HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2010
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
August 18, 2010 -- 7:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes:
A. July 7, 2010
4. Citizens Requests and Comments Relating to Planning and Zoning Issues Not
Already on the Agenda. (Before speaking, please give your full name and address for the
record.)
5. Planning Cases
A. CU2010-004: Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for an oversize garage
Applicant: Robert & Lori Nordby
Address: 8191 Spring Lake Road
6. Other Planning Activity
A. None
7. Next Planning Commission Meetings:
A. September 8, 2010
B. September 22, 2010
8. Adjourn to Agenda Session
AGENDA SESSION
1. Review Minutes:
a. July 21, 2010
2. Staff Reports
a. Upcoming Planning Cases
3. Chairperson and Planning Commissioners’ Reports
4. Meeting Conclusion
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2010
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Miller at 7:00 p.m. July 21, 2010.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Commissioners Cramblit, Meehlhause, Miller, Rundle, Schiltgen, and
Smith.
Absent and Excused: Chair Stevenson.
Also Present: Planning Associate Heidi Heller and Community Development Director
Ken Roberts
______________________________________________________________________________
Index to Minutes Page
MU2010-001: Consideration of a PUD, Development Review and Major
Subdivision for the Coventry Senior Living Development at 2320 & 2340
County Highway 10 and 5260 O’Connell Drive.
Applicant: Coventry Senior Living 2
Review Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Participation for 2011-2020 4
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Approval of Minutes
June 16, 2010
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Smith. To approve the minutes of
the June 16, 2010 regular Planning Commission meeting as slightly amended.
Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
Mounds View Planning Commission July 21, 2010
Regular Meeting Page 2
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4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
None.
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Planning Cases
A. MU2010-001: Consideration of a PUD, Development Review and Major
Subdivision for the Coventry Senior Living Development at 2320 & 2340
County Highway 10 and 5260 O’Connell Drive. Applicant: Coventry Senior
Living
Planning Associate Heller stated Coventry Senior Living, represented by Greg Johnson, has
submitted a planning application for a 95-unit senior housing development on three lots at 2340
County Highway 10 and the two adjacent vacant lots to the southwest. The developer/applicant
has purchase agreements to buy the properties. This proposal involves three planning actions:
rezone three properties from B-3, Highway Business and R-1 Single Family to Planned Unit
Development (PUD); a major subdivision to combine three lots into one parcel (2-steps;
preliminary plat and final plat), and a development review of the overall site plan.
Vice Chair Miller asked if the development review could happen before the rezoning has been
completed.
Planning Associate Heller stated it could happen before the rezoning is completed since rezoning
is a 2-step process. Typically, the second reading and adoption of the rezoning ordinance for a
development would not happen until the final plat also is ready to be approved. By doing that,
the properties are not actually rezoned until the applicant has completed all the steps in the
development process, and the City is fairly certain that the project will occur.
Planning Associate Heller stated the first issue to consider is the rezoning. The entire block that
includes the three lots proposed for redevelopment are designated in the future land use plan in
the 2008 Comprehensive Plan as Mixed-Use PUD. The City anticipates that this redevelopment
area could include higher density housing and commercial land uses. The proposed senior
housing project would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. She added there are a variety
of land uses already in this area – commercial, multi-family and single-family. The Planning
Commission also must consider possible depreciation to neighboring properties because of the
rezoning. Determining possible depreciation is difficult but the quality of life for the
neighborhood should also be taken into consideration. The property tax value of this site would
increase from $819,000 to over $12 million if the project were built. The applicant has indicated
that market studies have shown a need for this type of senior housing in Mounds View.
Currently, the only type of senior housing in the City is independent living.
Planning Associate Heller stated for the development review discussion it is a 95-unit, three-
story building with an underground garage on 2.18 acres. The developer held a neighborhood
meeting in March and after hearing traffic concerns from the neighbors, turned the building
Mounds View Planning Commission July 21, 2010
Regular Meeting Page 3
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around to have the only access on County Highway 10. Ramsey County has approved allowing
two driveways onto County Highway 10 as long as one is only right-in and the other is only
right-out. Parking requirements for the development is 59 spaces with nine of the spaces being
covered. The applicant has proposed 70 spots, 35 underground and 35 above ground, so there
are 11 more parking spaces than required. As for the landscaping, the city consultants have
reviewed the submitted plan and have determined that it exceeds the amount of required
landscaping. City Staff and the developer have talked to the single-family property owner
directly adjacent to the development site, and discussed the type of screening they would like
installed. The developer has agreed to add 2 staggered rows of pine trees to the south end of the
property for screening. Staff recommends that some or all of the parking spaces on the south end
of the parking lot be removed and shown as “proof of parking” to allow additional green space
for the pine trees. The Fire Marshal is currently reviewing the plans for fire access and may
require the developer add a fire hydrant and an emergency access road. The developer is
proposing a monument sign on County Highway 10. The plan is well above the minimum
building elevation as indicated in the Local Water Management Plan, and the developer has
applied to Rice Creek Watershed for the necessary permit. She added the site is not on a wetland
and all utilities will be underground. There also will be a trail fee associated with the new
development along County Highway 10.
Planning Associate Heller stated that with a major subdivision there is a required drainage and
utility easement around the perimeter of the property. With all major subdivisions, there is a
Park Dedication fee based on 10% of the current year property value determined by Ramsey
County. She added the City Attorney is reviewing the plat and title work, and staff does not
anticipate any problems. She stated this meeting is not a published public hearing, but staff sent
notifications to the properties and owners within 500 feet, and has not received any comments.
The developer held another neighborhood meeting on July 19, 2010 and one resident attended.
Commissioner Schiltgen questioned with the parking spaces on the south end eliminated would
the project still meet the required amount parking on the site.
Planning Associate Heller stated that they would still meet the required amount of parking even
if several of the spaces were not constructed. The proof of parking would be shown on the
approved site plans and would be required to be constructed if the City determines there is a need
for them at a later time.
Commissioner Meehlhause suggested adding some language into the proposed resolution
reflecting the proof of parking issue.
Commissioner Schiltgen questioned the sidewalk on the backside of the building and what it
would be constructed with.
Planning Associate Heller stated it would probably be more of a gravel trail that would have the
capability of being driven on by emergency vehicles.
Mounds View Planning Commission July 21, 2010
Regular Meeting Page 4
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Greg Johnson, Coventry Senior Living, indicated this development concept had been before the
Planning Commission in March 2010. After a meeting with the neighbors in March, the layout
of the building has been modified due to their concerns about traffic.
Community Development Director Roberts stated even though there is another identical
development that is still working on finding financing, the Planning Commission needs to
address only the issues in front of them this evening. The City is required by law to act on all
submitted planning requests. City staff has been told that if two buildings were built now,
neither would survive.
Commissioner Schiltgen questioned who indicated the need for only one complex.
Director Roberts stated both developers have indicated this to staff.
Director Roberts stated the Commission could list proof of parking as a possible condition on
Resolution 931-10.
Commissioner Meehlhause stated the Commission should put it in the resolution even though the
applicant maybe changing the parking plan.
Director Roberts encourage the Planning Commission to add this language about parking into the
resolution.
Commissioner Smith stated she understood meeting the neighbors and understanding their traffic
concerns, but wondered about the traffic safety of the residents of the facility.
Greg Johnson stated there is a very small amount of drivers living at the facility. He also
indicated there have been discussions with Ramsey County about having acceleration and
deceleration lanes. He also stated that they could add more parking spaces to the underground
garage.
Commissioner Smith asked about the outdoor common area, and if the area in red was the only
common space.
Planning Associate Heller stated the area shown on the site plan is specifically for the memory
care patients. She added these patients have their own secured wing and outdoor space.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Schiltgen/Commissioner Rundle. Resolution 930-10
Recommending Approval of a Rezoning Request to PUD, Planned Unit Development for 2320
& 2340 County Highway 10 and 5260 O’Connell Drive, Mounds View Planning Case MU2010-
001 – PD-1
Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
Mounds View Planning Commission July 21, 2010
Regular Meeting Page 5
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Planning Associate Heller stated she would like to add one other condition stating the applicant
must meet any recommended changes from the City Attorney.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Meehlhause/Commissioner Cramblit. Resolution 931-10
Recommending Approval of The “Coventry Senior Living” Development Review, and
Preliminary Plat with the Additions at 2320 & 2340 County Highway 10 and 5260 O’Connell
Drive, Mounds View Planning Cases MU2010-001 – DE1 and MU2010-001-MA-1
Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Other Planning Activity
A. Review Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Participation for 2011-2020.
Planning Associate Heller stated the City of Mounds View has previously elected to participate
in the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Local Housing Incentives Account (LCA LHIA).
Participation in the program is voluntary and provides the City with the opportunity to compete
for grants and loans to support activities that help the City meet its affordable and life cycle
housing goals, clean up polluted sites, and support demonstration projects linking jobs, housing
and transit.
The City’s previously adopted LCA LHIA affordable and life cycle housing goals were
negotiated with the Metropolitan Council for the period 1996-2010. If the City wants to continue
to participate in the LCA, then the City now must establish new affordable and life-cycle housing
goals for the next decade (2011-2020). She added the affordable housing goal for Mounds View
is 81 additional units. Metropolitan Council has taken into consideration the limitations on
Mounds View and has lowered the requirement to a range of 53 to 81 units. The Planning
Commission chose 60 units as the goal.
Life cycle housing is described as having housing available for all stages of life - starter homes
to senior housing. With the new proposed new senior housing development, the City would be
adding 95 housing units from that project alone. Our goal range is 80 to 200 units over the next
decade. The potential number of units permitted by medium, high and mixed-use land use
designations in the Comprehensive Plan Update is at least 132 units.
Community Development Director Roberts stated that if we went over any of these goals and
applied for any grants we might have a better chance of receiving the money. He added this is an
incentive for cities to say yes to development proposals. He also added that the Planning
Commission should include goal numbers in the resolution. Staff is recommending 60
Affordable Housing and 132 Life-Cycle Housing Goals.
Mounds View Planning Commission July 21, 2010
Regular Meeting Page 6
____________________________________________________________________________
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Cramblit/Commissioner Meehlhause. Resolution 932-10
Recommending Approval to Continue Participation in the Local Housing Incentives Account
Program Under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act with Staff Recommended Numbers.
Calendar Years 2011 through 2020.
Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Next Planning Commission Meeting:
A. August 4, 2010
B. August 18, 2010
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8. Adjournment to Agenda Session
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Vice Chair Miller adjourned
the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________________
(The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session)
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Roberts
Community Development Director
Transcribed by:
Barbara Suciu
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
Item No: 5A
Meeting Date: August 18, 2010
Type of Business: Business
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Mounds View Planning Commission
From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate
Item Title/Subject: Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for an
Oversized Garage at 8191 Spring Lake Road;
Planning Case No. CU2010-004
Introduction:
The applicants, Robert & Lori Nordby, are requesting approval of a conditional use permit to
construct an oversized garage on their property at 8191 Spring Lake Road. The applicants
want to expand their current 22’x24’ detached garage (528 square feet) with a 20’x24’
expansion onto the rear of the existing garage.
The applicants have submitted plans for a garage expansion that would create a garage
larger than what the City Code allows. The City limits the size of accessory buildings,
whether attached or detached from the house, to a maximum of 952 square feet. Any
building larger than 952 square feet must get City approval of a conditional use permit. The
garage the Nordbys are proposing would be 1,008 square feet. The applicants indicate that
they want the extra space to store their boat indoors.
Requirements:
Section 1106.03, Subd. 1: This part of the Code limits the height of an accessory building,
the number of accessory buildings and the backyard coverage ratio of accessory buildings.
A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required for garages exceeding 952 square feet.
Section 1106.04, Subd. 6: This part of the Code enumerates the conditions for garages
exceeding 952 square feet. The garage must be permanent, be uniform in appearance with
the home, not exceed 35 feet in width, and not exceed 1,800 square feet of total accessory
building area on the lot.
Section 1125.01, Subd. 1: The Planning Commission is required to review the possible
adverse effects of the requested conditional use.
Discussion:
The request for a Conditional Use Permit to construct the 1,008 square foot garage satisfies
the requirements as stated in Section 1106.03 and 1106.04, Subdivision 6 of the Mounds
View Zoning Code. The proposed garage would meet all City setback requirements.
Nordby CUP Request
August 18, 2010
Page 2
The Comprehensive Plan encourages the development and maintenance of residential areas
to improve the quality, appearance and attractiveness of housing units and residential
property in general. The Comprehensive Plan designates this property, 8191 Spring Lake
Road, as low-density residential.
CUP Considerations:
Chapter 1125 of the Zoning Code requires that the Planning Commission review and address
any potential adverse effects of a conditional use that include, but are not limited to, the
relationship with the Comprehensive Plan, geographical area involved, potential depreciation,
the character of the surrounding area and the demonstrated need for such a use. Staff has
addressed each of these potential adverse effects below.
Relationship with the Comprehensive Plan. As previously stated, the Comprehensive Plan
encourages the development and maintenance of residential areas to improve the quality,
appearance and attractiveness of housing units and residential property in general. With this
project, the applicants would be creating more garage space to have more indoor storage.
Such additional storage would be a benefit to the property and to the neighborhood.
The Geographical Area Involved. The Nordby’s home is located on Spring Lake Road, just
north of County Highway 10. Since the garage expansion would be to the rear of the building,
the garage would still appear to be a 2-car garage as the expansion would not be obvious from
the street. In this case, the proposed oversized garage would not be noticeable or out of place
in the neighborhood. This expanded garage should not affect any neighboring properties.
Depreciation. The proposed garage would benefit the subject property both in a practical sense
by providing additional on site, indoor parking and storage, as well as in an economic sense, as
the addition would increase the “value” of the property. Increased property values are a benefit
to everyone.
