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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-13 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, October 13, 2022 Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance: Chair White called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Present: Commissioners Husby,Van Denburgh, and VanDyke; City Administrator Johnson and City Planner Richards. Absent: Commissioner Freeman and City Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner Husby, moved to approve the Agenda as amended, removing Public Hearings Item A, Hampton Companies, from the Agenda. Carried 4-0. III. Approval of September 8, 2022 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner Van Denburgh, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried 3-0-1, White Abstained. IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: Commissioner Husby, indicated that he was the Commission Representative to the City Council meeting that had the Commission Public Hearing recommendations on the Agenda and provided an update as to the Council activity to those items. City Administrator Johnson noted that the City Council would be discussing public speaking at their October 25, 2022 work session and that he would be providing the Commission with a draft of a potential policy for their review, noting that when such a policy is established it will include the City Council and Planning and Parks Commissions. V. Visitors/Public Comment: There were no visitors or comments to items not upon the meeting Agenda. VI. Public Hearings: A. Valley Senior Services Alliance: Review and consider requests from Kevin Lohry of Senior Housing Partners on behalf of Valley Senior Services Alliance for a Planned Unit Development — General Plan, Conditional Use Permits for multiple family development and building height, Preliminary and Final Plat, Architectural Design Guidelines/Site Plan Review to allow construction of a 79-unit multiple family apartment building to be located at the intersection of Norwich Ave. N. and north of 58th St. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the October 6, 2022 Planning Report to the request for a three-phase development, providing an issue analysis, noting staff recommendation, and discussing the same. Planning Commission Minutes October 13, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Discussion ensued as added traffic at 58th St. N., parking, building height and snow removal. Chair White invited the applicant to address the Commission. Kevin Lohry—Senior Housing Partners introduced himself and others members of the project team with him. Mr. Lohry stated that the intent of the building is to offer affordable housing to employees but that it will also be open to all, with pricing at mid-market rates. Future phases of the site have not yet been planned. Mr. Lohry addressed the matters of building, noting that the height line is consistent with the main Boutwell's Landing campus building. Its location has been selected for the best layout of the lot and retain natural elements at the back area. He noted that a reduction of 10 parking spaces has been requested and reviewed how parking and heat mitigation island plans would work. Lohry stated that the alcove unit sizing was opted for as a result of demand and discussed occupancy rates of existing such units. Commission discussion was had as to rental rates, dedication of a percentage of units to staff or there being open entirely to the public market, parking expansion planned to accommodate new building and how current parking serving staff and the south building will be affected, and building appearance. Increased use to the utility system structure was noted, with City Administrator Johnson discussing volume and demand in general and how the development in the area will be managed. Chair White opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. and invited public comment. There were no visitors to the hearing beyond the applicant group. Continued Commission was had as to the design and plan,as well as the desire to have follow up on the number of units that may be allocated to Boutwell's Landing employees and the public as the project progresses. Commissioner VanDenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Husby,moved to close the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. Carried 4-0. Commissioner Husby, seconded by Commissioner VanDenburgh, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request, subject to the conditions of the October 6, 2022 Planning Report as amended, specifically that: 1. The Final Plat for Boutwells 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 the City Attorney. 2. A Preliminary Plat for Boutwells Second Addition shall be submitted, subject to approval of the City Engineer and City Attorney. 3. The Planning Commission was favorable to the west building setback of 28-feet, where 30-feet is required. Planning Commission Minutes October 13, 2022 Page 3 of 4 4. The Planning Commission was favorable to the alcove units at 487 square feet, where 600 square feet is required. 5. The tree removal, tree replacement and 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 Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization approval. 7. All utility plans shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 8. The Planning Commission was favorable to the reduction of parking spaces,where 154 spaces are provided and 158 spaces are required, allowing the variation through the General Plan approvals. 9. The Fire Chief and Police Chief shall review and approve the final plans to determine accessibility of emergency vehicles throughout the development. 10. Any mechanical equipment that is ground mounted or visible from adjacent streets shall be screened as required by the Zoning Ordinance. 11. All trash and recycling storage shall be internal to the building. 12. The Planning Commission was favorable to the proposed building height. 13. The Planning Commission was favorable to the building appearance, colors and materials. 14. The applicant shall be required to enter into an amended development agreement with the City should approval of the General Plan be granted. The development agreement shall be subject to review and approval of the City Attorney and City Council. Carried 4-0. VII. New Business: None. VIII. Old Business: None. IX. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings: Noted. B. Council Representative: Commissioner Van Denburgh noted a conflict for the October meeting. Commissioner VanDyke will attend in his place. • Tuesday, October 25, 2022—Commissioner VanDyke • Tuesday,November 22, 2022—Commissioner White Planning Commission Minutes October 13,2022 Page 4 of 4 City Administrator Johnson noted City Council activity with regard to heat island and mitigation,nothing that the Commission had been provided with information about the matter and asked that they think about policy and how the matter may be interfaced with City Ordinance. He noted that the matter will be on an upcoming Agenda for Planning Commission discussion. X. Adjourn: Commissioner Husby, seconded by Commissioner VanDenburgh, moved to adjourn at 6:53 p.m. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Juli(I ultman Pl. ,••ng& Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission: November 10,2022/5-0.