HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/08/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular Meeting: City council
Meeting date: September 20, 2021
Consent agenda item: 4q
Official minutes
Planning commission
August 4, 2021 – 6:00 p.m.
Members present: Jim Beneke (arrived 6:10 p.m.), Imran Dagane (arrived 6:03 p.m.), Matt
Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Sam Tift, Tom Weber, Joffrey Wilson
Members absent: none
Staff present: Jacquelyn Kramer, Sean Walther
G uests: none
1.Call to order – roll call
2.Approval of minutes – July 21, 2021
It was moved by Commissioner Kraft and seconded by Commissioner Weber to approve
the minutes of July 21, 2021 as presented . The motion passed unanimously.
3.Hearings
3a. Wat Promwachirayan (Wat Prom) conditional use permit amendment
Applicant: Mark Snyder, President, Construction Results Corp.
Case No: 21-26-CUP
Ms. Kramer presented the report. The applicant proposes to build an addition onto the
existing building for their events and festivals.
Ms. Kramer stated the application meets all CUP requirements. She noted in person
neighborhood meetings were held July 26 and 27, 2021.
Commissioner Weber asked where the off-street loading area is. Ms. Kramer stated on
the east side of the meditation hall area.
Darin Troftgruben, 2544 Highway 100 South, represented the applicant. He noted this
structure will allow the temple to save time with setting up for festivals and events.
Commissioner Kramer asked if the addition will be storage when not used for an event.
Mr. Troftgruben stated yes. Commissioner Kraft asked if there will be bathrooms
included in the addition for people attending the festivals . Mr. Troftgruben stated they
currently use portable outdoor restrooms and have not discussed indoor bathrooms at
this time .
C ommissioner Wilson stated it appears the addition will help with efficiencies, safety
and security, as it relates to community impacts. Mr. Troftgruben stated that is correct.
City council meeting of September 20, 2021 (Item No. 4q) Page 2
Title: Planning commission meeting minutes August 4, 2021
Commissioner Weber stated during festivals the existing parking is used for tents. He
asked if the addition will help to move tents off the parking areas. Mr. Troftgruben
stated currently the tents are not in the parking area and the parking remains as is. He
added they also have arrangements for event parking at Beth El Synagogue and are
working to not mix people with cars in their parking lot .
Commissioner Weber stated it is helpful that Wat P rom has a connection with Beth El
for parking and then folks can use the walking bridge to get to the event. He also asked
what future parking plans Wat Prom is discussing. Mr. Troftgruben stated they have not
discussed this in depth and plan to use shuttles for their mid -September event.
Commissioner Weber encouraged them to keep looking into creative ways to address
parking issues in the area.
Chair Eckholm opened the public hearing.
Dale Anderson, 2700 Vernon Avenue South, stated he is not ave rse to the requests of
Wat Prom, but he did want to explain the problem he and neighbors have in the area
which is traffic problems and high congestion and issues with many cars in the area. He
noted he and several neighbors had people park in front of their driveways and they
could not get out of their garages. He added an ambulance could not get across 27th
street on the day of their June event. He stated cars were parked on both sides of Utica
Avenue going west to east and a fire truck could not get through either. He asked the
commission for their help on these very serious traffic issues.
Chair Eckholm closed the public hearing.
Chair Eckholm stated the traffic continues to be an issue but it sounds like the temple is
working hard on this issue . He asked if staff could look into doing no parking areas in the
area if the problems persist so folks don’t feel trapped in their neighborhoods.
Commissioner Kraft stated she lives in the area as well, and while she has walked over
to events, it’s difficult when driving in the area and she would like to know what other
options could be looked at such as one side of the street parking. She stated the city will
need to work on other parking options as many community members from all over the
area come to the event.
Commissioner Wilson stated the proposal looks very good, adding he would like to
separate the parking issues from the project, because the events will continue with or
without the request. He agreed there are issues with the parking and hopes the city and
applicant can look into resolving these issues .
Commissioner Weber agreed and is hopeful this can be addressed and resolved.
Commissioner Weber made a motion, and Commissioner Wilson seconded, to approve
the CUP as presented. The motion passed on a vote of 7 to 0.
City council meeting of September 20, 2021 (Item No. 4q) Page 3
Title: Planning commission meeting minutes August 4, 2021
4. Other Business - none
5. Communications – Mr. Walther noted immediately following the meeting this evening
the planning commission will go into a study session. He added the next meetings will
be August 18 and September 1, both with public hearings.
6. Adjournment – 6:23 p.m.
Study Session
1. Parking requirements update
Ms. Kramer presented the report.
Commissioner Weber asked about EV chargers and if they are added only when the
development has parking. Ms. Kramer stated one project was updated individually and
an EV station was added. She stated staff works to bring projects up to code and these
are looked at on a case -by-case basis.
Commissioner Beneke asked for more details on the conduit requirement in the
ordinance. Ms. Kramer stated the wires can be added to the conduit without digging up
the pavement.
Chair Eckholm stated he would like to see it updated to level EV 3 chargers at gas
stations as well. Ms. Kramer stated level 2 chargers are required at gas stations and level
3 are permitted.
Commissioner Weber asked if there are any new gas stations being built since the new
parking requirements update and if staff has heard from developers for interest. Mr.
Walther added there is one site of interest that the commission will hear about at their
next meeting. He added it is a parcel off Highway 100 and Minnetonka Boulevard Mr.
Walther added under the current zoning, level 2 would be required if a gas station is
built there.
Commissioner Weber asked about the intersection noted, and if the businesses in the
area depend on EV chargers being added. Ms. Kramer stated parking would most likely
be reduced in most businesses. Mr. Walther added with mixed use, shared parking is
reviewed in many cases, providing opportunities for peak parking times.
Commissioner Weber asked if parking in developments were underground and with
fewer spaces, if there is any cost savings. Mr. Walther stated underground spaces are
the costliest to build so it would be difficult for the reduced number of spaces to make
up the cost. He added the code include s some obscure height and setback bonuses in
the parking ordinance to accommodate incorporating parking in the building.
City council meeting of September 20, 2021 (Item No. 4q) Page 4
Title: Planning commission meeting minutes August 4, 2021
Commissioner Eckholm noted that requiring more level 2 EV conduit, for future use,
seems logical. Mr. Walther stated conduit is relatively inexpensive. Commissioner
Weber and Eckholm suggested an increase to the current conduit requirement from
10% of required parking spaces to 50%. The commissioners generally agreed with
increas ing the conduit requirement.
Commissioner Wilson asked if there is any mandate for all gas stations to have charging
stations by a certain date. Mr. Walther stated unless they are expanding or building
new, the city cannot retroactively require legally established uses to meet new
requirements.
Commissioner Kraft asked if the city regulates outside events parking that is allowed.
Mr. Walther stated when an event is planned a special event permit is required.
Commissioner Tift added it is important for the city to have the EV chargers visible and
asked if there is an initiative within the code for this visibility. Ms. Kramer stated
visibility is not specific in the zoning code to keep flexibility.
2. Adjournment – 7:32 p.m.
Sean Walther Matt Eckholm
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Sean Walther, liaison Matt Eckholm, chair member