HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/07/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study SessionOFFICIAL MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JULY 17, 2019 – 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Beneke; Lynette Dumalag; Matt Eckholm; Courtney Erwin;
Claudia Johnston-Madison; Jessica Kraft
MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Robertson
STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther
GUESTS PRESENT: Laura Chamberlain, consulting planner with HKGi
STUDY SESSION
The study session commenced at 6 p.m.
1. Sam’s Club land use and development study
Laura Chamberlain, consulting planner with HKGi, presented on the background
research, site and environmental analysis, land use and development scenarios that
were explored, criteria for evaluating the scenarios, the city council’s policy direction,
and the ultimate study recommendations. The mixed-use redevelopment scenario was
most favored by the majority of the city councilmembers because the potential jobs and
housing mix best supported and took full advantage of the future LRT station. The
councilmembers still wanted future development to focus on affordable housing on the
site.
Ms. Chamberlain explained that the planning commission will be holding the public
hearing and make recommendations on three proposed action items at their August 21,
2019 meeting. The study recommended amending the comprehensive plan future land
use designation from commercial to transit-oriented development.
The study recommended changing the zoning from General Commercial (C-2) to
Business Park (BP) on the north side of the site and High Density Residential (RC) on the
south side of the site. Additionally, the study recommended creating a definition for
self-storage facility that distinguishes it from warehouse/storage uses and restricting
self-storage facilities to industrial properties.
Ms. Chamberlain also shared the input received at a recent neighborhood meeting held
on the subject of the land use and zoning amendments.
Official Minutes
Planning Commission
July 17, 2019
Page 2
Chair Eckholm stated that he favored the multi-family residential redevelopment
scenario.
Commissioner Erwin concurred with the Chair. She asked about the potential
environmental justice consideration of having housing and especially affordable housing
located on a site where there is contamination.
Mr. Walther noted that similar concerns were raised by councilmembers Harris and
Mavity. Public health and safety would absolutely need to be protected both during
construction activities and long-term for any employees, residents or visitors to the site.
There are effective ways to do this and other similarly contaminated sites have
successfully redeveloped in the city.
Chair Eckholm stated he wanted an emphasis on pedestrian oriented design throughout
the site and connections to pedestrian networks around the site. He hopes to make sure
that conflict points between vehicles and pedestrians on the site were minimized, with
pedestrians getting the priority in design.
Chair Eckholm was concerned about splitting the zoning of the site. It might mean the
reuse of the building could leave the remainder of the site unused for a while, or could
mean that any residential buildings put in there would have to look down on an old,
unused building.
Commissioner Erwin stated mini-storage on the site would not be appropriate.
2. Planning Commissioner training with City Attorney
Commissioners received a presentation from City Attorney Soren Mattick. The training
and resource materials covered several topics as an introduction for new commissioners
and a refresher for seasoned commissioners. Topics included role of the planning
commission, open meeting law, conflicts of interest, developing defensible findings of
fact, and conduct of public hearings.
3. Ground Floor Window Transparency
Mr. Walther introduced the topic. He noted the commission discussed this topic
previously in 2018 and at a joint meeting with the city council in 2019. The commission
had not yet come to any agreement on a few points in the proposed ordinance. Also, he
noted three new members joined the commission this year.
Official Minutes
Planning Commission
July 17, 2019
Page 3
He said the city council wants to require window transparency for ground floor
commercial uses; particularly for high pedestrian areas and ground floor retail. He asked
for the commission’s guidance on how staff could edit the ordinance satisfy the
commissioners’ remaining concerns.
The discussion included the importance and challenges of providing flexibility in the
code in order to allow developers, property owners or businesses to both meet the
intent and still meet their business needs. Balancing the desire for transparency and the
business need for privacy in some situations.
The discussion also focused on when property owners would be required to comply with
the new rules.
Commissioners also discussed the scope of the requirements, including the districts and
types of buildings and uses.
Mr. Walther shared an email that was received by Commissioner Robertson who
suggested edits to reduce the minimum transparency requirements. He stated that
while the city’s desired percentages may be higher, the city regulations should not set
too high of a minimum requirement.
Commissioners also asked staff to review the amount of window area that could be
covered by signs. There were concerns the maximum amount may be too low.
4. Inclusionary housing zoning code amendment
Mr. Walther provided an update to Commissioners regarding recent changes to the
Inclusionary Housing policy. Staff intend to add some of the new policy requirements to
the zoning code to bolster the new policy.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sean Walther
Planning and Zoning Supervisor