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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/02/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularMeeting: City council Meeting date: May 4, 2020 Consent agenda item: 4d OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA February 19, 2020 – 6:00 p.m. COMMUNITY ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Beneke, Matt Eckholm, Courtney Erwin, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Jessica Kraft, Carl Robertson MEMBERS ABSENT: Lynette Dumalag STAFF PRESENT: Gary Morrison, Sean Walther 1.Call to Order – Roll Call 2.Approval of Minutes of Feb 5, 2020 Commissioner Johnston-Madison made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 3.Public Hearings A.Cedarwood Dachis Addition preliminary and final plat Applicant: Toni Dachis Case Nos: 19-39-Sm 19-40-VAR Gary Morrison, assistant zoning administrator, presented the staff report. The applicant requested a subdivision and variance at 4000 25th Street West, in the Fern Hill neighborhood. He noted the lot sizes for Lots 1, 2, and 3. Access to lot 1 will be unchanged off 25th Street West, lot 2 will access France Avenue, and lot 3 access could be off France Avenue South or 25th Street West. Mr. Morrison stated there are no proposals for tree removal, but this will be determined when building permits are submitted for lots 2 and 3. He noted sidewalks will be included along 25th Street West. The house and pool house are in the back yard, according to current code. With the subdivision, however, the lot lines are reoriented, so the front and rear yards will change, and the variance request becomes evident because the pool house will be in the side yard, after the changes. Mr. Morrison stated the property use is single family residential, consistent with low density residential designation. He stated if the variance is not approved, the pool house would need to be relocated or removed. Two people spoke in favor of the applications at the neighborhood meeting and a letter of support was received from a third resident. Page 2 City council meeting of May 4, 2020 (Item No. 4d) Title: Planning commission meeting minutes February 19, 2020 Mr. Morrison stated that staff requests approval of the preliminary and final plat, subject to the conditions recommended by staff. Further, staff recommended approval of the variance to allow an accessory structure in the side yard, subject to the conditions recommended by staff. Commissioner Robertson asked about the sidewalk at the subdivision and if it would connect with any other sidewalks. Mr. Morrison stated it would connect to the sidewalk on the west side of France Avenue South and a sidewalk on the east side of Huntington Avenue South. Commission Johnson-Madison asked if the sidewalk will dead-end on 25th street. Mr. Morrison stated it will not continue and connect to any sidewalks west of the site along 25th Street West, adding the city engineering department recently lead a public process regarding potentially adding more sidewalks in this neighborhood and city council decided not to pursue that option. Chair Kraft opened the public hearing. Lynne Carper, 4010 Highwood Road, stated initially the sign posted about the work was not clear. He initially thought it was referring to the road and sidewalk improvements planned for this summer. It wasn’t until he spoke with Councilmember Rog that he learned there was a subdivision proposed here. Mr. Carper stated he has been aware of subdivisions in his area, and stated the preference was for not doing subdivisions in these neighborhoods. However, he added, he does understand property owners do have the right to do what they prefer on their properties, so he will support this. Additionally, he asked if the zoning will change now or in the future from single-family housing. Mr. Morrison stated the property is guided in the comprehensive plan as low-density residential and zoned R-2 residential. Staff does not anticipate any changes. Mr. Carper wondered if the lots would meet the minimum lot size, and indeed it does, according to Mr. Morrison’s presentation. He asked at what point does the sidewalk get constructed, and does the owner put the sidewalks in. Mr. Morrison stated the sidewalk installation will be at the applicant’s expense and will be coordinated with street improvements in the area. Mr. Carper asked about driveways and if there will be a driveway on the northern most side of the property. There is no intention to have a second driveway on France Avenue, it will come off 25th Street. Mr. Morrison stated there will be a final decision made by the engineering department when right-of-way permits are requested and when the house plans are submitted for building permits. Page 3 City council meeting of May 4, 2020 (Item No. 4d) Title: Planning commission meeting minutes February 19, 2020 Mr. Carper asked if a house is inserted will the new address be on France Avenue. Mr. Morrison stated staff will look at this and can make a change administratively with the owner’s consent. Michael Meyer, 2512 Huntington Avenue South, stated the property is well maintained and very open. He is concerned that once the property is changed, it’s gone. He is also concerned about hardscape and the addition of sidewalks, patios, foundations, as well. He stated about 20 trees might have to be removed and he has concerns about this as well, and is concerned the replacements might not be made in the same area. He asked if the home will fit into the neighborhood, adding he is concerned about this, and about the impact on his home as it relates to the view. Right now, there is no parking on France Avenue at this area, and he is concerned about where folks will park when visiting and overflow parking. Mr. Meyer added there is a city bus turnout, asked if that will stay or go, and if the bus company be brought into this discussion. He is also concerned about proximity the to the holding ponds and Cedar Lake area. Mr. Meyer stated if approved will this be two separate lots. He asked if other builders come in, will they build in order to benefit the other properties in the area. This summer the roads in this area will be reconstructed. He is concerned about the mess that will occur with both projects going on simultaneously. He is also concerned about a two-story home and how it will affect their view. Also, if the driveways are on France Avenue, he has concerns about traffic there, and on 25th Street, especially with safety for bikers and pedestrians. Toni Dachis, 4000 West 25th Street, is the applicant. She stated the concerns are legitimate; she has thought about them and will do what she can to accommodate what was mentioned, if she has control. She stated she needs to be able to move and downsize and she hopes a new owner will keep the existing house as is. The Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Johnston-Madison stated she is very familiar with this beautiful area. She stated she has learned nothing stays the same, times change and she feels the value of the neighborhood will determine the value of the homes built on lot 2 and 3. The houses built on the lots will likely fit in with the neighborhood and she will vote to approve this. Commission Elkholm agreed and added the applicant has gone out of their way to make this right by the neighborhood. He hates to see the loss of mature trees and the best that can be done is to require that they are replaced. He will support this. Commissioner Beneke asked if there is any consideration to bike trails on France Avenue. Sean Walther, planning and zoning supervisor, stated there is already a bike lane on France Avenue and a sidewalk on the west side of the road as well, and there are no other plans at this time. Page 4 City council meeting of May 4, 2020 (Item No. 4d) Title: Planning commission meeting minutes February 19, 2020 Commissioner Robertson stated this is a good plan and the concerns are valid, however, folks have the right to do what they want with their own property. He asked about the location of the bus turnout, and if the south lot wants to have access off France Avenue, will the turnout be moveable. He stated he will support this project. Mr. Morrison stated the first priority would be to not change a turnout. If it does need to be changed, there is a process with Metro Transit and a cost associated with it. Chair Kraft likes the plan as well and is excited about the single-family home development. She stated the loss of trees is sad, but she is glad for the replacement program. Commissioner Robertson made a motion, Commissioner Elkholm seconded, recommending approval of the addition of the preliminary and final plat, and the variance on the side yard, subject to the recommendations by staff. The motion passed on a vote of 6-0. B.High school artificial turf field conditional use permit, application 19-33-CUP was withdrawn by the applicant, Thomas Bravo 4.Other Business - none 5.Communications Mr. Walther stated Feb. 24, 2020, is the Boards and Commissions annual meeting at Treehouse, 5757 Wayzata Boulevard, from 6-8 p.m. There will be a light dinner and a dance performance from Wat Prom Buddhist Temple. This is meant to be a celebration of accomplishments from 2019. Commissioner Elkholm will present on behalf of the planning commission the commission’s accomplishments last year and some of the issues on the work plan for 2020. Mr. Walther added a joint meeting with the city council to discuss the 2020 work plan will be held on May 26. The next planning commission meeting on March 4 will be a study session only in the Westwood Conference Room from 6-7 p.m. and the Historic Walker Lake draft ordinance will be discussed. Following the study session, a joint meeting with several boards and commissions from 7-8 p.m. in the council chambers to hear a presentation from Alicia Sojourner, racial equity manager, about racial equity and inclusion in St. Louis Park. 6.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m.