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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2003 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, April 10, 2003 Call To Order /Approval of Agenda Chair Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Liljegren, Runk and Powell. Acting City Administrator Holst, City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison McComber. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 4 -0. Approve Minutes: Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to approve the Minutes of March 13, 2003 as presented. Carried 4 -0. Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports A. Commission Liaison None. B. Other: None. Visitors /Public Comment There were no visitors to the meeting or public comment other than items upon the Agenda. Public Hearings A. Continued: Oakgreen Village To consider requests of Valley Senior Services Alliance Housing and Community Services, LLC for site plan review, conditional use permit, subdivision, planned unit development: concept plan for office condos, commercial and retail use known as Oakgreen Village to be located at 58"' St. N. and Novak Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the requests and prior outstanding issues, noting that some of the issues have been addressed by the applicant's revised plans. Richards reviewed changes made to the plans and provided an issue analysis with respect to the requests before the Commission. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment at 7:11 p.m. Kenneth Hooge — Senior Housing Partners the applicant, expressed that he felt a cooperative effort has worked well to deal with the project issues. He noted that they would prefer to develop the entire area at one time and that they were still preferable to tax increment financing for the project. Mr. Hooge responded to Commission Liaison McComber's question regarding neighborhood meetings for the project area. He informed her and the Commission that meetings were held nearly a year ago and at the time, primary concerns seemed to be the location of an apartment building and the purchase of private residences along Oakgreen Avenue. To that end, the apartment building was moved back and any possible property purchases can only occur when the means possible to do so are available. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2003 Page 2 of 8 Brief discussion ensued as to building placement, potential development of Oakgreen Avenue properties owned by Valley Senior Services Alliance, future of outlot under the power line, future roadway changes being discussed for Hwy. 36 and frontage road area, right -of -way and engineering issues and ponding placement possibilities. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Commission discussion ensued as to future change possibilities to Oakgreen Avenue, timing for the project development, and the recommendations and conditions within the planning report. Chair Dwyer acknowledged that change in this area, development and roadway, will affect the city and expressed his appreciation for the residents in the area being involved even when issues tend to run on for a long period of time. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to recommend City Council approval of the request, excluding Phase II and subject to the amended conditions of the April 3, 2003 planning report, specifically: A preliminary plat shall be submitted as part of the general plan of development process. Forty feet of right -of -way from the centerline of Oakgreen Avenue N. shall be dedicated as part of the plat. 2. The extension of Novak Avenue N. must be redesigned to be completely on the subject property, or the applicant must reach an agreement with the adjacent property owner for the street to be partly on the adjacent property consistent with the submitted plans. The phasing plan must be revised to include all areas of the development, including ponding and streets. 4. The Planning Commission, Parks Commission and City Council should make preliminary comments regarding open space, public park land needs and sidewalk /trail locations as it relates to this project. The trail and landscaping south of 59` St. N. shall extend to Oakgreen Ave. N. and shall connect to the existing trail east of Oakgreen. 6. Information related to land market value shall be provided to calculate park dedication requirements for the subject property at the time of general plan of development submittals. 7. All concept utility plans shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2003 Page 3 of 8 All concept drainage plans shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 9. Written approval from Xcel Energy related to construction of ponds and a roadway within the power line easement shall be required with submittals of the general plan of development application. 10. The Planning Commission and City Council should comment on the townhome configuration and the proposed density of units. 11. Any other conditions of City staff, the Planning Commission, the Parks Commission and the City Council. Carried 4 -0. B. WATE Enterprises To consider requests of WATE Enterprises for site plan review, amended concept plan review and general plan of development /planned unit development review for construction of a new office /warehouse building, including cold storage building and parking at 5610 Memorial Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the applicant's requests, provided an issue analysis and offered concluding remarks and recommendations. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment at 7:45 p.m. Todd Erickson — Project Engineer noted the highlights of the project and discussed drainage at the site. Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Chair Dwyer, moved to close the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Commission discussion ensued as to City Arborist report and its requirement of the applicant to prepare a tree inventory for species category and trunk size, building color scheme, signage and planning report conditions. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to recommend City Council approval, subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant should identify the square footage of office space and warehouse space to determine the appropriate parking spaces needed prior to City Council review. 2. The access and circulation plan is subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer and Fire Marshall. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2003 Page 4 of 8 The applicant should identify the location of snow storage within the site plan subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 4. The applicant shall modify the site plan to meet the 20 percent green space requirement. All curb barriers shall be setback at least 10 feet from all lot lines. 6. The landscaping plan shall be subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. 7. The applicant shall pay a tree replacement fee as determined by the City Arborist. The drainage and grading plan is subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. The wetland delineation information shall be subject to the review of the City Engineer. If additional setbacks or buffer areas are required, the applicant shall submit to the City revised plans subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 10. The applicant shall submit to the City a signed permit from the Brown's Creek Watershed District. 11. The utility plan is subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. 12. The location of fire hydrant and sprinkler systems within both buildings shall be subject to the review and approval of the Fire Marshall and /or Building Official. 13. The applicant shall provide a lighting plan with all location of lights and types of fixtures. The lighting plan and a revised photometric plan shall be subject to review and approval of City staff. 14. All signage plans shall be subject to review and approval of City staff. 15. A Development Agreement is subject to the review and approval of the City Attorney. 16. All other conditions of City staff, the Planning Commission, the Parks Commission and City Council. Carried 4 -0. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2003 Page 5 of 8 C. WATE Enterprises To consider requests of WATE Enterprises for site plan review, amended concept plan review and general plan of development /planned unit development review for construction of a cold storage building and parking at 5670 Memorial Ave. N. City Planner Richards reviewed the applicant's requests, provided an issue analysis and offered concluding remarks and recommendations. Chair Dwyer opened the hearing for public comment at 8:07 p.m. Todd Erickson — Project Engineer discussed wetland and retaining wall issues. He noted that they have met with the city's engineering firm and that Brown's Creek Watershed District has review their plans and approved them subject to City of Oak Park Heights approval. Additionally, Mr. Erickson discussed drainage, snow removal and signage plans. David Beaudet — 6400 Lookout Trail expressed his concern of having snow piled in front of the buildings. He stated that the City is in the process of developing a wetland ordinance and expressed that he felt wetland protection should be considered whether or not the property is situated in an area designated as a DNR protected wetland. Commissioner Liljegren, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to close the public hearing at 8:16 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Commission discussion ensued as to snow removal /storage, wetland buffer and related wetland issues and the ordinance being developed by Oak Park Heights, and maximizing use of the property for its commercial use. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to recommend City Council approval, subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall submit a revised plan indicating the percentage of buildable area and green space pursuant to Section 401.300.G of the Zoning Ordinance prior to review by the City Council. 2. The applicant shall identify the location of snow storage within the site plan subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 3. The applicant shall pay a tree replacement fee as determined by the City Arborist. The landscaping plan shall be subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. The drainage and grading plan is subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2003 Page 6 of 8 6. The wetland delineation information shall be subject to the review of the City Engineer. If additional setbacks or buffer areas are required, the applicant shall submit to the City revised plans subject to review and approval of the City Engineer. 7. The applicant shall submit to the City a signed permit from the Brown's Creek Watershed District. The utility plan is subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. The location of fire hydrant and sprinkler systems within both buildings shall be subject to the review and approval of the Fire Marshall and /or Building Official. 