Planning Commission

APPROVED 04/08/2021 (With Corrections) REGULAR MEETING PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 11, 2021 THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND PLANNING COMMISSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:51 P.M., ON THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021, BY CHAIRMAN McCLELLAN VIA ZOOM ROLL CALL Present: Frank, Kaminski, Majchrzak, McClellan, Misko, Moore, Rix, Weinert Absent: Zink Others: City Planner Jeschke Visitors: Rob Drewek, Lenox Square Storage LLC; Jay Spencer, Blue Water Gas Storage Motion by Moore, seconded by Kaminski, to excuse Commissioner from Mark Zink from tonight’s meeting, due to being in attendance at the Citizen Planner Workshop. All yeas Motion passes APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Rix, seconded by Kaminski, to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2021, regular meeting as presented. All yeas Motion passes AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None. CORRESPONDENCE City Council Meeting of February 1, 2021 Motion by Kaminski, seconded by Weinert, to receive and file the Correspondence as presented. All yeas Motion passes [Type here] [Type here] [Type here]  APPROVED 04/08/2021 (With Corrections) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Kaminski, seconded by Frank, to adopt the agenda as presented. All yeas Motion passes PUBLIC HEARING A.1. PCD-01-2021/PLRM, LLC on behalf of Lenox Square Storage, LLC/Request for a Preferred Class Designation of a non-conforming Use/37570 31 Mile Road Motion by Rix, seconded by Frank, to open the public hearing at 7:53 pm. All yeas Motion passes City Planner Jeschke informed the Commission that the applicant was requesting a Preferred Class Designation of a non-conforming Use for a proposed indoor mini- storage business within an existing building located at 37570 31 Mile Road (APN: 50- 07-06-12-201-021). The City’s Zoning Ordinance only allows mini-storage in an industrial zoning district. This may be something the Commission may want to change in the Zoning Ordinance. Rob Drewek, Lenox Square Storage, informed the Commission that they wanted to utilize the vacant space. They have 20,000 square feet left. Want a long term business. They are proposing approximately 120 storage units which will be monitored 24 hours a day. They are giving the obsolete retail a new use. A mini-storage facility will not create a lot of additional traffic. Commissioners noted that a storage facility was necessary in the area. There was some discussion on the loading area for the proposed mini-storage facility. Rob Drewek informed the Commission that they were proposing a temporary loading area in the front of the building for the smaller storage units. The larger storage units would be at the rear of the building and loading for these unit would be at the back of the building. Motion by Frank, seconded by Kaminski, to close the public hearing at 8:14 pm. All yeas Motion passes [Type here] [Type here] [Type here]  APPROVED 04/08/2021 (With Corrections) A.2. SPR-01-2021/City of Richmond on behalf of Blue Water Gas Storage/Request for a Site Plan Review/36870 Division Road Motion by Rix, seconded by Weinert, to open the public hearing at 8:15 pm. All yeas Motion passes City Planner Jeschke informed the Commission that the applicant was requesting a site plan review to allow a 165 foot tall public utility communication tower at this site. The applicant received a variance from a set-back requirement, at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held prior to this Planning Commission Meeting. Jay Spencer, from Blue Water Gas Storage, informed the Commission that the City Council has requested that they consider this site. Blue Water Gas Storage had looked at several other site and determined that this is the superior site. This tower will be the central communication point for all of their gas storage facilities. Discussion on whether the tower would have a strobe light at the top. Jay Spencer informed the Commission that the FAA does not require a tower less than 199 feet to have a light at the top – this tower will be 165 feet. Motion by Moore, seconded by Kaminski, to close the public hearing at 8:20 pm. All yeas Motion passes ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION B-1. PCD-01-2021/PLRM, LLC on behalf of Lenox Square Storage, LLC/Request for a Preferred Class Designation of a non-conforming Use/37570 31 Mile Road City Planner Jeschke informed the Commission that the applicant was requesting to be allowed to have a proposed indoor mini-storage business within a portion of the Lenox Square Shopping Center. Mini-storage of any kind is prohibited in the B-3 district. This proposal requires consideration of a Preferred Class Designation for the mini-storage use. In addition to the requested Preferred Class approved, the applicant is also seeking preliminary approval for future self-storage building to be constructed within the area designated on the site plan. The applicant is proposing approximately 40,000 square feet of additional self-storage facility. The applicant is looking only to have the use of self-storage be approved. They would come back in for the site plan review when more specific plans are made. [Type here] [Type here] [Type here]  APPROVED 04/08/2021 (With Corrections) Motion by Kaminski, seconded by Frank, to approve the Preferred Class Designation of a non-conforming Use for a proposed indoor mini-storage business within an existing building located at 37570 31 Mile Road and 66871 Gratiot Avenue (APN: 50-07-06-12- 201-021, subject to the following conditions: 1. If the building is vacant for more than one (1) year after this approval, the preferred class designation of this property shall be null and void. Discussion on motion: Rix stated that there was a fire lane in front of the building. Allowing a temporary loading area in the front of the building will create a problem. Rob Drewek stated that they will work out an appropriate loading area with Family Farm and Home – they will put up some creative signage informing patrons of where the designated loading area is. Vote on motion: All yeas Motion passes B-2. SPR-01-2021/City of Richmond on behalf of Blue Water Gas Storage/Request for a Site Plan Review/36870 Division Road City Planner Jeschke informed the Commission that the applicant was proposing a 165’ tripod tower within a 50’ X 50’ enclosed area. The tower manufacturer states that the tower is able to withstand a basic wind speed of 90 mph with no ice and 40 mph with ½” radial ice. Based on the City Council’s input, administration and Bluewater Gas Storage reviewed the DPW Parcel and Well 9 property at the end of Well 9 drive off of Skinner. Council felt that the area near Well 9 would be out of the way and not interfere with any sight lines. In moving to this location, the tower height will need to be 165’, however it will be much less noticeable to any resident. Motion by Kaminski, seconded by Frank, to approve the requested Site Plan Review to allow a 165 foot tall public utility communication tower on property located at 36870 Division Road (APN: 50-07-03-36-376-002). All yeas Motion passes MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM THE CITY STAFF City Manager Moore thanked the Commissioners for joining the meeting through Zoom. CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSION MEMBERS [Type here] [Type here] [Type here]  APPROVED 04/08/2021 (With Corrections) None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Rix, supported by Frank, to adjourn the Planning Commission Regular Meeting at 8:41 p.m. All yeas Motion passes Respectfully submitted: Karen Stagl City Clerk [Type here] [Type here] [Type here]