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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/07/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular Meeting: City council Meeting date: August 16, 2021 Consent agenda item: 4p Official minutes Planning commission July 21, 2021 – 6:00 p.m. Members present: Jim Beneke, Imran Dagane, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Sam Tift, Joffrey Wilson Members absent: Tom Weber Staff present: Jennifer Monson, Sean Walther, Emily Ziring Guests: None 1. Call to order – roll call 2. Approval of minutes – June 16, 2021 Commissioner Beneke made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dagane to approve the June 16, 2021, minutes as presented. The motion passed. 3. Hearings - none 4. Other Business - none 5. Communications – Mr. Walther stated there will be a study session right after the planning commission meeting this evening and noted the agenda topics. The next regular planning commission meeting is August 4, 2021 and he shared the scheduled agenda topics. He also invited commissioners to an event for Tom Harmening, retiring city manager, at the Westwood Nature Center on July 22, 2021. 6. Adjournment – 6:03 p.m. Study session The study session commenced at 6:10 p.m. 1. The commission members introduced themselves to one another. Due to COVID-19, this was this was their first in-person meeting in over one year. 2. Green Building Policy presentation – Emily Ziring, Sustainability Manager Ms. Ziring presented on the green building policy. She presented background and noted in 2018 the city council approved the climate action plan, which is being implemented now to achieve mid-term 2030 goals to stay on track for the community’s 2040 goals. City council meeting of August 16, 2021 (Item No. 4p) Page 2 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes July 21, 2021 She shared some examples of projects completed to date with the commission. She presented the current policy and proposed policy to the commission. Commissioner Beneke asked about greenhouse gas emissions. Ms. Ziring stated they will work to neutralize emissions, to offset them, however not getting rid of all gas emissions. Commissioner Beneke asked if that will be offset by credits. Ms. Ziring stated yes, the hope is to get buildings as energy efficient as possible. She added while they have goals for net zero buildings, that is very expensive at this point, but this will get the city close to its goal. Commissioner Kraft asked if the proposed overlay is more stringent than the standards in the third-party rating systems. Ms. Ziring stated the overlay supersedes whatever is in the third-party requirements and is stricter in most cases. Commissioner Tift asked if fees would be incurred by developers or the city. Ms. Ziring stated by the developer. He also asked if the city has data that the new policy will be more effective. Ms. Ziring stated the new policy will be more stringent and would result in more energy efficient buildings and more buildings using renewable energy sources. Chair Eckholm asked if it is necessary to offer fossil fuel options vs. battery storage systems. Ms. Ziring stated she would have to research this before responding, but her initial expectation is that natural gas or diesel generators would need to be part of the support to electric systems. One consideration about diesel versus natural gas was how far away the generators are manufactured. Commissioner Beneke asked why the city could not mandate, for example, solar panel installation. Mr. Walther responded that the city cannot adopt a regulation that is stricter than the State Energy Code. The city’s approach is to fold these requirements into requests that developers opt into voluntarily, such as requesting financial assistance, requesting a planned unit development, or requesting density bonuses. The city ties the city’s goals to these optional requests that open the opportunity to negotiate with an applicant and advance the city’s highest priorities in exchange for flexibility or financial support of a development. The city is also advocating for changes to State law to allow cities to adopt more effective stretch energy codes. Chair Eckholm asked if the green building policy apply across the board or only for a TIF or PUD project. Mr. Walther stated if the development receives TIF, or a PUD or a density bonus in the vertical mixed-use district, and the building is of a certain size, the green building policy applies. It does not apply to any other construction. Commissioner Beneke asked about net-zero energy. Ms. Ziring stated they will work to make every building as energy efficient as possible, with no natural gas, and solar power. City council meeting of August 16, 2021 (Item No. 4p) Page 3 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes July 21, 2021 Ms. Ziring shared other strategies and programs the city has to help achieve our mid- term goals. She shared some ways the city has reviewed the policy through a racial equity lens. 3. Wooddale Station Development Update – Ms. Monson presented the report. Commissioner Kraft asked about retail parking access. Ms. Monson stated at 36th Street a left-hand turn can be made into the parking lot. Commissioner Wilson asked if staff is concerned about congestion in the area. Ms. Monson stated no, adding the city is working on updated plans for 36th Street with east and west lane changes, and adding bike lanes and sidewalks, so folks can get to the site without driving ultimately. Mr. Walther stated the city has been mindful of traffic congestion in the area and noted there were extensive traffic studies done in the area as well as significant infrastructure investments. Commissioner Wilson asked about the potential timeline of the project. Ms. Walther stated applications will be at the end of the year or beginning of 2022 and then next spring or summer the project will being. Commissioner Beneke asked what type of retail and commercial space will be included. Ms. Monson stated it will likely be smaller retail spaces, similar to the Nolan Mains development in Edina. Mr. Walther added this project proposed much more commercial space than the other development proposals the city received. Commissioner Tift asked how many units will be affordable. Ms. Monson stated 10% at 60% AMI and 10% at 50% AMI, which well exceeds the requirements. This is 48 affordable units within the project. 4. Council Chambers Room Review – Mr. Walther went over elements of the room with commissioners related to safety and security. He also noted recent changes to the State’s open meeting law and how they apply to hybrid meetings for the commission. 5. Adjournment – 7:09 p.m. Sean Walther Matt Eckholm ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Sean Walther, liaison Matt Eckholm, chair member