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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/04/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA APRIL 19, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Torrey Kanne, Lisa Peilen, Richard Person, Carl Robertson, MEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Tatalovich, Ethan Rickert (youth member) STAFF PRESENT: Greg Hunt, Jennifer Monson, Gary Morrison, Sean Walther 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of March 15, 2017 Commissioner Carper made a motion approving the minutes of March 15, 2017. Commissioner Johnston-Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 4-0-2 (Person and Robertson abstained). 3. Other Business A. Consideration of Resolution No. 90 – Wooddale Station TIF District Conformance with Comprehensive Plan Greg Hunt, Economic Development Coordinator, stated the request is adoption of a resolution finding the Tax Increment Financing Plans for the proposed Wooddale Station Tax Increment Financing District conform to the general plans for the development and redevelopment of the city. He explained that the proposed TIF District would incorporate PLACE’s proposed plans to construct a major mixed-use redevelopment at the southeast quadrant of Highway 7 and Wooddale Ave., and the northeast corner of W. 36th St. and Wooddale Ave. He provided background on the PLACE E-generation project. Mr. Hunt discussed the TIF assistance to be provided and the proposed redevelopment TIF District. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 90 finding the TIF Plans for the proposed Wooddale Station Tax Increment Financing District to be in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan of the City of St. Louis Park. Commissioner Person seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5- 1 (Johnston-Madison opposed). Official Minutes Planning Commission April 19, 2017 Page 2 4. Hearings A. Special Permit Major Amendment Location: 2501 State Highway 100 Applicant: Benilde-St. Margaret’s School Case No.: 17-12-CUP Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, provided the staff report. The applicant is requesting an amendment to add approximately 2,200 square feet of flex space within its building and to convert approximately 4,700 square feet of storage space into science lab classroom space. Mr. Morrison reviewed construction plans, parking and lighting. He stated that all the new lighting inside the building is strictly downcast and the windows are slightly tinted helping to mitigate light coming from the windows. He said an architectural element, a cross, will not be lit by flood lights but would be back lit with an LED strip along the back side of the cross, providing a halo effect. He said this was a concern at the first neighborhood meeting. He said at the second neighborhood meeting putting the cross lighting on the same timer as parking lot lights was discussed. That seemed amenable to residents and it is written into the conditions of approval. Natalie Ramier, CFO, Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, spoke about the proposed plans. Commissioner Johnston-Madison stated it was a nice addition. Commissioner Robertson stated the design is top notch. Commissioner Carper said he attended the second neighborhood meeting and had some questions about the cross and lighting. Those questions have been answered satisfactorily for him. He asked if the cross facing Highway 100 is illuminated. Ms. Ramier responded she did not think the cross facing Hwy. 100 was illuminated. Chair Peilen opened the public hearing. Elisabeth Shapiro, 2500 Princeton Court, said she was representing her husband who was unable to attend, several of her neighbors who face the wetlands, school fields and school. She said she also represented the magnificent wildlife that is present in the wetlands adjacent to their homes, the neighborhood and the school. Official Minutes Planning Commission April 19, 2017 Page 3 She said they understand and are excited about the proposed addition. She said, however, that the modified design still has a negative impact on the residents, the wildlife and the wetland. Ms. Shapiro said she is the neighbor who was concerned about lighting at the first neighborhood meeting. She said she is grateful that the plans were modified somewhat from the first meeting. She said she could not attend the second meeting. She stated that the modifications are inadequate and unacceptable to the residents for the following reasons: 1) downcast lighting in the atrium is still visible from the outdoors; 2) an illuminated cross, even backlit, causing a halo effect at night, and even on a timer, still faces their homes and is visible clearly from the north facing windows and decks, illuminated and visible at night. She said to be very honest it is an affront to the diversity of the residential neighborhood. She said it shows a total lack of respect and sensitivity to the diversity and harmony of their neighborhood. 