HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/07/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
July 18, 2022
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Nadia
Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: Larry Kraft
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Director of Community
Development (Ms. Barton), Zoning Administrator (Mr. Morrison), Senior Planner (Ms.
Chamberlain), Deputy City Clerk (Mr. Peterson-Etem)
Guests: Mark Laverty, Saturday Properties
2. Presentations
2a. Recognition of donations
Mayor Spano recognized the donations from Eric and Christy Redelius Palmer for $300
for a memorial tree in honor of Benjamin Palmer at the Westwood Hills Nature Center,
and Louise Yin who donated $25 for park enhancements and program needs at the
Westwood Hills Nature Center.
3. Approval of minutes - none
4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of May 28 through June
24, 2022.
4b. Designate Bituminous Roadways, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and
authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $209,361.00 for
the Rec Center Parking Lot project no. 2421-5005.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-100 authorizing installation of permit parking
restrictions in front of 2831 Monterey Parkway.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 22-101 authorizing all-way stop at Shelard Parkway and
Nathan Lane.
4e. Adopt a Resolution No. 22-102 authorizing the special assessment for the repair
of the sewer service line at 2824 Pennsylvania Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN.
P.I.D. 08-117-21-33-0028.
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4f. Adopt Resolution confirming council’s ongoing consent for the city manager to
make employment decisions for department heads. (This item was removed
from the consent calendar and considered as regular agenda item 8a.)
4g. Adopt Resolution No. 22-103 accepting donations for the Westwood Hills Nature
Center
4h. Adopt Resolution No. 22-104 approving a Master Partnership Contract with
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) relating to partnering for
services.
4i. Accept Board of Zoning Appeals minutes from January 6, 2021.
4j. Accept Board of Zoning Appeals minutes from June 15, 2022.
4k. Accept planning commission minutes from June 1, 2022.
4l. Accept planning commission minutes from June 15, 2022.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
approve the agenda and items listed on the consent calendar as amended to move
consent calendar item 4f to the regular agenda as item 8e; and to waive reading of all
resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Kraft absent).
5. Boards and commissions - none
6. Public hearings
6a. Off-sale intoxicating liquor license – C & D Unlimited Inc. dba Westwood Liquor
Mr. Peterson-Etem presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve
application from C & D Unlimited Inc. dba Westwood Liquor for an off -sale intoxicating
liquor license located at 2304 Louisiana Ave. S.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Kraft absent).
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the publ ic – none
8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions, and discussion items
8a. Wooddale Station Apartments – Ward 2. Resolution No. 22-105
Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report.
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Councilmember Dumalag asked which building is for 55+. Ms. Chamberlain noted it is
the west building which will be for 55+, with ground floor retail and five stories of living
units.
Councilmember Dumalag stated it was after the public input that the addition of 55+
was included. Ms. Chamberlain agreed and noted the need for downsizing housing for
seniors who want to stay in the community.
Councilmember Dumalag asked how this contrasts with the existing 55+ down the block.
Mr. Walther stated this was the developer’s decision to make this shift and staff was not
involved in that decision. He added this was also reviewed for parking at the site.
Councilmember Dumalag stated she hopes the developer accounts for planting and
trees on the site.
Councilmember Rog added Towerlight has memory care and assisted living as well. Mr.
Walther agreed and noted Elmwood is a senior living development only.
Councilmember Rog noted in the staff report there were questions about parking,
adding she has concerns on this as well as congestion in this area, from a resident’s
perspective. She asked what the main route is where people will travel through the site
and where they will park. Ms. Chamberlain pointed out the entrance driveway, adding it
is a one way. She pointed out the parking areas for customers, as well as the
underground parking area and noted the exit points along Yosemite Avenue.
Councilmember Rog asked if all the access to parking is at the entrance at 36th Street.
Ms. Chamberlain stated that is correct, noting the intention is for it to be a one-way,
and with no entrance from Wooddale Avenue.
Councilmember Rog stated the area is sometimes interrupted by freight train traffic,
which can back up traffic on both sides. She asked if this was a consideration with the
developer.
Mr. Walther stated a traffic review and environmental assessment was done in the area
as part of the previous Place development, as well as a parking study . He noted they did
review this and traffic there would be acceptable. He added the priority at the
development is providing pedestrian and bicycle movement at the site, which fits in
with the city’s visioning. He noted this is why there was not an additional parking study
done in the area, as it was done in depth during the comprehensive planning process.
Councilmember Rog stated she feels a bit wistful about the nearly half million dollars in
park dedication fees that were waived. She hopes the plaza as a public space will be
clearly delineated as public and great effort made to promote its use. She stated there
should be prominent signage that it is for public use. She asked if the developers have
any information on items from the public engagement process related to programming
at the development.
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Mr. Laverty, Saturday Properties, stated they are still working through all these issues .
He noted they did create a public plaza at Nolan Mains in Edina and noted the events
that are held there throughout the year. He stated the public wanted flexible space and
as many uses as possible, including the use of food truck traffic.
Councilmember Rog asked about the market rate rents. Mr. Laverty stated they will
start at about $1,500 per month for the studio, and 1 bedroom is about $1 ,800-1,900
and two bedrooms at $2,000 per month. He noted there will be 19 - 3-bedroom
apartments at $3,000 per month.
Councilmember Brausen stated he is supportive of the project, adding it is a bit less use
than the last development which included a hotel. He noted intensive traffic studies
were conducted and added the intention is to have transit and less use of vehicles, so
the hope is that residents will walk more and drive less.
Councilmember Brausen added he is not concerned about the parking and would like to
encourage walking in that area. He noted the traffic plan will work there especially with
the use of Yosemite Avenue for exiting from the area. He stated he is concerned about
losing trees in the area, but there will be an urban forest close by.
Councilmember Budd added she is supportive of the project. She asked if occupancy is
still planned for fall of 2024. Mr. Walther stated that would be the earliest depending on
how financing comes together.
Councilmember Budd asked, because the light rail will be completed by 2027, does the
city anticipate another traffic study will be conducted , and what might be the impacts of
that. Mr. Walther stated no, this will not happen, and added the developer is providing
well above the minimum required for parking in the city. He added most of the traffic in
the area is from thru traffic and not generated by the property alone .
Councilmember Brausen stated he is happy to see the west building will be 55+ and the
fact there will also be affordable units. He added the community has identified there is a
lack of affordable senior housing available when downsizing within St. Louis Park . He
stated this will fulfill a need for the aging population in the city and that is another
reason he is supporting the development.
Councilmember Mohamed stated she also supports the development. She likes seeing
the affordability but noted there are 19 – 3-bedroom units and of those there are only
four that are affordable units at 60% and 50% AMI. She stated along with seniors being
a priority for affordability, she is concerned for bigger families especially since this is an
area around transit. Overall, though, she is happy to see the affordability.
Mayor Spano stated he is supportive as well. He stated he lives in this area and drives in
the area a couple times per day. He added when a train is in the area, it can back up
traffic and currently it is usually just twice per day – once in morning and once in
evening. He stated while he has concerns about traffic in the area with trains, he is not
concerned about managing that. He added he is happy to see Saturday properties
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involved here, with their solid track record, and noted he is pleased to see a mix of
market rate and affordable in the same property. He thanked prior councils who saw
early the need to purchase property in this area for future projects such as this one .
It was moved by Councilmember Dumalag, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
adopt Resolution No. 22-105 approving the preliminary and final plat for Wooddale
Station Apartments (OlyHi), and to approve the first reading of ordinance adding section
36-268-PUD 24 to the zoning code and amending the zoning map from MX-1 – Vertical
Mixed Use to PUD 24 and set the second reading for Aug. 1, 2022.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Kraft absent).
8b. Comprehensive plan and zoning amendment – 7116 Minnetonka Blvd.
Resolution No. 22-106
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
Councilmember Rog asked about the county’s shared access requirements. Mr.
Morrison stated at this time there is no timeframe attached to removal of this
requirement. He noted both the home and business would have shared access through
the alley, while the business would also have access directly onto Louisiana Ave.
Councilmember Dumalag asked how customers access the site currently. Mr. Morrison
stated it is off both Minnetonka Boulevard and Louisiana Avenue, but mostly
Minnetonka Boulevard.
Councilmember Rog stated she met this family at their business and noted their history
and background in St. Louis Park, which has supported several generations. She stated
she applauds the residents, their builder, staff, BOZA, and the council, and she hopes
they continue to serve the community for many years to come.
Councilmember Budd added she is also supportive of this.
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to adopt
Resolution No. 22-106 approving the amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Future Land Use Plan Map, as well as related figures and tables as recommended by
staff and to approve first reading of ordinance amending the zoning map from C-1
neighborhood commercial to R-2 single -family residential and set the second reading for
Aug. 1, 2022.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Kraft absent).
8c. Combined preliminary/final plat and conditional use permit – 2220 Florida Ave.
S. Resolution No. 22-107 and Resolution No. 22-108
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
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Councilmember Rog asked how these additions get named. Mr. Morrison stated the
applicant’s business name is Bellboy and has been in the area for a long time.
Councilmember Brausen added the applicant can develop the name of their project .
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
adopt Resolution No. 22-107 approving the preliminary and final plat of Bellboy Addition
and Resolution No. 22-108 approving the conditional use permit to allow off-site parking
for 2220 Florida Ave. S. at Lot 1, Block 1, Bellboy Addition.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Kraft absent).
8d. Adopt resolution approving for issuance of Taxable General Obligation Housing
Improvement Area (HIA) Bond Series 2022B Resolution No. 22-109
Ms. Schmitt presented the staff report.
Councilmember Brausen stated there is a cost involved and the city coll ects a fee for
this. Ms. Schmitt agreed stating that is correct.
Mayor Spano stated as part of this agreement the HIA is required to submit a plan of
ongoing maintenance and upkeep and that was part of the council’s consideration .
Councilmember Budd asked about the hardship application process. Ms. Schmitt stated
there is a hardship deferral process in place.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Budd, to adopt
Resolution No. 22-109 approving the issuance of Taxable General Obligation Housing
Improvement Area (HIA) Bond Series 2022B.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Kraft absent).
8e. Adopt resolution confirming council’s ongoing consent for the city manager to
make employment decisions for department heads Resolution No. 22-110
Mayor Spano stated this item relates to the governance model of the city and how City
Manager Keller exercises her authority.
Mayor Spano added the city operates using a council-manager form of government, the
most common form in the state of Minnesota, where the council provides high level
direction, and the city manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations
and the council recognizes that this authority includes all hiring decisions, including
department heads.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
adopt Resolution No. 22-110 confirming council’s ongoing consent for the city manager
to make employment decisions for department heads.
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The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Kraft absent).
9. Communications
Ms. Keller stated the July 14 catalytic converter event was successful with 70 cars marked and
noted the registration process was easier.
Ms. Keller added the city is on track for pavement management projects and is already starting
public engagement for 2023 on projects involving reconstruction, drainage repairs, sidewalks ,
and underground utility work.
It was noted the penny carnival is Friday, July 22, from 12 – 2 p.m. at the ROC, national night
out is Aug. 2, and registration is available on the website.
Councilmember Dumalag noted July 28 at 5:30 p.m. there will be an open house at city hall
related to a Hennepin County mill and overlay project along France Avenue. She added this
involves some on-street parking removal and addition of bike lanes, noting this project effects
Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and Edina.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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