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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/03/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study SessionMeeting: City council Meeting date: May 4, 2020 Consent agenda item: 4e OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 4, 2020 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Beneke, Lynette Dumalag, Matt Eckholm, Courtney Erwin, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Jessica Kraft, Carl Robertson MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Jennifer Monson, planner; Laura Chamberlain, planning consultant with HKGi STUDY SESSION The study session commenced at 6:00 p.m. 1.Establishing a New Base Zoning District for Historic Walker Lake Laura Chamberlain, HKGi consultant, provided background on the plan and how implementation will lead to work on establishing a zoning district for Historic Walker Lake. Ms. Chamberlain noted the plan was approved by city council in January 2020. The plan considers three topic areas: establishment of an overlay zoning district to preserve character, wayfinding and placemaking, and a merchant’s association and affordability. Ms. Chamberlain stated recommended changes to uses in the area include light industrial, food vendors, and breweries. She added the overlay recommendations also refer to signage, street furniture, unique features, parking requirements, and designating shared parking opportunities. Ms. Chamberlain stated the ordinance will allow for a combination of smaller scaled industrial and commercial uses in this area but will not allow stand-alone apartment buildings. She noted the city recently updated the mixed-use zoning district and staff and consultants are recommending a similar approach be used here, as well. She added establishing parking standards was a top priority and the city already adopted a new parking ordinance for the district. Commissioner Johnston-Madison stated that there is no comparable historic district within the city today but suggested the district be able to be applied to other areas of the city if needed in the future. Ms. Chamberlain stated the district is mixed-use in nature with commercial and retail uses. She stated the city has residential, commercial and mixed-use divisions within the zoning ordinance, and Historic Walker Lake could be a new mixed-use district that lives within the mixed-use division currently in existence within the code. Page 2 City council meeting of May 4, 2020 (Item No. 4e) Title: Planning commission meeting minutes March 4, 2020 Ms. Chamberlain stated that staff is looking at the revitalization plan to see what elements are necessary to establish zoning standards and which should be design guidelines. Commissioner Kraft asked if the code will refer to the guidelines. Ms. Chamberlain stated yes. Commissioner Beneke asked if there would still be a primary entrance area. Ms. Monson stated yes, this could still be included in the guidelines. Ms. Chamberlain stated that the revitalization plan gives recommendations on building materials, colors, and design that can be used a guidance. She added that these items refer more to the scale of the building rather than the actual design, and that the city already has some standards on building design. Commissioner Johnston-Madison stated the scale of the new apartment building in Linden Hills took into consideration the scale of the surrounding buildings and looks fine in the area. Commissioner Robertson noted a bill that is currently being reviewed at the state legislature where cities would only be allowed to have buildings that meet the basic building codes only. Ms. Monson stated staff is aware of this and lobbyists are working on this issue. Commissioner Robertson stated this type of bill is filled with unintended consequences for city building and zoning codes. Commissioner Dumalag asked if any of the buildings are historic. Ms. Monson stated no but through a public process the area was branded Historic Walker Lake. Ms. Chamberlain noted that the guidelines will include landscaping recommendations. Ms. Monson stated the purpose of the guidelines for the landscaping will be to enhance the unique and eclectic features of the area and buildings. She explained that one landscape design for the entire area would be more difficult to establish since the property owners are not interested in a special service district at this time. Ms. Chamberlain asked the commission if they support this approach for the district through a new zoning district and separate design guidelines. Also, she asked if there are items that should be added. Commissioner Robertson stated the standards and guidelines all seem appropriate. He stated he would like to see flexibility within the code so it can apply for future districts if the city is if going toward a form-based type zoning district. Ms. Monson stated that we can make the code flexible and that we should discuss TOD district requirements further and at a different time. Commissioner Johnston-Madison stated each historical district must be established and a vision created. Page 3 City council meeting of May 4, 2020 (Item No. 4e) Title: Planning commission meeting minutes March 4, 2020 Commissioner Robertson asked how many other historic districts the city will have. He added if there will be others within the city, will this type of planning be done in those areas, and should the historic district be more of a generic description of the concept. Ms. Monson stated she agrees there is potential for other similar areas within the city where the standards might be similar but then there might be a difference design guideline for each area. Commissioner Johnston-Madison and Commissioner Robertson agreed. Commissioner Beneke asked if there is any plan to do anything along Highway 7 in the open area in front of the Central Community Center building. Ms. Monson stated that the area is city-owned right of way with a small portion owned by the school district. She stated that the city and school district have talked about using that space for additional parking if necessary, but that the revitalization plan identifies that area for a shared active space that can be flexible as needed. Ms. Chamberlain stated there are additional topics to come back and discuss further with the commission, including the ordinance and design guidelines. Commissioner Robertson asked a question about landscaping and whether the city allows perennial gardens and pollinator landscaping. Ms. Monson stated the city does encourage native plantings. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.