3) The tinted glass windows still allow light downward emitted out to the surrounding fields, wetlands and neighborhood. 4) Ms. Shapiro stated that the glass windows will also reflect external lighting. She added that there is a lot of external lighting at the school. She said the school’s minor modification to address their concerns by redirecting the atrium lighting downward and placing the cross illumination on a timer are really ineffective in minimizing the impact on the neighborhood. Ms. Shapiro presented and distributed to the Commission four nighttime photographs illustrating her concerns about existing lighting on residences and wetland. Ms. Shapiro spoke about light pollution impact on the wildlife and environment. Ms. Shapiro spoke about glass that can be used that doesn’t reflect light and will not emit light. Ms. Shapiro distributed letters from the following neighbors concerned about the proposal and lighting: Nancy Murphy, 2504 Princeton Ct.; Marc Rothstein, 2512 Princeton Ct.; Jeffrey Sawyer and Karli Koski, 2500 Quentin Ct.; and Judy and Jerel Shapiro, 2516 Monterey Ave. S. Ms. Shapiro distributed materials from Joanna Eckles, Audubon Society; Kristen Osterwood, Green Building Alliance; Leeanna Newsome, Green Business Certification; International Dark-Sky Association; Audubon Minnesota; and Report of the Council on Science and Public Health regarding Human and Environmental Effects of LED Community Lighting. Ms. Shapiro concluded by saying the neighbors vigorously oppose any addition to the light pollution that impacts them nightly. She said the proposed plan is Official Minutes Planning Commission April 19, 2017 Page 4 insensitive and disregards the neighbors, wildlife and wetland. The atrium proposal adds more light pollution. They ask that the city demands that BSM respectfully and sensitively deal with the plan so that the neighborhood and wetlands will be able to live in a neighborhood with lighting plans that emit zero additional lighting impact. Lee Snitzer, 2504 Quentin Court, said he missed both neighborhood meetings. His concerns were outlined by Ms. Shapiro. He said it seems significant that BSM chose not to light the cross across from Hwy. 100. He said he assumed that had to do with amount of signage allowed by city code. He asked the Commission to explore that. He suggested that the cross should not be lit. He said BSM is a great neighbor and tries to address concerns. He said timers are not always controlled well. He spoke about property values going down due to excessive lighting on their properties. Jay Jaffee, 2521 Princeton Court, said his property faces east. He does see the light coming from the north at night, often until 10 or 11 at night even without school events. He spoke about moving there seven years ago and enjoying the wildlife and wetlands. He said anything adding illumination is not a good idea. He spoke about the non-lit cross which faces the service road and Hwy. 100. He said he wasn’t sure why the proposed new cross needs to be lit. As no one else was present wishing to speak the Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Kanne spoke about property values decreasing over time due to excessive light. Commissioner Robertson said the lit cross isn’t necessary for the auditorium and science rooms. It is an applied ornament. He said the amount of light that would come from atrium and cross is dwarfed by the field lighting. He said it would be wise on BSM’s part not to light the cross. He said he is sensitive to wildlife biology. He said it is frustrating the field lights are on unnecessarily. He said the issue of the lit cross should be revisited before the item comes to city council. Commissioner Person asked staff for a reminder of what types of conditions were put in place when the athletic field was expanded. Mr. Morrison and Mr. Walther spoke about hours of lighting, use of audio equipment, and lighting fixtures reducing the spill lighting and glare. The Council required BSM to meet regularly with neighborhood regarding relations and concerns between the two. The committee has been meeting regularly. Official Minutes Planning Commission April 19, 2017 Page 5 Dean Laird, Facilities Director, BSM, said parking lights are on all night for security reasons and interior lights are shut down at 11 p.m. He spoke about exterior security lighting. Commissioner Carper said he thought parking lights were on a timer. Mr. Laird said the cross lighting could be put on a timer. Commissioner Kanne said the effect of lighting on property values is relevant and important to consider. Commissioner Robertson said when the field lights go off the cross light should also go off. Chair Peilen said, setting aside lighting, she didn’t think the addition of the cross was insensitive. She said she believes BSM wants to be as good a neighbor as it has been. She also spoke about the good relationship between BSM and Beth El Synagogue. Commissioner Johnston-Madison said she didn’t think Benilde intended to offend anyone. It could be discussed further. She suggested that all lighting on the property could be reviewed as a condition of approval. Commissioner Robertson made a motion recommending approval of a major amendment to the Special Permit with staff conditions, and including further review of all lighting and conformity to current zoning, prior to city council consideration. Commissioner Carper said he is against the motion as proposed. He said there is an established working community committee so there is an ability for discussion of light pollution, including back lit cross, so it wouldn’t need to be covered in the motion. Commissioner Robertson said he thought it would be wise to have an additional lighting conversation prior to consideration by city council. Natalie Ramier, CFO, said BSM wanted to hear more discussion this evening, and she said they are willing to remove the back lighting of the cross. She will speak with BSM and community members about lighting that occurs when an event is not occuring. Commissioner Robertson removed his original motion. He then made a motion recommending approval of a major amendment to the Special Permit to allow a building expansion at Benilde-St. Margaret’s (BSM) school with conditions Official Minutes Planning Commission April 19, 2017 Page 6 recommended by staff. Commissioner Carper seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 5-1 (Kanne opposed). Commissioners asked staff to review the BSM parking lot lighting. B. Conditional Use Permit – Snap Fitness Location: 7210 Minnetonka Boulevard Applicant: Steven Cherney Case No.: 17-11-CUP Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. He explained that the request is a CUP to operate a Snap Fitness 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Without the CUP the hours are limited to 6 am to midnight. He reviewed the zoning regulations and the conditions of approval. Steve Cherney, Snap Fitness, said he appreciated the Commission’s consideration. The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak she closed the public hearing. Commissioner Carper made a motion recommending approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow the Snap Fitness located at 7210 Minnetonka Blvd. to operate 24 hours, 7 days a week with conditions recommended by staff. Commissioner Johnston-Madison seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. C. Major Amendment to PUD – Parkway 25 Location: 4005, 4015 and 4027 County Rd. 25 Applicant: Sela Group, LLC Case No.: 17-13-PUD Jennifer Monson, Planner, presented the staff report. She noted a correction in the proposed motion. The zoning code section to be amended is 36-268 PUD 7, not 26-268 PUD 7. She explained that the original PUD commercial uses included a restaurant. The applicant has requested an amendment to the PUD to allow for medical uses and to increase the size of the commercial area. Proposed changes occur only on the ground floor of the building. The amendment would decrease the west surface parking lot and the east surface parking lot. Landscaping on the west property line will be removed and additional landscaping will be installed elsewhere on the site to make up for removals. Ms. Monson presented existing approved plans and proposed plans. She reviewed uses, height, parking, landscaping, DORA and public input. Commissioner Person asked if the developer has a medical office tenant. Official Minutes Planning Commission April 19, 2017 Page 7 Ms. Monson responded that a medical office tenant has been named. Commissioner Person asked about the small commercial space. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, stated that space would be an executive office space of the medical office. Chair Peilen asked about the pool house from the existing plan. Dean Dovolis, architect, DJR Architecture, explained that pool equipment would have been stored in the pool house. That equipment space has now been moved inside, resulting in more green space outdoors. Chair Peilen stated she was disappointed over the loss of the restaurant as an amenity. She said she understood with the amendment that there was no longer the required parking available for a restaurant. She asked if in the future there might be a food service of some type. Mr. Dovolis said it’s possible a coffee shop or food service use could operate in the future. Chair Peilen opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak she closed the public hearing. Commissioner Johnston-Madison made a motion recommending approval of Major Amendment to Section 36-268 PUD 7 subject to conditions recommended by staff. Commissioner Carper seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 5. Communications 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary