HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-2002 Minutesu . CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, August 8, 2002
Call To Order Chair Vogt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present:
Commissioners Dwyer, Liljegren, and Runk; Commissioner Powell arrived at 7:10 p.m.;
Community Development Director Danielson, City Planner Richards, and Council
Liaison McComber.
Approval of Agenda Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer,
moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4 -0.
Approve Planning Commission Minutes
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to approve the minutes
of July 11, 2002 as amended. Carried 4 -0.
Department /Commission Liaison Reports
1. HWy. 36 Partnership Study Mary McComber reported on recent meetings of the
partnership committee and noted that they continue to review and discuss design
alternatives.
2. Other Commission / Liaison Reports None.
Visitors /Public Comment None.
Public Bearings
A. Continued ® 401 Ordinance Amendment To consider amendment to City
of Oak Park Heights Ordinance 401 as it pertains to signage.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of the City Sign Ordinance and reviewed
his report regarding the subject. He noted that the business community received
notices, inviting them to the public hearing.
Community Development Director Danielson reviewed the public hearing process and
summarized activities relative the subject. She noted that copies of the agenda
enclosure for the hearing were available for those who desired one.
City Planner Richards described the enclosure format in response to commission
request. He asked for feedback for requirements on highway corridor signage.
Chair Vogt opened hearing for public comment at 7:09 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 8, 2002
Page 2 of 7
Ray Marbla, Mailboxes Etc. - 5867 Neal Ave., N stated that the back of his business
faces 58th St. and the Stillwater Area High School. He is concerned about the lack of
visibility for the businesses in this area. He stated that customers find it difficult to
locate his business. He expressed that since the City allowed the buildings to be
constructed, he felt they should provide the means for them to be successful.
Commissioner Powell arrived at 7:10 p.m.
Chair Vogt asked City Planner Richards to comment. Richards commented on
allowance for multiple signage for multi -tenant facilities and indicated that he expected
to see more flexible wall signage requirements in the course of the signage ordinance
discussion. Vogt queried Mr. Marbla as to the importance of signage illumination. Mr.
Marbla indicated that he believed it would help them substantially as would additional
signage possibilities.
Commission discussion ensued regarding roadway signage, corridor signage areas,
requirements, and examples of similar signage in other communities.
Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, moved to continue the
public hearing to Planning Commission meeting of September 12, 2002. Carried 5 -0.
Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to schedule a
workshop on the issue for 7:00 p.m., September 5, 2002 at City Hall. Carried 5 -0.
B. Steve & Lynn Thron To consider a request for variance for construction of
garages, for an apartment building at 14386 58th St. N.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicant's request and two new
proposals for garage construction. Richards reviewed his report and addresses
relevant issues to each of the proposals presented.
Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:13 p.m.
Steve and Lynn Thron the applicants, addressed the Commission and presented them
with a signed petition from the neighborhood, supporting their request. They stated
that they would eliminate the blacktop in front and that they had spoken with a
realtor, who lives in the neighborhood, who expressed that the garages would likely
reduce the number of vehicles outside and that their construction would actually
improve the neighborhood market values.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public
hearing. Carried 5 -0.
Discussion ensued as to the practicality of the garages being constructed, ordinance
and hardship requirements, pre- existing situation to the site and the lack of on- street
parking.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 8, 2002
Page 3 of 7
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to recommend
approval of alternate 2 - garage buildings without storage, subject to the following
conditions:
1. A landscape plan shall be submitted to the City Arborist for review and approval.
2. The applicant shall verify all easements and receive written approval from Xcel
Energy for relocation of the utility pole and construction of the garages as
proposed, subject to review and approval of the Building Official.
3. The applicant shall submit a plan for removal of a portion of the parking lot on
public right -of -way subject to review and approval of the Public Works Director.
Carried 5 -0.
C. Continued: Oakgreen Village Villas To consider requests for a planned unit
development: concept plan and conditional use permit for the construction of a
multi - family housing development located north of 58th Street and west of
Oakgreen Avenue.
City Planner Richards provided an overview of the applicant's request and reviewed his
report regarding the same. Richards and Community Development Director Danielson
discussed issues related to roadway
Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment at 7:55 p.m.
Dan Lindh - Presbyterian Homes described the general layout of the proposed project
of approximately 22 -24 units, within five buildings. He discussed the opportunity to
provide rental opportunities to the community and what anticipated rental rates could
be expected. Mr. Lindh noted that one half of the units will have 2 car garages, that
the buildings will be enhanced with brick and face out to maximize setbacks. He
stated that they would be willing to construct a fence and that if approved, they would
like to begin this fall.
Charles Pingle - 5830 Oakgreen Ave. N . expressed his concern about being assessed
for roadway construction as a result of the proposed project. He also questioned
whether or not the planned roadway would run underneath the power lines.
Pat Estes - 5770 Oakgreen Ave. N. expressed his concern about the traffic burden
upon Oakgreen Ave. N. and stated that he didn't feel that it could handle more
development. He inquired what happened to consideration for bike paths /walking
paths to tie into the rest of the city paths. He asked that the commission give
consideration would give consideration to the residents that are living in the area and
how they are affected prior to approving the request.
Patty Harms - Pondview Condominiums stated that she felt that the proposal
suggested create too much traffic and that she is concerned about the density of people
in relation to traffic, child play areas and pond overflow potential. In short she feels it
is simply too much in to small of an area.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 8, 2002
Page 4 of 7
Mike Brockman - Pondview Condominiums expressed his concern about the amount
of traffic on the frontage road and problems with traffic congestion and safety at the
intersection at Oakgreen Ave. N. and 60th St. N. He expressed concern with the rental
structure and potential problems in such a development. He is concerned about the
loss of trees and open space and would like to see more preservation.
Dan Nuedecker - JSSH Architects addressed the matter of potential pond overflow and
noted that the plan is to build a regional pond. The pond level would be monitored and
raised or lowered as needed. He stated that they are trying to improve the area and
that he believed the regional pond would actually service the area better than the
existing pond does.
Mike Brockman - Pondview Condominium asked why the placement of the
apartments at the site chosen and not another one owned by the applicant, where the
roadway would be more adequate for the increased traffic. He also questioned why
another pond piped into the existing pond and noted that he has never seen the pond
overflow.
Pat Estes - 5770 Oakgreen Ave. N. expressed his concern about the way the current
residents have been treated with respect to development in the area and stated that he
did not feel that low income housing next to a central business district was a good mix.
Charles Pingle - 5830 Oakgreen Ave. N . stated that he was concerned about the
location for the proposed project and stated that he changes to Oakgreen Ave. would
need to be made in order for it to support the increased traffic created.
Barbara Anderson - Pondview Condominium stated that she felt the layout in relation
to the surrounding neighborhood was a liability in the terms of safety and added that
the location of the tot -lot could be improved for better safety.
Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Chair Vogt, moved to close the public hearing.
Carried 5 -0.
Discussion ensued as to low income rental opportunity and how the site selected was
chosen, engineering issues related to road access, anticipated occupancy date if
approved, fencing, parking, construction access, compliance with Xcel Energy
requirements, and the proposed project's fit with what has been viewed as the long
range plan for the area
Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Runk, moved to recommend City
Council approval subject to the following conditions:
The master plan of the CBD Design Guidelines to allow for residential
townhomes in the Medium Box Mixed Use Precinct.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 8, 2002
Page 5 of 7
2. The preliminary/ final plat shall be submitted as part of general plan of
development review and approvals.
3. The Parks Commission should comment on the preferred form of park
dedication for this area. If a land dedication is preferred, the Parks Commission
and City Council shall determine if the parcel under the Xcel Energy power line
easement proposed by the applicant for dedication is appropriate.
4. The applicant shall dedicate an easement for 59th Street and all required
drainage and utility easements as required by the City in the final plat and
development contract.
5. The Parks Commission should comment on the trail requirements for this area
and recommend the desired trail/ sidewalk locations for incorporation into the
general plan of development.
6. The current setbacks for the Villas project as proposed are acceptable.
7. The applicant shall provide drainage calculations for the proposed site as part of
the general plan application. The drainage plans and any required drainage
easements shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer and the
applicable watershed authority.
8. Utility plans shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer.
9. A development contract between the applicant and the City shall be required as
part of the general plan of development approvals subject to City Attorney and
City Council review and approval.
10. A privacy fence of six (6) feet in height along with appropriate landscaping
screening be incorporated as part of the general plan development along the
north and east of the development.
11. A proposed construction access plan shall be submitted along with the general
plan application.
12. The general plan application will meet all requirements of Xcel Energy related to
their power line easement.
Carried 4 -1, Powell opposed.
Chair Vogt called for a seven - minute break, after which the meeting reconvened with
Public Hearing D. for Renton Homes.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 8, 2002
Page 6 of 7
D. Menton Homes To consider a planned unit development: concept and
general plan, preliminary and final plat requests for construction of 12
townhomes within the Central Business District.
City Planner Richards provided a summary of the applicant's request for a Planned
Unit Development/ Conditional Use Permit, preliminary/ final plat and site plan/site
plan review for a 12 unit townhome project on Oakgreen Ave. N. and reviewed his
report regarding the same.
Chair Vogt opened the hearing for public comment.
Patty Harms a Pondview Condominium resident addressed the Commission on behalf
of herself and other Pondview Condominium residents. She stated that they met with
the applicant, Jeff Warren, just prior to the Planning Commission meeting and
informed him that they were not interested in sharing a driveway with the proposed
project. They feel that sharing a driveway simply creates too many nuisances and that
based on their experience, restricted parking does not work. She noted that if the
applicant opts to pursue their own drive, they may consider working to sell the land to
them for the drive.
She expressed that it was felt that the acreage is small for the size of the proposed
project and that recreational sites such as yards and green space would be extremely
limited. She noted that snow accumulation and removal would also present a problem.
She stated that she did not see the benefit of a residential neighbor and expressed that
she felt a business would likely provide more benefit to Pondview Condominiums.
Mitch Johnson representing Renton Homes stated that they contacted the Pondview
Condominium Association Manger, Judd Orff some months ago to open dialogue
regarding the proposed project and its related issues. He expressed that a great deal of
effort was put into coordinating the roadways to work with those in place. He noted
that the applicant has a purchase agreement for the property and that they are fairly
locked into 12 units for the project to be feasible. He anticipated that an alternative
access would be pursued, but that if it wasn't available he expected that the property
would be sold and that it was quite likely that it would become commercial.
Barbara Anderson of Pondview Condominiums stated that she didn't feel Oakgreen
Avenue was ready to accommodate the extra activity being proposed.
Lori Schud of Pondview Condominiums addressed the 2 -story design of the buildings
and their garages. She stated that with the design proposed, Pondview Condominium
residents would view the garages and the traffic for the new units. She feels that the
landscaping could be altered so that both neighborhoods could benefit.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to close the public
hearing at 9:23 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 8, 2002
Page 7 of 7
Commission discussion ensued as to possible impact upon future expansion of
Oakgreen Ave., density and green space requirements, ponding, intersection and
surrounding area, roadway access, power line easement, and project size versus size of
site.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend denial
of the requests. Carried 4 -1, Vogt opposed.
New Business None.
Old Business
1. Party in the Park - Thank you.
Community Development Director Danielson thank all those who participated in
the annual Party in the Park celebration and noted that it was well attended by the
community and considered to be a success.
Informational /Uydate None.
Adjournment Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to
adjourn at 9:40 p.m. Carried 5 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Hultman
Community Development
Approved by the Planning Commission: September 12, 2002. 4 -0