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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/10/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 3, 2018 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Lisa Peilen, Carl Robertson, Joe Tatalovich, Alanna Franklin (youth member) MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Jacquelyn Kramer, Gary Morrison 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of August 15, 2018 and September 5, 2018 Commissioner Carper said he was listed as unexcused absence in the September 5, 2018 minutes. He stated he thought he had given appropriate notice that he would not be attending. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, said he would check the records. Commissioner Carper made a motion recommending approval of the minutes. Commissioner Peilen seconded the motion, and the minutes of August 15, 2008 and September 5, 2018 were approved on a vote of 7-0. 3. Public Hearings A. St. Louis Park Middle School conditional use permit and variance Applicant: St. Louis Park School District Location: 2025 Texas Ave. S. Case Nos: 18-40-CUP and 18-41-VAR Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. She said the proposal is for building improvements including a new performing arts center and administration addition, along with renovations to the cafeteria, kitchen, media center and science classrooms. She said landscaping and stormwater treatment will be improved on the site, and parking and bus-drop off areas will be updated. Ms. Kramer stated that a variance of nine feet is being requested to increase the maximum allowed height of the building from 31 feet to 40 feet. She reviewed variance findings. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 3, 2018 Page 2 Commissioner Carper asked for more information about the building materials for the parts of the school which would be constructed with additional height. Tom Bravo, Facilities Manager, St. Louis Park School District, described metals and glass which would be used. Chair Robertson opened the public hearing. As no one was present wi shing to speak, he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Peilen made a motion to recommend approval of the conditional use permit and variance with conditions as recommended by staff. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0-1 (Tatalovich abstained). B. St. Louis Park High School conditional use permit Applicant: St. Louis Park School District Location: 6425 W. 33rd St. Case Nos: 18-45-CUP Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. She explained that the request for conditional use permit is for renovations which includes a new weight and fitness room addition, new kitchen and cafeteria addition, office and classroom remodeling, new on-site bus parking, expansions of the existing parking lots, and a new front office entry canopy. Ms. Kramer discussed site circulation and off-street parking. She said the school requires a total of 434 off-street parking spaces based on zoning code. The current site plan includes 366 off-street parking spaces and 48 on-street parking spaces adjacent to the site, for a total of 414 parking spaces. To cover the parking shortfall the applicant has submitted a proof of parking plan to install an additional 27 angled on-street parking spaces along Idaho Avenue to provide for a total of 441 parking spaces. In her discussion about an easement for construction of the angled parking spaces, she noted an error in the staff report. The city council would need to approve removal of current parking limitations along the south side of 33rd Street, not Idaho Avenue as stated in the staff report. Commissioner Peilen asked when additional spots on Idaho might be needed. Tom Bravo, Facilities Manager, St. Louis Park School District, responded they won’t know until project completion in three years. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 3, 2018 Page 3 Commissioner Peilen asked if Idaho Avenue would continue as a two-way street. She asked about snow emergency days. Ms. Kramer said there would be no change to the far side on-street parking on Idaho Avenue. The proposed proof-of-parking would not reduce the drive lanes on Idaho. The proposed parking and relocated sidewalk would extend into the into the school parcel. Mr. Bravo said they would have to work out snow emergency procedures with the city. Commissioner Carper spoke about landscaping and the use of alternative landscaping features, such as athletic fields, to meet requirements. He asked if the athletic fields are available to the public. Mr. Bravo said the fields are available through a permit process. He said he would get back to Commissioner Carper on that process. Chair Robertson said he thought the accessible spaces were located in a pretty remote spot. He suggested adding an accessible space right next to an access aisle both in the southwest and north parking lots. The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Peilen said she supports the request but is concerned about snow emergencies and alternate parking spots. She said she also has safety concerns about the proposed head-in parking on Idaho Avenue. Commissioner Peilen made a motion recommending approval of the conditional use permit with conditions as recommended by staff. Commissioner Kraft seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0-1 (Tatalovich abstained). Official Minutes Planning Commission October 3, 2018 Page 4 C. The Block – conditional use permit with variance Applicant: Craft & Crew, Luke Derheim Location: 7008 Highway 7 Case Nos.: 18-49-CUP and 18-50-VAR Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. The applicant requests a conditional use permit (CUP) to remodel and expand the existing building to operate a restaurant with intoxicating liquor. A variance is also requested to reduce the required parking from 96 spaces to 16. Mr. Morrison explained that during review of the application staff asked the applicant if they would be willing to consider some revisions to the plans to put the patio on Walker Street and the additions to the south off of Highway 7. The applicant determined those changes would be acceptable. Mr. Morrison discussed parking. He discussed the available on-street parking. The most convenient parking is located on the west side industrial area. He said there are three municipal parking lots in the area. There are about 351 on-street parking spaces in the area and about 199 spots in the municipal lots. He spoke about previous and current studies of the historic Walker Lake area. He mentioned the potential of separate parking restrictions or regulations in some form. He said a parking district might reduce the parking requirements for commercial activities in the Walker Lake area. Mr. Morrison stated the applicant is also exploring a valet parking option to better utilize the Gorham lot if needed in the future. Commissioner Carper said one accessible space adjacent to the restaurant seems insufficient. He said he wants to understand what is available on the street for loading and unloading, valet parking and accessible parking. He asked if the site will have an electric vehicle