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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-05-2005 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 5, 2005 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., January 5, 2005. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Miller, Zwirn, Hegland, Scotch, Stevenson, and Meehlhause Members Absent: None Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Discuss Possible Code Amendment Regarding Building Height in PUD 2 Election of Officers 4 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approve Minutes a. December 1, 2004 MOTION/SECOND: Miller/Zwirn. To Approve the Planning Commission Minutes for December 1, 2004 as Presented. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission January 5, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Discuss Possible Code Amendment Regarding Building Height Restrictions in a Planned Unit Development Community Development Director Ericson indicated that this was discussed at a previous meeting and that there is inconsistency relating to building heights and what is allowed and the whole intent of the PUD is to provide for some flexibility and deviation from standard Code requirements. Director Ericson reviewed the proposed code amendment for Commission consideration. He then indicated that the City Attorney reviewed this and he found no issue with it and Staff recommends approval and forwarding to the Council for final approval. Commissioner Zwirn asked if this is being done to clear up any ambiguity or laying the groundwork for future development intentions. Director Ericson indicated it would do both. He then said that when development possibilities are looked at for the golf course, there has been discussion of a five-story building, and that would currently not be allowed by Code. Chair Stevenson asked if the flexibility is restricted because of the airport. Director Ericson indicated that the FAA and MAC regulations would supersede whatever the City may approve. Chair Stevenson asked how tall a building could be. Director Ericson indicated that the size of the lot would limit the size, as well as the airport regulations. Commissioner Hegland asked about the square footage requirements for a building on a site and whether footprint or square footage governs parking requirements. Director Ericson explained that the parking requirements are based on square footage, not the footprint of the building. The Commission asked whether there would be any issues with fire protection or City services in approving a taller building. Director Ericson indicated that he does not see any issues with fire protection and there are very limited sites where a PUD could be located within the City. Commissioner Hegland suggested that this would open the door for other sites to expand, such as the Mermaid. Mounds View Planning Commission January 5, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson indicated that parking requirements would need to be met before site expansion. He then said that the Mermaid site is fully developed and they would need to provide for additional parking before approval of an expansion. Commissioner Zwirn asked if there are any protections for the aesthetics and protection from a large structure for residents in the area. Director Ericson indicated the protection would be that the City is going to be the one deciding where to locate the buildings and the PUD gives the City the option of additional landscaping and buffering requirements to create a better development. Director Ericson explained that the City approves the PUD and can say no if it is not what the Commission and Council want to see in the City. Commissioner Hegland asked if there is any impact to City water and sewer for a five-story building. Director Ericson indicated that the study indicates that City services could support a 1.5 million square foot building. Director Ericson indicated Staff could strike Subdivision 12 in its entirety to eliminate the inconsistency but Staff would prefer the language as proposed. Commissioner Hegland indicated there were no guidelines provided. Director Ericson indicated that the development would need to satisfy the 10 criteria of purpose and intent listed in the PUD section of the Code. Commissioner Zwirn said he understands the intent and direction Staff is trying to go but he thinks it is too open ended and causes problems for the surrounding areas and reinforced that regardless of public hearings he can see that if this is followed the City has a tendency to throw up its arms and say there is nothing that can be done to stop it. He then said that if there are a lot of people objecting to the project but the City goes forward with it because it meets the criteria he is concerned about that. Commissioner Zwirn said he does not like the open-ended language. Director Ericson agreed that it is open-ended but said that is the purpose of the PUD. Commissioner Zwirn said that he feels that the direct statement of the underlying district governs the height is clear. But, the proposed language opens it up for something residents may not want in an area. He then said he sees no protection with the new wording. Chair Stevenson said he feels the City should rely on the 10 stated reasons for approval, and whether to grant a higher building in a PUD will depend on those reasons. Mounds View Planning Commission January 5, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson commented that Staff feels this is a way of clarifying the Code. MOTION/SECOND: Miller/Meehlhause. To Approve Resolution 781-05, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Code Amendment to Section 1120.02 of the Mounds View City Code. Ayes – 5 Nays – 1(Zwirn) Motion carried. Director Ericson indicated that this would be on the Council Agenda for January 24, 2005. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Election of Officers Commissioner Miller nominated Gary Stevenson for Chair. Gary Stevenson was approved unanimously by voice vote for Chair for 2005. Chair Stevenson nominated Commissioner Miller for Vice Chair. Commissioner Miller was approved unanimously by voice vote for Vice Chair for 2005. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Next Planning Commission Meeting: January 19, 2005 ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.