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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/12/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study Session OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA December 6, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Torrey Kanne, Richard Person, Carl Robertson, Joe Tatalovich MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa Peilen STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Jacquelyn Kramer, Jennifer Monson, Gary Morrison OTHERS PRESENT: Jeff Miller, consultant, HKGi 1. Comprehensive Plan Progress Update Staff and Jeff Miller, HKGi, the city’s planning consultant for the comprehensive plan, discussed the overall project schedule and the Neighborhood Planning Workshops held in November. 2. Small cell, Communication Tower and Antennaes draft ordinance discussion Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, introduced the draft ordinance and gave a brief summary of the ordinance and why it is being proposed.  Morrison explained that the state passed a law requiring cities to allow small cell facilities in the public right-of- way.  The law gives the city very little authority to regulate the manner in which they are installed.  The law does preserve the city’s ability to apply regulations that protect the health, safety and welfare of the city.  Therefore, staff proposes an amendment to the communication tower and antenna section of the zoning ordinance to define health, safety and welfare issues. The commissioners expressed the following questions and opinions for staff to consider: Can a tree be placed in front of antennas without interfering in the signal? Does “ground mounted equipment” include equipment that is buried?  The city should be encouraging buried equipment over ground or pole mounted equipment.  Can the antenna be in the right-of-way, but the equipment placed on private property? What kind of pole is acceptable?  Can it be wood? The city should prioritize boulevard placement over medians. Staff will make revisions to the ordinance and have the city attorney review again before initiating the amendment process. 3. Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, gave a summary of the draft ordinance. As proposed, all new development with 50 or more required parking stalls, or expansions of existing parking lots that go over the 50 parking stalls threshold, would be required to install a minimum number of EVCS. The level of EVCS required would be determined by the land use of the parcel. Additionally, the city would require 10% of parking spaces in these developments to be charging station-ready with the appropriate electrical wiring and conduit. Commissioners raised questions regarding the number of spaces we would require. Commissioners would like to see more spaces required for EVCS, and at a lower threshold – for example, every new lot or development with 25 spaces or more, rather than the 50 spaces in the draft ordinance. Staff clarified that replacing, but not expanding, existing parking lots would not trigger this requirement. There was discussion about possibly changing the application of the ordinance from the number of proposed parking stalls to the size of the lot. In the final staff report, staff will explain how this ordinance supports the work outlined in the city’s Climate Action Plan. Overall commissioners were very supportive of the draft ordinance and what it is trying to accomplish. Staff will research the following items and draft a final ordinance for planning commission’s recommendation: How many existing properties could be impacted by this ordinance LEED standards for quantity of EVCS Cost of installation of different levels of EVCS 4. Architectural material – material request Jennifer Monson, Planner, presented a proposed material change for the greenhouse that was approved for the PLACE greenhouse in May 2017. The greenhouse was originally approved with glass material, however, as more detailed design has occurred, PLACE proposes glass is not the best material for greenhouses that are used to grow food. PLACE requests an amendment to allow the use of Acrylite, an acrylic glass product, to be allowed for a food production greenhouse.  Ms. Monson summarized the three types of materials traditionally used for greenhouses including glass, Acrylite, and polycarbonate.  Ms. Monson said that research shows Acrylite is the best product for food production as it is low maintenance, shatter proof, does not change color, and is the most hygienic of the three products.  Ms. Monson said acrylic products are not currently allowed in St. Louis Park, and staff is requesting Planning Commission’s guidance as to whether the city should consider allowing acrylite for greenhouses. A sample of the product was passed around. Commissioner Robertson said he does not have any issues allowing the acrylite product for greenhouses, and wondered if a photovoltaic film could be installed on the top, or if a rain screen material could be in front of it to provide for solar panel installation.   Commissioner Johnston-Madison said she did not have any issues with it. Commissioner Carper said he did not have any issues with it. Planning Commission agreed that Acrylite would be a good product to use for greenhouses. 5. Communications Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, discussed potential upcoming applications. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Office Assistant