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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/12/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularMeeting: City council Meeting date: January 19, 2021 Consent agenda item: 4h OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA Dec. 2, 2020 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Imran Dagane, Matt Eckholm, Courtney Erwin, Jessica Kraft, Tom Weber MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Beneke STAFF PRESENT: Gary Morrison, Sean Walther 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of Nov. 18, 2020 Commissioner Weber made a motion to approve the minutes . Commissioner Erwin seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0 (Commissioner Beneke absent). 3. Public Hearings A. Miscellaneous code amendments Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 20-29-ZA Mr. Morrison, assistant zoning administrator, presented the staff report. He noted there are planned unit development procedural amendments, several corrections to code references in the special permits section of the code, a redundancy related to conditional use permits for import and export of soil, a change to allow temporary agricultural sales in an office district, the addition of a land use description for marijuana dispensary, clarification for how dormers are treated when building height is measured for accessory buildings, amend bright accent color limitations and better describe bright accent colors, and clarify how window transparency rules are applied to existing commercial buildings. Chair Kraft opened the public hearing. There were no callers. The Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Weber made a motion recommending approval of the miscellaneous code amendments as presented and forward this to the city council. Commissioner Eckholm seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 6-0 (Commissioner Beneke absent). 4. Other Business-none City council meeting of January 19, 2021 (Item No. 4h) Page 2 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes Dec. 2 , 2020 5. Communications Mr. Walther stated there will be a study session immediately following the meeting where proposed changes to home occupation regulations will be discussed. He also noted that the planning commission meeting and study session on December 16 will be cancelled due to the Hanukkah holiday . 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. STUDY SESSION The study session commenced at 6:16 p.m. 1. Home Occupations Ordinance Gary Morrison, assistant zoning administrator, provided the report. He noted proposed changes such as allowing land uses the commission discussed at the last meeting, including barbers and hairdressers, allowing one outside employee, allowing home occupations in accessory buildings, allowing the home occupation to occupy more than 10% of the dwelling area, and allo wing residents of accessory dwelling units to have home occupations. He also noted changes proposed to the conditions noted in the staff report. Commissioner Weber asked about the restaurant example and that was okay because the occupation was not happening within a residence. Mr. Morrison stated the ordinance allows for office space and catering to a point, but not restaurant service to customers on site . Commissioner Erwin asked related to Covid and if the wording is acceptable for licensed barber or beauticians within a residential area and as a home occupation. Mr. Morrison stated that barbers and beauticians are required to be licensed by the city and state, and if they pass this licensing requirement, they are allowed within a home occupation. Commissioner Weber asked what the reason is for banning a massage business. Mr. Morrison stated massage, medical and dental typically occur in a more professional office setting in the city for the protection of the clients. Chair Kraft stated with Covid there seems to be more mobile businesses and if that is related to home occupations or handled differently. Mr. Morrison stated it is the same if the office portion is located within the home, however with trucks or van, they must meet size limitations to be parked in a home driveway. Mr. Walther added mobile uses are also regulated, such as a food truck must receive permits. Additionally, mobile services that go to another person’s home to conduct services and leave City council meeting of January 19, 2021 (Item No. 4h) Page 3 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes Dec. 2 , 2020 within a certain timeframe are treated differently than a home occupation where the vehicle is parked or stored. Commissioner Eckholm stated the draft reflects the commissions feelings on the ordinance and is a marked improvement. Mr. Walther stated the proposed ordinance will be shared with council as a written report before staff initiate s the formal public process. 2. Discussion of items that were planned for Dec. 16 meeting Mr. Walther stated a proposal from an applicant has asked to change zoning code to allow a rooftop-type sign that is currently prohibited. He noted staff is uncomfortable with the proposed application language and third -party requests to change the rules in the city are relatively rare. He stated staff would like get some planning commission input on the matter before proceeding. Mr. Morrison stated the city allowed rooftop signs at one time, but ultimately changed the code to prohibit them as they can be a safety hazard and they also result in a cluttered appearance. This request comes from a large office building, and they would like to put signage on a fence that screens mechanical equipment on the roof. Staff has concerns with the wording of the proposed amendment. He asked for the commission’s feedback. Mr. Walther stated staff has not seen the actual signs that are proposed but assume d it will be professional looking given the high quality of the development. Commissioner Weber asked if this sign is the name of the business, or if this is a billboard. Mr. Walther stated it is not a billboard and would only identifies tenants in the building or the name of the building. He did not see an immediate need to change the code. He assumes there is sufficient space to place a sign on the wall of the building like all the others in the city . Commissioner Eckholm agreed with Commissioner Webe r that it does not seem to be needed. Chair Kraft stated the city does not allow signs on the roof and that the applicant should stay within the city parameters. Commissioner Weber agreed. Mr. Walther stated staff will advise the applicant based on the comments from the planning commission and see how they want to proceed. Mr. Walther stated there are two development projects coming to the commission in January 2021 and added the December 16th meeting will not be rescheduled. Mr. Walther also noted the former Platia development that was approved by the commission a while ago will be brought forward again with a revised proposal to build multi-family housing on the property, without the previously approved hotel. This change has come about in part due to Covid and market changes related to hotels. He added a neighborhood meeting will be scheduled soon. The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.