10. All signage plans shall be subject to review and approval of City staff. 11. A Development Agreement shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Attorney 12. A photometric lighting plan shall be submitted subject to review and approval of City staff. 13. All signage plans shall be subject to review and approval of City staff. 14. Any other conditions of City staff, the Planning Commission, the Parks Commission and City Council. Carried 4 -0. New Business A. Hwy. 36 Partnership Study Commission Liaison McComber provided a review of the Joint Planning Commission meeting with the City of Stillwater Planning Commission and their discussion of the changes to Hwy. 36 and adjacent roadways. She noted that the City Council was seeking Commission feedback and a recommendation. Chair Dwyer stated that he felt the Stillwater Planning Commission put a lot of effort into the process and expressed that he found what was proposed pretty favorable. He stated that he found there was general agreement to many of the design aspects needed and pointed out that a number of Oak Park Heights businesses are clearly affected and that he is optimistic that a firm plan for the roadway changes would allow business held in limbo to plan for the future and expressed that he was hopeful that many of those affected would be able to relocate within Oak Park Heights. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2003 Page 7 of 8 Commission discussion ensued regarding the proposed changes including cul -de -sac placements for maximization of frontage road use in some areas, mapping deadlines, potential traffic flow with the prospect of a new St. Croix River Bridge crossing, the impact upon Oak Park Heights businesses, pedestrian and vehicular safety on the roadway with and without change and such. Chair Dwyer asked for visitor comments. David Beaudet — 6400 Lookout Trail, N. discussed some of the historical information to the project and expressed that he felt that transportation was the primary aspect of discussion and earlier roadway studies and suggested that the Commission may wish to request the City Council to update the studies as there are perspectives beyond transportation needing consideration with any changes to be made. He discussed some of the viewpoints of neighboring communities who are affected by Hwy. 36 changes and stated that the Oak Park Heights corridor was significantly safer than other corridors of the highway. Commission discussion ensued as to the costs of design change to Oak Park Heights, the feeling that safety has been clearly considered along with the matter of transportation, built in safety features as part of the design change and the general feeling that the public is asking for change and that they should be listened to. Chair Dwyer encouraged all concerned to pay attention to the issue and communicate their concerns to the City Hall. He added that there was information available for viewing at the City Hall and that the City Council would be addressing the subject at their second meeting in April. Chair Dwyer, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, based on their meeting and discussion with the Stillwater Planning Commission, moved to recommend that the City Council approve alterations for Hwy. 36 as recommended by the Partnership Advisory Committee; which is Concept F- Buttonhook Design, eliminating intersections along Hwy. 36 and replacing them with overpasses, constructing the highway below grade to accommodate traffic and reduce noise and to add cul -de -sacs at frontage road by Jerry's Auto Detail, Gardy's Sport Center and McCormick's Furniture and to look at reducing the curve at the west side frontage road next to McCormick's Furniture. Furthermore, the Commission asked the City Council to provide comment on the recommendation. Carried 4 -0. B. Planning Commission Discussion of Zoning Ordinance Changes for 60 -12- Day Development Review Timeline City Planner Richards informed the Commission that the change was being requested so as to make the City Ordinance language consistent with Minnesota State Statutes and to address voting requirements for zoning changes. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2003 Page 8 of 8 Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to schedule a public hearing at the May 2003 meeting for discussion of this proposed change. Carried 4 -0. Old Business: None. Informational: A. Next Meeting May 8, 2003 - 7:OOp.m. B. Commissioner Interview Scheduling Acting City Administrator Holst reminded Commission and viewers that applications were being accepted for the Planning Commission until 4:30 p.m., April 21, 2003 and that applications could be obtained by contacting City Hall. C. Arden Hills Touring Boutwells Landing Acting City Administrator Holst informed the Commission that a tour of Boutwells Landing was being arranged for the City of Arden Hills and their Planning Commission for Saturday, May 3 d at 11:00 a.m. She asked the Commission if one of them would be interested in participating with the tour. Chair Dwyer stated that he would check his schedule and notify Judy as to whether or not he could attend. Adjournment Commissioner Powell, seconded by Vice Chair Runk, moved to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. Carried 3 -0. Respectfully submitted, iti0e A. Hultman Community Development Approved by the Planning Commission: May 8, 2003. 4 -0