2021-03-09 PC Minutes A,lbertville
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ALBERTVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021
APPROVED MINUTES
ALBERTVILLE CITY HALL 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER- ROLL CALL-ADOPT AGENDA
Chair Buhrmann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Maeghan Becker conducted roll call.
Present: Chair Buhrmann and Commissioners Anderson, Hayden, Huggins, and Council Liaison
Zagorski.
Absent: None.
Others Present: City Planner Al Brixius, and Building Permit Technician Maeghan
Becker
Motioned by Anderson, seconded by Hayden to approve the agenda.Ayes:Buhrmann,
Anderson, Hayden,Huggins, and Zagorski.Nays:None.Absent.None.MOTION
DECLARED CARRIED.
2. MINUTES
Motioned by Anderson, seconded by Hayden to approve the January 12,
2021 Planning Commission meeting minutes.Ayes:Buhrmann,Anderson,
Hayden,Huggins, and Zagorski.Nays:None.Absent.None. MOTION
DECLARED CARRIED.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. None.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Review and discussion of the Thrift Store Study.
Brixius presented the Thrift Store Study and shared existing examples of thrift stores in
other cities to the Commissioners based on the March 3, 2021 Planners Report. Brixius
went through the Thrift Store Study PowerPoint with the Commissioners.
The study findings show the following:
1. The thrift store definition encompasses a broad variety of businesses, including
antique shops, consignment shops, pawnshops, collectibles, specialty thrift
stores, and general merchandise secondhand stores. This definition includes
both for-profit and non-profit establishments.
2. Nationally thrift stores are growing in number and popularity. The customer
profile is expanding to include younger consumers and a broader range of
income groups.
3. Albertville specifically lists Pawnshops as a prohibited use in all business zoning
districts. Thrift stores/secondhand dealers are not distinguishable from other
retail use and are permitted uses in all commercial zoning districts.
4. Albertville does not have zoning regulations specific to the establishment of thrift
stores/secondhand dealers within the community.
The following recommendations are proposed to identify land use and operational issues
related to thrift stores:
1. Definition: Add a definition of a thrift store to Chapter 200.2 Definitions of the
Albertville Zoning Ordinance.
2. General Provisions: Amend the Zoning Ordinance to address the location and
placement of drop boxes and recycling bins.
3. Zoning Districts:
■ Permitted Use: Thrift stores/ second hand dealers less than 2,500 square feet in
size as permitted uses in the following commercial zoning districts (no outdoor
drop-off area or outdoor storage would be allowed on site):
• B-2 Limited Business District
• B-2A Special Business District
• B-3 Highway Commercial District
• B-4 General Business District
■ Conditional Use: Thrift stores/secondhand dealers 2,500 square feet or greater
in size shall be conditional uses in the following select commercial zoning
districts:
• B-2A Special Business District
• B-3 Highway Commercial District
• B-4 General Business District
These uses would have the following requirements:
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 2
Regular Meeting of March 09,2021
• All merchandise drop-off,transfers, processing, and storage shall occur
within the principle structure.
• No exterior storage or the use of exterior storage containers or semi-
trailers shall be allowed upon the site.
• Waste and recycling receptacles shall be properly sized, located and
screened in accordance with 1000.14 of the Ordinance.
• Accessory drive-through lanes leading to and accessing the indoor
collection area shall meet the following conditions:
- Drive-through lanes shall not be permitted within the front or
side yards abutting a street.
- Drive-through lanes shall be designed and depicted on the site in
a manner that segregates the drop-off lane from drive lanes,
parking spaces, and sidewalks.
- The drive-through lane shall be a minimum of 12 feet wide and
provide up to 120 feet of automobile stacking and the drive-
through lane cannot open directly onto a public street.
Automobile stacking shall not interfere with on-site drive lanes,
fire lanes, parking stalls, loading areas, access to the trash
dumpsters, or sidewalks. Overflow automobile stacking beyond
the service lane shall not extend into any public street right of
way or interrupt traffic on a public street.
- Screening shall be provided of the drive-through lane from
residential use and street right of way. Such screening shall be at
least 6 feet in height and fully opaque.
- No outdoor audio equipment shall be permitted with a drive-
through lane.
- Directional and operational signage shall be provided to direct
customers to the drop-off lane and explain the drop-off process.
Brixius informed Commissioners that this study has been presented to them or
recommendations regarding thrift store/second hand dealer zoning regulations before
being sent to the City Council for consideration.
Buhrmann asked if Brixius would give a description of all the different zoning districts of
the B2, B2-A, B-3 Highway Commercial, B-4 General Business District. Brixius went through
each district.
Hayden asked Brixius if there has been a lot of inquiries for thrift stores. Brixius responded
that there have been many inquires for this type of use in Albertville.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 3
Regular Meeting of March 09,2021
Brixius informed Commissioners about the East side of the Outlet Mall and that there will
be possible redevelopment on that site.
Anderson questioned if there is any realistic space available in Albertville to accommodate
2,500 square feet and under. Brixius responded that tenant bays can change the size and
could accommodate.
Brixius would like the Commissioners to look at the examples of the thrift stores that are
located in other cities listed in the planners report and to see how they manage their daily
operations.
Commissioners had discussion about antique stores and Brixius informed that antique
stores need to have a low overhead location.
Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of different types of thrift stores.
Buhrmann asked if we would be licensing these businesses and Brixius responded no, that
it would be done through permitting or a conditional use permit depending on the size of
the location.
Commissioners discussed a former inquiry for a thrift store proposed to be in the
surrounding area of Emma's Express gas station.
Buhrmann asked to discuss the East side of the mall with fellow Commissioners, and
Council Liaison, Zagorski. Brixius responded that some inquires have been made for the
East side of a self-storage facility, and another is apartment complexes.
Huggins asked about a limit on height restrictions on buildings and Brixius responded
there are for each zoning district.
Commissioners discussed the current outlet mall tenants.
Buhrmann brought up the Samaritans church building and the program they use called
Ken's Closet. Brixius informed Commissioners that program does not sell any product.
Brixius discussed local stores versus shopping online and having items delivered to you.
Brixius concluded the meeting stating that he will bring this to Council for a proposed
ordinance.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 4
Regular Meeting of March 09,2021
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Huggins, seconded by Hayden to adjourn the meeting at 7.56p.m.
Ayes:Buhrmann,Anderson, Hayden,Huggins, and Zagorski.Nays:None.
Absent.None. MOTION DECLARED CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Maeghan M. Becker, Building Permit Technician
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 5
Regular Meeting of March 09,2021