HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/04/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
APRIL 18, 2018 — 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston -Madison, Torrey Kanne,
Lisa Peilen, Richard Person, Carl Robertson,
Joe Tatalovich
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Jacquelyn Kramer, Meg McMonigal, Jay Hall,
Mark Hanson, Phillip Elkin
OTHERS PRESENT: Nancy Zeigler, AE2S
1. Call to Order — Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of March 7, 2018 and March 21, 2018
Commissioner Carper made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner
Person seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
Commissioner Johnston -Madison arrived at 6:05 p.m.
3. Public Hearings
A. Park Village Amendment to Planned Unit Development
Location: 5400 Excelsior Blvd.
Applicant: Tower Place LLC
Case No.: 18 -09 -PUD
Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. She explained
the amendment is requested to renovate the Mann Theater building. The proposal
is for medical office use on the entire first floor of the building. The second floor
will be kept vacant in the near term, with possible medical office use in the future.
Ms. Kramer provided background on the Planned Unit Development. She
reviewed zoning compliance, parking, traffic and signage for the application.
She noted that a neighborhood meeting was held on April 3. No residents
attended the meeting.
Commissioner Peilen asked if the Mann Theater was closing regardless of the
application.
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Planning Commission
April 18, 2018
Page 2
The applicant Ross Hedlund, Frauenshuh Companies, said Mann Theater is
closing May 20, 2018, regardless of the proposal.
Commissioner Peilen said she understood Chipotle is moving to the Granite City
site, McDonald's stays where it is and Bruegger's Bagels is closing and may be
looking for a new location.
Mr. Hedlund said Bruegger's Bagels was closing and he did not think it would be
relocated. He added that Caribou Coffee and Boston Market will remain in the
same location. Chipotle will move to the western half of the Granite City
building. Health Partners Delta will be going to the eastern 2/3rds of the former
Granite City building.
Commissioner Peilen asked about the condition of the current parking lot.
Mr. Hedlund responded that the asphalt is pretty worn and they do plan to refresh
it. He said the lot is 25 years old.
Commissioner Tatalovich asked about parking that would be required for the
second floor development.
Ms. Kramer stated that parking for the second floor does not need to be provided
with the current application. She said proof of parking was asked for to make
sure it could be added to the site when needed.
Chair Robertson asked if there is a potential use for the second floor that would
intensify the parking requirement.
Ms. Kramer responded that the most likely use would be medical office. She
explained how the second floor is a hard space to renovate.
Mr. Hedlund said he believes the second floor would be for medical office.
Commissioner Johnston -Madison asked what kind of a clinic would be located at
the first floor site.
Mr. Hedlund said it would be a specialty clinic for urology and a specialty clinic
for plastic surgery.
Chair Robertson opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to
speak he closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Peilen made a motion recommending rescinding Resolution 11-
132 and recommending approval of a major amendment to the Planned Unit
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Planning Commission
April 18, 2018
Page 3
Development subject to staff conditions. Commissioner Johnston -Madison
seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
4. Other Business: None
5. Communications
Ms. McMonigal, Principal Planner, said that May 30 is being held as an additional
date for a Planning Commission study session on Comprehensive Plan if needed.
Ms. McMonigal noted the upcoming Climate Action Plan Launch Party on April
22.
Commissioner Carper stated that the Lenox Foundation, which supports the St.
Louis Park senior program, is having a fund raiser on April 24 to be held at
Parkway Pizza.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
STUDY SESSION
The study session began at 6:30 p.m.
1. Comprehensive Plan — Water Resources Discussion
Ms. McMonigal said the intent of the presentation is to give a general familiarity with the
systems. No policy or procedure changes are being suggested but perhaps refinement
and advancement of what is being done. She introduced Nancy Zeigler of AE2S, Water
Supply Plan consultant.
Jay Hall, Utilities Superintendent; Mark Hanson, Public Works Superintendent; and
Phillip Elkin, Sr. Engineering Project Manager; introduced themselves.
Ms. Zeigler spoke about her background as a water engineer working with municipalities.
Ms. Zeigler provided an overview of St. Louis Park's water system planning. She also
noted the DNR's water supply plan in the Appendix of the comprehensive plan which is a
detailed template the city completes.
Chair Robertson asked about the bigger and larger commercial/industrial users.
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Planning Commission
April 18, 2018
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Ms. Zeigler said there is a list of the top 10 users in the Appendix document. She said
Methodist Hospital is the biggest user.
Commissioner Peilen asked about the source of the drinking water.
Ms. Zeigler responded that it comes from deep wells, approximately 450 600 feet deep.
Commissioner Person asked what the trend is cost per unit to the user.
Mr. Hall said it is $1.73 per unit/Tier One. There are three tiers.
Mr. Hall said the cost has been going up slightly. The cost structure is currently being
evaluated. He said the city recently instituted an aggressive watermain replacement
program which follows a national trend on replacing aging infrastructure.
Commissioner Peilen asked what happens to the well capacity at 2040.
Ms. Zeigler responded there would still be capacity at 2040 and all systems can be
expanded.
Commissioner Johnston Madison asked the age of existing wells.
Mr. Hanson responded they were installed 50 — 75 years ago. He explained that the
operating equipment and lining of the wells is rehabbed every seven years.
In response to a question about aquifers, Mr. Hanson said aquifers are managed by the
DNR from an entire metro area perspective.
There was a discussion about timed sprinkling restrictions in place which have helped
conserve water.
There was a discussion about recent meter replacement and upgraded household
appliances which have also helped water conservation.
Ms. Zeigler discussed the sanitary sewer plan.
Ms. McMonigal explained that the major regional sewer system is operated and
maintained by the Met Council.
Ms. Zeigler discussed the city-wide sanitary sewer network.
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Planning Commission
April 18, 2018
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Mr. Hall and Mr. Hanson discussed Inflow and Infiltration (I & I) and corrective actions
the city takes to meet goals established by the Met Council.
Phillip Elkin, Sr. Engineering Project Manager, provided an overview of the Surface
Water Management Plan (SWMP).
Commissioners asked about water quality in St. Louis Park lakes.
Mr. Elkin responded that depends on the location of the lake. He provided historical
background on the city wetlands. Mr. Elkin said the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District and perhaps the Met Council do a health report on each of the lakes. He
commented that they aren't swimmable and are mostly stormwater treatment. He
provided background on Bass Lake and Twin Lakes.
Mr. Elkin spoke about floodplain maps and revisions.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sells
Recording Secretary