Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/06/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study Session Planning commission June 18, 2025 5:00 p.m. 1 Planning commission Study Session Members present: Mia Divecha, Matt Eckholm, Sylvie Hyman, Sarah Strain, John Flanagan, Estella Hughes (youth member) Members absent: Jim Beneke, Tom Weber Staff present: Sean Walther, planning manager/deputy community development director; Laura Chamberlain, senior planner Guests: Marcus Paul, elections specialist The meeting was held off-site at the Union Park Flats community room at 6027 W 27th St, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. The commissioners took a tour of the Union Park Flats led by Project for Pride in Living representatives at 5 p.m. and the presentations and planning commission discussion commenced at 6 p.m. 1. Elections presentation Marcus Paul, City of St. Louis Park Elections Specialist, presented details of the elections process and discuss the opportunity to run for local office in St. Louis Park. He noted that filing can be done in the city offices between July 13 and Aug. 1. The planning commission members introduced themselves and newly appointed planning commissioner Sarah Strain. 2. Arrive + Thrive presentation and discussion Ms. Chamberlain presented the report. She provided a brief overview and updates on the program and discussed the final draft and implementation approach with the planning commission. Chair Divecha inquired about stormwater management and if the public had asked for that. Mr. Walther stated that this area had flooding a few years ago, so public feedback was about in the context of flood control and water quality of creeks and wetlands; stormwater management is the city terminology in capital improvement planning. Commissioner Hyman stated she is happy about the redevelopment being discussed at the Loffler parking lot, but has concerns about the trail connection from Louisiana to the Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B 2 regional trail there and the dumping of snow that happens on the bike path . She added that the bike path connection does not seem to be prioritized. Mr. Walther stated that there is an improved access at the underpass near the end of Monitor Street and provides an alternative access to the regional trail from the south. He noted there is a desired connection to the bike trail from there at the end of Monitor Street. Commissioner Hyman noted she took Louisiana Avenue to get to the meeting this evening, and it put her at a giant parking lot. Ms. Chamberlain stated there are no changes planned for the north side of Oxford Avenue, and if plans come to fruition, connecting the station area and the city would work on creating a pedestrian corridor with Metro Transit that may require changes to the parking lot. Commissioner Flannagan asked how land use factors into the redevelopment. Mr. Walther stated the plan is an important communication and policy tool when property owners or developers approach the city with inquiries for new uses or redevelopment interest. Commissioner Flannagan asked about the form-based standards. Ms. Chamberlain stated they regulate the how building and site design interacts with the public realm of city streets and sidewalks, and zoning regulations mostly focus on design elements and deemphasizes the use regulations and usually provide more flexibility. Chair Divecha asked if, within commercial districts, the city’s zoning code has specific uses that are allowed. Mr. Walther stated yes and added that residential is also allowed in commercial districts, which isn’t obvious based on the names of the districts. Commissioner Eckholm stated that having the smaller commercial parcels as a density bonus is very valuable and may result in some commercial at 2625 Louisiana Ave. He stated he would like to be more generous with the density bonus, adding he would like to have an abundance of substance and an abundance of units developed as well. Ms. Chamberlain asked the commissioners what they envision for new development within the city. Commissioner Eckholm stated that having single stairwells within developments would be one item he would prefer, noting how in other countries, when buildings are built with the highest technology to prevent fire, they only require one stairwell, based on the International Building Code. He stated a change at the state level about this could allow for smaller apartment buildings. Commissioner Hyman stated that when getting off the green line light rail, she would prefer not to see a parking lot. She stated the green line is designed for people not to use cars, or not even own a car, and yet what Metro Transit is communicating is that they do own cars, but having the station surrounded by a parking lot and encouraging park and ride. She stated she would like to see secure parking for her bike and more things oriented towards the station, and a coffee shop or things to do when getting off the train. Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B 3 Commissioner Eckholm stated ta surface parking lot is only present on the Louisiana Avenue Station and noted St. Louis Park seems to be doing better here vs. other cities, as well as re- purposing existing parking lots. He stated that the other light rail stations are pretty good within the city. Commissioner Flannagan asked what other tools the city has. Commissioner Eckholm stated the density bonuses are useful but added that the roadways appear very prominent in the plan illustrations and suggested they be amended to deemphasize them and better highlight other improvements. He added that breaking things up a bit is helpful as well. Chair Divecha added it would be helpful also to have service businesses for people to utilize when they are waiting for the train vs. businesses that are located there but are not ground - floor retail. Commissioner Hyman stated this might have to do with the ample parking available. Mr. Walther added that this also depends on who can afford new development, noting that coffee shops have only a 60% success rate of staying at these locations vs. a dental office, which may sign a 15-year lease, thereby being more financially solid for these uses. Commissioner Eckholm asked if Methodist Hospital is still interested in building new uses in this area of the light rail station on Oxford Ave. Mr. Walther stated that was an idea for them to grow to the north, or a spin-off business or service building. He stated that every 5- 10 years, there are changes, but noted they are not looking to spread out their campus now. He stated they work to redesign their campus and likely will not expand to grow south or north in the foreseeable future. Commissioner Eckholm stated he would prefer commercial and ground-floor retail and added they should be activated spaces and not corporate kingdoms . He added that the intent is to have these feel like a cohesive neighborhood. Commissioner Strain asked if staff gets pushback against ground-floor retail from developers, noting she has heard this in other places, as it is difficult to finance, or different building codes come up, or costs are doubled or tripled, preventing development. Mr. Walther stated that parking can be an issue, and noted also a mixed-use building needs to start with a commercial site and then move into ground-floor retail, especially since LRT is not in yet, most noticeably at Belt Line Boulevard. Commissioner Eckholm added that if rates are lowered, that might help ground-floor retailers come to these vacant spaces. Commissioner Hyman asked if the planning commission could determine the location of freight routes. Ms. Chamberlain stated that within the Comprehensive Plan, there is an analysis of this, along with designations of what can be done. She stated that the guidance for freight can be sent to the commissioners for review during the next comprehensive plan update, and this can be a future topic of discussion also. Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B 4 Commissioner Eckholm asked if the city can get cell phone hotspot data, so the city can build goals around places where people gather. He stated this would be a good tool to determine development areas. Ms. Chamberlain stated that going forward, if the city is able to build an implementation tracker and then report back to the council or the community, that can be very useful for comprehensive plan implementation. Mr. Walther stated that this can also assist with communicating population changes and development projections in certain areas of the city. Commissioner Hyman stated that a cost analysis of projects and development, and comparisons would be helpful in this discussion , also. Ms. Chamberlain stated that data is available to the commissioners. Commissioner Hyman asked if the Hennepin County tax data is helpful. Mr. Walther stated yes, adding that tax formulas are set at the state level. Ms. Chamberlain stated this plan will now go to the city council later this summer for their review, and added a dashboard will be available later this fall for the planning commission to review. 3. Communications Mr. Walther stated the St. Louis Park school board is making a change to their city- appointed member on the board, which will affect Commissioner Beneke’s position on the school board. Mr. Walther added that the school board would still like to provide feedback to the city through alternative ways, and he noted that Commissioner Beneke may apply for that position through the council appointment process. Mr. Walther added that Commissioner Hughes will be leaving the planning commission to attend college, so her position will be opening up . Commissioner Hughes stated she has a friend who is interested in the position, which is on the city website now. Mr. Walther added that Vision 4.0 is well underway, and current activities include small group community conversations with online training now available for hosts , pop-ups around the city including five events that are designed and led by local artists, and an online survey that he asked commissioners to help publicize. Mr. Walther noted the upcoming planning commission meetings scheduled for the rest of the summer: • July 2, 2025 - planning commission canceled • July 16, 2025 - planning commission study session meeting • August 6, 2025 – board of zoning appeals and planning commission regular meetings expected • August 20, 2025 – planning commission regular meeting Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B 5 Mr. Walther stated commissioners should have received forms related to the new stipend and noted those need to be completed and submitted to the city. Mr. Walther added that Brian Hoffman, building and energy director, as well as Mr. Greg Hunt, economic development manager, will both be retiring in July. He stated his duties will temporarily shift, so he will be attending fewer planning commission meetings. Ms. Chamberlain and Mr. Morrison will have greater role s staffing the meetings in the interim. 4. Adjourn – 7:47 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Sean Walther, liaison Mia Divecha, chair member Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B