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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/2011 P&Z Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL : Chair Tralle called the Lino Lakes Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 6 :33 p.m . on July 13 , 2011 . II. A PROVAL OF AGENDA T he Agenda was a pproved as amended . III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 8 , 2011 Mr. Hyden made a MOTION to approve the June 8 , 2011 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Mr. Pogalz . Motion carried 6 - 0 . I V . OPEN MIKE Chair Tralle declared O pen M ike at 6:34 p.m . There w as no one present for Open Mike. Mr. Smyser introduced the new City Engineer, Jason Wedel, of WSB & Associates engineering firm. Mr. Pogalz made a MOTION to close Open Mike at 6 :36 p.m. M otion was supported by M r . Hyden . Motion carried 6 - 0 . D ATE : July 13 , 2011 TIME STARTED : 6 :33 P .M . TIME ENDED : 10 :02 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Neil Evenson, Michael Hyden, Perry Laden, Robert Nelson, Brian Pogalz (Vice Chair), Michael Root , Paul Tralle (Chair) MEMBERS ABSENT : None STAFF PRESENT : Jeff Smyser , Paul Bengtson , Jason Wedel , Michael Grochala Planning & Zoning Board July 13, 2011 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES V. ACTION ITEMS A. CONCEPT PLAN DISCUSSION for a grocery store development near Hodgson Road and County Road J City Planner, Jeff Smyser , presented the staff report. Staff explained that the purpose of a concept plan review is to allow for informal review and comment from city boards and the public prior to application submittal . No formal action was required by the board. Mr. Smyser reviewed the propose d plan , noting some requirements that would b e necessary for the plan to move forward. Staff noted that the Environmental Board will be reviewing the concept plan at their July meeting. The B oard discussed issues including proposed access points, elements of the 49/J Master Plan, big box developmen t, traffic and circulation, design and aesthetics of the proposed building, loading dock limitations , interim design for the 49/J intersection, ultimate design for the 49/J intersection, infrastructure issues, zoning, potential future development of the ar ea, cornerston e buildings, pedestrian access, road improvem ent financing and landscape buffers. The B oard pointed out t hat development brings opportunity for road and utility improvements. Paul Tucci, Oppidan development , was present for comments. Mr . Tucci summarized the history of the plans for this development. Oppidan has been a developer for over 20 years both locally and nationally. He noted that they have worked with the city on the proposed plan for the past year. Oppidan has discussed the plan at c ity work s essions and held a neighborhood meeting with over 100 attendees. Mr. Tucci displayed some prior development plans for the area, explaining how the design has changed over time. He noted that they have attempted to address comments and questions as best they could from public feedback. The newest plan is a result of city review , county review , neighborhood meetings, and the city ’s Economic Development Advisory Committee m eetings. The p lan includes a grocery store with an attached liquo r store. Mr. Tucci addressed that they w ill need to meet all storm water m anagement requirements. He s ai d that the plan has been redesigned based on public comment in regard to s ize of store, building location , truck dock location, truck delivery, hours of operation, and general location of access points. Mr. Tucci specified a number of items that have been addressed : • Access Points : A pprox imate location of a signaled intersection in the master study was 990 feet , they met with the city and county staff together to discuss, the result drove the location f a rther from the intersection. They are the last ones who want Planning & Zoning Board July 13, 2011 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES traffic backing up. They will not succeed if traffic does not flow for customers. They want good traffic flow. • O rientation of the Buildin g : They moved the building to create a bigger buffer area from residents to the west . The present orientation reduces the amount of lights shining from the parking lot and creates a larger green buffer and berm area. The new design c reates a better visu al block from the building. • Size of S tore : The developer has provided evidence to the city to prove that this size of store is warranted. A smaller store does not economically work for this area. • D elivery and H ours of O peration : The store is not inten ded to be open 24 hours. The common time for a grocery store is 6 a.m. to midnight . Hours of delivery were discussed and truck traffic will be addressed. • Site L ine : Oppidan has not yet updated the sight line study . This will occur when they get feed back on a feasible concept plan . They intend to include a six -foot high p rivacy fence w ith trees on either side t o