Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/07/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JULY 11, 2018 — 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Claudia Johnston -Madison, Carl Robertson, Alanna Franklin (youth member) MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa Peilen, Joe Tatalovich STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Jacquelyn Kramer, Jennifer Monson 1. Call to Order— Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of June 6, 2018 Commissioner Johnston -Madison made a motion approving the minutes of June 6, 2018. Commissioner Carper seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-0. 3. Public Hearings A. Zoning code amendment: accessory uses in industrial districts Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 18-27-ZA Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. She explained that the request would allow greater amount of gross floor area in breweries to be used for any combination of retail and taproom. It would also allow outdoor seating and service of food and beverage as an accessory use. The Chair asked about the reason for the request. Ms. Kramer responded there was an inquiry from a business to add outdoor seating in the IG General Industrial zoning district, and staff concluded the amendments would add consistency to the zoning code. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, added that a distillery in the I -G General Industrial zoning district has inquired about adding an outdoor seating area which led to a review of the zoning code. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 11, 2018 Page 2 Commissioner Carper asked for clarification on food service in the proposed language. Ms. Kramer stated this doesn't allow restaurants in breweries. It would allow an outdoor patio next to the brewery; patrons could bring their own food, but it doesn't create a pathway for restaurant or food service in the brewery. She noted that limitations have been included on the outdoor seating to minimize impacts on residential area. Commissioner Carper asked about food trucks at breweries. Ms. Kramer responded that food trucks must have a permit to operate. The proposed amendments do not change how the food trucks may operate on the site. The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Johnston -Madison made a motion recommending approval of the zoning code amendment to modify conditions applied to breweries and allow outdoor seating and service of food and beverage as an accessory use in industrial zoning districts, as recommended by staff. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-0. 4. Other Business 5. Communications Mr. Walther noted that updated rules and procedures for city boards and commissions were distributed. Mr. Walther said a study session will be held on July 18. The discussion topics will be 2040 Comp Plan preliminary survey results and retail and service size requirements. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 11, 2018 Page 3 STUDY SESSION MINUTES Alanna Franklin, newly appointed youth member, introduced herself to the Planning Commission. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Ordinance Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, introduced the topic. She reviewed revisions made to the draft ordinance since the commission last discussed it. She asked the commission to consider policy questions regarding incentives the city may offer to businesses and developers to aid in compliance; as well as what criteria should apply to existing buildings and businesses. Commissioner Johnston -Madison asked if it could be a special assessment. She said it would be a good idea to incorporate existing buildings and businesses. The Chair said existing buildings need to be incentivized. Ms. Kramer said the idea of special assessment has been considered by staff. Mr. Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, spoke about using the existing fire sprinkler special assessment as a model. It is a voluntary program that allows property owners to request that the city reimburse expenses and essentially finance the project through a special assessment against the property. The Chair said retrofitting will be expensive and will require incentive. Commissioner Carper said it's appropriate to offer incentives. He suggested a limited time period on those incentives being available based upon number of electric vehicles that exist in the driving population. At some point it needs to be required without incentive. The Chair said residential buildings don't need incentives as tenants and the market will require charging stations. He discussed capturing some kind of a fee from the user. There was a discussion about existing options for user payment. The proposed code would not address how the charging stations are managed or if payment is required. Mr. Walther spoke about statewide strategies regarding incentivizing charging stations. One of the focuses includes establishing a system of charging stations along the interstate network. He said the city is also collaborating with multiple jurisdictions in looking at how to provide infrastructure on city properties, r -o -w and possible conversion to electric vehicles. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 11, 2018 Page 4 Commissioner Eckholm asked about the feasibility of level 3 requirements for any future gas station renovations. The Chair asked if discussions have been held with Xcel about incentives and off-peak rates. Commissioner Carper asked about safety requirements for EV charging stations. Ms. Kramer responded safety requirements would be part of the building code requirements and/or fire inspection requirements. 2. Mixed Use District Jennifer Monson, Planner, introduced the topic. She presented proposed amendments which have developed from previous commission discussions. Commissioner Johnston -Madison commented that she would like to see opportunities for outdoor gathering spaces similar to "parklets" and gave examples of the outdoor seating in the West End. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Administrator, discussed ways to create those kinds of spaces and making corners more active. He spoke about the Ellipse development. He mentioned the staircase on the corner of the 4800. The Chair commented that a visual like the staircase is good when it is also useful. Comments were made about Fresh Thyme. Commissioner Eckholm spoke about secondary frontage and transparency. Ms. Monson said staff will work up some case studies on where these MX buildings will go, based on land use guidance in the 2040 Comp Plan and requirements. The Chair spoke about maximum building length. He suggested doing a tour of examples. Commissioner Eckholm spoke about Bloomington's rezoning of the Southtown development and how it is becoming more of a mixed use urban area. He said some of St. Louis Park's older strip malls are still guided commercial under the 2040 plan. He asked if some of these areas might be better served as mixed use if the large commercial uses leave. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 11, 2018 Page 5 3. Window Transparency Ordinance Ms. Monson introduced the topic. She said the Council discussed window transparency at its July 16 study session and wants to look further at regulations for transparency requirements; particularly for high pedestrian areas and ground floor retail. She said staff is asking for the commission's guidance on how to craft and apply the proposed regulations. The Chair commented that it's hard to provide flexibility. What can you do to meet the intent but still meet your needs. Commissioner Kraft asked about levels of transparency, and reasons why it might not be 100% transparent. Ms. Monson spoke about the amount of depth between the pedestrian level and the use. The Chair spoke about the difficulty of providing transparency and privacy. Ms. Monson provided transparency requirement examples at Excelsior & Grand, Shops at West End, Elmwood, PLACE and Bridgewater. The Chair stated that visual in/visual out is an important element. Commissioner Kraft asked how violations are handled. Staff responded that similar to signage, there is enforcement. Commissioner Carper said he'd like to see something that shows what exists today to see all the variation; for example on Excelsior Blvd. He spoke about businesses also needing to function and losing important sales space to transparency requirements. Commissioner Kraft spoke about Byerly's downtown which is very active, very glassy and has lots of display. The Chair asked if we are looking at particular uses or particular streets. Mr. Walther responded we are still considering applying the rules based upon both the uses on the first floor and the adjacency to the streets. Ms. Monson remarked that uses can change. If requirements are based on street location the transparency might not be workable everywhere but there may be other alternative elements that could be added to make it more pedestrian friendly. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 11, 2018 Page 6 Ms. Monson said staff will come up with examples for review. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary