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Home My WebLink About2019/01/16 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Planning Commission - RegularAGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:00 P.M. JANUARY 16, 2019 1. Call to order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes: December 5, 2018 and December 19, 2018 3. Hearings A. Zoning Ordinance – window transparency on ground floor street facing facades Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 18-70-ZA 4. Other Business A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair 5. Communications 6. Adjournment STUDY SESSION 1. Mixed-use density bonus and draft ordinance 2. 2018 annual report, 2019 work plan If you cannot attend the meeting, please call the Community Development office, 952.924.2575. Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make arrangements, please call the administration department at 952/924-2525 (TDD 952/924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting. UNOFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 19, 2018 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Lisa Peilen, Carl Robertson, Alanna Franklin (youth member) MEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Tatalovich (excused) STAFF PRESENT: Jacquelyn Kramer, Gary Morrison, Sean Walther 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of November 21, 2018 Commissioner Eckholm made a motion to approve the November 21, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Johnston-Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 3. Public Hearings A. Luxe Residential preliminary and final planned unit development Applicant: Robinson Zamorano Location: 5235 Wayzata Blvd. Case No.: 18-68-PUD Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Peilen asked if the proposed electric vehicle parking spaces are in addition to general required parking spaces. Ms. Kramer said the electric vehicle spaces are included in the required number, similar to ADA accessible parking. They are not in addition. She added that it is up to property manager to decide how to assign and manage the parking spaces. Commissioner Peilen asked about the mix of units. Ms. Kramer reviewed the number and percentage of each type of unit in the building. Unofficial Minutes Planning Commission December 19, 2018 Page 2 Commissioner Carper asked about building materials. Ms. Kramer responded the main building materials are glass, stucco, pre-finished metal panels and brick. Chair Robertson asked about the guest parking area which includes one EV space which is a compact space. He said the standard space adjacent to accessible space would be a better EV location. Ms. Kramer said that had been discussed and could be looked at further. Justin Merkovich, ESG Architects, spoke about the development streetscape, public realm, Utica Boulevard and the pocket park. He discussed building features, colors and materials. The Chair opened the public hearing. Casey Gustafson, Millennium at West End, 5245 Wayzata Blvd., Apt. 126, is a building resident and employee of Village Green which manages the building. He said they have concerns about guest parking with the new development. They would have liked to see more green space rather than the close proximity of the abrupt wall. The Chair spoke about the underground guest parking which is planned in the new development. Kristy Jackson, 5245 Wayzata Blvd., is also an employee of Village Green. She agreed with the guest parking concern. She said she’s also concerned that Millennium at West End’s 15 outdoor parking spaces will be used by Luxe Residential. She said parking is an on-going concern. She said she’s also concerned about construction noise. As no one else was present wishing to speak, the Chair closed the public hearing. There was a discussion about shadow created by the new development. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, discussed the orientation of the development and the zoning ordinance on shadow restrictions. He said staff did not see that shadow would be an issue based upon the ordinance standards. The Chair stated it might be advantageous to do a shadow study to allay any concerns. Unofficial Minutes Planning Commission December 19, 2018 Page 3 Commissioner Carper asked about the narrow drive between the buildings. He asked if parking would be allowed there. Ms. Kramer said parking will be allowed on the Millen nium at West End’s side of the street. Also, there will be a loading bay on the east side of the private street for people moving in or out. In response to questions about parking, Mr. Walther said the city has established a minimum parking standard and is trying not to require more parking than is necessary. He noted that the Luxe Residential proposal included more parking than the city’s minimum standards would require. He said management companies often take steps to implement policies to better manage available parking through pricing, designating certain stalls as shared stalls, promoting alternative transportation options, and through leasing strategies. Mr. Walther spoke about potentially available off-site parking supply available, if private agreements are entered into, in the parking ramps of the office buildings to the south and the Shops at West End. He added that there are other alternatives in the mixed-use West End area such as walking, biking, car share service and transit that allow for car-free and reduced car ownership. Commissioner Peilen made a motion recommending approval of the preliminary and final planned unit development subject to the conditions recommended by staff. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. B. Electric vehicle supply equipment and outdoor parking lighting requirements Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 18-67-ZA Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. The proposed amendments would be to require electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in all new and reconstructed parking structures and to revise outdoor parking lighting requirements. In response to a question from Commissioner Peilen, Ms. Kramer said the city didn’t want to get into enforcement of how property managers would regulate their electric vehicle charging, signage, and related details. Chair Robertson spoke about the varying length of time it takes to charge vehicles. He said he thought the ordinance might be a little light on Level 2 charging. Unofficial Minutes Planning Commission December 19, 2018 Page 4 Ms. Kramer spoke about how quickly the technology is changing. Commissioner Kraft spoke about designing back to back spaces so chargers could serve multiple parking spaces and flexibility. Commissioner Eckholm discussed recommending best practices rather than requirements. Ms. Kramer discussed the flexibility available in the PUD process. Mr. Walther discussed the city’s green building policy and certifications and EVSE. The Chair asked about spillover lighting in the proposed changes in the outdoor parking lighting requirements. Ms. Kramer said spillover standards have stayed the same. She added that shielding is not part of this ordinance. That is regulated in another part of the zoning code. There was a discussion about perceived spillover. Commissioner Kraft asked what drove this proposed change. Ms. Kramer said staff looked at the recommendations made by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and looked at lighting levels seen in the past and is recommending light levels that that are safe and achievable for property owners, as well as in keeping with the community expectations. Commissioner Carper spoke about eliminating one source of pollution and increasing other sources. He discussed using solar power to charge battery banks on sites. He spoke about homeowners being able to invest in generating sources that are wind or solar powered. The Chair and Commissioner Eckholm spoke about electric generation moving toward renewables. Source of power seems to be outpacing the increase of charging needs. They spoke about upstream carbon that is eliminated with electric charging. The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak he closed the public hearing. Unofficial Minutes Planning Commission December 19, 2018 Page 5 Commissioner Peilen made a motion recommending approval of the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 4. Other Business A. Discuss chair, vice chair nominations for 2019 Commissioner Eckholm said he would be interested in serving as chair in 2019. Commissioner Kraft said she would be interested serving as vice chair. 5. Communications A. Comprehensive Plan Mr. Walther said the City Council approved the Comprehensive Plan on December 17, 2018. The plan will be submitted to the Metropolitan Council. B. Jan. 2, 2019 meeting cancelled C. Save the date – boards and commissions annual meeting Feb. 25, 2019 D. Window transparency requirements – update E. Other Mr. Walther noted that Kevin Locke, former Community Development Director and current SWLRT specialist, is retiring Dec. 21. Nancy Sells, Office Assistant, will also be retiring at the end of the year. Both were recognized at the city council meeting earlier this week. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. and was followed by a study session. STUDY SESSION 1. Retail and service size requirements Mr. Morrison summarized the council discussion. The council discussed the planning commission recommendation, but did not reach consensus on the Unofficial Minutes Planning Commission December 19, 2018 Page 6 maximum size of retail uses that should be allowed in the C-1 district. They also expressed concerns that the proposed limit on gross building area would preclude including residential uses in a mixed-use format. Mr. Morrison presented an option for commission consideration. He suggested that specific uses including retail, service and liquor stores be allowed with a condition that they do not exceed a certain size limit. This would limit the impacts to other uses in the C-1 district, avoid modifying the intensity classification table, and avoid unintended limitations on residential mixed-use developments. So the gross floor area limitation for certain uses would be carved out as an exception to the intensity classification table for a few uses in the C-1 district. Mr. Walther summarized the council discussion pertaining to the range of gross floor area limits that were discussed and supported by individual city council members. He expressed that the council does not support the current planning commission proposal, but there may be enough support to allow retail, service and liquor store uses as permitted with conditions up to a maximum gross floor area of 10,000 square feet and up to 20,000 square feet by conditional use permit. The commission discussed adding conditions to retail, service and liquor store uses to establish a maximum gross floor area. They expressed that a cap of 5,000 seemed to be too low and that there needs to be flexibility. They discussed existing businesses and noted that they are naturally occurring around 5,000 square feet, but should have flexibility to grow if they are successful. The commission directed staff to prepare an option that establishes a maximum of 20,000 square feet gross floor area allowed by CUP, and to create an exception for multiple-family residential that allows additional gross building area. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary Planning Commission Meeting Date: January 16, 2019 Agenda Item #5D 5D. Zoning guidelines for ground floor street facing transparency requirements Case No.: 18-70-ZA Recommended Action: Chair to close public hearing. Motion to recommend approval of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment pertaining to Section 36-4 Definitions and Section 36-366 Architectural Design to establish transparency requirements for ground floor street facing facades in the C-1 and C-2 Districts, and retail, service, and restaurant uses in the O and CP Districts. Request: Staff is requesting an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to Section 36-366 to establish transparency requirements for ground floor street facing facades in the C-1 and C-2 Districts, and retail, service, and restaurant uses in the O and BP Districts, and to Section 36-4 Definitions to define transparency. Background: In summer 2018, city council directed staff and the planning commission to consider zoning standards for ground floor window transparency to increase vibrancy along the city’s commercial streets. The planning commission and city council have since discussed the importance of ground floor transparency requirements and have provided feedback on a draft ordinance during several study sessions. The city has regulated the amount of ground floor transparency in planned unit developments to increase the interaction between the internal spaces of a building with the public realm. One of the city’s goals is to allow people inside buildings to easily observe street life, and improve public safety. Ground floor transparency regulations are particularly important in ar eas where there is high pedestrian traffic, as transparency can help create a vibrant and safer street. Ground floor windows and transparent doors may also strengthen the commercial viability of a use by attracting customers and adding to the enjoyment of the pedestrian’s experience on the street. The attached draft ordinance responds to feedback from the planning commission and city council. The intent of the ordinance is to be flexible, especially for small businesses and existing buildings, yet provide for a safe and active pedestrian realm and vibrant streets. The limitations on window paintings and signage that are included in the ordinance would be applied to all businesses, existing and new in the districts listed above. The remainder of the ordinance will be applied when upgrades and renovations to buildings occur. The regulations establishing a minimum percentage of transparency on the front and side street facing facades does not apply to existing buildings. This requirement will be enforced on all new buildings and buildings which expand the gross square footage of the building by more than 50 percent. Meeting of January 16, 2019 Page 2 Subject: Ground floor street-facing transparency requirements Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the attached amendment to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to definitions and architectural design. Attachments: Ground floor transparency ordinance draft Prepared by: Jennifer Monson, Planner Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor Meeting of January 16, 2019 Page 3 Subject: Ground floor street-facing transparency requirements Section 36-4 Definitions ************ Ground Floor Transparency means the measurement of the percentage of a facade that has highly transparent, low reflectance windows at the pedestrian level, measured between 2’ and 8’ above grade. ************ 36-366 Architectural design ** (b) Standards. ** (3) Ground floor transparency. a. The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable to all ground floor street-facing facades in the C-1 and C-2 Districts, and retail, service, and restaurant uses in O and BP Districts: i. Window paintings and signage shall cover no more than 10 percent of the total window and door area. ii. Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of three (3) feet. Display of merchandise is allowed within this three (3) feet. iii. Interior storage areas, utility closets and trash areas shall not be visible from the exterior of the building. iv. No more than 10 percent of total window and door area shall be glass block, mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or material including window painting and signs. The remaining 90 percent of window and door area shall be highly transparent, low reflectance windows with a minimum sixty percent transmittance factor and a reflectance factor of not greater than 0.25. v. For all new buildings constructed after January 1, 2019, and existing buildings which expand the gross square footage of the building by more than 50 percent, the minimum ground floor transparency shall be 65 percent on the front façade, and 20 percent on all other ground floor street facing facades. vi. The city acknowledges a degree of flexibility may be necessary to adjust to unique situations. Alternatives that provide an increase in pedestrian vibrancy and street safety including but not limited to public art and pedestrian scale amenities may be considered and may be approved by the Zoning Administrator, unless the development application requires approval by City Council, in which case the City Council shall approve the alternate transparency plan. (3)(4) Additions and accessory structures. The exterior wall surface materials, roof treatment, colors, textures, major divisions, proportion, rhythm of openings, and general architectural character, including horizontal or vertical emphasis, scale, stylistic features of additions, exterior alterations, and new accessory buildings shall address and respect the original architectural design and general appearance of the principal buildings on the site and shall comply with the requirements of this section. Meeting of January 16, 2019 Page 4 Subject: Ground floor street-facing transparency requirements (4)(5) Screening. a. The visual impact of rooftop equipment shall be minimized using one of the following methods. Where rooftop equipment is located on buildings and is visible within 400 feet from property in an R district, only the items listed in subsections 1 and 2 shall be used. 1. A parapet wall. 2. A fence the height of which extends at least one foot above the top of the rooftop equipment and incorporates the architectural features of the building. 3. The rooftop equipment shall be painted to match the roof or the sky, whichever is most effective. b. Utility service structures (such as utility meters, utility lines, transformers, aboveground tanks); refuse handling; loading docks; maintenance structures; and other ancillary equipment must be inside a building or be entirely screened from off-site views utilizing a privacy fence or wall that is at least six feet in height. A chain link fence with slats shall not be accepted as screening. c. All utility services shall be underground except as provided elsewhere in this chapter. (5)(6) Parking ramps. All new parking ramps shall meet the following design standards: a. Parking ramp facades that are visible from off the site shall display an integration of building materials, building form, textures, architectural motif, and building colors with the principal building. b. No signs other than directional signs shall be permitted on parking ramp facades. c. If the parking ramp is located within 20 feet of a street right-of-way or recreational trail, the facade facing the street shall be subject to the same requirements for exterior surface materials as for buildings. (6)(7) Awnings and canopies. a. Awnings and Canopies. 1. Construction. Awnings and canopies shall have noncombustible frames. If an awning can be collapsed, retracted or folded, the design shall be such that the awning does not block any required exit. 2. Projection. Awnings and canopies less than 25 feet in width may extend up to two feet from the face of the nearest curb line measured horizontally. 3. Clearance. All portions of any awning and canopy shall provide at least eight feet of clearance or any walkway and twelve feet of clearance over nay driveway or roadway. 4. Supports. Canopy posts or other supports located within a public right-of-way or easement shall be placed in a location approved by the city engineer. b. Permit required. A building permit shall be issued prior to the installation of any awning or canopy. In addition to the building permit, an encroachment agreement shall be issued by the city engineer prior to the installation of any awning or canopy that extends into, upon or over any street or alley right-of-way, park or other public property. The encroachment agreement shall include provisions that hold the owner of the awning or canopy liable to the city for any damage which may result to any person or property by reason of such encroachment or the removal of such encroachment. Additional conditions may be imposed on encroachment permits to protect the health, safety or welfare of the Meeting of January 16, 2019 Page 5 Subject: Ground floor street-facing transparency requirements public or to protect nearby property owners from hardship or damage or to protect other public interests as determined by the city engineer. c. Submission requirements. The following information shall be submitted prior to the installation of an awning or canopy. 1. Application form and fee. A separate fee shall be required for the building permit and encroachment agreement. 2. Dimensioned and scaled site plan and building elevations. 3. Four sets of drawings for each awning or canopy proposed. d. Projections to be safe. All such projections over public property shall be structurally safe, shall be kept in a safe condition and state of repair consistent with the design thereof and repaired when necessary in the opinion of the city engineer or building official by and at the expense of the person having ownership or control of the building from which they project. e. Removal upon order. The owner of an awning or canopy, any part of which projects into, upon, over or under any public property shall upon being ordered to do so by the city engineer remove at once any part or all of such encroachment and shall restore the right- of-way to a safe condition. Such removal and restoration of the right-of-way will be at the sole expense of the property owner. The city may, upon failure of the property owner to remove the encroachment as ordered, remove the encroachment, and the reasonab le costs of removing such encroachment incurred by the city shall be billed and levied against the property as a special assessment. Meeting of January 16, 2019 Page 1 Subject: Mixed-Use District Planning Commission Meeting Date: January 16, 2019 Study Session Item 1 1. Mixed Use Zoning District Concept Review and Draft Ordinance RECOMMENDED ACTION: Provide feedback to staff on the proposed density bonus options for the mixed-use zoning ordinance, and review the draft ordinance. SUMMARY: On December 17, 2018 the city council approved the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for submittal to the Metropolitan Council. It is expected that the Metropolitan Council will approve the plan by April 1, 2019, and city council will adopt the plan immediately following. The plan re-guides several properties on the Future Land Use Map in the city to mixed use. Therefore, it is a high priority to update the mixed-use zoning ordinance so it is consistent with the 2040 Land Use Plan goals. Since the fall of 2017, the planning commission conducted multiple study sessions to discuss regulations within the MX district, including height, setbacks, scale building length, density and a brief discussion about density bonuses. The planning commission also voiced support for exploring density bonus options, to increase the density from 50 units per acre up to 75 units per acre based on the comprehensive plan. The planning commission’s comments are incorporated into the attached ordinance for further review. Study Session January 16: Staff will present a draft of proposed density bonus options and point values, and will request preliminary feedback on the draft MX District ordinance. NEXT STEPS: At future planning commission study sessions, staff will request planning commission provide more detailed feedback on the overall ordinance draft. ATTACHMENTS: Density bonus options and point values Draft ordinance Prepared by: Jennifer Monson, Planner Reviewed by: Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator Meeting of January 16, 2019 Page 2 Subject: Mixed-Use District Density bonus options and point values Sec. 36-267. Dimensional standards and general requirements. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 36-32, the following standards and requirements cannot be modified or waived except as specifically stated: (1) The maximum nonresidential density is 1.5 FAR and the maximum residential density is 50 units per acre. In determining density, the total nonresidential floor area or number of residential units shall be divided by the land associated with each use, including building coverage and parking areas associated with the use and a proportion of the on-site usable open space. Stormwater ponds and public/private streets and alleys shall be excluded from land calculations. Maximum densities may be increased by up to 50 percent based on the following table and Table 36-267 ____ 3 points 10% increase in density 6 points 20% increase in density 9 points 30% increase in density 12 points 40% increase in density 15 points 50% increase in density a. Affordable commercial space for retail, food service, and restaurant uses (5 points): i. 10 percent at 50 percent fair market rent; or ii. 20 percent 60 percent fair market rent b. Compliance to the city’s Affordable Housing Policy (4 points) c. Compliance to the city’s Green Building Policy (4 points) d. Renewable Energy Sources i. __ percentage of building’s energy (3 points) ii. __ percentage of building’s energy (1 point) e. Publically accessible outdoor space (plaza/courtyard) (3 points) f. Public community room (1 point) g. Commuter Bicycle Facilities: including bike lockers, showers, repair station (1 points) DRAFT Mixed Use Ordinance ARTICLE IV. ZONING DISTRICTS § 36-263 DIVISION 9. M-X MIXED USE DISTRICT Sec. 36-261. Purpose. The purposes of the M-X mixed use district are to: (1) Provide appropriate areas for and facilitate quality mixed use development in activity centers that are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s land use and transportation goals and strategies; (2) Provide a variety of residential housing types and densities to assure activity and support a mix of uses, and enhance the housing choices of city residents; (3) Integrate new mixed use development with its surroundings by encouraging connections for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles and by assuring sensitive, compatible use, scale, and operational transitions to neighborhood uses; (4) Encourage reductions in impervious surface by minimizing surface parking and retain open space by encouraging taller buildings for high-density uses; and (5) Ensure high quality architectural design and materials, and promote innovative site design. (Code 1976, § 14:5-8A) Sec. 36-262. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. Building to Street Ratio means the ratio of the building height to street width. The street width includes public right-of-way, sidewalks, boulevards, and utility easements. Build-to Zone means an area in which the primary or secondary facade of a building shall be placed; it may or may not be located directly adjacent to a lot line. The zone dictates the minimum and maximum distance a structure may be placed from a lot line. Build-to zones are measured from the outside edge of any public access easement for sidewalk or the right-of-way, if no public access easement for sidewalk is required or exists. Courtyard means an outdoor area enclosed by a building facade on at least 3 sides and open to the sky. Frontage means the building and lot area facing and directly adjacent to a street right-of-way line. Frontage, Primary means a frontage that receives priority over other frontages, defining a higher level of pedestrian orientation. The primary frontages is identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or arterial. If there are two primary streets, or no primary streets, the Zoning Administrator shall determine the most appropriate frontage to serve as the primary street. Orientation of other parcels along the street and status of the street shall be considered. Frontage, Secondary means a frontage that is secondary to the Primary Frontage, requiring less streetwall coverage and lower transparency levels, and permitting more interruptions by driveways. Secondary frontages are all frontages not identified as a primary frontage, and are categorized as a side yard abutting a street. Impervious Site Coverage means the percentage of a lot developed with principal or accessory structures and impervious surfaces, such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Lot Line Coverage means the minimum percent of lot frontage that must contain a building. Occupied Space means an interior building space regularly occupied by the building users. It does not include storage areas, utility space, or parking. Pedestrianway means an open and available pathway designed for use by pedestrians; it can be located mid-block allowing pedestrian movement from one street to another without traveling along the block’s perimeter. Story, Ground. Also referred to as ground floor means the first floor of a building that is level to or elevated above the finished grade on the front and corner facades, excluding basements or cellars. Story, Half means a story either in the base of the building, partially below grade and partially above grade, or a story fully within the roof structure with transparency facing the street. Story, Upper. Also referred to as upper floor means the floors located above the ground story of a building. Street Face means the facade of a building that faces a street right-of-way. Transparency means the measurement of the percentage of a facade that has highly transparent, low reflectance windows measured between 2’ and 8’ above grade. Mirrored glass is not permitted. Yard, Street means the space on a lot between the principal structure and the primary or secondary street frontage line or street side lot line for the lot and extending to any minimum side or rear setback line. Yard Definition. Yard is defined in Section 36-3 Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following standards shall supplement and, where inconsistent, supersede the definition of Section 36-3: 1. Side and Rear Yards Abutting Other Lots, an Alley, or a Rail Right-of-Way means a property located in an area designated as Mixed Use MX, only yards abutting a lot, an alley, or a rail right-of-way at the lot line, and not a street, waterway or other Primary or Secondary frontage, are considered side or rear yards. 2. Front Yards and Side Yards abutting a street are regulated through the designation of Primary and Secondary frontages. Visible Basement means a half story partially below grade and partially exposed above with required transparency on the street facade. Zoning Administrator means the zoning administrator or her/his designee. Sec. 36-263. Mixed use restrictions and performance standards. The following restrictions and performance standards shall govern structures and uses permitted in any MX mixed use district: (1) All buildings shall have a vertical mix of land uses, such as residential and commercial, with a strong pedestrian orientation. A use on the ground floor must be different from a use on an upper floor. The second floor may be designed to have the same use as the ground floor so long as there is at least one more floor above the second floor that has a different use from the first two floors. At least one of the floors shall contain residential dwelling units. (2) Along at least 75 percent of the primary frontage, the building must be designed for non- residential uses. Lobbies and amenity areas serving a residential use in the building shall not count as a non-residential use. (3) All non-residential uses located on the ground floor primary and secondary frontage shall have a direct and primary access to and from the primary and/or secondary frontage building façade and the access shall remain open during business hours. (4) All business activities including but not limited to sales, rentals, service, storage, merchandise display, repair, and processing, except for off-street vehicular parking and off-street loading, shall be conducted wholly within an enclosed structure except as specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter. (5) Outdoor storage shall be prohibited except when specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter. (6) Business uses shall front on a public way or an interior arcade. (7) All delivery service entrances to a building shall be from a public alley, service-alley, off-street parking lot, or all deliveries shall be made from the curb. (8) All trash, garbage, waste materials, trash containers, and recycling containers shall be located in the side and rear yards and shall be kept in the manner required by this Code. All trash handling and loading areas shall be screened from view within a waste enclosure which shall be constructed of the same materials as the principal building. (9) There shall be no vehicular access within 50 feet of the intersection of the projection of the nearest curblines of any public streets to a parcel on which a commercial use is operated. (10) No storage, display or parking of vehicles shall be allowed in any of the required yards or landscaped areas. (11) Surface parking spaces, mechanical equipment, refuse and recycling areas, and loading areas shall not be located within any build-to zone, minimum setback, or street yard. (12) New structures and structures which expand the gross square footage of the structure by more than 50 percent shall be required to place all utility service lines underground. Any new service to an existing building shall be placed underground. (13) Vehicular access for all non-residential uses shall be from a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan or as a collector or arterial or otherwise located so that access can be provided without generating significant traffic on local residential streets. (14) Sidewalks at least six feet in width shall be provided along all sides of the lot that abu t a public street. (15) A separate pedestrian access shall be provided between the principal building and the public street or a public trail, on all sides of the lot which front on a public right-of-way or public trail. This access shall be separated from parking areas by curbed, landscaped islands which have a minimum width of 20 feet inclusive of sidewalk. If a transit stop is located on any adjacent public street, access shall be located convenient to that transit stop. Sec. 36-264. Uses. (1) Permitted uses (P). Uses listed in Table 36-264 with a “P” symbol are permitted by-right in the Frontage Types in which they are listed. (2) Uses permitted in limited stories (PL). Uses listed in Table 36-264 with a “PL” symbol are permitted by-right in the Frontage Types in which they are listed, provided that the uses are located in the upper stories of a structure; the basement; or in the ground story, a minimum of 30 feet behind any primary street façade and behind a permitted use. (3) Uses permitted with conditions (PC). Uses listed in Table 36-264 with a “PC” symbol are permitted provided compliance with the listed conditions and requirements. (4) Uses permitted by conditional use permit (CUP). Uses listed in Table 36-264 with a “CUP” symbol require a Conditional Use Permit; refer to 36-33 Conditional Use Permits. Table 36-264 Mixed Use District Uses Primary Frontage Secondary Frontage RESIDENTIAL & LODGING USES Multifamily Residential PC PC Live-Work Unit PC PC Roominghouse PL PL State-licensed residential facility PL PL Group home/non-statutory PL PL Nursing Home PL PL Hotel/Motel PC PC Bed and Breakfast establishment PC PC CIVIC & INSTITUTIONAL USES Education/Academic PL P Museum/Library Category P P Police/Fire Station PC PC COMMERCIAL USES Brewery/Micro-distillery PC PC Business/trade school/college PL P Dental Office P P Food Service P P Grocery Store PC PC Liquor Store CUP CUP Medical Office P P Primary Frontage Secondary Frontage Offices PL P Private Entertainment (Indoor) CUP CUP Research and development PL P Retail, less than 8,000 square feet P P Retail, 8,000 square feet or larger PC PC Retail, Large Item PC PC Restaurants PC PC Service facilities, less than 8,000 square feet P P Service facilities, 8,000 square feet or larger PC PC INDUSTRIAL USES Catering PC PC Studios PC PC Printing process/supply PC PC Showrooms PC PC TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE USES Communication antennas CUP CUP Small cells Sec. 36-266. Uses permitted with conditions (PC). Multifamily Residential Category. For the Mixed-Use District, the following exceptions apply: (1) Shall be located in the upper stories of a structure; the basement; or in the ground story, a minimum of 30 feet behind any primary street façade and behind a permitted use, or on a secondary, rear, or side facade. (2) Dwelling unit entrances are not required to be internal to the building, and individual exterior entrances are encourage for ground floor units (3) Balconies shall serve a single dwelling unit (4) Buildings are discouraged from being massive in scale or institutional in appearance. (5) Use may include leasing and/or property management offices, gym or other fitness facilities for tenants, and meeting rooms as accessory uses. Live-Work Unit. (1) The units shall only be located on a Secondary Street Frontage. Hotel/motel. (1) Shall be located in the upper stories of a structure; the basement; or in the ground story, a minimum of 30 feet behind any primary street façade and behind a permitted use. (2) Rooms shall be accessed from the interior of the building. (3) Secondary service uses may also be provided, such as food service, meeting rooms, pools, and fitness rooms as accessory uses. Bed and Breakfast establishment. (1) Shall be located in the upper stories of a structure; the basement; or in the ground story, a minimum of 30 feet behind any primary street façade and behind a permitted use. (2) Rooms shall be accessed from the interior of the building. (3) Secondary service uses may also be provided, such as food service and meeting rooms as accessory uses. Police/Fire Station. (1) Garage doors are permitted on the front facade. (2) Stations are exempt from maximum driveway widths. Brewery/Micro-distillery. (1) The brewery/distillery shall not produce more than 20,000 barrels of malt liquor or cases of hard liquor per year. (2) The following additional conditions apply: a. The maximum overall gross floor area is limited to 20,000 square feet. b. A taproom and/or retail outlet is required and shall be located in the Primary Street storefront of the building. c. The taproom and/or retail outlet shall occupy a minimum of 20 percent of the gross floor area with no maximum limit. d. Retail outlet does not include liquor store, which shall be permitted only in accordance with the requirements for liquor store uses for the frontage type. (3) This use may also include associated facilities such as offices and small scale warehousing, but distribution is limited to vans and small trucks. Distribution access shall be from the rear. Grocery Store. (1) When the grocery store is part of a mixed use development with residential or office uses above the grocery, the following applies: a. No activity results in any noxious or offensive odors, sounds, vibrations, emissions, or any external nuisances upon adjacent properties. b. Hours of operation, including deliveries, shall be limited to 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. Retail, 8,000 square feet or larger. (1) The retail space shall have an exterior entrance on the primary facade. (2) The retail space shall be located at a corner of the building or near a primary building entrance. (3) The retail space shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the gross floor area of the ground floor. Retail, Large Item (1) The establishment shall be less than 20,000 square feet in size. Restaurant (1) Restaurants with or without intoxicating liquor licenses. a. If there is a wine and/or beer liquor and/or intoxicating liquor license, there shall be no separate bar area within the restaurant. Service Facilities, 8,000 square feet or larger. (1) The retail space shall have an exterior entrance on the primary facade. (2) The retail space shall be located at a corner of the building or near a primary building entrance. (3) The service space shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the gross floor area of the ground floor. Catering; studio; printing process/supply; showrooms. (1) This use may also include associated facilities such as offices and small scale warehousing, but distribution is limited to vans and small trucks. Distribution access shall be from the rear. (2) The maximum overall gross floor area is limited to 12,000 square feet. (3) A showroom or retail outlet is permitted. (4) If located on a Secondary Frontage the following additional conditions apply: a. The use is permitted only in specifically designated live/work spaces on the ground floor and with its own exterior entrance. b. Distribution shall be from a designated loading area only. (5) If located on a Primary Frontage, the following additional conditions apply: a. A showroom and/or retail outlet is required and shall be located in the Primary Street storefront of the building. b. The showroom and/or retail outlet shall occupy a minimum of 25 percent of the gross floor area. Sec. 36-267. Uses permitted by conditional use permit (CUP). Uses listed in Table __ with a “CUP” symbol require a Conditional Use Permit; refer to 36-33 Conditional Use Permits. Liquor Store. (1) The lot must be at least 1,000 feet from the property line of a site containing a pawnshop, currency exchange, payday loan agency, firearms sales or sexually-oriented business. The distance shall be measured from the portion of the center or building occupied by the liquor store. Private Entertainment (Indoor). (1) No activity results in any noxious or offensive odors, sounds, vibrations, emissions, or any external nuisances upon adjacent properties. (2) Hours of operation are limited to XX to XX on weekdays and XX to XX on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). (3) If there is a wine and/or beer license, the following additional conditions shall apply: a. There shall be no separate bar area within the establishment. b. If the above conditions are not met, a private indoor entertainment with a wine and/or beer license may apply for a conditional use permit under Section ____ Communication antennas. (1) Shall be co-located atop a permitted building. (2) Shall be developed in accordance with 36-368 Communication towers and antennas. (3) Microcells may be permitted subject to Section ______ Sec. 36-268 Accessory Uses. The following uses shall be permitted accessory uses in any MX district. (1) Accessory Off-Street Parking. The following are types of accessory parking permitted: a. Parking Lot. Refer to 36-142 for definition, with the exception that parking lots may be used for periods of more than 24 hours for residential uses. Parking lot locations are regulated by Section_______ b. Accessory Parking Ramp. Refer to 36-142 for definition, with the exception that parking ramps may be used for periods of more than 24 hours for residential uses. i. Accessory parking ramps may be located only in the rear yard. ii. Accessory parking ramps located on the secondary frontage shall have active uses on the ground floor street facing facades, and. iii. Accessory parking ramps shall meet the façade requirements for the building. c. Accessory Parking in the Building. Parking may be provided in the rear of the building or fully in any basement, and shall meet the façade requirements for the building. (2) Incidental repair or processing which is necessary to conduct a permitted use and not to exceed ten percent of the gross floor area of the associated permitted use. (3) Outdoor seating and service of food and beverage, subject to the following conditions: a. Shall be directly adjacent to the structure containing the associated use; b. No speakers or other electronic devices which emit sound are permitted if the use is located within 500 feet of a residential use; c. The hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. if the us e is located within 500 feet of a residential use; and d. Additional parking will not be required if the outdoor seating area does not exceed 500 square feet or ten percent of the gross floor area of the principal use, whichever is less. Parking will be required at the same rate as the principal use for that portion of outdoor seating area in excess of 500 square feet or ten percent of the gross building area, whichever is less. (4) Bar, if accessory to a restaurant, hotel or private entertainment (indoor). (5) Catering, if accessory to a restaurant, food service, delicatessen, grocery store or retail bakery. (6) Incidental repair or processing which is necessary to conduct a permitted use and not to exceed ten percent of the gross floor area of the associated permitted use. (7) Visitor lodging associated with residential care facilities. (8) Warehouse/storage which is necessary for a permitted use and not to exceed 20 percent of the gross floor area of the associated permitted use. (9) Home occupations complying with all of the conditions in the R-C district. (10) Outdoor sales are permitted only as accessory uses with garden and nursery sales. (11) Public transit stops/shelters. (12) Community gardens (13) Accessory Utility Structures including: a. Anaerobic digesters; b. Small wind energy conversion system, as defined in 36-4 Definitions. c. Solar energy systems. A solar energy system with a supporting framework that is either placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent of any building or other structure; or that is affixed to or an integral part of a principal or accessory building, including but not limited to photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems which are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, and awnings. d. Cisterns and Rainwater Collection Systems. A container or series of containers for the collection and reuse of rainwater. A cistern may be exempted from inclusion in the Site Impervious Area calculation. e. Where accessory utility structures are permitted with conditions, the following apply: i. Accessory Use. The equipment shall be located on a lot with a building and is a secondary use for the lot. ii. Roof Mounted Location. Roof mounted equipment shall be located per one of the following: 1. Pitched Roof. Locate the equipment on a rear facing surface of the roof, if feasible for communication purposes. 2. Flat Roof. Locate the equipment towards the rear portion of the roof, where visibility is limited from the street to the maximum extent possible. iii. Ground Mounted Location. Ground mounted equipment is limited to the rear yard. Equipment may be located in the side yard if the equipment is screened from the street with an opaque wall, of the same or similar material of the street facade of the building. iv. Height. The height of the equipment is either a maximum of 12 feet or the maximum that is not visible from any street sidewalk, whichever is greater. v. Performance Standards. When noxious or offensive odors, sounds, vibrations, emissions, or any external nuisances upon adjacent properties, including truck traffic, will be generated by this accessory use above any generated by the principal use, a conditional use permit is required. Refer to 36-33 Conditional Use Permits. vi. Freestanding Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). Refer to Sec. 36-369, with the exception of the following requirements which shall replace the provisions of Table 36-369 A for all projects within the Form-Based District: 1. Height Limit: 110 feet 2. Maximum Number of WECS per lot: 2 3. Minimum Lot Size: 1.5 acres Sec. 36-267. Dimensional standards and general requirements. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 36-32, the following standards and requirements cannot be modified or waived except as specifically stated: (1) The maximum nonresidential density is 1.5 FAR and the maximum residential density is 50 units per acre. In determining density, the total nonresidential floor area or number of residential units shall be divided by the land associated with each use, including building coverage and parking areas associated with the use and a proportion of the on-site usable open space. Stormwater ponds and public/private streets and alleys shall be excluded from land calculations. Maximum densities may be increased by up to 50 percent based on Table 36-267__ Table 36-267 ____ 3 points 10% increase in density 6 points 20% increase in density 9 points 30% increase in density 12 points 40% increase in density 15 points 50% increase in density a. Affordable commercial space for retail less than 8,000 square feet, food service, and restaurant uses (5 points): i. 10 percent at 50 percent fair market rent; or ii. 20 percent 60 percent fair market rent b. Compliance to the city’s Affordable Housing Policy (4 points) c. Compliance to the city’s Green Building Policy (4 points) d. Renewable Energy Sources i. __ percentage of building’s energy (3 points) ii. __ percentage of building’s energy (1 point) e. Publically accessible outdoor space (plaza/courtyard/community gardens) (3 points) f. Public community room (1 point) g. Commuter Bicycle Facilities: including bike lockers, showers, repair station (1 points) (2) The development site shall include a minimum of 12 percent designed outdoor recreation area based on private developable land area. (3) Building shall be constructed to the following form requirements specific to the frontage type. Primary Frontage Secondary Frontage BUILDING SITING Minimum Primary Lot Line Coverage 80% 50% Build-to Zone 10’ to 15’ 10’ to 20’ Maximum Building Length 200 feeta HEIGHT Building to Street Ratio Minimum 1:3 1:3 Building to Street Ratio Maximum 1:2 1:1 Minimum Height 2 stories 2 stories Maximum Height 8 storiesb or max height 8 storiesb Primary Ground Story Height 12’ to 20’c 12’ to 20’c All Other Stories Height 10’ to 15’ 10’ to 15’ FAÇADE Minimum Ground Story Transparency 65% 30% Minimum Required Transparency per Story 20% on street facing facades; 12% on rear and side facades Entrance Elevation Each street entrance shall be within 30” of adjacent street sidewalk average grade a. Maximum Building Length may be increased up to 50 percent if a pedestrianway is provided. These pedestrianways can be pedestrian easements and pathways or exterior through building linkages at least every 200 feet. b. Step-backed stories. All stories that exceed the maximum building to street ratio shall be stepped back from the front façade a minimum of 10 feet and a maximum of 30 feet. c. Tall stories: 18’ or more in floor-to-floor ground story height counts as 2 stories toward maximum building height. (4) Side and Rear Yards: a. Buildings with side or rear property lines adjacent to R-1 or R-2 zoned and used districts shall have a maximum building height of 40 feet, and minimum side and rear yards of 15 feet. Buildings may exceed 40 feet in height if the portion of the building above 40 feet is stepped back from the side and rear property lines a distance equal to the additional height. (5) Transparency. (update based on transparency ordinance) a. Large sections of walls with no windows shall be prohibited along the ground floor primary and secondary frontages; b. No more than 10% of the ground floor window and door area shall be opaque glass; c. Occupied spaces shall be maintained for a minimum depth of ten feet; d. Visibility into the building shall be maintained for a minimum depth of three feet; e. Areas of glazed transoms above a canopy or architectural feature element are encouraged; (6) Buildings constructed after adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived must utilize at least 80 percent class I materials on each building face and no class III materi als on any building face that is visible from public areas within the development or from off the site. The class I materials requirement may be reduced to 60 percent if a balance of architectural interest and visual compatibility is provided through approval of the following: a. A variety of compatible materials and colors; b. Architectural features; c. Canopies over sidewalks; and d. Pedestrian-scale details. (7) Parapet walls shall be utilized to completely screen rooftop equipment from ground and street level view and rooftop equipment must be painted to match the color of the roof in order to minimize the visual impact as viewed from other buildings. (8) Developments shall include sidewalks and/or bikeways along all private and public street rights-of- way as determined appropriate and on-site pedestrian/bicycle facilities that provide logical connections to off-site uses and are separated from off-street surface parking areas by curbed, landscaped islands a minimum of 20 feet in width inclusive of sidewalk. (9) Developments served by public transit must provide at least one transit stop that conveniently serves the development. (10) Parking lots. a. Site design shall comply with the requirements of 36-361(k), with the following revisions: i. In Table 36-361(b), the driveway aisle width for 90 degree stalls shall be 22 feet. b. Landscaping shall comply with the requirements of 36-364(f) Off-street parking areas. (11) Driveway location. Vehicular driveway access is managed through the primary and secondary street frontages. The order of access is as follows: a. An alley permits unlimited access. b. If no alley exists, one driveway per secondary street frontage is permitted. c. If no other option exists, one driveway may be permitted off the primary street and shared access with abutting properties is encouraged. (12) Signage shall be allowed with the following conditions: a. Pylon signs are prohibited; b. Freestanding monument signs shall utilize the same exterior materials as the principal buildings and shall not interfere with pedestrian, bicycle or automobile circulation and visibility. c. Maximum allowable number, sizes, heights and yards for signs shall be regulated by section 36-362, MX requirements. d. Wall signs of non-residential uses shall only be placed on the ground floor and exterior walls of the occupied tenant lease space, and/or a monument sign. e. Wall signs shall not be included in calculating the aggregate sign area on the lot if they meet the following outlined conditions: i. Non-residential wall signs permitted by this section that do not exceed seven percent of the exterior wall area of the ground floor tenant lease space. ii. The sign is located on the exterior wall of the ground floor tenant lease space from which the seven percent sign area was derived. iii. No individual wall sign shall exceed 100 square feet in area. f. Pedestrian scale signs visible from public sidewalks shall be encouraged. Such signs shall be no more than three feet in vertical dimension unless flush with the building wall. (13) A development agreement is required as part of the development approval and shall address, at a minimum, approved site and building design criteria, approved sign locations and design criteria, construction phasing, density bonus features, cash escrow or letter of credit for construction of on-site and off-site improvements generated by the development, and maintenance. (14) The development shall comply with all other applicable chapter provisions unless specifically modified by subsections (1) through (13) of this section. 1 St. Louis Park Planning Commission 2018 Annual Report The St. Louis Park Planning Commission is a seven member advisory body made up of citizen volunteers appointed by the City Council. The Planning Commission reviews and makes recommendations on Comprehensive Plan amendments, development projects, and zoning studies and amendments. It also holds public hearings where the public can give input to Commission recommendations. Parkway 25 2 2018 Planning Commission Members Carl Robertson, Chair Claudia Johnston-Madison, Vice-Chair Lynne Carper Matt Eckholm Jessica Kraft Lisa Peilen Joe Tatalovich, School Board Representative Alanna Franklin, Youth Member St. Louis Park Community Development Department Staff Karen Barton, Community Development Director Meg McMonigal, Principal Planner Sean Walther, Planning & Zoning Supervisor Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator Jennifer Monson, Planner Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner Nancy Sells, Administrative Secretary Joseph Ayers-Johnson, Community Development Intern 3 Development Activities in St. Louis Park (placeholder for development map) Figure 1 Development Projects in St. Louis Park updated January 2019 4 Projects under Consideration Luxe Residential Location: 5235 Wayzata Blvd. Description: DLC Residential has applied for a planned unit development (PUD) application for a new six-story apartment building in the West End, at the current Olive Garden site. The project will include 207 units ranging in size from studio to three-bedrooms and two levels of underground parking. The site will also include a new pocket park along 16th Street and pedestrian improvements connecting the apartment to the rest of the West End. If the project is approved, construction would start Fall 2019 and continue through 2021. Developer: Robinson Zamorano, DLC Residential Beltline Boulevard Station Site Location: 4601 and 4725 Hwy. 7 and 3130 Monterey Ave. S. Description: On Feb. 5, 2018 the St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority (EDA) entered into an agreement with Sherman Development Associates LLC to develop a mixed-use, transit-oriented development at the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) Beltline Boulevard Station Site. Developer: Sherman Development Assocaites LLC Approved Projects Westwood Hills Nature Center Location: 8300 W. Franklin Ave. Description: In the late 1950s, the city had the foresight to acquire 160 acres of open space that is now the much-treasured Westwood Hills Nature Center, located south of I-394 and east of Highway 169 just minutes from downtown. The center allows visitors of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and connect with nature through a variety of programming. However, the aging interpretive center no longer meets the needs of visitors. Programming, staff operations and public needs have outgrown its small spaces, and it’s difficult for more than one programming activity to take place at any one time. The remote location of the interpretive center – removed from the parking lot and at the top an uphill walk – presents challenges to visitors with disabilities, parents with small children and others. Providing more space and making the center accessible to the parking lot will allow 5 a wider audience to enjoy the nature center for a variety of activities from passive to active. The existence of the nature center, as well as construction of a new interpretive center, allows the city to showcase its leadership in environmental stewardship. The proposed project will connect people to nature through the site and building design, while also exhibiting innovative energy-saving measures. Those measures will provide a teaching tool for residents as well as providing long-term maintenance savings to the city. Tree removal on the site has taken place, and construction of the new interpretive center will begin in spring 2019. Urban Park Apartments Location: 3601 Phillips Pkwy. Description: The city council approved an application for construction of a second apartment building at Urban Park Apartments. The new building would have 61 market rate apartments, two community rooms and a fitness center. The site would also include a pool and improved outdoor amenity space as part of the project. Construction will start in spring 2019, and is expected to last a year. Developer: KaasWilson Architects Bridgewater Bank Location: 4424 and 4400 Excelsior Blvd. & 3743 Monterey Drive Description: Bridgewater Bank has approvals to construct a four- story, 84,000-square-foot office building with a 7,000-square-foot bank branch, 7,000 square feet of retail and service space and three levels of structured parking. The first floor will include Bridgewater Bank's customer branch and retail space. The second, third and fourth floors will include the bank's executive offices and opportunities for co-working entrepreneurial space. There are also plans for a plaza at the corner of Excelsior Boulevard and Monterey Drive with outdoor seating, space for public art and landscaping. Construction will continue till January 2020. Developer: Bridgewater Bank Park Village Location: 5400 Excelsior Blvd. (former Mann Theater) Description: The city has received an application for an amendment to a planned unit development (PUD) to renovate the Mann Theater building. The application proposes medical office use on the entire 6 first floor of the existing Mann Theater building, and proposes to keep the second floor vacant in the near term. A future phase may include renovating the second floor; while the future uses are unknown at this time, it may be some form of medical office. The major amendment process includes rezoning the property from C-2 General Commercial to PUD and a zoning code text amendment. This application requires a public hearing at the planning commission and city council approval of an ordinance. Renovations have begun on the building and will be complete in 2019. Developer: Tower Light LLC Bais Yaakov Girls’ High School Location: 4503 and 4509 Minnetonka Blvd. Description: The City of St. Louis Park has approved an application for a conditional use permit and variance for Bais Yaakov Girls High School. The school will be located at 4503 and 4509 Minnetonka Blvd., in the RC high-density, multiple-family zoning district. Educational facilities with more than 20 students are allowed in the RC district by conditional use permit. The school is requesting a variance of five feet to reduce the front setback from 30 feet to 24.8 feet. This will bring the existing building in compliance with the zoning ordinance. The school proposes adding a third story and new lobby to the existing building, as well as a student drop-off area in the parking lot. Construction will be complete in 2019. Developer: Anthony Construction Platia Place Location: 9808 and 9920 Wayzata Blvd Description: The proposed development at the former Santorini’s restaurant site includes a 149 unit apartment building and a 6-story, 112-room hotel at the northwest corner of I-394 and MN 169. Final approval of the plat and PUD are anticipated in early 2018. The developer expects to close on all project parcels in Summer 2019 and begin construction soon after. Developer: SLP Park Ventures, LLC Via Location: SE quadrant of Hwy 7 and Wooddale Ave 7 Description: PLACE, a non-profit developer, has approved plans to construct a mixed-use, mixed-income transit-oriented redevelopment at the southeast quadrant of Highway 7 & Wooddale Ave called Via. The plans include 299 apartment units, a 110-room hotel, a coffee shop, cafe, a bike shop, a makers space, a co-working space, e-generation and greenhouse and approximately 1-acre urban forest. The development will be split between the north and south sides of the planned SWLRT Wooddale Station. The proposed development incorporates a mix of renewable energy sources, including an anaerobic digester, a wind turbine and solar panels, which will provide 90% of the heat and power for the development. The entire development is designed to achieve LEED certification. Demolition of the former McGarvey building was complete in November 2017. Remediation on the north site began in January 2019, and construction will start soon after. Construction on the south site is anticipated to start in summer 2019. Developer: PLACE Millennium at West End Apartments Location: 5245 Wayzata Blvd. Description: The former Chili’s restaurant has been replaced with a six-story, urban-influenced apartment building. The $30 million development includes 158 upscale apartment units and two levels of underground structured parking. Amenities include terraces with a pool, trellises, outdoor pocket park, dog walking area, raised vegetable garden beds, gas grills, fire pit, seating areas and a top floor community room offering views of downtown Minneapolis. The building opened October 2015. Developer: DLC Residential LLC The Elmwood Location: 5605 W 36th St Description: 36th Street LLC, the owner of the 36th Street Business Center/American Legion at 5606 W. 36th Street, has approved plans for a 5 story, 70 unit mixed-use development called The Elmwood. The building will be marketed toward residents aged 55+ who lead active lifestyles. The development will be located on a 1 acre parcel at the southeast corner of Xenwood Avenue and 36th Street West. The Elmwood consists of market rate and affordable apartments, and approximately 4,400 square feet of leasable office/commercial space. The development includes on-street, surface, and underground parking and 1/4 acre of outdoor amenity space. The building is expected to open summer 2020. Developer: 36th Street LLC 8 Parkway 25 Location: 4001 County Road 25 and 4025 Highway 7 Description: Sela Group recently acquired the former Vescio Restaurant and Valu Stay Inn sites at 4001 County Road 25 and 4025 Highway 7 respectively. Plans have been approved to redevelop the properties with a five-story, mixed-use building. The redevelopment consists of 112 luxury apartment units and 12,000 sq ft of ground floor commercial space on a combined 1.57 acre parcel. The project includes surface and underground parking and outdoor amenity space. The building opened in late 2018. Developer: Paz Sela, Sela Investments Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Location: 9960 Wayzata Blvd. Description: A Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is being constructed on the north side of the existing Marriott hotel in the Shelard Park area. The hotel will be six stories with 142 rooms. The two hotels will have a pedestrian connection allowing customers to have full access to amenities offered at each hotel. The hotel opened January 2018. Developer: CSM Corporation Central Park West (The West End final phases) Location: I-394 and Highway 100 Description: Five more buildings are proposed for construction at The West End at I-394 and Highway 100. The phases include two 6- story multiple-family residential buildings, a 6-story limited service hotel, two 11-story office buildings, a 2,534-stall parking ramp, and a central civic space featuring public art. At full build-out, the multi- phase development proposes 363 residential units with 11 affordable units, 126 hotel rooms, and 706,706 sq ft of class A office space. Phases include:  Phase 1-Central Park West Apartments: 199 units (complete end of 2017)  Phase III-AC Hotel by Marriott: 150 rooms (complete 2018).  Phase IV-10 West End: 335,710 sq ft (coming soon).  Phase II-Future Multi-family residential building: 164 units  Phase V-Future office: 335,710 sq ft Developer: DLC Residential 9 Central Park West Apartments (Phase I of Central Park West) Location: West End Description: As a part of the final phase of West End, DLC Residential is currently constructing a 199-unit luxury apartment building with underground and surface parking. The apartment building will be adjacent to a large public gathering (civic) space for both active and passive recreation. The building opened the end of 2017. Developer: DLC Residential AC Hotel By Marriott (Phase III of Central Park West) Location: 5075 Wayzata Blvd Description: TPI Hospitality is constructing a 6-story, 126 room AC Hotel by Marriott in the West End area. It is Phase III of the Central Park West redevelopment and is located on the border of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley. The hotel will have a rooftop amenity space as well as a small bar and restaurant. Construction began in spring 2017 and the building opened in January 2018. Developer: TPI Hospitality 10 West End (Phase IV of Central Park West) Location: 1601 Utica Avenue S Description: The Excelsior Group and Ryan Companies have approved plans for an 11-story, 335,710 sq ft Class A office building within The West End area. The building is Phase IV of the Central Park West and will include the building and one half of a planned parking structure, providing 1,200 stalls. Key features include approximately 5,000 sq ft of shared outdoor amenity space, 3,500 sq ft of covered retail at ground level, a fitness facility, public locker rooms, and an indoor bike room that can be accessed from the linear civic space. The design of the building incorporates mostly Class I materials and provides a modern take on the durability of a brick warehouse building. Construction is expected to commence once sufficient pre-leasing commitments have been secured. Developer: The Excelsior Group and Ryan Companies 10 4800Excelsior Location: 4760 and 4900 Excelsior Boulevard Description: Weidner Apartment Homes is constructing a six-story mixed-use development immediately west of the landmark Excelsior & Grand called 4800Excelsior. The development will contain 164 apartment units (146 market-rate and 18 affordable units at 60% of the area median income) and 28,228 sq ft of ground floor commercial space leased to Fresh Thyme grocery and liquor store. Lisa Elias of Elias Metal Studio was commissioned to create a sculptural wall relief and bike racks on the south side of the 4800Excelsior building. This work was installed at the end of 2017. Construction began in the summer of 2016. Fresh Thyme grocery store opened in November 2017 and the rest of the building opened by the end of 2017. Developer: Weidner Apartment Homes Lincoln Car Dealership Location: 6475 Wayzata Boulevard Description: NLD 394 LLC is redeveloping a 2.7 acre parcel at the former site of Woodfire Grill and Bennigan’s Restaurants along the south side of Wayzata Blvd. The developer plans to construct a new 26,471 square feet auto dealership building, parking lot, new landscaping, and an underground storm water management system. Demolition began early 2017 and the store opened in early 2018. Developer: NLD 394 LLC The Shoreham Location: 3907 Highway 7 Description: Bader Development redeveloped a 2.23-acre block at the southwest corner of County Highway 25 and France Avenue. The $45 million mixed-use project called The Shoreham includes a 5-story building with 148 apartments (including 30 affordable units) and 20,000 square feet of commercial office space. The project resulted in the retention of one local business, the attraction of a new medical clinic, and the creation of over 50 new jobs. The building opened in May 2017. Developer: Bader Development 11 Zoning Amendments Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Ordinance City staff are developing zoning requirements for electric vehicle charging stations in new developments. The intent is to facilitate and encourage the use of electric vehicles and to expedite the establishment of a convenient, cost-effective electric vehicle infrastructure. The ordinance will establish definitions, permitted locations, required number of spaces, design standards, and maintenance obligations. Planning commission recommended approval of the ordinance in December 2018, and staff will bring the ordinance before council for approval in early 2019. Architectural Materials for Greenhouses In 2017 there was an increased interest by community members and developers to provide opportunities for food growing facilities in St. Louis Park. The city council approved a food producing greenhouse as part of the PLACE Planned Unit Development, and received interest and a presentation from a local non-profit advocating for increased access to local, fresh food. In February 2018 planning commission approved a zoning code amendment to allow high impact, non-yellowing, double-skinned acrylic products to be used for accessory greenhouses. Accessory Uses in Industrial Districts The Community Development department proposed a zoning amendment to allow taprooms and accessory uses in the industrial districts in a similar manner as the Business Park zoning district. The amendment includes several conditions designed to reduce and eliminate potential impacts the outdoor seating may have on residential properties in close proximity to the business. Staff found the impacts of the proposed amendment are minimal city wide. Educational Facilities in the R-4 Zoning District Yeshiva of Minneapolis requested a zoning code amendment to allow dormitories as part of educational facilities in the R-4 district. The city approved a similar amendment to the R-3 two-family residence zoning district in 2013 following an application from Yeshiva of Minneapolis, which limited the number of students to 50. This student maximum met the needs of the Yeshiva until now. The Yeshiva also applied for an addition to the school to be completed for the 2019-20 school year. The proposed addition includes student housing for up to 200 students. Living arrangements for 200 students is consistent with apartment developments allowed in the R-4 multiple-family residence zoning district. Ground Floor Area Ratio in the R-3 Zoning District The ground floor area is defined in the city code as the lot area covered by a building measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls but excluding decks and terraces and detached garages which do not exceed 15 feet in height. The 0.25 ground floor area ratio for the two-family district dates back to the 1959 city code, and has remained unchanged since. City records do not indicate why 0.25 was decided upon. 12 The 1959 city code had a 0.3 ground floor area ratio for single-family homes. The 0.3 ground floor area ratio was increased to 0.35 in 2006 in response to the move-up in the park initiative for single-family homes located in the R-1 and R-2 single-family residence districts. This amendment allows single-family and two-family residences located in the R-3 district to have the same ground floor area ratio as allowed in the R-1 and R-2 districts. Mixed Use Zoning District Revision Historically, the City of St. Louis Park rezoned properties to M-X Mixed Use Zoning District and applied a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Permit to allow for mixed-use buildings. In 2015, the City of St. Louis Park adopted a specific PUD zoning district, reducing the effectiveness and usefulness of the existing M-X District. As of today, there are no undeveloped (or underdeveloped) parcels zoned for mixed-use, so a rezoning would be required. In August 2017 staff kicked off the process to update the existing M-X District to provide a zoning district that allows a citywide standard for mixed-use developments that are site and context sensitive. Over several study sessions in fall 2017, staff presented options to the Planning Commission for determining building orientation, building height, transitions between residential districts building setbacks, bonuses, building articulation standards, façade details, and screening options. Throughout 2018 staff presented additional M-X District code options for the commission’s consideration, with the expectation of bringing a revised M-X zoning district for planning commission approval in the first quarter of 2019. Small Cell Wireless Ordinance On May 30, 2017, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill amending the state’s Telecommunications Right- of-Way User Law. This law restricts the city’s ability to control installation of small cell wireless technology in public right-of-way. Under the new law, cities may continue to require a permit to install small wireless facilities, however, the law significantly limits the city’s ability to deny the proposed installations. Staff presented a draft ordinance to planning commission in December 2017. The zoning amendment clarifies existing regulations, and creates additional regulations intended to further define where installations can be installed, expand on co-location requirements, and create additional design criteria. Staff will continue to work with other departments and city attorneys to refine the ordinance and anticipate bringing a complete ordinance to planning commission for recommendation of approval in early 2019. Architectural Design City staff are developing revisions to the architectural design standards in the zoning ordinance, and evaluating the effectiveness of the ordinance. This amendment will update building materials, design criteria, and screening requirements. Staff will assemble panel of design professionals to review these standards, and present the revised zoning ordinance to planning commission in 2019. 13 Applications Reviewed in 2018 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 1 1 1 758 1 6 7 6 7 4 4 4 2 10 1 5 2 1 1 4 2 1 6 3 6 5 1 6 2 3 3 3 1 4 2 6 3 6 5 APPLICATIONS REVIEWED Comprehensive Plan Amendments Conditional Use Permits Planned Unit Developments Rezoning Subdivisions/Plats Variances Zoning Code Amendments 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2 1 1 1 7 1 1 2 5 8 1 6 7 6 7 9 7 1344 4 2 10 1 5 8 6 3 2 1 1 4 2 2 1 1 6 3 6 5 1 6 4 3 3 2 3 3 3 1 2 2 44 2 6 3 6 5 6 2 5 APPLICATIONS REVIEWED Comprehensive Plan Amendments Conditional Use Permits Planned Unit Developments Rezoning Subdivisions/Plats Variances Zoning Code Amendments 14 2019 Work Plan 1. Review Development Applications a. Beltline Redevelopment b. 31st Street c. Xchange Building d. 2500 France Avenue subdivision e. 9258 Club Road f. Beacon Interfaith Collaborative g. Best Cleaners h. Holy Family School addition i. Perspectives j. Union Congregational Church 2. Comprehensive Plan Process a. Rezoning based on land use changes i. Targeted commercial nodes to require mixed uses ii. Small commercial sites abutting residential from General Commercial to Neighborhood Commercial iii. Under-performing commercial nodes to medium or high density residential iv. Targeted commercial nodes from general commercial to office 3. Long Range Planning Activities a. Texa-Tonka Neighborhood Commercial Node small area plan b. Historic Walker-Lake revitalization plan c. Neighborhood Commercial Nodes study for new mixed use areas d. Park Commons Plan Update (Park Commons West) e. Food Access Study f. CSAH 25 Feasibility Plan 4. Zoning Items a. Adopt revised Mixed-Use zoning district requirements b. Adopt revised retail/service size requirements c. Adopt ground floor window transparency requirements d. Adopt the small cell wireless facilities ordinance e. Review architectural materials requirements and adopt ordinance revisions f. Review accessory dwelling unit requirements and adopt ordinance revisions g. Review the draft Form-Based Code and work toward formal adoption h. Review a new transitional industrial zoning district and work toward formal adoption i. Review other zoning ordinance amendments and updates 15 Appendix A: Full List of Applications Conditional Use Permit/Variance – Bais Yaakov Girls High School Location: 4503 and 4509 Minnetonka Boulevard Applicant: Anthony Construction Case No.: 17-30-CUP, 17-31-VAR Zoning Code Amendment – Greenhouse architectural materials Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 18-01-ZA Conditional Use Permit – Aquila Park girls’ softball fields Location: Aquila Park Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 18-02-CUP Conditional Use Permit for building addition – Lifetime Fitness building addition Location: 5525 Cedar Lake Road Applicant: Lifetime Fitness Case No.: 18-04-CUP Major Amendment to PUD – Park Village Location: 5400 Excelsior Blvd. Applicant: Tower Place LLC Case No.: 18-09-PUD Preliminary/Final Plat & PUD - Bridgewater Bank Corporate Headquarters Location: 4424 and 4400 Excelsior Blvd., 3743 Monterey Drive Applicant: Bridgewater Bank Case Nos.: 18-07-S, 18-08-PUD Conditional Use Permit – French American School of Minneapolis Location: 2220, 2211 and 2221 Florida Avenue South Applicant: French American School of Mpls. Case No.: 18-15-CUP Preliminary Plat – Louisiana Alignment Second Addition Location: 7180 and 7200 Lake Street W. Applicant: Crown Castle Case No.: 18-20-S Conditional Use Permit – Light of the World Church Location: 6713 and 6719 Cedar Lake Road 16 Applicant: Light of the World Church Case Nos.: 18-21-CUP Zoning code amendment – Accessory uses in industrial districts Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 18-27-ZA Conditional Use Permit – Spanish Immersion School Applicant: St. Louis Park School District No. 283 Location: 9400 Cedar Lake Road Case No.: 18-30-CUP Conditional Use Permit – Wat Prom Buddhist Temple parking lot Applicant: Wat Prom Buddhist Temple Location: 2544 Highway 100 S. Case No.: 18-32- CUP Conditional Use Permit/Variances – Urban Park Apartments Applicant: North Shore Development Partners Location: 3601 Phillips Parkway Case Nos.: 18-33-CUP, 18-34-VAR, 18-35-VAR, 18-36-VAR, 18-37-VAR, 18-38-VAR Conditional Use Permit – Westwood Hills Nature Center Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Location: 8300 Franklin Avenue Case No.: 18-31-CUP Zoning ordinance amendment – educational facilities in the R-4 zoning district Applicant: Yeshiva of Minneapolis Case No.: 18-39-ZA Conditional Use Permit/Variance – St. Louis Park Middle School Applicant: St. Louis Park School District Location: 2025 Texas Ave. S. Case Nos.: 18-40-CUP and 18-41-VAR Conditional Use Permit – St. Louis Park High School Applicant: St. Louis Park School District Location: 6425 W. 33rd St. Case Nos.: 18-45-CUP and 18-46-VAR Conditional Use Permit/Variance – The Block Applicant: Craft & Crew, Luke Derheim Location: 7008 Highway 7 17 Case Nos.: 18-49-CUP, 18-50-VAR Rezoning, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, Variances – Yeshiva of Minneapolis Applicant: Yeshiva of Minneapolis Location: 3115 Ottawa Ave. S. Case Nos.: 18-51-Z, 18-52-CP, 18-53-S, 18-54-CUP, 18-55-VAR, 18-56-VAR, 18-57-VAR 18-63- VAR Zoning ordinance amendment – ground floor area ratio in R-3 two-family residence district Applicant: Gene Nicolelli Case No.: 18-65-ZA 2040 Comprehensive Plan Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 17-29-CP Preliminary/Final PUD – Luxe Residential Applicant: Robinson Zamorano Location: 5235 Wayzata Blvd. Case No.: 18-68-PUD Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Electric vehicle supply equipment and outdoor parking lighting requirements Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 18-67-ZA Study Session Reports and Discussions  Bridgewater Bank Development  Neighborhood Planning Workshops  Mixed-Use Zoning District  Council Chambers Safety Training  Monterey Drive Multimodal Study  Bridgewater Traffic Study  Comprehensive Plan Updates  Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Ordinance  Transparency Ordinance  St. Louis Park 2040 Survey Results  Retail and Service Site Requirements  Tour of AC Hotel by Marriott and walking tour of West End  Home Occupations 18 Appendix B: Annual Report Summary The Planning Commission is a seven member advisory group of citizen volunteers appointed by the city council. The 2018 members included Carl Robertson (Chair), Claudia Johnston - Madison (Vice-Chair), Lisa Peilen, Lynne Carper, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Joe Tatalovich (School Board Representative), and Alanna Franklin (Youth Member). Commissioners pride themselves in their thoughtful consideration of applications. Commissioners review detailed staff reports, conduct fair and civil public hearings, discuss complex issues in study sessions, and make sound recommendations in a timely fashion. I. 2018 Goals and Key Initiatives: a. Key Duties: i. Review Comprehensive Plan amendments, development projects, and zoning studies and amendments ii. Hold public hearings and make recommendations to the city council b. 2018 Activities: The commission reviewed 23 applications in 2018, including: i. Developments: Bridgewater Bank, Urban Park Apartments Phase II, Westwood Hills Nature Center, The Block, expansion of Yeshiva of Minneapolis, Luxe Residential ii. Code amendments: greenhouse architectural materials, accessory uses in industrial districts, educational facilities in R-4 zoning district, GFAR in R-3 zoning district, electric vehicle supply equipment iii. 2040 Comprehensive Plan update II. 2019 Goals and Key Initiatives/Activities: a. Review Development Applications i. Hold study sessions and hearings in order to make informed recommendations to city council b. Comprehensive Plan Process i. Rezoning based on land use changes c. Long Range Planning Activities i. Texa-Tonka Neighborhood Commercial Node small area plan ii. Historic Walker-Lake revitalization plan iii. Neighborhood Commercial Nodes study for new mixed use areas iv. Park Commons Plan Update (Park Commons West) v. Food Access Study vi. CSAH 25 Feasibility Plan d. Zoning Code Studies i. Adopt revised Mixed-Use zoning district requirements ii. Adopt revised retail/service size requirements 19 iii. Adopt ground floor window transparency requirements iv. Adopt the small cell wireless facilities ordinance v. Review architectural materials requirements and adopt ordinance revisions vi. Review accessory dwelling unit requirements and adopt ordinance revisions vii. Review the draft Form-Based Code and work toward formal adoption viii. Review a new transitional industrial zoning district and work toward formal adoption ix. Review other zoning ordinance amendments and updates III. Race Equity and Inclusion a. Incorporate racial equity into the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. b. Identify strategies to broaden participation and reduce barriers to public participation. Review notification methods, online opportunities to submit input, and consider when providing translation services, transportation or child care may be warranted. IV. Opportunities for Collaboration a. Conduct joint meetings on updates to specific chapters of the Comprehensive Plan with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and the Environment & Sustainability Commission. b. If commissioner training on variance applications occur, include the Board of Zoning Appeals. Planning Commission Meeting Date: January 16, 2019 Study Session Item x x. Planning Commission Annual Report RECOMMENDED ACTION: Review draft annual report and provide comments. SUMMARY: Every year, planning commission reports the past year’s activities and accomplishments to city council through an annual report and presentation. Staff prepared a draft of the annual report, which includes the following sections: 1. Map and summary of proposed and approved development projects. 2. Descriptions of zoning amendments considered in the past year. 3. Chart showing the number of applications reviewed in the past year. 4. 2019 Work Plan 5. Appendix A: full list of applications reviewed by the planning commission 6. Appendix B: Annual Report Summary NEXT STEPS: Staff will finalize the annual report based on feedback received from the planning commission, and prepare the presentation to be made to the council on February 25, 2019. A representative from the planning commission will make the presentation to the city council. Supporting Documents: 2019 Annual Meeting Instructions Draft Annual Report Prepared by: Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner Reviewed by: Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator 2019 Board and Commission Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Information: When: Monday, February 25, 2019 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Who: All board and commission members are asked to attend, staff liaisons, or alternate, are encouraged to attend Light food and beverages will be served Important dates: Task Who is responsible? Due Date Save the date email Maria will send Jan. 10, 2019 Formal invitations Maria will send Jan. 17, 2019 RSVP list to Debbie Staff Liaisons February 18, 2019 Annual Written Reports Staff Liaisons February 14, 2019 Annual meeting All February 25, 2019 Tentative Schedule 5:30 PM Check-in Light food/refreshments provided Welcome & thank you from Mayor Spano 6:00-6:15 PM Council updates on key city-wide initiatives Strategic Priorities Overview Race Equity Initiative Overview 6:15-7:45 PM B& C Presentations Five (5) minutes for annual report overview Five (5) minutes for questions, comments, and follow-up requests from City Council 7:45 – 8:30 PM Collaboration Mixer Activity 8:30 PM- Adjourn Order of presentations  Police Advisory Commission (6:15-6:25 PM)  Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (6:25-6:35 PM)  Housing Authority (6:35-6:45 PM)  Planning Commission (6:45 – 6:55 PM)  Intermission – (6:55 – 7:05 PM)  Telecommunications Advisory Commission (7:05 – 7:15 PM)  Environment & Sustainability Commission: Sustainable SLP (7:15 -7:25PM)  Human Rights Commission (7:25 – 7:35 PM)  Board of Zoning Appeals (7:35 – 7:45 PM) Written Reports- Due February 14, 2019 Each board and commission needs to prepare a written report for the city council detailing the following: - Activities/initiatives undertaken in the past year - Progress on previous years goals - Goals for the upcoming year - How does the commission’s work align with the strategic priorities Each board and commission must submit an electronic copy of their annual report to their staff liaison. Each report should be formatted, proofed and “ready” to submit to the city council. Submit your report here: O:\CITYWIDE\RECORDSLIBRARY\Boards and Commissions\STAFF LIAISON INFORMATION AND RESOURCES\2019 Annual Report Presentation Instructions Each board or commission will select one (1) representative to present. A maximum of 5 minutes will be allotted for a presentation that should consist of:  Overview of 1-2 goals, activities or initiatives for the upcoming year.  How the commission’s work align with the strategic priorities  Opportunities for collaboration with other groups The remainder of the time will be designated for council questions, comments, and address follow-up requests. Avoid reading the report as the council will review each annual report prior to the meeting. The designated representative should be sufficiently prepared to answer questions on all aspects of the annual report. All reports will be provided to the other commissions in advance of the meeting. Use creativity in the presentation including visuals! Avoid reading from the slides. Make arrangements for your audio or visual needs in advance of the meeting, no later than one week prior. All requests should be submitted to the staff liaison. Workplan Meetings Staff liaisons will work with the city’s board and commissions to draft their work plans. The city council will review the proposed work plans and provide feedback. Staff will schedule a 30 minute meeting with each of the staff liaisons and board/commission chair in the spring. The work plans can be modified to add or deleted items by mutual agreement during a joint work session or by city council approval at a council meeting. The city council can direct a change to any of the board and commissions work plans at their discretion. Annual board and commission recruitment process: Appointments to the eight different boards and commissions occur annually. The application period for the annual appointment process begins January 1, 2019. City staff will advertise and recruit applicants until February 28, 2018. In March the city council will review and evaluate the applications submitted. Candidate interviews will be held late April/early May. Formal appointments will go to the city council for approval at the second regular meeting in May. Terms for newly appointed board/commission members begin on May 31. Proposed annual recruitment schedule: Date Action January – February 1. Advertisement & recruitment activities 2. Application System available online February 28 Application Deadline Week of March 4 Applications provided to Council for review & scoring March 30 Council scores due to Admin Services & selection of candidates for interview April 8-15 Notify candidates of application status and schedule interviews April 29 Candidate interviews at City Hall May 3 Candidate interviews at City Hall May 10 Appointment Recommendations due to Staff May 20 Formal approval of appointments