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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-09 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday,March 9, 2023 Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance: Vice Chair Van Denburgh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Freeman, Husby, and VanDyke; City Administrator Johnson, and City Planner Richards. Absent: City Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner VanDyke,seconded by Commissioner Freeman,moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4-0. III. Approval of February 9, 2023 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner Husby, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Carried 4-0. IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: City Administrator Johnson updated the Commission as to legislative lobbying for funding with regard to the A.S. King Plant,noting that the House recently approved funding as part of their State Infrastructure Bond Bill —those funds approved are slated for pre-design, design and right-of-way acquisition. V. Visitors/Public Comment: None. VI. Public Hearings: A. Urban Heat Islands - Consider Amendments to Zoning Ordinance 401.15.F. Related to Off-Street Parking, Loading and Landscape Requirements. City Planner Richards reviewed and discussed his March 1, 2023 Memorandum with regard to changes made to proposed ordinance amendments following discussion at the January and February Planning Commission meetings and discussed the same,providing examples of how the amendments would impact similar smaller parking lots currently in the City. Jim Kremer — 5475 Oakgreen Place, N. suggested decoupling heat island and parking requirements, stating that there does not appear to be any evidence that the City is creating a rise in temperature within the City or surrounding area, thus there is not a heat island in the traditional sense. Kremer expressed that his support of changing parking requirements and suggested that the requirements be simplified, offering examples of areas of change and suggestions for consideration. Planning Commission Minutes March 9,2023 Page 2 of 3 Carly Johnson— 14418 57th St. N. addressed the Commission as a member of the public, clarifying that heat islands are part of a more complicated conversation. Aspects of that conversation include the City having too many unused parking spaces, it being fully built out, and the lack of tree diversity making it ineligible to meet tree grant requirements. Johnson noted that parking space reduction would free up land area for redevelopment and that a greater landscape and tree diversity requirement could potentially make the City eligible to meet requirements for tree grants. There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commission Husby, moved to close the public hearing at 6:22 p.m. Carried 4—0. Discussion ensued as to areas of the ordinance that seem to be conflicting, recommended language for 800 square feet of landscaping per 50 surface feet of parking stalls, simplifying ordinances so that it is easier to use, the need for ordinances to be clear for interpretation Vice-Chair Van Denburgh noted that a written public comment had been received noting the challenge to adding water to islands and suggested that the definition of parking of 25 stalls should be addressed so that the definition does not penalize smaller centers that have 25 or more stalls which are wrapped around the building versus a stacked lot. Discussion continued as to the expense of watering/irrigation of heat islands,requirements to maintain landscaping, need for sustainable landscaping diversity, how diversity and maintenance upkeep is currently being facilitated by the City Arborist and development process approvals, examples of how some of the grant programs for trees function,public hearing versus administrative facilitation of review and approval for parking and heat island requirements,requirements for trees to heat island versus things such as shrubs,and why not consider green space for the lot as a whole versus adding green space to the parking surface. Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved to continue public hearing discussion to their April 13, 2023 meeting to allow City Planner Richards to further address amendment proposal,based on public hearing discussion. Carried 4— 0. VII. New Business: A. Planning Commission Recommendation for Appointment: • Consider a Recommendation to City Council for one-year term extension for Tim Freeman. Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner Husby moved to recommend City Council appointment of Commissioner Freeman to a one -year extension. Planning Commission Minutes March 9,2023 Page 3 of 3 Vice-Chair Blake suggested amending the motion that the term culminate in May of 2024. Commissioner VanDyke Agreed. Commissioner VanDyke, seconded by Commissioner Husby moved to recommend City Council appointment of Commissioner to a one-year term extension, culminating in May 2024. Carried 2-0-2, Freeman and Van Denburgh abstaining. • Consider a Recommendation to City Council for appointment of Jim Kremer to Planning Commission three-year term. Vice-Chair Van Denburgh inquired if advertisement of the Commission vacancy to the City Newsletter has occurred. City Administrator Johnson stated that it has not,because there has not been a newsletter since the vacancy opening. Discussion ensued as to leaving the position open until such time it is able to be advertised in the City newsletter, appointing Mr. Kremer serving as soon as possible due to his demonstrating his ability to service and qualifications, and the concern that people are unaware that there is an opening. Vice-Chair VanDenburgh, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke, moved that the vacancy be published in one City Newsletter and that motion to recommend be postponed until April. Carried 3-1, Freeman opposed. VIII. Old Business: None. IX. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings: Noted. A. Council Representative: • Tuesday, March 28, 2023 —Commissioner Husby • Tuesday, April 25, 2023 —Commissioner Freeman X. Adjourn: Commissioner Husby, seconded by Commissioner VanDyke,moved to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, J Ju 'e' ultman P ann ng& Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission: April 13,2023 (4-0)