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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/07/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JULY 20, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Lisa Peilen, Richard Person, Carl Robertson, Joe Tatalovich, Ethan Rickert (youth member) MEMBERS ABSENT: Claudia Johnston-Madison, Torrey Kanne STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Nicole Mardell, Jennifer Monson, Gary Morrison 1. Call to Order – Roll Call Vice Chair Peilen called the meeting to order. 2. Approval of Minutes of June 15, 2016 Commissioner Carper made a motion approving the minutes of June 15, 2016. Commissioner Person seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 3- 0-2 (Peilen and Robertson abstained). 3. Public Hearings A. Parkway 25 Preliminary and Final PUD; Preliminary and Final Plat Location: 4001 and 4025 State Highway 7 Applicant: Sela Group, LLC Case No.: 16-13-S and 16-14-PUD Nicole Mardell, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. She explained the proposal for redevelopment of the former Vescio’s restaurant and ValuStay Inn site is to demolish the existing buildings, combine the properties, and develop a 5- story, mixed-use building with 111 residential units, 8,500 sq. ft. of commercial space, and parking located in two surface lots and in an underground parking ramp. Commissioner Carper asked about sidewalks and the alley. Ms. Mardell responded that there will be sidewalk on Glenhurst, along the frontage road, and along the interior parking lots. She said the alley is currently unimproved. The applicant will be responsible for widening and paving the alley. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 20, 2016 Page 2 Vice Chair Peilen asked how a resident with underground parking would exit the site. Ms. Mardell responded the exit would be up the ramp, through the south parking lot and onto Glenhurst. She added that the alley exit is for additional circulation if the parking lot is full. Vice Chair Peilen said at the present time there is only a stop sign at Glenhurst. She asked if the city had plans for that intersection as there will be two developments in the vicinity. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, noted that a traffic study was completed for the development. Operations at Glenhurst Ave S and the frontage road are expected to have a Level of Service A. The study relied on counts predating the closing of the Hwy. 7 bridge over Highway 100, and includes the Shoreham Development and the proposed development in the models. Dean Dovolis, applicant, DJR Architects, provided an overview of the proposed development. They hope to start construction in spring 2017. In response to Commissioner Carper’s questions, Mr. Dovolis discussed solar panels, green roof, LED lighting, resident gardens, parking lot surface, and on- street parking. Paz Sela, owner, spoke briefly about parking. The Vice Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak she closed the public hearing. Commissioner Robertson stated it is a nice project. He thanked DJR Architecture for consistently bringing very thoughtful designs to St. Louis Park. Commissioner Robertson made a motion recommending approval of the Preliminary and Final Planned Unit Development and Preliminary and Final Plat. Commissioner Tatalovich seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-0. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 20, 2016 Page 3 B. 10 West Preliminary and Final PUD; Preliminary and Final Plat Location: 1601 Utica Ave. S. Applicant: The Excelsior Group and Ryan Companies Case No.: 16-25-S and 16-26-PUD Nicole Mardell, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. The PUD request is to allow construction of an 11-story Class A office tower. The building is the fourth phase of the Central Park West PUD. The plat request is to subdivide the existing Outlot A into two additions, one for the proposed North Tower and one for a future South Tower. Commissioner Robertson asked for follow-up on the two concerns raised at the neighborhood meeting. Ms. Mardell responded that the applicant suggested incorporation of a Travel Demand Management (TDM) plan and different measures, such as bike facilities, to decrease the amount of traffic onto Lilac Dr. in Golden Valley. The TDM plan will probably be produced before the first City Council meeting on this matter. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, noted that as part of its approvals for the Central Park West PUD, the Golden Valley city council did require additional improvements that will be constructed later this summer. That includes expansion of a roadway underpass underneath Hwy. 100 that will allow for a trail along the south side of that area. There will also be a 3-way stop and right and left dedicated turn lanes on the Wayzata Blvd on east side of Hwy. 100. Ms. Mardell said the applicant is working with iHeartMedia Corp. to address concerns about disruption of radio signal transmission. Tony Barranco, Ryan Companies, thanked the Commission for their input at the study session. He discussed LEED certification, stormwater management and control and storm water reuse, rain gardens, and irrigation friendly landscaping. He spoke about the TDM plan. He spoke about how wellness has been incorporated into the building design. He said when 10 West End is built it will not create any interference with iHeart Media radio signal transmission, based on the tower orientation at the 1550 building. There may be some potential signal interruption when 20 West End, the second phase office building, is built. Commissioner Carper asked if there would be any exterior eating spaces. Mr. Barranco said there will be an elevated patio area with outdoor café seating sections on the south side of Central Park West. There will also be some additional tables in the lobby. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 20, 2016 Page 4 In response to Commissioner Robertson’s question about potential tenants Mr. Barranco said marketing feedback has been very good. They hope to have an anchor tenant in 60-90 days. Vice Chair Peilen opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak she closed the public hearing. Commissioner Carper said it is an excellent project and he appreciates the applicant taking time to meet with the Commission in a study session. Commissioner Carper made a motion to recommend approval of the Preliminary and Final Planned Unit Development and Preliminary and Final Plat. Commissioner Person seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a 5-0 vote. C. Meadowbrook Manor Clubhouse – Conditional Use Permit Location: 6922-6932 Meadowbrook Blvd. Applicant: Sambetek, Inc. Case No.: 16-24-CUP Jennifer Monson, Planner, stated the request is for a conditional use permit for construction of a clubhouse, swimming pool, ten surface parking spaces, detention pond, and significant landscape additions. The construction will require demolition of the existing six-unit townhome building. She explained that the complex was originally constructed prior to the conditional use permit requirement and it has been a legal non-conforming development within the city. The request for a CUP will bring the overall property closer to compliance with current zoning standards. Commissioner Robertson commented that the 7 a.m. weekend construction start time is earlier than code allows. Commissioner Carper asked if there was a pass-through trail on the property. Ms. Monson said the trail access along Minnehaha Creek will continue. Commissioner Person asked if the streets within the complex are private. Ms. Monson replied that they are city streets and are maintained by the city. Eric Miller, Sambetek, said their intent is to comply with the city’s ordinance on construction hours. He answered questions about the storm sewer system. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 20, 2016 Page 5 Commissioner Carper asked if there were any dog walking areas. He asked if there was any space for resident garden plots. Mr. Miller said the site is fairly open with ample space for dog walking. Ted Bigos, owner, said there are no existing garden plots and no plans for them. He said there has been no demand for them. Vice Chair Peilen opened the public hearing. No one was present to speak and she closed the public hearing. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, stated that weekend construction start time is 9 a.m. Commissioner Robertson made a motion recommending approval of the Conditional Use Permit with an amendment to weekend construction start time. Commissioner Carper seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5- 0. D. Zoning Ordinance Amendment pertaining to Fences, Sheds and Signs Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 16-28-ZA Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He explained the amendment proposes to establish and clarify materials that can be used to construct a fence; update the maximum size accessory building that can be constructed without a building permit; increase the size maximum allowed for signs in the R-4 Multiple-Family Residence district; and decrease the minimum setback required for signs at schools, community centers, libraries, religious institutions, and other similar uses. Commissioner Robertson spoke about the requirement that the finished side of a fence must face neighboring properties. He said the exception to that where it looks unsightly is a wood frame fence with chain link on it. He said he’d like to see a way to address that situation. Commissioner Carper said he was concerned about some fence materials which are excluded such as bamboo and reed. If maintained properly and replaced regularly those materials can be aesthetically pleasing. He discussed a pole type of fence. He said he wasn’t sure about the definition of a rigid plastic fence or if flexible material was not considered acceptable. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 20, 2016 Page 6 Mr. Morrison said he had included language such as “other naturally decay resistant wood” for alternative materials. Bamboo would hopefully fall into that category. He said he wasn’t sure about reed. He said maintenance is obviously an issue. The zoning ordinance comes into play when a fence becomes structurally unsound. He said he wasn’t sure what the commissioner meant by a pole fence. He said proposed language was to differentiate rigid plastic fences from snow fences. Commissioner Tatalovich asked why there is a minimum gage requirement on chain link fences. Mr. Morrison said that was for structural integrity and safety. Vice Chair Peilen opened the public hearing. No one was present to speak and she closed the public hearing. Commissioner Carper stated he was uncomfortable with proposed wording regarding exceptions to materials. He said he wasn’t confident that enforcement would be consistent. Commissioners discussed tabling the fence portion of the ordinance for further discussion. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to recommend approval of the Zoning Ordinance amendment pertaining to sheds and signs; and to table the fence portion for further discussion. Commissioner Tatalovich seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-0. Commissioner Carper stated he would like to discuss hedge height as part of the fence discussion. E. Temporary Health Care Dwellings – Zoning Ordinance Amendment Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 16-27-ZA Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He explained the amendment and background which would declare the city’s decision to opt-out of Minnesota Statutes Section 462.3593 Temporary Health Care Dwellings. Commissioner Robertson commented that the intent of the law is excellent but the execution falls short and he agrees whole-heartedly to opt out. Official Minutes Planning Commission July 20, 2016 Page 7 Vice Chair Peilen opened the hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak she closed the public hearing. Commissioner Carper made a motion recommending approval of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment to opt-out of Minnesota Statutes Section 462.3593 which defines and regulates Temporary Family Health Care Dwellings. Commissioner Person seconded the motion and the motion passed on a vote of 5-0. 4. Other Business Mr. Walther discussed the option of electronic agenda packets which are available on the city’s website. Commissioner Carper requested that staff initiate a study session discussion on the desirability of gardens being mandated as a part of DORA in apartment applications in the future. He said it might be feasible to reduce the DORA requirement if gardens are provided. He said gardens are in demand in the community with the interest in sustainable living. Mr. Walther suggested that the Commissioners could discuss that idea at a future study session. 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary