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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/11/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularMeeting: City council Meeting date: January3, 2022 Consent agenda item: 4r Official minutes Planning commission November 17, 2021 – 6:00 p.m. Members present: Jim Beneke, Matt Eckholm, Michael Salzer, Sam Tift, Tom Weber Members absent: Jessica Kraft, Joffrey Wilson Staff present: Jacquelyn Kramer, Sean Walther Guests: Philip Branson, representative from Morrie ’s. 1. Call to order – roll call 2. Approval of minutes – Nov. 3, 2021 Commissioner Tift noted his comments should read, “Commissioner Tift also said he will vote in favor, adding that his main concern was around lowering parking requirements for multi-family developments. He stated that the city’s previous experience managing these lower requirements without the developments leading to excessive street parking addressed this concern." Commissioner Beneke noted his comments should read, “Commissioner Beneke stated he has mixed feelings about the use of parks as some commercial daycares may not get kids outside if they have to go down a block. If it is going to limit the development, then he may support it.” Chair Eckholm indicated the min utes stated, “Chair Eckholm added a park can be upgraded so that it becomes safe for use, noting that would be a win for all." It should read, “Chair Eckholm asked if there was anything preventing the city from accepting a donation of play equipment from a prospective day care center to bring a nearby city park's facilities up to a standard acceptable for a day care to use. He noted that this could allow a center that already budgeted for equipment but cannot find adequate space to install it a way to avoid a rooftop play area and would add additional value to the adjacent park.” Commissioner Weber made a motion to approve the minutes as revised, seconded by Commissioner Tift. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Hearings 3a. Morrie’s Hyundai conditional use permit Applicant: Morrie’s Automotive Group, 6399 Wayzata Blvd. Case No: 21-36-CUP Ms. Kramer presented the report. City council meeting of January 3, 2022 (Item No. 4r) Page 2 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes November 17, 2021 Commissioner Weber asked if there are requirements related to car washes in the city. Ms. Kramer stated there are some restrictions on automated or drive -up car washes, but this is not a drive -up wash, so those conditions did not apply in this case. The car wash will comply with any relevant stormwater or water runoff regulations. Commissioner Salzer asked if this project is a complete tear down. Ms. Kramer stated no, the existing building will remain, and three building additions will be constructed. Commissioner Beneke stated there is another car dealership right next to this one and asked if it has a similar CUP as Morrie’s . Ms. Kramer stated she believes they do, but she does not recall when that was approved by council. She stated they would be subject to the same conditions as Morrie’s, as they are in the same zoning district. Chair Eckholm opened the public hearing. Phillip Branson, representing Morrie’s, 12520 Wayzata B oulevard , Minnetonka, MN spoke . He noted he is in charge of construction for the project and noted the engineer and architect are also at the meeting. Mr. Branson stated in addition to the expansion, they are also significantly remodeling the inside of the building. He stated they are improving the customer and employee experience with new showroom, lounge and service drive, breakroom, and service department. He noted the Lincoln dealership to the north was approved in 2016. He stated they are very excited about the project and will be improving the landscaping as well. Chair Eckholm asked if EV chargers will be included and if the dealership sells EV cars. Mr. Branson stated they do sell EV cars and are laying conduit for EV chargers, as well as converting two service bays into EV compliance . He added the EV service bays are wider and require a flat stall in between each bay. Commissioner Salzer asked if they have a used car building as well and what will that be used for. Mr. Branson stated that facility is used for selling used cars to Morrie’s. He stated the building will be removed and torn down and not replaced and that business moved elsewhere. Commissioner Salzer asked if more foot traffic will be moving through with the improvements. Mr. Branson stated the facilities being brought up to brand standards and they expect increase d sales . The manufacturer also requires this update, to comply with Hyundai brand standards. Chair Eckholm closed the public hearing. Commissioner Tift stated he is excited for this project and the improvements and new landscaping mentioned. City council meeting of January 3, 2022 (Item No. 4r) Page 3 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes November 17, 2021 Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Beneke, to approve the project as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Other Business- none 5. Communications Mr. Walther noted the study session will begin immediately following the planning commission meeting . The next meeting is December 8. The December 15 meeting may be cancelled if applicant is not ready to present. 6. Adjournment - 6:16 p.m. Study session 1. Just Deed’s presentation Mr. Walther presented to the commission regarding racial covenants and the city’s new Just Deeds program and facilitated a discussion by the commission. Mr. Walther shared the preamble to the city charter. He noted the culture and history of inclusivity the city had at a time Jewish people were being barred from areas of Minneapolis and that moved to St. Louis Park. Howeve r, that inclusivity was extended to black people at the time . He noted the University of Minnesota’s M apping Prejudice project, which revealed the extent of the discriminatory covenants in Hennepin County and St. Louis Park. Mr. Walther noted there were more than 1400 properties in St. Louis Park with racial covenants identified. He stated these have had ongoing and lasting impacts that persist today, including disparities in climate impacts , health, and wealth. Mr. Walther noted the city is sharing this history and hoping to inspire action. He stated the Just Deeds program started in Golden Valley and has grown to include a coalition of cities, attorneys, title companies, and others involved in real estate . It provides free legal and title services to help property owners discharge discriminatory covenants on their properties. He added these have not been enforceable since the 1960s but are a hidden history that needs to be discussed. One example of a new housing program to provid e financial assistance to low -income first -generation home buyers. First-generation buyers are defined as buyers that have never owned a home and whose parents have never owned a home . The purpose of the program is to build wealth in communities most impacted by housing disparities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and other low-income households in order to support the city’s strategic priority of racial equity and inclusion. City council meeting of January 3, 2022 (Item No. 4r) Page 4 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes November 17, 2021 The commissioners discussed the information provided by Mr. Walther about racial covenants. Commissioner Weber stated he understands the number of covenants in St. Louis Park per capita is one of the highest in Hennepin County. He stated that could be a very stark fact for folks to understand the issue with racial covenants in St. Louis Park. Mr. Walther stated 100% of the covenants disqualified blacks from homeownership, as well as other groups. Commission Beneke asked where funding for the program will come from. Mr. Walther stated the funding source will be Housing tax increment financing districts that have expired. The city has budged $300,000 for this program in 2021. Commissioner Beneke stated it would be helpful to have a comprehensive list of issues around the country and the program offerings, as well. Mr. Walther agreed. He noted some of the city’s other affordable housing activities . Chair Eckholm stated we should always ask why things are the way they are and have always been. We need to discuss why these things need to be changed and be honest why things are being preserved. Commissioner Weber stated he worries about as time goes on; affordable housing definitions may change. He stated the city policies are tied to median income and he wants to be sure tenants do not pay too high a percentage of their income on housing. He asked if the commission could initiate a study session to work on and discuss that question. Mr. Walther stated housing staff can come to a commission study session to further discuss the city’s affordable housing programs. Chair Eckholm asked if there are areas in St. Louis Park that have bee n damaged. Mr. Walther stated he is not aware of a parallel example in St. Louis Park as experienced in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul with I-94 construction. Chair Eckholm stated if the program creates support for areas that have freeways going within their neighborhoods, perhaps this could be incentivized for investment. Mr. Walther thanked the commission for their comments, noting the city will be refining this presentation for broader aud ie nces . Chair Eckholm asked if the city does any state level lobbying on this and is there a way forward with developers to make progress where the city can see multi-family condominium ownership in Minnesota again. He stated we have not been building condos for over 50 years and this is not happening for middle income or affordable income families. Commissioner Weber asked if after one year of allowability in the city , are there any ADU’s? Mr. Walther stated not yet but there is one person interested. The m ost interest City council meeting of January 3, 2022 (Item No. 4r) Page 5 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes November 17, 2021 has coming from investment property owners, which are not eligible to create an ADU under the current rules. He added after people learned the costs to build an ADU, they have lost interest. Chair Eckholm asked when discussions will start on the potential for duplexes in St. Louis Park. Mr. Walther stated he is not certain yet but this is on the 2021 workplan and will likely carrying into 2022. Commissioner Beneke asked about the Aldersgate redevelopment project. Mr. Walther stated an application will likely be submitted in January 2022. 2. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Sean Walther Matt Eckholm Sean Walther, liaison Matt Eckholm, chair member