provide year -round screening . They t ook into consideration the varying elevations of neighboring homes. The l andscaping plan can be refine d for application. The developer responded to questions from the B oard. Mr. Tucci stated that Oppidan has not determined a number of truck trips per day to the site. He said that infrastructure will be funded with the help of T IF (tax increment financin g .) Mr. Tucci pointed out that the market is very different today than it was in 2007 when the M aster Plan was completed. He noted that s maller shops are difficult in this economy. The d eveloper noted that improvement to utilities and infrastructure com e s when either all of the neighboring property owners come together or a development becomes the catalyst for improvements. The developer said that plans previously included additional buildings to show potential landscaping and streetscap e flow within th e development. T he d eveloper added that the liquor store building was moved outside of the box to create a design element . The developer responded to a question about what alternative to a grocer would potentially develop on this property. Mr. Tucci exp lained that s mall shop owners need someone to generate repeat traffic. If not a grocer, in order to pay for the land and development, the most likely development after a grocer would be a drug store. He noted that national r estaurants like to be located i n hub areas and local restaurants are hard to maintain. He stated that this area needs a catalyst for development. Mr. Tralle allowed for public comment. Planning & Zoning Board July 13, 2011 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Mike W itham, 211 W oodridge L ane stated that since the neighborhood meeting, he does not see a lot t hat has changed except moving the loading dock to north. He understands mixed use, but thinks that can be smaller business. He said that the developer has not yet provided an example of where they have done this type of development before in the cities. He pointed out that there are a number of i tems with this proposal th at do not go along with the M aster P lan. He considers this to be a b ad fit for this neighborhood because multiple amendments would need to be made to the M aster P lan in order to accompl ish it . Keith K u hnly, 241 W oodridge L ane, shared the same concerns as Mr. Witham. He added that noise and sights from second -story floors should be considered when designing the buffer. Y a ron H emi , resident of S horeview, stated that this development w ould affect a larger area, including traffic and noise pollution which follow big box development . He doesn’t consider this to fi t the character of the neighborhood. He said t here are about six grocery stores wit hin easy driving distance of this neighbor hood. He wondered where people would be attracted to this store from . Mr. Hemi wondered how much of a stake Oppidan has if this development does not succeed. His opinion was that there are enough abandoned stores and businesses in the neighborhood. He added that he has t raffic concerns. Mike W itham spoke again to state that although he understands there is a desire for infrastructure improvements, would the improvements be necessary without the big box development. He wondered if there would be capaci ty issues with additional development. He questioned the need for improvements versus the desire for improvements. Mr. Witham w ould like to see a neighborhood friendly business. S teve Garfield , 208 W oodridge Lane, stated that whatever is going to be bui lt will be ther e for a long time. He questioned if the city should lock into development right now just because the e conomy only allows for this type of development at this time. Joe O lson, 223 W oodridge Lane , had concerns about the ventilation system an d what the residents to the west will see when they look out over their deck or upstairs windows. He noted that t raffic cutting through the neighborhoods is a concern for both Shoreview & Lino Lakes residents. Chair T ralle explained that the results of a market study are shared with city staff, but are not required to be shared with the public. He stated that the board will try to get the best possible product for both the developer as well as the neighborhood. He noted that the concerns of the citizens were heard by board members at the neighborhood meeting. He added that a developer will not construct a building if they do not expect it to succeed. Mr. Tucci addressed a number of the resident concerns. Planning & Zoning Board July 13, 2011 Page 5 APPROVED MINUTES • The m arket study was reviewed with city staff . The public can contact the city’s Community Development Director for information on r esults of the study. • Mr. Tucci displayed photos of a similar existing development in Shakopee. • The developer will consider the per spective of a second story view of t he site. • The market study showed that there is potential for a very successful grocer at this location. Developers rely on demographics and wholesaler input