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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-2005 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, May 12, 2005 Call To Order Chair Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Liljegren, Oswald, Runk and Wasescha. City Planner Richards, City Administrator Johnson and Commission Liaison McComber. Approval of Agenda: Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to approve the Agenda, as presented. Carried 5 -0. Approve Minutes of April 14, 2005: Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to approve the Minutes as amended. Carried 5 -0. Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports A. Commission Liaison Commission Liaison McComber noted that the Commissioners should have received the Government Training Service (G.T.S) brochure and encouraged them to partake in the educational offerings provided by G.T.S. McComber also noted that the City Council discussed the Central Business District at their May 10, 2005 meeting and scheduled a joint worksession with the Planning Commission to be held prior to the regular City Council meeting on May 24, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. She added that the matter is further down on the meeting agenda, where it would be discussed further. B. St. Croix Crossing Update Commission Liaison McComber provided a brief update, and announced that the next Stakeholders Group meeting is scheduled for July 19, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Stillwater City Hall. C. Other: Visitors /Public Comment Chair Dwyer explained to the audience that this portion of the agenda was made available to visitors who wished to address the Commission as to items not on the current agenda and also pointed out that there was a viewing copy of the materials received by the Commission for the items on the meeting agenda for the evening. There being no visitors to the meeting, Chair Dwyer moved to the Public Hearings portion of the .Agenda. Public Hearings A. Oakgreen Village To consider requests for Site Plan Review and Planned Unit Development: Concept Plan for construction of townhomes, known as Oakgreen Village — Phase I and located to north of 58th St. and west of Oakgreen Ave. City Planner Richards advised the Commission that based on the comments of the Planning Commission at their April meeting, the applicant requested the City Council take no action on the concept plan and asked that it be sent back to the Planning Commission, where he would provide a revised plan. Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 2 of 6 City Planner Richards further advised the Commission that the revised plan eliminates Nutmeg Ave and the second easterly access point onto 58 St. N. The number of units is also being reduced from 149 to 120 units. The rest of the plan is expected to remain unchanged. As the anticipated submittal materials were not received by the applicant, Richards recommended that the Commission open the public hearing, take public comment and then discuss and continue the hearing to their June meeting. Chair Dwyer opened the public hearing for comment. Tim Nolde — Anchobaypro, Inc. introduced himself and noted that the proposed plan was prepared with consideration given to comments made at the April Planning Commission meeting and reviewed the differences between the current plan and the previously proposed one. Lisa Anderson — 13991 60 St. Ct. N. : expressed her concern as to the 59th St. entrance being nearly connected with the Pondview driveway, encouraging use of the roadway for cut - through traffic. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to continue the public hearing to June. Carried 5 -0. Commission discussion ensued as to private roadway system and the eventuality of street maintenance issues, Novak Ave. construction and 59th St. construction and cost. B. Ron Gullickson To consider requests for garage Variance and Conditional Use Permit allowing a tri -plex residential dwelling in an R -2 residential zoning district, located at 5480 Stagecoach Trail, N. City Administrator Johnson advised the Commission that the applicant is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a dwelling which is currently operating as a tri -plex, which is an illegal use to the property's R -2 zoning, which allows up to a duplex. Johnson added that the applicant is attempting to bring the property into compliance as a tri -plex and has been working to acquire additional property to the north of his, from Xcel Energy for possible expansion of the property use to a 4- plex. City Administrator Johnson noted that just prior to the meeting, he was notified by the applicant, that he and Xcel Energy had been able to connect and that Xcel Energy has expressed a willingness to sell him some additional land. In light of the events and to allow the applicant an opportunity to pursue a land purchase and revise his application for the 4 -plex conditional use permit he desires, Johnson asked the Commission to consider continuing the public hearing to their June meeting rather than discuss the tri -plex request only to have the applicant return next month with a new application for the property. Chair Dwyer opened the public hearing for comment. There being no visitors to the public hearing, Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to continue the public hearing to June. Carried 5 -0. Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 3 of 6 C. Pine Grove Gardens To consider requests for Concept and General Planned Unit Development (PID) and Rezoning from O, open space to R -3, multiple family residential for construction of 26 residential units, within five townhome buildings, located south of 60 111 St. and East of Oakgreen Ave. N., to be known as Pine Grove Gardens. City Planner Richards informed the Commission that the City Council, at their April 12, 2005 meeting, voted to reconsider their March 29, 2005 denying approval of Pine Grove Gardens rezoning and Comprehensive Plan amendment and redirect the application to the Commission, allowing the applicant to redesign the plan in compliance with the R -3 zoning district requirements. Richard reviewed the May 5, 2005 planning report as to the requests, provided an issue analysis and discussed the same with the Commission. Chair Dwyer opened the public hearing and invited the applicant and those wishing to speak to the matter to address the Commission. Todd Erickson of Folz Freeman Erickson Inc. — 5620 Memorial Ave. N. informed the Commission that comments to the project had been considered and applied to the overall layout of the current design plan. He reviewed the changes as noted within the planning report and noted that the developer would like to extend only the decks into the 30 -foot setback area and not the 4- season porches. As to the oudots, Mr. Erickson stated that the developer does not wish to turn it to the Homeowner's Association but prefers to maintain it as a separate lot for potential future use. City Administrator Johnson addressed the concern of the possibility of the oudot turning into tax forfeited status, which essentially turns it into a "no mans land" that the City would be expected to maintain, along with the pond for a private development. Mr. Erickson stated that the oudot is fairly large and that he fully expected to see it turn into another use rather than become a tax forfeit parcel. Greg Johnson of Oak Park Heights Development, LLC — 6750 Stillwater Blvd. N. discussed exterior materials they propose to use on the development, which is an acrylic type composition that permits deep, rich colors and is of good quality. He noted that the material was in use at a project in Forest Lake and encouraged the Commission to visit the project. He suggested that he could also provide the commission with material samples. Todd Erickson of Folz Freeman Erickson Inc. — 5620 Memorial Ave. N. discussed tree preservation and landscaping elements to the project. Both Mr. Erickson and Mr. Johnson indicated that they will work to comply with the requirements established to move the project forward and that they were anxious to begin. Lois Hall of Hall Family Chiropractic Clinic — 13999 60th St. N. sought clarification on the development location and expressed concern as to new development in the area, making her older business more vulnerable to roadway design change in relation to the potential MnDOT changes to the area in that her property would be less expensive to purchase than newer constructed property. Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 4 of 6 Richard Gacke - 13964 56 St. N. : expressed concern that the driveway lengths and visitor parking spaces ratio proposed result in too little off - street parking. Mr. Gacke is also concerned about the number of trees being removed and would prefer to see larger, mature trees preserved rather than relocated to an oudot area, where future change is already being anticipated. City Planner Richards addressed the issues of driveway length, garage size; he noted typical vehicle sizes and referenced some standards used by other communities for driveway length. There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Commission discussion ensued as to the proposed street system, roadway widths, parking space requirements, privately owned versus publicly owned streets, decking setback encroachment, tree preservation, landscaping, land use and conditions of planning report. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by, Commissioner Oswald, moved to recommend City Council approval for Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Medium - Density Residential, Zoning Amendment to R -3, Multiple Family District excluding Oudot A, and Planned Unit Development Concept and General Plan approval, subject to the following conditions as amended from the May 5, 2005 Planning Report: The final plat shall be subject to any comments or requirements of the City Engineer and City Attorney. The City Attorney shall provide comment and provide a recommendation on the proposed separate developable parcel designated as an outlot, with recommendation to be included within the Development Agreement. 2. The applicant shall be required to pay a cash park dedication fee based upon the requirements of Section 402.08 of the Subdivision Ordinance. The applicant shall provide the City with a property appraisal acceptable to the City Attorney. 3. The Planning Commission is agreeable to allow encroachments of decks into the required set backs as provided for on the concept /general plan. 4. The Police Chief and Fire Chief shall comment on the accessibility of the project for emergency vehicles. 5. The proposed trail locations and applicant's responsibility in construction costs shall be subject to review and approval by the City Council. 6. The applicant shall submit a snow removal plan that shall be subject to the review and approval of City staff. 7. The applicant shall provide updated grading, drainage and utility plans to the City reflecting the revised concept / general plan. All final grading, drainage and utility plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Public Works Director and City Engineer and review of the Middle St. Croix Watershed District. Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 5 of 6 8. The applicant shall provide updated landscape and tree preservation plans to reflect the revised site plan. The final landscape plan and tree preservation plans are subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. The applicant shall provide a photometric plan for the project subject to City staff review and approval. 10. The Planning Commission is agreeable to the garage forward design and general architecture of the project. The building and siding materials should be steel, concrete masonry board, or an equivalent material approved by the City Council. 11. A development agreement shall be required subject to review and approval of the City Council and City Attorney. 12. The homeowner's documents and declarations shall be provided to the City Attorney for his review and approval. Carried 5 -0. New Business A. Annual Meeting: Election of Chair and Vice Chair & Commission Vacancies City Administrator Johnson reminded the Commission that Commissioner Oswald announced his intention to resign at their April meeting and also agreed to stay on until his seat was filled. He noted that Chair Dwyer has completed two full terms on the Planning Commission and has served one term each in the capacity of Vice Chair and Chair. Johnson pointed out that Planning Commission Bylaws permit Dwyer a one -year term extension by City Council if so desired. At this point Johnson asked Dwyer if he desired to seek a term extension appointment. Dwyer indicated that he would be open to a one -year extension if the City Council was willing. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha, moved to recommend that the City Council grant a one -year term extension to John Dwyer. Carried 4 -0 -1, Dwyer abstained. City Administrator Johnson noted that Commissioner Liljegren sought reappointment at their April meeting and that the Commission recommendation for reappointment to a second full term was sent to the May 10, 2005 City Council meeting and was approved. City Administrator Johnson stated that Commissioner Oswald would be on board through June, that Commissioner Wasescha is presently serving is his first full term and that Vice Chair Runk, if desired by the Commission and by virtue of the Planning Commission Bylaws, may be elected to serve as Chair or Vice Chair. Johnson noted that the issues at hand for the Annual Meeting and Election of Officers was to nominate and elect a Chair and Vice Chair, to direct advertisement of Commission Vacancy and to establish an application deadline and date and time for interview of applicants. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to nominate Vice Chair Runk to serve as Planning Cormnission Chair, commencing with the June meeting. Carried 4 -0 -1, Runk abstained. Planning Cominission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 6 of 6 Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to nominate Commissioner Liljegren to serve as Planning Commission Vice Chair, commencing with the June meeting. Carried 4 -0 -1, Liljegren abstained. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to direct advertisement of Planning Commission vacancy, with an application deadline of one week prior to the June Planning Commission meeting and further moved that interviews be conducted at 6:30 p.m., or 6:00 p.m. if number of applicants necessitate the earlier time, prior to the June Planning Commission meeting B. Central Business District Update Commission Liaison McComber noted City Council discussion of the Central Business District at their recent goal setting retreat and their May 10, 2005; where they placed the matter, for joint discussion with the Planning Commission, on their May 24, 2005 — 5:30 p.m. Worksession Agenda for discussion as to what is desired for the area and to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Chair Dwyer expressed that he felt the Planning Commission and the City Council have not been on the same page on the issue and stated that he thought a joint meeting on the matter was a good idea in order to guide development of the area. Discussion ensued as to zero setbacks, design guidelines, what was desired for the area, what the purpose the area was to serve for the community, buffer areas, hybrid zoning, automotive /gasoline use for the area and related. The Commission agreed to accept joint worksession invitation from the City Council. Chair Dwyer indicated that he had a conflict with the date and time and would not be able to attend but that he would send comments along in his absence. Old Business None. Informational A. Commission Vacanc y : Applications are being accepted and will be accepted until June3 Interviews will be held at 6:30 p.m. on June 9, 2005. B. Next Meeting June 9, 2005 7:00 p.m. — Regular Meeting C. Council Representative May — Commissioner Runk June — Commissioner Oswald Adjournment Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Julie X Hultman Planning & Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission: June 9, 2005