The Character of the Surrounding Area. This portion of Spring Lake Road is entirely
residential with the exception of the Thrifty Car Rental business on the corner of Spring Lake
Road and County Highway 10. The homes in this area are a variety of styles and ages and
many have large lots. This property is 115 feet by 187 feet deep (0.49 acres), so the oversize
garage should not affect any neighbors. The proposed garage would not be out of character in
this area particularly since the garage will only become deeper so the extra square footage of
the garage would not be visible from the street.
The Demonstrated Need for Such a Use. The applicant is proposing a 1,008 square foot
garage that would allow for parking their vehicles and boat inside plus additional storage space
since there are no other accessory buildings on the property.
Nordby CUP Request
August 18, 2010
Page 3
Possible Actions:
The Planning Commission may:
1. Recommend approval of the CUP as requested. Staff has prepared Resolution
933-10 that approves the conditional use permit if the Commission chooses this
action.
2. Choose to deny the conditional use permit. If the Commission chooses this option,
Staff would need direction from the Planning Commission to prepare a resolution of
denial with findings of fact to support the denial.
3. Table the request. If the Planning Commission needs more information before
making a decision or if they decide that there is need for more discussion, the
Commission can simply move to table the request until such information has been
provided. Because of 60-day requirements, the Commission would need to act
upon the request as soon as reasonably possible to avoid an inadvertent approval.
Recommendation:
City staff is recommending approval of the conditional use permit as requested. As such,
staff has prepared Resolution 933-10, approving the conditional use permit as requested.
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi Heller
Planning Associate
Attachments:
1. Zoning Map
2. Aerial View
3. Site Plan
4. Photos
5. Resolution 933-10
Zoning Map
County Road H2
* Properties not indicated with a designation are zoned R-1, Single Family Residential
Aerial View
Approximate
garage with
addition
8191
Site Plan
Existing garage has a 9 foot setback from the side property line. Rear of
expanded garage will have a 6 foot setback from the rear property line. Both
setbacks meet the 5 foot City Code setback requirement.
Photos
View of front of house
from street
View of existing garage
and expansion area
View of existing garage
and backyard
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 933-10
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
TO ALLOW FOR A 1,008 SQUARE-FOOT GARAGE AT 8191 SPRING LAKE ROAD;
PLANNING CASE CU2010-004
WHEREAS, property owners Robert and Lori Nordby have applied for a conditional
use permit to construct a 1,008 square foot garage; and,
WHEREAS, the subject property, located at 8191 Spring Lake Road, is zoned R-1,
Single Family Residential, and is legally described as follows:
Auditor’s Subdivision No. 89, the West 187.02 feet of the North 115 feet of Lot 33,
Ramsey County, Minnesota
PIN: 06-30-23-24-0070
WHEREAS, the Mounds View Zoning Code conditionally allows garages in excess
of 952 square feet in area with a maximum accessory building area not to exceed 1,800
square feet; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed garage would be 1,008 square feet, thus requiring City
approval of a conditional use permit; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the following documents
regarding this proposal:
a. Zoning Map
b. Aerial View
c. Site plan
d. Photographic documentation
e. Staff Report
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mounds View Planning
Commission makes the following findings of fact related to the conditional use permit
request:
1. The proposed oversized 1,008 square foot garage satisfies the zoning
requirements as outlined in Chapters 1104 and 1106 the Zoning Code.
2. The request is consistent with the Mounds View Comprehensive Plan in that the
Comprehensive Plan encourages the development and maintenance of residential
areas to improve the quality, appearance and attractiveness of housing units and
residential property in general.
Resolution 933-10
Page 2
3. The proposed garage would not be out of place given the design of the garage
and the character and geography of the surrounding area involved.
4. The proposed garage would not depreciate the neighborhood.
5. The applicant has sufficiently demonstrated that a need exists for the proposed
oversized garage.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mounds View Planning
Commission recommends approval of the conditional use permit for the 1,008 square foot
garage, with conditions as follows:
1. The garage shall not be used for commercial purposes, living space or other
uses not allowed within the R-1 Single-Family Residential district or by the Zoning
Code. Should the use change for which the permit was granted; the conditional use
permit shall be considered null and void.
2. The new garage shall be designed and maintained to provide a uniform appearance
with the existing house.
3. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) shall become null and void if the work for
which the CUP was granted is not completed within one year from the date of
approval unless a petition for extension of time in which to complete the work has been
granted by the City Council.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Mounds View Planning
Commission directs staff to forward this resolution to the City Council prior to approval of
the minutes.
Adopted this 18th day of August, 2010.
_____________________________________
Gary Stevenson, Chair
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Kenneth Roberts,
Community Development Director
(SEAL)