as to what is viable . • The developer will not spend money if they do not expect a development t o succeed. An operator of a business will have a substantial investment in the property as well as being partial or full owner . The B oard noted that the proprietary user is not for public knowledge this early in the development process . The developer st ated that it was not feasible for them to include the corner property at this time of development. Mr. Tucci addressed the HVAC concerns and is aware that they may need to provide rooftop screening. Steve Garfield, 208 Woodridge Lane, asked what radius the market study draws from. He had concerns about traffic if the development becomes too successful without the proper infrastructur e. The B oard noted that road improvements are financed by development. Mr. Tucci responded to the radius of the market study. He displayed a map showing the study area. Chair Tralle called a five -minute break at 8 :33 p.m. Chair Tralle reconvened the meeting at 8 :38 p .m . The d eveloper explained the demographics of the location of users based on the study. The study i s designed to tell if the community is being served efficiently. The market study says this is a viable site for a grocer . Mike W itham, 201 W oodridge Lane , pointed out that the display of a similar development showed neighboring townhomes and not single family homes. He stated that he feels there is a need for tr ansition between single family homes and business , such as m ulti -family homes in between. He wondered what precedence this will set for future development. Planning & Zoning Board July 13, 2011 Page 6 APPROVED MINUTES The B oard wondered why it would be co nsidered acceptable for a multi -family residence to be located next to a business rather than a single -family residence, pointing out that the rights should be the same for residents. Mr. Witham responded that he was of the understanding that planning inc luded transitioning between different land use zones. His understanding was that a single - family zone is not usually located next to a general business zone. This concluded the discussion for the Oppidan concept plan . B. CONTINUED P UBLIC HEARING to co nsider Amending Section 6 of the Zoning Ordinance which includes requirements for residential zoning districts Chair Tralle declared the Public Hearing open at 8 :45 p.m. City Planner, Jeff Smyser, presented the staff report. Board members spent some t ime discussing with staff the requirements for dwelling unit size in different zones. Staff agreed to consider draft language for garage sizes in the R -2 zone to bring to the next board meeting. There was no one present to speak on the hearing . Mr. P o galz made a MOTION to continue the Public Hearing to the next meeting at 9 :38 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. H yden . Motion carried 6 - 0. C. P UBLIC HEARING to consider Amending Section 7 of the Zoning Ordinance which includes requirements for business d istricts Chair Tralle declared the Public Hearing open at 9 :38 p.m. City Planner, Jeff Smyser, presented the staff report. Staff explained the concept behind the proposed creation of a new zoning district in order to clean up certain properties in the city. There was no one present to speak on the hearing . Mr. Pogalz made a MOTION to continue the Public Hearing to the next meeting at 9 :56 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Nelson . Motion carried 6 - 0. Planning & Zoning Board July 13, 2011 Page 7 APPROVED MINUTES D. CONTINUED P UBLIC HEARING to consider Amending t he Conditional Use Permit for a motor fuel station to allow for the installation of new gas pumps and canopy, located at 7997 Lake Drive City Planner, Jeff Smyser, presented the staff report. Staff recommended continuation of the CUP Amendment . Chair Tr alle declared the Public Hearing open at 9 :57 p.m. There was no one present to speak. Mr. Pogalz made a MOTION to continue the Public Hearing to the next meeting at 9 :58 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Laden . Motion carried 6 - 0. VI. DISCUSSION ITE MS A. Variance criteria amendment, Section 2 Subd. 4, as approved by P&Z, con sidered by City Council July 11 City Planner, Jeff Smyser, informed the board that the City C ouncil approved a portion of the amendments to Section 2 of the Z on ing Ordinance as rec ommended by the P&Z Board. Staff explained that this was the only portion that staff has brought to the council since the P&Z Board’s recommendation. B. Metro Transit Service Cuts City Planner, Jeff Smyser, informed the board that the city was notified tha t based on the budget that was approved by the state legislature, the Metropolitan Council has proposed cuts to existing bus routes. If their proposal is adopted, the result would be no remaining commuter bus service to Lino Lakes. VI I . ADJOURNMENT M r. Pogalz made a MOTION to a djourn the meeting at 10 :02 p .m. Motion was supported by M r. Hyden . Motion carried 6 - 0 . Respectfully submitted, Dawn Bugge Community Development Ass istant