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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/12/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study Session OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA December 20, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Torrey Kanne, Lisa Peilen, Carl Robertson, Joe Tatalovich MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Person STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Jacquelyn Kramer, Jennifer Monson 1. MX District Topics Jennifer Monson, Planner, introduced the fourth study session discussion on Mixed Use District. Site circulation, loading zones, parking design and building length are the current topics. Driveway circulation and design Ms. Monson said staff proposes driveway to be located on the secondary frontages and alley frontages in order to increase and maintain pedestrian realm along the primary frontages of the building. Staff would like to establish a maximum driveway width. Staff recommends using language proposed in the draft form-based code which requires a maximum driveway width of 22 ft. for a two-way driveway, shared access for two abutting properties is encouraged; and interconnected street patterns. Driveway locations would focus on certain areas of the building. Move traffic toward the alley, or secondary street frontage if on corner lot with no alley. Loading zones and docks Staff proposes designated loading zone areas provided for residential tenants; shared internal loading and trash space; move it off the street frontages. Staff recommends using the existing language within the zoning district. Off-street parking Jacquelyn Kramer, Associate Planner, said staff proposes regulating where parking lots and structures can be located on the parcels. There would be different location requirements depending on land use and street designation. Staff proposeds these regulations to minimize visibility of surface parking in the district; create consistent building frontage and encourage active uses; to make sure there are public pedestrian connections. Ms. Kramer reviewed language from the draft form-based code. Ms. Kramer stated a parking ramp as a primary structure would require a CUP. As an accessory structure, it would be permitted with all uses/frontages, with conditions. It would be fully screened in the rear yard. Ramps to be located in rear or side of structure. Staff proposes the use of an entry tower which would define the pedestrian entrance/exit separate from vehicular entrance. The entry tower would directly access the sidewalk or public realm. Commissioner Robertson said he was thinking of Texa-Tonka where the lot is adjacent to the retail strip. He said he is currently working on a situation where the developer is trying to maximize the adjacent lot. The whole lot is surface parking lot. He asked if that would be allowed in the MX District. Ms. Kramer responded that surface parking on the main road would not be allowed as the principal use of a lot in the MX District. Structured parking may be allowed depending on various issues. Chair Peilen remarked that it sounds like it would become more difficult for people who need to use cars to get there. She said for all of our concern about pedestrians, people do still need to drive places for retail to succeed. Ms. Kramer said on-street parking and surface parking would still be provided, but it would be located behind the building so the building has a street presence with retail and pedestrian activity, and plaza, and the surface parking wouldn’t dominate the view on the main road; something like Excelsior & Grand and Ellipse on Excelsior. Maximum building length Ms. Monson said this helps regulate the mass of the building along the street; increases opportunities for pedestrian and vehicle access through site; decreases scale and massing of building; creates a more connected network; and allows space for utilities between the buildings. She reviewed some of the building lengths in St. Louis Park. The city currently regulates building length only through subdivision ordinance, which allows a block to be a maximum of 600 ft. long. Staff would like Planning Commission guidance on length. Staff wonders if the city could regulate and require smaller buildings for better access through the site for both vehicles and pedestrians Commissioner Robertson said he likes the idea. He said it varies enough though so you’d have to look at block lengths. He said it’s hard to come up with a number. Might be better off suggesting: with a block longer than X the building shall be split in two with X ft. wide alley between or driveway between them. If there is parking behind, then you would need to split the building. Definitely have parking behind. Trash pick-up/trash room would be good between buildings. Commissioner Tatalovich asked if determining maximum building length would be for utility access and aesthetics. Ms. Monson replied it helps with utilities, circulation and massing of the building. Commissioner Carper suggested looking at the West End for ideas on passageways through buildings. Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, said there is a provision similar to this in the Subdivision Ordinance. But, if there is a project that doesn’t include a subdivision and the ordinance doesn’t apply, having this rule on MX zoning would reinforce the policy. Commissioner Kanne said it makes sense to establish a number similar to Uptown numbers. She asked if 50th & France is the same concept with parking behind businesses and lots of pedestrian activity. She spoke about a comfortable feel at 50th & France. Chair Peilen said establishing a maximum building length is more usable and workable but part of it feels a little like Big Brother and a little cookie-cutter to her. Commissioner Robertson said discussion of a maximum building length fits in with earlier discussions about breaking up facades, alcoves, green spaces, interior corridors and outdoor dining. Ms. Monson thanked the commission for feedback and said staff would prepare proposed language. 2. Annual Report Ms. Kramer presented the draft annual report. She asked commissioners to let staff know if anything was missed or if there is anything that should be highlighted or emphasized. Chair Peilen asked why there were fewer developments in 2017 than in 2015 or 2016. Ms. Kramer said there were a lot of anticipated developments in 2017 but for whatever reason formal applications have not yet been submitted. These applications will be submitted in early 2018. Commissioner Carper said he would like to see the number of stories for each development included in the Annual Report. Number of stories is more important than height. Commissioner Robertson asked in addition to MX, is there any other section of code staff wants to study in 2018. Ms. Kramer said electric vehicle charging stations and small cell wireless facilities will be coming in early 2018. Mr. Walther said the discussion on architectural materials will be renewed. Chair Peilen suggested discussion of the overall picture of rental housing and guidelines for the needs of St. Louis Park. She remarked current discussions of it seem a little haphazard. She suggested looking at the overall mix of housing and how this effects St. Louis Park’s future. Commissioner Robertson spoke about a housing study done in 2003. He suggested a housing study update. Ms. Kramer said that the city has commissioned Maxfield Research for an update related to the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Robertson asked if we study how we’re doing compared with other communities. Ms. Kramer responded that the Comprehensive Plan doesn’t do comparative analysis but the Maxfield study might provide an analysis of the market. There was a discussion about accessory dwelling units, housing needs and taxes. Commissioner Robertson said he has been thinking for years about how the city can work with smaller lots on its busier streets. They don’t feel like good single family units as they are but if you go to row house/brownstone housing they become better for that kind of street. He said at the same time we have NOAH (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing) conversations going on. These two concepts are in direct conflict. He commented there is a lot to consider. Mr. Walther said it is good to know this is a strong interest of the commission. He stated the Comprehensive Plan would be the commission’s best opportunity for that. Commissioner Robertson said he would also like to discuss the problem of long term planning changing due to short term economic issues. 3. Other Mr. Walther spoke about plans for upcoming tours for the commission. Mr. Walther said Bridgewater plans would be discussed at the January 8 City Council study session and the next Planning Commission study session. Commissioner Kanne said she does not want to Chair the commission in 2018. She did agree to be Vice Chair. Commissioner Robertson volunteered to be the Chair. The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Office Assistant