HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-11 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, May 11, 2017–Oak Park Heights City Hall
I.Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:
Chair Kremer called the meeting to order.Present: Commissioners Kremer, Anthony,
Freeman &Quale; City Planner Richards, andCity Councilmember Dougherty.City
Administrator Johnson arrived at 7:30 p.m.Absent: CommissionersNelson.
II.Approval of Agenda:Chair Kremer noted Commissioner Freeman’s desireto recuse
himselffrom participation in the public hearing for Oak Park Sr. Living and suggested an
amended Agenda order.
Commissioner Quale,seconded by Commissioner Anthony, moved to approve theAgenda
amended to have Old Business B follow Public Hearing A and then return to Public Hearing
B. Carried 4–0.
III.Approval of April 13, 2017Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Freeman,seconded by
Commissioner Quale, moved to approved the Minutes as presented. Carried 4-0.
IV.Department/Commission Liaison / Other Reports:None.
V.Visitors/Public Comment:None.
VI.Public Hearings:
A.Oak Park Heights Retail Development PUD Amendment: Review request for
Planned Unit Development Amendment (PUD)related to Comprehensive Sign Plan,
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located at the SW intersection of 60St. N. and Krueger Ln. N
City Planner Richards reviewed and discussed the May 4, 2017PlanningReport as to
the request for a comprehensive sign plan that would allow for additional signage not
permitted in the sign ordinance and set the allowable signage for the development,
including signage at three walls sides of endcap tenant spaces as well as signage to
the rear of the tenant spaces inthe two multi-tenant retail buildings. An issue
analysis was reviewed and discussed.
Commission discussion ensued clarifying original approvals for the site as to number
of drive throughs, that no other changes to the development are being requested with
this amendment and whether or not additional signage amount would be permitted at
the building currently occupied by Goodwill
Chair Kremer opened the public hearing and invited comment.
Chris Whitehouse of DJR Architectureintroduced himself as the applicant and
discussed the matters of signage at the Goodwill building,signage for the Goodwill
Planning Commission Minutes
May 11, 2017
Page 2of 6
donation drive-thru and where the drive-thru menu board will be for the restaurant,
the possibility of a small sign allowance at the endcap of the multi-tenant building
that faces an adjacent multi-tenant building and expressed their desire to leave the
illuminated monument sign powered, versus turning them off an hour after closing.
Discussion ensued as to the desire to leave the multi-tenant signs illuminated, to
allow small signs at the adjacent facing multi-retail building endcaps, paths of travel
anticipated for visitors to the retail center and the desire to have the locations of the
businesses to be as clear as possible, appropriate sizing allowances for signs to the
building walls.
There being no further public comment, Chair Kremer closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Freeman,seconded by Commissioner Quale, moved to recommend
that the City Council approve therequest, subject totheamendedconditions of the
May 4, 2017Planning Reportas amended;specifically,that:
1.The allowable signage for the west façade of Lot 1 building and east façade of
Lot 2 building shall be limited to 25 square feet per wall.
2.The allowable signage for the east façade of Lot 1 building and the west
façade of Lot 2 building shall be limited to no more than 75 square feet per
wall.
3.One sign only shall be allowed per façade per tenant.
4.For the Lot 3 building, the second sign on the east façade above the entrance
door will be allowed if only directional signage with no advertising.
5.The proposed directional signage is allowed but cannot contain advertising
for the associated business unless necessary to differentiate more than one
drive thru in the development. The detail plans for the directional signage
will be reviewed as part of the sign permit process.
6.The outdoor parking lot lighting shall be turned off one hour after closing,
except for approved security lighting.
7.All signs shall be designed to comply with Zoning Ordinance requirements
for internal illumination.
8.The bases of the three freestanding signs shall be landscaped and subject to
review and approval of the City Arborist.
Carried 4-0.
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May 11, 2017
Page 3of 6
VII.Old Business:
A.Oak Park Heights –Comprehensive Plan 2018:
City Planner Richards reviewed his May 4, 2017, noting that the Community Survey
was one of the items discussed at a recent City Council work session and that the survey
included with the meeting packet was revised as a result of that discussion. He also
noted that Chair Kremer had some proposed revision suggestions and a copy of the
survey with those suggestions has been placed at their seats.
Discussion commenced as to the revision with the goal being clarity of responses and
ease of communicating for those responding. Promotion of the survey through tools
available such as the City Facebook page, the City webpage, at the upcoming
community Party In the Park celebration, and with the City Newsletter.
Richards noted that a draft of the Social Inventory component of the Comprehensive
plan will be provided at the June meeting for Commission review and discussion.
Commissioner Freemen left the meeting at 7:41p.m.
VI.Public Hearings -Continued:
B.Oak Park Sr. Living PUD General Plan & PUD Amendment: Review requests for
Planned Unit Development (PUD) General Plan to allow construction of a 3-story,
72-unit Sr. Apartment Building to be located E. of Nova Scotia Ave. N. and Planned
Unit Development (PUD) Amendment to allow a covered walkway connection
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between buildings located at 13936 Lower 59St. N. and 13945 Upper 58St. N.,
within the Oak Park Senior Living development.
City Planner Richards reviewed the May 5, 2017 Planning Report to the request,
provided an issue analysisand discussed the same.
Commission discussion ensued with Chair Kremer noting,various approvals to
density and building heights to the development over time and questioned what has
changed that the City would be willing to allow a 3-story building. Chair Kremer
expressed his opinion that the higher story buildings have an institutional look and
that the ongoing construction for those living in the area are things that need to be
considered.
Chair Kremer opened the public hearing and invited comment.
Tim Nolde of Anchobayprointroduced himself as the applicant and discussed the
ongoing construction status of the development and how it has changed with the
changes in market and how the design style has come about with the location and
discussion with City staff.Mr. Nolde discussed the project layout, roadway
alterations and how construction timing will work. He hopes to have construction
start in the Fall and be completed within a year.
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May 11, 2017
Page 4of 6
Commission discussion ensued with the applicant as to the project as to the site
appearance, timing and ownership of the buildings within the site.
Roger Tomtem of Archnetintroduced himself as the architect of the project and
provided the Commission with a materials sample board that displayed the materials
proposed for building 5 and discussed how they blend with the existing building
within the development. Mr. Tomten discussed the architectural elements to the
project, including the parking and path of travel elements to the re-designed area for
building 5 and throughout the development.
Mr. Tomten also discussed the materials and glass elements to the pedestrian
walkway connection, nothing that the driveway area to the existing buildings will be
able to kept open while the walkway is connected.
There being no further public comment or discussion from the Commission, Chair
Kremer closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Anthony, seconded by Commissioner Quale, moved to recommend
that the City Council approve the request, subject to the conditions of the May 4,
2017 Planning Report as amended; specifically, that:
1.The Final Plat for Oak Park Senior Living Second Addition, as well as the
dedication and vacation of any easements, shall be subject to the review and
approval of the City Engineer and City Attorney.
2.An amended development agreement, if required, shall include a provision
that the Oak Park Senior Living Phase 5 will remain as senior rental and shall
not beconverted to non-restricted rental housing. The development
agreement shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Attorney
and City Council.
3.A revised plan shall be provided indicating a reduction in the median size or
elimination of aparking stall to improve access at the front of Building 5.
Additionally, the access between the new building and the dog park shall be
signed so that there is no left turn allowed.
4.The Planning Commission was favorable to the proposed setback fromNova
Scotia Avenue North to Building 5.
5.The landscape plan shall be subject to review and approval of the City
Arborist.
6.The grading and drainage plans shall be subject to City Engineer and the
Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organizationapproval.
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May 11, 2017
Page 5of 6
7.All utility plans shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer.
8.The Planning Commission was favorable to the non-shielded, residential style
light fixtures.
9.The Fire Chief and Chief of Police shall review and approve the final plans to
determine the accessibility of emergency vehicles throughout the
development.
10.No parallel parking shall be allowed on the street network and shall be signed
as such.
11.The snow storage areas and plan shall be subject to review and approval of
the City Engineer.
12.A plan for sign lighting shall be provided at the time of the sign permitting
process.
13.Any mechanical equipment that is ground mounted or visible from adjacent
streets shall be screened as required by the Zoning Ordinance.
14.All trash and recycling storage shall be internal to the building.
15.The Planning Commission was favorable to the proposed building height of
38-feet.
16.The Planning Commission was favorable to the final building appearance,
colors, materials and the variety between the buildings. The applicant shall
provide a materials sample board for the buildings to be discussed at the City
Council meeting.
Carried 3 –0, Commissioner Freeman abstaining.
VIII.New Business:None.
IX.Informational:
Commission Liaison Dougherty noted that the June meeting of the Planning Commission is
scheduled for the same night as the City’s Party In the Park, he questioned whether or not the
Commission wanted to change the meeting time. Commission consensus was to change the
meeting time to 7:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 11, 2017
Page 6 of 6
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, May 23, 2017 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, June 8, 2017 Planning Commission 7:30 p.m./City Hall '
• Tuesday, June 27, 2017 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, May 23, 2017—Commissioner Freeman
• Tuesday, June 27, 2017—Commissioner Anthony
X. Adjourn. Commissioner Quale, seconded by Commissioner Anthony,moved to
adjourn at 8:14 p.m. Carried 3 —0.
Respectfully submitted,
--;\ _LL.1_
Juli jlultman
Planning& Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission:06-08-2017/4-0