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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/11/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularMeeting: City council Meeting date: December 21, 20 20 Consent agenda item: 4i OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA Nov. 18 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Beneke, Matt Eckholm, Courtney Erwin, Jessica Kraft, Tom Weber MEMBERS ABSENT: Imran Dagane STAFF PRESENT: Jacquelyn Kramer, Gary Morrison, Sean Walther 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of October 21 and Nov ember 4, 2020 Commissioner Weber made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Beneke seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0 (Commissioner Dagane absent). 3. Public Hearings A. Pennsylvania Park Apartments conditional use permit (CUP) Applicant: Patrick Juetten, on behalf of Waypoint Development Case Nos: 20-24-CUP Ms. Kramer, associate planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Weber asked if the decision to separate the conditional use permit and the painted brick variance because staff feels the issue will be resolved or does it relate to the code and that they should be separated. Ms. Kramer stated staff was not aware of the painted brick before the applicant applied for a conditional use permit, so they did not have time to allow for the variance. However, staff is working with the owner on this and the painted brick issue will be resolved before the project begins. She added the CUP can be approved separate from a variance and construction would not begin before that time. Chair Kraft opened the public hearing. There were no callers. The applicant’s representative Mr. Jue tten stated the applicant was not aware of the painting issue until the y applied for the CUP. He stated a variance will now be applied for with the city as it was difficult to remove the paint off the brick façade when they performed a test. City council meeting of December 21, 2020 (Item No. 4i) Page 2 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes Nov. 18 , 20 20 The Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eckholm recommending approval of the CUP as presented. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0 (Commissioner Dagane absent). 4. Other Business - none 5. Communications Mr. Walther, planning and zoning supervisor, noted a study session regarding miscellaneous zoning code amendments would follow the regular meeting. He stated the council approved the Walker Lake Historic District and the Nordic Ware special permit amendment as recommended by the planning commission. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. STUDY SESSION The study session commenced at 6:16 p.m. 1. Miscellaneous code amendments Mr. Walther stated the city council recently noted they see many CUP applications related to import and export of soil. The city council has asked that city staff bring forward an amendment that would reduce the number of applications that come through, especially when coupled with other applications. They also suggested staff submit other similar items to council all in one package. Mr. Morrison, assistant zoning administrator, explained several items including: reducing redundancy in the application and fee process, clarifying window transparency and code compliance in both new and existing buildings, prohibiting sign illumination in residential areas, adding a land use description of marijuana dispensary, allowing amendments to older PUD’s that were approved by resolution, adjusting and clarifying what is included in bright accent color limitations , and allowing restaurants with intoxicating liquor in the C-1 neighborhood commercial district as a CUP. Commissioner Weber asked about the illuminated signs and how it relates to illuminated flags. Mr. Walther stated there are federal regulations related to the U.S. flag adding they are not allowed to be restricted in size and must be lit in some circumstances. He added there are also some exemptions related to political signs during an election season as well. City council meeting of December 21, 2020 (Item No. 4i) Page 3 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes Nov. 18 , 20 20 Chair Kraft noted the bright accent colors and how that would be changed, adding it seems subjective and hard to enforce. Mr. Morrison stated it is somewhat ambiguous and subjective and staff continues to work on this. He states staff will suggest small incremental changes but also allow more flexibility as seems to be the will of the commission and council based on discussions during recent applications Mr. Walther added there are ways to define specific colors and how bright and intense they are but it is subjective on what is welcome or not. Commissioner Weber asked if the painted signs now allowed count toward the 5% or if that should be clarified also. Mr. Morrison stated the painted signs are treated as a wall sign and are included in the calculation of the bright accent colors of the exterior building materials. Commissioner Weber asked if the concern on bright colors is with residential or commercial buildings. Mr. Morrison stated it applies to both residential and commercial. Chair Kraft stated it could go up to 10% and she is not sure about regulating the actual color as it seems more challenging. Commissioner Weber agreed. Commissioner Weber stated he is comfortable with all the noted amendments and would support going forward with them. Mr. Morrison stated staff will come back with more information at the December meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m.