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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/10/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA October 17, 2018 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Lisa Peilen, Carl Robertson, Joe Tatalovich MEMBERS ABSENT: Alanna Franklin (unexcused) STAFF PRESENT: Gary Morrison, Sean Walther, Jennifer Monson 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes: None 3. Public Hearings A. Expansion of existing school and dorms 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 Gary Morrison, assistant zoning administrator, presented the staff report. The applicant proposes an expansion of their facilities to add a gymnasium, dorm rooms, classrooms and office space. He explained the proposed improvements require several zoning approvals, including conditional use permit amendment, comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning to the R-4 zoning district, lot combination and variances to the rear and side setbacks, ground floor area and floor area ratio. Mr. Morrison discussed landscaping, parking counts and the lighting plan. Mr. Morrison reviewed the comprehensive plan amendment and the rezoning from R-3 two family residence to R-4 multiple family residence. Mr. Morrison discussed the conditional use permit criteria for a school with student housing. Mr. Morrison provided analysis of the four variance requests. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 17, 2018 Page 2 Chair Robertson asked if there was any discussion on including the parking lot across Natchez Ave. in the zoning and guiding change. Mr. Morrison said the intent is to keep the R-4 district contained within the Yeshiva block and keep the east side of Natchez Ave S as R-3. Additionally, part of the purpose of the conditional use permit is that it does legally tie the three properties together. Commissioner Carper spoke about condition no. 8 which states the resident supervisor’s car must be parked overnight in a garage. He asked about access to the garage from the street. He noted the garage will also be occupied by bicycles. Mr. Morrison responded that condition is actually a carry-over from the original approval. He explained the applicant has requested removing that condition and have the supervisor’s car parked in the back portion of the building out of sight and then the garage can be used for bicycle storage. He stated that staff is requesting items 7 and 8 be removed as conditions. Chair Robertson asked since all parking spaces on the north area are accessible parking spaces is it appropriate to designate one of these for the overnight parking. Mr. Morrison said there is space along the east side of the parking row for additional parking. Commissioner Kraft asked if there is a requirement for the parking lot parcel to have a fence or some other type of barrier between the parking lot and home. Mr. Morrison responded that the city could ask that a fence be constructed on the north side. Chair Robertson asked if landscaping would be heavy enough to provide a kind of barrier. Mr. Morrison said the code would require landscaping and a fence next to residential. The applicant, Rabbi Shlomo Kutoff, stated the neighbor actually uses the parking lot. He said there is a slight stone wall b etween his property and the parking lot. A fence might hinder parking. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 17, 2018 Page 3 Commissioner Carper asked about access to the existing garage. Mr. Morrison responded that the handicap parking access aisle also serves as access to the garage. The intent of the garage is for more isolated storage, not vehicle parking. The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Peilen commented that she lives fairly close to the site and drives by regularly. She stated it’s a good project and improves the physical attractiveness of the whole site. She made a motion to recommend approval of the comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, conditional use permit amendment and variances, including conditions recommended by staff except for conditions 7 and 8. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 7-0. 4. Other Business: None 5. Communications: None 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. STUDY SESSION 1. Retail and Service Size Requirements Gary Morrison, assistant zoning administrator, provided background on earlier discussions. He discussed the option of rezoning some properties from C -2 General Commercial to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial. Commissioner Peilen said she didn’t see how the city could promote smaller businesses if it micro-manages their size. Official Minutes Planning Commission October 17, 2018 Page 4 Summary sheets were distributed indicating areas where C-2 could be considered. Areas discussed included Minnetonka Blvd. east, Louisiana and Cedar Lake Rd., Excelsior Blvd./Monterey to Huntington, Excelsior Blvd./Alabama to Quentin, Knollwood area south side of Hwy. 7, TexaTonka (excluding the mall), and the Walker Lake historic area. Mr. Walther, planning and zoning supervisor, said a text amendment will come before the commission soon. 2. Mixed Use Zoning District Concept Review Jennifer Monson, planner, said staff desires the commission’s feedback on the proposed uses and density bonus options for the mixed-use zoning ordinance. She reviewed the four proposed uses and use regulations for the MX district. There was a lengthy discussion about the proposed requirement that service space can be located on the ground floor only. Staff agreed to refine conditions for service facilities, 8,000 square feet or larger. Staff agreed to refine the communication antennas section. 3. Transparency Requirements Ms. Monson discussed Council’s desire to look at transparency requirements for commercial buildings in general and as part of the MX district. She spoke about proposed requirements which would require ground floor window transparency for all street facing facades at the front of the building. This would include C1 and C2 districts as well as retail service and restaurants in the Office and BP districts. There was a lengthy discussion about wrap around transparency for secondary streets. There was discussion about active permitted uses being maintained for a minimum depth of 15 feet as being too onerous for businesses. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary Official Minutes Planning Commission October 17, 2018 Page 5