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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/08/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study SessionOFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA AUGUST 16, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. COMMUNITY ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Torrey Kanne, Lisa Peilen, Joe Tatalovich, Ethan Rickert (youth member) MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Robertson, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Richard Person STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Joe Ayers-Johnson, Jacquelyn Kramer, Jennifer Monson, Gary Morrison 1. Potential request to allow 3rd shift adjacent to residential in industrial districts with conditions Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, introduced the subject. He stated that Lyman Lumber, located in Westside Center, is interested in starting a third shift, but cannot because the code prohibits a business from operating a third shift if the property is adjacent to another property zoned residential. He explained that Novartis and Nestle both occupied the building before it was sold and remodeled into the Westside Center, and that they both operated a third shift. They were able to do so because at the time, the property consisted of two parcels, and the parcel occupied by the building was not adjacent to residential. The redevelopment of the property included combining the two parcels, into one. As a result, the building is now adjacent to residential, and no longer qualifies for a third shift. While the combination of the two parcels was necessary for the redevelopment, the loss of the ability to operate a third shift was inadvertent. Lyman Lumber will be submitting an application to operate a third shift, and will be submitting recommended language for a code amendment to allow it. Staff will review how the proposed amendment impacts Lyman Lumber and its neighbors. Staff will also review how the proposed amendment impacts other industrial and residential properties around the city. The results of the review will be presented to the planning commission at a future date, assuming an application is received. Jim Yarosh, attorney, representing Lyman Lumber, located at Westside Center, spoke about the company’s desire to allow a third shift. Commissioner Kanne spoke about concerns regarding noise. Commissioner Peilen said the example of Lyman Lumber looks pretty good to her. She said she couldn’t make a decision on an amendment more broadly Official Minutes Planning Commission Study Session August 16, 2017 Page 2 without analyzing other properties which would meet the conditions and what the potential impacts are. Mr. Morrison presented a map of other properties in the city that are currently prohibited from having a third shift and would become eligible to have a third shift if new conditions/exceptions were allowed as presented. Commissioner Kanne asked what would happen if there were problems and complaints about a third shift. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, replied that becomes an enforcement issue. If there are noise issues related to equipment, the city could take noise measurements to determine if there is a violation, which can be grounds to revoke a permit or take other enforcement action. Mr. Walther said the Planning Commission should also consider whether allowing the third shift would require a Conditional Use Permit or if the exception could be handled administratively. What kind of process will we propose? Commissioner Carper said he could support an amendment and he’d like to see it handled administratively. Commissioner Peilen stated she wanted to help the community’s businesses as long as it doesn’t cause problems for neighbors. She said the amendment is certainly worth exploring and discussing. 2. Zoning Amendment Ordinance – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, introduced the topic. She said staff is looking for feedback on concerns, research, and items the Commission would expect to see on a final amendment. Commissioner Carper said he’d like to see station locations be a premium location. He said he recognizes there aren’t that many electric vehicles today. He suggested mandating that developers include components so that at some point charging stations can be put in very easily. Commissioner Tatalovich asked if there is a standard hook-up at stations. Ms. Kramer explained that there are different types for slow or fast charging. She explained that staff is looking at how to define policy on technology that changes so quickly. Official Minutes Planning Commission Study Session August 16, 2017 Page 3 Commissioner Kanne asked if staff is looking at what Minneapolis is doing. Ms. Kramer said staff will be looking at examples from other cities near us and other comparable cities throughout the nation as a guide. Staff will also look at the work of transportation advocacy groups and university study recommendations. Commissioner Peilen said she supported the concept totally. 3. Small Cell Wireless Mr. Walther discussed changes in technology and the use of booster equipment to supplement wireless towers in areas of high use. He discussed recent statutory language which limits the city’s ability to regulate installation of small cell wireless technology in public right-of-way. Mr. Walther said staff is weighing options, including whether or not requests in single family residential zoning districts would be handled administratively or through CUP. Staff will be providing a recommendation to the Planning Commission and City Council in the coming months. Mr. Walther provided a description and examples of what the equipment typically looks like. 4. Mixed-use Zoning District Concept Review – Basic Building Form Jennifer Monson, Planner, gave a presentation. She explained that in 2015 the city adopted a specific PUD zoning district, reducing the effectiveness and usefulness of the existing MX District. She said the city is now proposing an update to the existing MX District to provide a district that allows a standard for mixed use developments in the MX district that are site and context sensitive, and do not require a PUD. Ms. Monson said staff desired to present options for best determining basic building form at the meeting. Then at future study sessions staff will present additional MX code options for consideration including permitted uses, setbacks, height bonuses articulation standards, landscape requirements, etc. Ms. Monson discussed primary and secondary frontages and building orientations. She presented options for determining primary and secondary frontages based on street classification in the Comprehensive Plan. Commercial and active uses were discussed. Official Minutes Planning Commission Study Session August 16, 2017 Page 4 Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, discussed height standards. She said staff is proposing looking at scale and the ratio between the building height and the street width, rather than having a hard maximum cap to height. She spoke about an overall goal of MX district to encourage pedestrian activity and connectivity; saying that ratio is one way to facilitate that. She asked the Commission to consider what ratios they are comfortable with. She presented renderings illustrating different ratios. Commissioner Peilen said one of her concerns is fear of a cookie-cutter look all over the city. Ms. Kramer said there is variety because the streets are different widths. She added that the mixed use zoning district designation wouldn’t be used all over the city. Commissioner Carper discussed transitions between housing which is adjacent to mixed use in the city. He spoke about Bridgewater and Ellipse. Mr. Walther noted that transitions will be discussed later in the presentation. Ms. Kramer said staff will be providing existing examples that the Commission is likely familiar with. Also, Commissioners are welcome to share examples they would like us to consider emulating. Commissioner Carper spoke about development in Vancouver, B.C., which uses more transparent building materials for openness. Joe Ayers -Johnson, Community Development intern, spoke about transitions from MX to residential, and how mixed use buildings should relate to surrounding residential or other low density residential zoning districts. He spoke about options for height and setback transitions adjacent to single family residential zoning districts. He discussed common transition techniques of setback and stepbacks to create a visual break. He explained how the city’s current PUD district regulates heights and setbacks in these transition areas. Commissioner Carper asked why the same language couldn’t be used. Mr. Walther said staff is comfortable with using the same approach but wanted confirmation from the Planning Commission. Mr. Ayers-Johnson presented examples from the Ellipse development where the building was stepped back. Commissioner Carper spoke about the shading ordinance and the Ellipse. Official Minutes Planning Commission Study Session August 16, 2017 Page 5 Mr. Ayers-Johnson shared specific examples of the stepped back approach with previous St. Louis Park developments. Mr. Walther asked for reactions on approaches being presented. Commissioners Kanne and Peilen commented that it seems to make sense. Commissioner Carper asked about making a wider curb and more green area, and have the first portion of the building taller, rather than using that first step back. Ms. Kramer responded that wouldn’t have as much impact on the ratio. Commissioner Kanne said it looks good and the examples do make it seem more open. She asked which areas would have walkability as a focus. Mr. Walther responded that the city has a goal for walkability everywhere, but there are community sidewalk grids every quarter mile. That would be the higher priority and would likely coincide with areas that may be suitable for an MX zoning designation. Mr. Walther said staff’s preference would be to pick one frontage rather than having two primary frontages. This gives more flexibility. Mr. Walther said staff will be illustrating mixed use concepts further. Additional details will be provided and the discussion will continue. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary