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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/08/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular Meeting: City council Meeting date: October 18, 2021 Consent agenda item: 4i Official minutes Planning commission August 18, 2021 – 6:00 p.m. Members present: Jim Beneke, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Sam Tift, Joffrey Wilson Members absent: Imran Dagane, Tom Weber Staff present: Jacquelyn Kramer, Sean Walther Guests: City residents 1. Call to order – roll call 2. Approval of minutes – August 4, 2021 Chair Eckholm noted three corrections in the study session minutes: x The minutes state “Chair Eckholm stated he would like to see EV chargers at gas stations, as well”. Chair Eckholm knows, from the previous discussion around the EV charging ordinance, that we already have an EV level 2 requirement for gas stations. He was hoping to see that we would update that to EV level 3. x Regarding the comment around level 3 conduit being added for underground and structured parking. The conversation was more in the sense of requiring more level 2 conduit, not specifically level 3 conduit, in apartment buildings. x There was no mention of the proposed policy targets that we were discussing. We stated that if we wanted to go bold, we should aim for a 50% target. It was moved by Commissioner Kraft and seconded by Commission Wilson to approve the minutes of August 4, 2021, with corrections. The motion passed 5-0. 3. Hearings 3a. Land use and zoning changes at Minnetonka Boulevard and Highway 100 Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No: 21-29-CP, 21-30-ZA Ms. Kramer presented the report. Chair Eckholm asked how the traffic generated by a 30-unit apartment building compared to a gas station. Ms. Kramer stated a gas station generally generates more traffic daily. Commissioner Beneke stated there was conversation at the neighborhood meeting of a possible trail connection between Minnetonka Boulevard and Utica Avenue or from Utica to Vernon and asked how this works. City council meeting of October 18, 2021 (Item No. 4i) Page 2 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes August 18, 2021 Ms. Kramer stated there is no plan for how the trail might work. She noted the question was raised to see if there was interest in a more pedestrian connections but there are no city plans or designs for this. Commissioner Beneke asked if the lot size is fixed or if there is room for a trail. Ms. Kramer stated a trail could be accommodated with an easement or right of way dedication when a development is proposed on the site. Chair Eckholm opened the public hearing. Jon Olson, 2919 Vernon Avenue South, noted he and his wife have lived on Vernon Avenue for 35 years; adding it is a very busy street, to avoid traffic on Highway 100. He stated he does want to change the zoning in this area, so that anyone coming or leaving the property and exiting onto Vernon Avenue will change. He stated there is a gas station across the street and another on Lake Street and several others as well, so he is not sure why a gas station would want to be in this location. Marnie Lazarus, 2926 Utica Avenue South, stated this property is in her back yard. She is against opening Utica Avenue, and to open it would be more traffic, more crime and cutting in and out, adding nobody on Utica wants this. Barb Heinz, 2801 Vernon Avenue South, stated she is in full agreement that a gas station would not be the best asset. She is concerned about having residential there also and is worried about more construction projects. She would like to see more affordable housing within existing apartments in St. Louis Park versus building another apartment building. She is not interested in a walking path there either. She stated she checked with businesses in the area also to see about their concerns. She added the old gas station was a crime creator and she would not be interested in a gas station. Davonna Sand, Sumter Avenue South, noted she is an ISAIAH member and in support of multi-family housing in St. Louis Park at the location being discussed. Lisa Overlin, 5524 Minnetonka Boulevard, noted she has a problem with the gas station and the apartment as it is already very congested in that location. She stated whatever is in there needs to be very small, due to traffic. She stated it is a bad corner as it is and can’t imagine cars turning into the location. Claudia Oxley, 2931 Vernon Avenue South, noted she is an ISAIAH member and she does agree about traffic in the area. If there is a gas station, traffic will back up on Minnetonka Boulevard, which will disallow emergency vehicles from getting through. She is opposed to the gas station and believes many of the pro comments are related to convenience and that many don’t like the Marathon Station. She stated it is important to build more affordable housing in St. Louis Park. Ron Werner, 2148 Glenhurst Road, stated he is not in the neighborhood, but asked the commissioners who would want to live on top of a freeway and why stick affordable housing in this area. He asked why every open piece of land in St. Louis Park needs to be City council meeting of October 18, 2021 (Item No. 4i) Page 3 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes August 18, 2021 converted and developed. He noted many think if they see another multi-unit apartment building, it will take folks over the brink. He stated he thinks the area should be converted to green space, something St. Louis Park has little of, with all their unprecedented development. He stated plant trees there and this strategy would fit in with the city environmental plan. A gas station opens too much traffic into the community and is unacceptable. He asked how this housing would add aesthetics or make the city better. Green space would be attractive in the area and be an environmental asset. Chair Eckholm closed the public hearing. Chair Eckholm stated he appreciated the last caller. If the city had the first right to the property, this would be a good use to consider, but it’s out of the city’s control. He stated regarding people living above a freeway, some people might not have a choice as to where they live. He stated anywhere we can build in a “built-out” city, should happen and when we see something like this, affordable housing should be included. Mr. Walther stated there was no city contemplation of a road connection of Utica Avenue to Minnetonka Boulevard. It was pointed out at the neighborhood meeting that the subject property might seek a driveway access to Utica, in addition to an access on Vernon. Commissioner Wilson thanked everyone for their comments. He stated whenever there is an opportunity for development in the community, the areas of discussion include the themes that were raised during this hearing including affordable housing, sustainability, and safety, which are all important. He stated the commission will look further into these areas when addressing this development and future developments. Commissioner Kraft stated she knows this area as she lives in the neighborhood. She shares the concerns for traffic on Vernon and no matter what goes onto the site will be a concern. She stated there are many things it could become, and it could be a smaller development, with a shorter height, and she is in support of rezoning the property. Commissioner Beneke also supports the rezoning for housing. He stated hopefully the city will guide what goes in there and control the traffic issues also. He added hopefully the driveway access will be something the city can control and works with potential developers to provide guidance. It was moved by Commissioner Beneke and seconded by Commission Wilson to approve the land use and zoning changes at Minnetonka Boulevard and Highway 100 as presented and recommend it to the city council. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Other Business 5. Communications City council meeting of October 18, 2021 (Item No. 4i) Page 4 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes August 18, 2021 Mr. Walther noted the next meeting is September 1st and main item will be a public hearing for a PUD for mixed use apartment building for people ages 55 and older at 3510 Beltline Boulevard. He stated a study session is planned for September 22 to tour one or two recent developments. Mr. Walther stated City Council adopted the home occupations ordinance, a CUP amendment for Wat Prom, and approved transferring the contract for development at the former Olive Garden site to a new developer and that could begin construction soon. Mr. Walther stated City Manager Kim Keller started Monday, August 23. Mr. Walther stated 2020 census data was released. The official count for St. Louis Park was 50,010 which was a 10.5% increase since 2010, which was higher than recent estimates. He thanked all that participated in the outreach efforts to encourage self- response to the Census that helped ensure a complete and accurate count. 6. Adjournment – 6:42 p.m. Sean Walther Matt Eckholm ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Sean Walther, liaison Matt Eckholm, chair member