HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/10/16 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Planning Commission - Regular Planning commission study session meeting
October 16, 2024
6:00 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Sean Walther at 952.924.2574 or the
administration department at 952.924.2505.
Planning commission meeting
The St. Louis Park planning commission is meeting in person at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005
Minnetonka Blvd. Members of the public can attend and watch the meeting in person.
Visit bit.ly/slppcagendas to view the agenda and reports.
Agenda
1.Statutory boards and commissions meeting preparation
2.Discussion of Zoning Code update
Future scheduled meeting/event dates:
November 6, 2024 - planning commission regular meeting
November 20, 2024 - planning commission regular meeting
December 4, 2024 - planning commission regular meeting
December 18, 2024 - planning commission regular meeting
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Planning commission: Study session
Meeting date: October 16, 2024
Agenda item: 1
1 Statutory boards and commissions meeting preparation
Recommended action: No action needed at this time. Discuss the questions that will be posed at
the upcoming city council study session to help the chair and staff liaison(s) prepare for the
meeting to represent the commission.
Background: The city council expressed a desire to play a more significant role with boards and
commissions. In response, staff organized conversations with boards and commissions as the
start of new opportunities and interactions between the council and boards and commissions.
The goal of this conversation is for the council to hear from boards and commissions what they
are working on and how they might work together better with council going forward. The
insights gathered will help council members set future priorities for them.
The council met with the chairs and staff liaisons of the five advisory boards and commissions
on September 16, 2024. A second conversation with the same purpose is scheduled to take
place October 28, 2024 with the city’s statutory boards. The council will meet with the chairs
and commission liaisons from the city’s statutory boards and commissions, which include
planning commission and board of zoning appeals, housing authority, charter commission and
fire civil service.
More specifically, the council will discuss the following questions with representatives of the
city’s statutory board and commissions:
1.What has your board/commission been working on in 2024?
2.How can the council best support your commission in the future?
Additionally, staff anticipate some discussion regarding the scope of work for each
board/commission. A week prior to this meeting the council will be provided with background
information on the powers of each board and commission, as well as procedures and
limitations for changing the scope of work.
Attachments: Planning commission and board of zoning appeals descriptions, 2023
accomplishments and work plan summary, 2023-2024 work plan
Prepared by: Sean Walther, planning manager/deputy community development director
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Study session of October 16, 2024 (Item No. 1)
Title: Statutory boards and commissions meeting preparation
Planning commission and board of zoning appeals descriptions
The planning commission is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on land
use, site plans, conditional use permits, variances, and land subdivisions. The commission is also
responsible for playing a key role in shaping the city’s comprehensive plan and ensuring orderly
development.
The board of zoning appeals is responsible for hearing and deciding appeals related to zoning
decisions made by the Zoning Administrator. This includes granting variances, reviewing
orders, requirements, permits, decisions, or refusals made under the Zoning Code. The board
also ensures that zoning regulations are applied fairly and consistently.
Their powers derive from Chapter 462 of the Minnesota Statutes, which provides the legal
framework for the commission’s establishment and operation, granting them advisory authority
to the city council in all matters wherein powers are assigned to the city council by state law or
city Charter concerning land use, comprehensive planning, zoning, plating, changes in streets,
other matters of a general planning nature and for the board of zoning appeals to hear appeals
and make decisions on zoning matters.
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Study session of October 16, 2024 (Item No. 1)
Title: Statutory boards and commissions meeting preparation
2023 accomplishments
Key duties:
• Review development projects, planning studies and zoning amendments.
• Hold public hearings and make recommendations to the city council.
2023 activities:
• Board of zoning appeals reviewed and approved one variance request amending a
variance previously granted in 1981.
• Planning commission reviewed 10 applications in 2023, including floodplain related
requests for Risor and Corsa developments, a new school district data center, Park Place
East commercial addition, and added uses at The Shops at West End.
• Planning commission review of planning studies and reports for comprehensive plan
and zoning map amendments, and zoning code updates. Highlights included a zoning
code audit, and early stages of the Arrive + Thrive gateways planning, and floodplain
ordinance amendment.
2023-2024 work plan
Review development applications: Conduct public hearings and make informed
recommendations to the city council.
• Highlights include reviewing applications for Zelia on Seven, Achromatic 6013, Central
Community Center, Aquila School, Groves Academy and Wells Roadside
Long range planning activities. Review and provide input on studies.
• Update light rail transit station area plans (Arrive + Thrive).
Zoning code studies:
• Update zoning code – expanding neighborhood housing options
o Review residential zoning districts, including allowing two-family dwellings in low
density residential areas.
o Increase density and housing options on high frequency transit routes and near rail
stations
• Temporary use regulations.
• Heritage tree preservation.
Racial equity and inclusion:
• Identify strategies to broaden participation and reduce barriers to public participation.
Review notification methods, online opportunities to submit input, and consider when
providing translation services, transportation or childcare may be warranted.
• Participate in racial equity training.
• Hold a planning commission study session at an off-site location to foster community
relationships.
Opportunities for collaboration:
Include other bodies (e.g., environment and sustainability and police advisory commissions)
when conducting commissioner training.
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2023-2024 planning commission and board of zoning appeals work plan
Time Frame Initiative Strategic
Priorities
Purpose
(see last page for
definitions)
Ongoing Review development applications; hold study sessions and
hearings in order to make informed decisions and
recommendations to city council.
☐New Initiative ☒Continued
Initiative ☒ Ongoing
Responsibility
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☒ 3 ☐ 4 ☒ 5 ☐N/A
☐ Commission
Initiated Project ☐ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
Ongoing Identify strategies to broaden participation and reduce
barriers to public participation.
☐New Initiative ☒Continued
Initiative ☒ Ongoing
Responsibility
☒ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☒ 5 ☐N/A
☐ Commission
Initiated Project ☐ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
Q1 2023 –
Q4 2024
Update light rail station area plans (Arrive + Thrive) ☐New Initiative ☒Continued
Initiative ☐ Ongoing
Responsibility
☐ 1 ☒ 2 ☒ 3 ☒ 4 ☒ 5 ☐N/A
☐ Commission
Initiated Project ☒ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested)
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☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
Q2 2022 –
Q1 2025
Review residential districts, including two-family dwelling
units (twin homes and duplexes) on appropriately sized
lots in low density residential areas
☒New Initiative ☐Continued
Initiative ☐ Ongoing
Responsibility
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☒ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐N/A
☐ Commission
Initiated Project ☒ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
Q2 2022 –
Q1 2025
Increase densities and housing options on high frequency
transit routes and near rail stations
☒New Initiative ☐Continued
Initiative ☐ Ongoing
Responsibility
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☒ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐N/A
☐ Commission
Initiated Project ☒ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
Q4 2022 –
Q1 2023
Review temporary use regulations ☒New Initiative ☐Continued
Initiative ☐ Ongoing
Responsibility
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☒ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐N/A
☒ Commission
Initiated Project ☐ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
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Q2 2025 -
Q2 2026
Transit oriented development zoning regulations (Arrive +
Thrive implementation)
☒New Initiative ☐Continued
Initiative ☐ Ongoing
Responsibility
☐ 1 ☒ 2 ☒ 3 ☒ 4 ☐ 5 ☐N/A
☐ Commission
Initiated Project ☒ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
Q2-Q3 2024 Hold a planning commission meeting at an off-site
location to foster community relationships.
☒New Initiative ☐Continued
Initiative ☒ Ongoing
Responsibility
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☒ 5 ☐N/A
☒ Commission
Initiated Project ☐ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☐ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
Q3-Q4
2024
Racial equity and inclusion training. Possibly joint training
with other boards and commissions like ESC and police
advisory commission. Alternatively, staff will share
information or resources regarding the latest city policies
and activities that intersect with the planning
commission’s work plan.
☒New Initiative ☐Continued
Initiative ☐ Ongoing
Responsibility
☒ 1 ☐ 2 ☐
3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5
☐N/A
☐ Commission
Initiated Project ☐ Council Initiated
Project ☐ Report Findings
(council requested) ☒ Formal
Recommendation
(council requested)
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Parking Lot
Items that are being considered by the board/commission but not proposed in the annual work plan. Council approval is needed if
the board/commission decides they would like to move forward with an initiative.
Initiative Comments:
Water conservation and
water recycling
Explore ways to encourage reduced water use, capture and reuse of storm water, and protect ground
water resources.
Housing analysis Explore setting policy targets for different housing types in the city based on present inventory and
unmet demand, and promote homeownership opportunities as well as inclusionary housing goals.
Transitional industrial
zoning district
This item was identified in the comprehensive plan. Several amendments have been made to the
existing industrial districts that reflect elements of this idea through applicant-driven requests in the
past two years. For this reason, it is a lower priority.
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City of St. Louis Park Strategic Priorities
1. St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community
for all.
2. St. Louis Park is committed to continue to lead in environmental stewardship.
3. St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood oriented development.
4. St. Louis Park is committed to providing a variety of options for people to make their way around the city comfortably, safely and
reliably.
5. St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement.
Purpose: definitions
•Project initiated by the board or commission
Commission Initiated Project
•Project tasked to a board or commission by the city council
Council Initiated Project
•Initiated by the city council
•Board and commission will study a specific issue or topic and report its findings or comments to the city
council in writing
•No direct action is taken by the board/commission
Report Findings
•Initiated by the city council
•Board and commission will study a specific issue or topic and makes a formal recommendation to the city
council on what action to take
•A recommendation requires a majoirty of the commissioners' support
Formal Recommandation
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Work plans may be modified, to add or delete items, in one of three ways:
• Work plans can be modified by mutual agreement during a joint work session.
• If immediate approval is important, the board or commission can work with their staff liaison to present a modified work
plan for city council approval at a council meeting.
• The city council can direct a change to the work plan at their discretion.
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Planning commission: Study session
Meeting date: October 16, 2024
Agenda item: 2
2 Discussion of Zoning Code Update
Recommended Action: No action is requested at this time. Staff will review the next steps of the
process leading to council consideration, and review procedures for the public hearing.
Background: Staff presented the draft zoning ordinance and draft zoning map to the city
council on September 9, 2024. The council made the comments below, and authorized staff to
initiate the process to adopt the ordinance. Staff will review these comments with the planning
commission.
1. Allowing commercial daycares in the N-1 district was raised as a concern.
2. A council member expressed concern about the number of group homes.
3. Request that staff consider policies that can be put into place to avoid corporate
ownership of properties.
4. The council would like to see information about how this change impacts property
values to adjacent properties and the neighborhood.
5. The council would like to see more illustrations showing how the proposed changes will
fit into typical city blocks.
Next steps: Staff prepared the following schedule leading up to formal city council
consideration:
• December 10-13, 2024. Park Perspectives will be mailed citywide. The publication will
feature an article about the proposed zoning amendment and will announce one more
informational meeting to be conducted on December 19, 2024.
• December 19, 2024 - Public informational meeting.
• December 11-25, 2024 – Announcement of the public hearing for the ordinance will be
published three times in the legal notices of the Sun Sailor newspaper.
• January 8, 2025 – Public hearing conducted by the planning commission.
• January 15, 2025 – Reserved for the planning commission if additional time is desired.
• February 3, 2025 – First reading of the ordinance conducted by the city council.
• February 18, 2025 – Second reading of the ordinance conducted by the city council.
Prepared by: Gary Morrison, zoning administrator
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, planning manager/deputy community development director
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