charging station. Mr. Morrison said the layout was reviewed by the Inspections Dep artment and they did not raise the question of deficient number of accessible spaces. He said he would ask them to re-look at that. There are no accessible spaces proposed on the street. He spoke about the bike lane on the street which may limit loading along Walker Street. He said an electrical vehicle charging station was brought up at the neighborhood meeting and the applicant is considering it. Commissioner Carper asked if the city would consider putting in signage adjacent to the entrance for both loading zone only and accessible parking only. He said Official Minutes Planning Commission October 3, 2018 Page 5 some owners of handicap vehicles might not be comfortable with a valet operating their vehicle. Luke Derheim, applicant, spoke about deliveries. The restaurant will open at 11 a.m. weekdays and deliveries will be early morning. He said they are trying to figure out the best spot for valet services. Commissioner Carper said the accessible parking is inadequate. He asked if more spaces could be reserved within the 16 spaces on site. Mr. Derheim said they could look at that. He remarked that their Minneapolis restaurant has about the same capacity with two accessible stalls and that see ms to be a good number for that location. Regarding loading and unloading, Commissioner Carper clarified that he wasn’t referring to supplies and products. He was asking about a drop-off area where people could get out for access to restaurant rather than using valet. He asked about the city marking accessible spaces right on Walker Street. He asked if valet service would be free or charged. David Benowitz, applicant, said they haven’t discussed pricing for valet but they do want to keep it as reasonable as possible. Chair Robertson opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak he closed the public hearing. The Chair said he was a little uncomfortable with the parking but said staff may have a better feel for what is going on in the neighborhood. He remarked if parking becomes difficult the business will suffer. If the neighborhood has parking complaints staff will hear about it. He said there will be an overlap between industrial businesses and happy hour customers competing for parking. He said accessible parking should be based on required spaces before applying the variance. The Chair said he wasn’t comfortable with accessible spaces on the street. He said he supports the applications and thinks it is a great business venture. He said the area could use an establishment like this. Commissioner Johnston-Madison said she’s glad for the restaurant but she is very bothered about the parking. She said she doesn’t see the on-street parking working, especially during the snowy winter months. It’s dangerous for walking. She said she’s not in favor of the project because of a parking shortage. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 3, 2018 Page 6 Chair Robertson stated that part of the parking demand is related to the rooftop feature which wouldn’t be active in the winter months. Commissioner Peilen said she shared concerns about parking. She said the accessible spots should be in the lot. She said she supported the idea of a drop- off point for customers. She spoke about the parking in her neighborhood for the very popular YUM restaurant at Minnetonka Boulevard and Glenhurst Avenue. She said though parking is limited to small parking lots and on-street parking, it does work. She stated she has seen in her own neighborhood that it does work and she would support The Block project. Commissioner Eckholm said he agreed with the points about accessible spaces and a customer drop-off zone. He said he supports the project. He spoke about on-street parking in another neighborhood where customers are willing to walk from on-street parking to a neighborhood institution. He spoke about the need for activity in this section of town. He said the question is do you want an historic district that maintains character or do you want lots of parking? Commissioner Carper said he would support the project and he looks forward to a restaurant in this area. He said hopes the developer will act on the concerns mentioned. He said he recommended that valet parking might be complimentary for handicapped customers who park at the far lot. Commissioner Carper made a motion recommending approval of the conditional use permit and variance with conditions as recommended by staff. Commission Eckholm seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-1 (Johnston-Madison opposed). 4. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. STUDY SESSION 1. Communications Mr. Walther asked commissioners about their availability to meet on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 21. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 3, 2018 Page 7 2. Discussion upcoming applications Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, spoke about firearm sales and home occupations. He provided some background for commissioners who did not attend the public hearing on September 5, 2018. He distributed an information summary of a recent case regarding a City of Minneapolis ordinance which restricted where firearm sales can be located. He said St. Louis Park is able to regulate this and this is a local policy question. He spoke about retail sales and how that can be defined. He said he is continuing to look for examples and guidance on how the city might address this. Commissioner Peilen commented about the need to flesh out language in the clause in the current ordinance about the sales of goods manufactured outside the home. Something is needed to provide guidelines. Chair Robertson said he agreed and said he didn‘t think reading it literally is what the city wants to do. Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, said he doesn’t hear complaints about home sales of make-up or clothing. He said he does receive complaints when sales are regularly occurring at a residence. The subject is generated on a complaint basis or in conversations with a new business seeking guidance. It was suggested that non-transference of goods on premise might be included in a definition of what is allowed. Mr. Walther shared ordinances from Stillwater and Roseville. Other resources discuss transfer of goods, dispatching and employees coming in to the site. The Chair said he continued to ask why the ordinance might be necessary. He asked why one product would be singled out. He said it’s necessary to explain why. Commissioner Tatalovich spoke about threshold of activity and specifying what makes a business more disruptive or conspicuous. Mr. Walther asked commissioners to direct additional questions and issues to him prior to the Planning Commission’s next consideration of the zoning ordinance amendment to help staff prepare for the meeting. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 3, 2018 Page 8 Mr. Morrison discussed the upcoming applications of Yeshiva of Minneapolis for expansion of the existing school and dorms. The public hearing will be held on October 17. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary