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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/05/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularMeeting: City council Meeting date: June 1, 2020 Consent agenda item: 4Ő OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA May 20, 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: Jacquelyn Kramer, Jennifer Monson, Sean Walther, Mara Strand GUESTS: David Anderson, Frauenshuh, Inc; Jon Fahning, Bremer Bank; Jackie Miller, RSP Architects; Vicki VanDell, Loucks Associates 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of April 15, 2020 Commissioner Beneke made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Dumalag seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 7-0. 3. Public Hearings A. Bremer Bank Conditional Use Permit Applicant: David Anderson, Frauenshuh Case Nos: 20-07-CUP Ms. Kramer presented the report. The applicant, Mr. Anderson of Frauenshuh, is applying for a CUP to build Bremer Bank and drive- thru at 7924 Highway 7. The area is a little over an acre in size. The property is guided commercial use. The existing building would be removed and the bank built on the site. The CUP is requested to build the bank with two 24-hour drive-up ATMs. The plan meets the city’s vehicular, bicycle, and electric vehicle charging parking requirements. Traffic circulation was noted, with a possibility of modifying the proposed site plan to provide an entrance-only from 37th Street and two-way access to Texas Avenue, however Ms. Kramer noted there will be more discussion prior to going to city council to present. The bank will have a drive-thru teller window and drive-thru ATMs. City council meeting of June 15, 2020 (Item No. 4g) Page 2 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes May 20, 2020 Ms. Kramer reviewed the CUP requirements for 24-hour operations and in-vehicle sales in the C-1 district and general CUP requirements. The applicant held an online neighborhood meeting on May 13, 2020. Commissioner Erwin asked about the fence or high wall on the north side of the property. She asked if that is existing or new being proposed on the site. Ms. Kramer stated the design Commissioner Erwin referred to shows the reconstructed wall, built into the hill. The existing wall will be rebuilt, and a fence added per the building code. She added the lighting plan shows no spillover onto adjacent properties and was approved by city staff. Commissioner Johnston-Madison asked what the wall is made of, and also if it was a living wall, as it looked like vines are growing on it. Ms. Kramer stated the developer has proposed ivy and creeping greenery on the wall as part of the landscape plan. She stated the materials of the wall meets the city’s architectural material standards. Commissioner Eckholm asked how much traffic is anticipated moving from Knollwood to this new site, across the road. He stated this will be more of a direct cross, but he is concerned about the amount of traffic there, and with bike lanes and the future LRT station. He stated he wants to understand how traffic will impact the area. Ms. Kramer stated there has been no traffic studies on the changes to the site plan, but added this is something staff will look at before presenting to city council. Mr. Walther stated staff anticipate a reduction in overall trip traffic to the site. Chair Kraft opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the public. The Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Robertson stated this feels like a straightforward project with no red flags. He appreciated hearing the traffic will be reviewed a bit more, along with the cross traffic. Overall, it’s a handsome building and fits into the neighborhood well, and he is excited about it, and will fully support it. Commissioner Robertson made a motion, and Commissioner Johnston-Madison seconded, recommending approval of the Bremer Bank CUP. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. 4. Other Business – none City council meeting of June 15, 2020 (Item No. 4g) Page 3 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes May 20, 2020 5. Communications Mr. Walther stated there will be a study session held following the Planning Commission meeting this evening. He noted the call-in number for the public to listen in on the meeting. He noted the link is also on the Planning Commission page on the city website, and folks can connect this way as well. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m. STUDY SESSION The study session commenced at 6:25 p.m. 1. Background on Wooddale Avenue light rail transit station area planning Mr. Walther stated there will be some general background information provided this evening, and a time for questions and answers. Ms. Kramer presented on the land use plan. Transit oriented development (TOD) is defined in the city’s comp plan and allows a mix of pedestrian-oriented uses along the TOD line. She noted residential is 85% of the land use in a TOD. Mr. Walther pointed out the priority areas in the 2040 comp plan, including the three LRT areas, which are the general area of focus and redevelopment. He noted south of 36th Street and east of Wooddale would have more intensive uses, according to the comp plan, and a large area is zoned for future office use. He added the comp plan also notes this area should be revisited in the future, and that the TOD land use allows for flexibility of uses in this area. Ms. Kramer presented the 2003 Elmwood land use and transit plan, which focuses on the area around the Wooddale LRT, and had much community engagement. She noted the 2003 Elmwood study looked at land use recommendations in the Elmwood neighborhood, establishing 36th Street as a main street. The study looked at commercial, industrial and residential uses in the area. She noted the plan also included development of Wooddale Avenue and the Hwy 7 frontage road, improvements to transit and bicycle connections. Mr. Walther stated some parts of this study have changed over time, as development of the area has changed. He noted storm water management changes were also reviewed as part of the study. Commissioner Robertson and Commissioner Dumalag agreed it would be beneficial to see an overlay of the area as it was, as it is now, and as it might be after future development. Mr. Walther stated staff could provide this for future consideration. City council meeting of June 15, 2020 (Item No. 4g) Page 4 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes May 20, 2020 Chair Kraft asked if the plan prioritized certain elements, or if dictated more by proposed developments. She asked if there were priorities that came out of the study. Mr. Walther said the study focused on providing a framework to help make decisions as proposals came forward, while looking at the 2003 plan, the comp plan, and the area as it is currently, while considering current goals and policies as well. Commissioner Beneke asked about the bridge over Hwy 100. Mr. Walther stated until the bridge is part of the city’s capital improvement plan, it’s not real. At this point there has been no consideration of a bridge, but a connection to Wooddale was something that has been discussed. Commissioner Johnston-Madison noted a discussion and proposal from the past on Excelsior Blvd. Mr. Walther stated he is familiar with this study and it has been referenced over time. Ms. Monson discussed information about the 2009 Wooddale Station Area Plan, which was part of the visioning related to the LRT stations. She summarized the recommendations from the plan and noted that even though the 2009 plan recommended 4-story buildings along 36th Street, building codes have changed, and taller buildings have been allowed. Mr. Walther added that the plan was a technical review, and the scope and environmental review of the LRT stations were still in flux at the time. He noted that a park and ride was also being reviewed for the Wooddale Station in 2009, but it is no longer being considered. Ms. Monson reviewed parking trends within the city and best practices across the nation. She noted the city prioritizes pedestrians first, then bikes and transit, then motorized vehicles. Commissioner Dumalag noted previous plans and development approvals were made prior to the investment in LRT, but now as development is coming before the commission, parking will need to be adjusted accordingly. She asked if there is an interim plan related to parking in the city. Mr. Walther stated the city has required more parking than needed, along with a traffic or parking management plan that puts the onus on owners to come up with parking plans. He added how the city manages on-street parking in the next few years will be important. Commissioner Robertson asked if the city will look at allowing restaurants flexibility on outdoor seating in light of the Governor’s requirements due to COVID-19. Mr. Walther stated this is being reviewed and that staff is hoping to bring a policy forward to the council for review and approval to allow for expanded outdoor seating areas for a temporary time period, with social distancing. Commissioner Robertson asked about updates on the Galaxy Drive-In Restaurant. Ms. Kramer stated there have been no updates recently, although it looks like they are making some changes in the drive-up parking area. The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.