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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-1999 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 17, 1999 Call To Order Chair Hedlund called the meeting to order at 7 :00 p.m. and welcomed new Commission member John Dwyer. Present: Commissioners Dwyer, Vogt and Wasescha. Commissioner Dahlquist arrived at 7:13 p.m. Staff Present: City Planner Richards and Community Development Secretary Hultman. Absent: Community Development Director Danielson. Approval of A enda Wasescha, seconded by Vogt, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 4 -0. Visitors Barb Barry, Valley Sr. Services Alliance; David Beaudet, Oak Pare Heights Councilmember; Donna Gray, 14812 58 ° ' St. N. #3D; Chuck Dougherty, 15330 58" St. N.; Kris Gulsvig, 14775 Upper 56 St. N.; Brian Jones, 1533158"' St. N.; Greg Johnson, Carriage Homes representative; Chuck Kotval, 14787 Upper 56` St. N.; Jack Krongard, Krongard Construction; Linda Moszer, 5827 Peller Ave. N.; Carol Brelelee -Olson and Neal Olson; Osman Ave. N. property owners; Pam Patrick, 15365 58` St. N.; 'ferry Poirier, 5636 Perkins Ave. N.; Greg Runk, 5649 Perkins Ave. N.; Bill Selb, 15336 57 ° ' St. N.; Sharon Silver, Oak Park Heights; Carl Stender, 1486158"' St. N.; and Bert Welander, 14183 Upper 56` St. N. Pubic Hearings A. A request to consider a Planned Unit Development /Conditional Use Permit Concept Plan Variances, Preliminary Plat and Street Vacation for a 41 unit Senior Apartment Complex and a 8 unit townhome at Osgood Ave. and 58` St. N .: City Planner Richards provided a brief overview of his Planner's Report, indicated that the applicant had submitted a revised plan for the project and noted that it is overall concept approval that was being sought at this hearing. Chair Hedlund opened the hearing for public comment at 7:13 p.m. A few visitors expressed that they lilted the new street layout and turnaround as they felt it would be beneficial in reducing the traffic through the area. Another visitor expressed that she liked the way the neighborhood had developed through the years. Other visitors questioned the general layout of the building and expressed concern about panting and encouraged reconsideration of previously discussed street vacations in the area. There was inquiry as to where hardship situations noted in the Planners Report as well as variance related issues. Gregg Johnson of Carriage Homes was present and addressed the Commission and audience with response to many of the issue risen. He noted that the townhomes will be 2 -story and that Carriage Homes has been working with property owners and Krongard Construction to develop a better plan for the project based on the desires of the neighbors and information received at a previous Planning Commission meeting on the matter. He further noted that the building design itself had not changed. Jack Krongard of Krongard Construction noted that relative to the project's abutting Calvary Assembly Church's property, he has spoken with the Church's Pastor. Mr. Krongard indicated that the Pastor is excited about working on a shared parking lot whichwill allow the church to expand without losing parking area. Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Wasescha moved to close the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. Carried 5 -0. The Commission discussed issues such as parking, street vacation, building location and size, residency requirement of the buildings for senior citizen occupancy, traffic impact. Wasescha moved to recommend approval of the concept plan with the details of the conditions listed in the Planner's Report, including the CUP and PUD, to be worked through with staff as the process moved forward. Motion died for lack of a second. Dahlquist, seconded by Dwyer, moved to recommend approval of the concept of higher density senior housing on the site; and that it be stipulated that the building size, position and arrangement be re- evaluated for a better fit into the land available so that the need for a setback variance be eliminated. Carried 5 -0. B. A request to consider amendments to Section 401.15 of the Oak Park Heights Zoning Ordinanc and the 1998 Design Guidelines to revise the process for development review, eliminating th request for Planning Commission and City Council review of those commercial and industri projects that meet all Zoning and Design Guidelines requirement City Planner Richards provided a brief history of the origins of this issue, noting previous discussion b the Commission on the issue and detailed the current review process. Chair Hedlund opened the hearing for public comment at 8:30 p.m. Visitors addressing the Commission questioned the mechanics of the change requested and stated that their opinion was that the Commission should be involved in the review process, allowing for public discussion. Wasescha, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to close the public hearing at 8:43 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Brief discussion ensued, where the merits of stream - lining the process were discussed and the consensus derived that the situation was not so common that it merited a change of process. 2 Vogt, seconded by Dahlquist moved to recommend that the sections of 401.15 of the Oak Parr Heights Zoning Ordinance and the 1998 Design Guidelines remain unchanged. Carried 5 -0. C. To consider amendments to the Comprehensive Plan reflecting comments from the Metropolita Council. The amendments are related to aviation, housing land use, sewers transportation wate resources management and the Capital Improvements Program City Planner Richards provided an update on the issue and highlighted his Planner's Report. He recommended beeping the public hearing open until Metropolitan Council has determined that they have received all the information that they require. Chair Hedlund opened the hearing for public comment at 8:45 p.m. CouncAmember Beaudet addressed the Commission and stated that they should feel free to remove any areas of the plan that they were not comfortable with as part of the plan. He added that they should not feel that they must go outside the existing boundaries of the planning area, noting that none of the expenses associated with doing so are recoverable by the City. Dahlquist, seconded by Wasescha, moved to hold the public hearing open until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission. Carried 5 -0. D. To consider a zoning map amendment for that area that is currently zoned R -2, Low and Medium Density Residential to R -1, Single Famlly Residential, generally from 59" street North to 54` street North, from Peabody Avenue North to State Highway 9 5: City Planner Richards provided the Commission and audience with an overview of the issue and highlighted his Planner's Report. He made note that staff would support the rezoning of the neighborhood as proposed. Chair Hedlund opened the public hearing for comment at 8:55 p.m. Visitors from the neighborhood affected by this proposed change were present and made comment. Largely, visitors supported the change, stating that they would like to see Lower Oak Park Heights neighborhoods pulled back together and noted how nice and quiet the neighborhood has been since many of the multiple dwellings were removed with the St. Croix bridge and N.S.P. projects. Some of the supporters voiced their concern about the boundaries for the proposed change and offered suggestions that the boundary be extended only to Peller Avenue N. Brian Jones, a neighborhood resident, who resides in single family home and also owns a duplex in the affected area stated that he supported the idea behind the rezoning; however, stated that he couldn't support the change due to the restrictions it would createforbidding him to repair and Beep his duplex in the event a tragedy of some bind, resulting in 50 % or more damage to it. Dwyer, seconded by Wasescha moved to close the public hearing at 9:10 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Dahlquist, seconded by Wasescha moved to recommend approval of the zoning map amendment to R -1, Single family for the area west of Stagecoach Trl. N. to Peabody Ave. N., from 59 St. N. to the southerly boundary of the Northern States Power ponding area. Carried 5 -0. Old Business None New Business A. A request to consider a Final Plat for Boutwell's Landing-Valley Senior Services Allianc City Planner Richards reviewed the proposed project with the Commission. Barb Barry, representing Valley Senior Services Alliance was present and addressed the Commission as to a couple of typographical errors on the drawings and noted that the streets are to be named in compliance with Washington County's naming system. General discussion ensued wherein it was noted that a single street naive for the development's thorough -way would be desirable. Vogt, seconded by Wasescha, moved to recommend approval, subject to the conditions established in the City Planners report. Carried 5 -0. B. A request for site plan review for a building expansion — Anastasi & Associates 6120 Oren Av N.: City Planner Richards reviewed his Planner's Report with the Commission. Brief discussion ensued. The applicant was not present. Commissioners' Dahlquist and Wasescha noted that it would be desirable to have complete material prior to being asked for a recommendation. Vogt, seconded by Dahlquist moved to table this matter until such time complete site review information is made available.. Carried 4 -1, Hedlund opposed. Informational /Update A. City Council /Commission meeting follow -up Agenda Receipt acknowledged. B. Commission Attendance Update acknowledged. C. Commission Storage Area An area for the Commission to store their materials will be located within the Community Development Department. Adjournment Vogt, seconded by Wasescha moved to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, { Julie A. Hultman Community Development Secretary M