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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-2013PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting June 5, 2013 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m. for June 5, 2013. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Carvelli-Yu, Elofson, Love, Rundle, Schiltgen, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioner Smith. Also Present: Planning Associate Heidi Heller. Oath of Office: Planning Associate Heller administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Love. Index to Minutes Page Approval of Minutes I VR2011-002 , VR2011-004, VR2011-005. Consideration of a Variance Extensions for Reduced Driveway Setbacks 2 Renewable Energy Code Amendment Discussion 3 County Road 10 Corridor Discussion 5 3. Approval of Minutes May 1, 2013. Mounds View Planning Commission June 5, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Carvelli-Yu/Commissioner Schiltgen. To approve the Minutes of the May 1, 2013 regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended. Ayes — 6 Nays — 0 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. 5. Planning Cases Motion carried. A. VR2011-002, VR2011-004, VR2011-005 Consideration of a Variance Extension for Reduced Driveway Setbacks Applicant: Mike Kinyon, property owner Address: 5338.5340, 5372-5374, 5380-5382 Raymond Avenue Planning Associate Heller indicated in 2011, property owner Michael Kinyon was granted variances to allow the new driveways at five of his duplexes on Raymond Avenue to have one and three foot setbacks. Mr. Kinyon will be adding attached garages to these duplexes, along with new driveways to replace the existing gravel. The lots are only wide enough for a single car garage on each unit, but the new driveways will be wide enough for two cars. Associate Heller explained Mr. Kinyon applied for all five property's driveway variances in 2011 because the City was reconstructing Raymond Avenue that year, which included installing curbs and driveway aprons. Mr. Kinyon knew he would not have all five driveways completed for several years, but wanted to have the wider driveway aprons installed during the street project. She indicated Mr. Kinyon was granted a 1 -year extension in 2012 and was now asking for three of the variances to be extended for another year. The Planning Commission was supportive in the past as long as Mr. Kinyon continued to make progress on installing the driveways. It was noted Mr. Kinyon fully remodeled one of the buildings and installed driveways on another building in 2012. She commented he intends to remodel another duplex and install driveways on a second building this year, and would only have one building's driveways remaining in 2014. Staff recommended the Planning Commission approve the one- year extensions for the reduced driveway setback variances. Chair Stevenson commended Mr. Kinyon for the investment and improvements he was making to his duplex units. MOTION/SECOND; Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Carvelli-Yu. To approve Resolutions 981-13, 982-13 and 983-13, Resolutions Approving Variance Extensions for Reduced Driveway Setbacks; Planning Case No. VR2011-002, VR2011-004, VR2011-005. Ayes — 6 Nays — 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting 6. Other Planning Activity A. Renewable Energy Code Amendment Discussion June 5, 2013 Page 3 Planning Associate Heller explained the Commission started a discussion on the Zoning Code in regards to renewable energy system installations, such as solar energy, wind generators and geothermal systems. She commented the City should update the City Code to help promote renewable energy systems and not make it difficult for a property owner to install a system. There is now a lot more information available about these systems, and the City can make better decisions about how and where renewable energy system installations are done. Associate Heller stated at the May 15, 2013 Planning Commission meeting, Brian Ross with CR Planning gave a presentation about renewable energy and how cities are important partners in helping more systems get installed. She reviewed several example ordinances with the Commission stating this language will assist staff in developing new policies, applications and fees for these systems. She questions what the Commission were willing to allow and how they wanted to proceed with the code amendment. Chair Stevenson recommended staff proceed with the geothermal information that was in the other ordinances since there isn't much language needed, and that further guidance be provided for the wind and solar systems. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu commented she did not know enough about wind systems, but did not feel a traditional wind turbine would fit into a Mounds View residential neighborhood. Associate Heller stated that at the last meeting, Brian Ross had stated that wind generators typically don't work well in urban areas. He commented that unless wind turbines are at least 200 feet from any other structure, they usually aren't productive, and can cost more to operate than the amount of electricity they generate. She indicated there would be very few properties within the City where wind turbines could be far enough away from other structures to work, and they can generate a great deal of noise as well. She recommended a minimum lot size standard be set for wind turbines. She stated MedTronic and Sysco were possible candidates as they are large properties. Chair Stevenson stated the wind turbines could be slated only for certain zoning districts. Commissioner Rundle questioned if there would be enough open space available to generate enough power for these businesses. Discussion ensued regarding the wind turbines located in North St. Paul and Maple Grove. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu supported wind turbines if the system did not interfere with neighboring properties and space allowed, 10+ acres. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2013 Page 4 Associate Heller suggested that wind turbines also are required to be at least 300 feet from residential properties. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu suggested the noise ordinance be reviewed. Associate Heller indicated she could use language from other ordinances to address noise standards. Commissioner Love questioned if a geothermal system was considered an accessory building. Associate Planner Heller explained these systems were considered an accessory use as associated with the property. She further reviewed the proposed geothermal language from other ordinances. The Commission supported the geothermal language examples. Associate Heller discussed the solar technology options proposed for the code amendment in detail with the Commission. She noted that approximately two-thirds of the homes in the City face east and west, and solar panels must face south so they would usually be on the side of the house rather than the front. Chair Stevenson recommended the St. Paul language be used concerning solar system line of sight, visibility and design standards. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu agreed and inquired if staff was aware of any installed solar units within the City of Mounds View. Associate Planner Heller stated she was not aware of any solar panels within the City. The Commission further discussed the need for sunlight easements. The Commission agreed that these issues would be worked out between property owners and was something that the City did not need to address at this time. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu recommended the number of rack panels be limited to three along a roofline. Associate Heller indicated this number may be too restrictive. Chair Stevenson referred to the screening language in the Maplewood code stating this would be valuable for ground mounted systems. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu suggested that inoperable solar units be removed after 12 months. She also asked that roofs be properly maintained even if solar panels are installed. Associate Heller stated this would be difficult to enforce as the City does not require other homeowners to properly maintain their roofs. Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2013 Page 5 Chair Stevenson recommended the St. Paul language be used to address raised panels and that panels be no higher than three feet from the highest point on a roofiine. The Commission was not in favor of allowing expanded systems beyond the existing roof edge. Associate Heller asked if the Commission supported ground mounted units and if so, if they should be considered an accessory structure. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu recommended the units be considered accessory structures; however, she did not want to see these units become 18 feet in height. She commented she would need to review images of ground mounds. Associate Heller provided several photos for the Commission to review. Chair Stevenson agreed that 18 feet seemed high for the residential zoning district. Commissioner Schiltgen stated the Maplewood code allows for solar panels to be the same height as accessory structures. The Commission agreed to leave the language as is and allow for units to be no more than 18 feet in height and be screened from view as much as possible. In addition, ground mounted solar panels would not be allowed to exceed the square footage within the language for accessory structures. The panel would have to be set back five feet from rear and side yard lot lines as well. The Commission was not in favor of allowing ground mounted units on a vacant lot. Associate Heller thanked the Commission for their input this evening. She indicated she would begin pulling together language for a Code amendment and would report back to the Commission at a future meeting. B. County Road 10 Corridor Discussion Planning Associate Heller stated the corridor is the Council's priority this year and the Commission has been asked to review the Zoning Code in order to better promote and accommodate development along County Road 10. This topic has been discussed previously by the Commission. Some of the ideas that have been talked about include: - Reduce the minimum required acreage amounts for PUD developments. - Reduce parking space requirements. - Require parking lots be placed behind buildings. - Reduce setbacks for parking lots and buildings. - Allow higher density (more housing units per acre) - Increase building height limits - Create a Corridor Overlay Zoning District - Sign changes Mounds View Planning Commission June 5, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 6 Associate Heller commented since this is an extensive list, the Commission should start by focusing on a couple of the ideas. Reducing the acreage size requirements for PUD's seemed to be one of the ideas that were most important, especially since the City was in the process of purchasing some key properties along the corridor to redevelop. Associate Heller discussed the minimum size requirements for PUD's at this time, and requested the Commission continue discussion on the proposed code amendment and direct staff on how to proceed. Associate Heller reviewed maps of the properties in the Premium Stop redevelopment area and discussed the size of each site in detail. At this time, a senior housing PUD required 2 acres, a residential development PUD required three acres and a commercial PUD would require 5 acres. She stated the City would benefit by reducing these minimum PUD size requirements. Commissioner Schiltgen questioned the size of the Walgreens redevelopment. Chair Stevenson stated with the wetland outlot, the property was approximately 10 acres in size. Commissioner Carvelli-Yu stated the combined Roberts/Premium Stopfraiko properties were approximately 3.5 acres in size. She noted the commercial requirements would have to be reduced in order to allow for a PUD for these parcels. Further discussion ensued regarding public transportation needs along with the walkability of the community. Commissioner Love questioned if the City would consider any mixed use developments. Associate Heller explained this has not always been successful in other areas, but the current code does allow mixed-use development on a minimum 5 acre parcel. Chair Stevenson recommended the PUD requirements only be changed along the County Road 10 corridor. He recommended that an overlay district be created which would allow for PUD's of 2+ acres only along the corridor as this would spur redevelopment. He noted the standards for the overlay district corridor should be separate from all other PUD requirements. Associate Heller thanked the Commission for their input this evening and noted she would report back to the Commission with more ideas. She noted she would speak with City Administrator Ericson also regarding this matter and would report back to the Commission at a future meeting. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. June 19, 2013 B. Tuesday, July 9, 2013 (Note day and date change) Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting 8. Review Minutes: A. May 15, 2013 June 5, 2013 Page 7 The Commission discussed the May 15, 2013 meeting minutes and made no changes. 9. Staff Updates A. Upcoming Planning Cases Planning Associate Heller discussed upcoming planning cases. 10. Chairperson and Planning Commissioners Reports None. 11. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Heller Planning Associate Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.