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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/06/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JUNE 20, 2018 — 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Claudia Johnston -Madison, Lisa Peilen, Carl Robertson MEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Tatalovich STAFF PRESENT: Gary Morrison, Greg Hunt 2 Call to Order— Roll Call Approval of Minutes of May 16, 2018 and May 30, 2018 Commissioner Peilen made a motion to approve the May 16, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Johnston -Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-0-1 (Robertson abstained). Commissioner Eckholm noted his name needed to be corrected in the May 30, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Peilen made a motion to approve the May 30, 2018 minutes as corrected. Commissioner Johnston -Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-0-1 (Carper abstained). 3. Public Hearings A. Conditional Use Permit — Light of the World Church Location: 6713 and 6719 Cedar Lake Road Applicant: Light of the World Church Case No: 18 -21 -CUP Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He stated the applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a religious institution at 6713 and 6719 Cedar Lake Road, and to expand the existing parking lot. Mr. Morrison described the variances requested for fence height from eight feet to six feet and number of required parking spaces from 76 to 60. Commissioner Peilen asked if the current level of parking is adequate for the use. Official Minutes Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 2 Mr. Morrison deferred the question to the applicant. Commissioner Peilen asked why the fence needs to be reduced in height, asking if it was cost. Mr. Morrison responded that cost would be a factor, but conversations were held with neighbors about a proposed 8 ft. fence. Neighbors indicated that they desired a 6 ft. fence, especially the neighbor to the east. The 8 ft. fence would be outside that neighbor's windows and it would create shading and a kind of barrier. Commissioner Kraft asked if the 8 ft. fence would block parking lot lights more than a 6 ft. fence would. Mr. Morrison said the photometric plan shows that the light levels diminish well below the property line and lights are all downcast as required by code. Chair Robertson asked if there was any discussion about additional plantings along the fence to create a taller buffer providing extra screening. Mr. Morrison responded staff did have the applicant focus some of their tree plantings in that area. Those plantings will start out small but the anticipation is that the canopy will provide additional screening above the 6 foot fence. The Chair asked if the parking requirement is based on square footage, occupants or tables. Mr. Morrison said the occupancy was based on the fixed seats in the sanctuary. In the dining hall occupancy was based on square footage. Commissioner Johnston -Madison asked why a conditional use permit for a church was required at this time. Mr. Morrison responded that a place of worship is allowed in a residential area by conditional use permit, however that wasn't always the case. Light of the World does not have a conditional use permit, so it is operating legally non -conforming to code. A church is allowed to continue without a conditional use permit until changes are made to the property, such as the proposed parking lot expansion. Igor Kondratyuk, associate pastor, representing the applicant, said the congregation is growing and it has outgrown the parking lot. Official Minutes Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 3 In response to the Chair's question about access, Mr. Morrison said a staff recommendation is that the entrance/exit to Cedar Lake Rd. be converted to a two-way. The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing. The Chair said he liked what the applicant is doing, including improvements to accessibility and stormwater management. Commissioner Carper said he agreed with the city's recommendation regarding the entrance/exit on Cedar Lake Rd. Commissioner Peilen made a motion recommending approval of the conditional use permit and variances as recommended by staff. Commissioner Johnston -Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 4. Other Business A. Consideration of Resolution No. 92 — Bridgewater Bank TIF District Plan Conformance to City's Redevelopment Plans Greg Hunt, Economic Development Coordinator, presented the staff report. Commissioner Carper asked about assessment of $18-20 million upon project completion and estimated construction costs of $36 million. Mr. Hunt said in this case construction costs do not necessarily translate to assessed value, particularly when there are high extraordinary costs and significant customized requirements with minimal market value to the property. Commissioner Johnston -Madison spoke about the mixed use definition and asked the Chair whether he thought that definition is stretched with this development. The Chair responded he has had issues with the city's mixed use for many years. He said he looks at the Bridgewater development as a mixed use development. He added that a mixed use with residential requesting TIF is required to have an affordability component. But, a mixed use with office and commercial requiring TIF does not have an affordability component. He said the city should delve into the need for affordable commercial space. Chair Robertson said this is critical in the city and we are losing it to projects like this. He said he is bothered that we are looking at TIF for this project but did not require affordable commercial space for it. He said he supports this project for Official Minutes Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 4 TIF but his concerns are for future discussion on an agenda as it does open up many more questions. Commissioner Peilen said she agrees and requests that these ideas be put on an agenda, including at the council level. Commissioners Johnston -Madison, Carper and Eckholm also agreed. Commissioner Peilen made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 92 finding that the Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Bridgewater Bank Tax Increment Financing District is in conformance with the general plans for the development and redevelopment of the City of St. Louis Park. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-1 (Johnston -Madison opposed). B. Resolution No. 93 recognizing Commissioner Torrey Kanne The Chair read Resolution No. 93 and Commissioner Johnston -Madison made a motion recommending approval. Commissioner Peilen seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. C. Resolution No. 94 recognizing Commissioner Richard Person The Chair read Resolution No. 94 and Commissioner Johnston -Madison made a motion recommending approval. Commissioner Carper seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 5. Communications 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary