proposing a 72 -inch -tall perimeter fence along the rear property line. An administrative site plan review is required and will be done prior to issuance of a building permit and to ensure conformity to the CUP. Setbacks and structural building coverage have no proposed changes. With the B 1 zoning district, day nurseries are listed as a CUP needing the outdoor play space requirement. The day nursery would operate 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with no weekend use; they currently have 54 students enrolled with capacity of 110 students. The business is operating with 13 staff members but could potentially have 21 on rotating shifts. Day nurseries generate traffic at peak times during morning and evening rush hours — access to the site is a single drive to Wayzata Boulevard which goes through the City of Long Lake. The County has installed turn lanes to support this intersection within Wayzata Boulevard. Multiple neighbors at 2160 and 2173 Wayzata Boulevard have signed acknowledgement forms included in the packet. The City of Long Lake was notified of the CUP because of the access lane that cuts through their city and they have no additional comments regarding this application. Items to consider: does the Planning Commission find it necessary to impose any conditions in order to mitigate any impacts for the proposal, or are there other concerns. Ressler clarified there is adequate parking off a busy road and that seems like a good spot for something like this. He said there are no plans of changing or reducing some of the parking spaces besides what is noted for the outdoor play area and asked if that is correct. Oakden replied that is correct. Ressler said part of the Staff recommendation includes a site study that would include the parking spaces being adequate. Oakden said correct, that was reviewed and an analysis is included in the packet. Ressler stated it is supported as applied. Oakden said yes, they are meeting the minimum standard of 24 spaces. Bob Johnston, 9348 Quinn Road in Bloomington, is a commercial broker representing the interest and filed the application on behalf of Children's Workshop, Children's Workshop is currently leasing space in an office property in Plymouth and as a tenant of many years there, they have obvious limitations. Mr. Johnston stated they look at this building with excitement for the future and become their own landlord and grow their business. Ressler opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Ressler closed the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Page 20 of 38