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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/03/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular Meeting: City council Meeting date: April 18, 2022 Consent agenda item: 4 Ɛ Official minutes Planning commission March 16, 2022 – 6:00 p.m. Members present: Jim Beneke, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft, Michael Salzer, Tom Weber, Joffrey Wilson Members absent: none Staff present: Jennifer Monson, Gary Morrison Guests: Members of Sherman and Associates 1. Call to order – roll call 2. Approval of minutes – Feb. 16, 2022 Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eckholm to approve the Feb. 16, 2022, minutes of the planning commission as presented. The motion passed 6-0. 3. Hearings 3a. Beltline Station Development Applicant: Sherman Associates, Inc. Case No: 22-05-S, 22-06-PUD Ms. Monson presented the applications. Commissioner Salzer asked if the city is setting a precedent by putting all the affordable housing in one building or if this has been done in the past. Ms. Monson stated typically the city’s policy does require the affordable units to be spread throughout the development evenly but noted this is a unique site with a high number of affordable two- and three-bedroom units that make funding virtually impossible unless it was its own affordable housing building. She added the city is also an owner of the site and will sell the site to Sherman, so while it’s not ideal, it does help the city achieve many of its goals on this site. Commissioner Weber asked if this entire project is contingent on having a grocer that signs on and if something falls through, is the city back to square one. Mr. Anderson of Sherman Associates stated this project is not contingent on securing a grocer on that site but certainly that is the ideal scenario for the project to move forward. He added the developer is willing to move forward with the project without the grocer also if that Page 2 City council meeting of April 18, 2022 (Item No. 4Ɛ) Title: Planning commission meeting minutes March 16, 2022 occurs. He stated the developer is committed to mixed-use development and to complex urban infill development and have done projects like this before. Commissioner Salzer asked if the original project agreement was February 2018. Ms. Monson stated yes. Commissioner Salzer stated there was a change to the green requirement in 2020 and asked if this project now meets that standard. Ms. Monson stated yes. Commissioner Salzer asked if there are any other changes in city requirements since 2018. Ms. Monson stated there have been numerous changes for the inclusionary housing policy. She added this project complies with and exceeds the city’s requirements for inclusionary housing policy and green building policy. Chair Beneke opened the public hearing. Mr. Anderson stated Sherman is a local developer in business over 40 years and are long-term members of the community in which they do development. This drives them to produce quality long-term assets. Chair Beneke closed the public hearing. Commissioner Weber thanked staff for their work on this project which is a long time coming. Chair Beneke agreed. Commissioner Salzer asked about parking requirements. Ms. Monson stated the park and ride stalls are open to the public and the renters will utilize the security parking in the ramp as well as open surface parking spaces. She added it’s up to the developer to run the parking and to ensure there are enough parking spots, while no on-street parking will be allowed in the area. She noted the first couple of spots will be reserved for park and ride users. Ms. Monson also noted there are separate entrances for all three parking areas with controlled door access and only accessible by each building resident. Commissioner Wilson stated that he appreciated the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals that were presented and asked the developer to consider DEI goals during the construction hiring process. Commissioner Kraft asked when the project would be complete. Ms. Monson stated the start of construction will be in June with grading and the affordable building will start in July, after financing is closed. She added three of the four structures start in 2022 with building 3 beginning construction in early 2023. Commissioner Salzer stated he is supportive of this project, with some concerns about the clustering of the affordable housing and to make sure the dignity of all residents is taken into consideration. Mr. Anderson stated Sherman and Associates is a strong advocate of affordable housing and one of the larger affordable housing builders in the mid-west. He stated having all the units in one affordable structure is better for the financing and over 80% are two- to three-bedroom units. He stated the product Page 3 City council meeting of April 18, 2022 (Item No. 4Ɛ) Title: Planning commission meeting minutes March 16, 2022 delivered is quality. He noted several of the amenities within the affordable building, including two bathrooms in the two- to three-bedroom units, a children’s play area and a pool area. Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Salzer to approve the preliminary and final plat and preliminary and final PUD subject to conditions recommended by staff. The motion passed 6-0. 4. Other Business 4a. 9920 Wayzata Blvd. EDA land sale conformance with the comprehensive plan Ms. Monson presented the report. Commissioner Weber made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Salzer to adopt the Resolution finding the proposed EDA land sale for 9920 Wayzata Blvd to be in conformance with the comprehensive plan of the City of St. Louis Park. The motion passed 6-0. 5. Communications Mr. Morrison stated there is a special meeting on March 23, 2022. He noted on the April 6 meeting agenda will be an action item on a preliminary and final plat at STEP and a discussion on the Wooddale Station. 6. Adjournment – 6:47 p.m. Sean Walther Jim Beneke ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Sean Walther, liaison Jim Beneke, chair member (PC Resolution 22-96)