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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-12 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, April 12, 2018—Oak Park Heights City Hall Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance: Chair Freeman called the meeting to order. Present: Commissioners Giovinazzo, Kremer, VanDyke and White; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards, and City Councilmember Dougherty. II. Approval of Agenda: Chair Freeman noted that while he does not have a conflict of interest, he does do some work for Oak Park Sr. Living and asked that New Business Item A. be moved between Public Hearings B and C, both of which are relative to Oak Park Sr. Living, noting that he planned to remove himself from the discussion and sit in the audience. Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner Giovinazzo, moved to accept the Agenda as amended. 5-0. III. Approval of March 8, 2018 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to approved the Minutes as presented. Carried 5 - 0. IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: Councilmember Dougherty updated the Commission as to the recent Parks Commission meeting discussion. City Administrator noted the Comprehensive Plan Open House having been held just prior to the Planning Commission meeting. V. Visitors/Public Comment: None. VI. Public Hearings: A. Holiday Inn Express—5921 Memorial Ave. N.: Consider Madison Hospitality Group request for Design Guideline Review and Conditional Use Permit for reduced front yard setback, reduction to required number of parking stalls, increase to number of wall signs, and to exceed a building height of 35 feet, for 4-story hotel. City Planner Richard reviewed and discussed his April 5, 2018 Planning Report related to the request. Discussion ensued as to setbacks, canopy height and location, building height, location of the power line easement and architectural lighting. Chair Freeman invited the applicant to speak. Planning Commission Minutes April 12,2018 Page 2 of 5 Kevin Hanson of Ramaker&Associates introduced himself as the Architect to the project and noted developer representative Kirk Schultz also in attendance. Mr. Hanson address questions and comments with regard to the power line easement, building orientation,architectural lighting and shared proposed building materials samples and an example of what the mechanical screening would look like. Mr. Hanson did indicate that they would like the four wall signs proposed. Chair Freeman opened the public hearing and invited comment from the audience. Roger Tuckner of Century Motor Sports-5920 Memorial Ave.N. expressed his concerned about the height of the building and would like to see how their elevation fits with those around it. He stated that his biggest concern is parking and increase in traffic. He does not feel the proposed parking is adequate and is concerned that overflow parking may end up in his parking lot. City Administrator Johnson discussed traffic study work to the area and what kind of things that the City can and will be trying in the area. It was noted that the timing of the traffic signals are not within the City's jurisdiction. D.J.Raduenz of Stillwater Motors—5900 Stillwater Blvd.N.stated that they were concerned with the proposed height. Commission discussion ensued with Mr.Hanson as to parking and what analysis was utilized to calculate the proposed number of parking spaces,snow removal options at the site,including on site storage and removal from site. Chair Freeman noted his concern about parking in the sense of Oak Park Heights not having public transportation like many other hotel sites and that people will be driving there. Commissioner Kremer inquired as to whether or not there as additional space on site that could accommodate additional parking should the proposed parking become an issue. Kirk Schultz of Madison Hospitality introduced himself as the developer of the property and discussed staff parking utilized and the business model for parking at the site. He stated that they intend to be good neighbors and that they do not want to impact neighboring business nor do they wish to impact their guess. Should short term parking be needed,he would hope to be able to work out a mutual agreeable arrangement and would not be opposed to a condition of establishing additional parking if needed. Commission discussion continued with Mr.Hanson as to conference gathering attendance and parking volume,fire department access,placement of parking spaces, possibility of creating a virtual plan that shows the height elevations along with their neighbors.Chair Freeman stated that he reviewed the general elevations of other buildings in the area and questioned the justification for the proposed four-story in an area that is largely single story. Mr.Shultz stated that a market study was done in Stillwater and discussed how they come to the ratio of rooms needed based on the areas seasonality of activity for room demand and that the plan is based primarily on Thursday through Sunday occupancy. Chair Freeman expressed his concern with the fit of the building height at the proposed location. Commissioner Kremer stated that he would like to see an elevation model of the site and adjacent properties. Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to continue the public hearing until such time the applicant can complete a virtual site plan to share with neighboring properties and the Commission can review and to continue discussion on parking and number of signs. Carried 5 — 0. Chair Freeman removed himself from the Council dais and joined the audience. Co-Chair Giovinazzo took over the meeting. B. Oak Park Senior Living - Consider Vacation of Drainage & Utility Easement located N. of 58th St. N. and W. of Oakgreen Ave. N. within the Oak Park Senior Living Development. City Administrator Johnson reviewed the request and provided some history to the site, noting that because the easements are noted upon a plat a public hearing is required for any change. Johnson noted that such vacation and re-establishment is being recommended contingent upon the Developer providing a "waiver of impact" to the City should the City be required to access the site. Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to recommend City Council approval with the provision of the "Waiver of Impact" being required. Carried 4 - 0 VII. New Business: A. Oak Park Senior Living — Nolde TIF Application 1-3 Meeting City Approvals and Plans City Administrator Johnson reviewed his April 6, 2018 memorandum for TIF Assistance in the amount of$200,000 to assist in the demolition/removal of the seven townhouse units located in the Oak Park Sr. Living development area as part of the Phase 5 construction of the development area. He noted that the Planning Commission is being asked to make a finding as to whether or not the applicant's planned development is consistent with the City approvals and/or general plans for the area. Johnson noted that the Planning Commission and the City council did approve the planned use for the site in 2017 and that approval is recommended. Discussion ensued as to the request be in line with City Policy for granting TIF in the City of Oak Park Heights and that it is the City Council's job to determine whether or not they find it in line. Brief discussion ensued as to what is needed from the Planning Commission as to the request in that the Planning Commission needs to make a finding as to whether or not they find the applicants planned development is consistent with the City approvals and/or general plans for the area. Co- Chair Giovinazzo asked if there were any additional comments or if Mr. Nolde had any comment. There were none. Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner White moved to recommend City Council approve of the resolution as presented. Carried 4 -0. Planning Commission Minutes April 12,2018 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Kremer moved to advise City Council that it does not appear that that the general policy upon which TIF financing is based is being followed in this instance as it does appear to demonstrate significant public benefit by advancing public improvements as noted in the policy. City Administrator Johnson acknowledged Commissioner Kremer's point and discussed City Councils updating of the policy this past January and its intent to allow limited support and touched and noted that the request does support affordable housing for seniors. Johnson noted an earlier TIF approval Mr. Nolde received years earlier as part of developing the site for affordable senior housing. Motion fails for lack of a second. Chair Freeman returned and resumed the meeting with continuance of the public hearings portion of the Agenda. Continued-Public Hearings: C. Oak Park Heights—Comprehensive Plan 2018: City Planner Richards noted that an open house was held prior to the Planning Commission meeting and invited anyone who may have questions regarding the Comprehensive Plan or a copy of the draft to contact City Hall. Richards noted that the engineering elements of the plan are in the works and anticipates having them available at their upcoming meeting for them to review so that they can potentially recommend approval to send to adjoining jurisdictions and Metropolitan Council for their review. He reviewed the review process and formal approval process steps. Chair Freeman opened the public hearing for comment. There were no visitors to the public hearing. Chair Freeman noted an earlier suggestion from Commissioner Kremer to review sections of the plan in the future to stay fresh with it and sated that he really liked the idea. Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke moved to leave the public hearing open for the Comprehensive Plan. Carried 5 - 0. VIII. Old Business: None. IX. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings: All Meetings at City Hall—6:•00 p.m. Unless Noted Otherwise • Tuesday,April 24, 2018 City Council • Tuesday, May 8, 2018 City Council • Thursday, May 10, 2018 Planning Commission • Tuesday, May 22, 2018 City Council • Thursday, June 14, 2018 Planning Commission • Tuesday, June 26, 2018 City Council Planning Commission Minutes April 12,2018 Page 5 of 5 B. Council Representative • Tuesday, April 24, 2018—Commissioner Kremer • Tuesday, May 22, 2018—Commissioner VanDyke • Tuesday, June 26, 2018 —Commissioner White X. Adjourn. Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke,moved to adjourn at 7:43 p.m. Carried 5—0. Re •ectfully submitted, Julie ltman Pl. g&Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission:05-10-2018/4-0