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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/04/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularIff St. Louis Park MINNESOTA 1. Call to Order Mayor Spann called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA APRIL 3, 2017 Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Knutson), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Chief Financial Officer (Ms. Simon), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Planner (Ms. Monson), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther), Senior Engineering Project Manager, (Mr. Elkin), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Matt Pacyna, SRF Traffic; and, Ron Mehl, Developer with Dominium Ia. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations — None 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 February 25, 2017 through March 24, 2017. 4b. Designate C&L Excavating, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $5,430,986.28 for the 2017 Pavement Management and Connect the Park Project No. 4017-1000 & 4017- 2000. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 17-059 approving final plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids (Project No. 4017-1500). 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 17-060 supporting the City of St. Louis Park becoming a 2017-2018 Minnesota GreenCorps Member Host Site. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 17-061 authorizing fund equity transfers and Adopt Resolution No. 17-062 authorizing interfund loan. 4f. Accept for filing Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Minutes of December 22, 2016. 4g. Accept for filing Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2017. It ivas moved by Councihnember Sanger, seconded by Councibnember Lindberg, to approve the Agenda as presented and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions — None City Council Meeting -2- April 3, 2017 6. Public Hearings — None 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Carpenter Park Regional Stormwater Improvement. Resolution No. 17-063 and Resolution No. 17-064. Ms. Monson presented the staff report. She noted the city of St. Louis Park is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to construct an underground stormwater detention vault at the southwest corner of Carpenter Park. As part of this project, the Engineering Department is collaborating with the Operations and Recreation Department, which proposes to construct a skate park that is approximately 6,000 square feet in area over top of the stormwater detention vault. Mr. Elkin stated that project benefits include removal of 27.6 lbs. of phosphorus per year, which will benefit Bass Lake Reserve. Additionally, there will be a 16% reduction of phosphorus into Minnehaha Creek Watershed. Benefits will also be realized to Carpenter Park itself, including leveling out fields and creating more usable space. The total project cost is $1,397,640. Mr. Elkin stated if approved, staff plans to open bids on May 8, with the project beginning in June and proposed completion in September 2017. Councilmember Brausen stated he is supportive of this project and asked staff what the source of the phosphorus is and why are we concerned about filtering it. Mr. Elkin explained phosphorus is based on the amount of impervious surface and is comprised of leaves, sediment, and organic materials that get into the water, break down, and contribute to poor water quality. Councilmember Brausen asked Mr. Elkin for suggestions of what homeowners can do to help limit phosphorus. Mr. Elkin stated residents can help by preventing grass clippings from going into the street and by picking up dog waste. They can also build rain gardens and use phosphorus -free lawn fertilizer. Councilmember Hallfin stated that right next to the excavating land are two baseball fields. He asked what the hours of operation are for the trucks hauling from the site. Mr. Elkin noted the area will be fenced off, and the route used by the hauling trucks will not disrupt parking or the baseball fields. He added working hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Councilmember Hallfin suggested that trucks not be allowed to haul until 10 p.m. on weeknights, especially in light of the baseball fields, where 5 -10 -year-old children are playing. Councilmember Mavity stated she supports this project and has worked closely with the Friends of Bass Lake Neighborhood Group. She noted this project is one step and will not replace other efforts that will continue toward preserving Bass Lake. Mr. Elkin agreed and added there will be other efforts implemented this year related to Bass Lake. City Council Meeting -3- April 3, 2017 Councilmember Sanger asked to verify where the 600 truckloads will be moving from this parcel and that they will not be on Ottawa Avenue or Minnetonka Boulevard. Ms. Monson confirmed that is correct. Mr. Harmening asked about the elevation once the park is complete and if the stormsewer will be underground. Mr. Elkin stated the stormsewer will be in an underground vault, and the field will be leveled off with no slope. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt Resolution No. 17-063, granting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the City of St. Louis Park allowing the excavation of 6,000 cubic yards of material to construct an underground stormwater detention system at 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, subject to conditions and to adopt Resolution No. 17-064, approving final plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisementfor bids (Project No 4014-4001). The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Excelsior & Monterey (Bridgewater Dominium Addition) Preliminary Plat and PUD. Mr. Walther presented the staff report. He stated the sites are 4424 and 4400 Excelsior Blvd. and 3743 Monterey Drive. Council last discussed this development at a study session in October 2016. Since that meeting, Dominium further reduced the proposed number of apartments to 148 units and reduced the affordable housing to 8% of the units at 50% of area median income (AMI). No other changes are proposed to the height, scale, or access since the council's last discussion. Mr. Walther added that the development would combine three parcels into two parcels. He noted that the Comprehensive Plan designates this site as Mixed Use, and the district allows for mixed use, multi -family residential and commercial. There would be 380 parking spaces provided on the site, with three levels of structured and shared parking. Mr. Walther noted that access to the site is off of Excelsior Boulevard and Monterey Drive, with an "entrance only" commercial driveway. He stated the first and sixth floors are stepped back, and creates a colonnade on the first level. ADA ramps provide access. Mr. Walther also noted traffic is a major issue. SRF Consulting Group did data collection on traffic volumes during peak hours on weekdays. They also reviewed crash, sightlines, and capacity. He noted that a dedicated right turn lane onto Park Commons Drive would be added. Mr. Mehl of Dominium spoke to the council and noted the biggest change to the development is the density, which is down a total of 31 units. He added that traffic, density, and green space were issues they addressed, along with setback. Mr. Mehl pointed out the other developments in the area, and how theirs would be further set back, and with more green space. He stated six stories will work, but if number of stories goes down from there, the project will not make sense financially. Councilmember Sanger stated she is not supporting this project for many reasons. She stated the changes made by the developer are very minor, at best, and the project is still City Council Meeting -4- April 3, 2017 too dense. She noted there is still too much traffic in the area, not enough exits, and not enough green space around the exterior of the building. This development will create 1,521 new in and out movements. She stated the developer has had many meetings with council on these issues, and the current proposal is troubling. Councilmember Sanger stated it is time to say no to this project; to find a new developer; and to come up with a new project. She stated she will not support it; will not support selling city owned land; and would support denial of the PUD on the project. Councilmember Lindberg stated he shares many of Councilmember Sanger's comments, noting the project is very dense and very tall. He added he does not feel like the result reflects the interests of the citizens in this community, and it must be redone. Councilmember Miller stated he supports denial of the project as there have been too few changes. He added that affordable units have been lost, and the council is working hard to put as many affordable units into the city as possible. He stated this building does not fit well on Excelsior Boulevard, while it might work well on Highway 7 or in the West End. Councilmember Miller stated he thinks the city can do better, especially since St. Louis Park is very attractive to developers right now. He continued this corner can be so much more. Councilmember Brausen stated he has been generally supportive of this project, and was pleased that traffic flow had been worked out, along with street changes and commercial access. He is disappointed in the reduction of the number of affordable housing units, but realizes it still does comport with the city's current inclusionary housing policy. He added he does not believe he can support the TIF the developer is looking for. Councilmember Brausen continued that the project does improve the streetseape and does add some affordable housing. He does support this more than he would an office building of 10 stories or more, noting that sometimes there are worse alternatives. Ultimately, he stated he will vote in support of the project. Councilmember Hallfin stated he cannot remember another time when there has been 99% disapproval from constituents on a project. He added that both he and the council looks at each project as an individual project and pointed out that he does listen to its constituents. Councilmember Mavity stated this is a classic example that time itself does not solve everything. She noted the project does not have the support of this council, and she will vote in favor of a motion to deny it. She added we have guided this mixed use, and residents have said they want more mixed use; however, she understands residents feel very strongly against this project. Councilmember Mavity noted she has asked her neighbors what would be an acceptable project, and they have said four stories, mixed use. However, the developer stated this would not work. She stated she does want to see development on this corner, noting that Excelsior Boulevard will handle more traffic. She added that the council promised the community there would be a larger conversation, and now with Vision St. Louis Park in process, the council wants input from residents. Councilmember Mavity added that she liked the mixed use and not commercial -only space. He added Dominium is a quality developer. She noted this is one project that the community does not want. She added that there are positives; the development does improve circulation, the step down makes it more interesting and attractive; and the City Council Meeting -5- April 3, 2017 colonnade is unique and adds to the walkway. However, there are still density and massing issues. She said she sees the Excelsior and Monterey project issues as being more about access and circulation, and even with the improvements that have been made to the plan, it has not hit 100% yet. Mayor Spano added this project does not have the votes nor the support at this time. He stated he received many emails from residents, but all along he struggled with the density of the development. He also cannot support that of the units that have been reduced, most have been the affordable units that were taken out of the project. He stated that while he understands what the developer is trying to do, the council cannot agree with taking away two-thirds of the affordable units. Mayor Spano also pointed out to the council that they need to be careful about comparing projects on Excelsior with other areas of the city. We should try to take each project on its own and give it the consideration it deserves. He added that ultimately the project does not work for this area of the city. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Lindberg, to direct staff to prepare resolutions and draft findings for denial of the Preliminary Planned Unit Development and the denial of the Preliminary Plat with Variances. The motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Brausen opposed). 8c. Traffic Study No 677: Authorize Removal of Parking Restrictions on 31" Street. Resolution No. 17-065 Ms. Heiser presented the staff report. She stated residents in this neighborhood contacted staff with concerns about parking due to increased parking demand in the area. Currently, parking is allowed on one side of 31s` Street between Inglewood Avenue and the east city boundary. The street is 30 feet wide, which is adequate to allow parking on both sides of the street. The traffic committee recommends lifting restrictions on the south side of 31 Street. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Hallfrn, to adopt Resolution No. 17-065, rescinding Resolution 3159 and removing parking restrictions on the south side of'31" Street between Inglewood Avenue and the east city boundary in the Triangle neighborhood. The motion passed 7-0. 8d. Traffic Study No 678: Modify Parking Restrictions on Lynn Avenue. Resolution No. 17-066. Ms. Heiser presented the staff report. She noted staff was contacted by neighbors requesting to adjust the parking restrictions to create additional on -street parking on Lynn Avenue, south of Minnetonka Boulevard. The existing arrangement allows for approximately 16 on -street parking spaces. The traffic committee recommends altering the parking restrictions in the area. The proposed change would restrict parking on the west side and allow parking on the east side of the street. This change would allow about 21 parking spaces, increasing on -street parking by 5 spaces. City Council Meeting -6- April 3, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 17-066, rescinding Resolution 6478 rescinding Resolution 3636 and modifying restrictions to allow continuous on -street parking on the east side of Lynn Avenue between Minnetonka Boulevard and CSAH 25 Frontage Road in the Triangle neighborhood. The motion passed 7-0. 8e. Call for Public Hearing to Consider Establishment of Elmwood Apartments TIF District. Resolution No. 17-067 Mr. Hunt noted he had nothing further to add to the staff report included in the packet. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 17-067, calling for a public hearing relative to the establishment of the Elmwood Apartments Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District within Redevelopment Project No. 1 (a redevelopment district). The motion passed 7-0 9. Communications Councilmember Sanger noted the St. Louis Park Historical Society will present Tom Freidman, speaking at the Jewish Community Center on Sunday, April 30. Tickets are available on the Historical Society's website, and there are only a few left. Councilmember Miller stated NY columnist Peggy Ornstein, a St. Louis Park High School graduate, will be speaking on Teen Health on April 8 at Edina Morningside Church. Councilmember Brausen stated that in Ward 4 there will be a couple of controlled burns of the landscape, which includes Lamplighter Park. So if residents see smoke in the area, be aware it is planned. Mayor Spano stated there are still ways to engage and participate in the city's visioning process and asked the public to email staff or the councilmembers for more information. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. o MehKenn dy, City Clerk