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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-2018APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 7, 2018 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Klebsch at 7:00 p.m. for November 7, 2018. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners French, Klebsch, Monn, Rundle, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioners Farmer and Klander. Also Present: Community Development Director Jon Sevald and Council Member Bill Bergeron. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Resolution 1087-18 Approval of a Variance to Reduce the Parking Lot 2 Setback for Edgewood Middle School Resolution 1088-18 Review of an Administrative Variance to Exceed 3 Driveway Width for Edgewood Middle School Resolution 1089-18 Recommending Approval of a Development Review 4 for Edgewood Middle School Approval of Minutes 6 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business None. Mounds View Planning Commission November 7, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution 1087-18, Approval of a Variance to Reduce the Parking Lot Setback for Edgewood Middle School Community Development Director Sevald stated the Mounds View School District has proposed additions onto Edgewood Middle School, located at 5100 Edgewood Drive, to include an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, classrooms, and science lab. Additionally, the north parking lot is proposed to be expanded, necessitating a Variance to allow a 14’ setback from the property line along Edgewood Drive. The current indoor pool is located in the southeast corner of the school. This pool will be closed, and space re-allocated for other uses. The new indoor pool and gymnasium addition will be located on the north end of the school, currently occupied by an 86 stall parking lot. The building addition will displace 47 of those stalls. To compensate, the parking lot is proposed to be expanded to 120 stalls, consuming most of the green space in this corner of the property. A 14’ setback to the property line with Edgewood Drive is proposed. Staff requested the Commission hold a public hearing and approve the variance as requested. Chair Klebsch opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Collin Johnson, Wold Architects and Engineers, thanked the Commission for their consideration. He discussed the proposed additions that would be made to Edgewood Middle School and the parking lot. Penny Howard, Principal at Edgewood Middle School, stated she was thrilled about the proposed improvements that would be completed at her school. She noted enrollment numbers were up which meant the addition would help in better meeting the needs of Mounds View students. She commented on how flexible spaces would assist with improved student learning. Chair Klebsch closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Chair Klebsch stated she was excited to see the proposed additions completed at Edgewood Middle School. She requested further information on how traffic would circulate through the property. Ms. Howard described how bus and parent traffic would flow through the site. Chair Klebsch recommended signage be posted to keep staff and parents out of the Woodale entrance point. Ms. Howard supported this recommendation. Commissioner Monn stated has children attending Edgewood Middle School and loves this school. She explained she was pleased to see additional parking was being added to the site. Mounds View Planning Commission November 7, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ She recommended additional visitor parking spaces be added to the lot. Ms. Howard indicated additional parking spaces could be marked “Visitor Parking” in front of the school. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Stevenson. To approve Resolution 1087-18, a Resolution Approving of a Variance to Reduce the Parking Lot Setback from 30-feet to 14-feet for Edgewood Middle School at 5100 Edgewood Drive, (Planning Case VR2018-001). Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ B. Resolution 1088-18, Review of an Administrative Variance to Exceed Driveway Width for Edgewood Middle School Community Development Director Sevald stated the Mounds View School District has proposed additions onto Edgewood Middle School, located at 5100 Edgewood Drive, to include an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, classrooms, and science lab. Additionally, the east parking lot and driveway (bus entrance) will be replaced. The applicant is requesting an Administrative Variance to exceed the maximum driveway width permitted. Currently, the school bus loading area is in the west parking lot in front of the school. The parent pick-up & drop-off area is in front of the school on Edgewood Drive, contributing to traffic congestion. The school district proposes to move the bus loading area to the east side (rear) of the school, and reconstructing the east parking lot and driveway accessing onto County Road H. The school is requesting a 38’ wide driveway curb-cut on County Road H, whereas the maximum permitted is 32’. The wider driveway is to accommodate three lanes of traffic (one in and two out). Staff provided further comment on the request and recommended the Planning Commission approve the administrative variance. Commissioner Monn explained she liked the new wider opening. She stated her only concern was that there was not a traffic signal in this area. She questioned if there would be a walking path for pedestrians. Community Development Director Sevald reported there was no sidewalk on the north side of County Road H but noted there was a trail on the south side. He reported there would be a sidewalk to connect County Road H to the school building. He noted Ramsey County would allow one pedestrian access along County Road H. Chair Klebsch asked if pedestrians were entering through this area currently. Commissioner Monn reported pedestrians were walking to McDonald’s at this time and were walking in this area. Ms. Howard stated it made the most sense for pedestrians to walk around to the front of the building. Community Development Director Sevald reviewed the location of the proposed sidewalk that would enter into Long Lake Regional Park. He stated staff would be recommending the City require a sidewalk along County Road H. Chair Klebsch stated she would like to see some sort of barrier between the busses and walking children. Mounds View Planning Commission November 7, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Monn questioned if the parking lot would have lighting. Community Development Director Sevald stated the school district had submitted a lighting plan but he did not have that information this evening. Commissioner Monn asked where snow would be placed on the property. Community Development Director Sevald and a member from the school district reviewed the snow storage location areas. Commissioner Monn stated she supported the wider entrance point, but noted she still had some concerns with pedestrians in this area. Community Development Director Sevald reported the 38’ wide driveway would allow for busses to more easily move in and out of this entrance. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Stevenson/Commissioner Rundle. To approve Resolution 1088-18, a Resolution Affirming Approval of an Administrative Variance for a 38-foot Wide Driveway for Edgewood Middle School at 5100 Edgewood Drive (Planning Case AV2018-001). Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ C. Resolution 1089-18, Recommending Approval of a Development Review for Edgewood Middle School Community Development Director Sevald stated the Mounds View School District has proposed additions onto Edgewood Middle School, located at 5100 Edgewood Drive, to include an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, classrooms, and science lab. A Development Review by the Planning Commission and City Council is required for building additions of 10,000 square feet or 10% (excludes single-family, and two-family dwellings). The proposed additions consist of 39,735 square feet, or 36%. A Development Review is a review for compliance with applicable sections of the City Code. The Planning Commission has reviewed a number of Development Reviews in recent years for properties within the County Road 10 Corridor Overlay District. However, since this project is within the R-1 district, and not within the overlay district, there are few zoning requirements. Staff provided further comment on the request and recommended the Planning Commission approve the Development Review. Chair Klebsch stated the lighting along the sidewalk addition should be addressed by the school district. She noted a sidewalk should be added along the north side of County Road H2. In addition, the applicant should put a visual barrier in place between the pedestrian walkway and the bus drop off area. Lastly, the exit at Wooddale Drive should have signage posted to discourage heavy traffic from flowing through this entrance. Community Development Director Sevald stated these recommendations could be added to the site plan and suggested a sidewalk also be required on County Road H from the school driveway to Edgewood Drive. Mounds View Planning Commission November 7, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Monn requested further information regarding the stormwater basins. Mike Tierney provided the Commission with further information on the proposed stormwater basins and how water would flow through the property. It was noted the watershed district had approved the school districts plans. Commissioner Monn explained she had concerns with pedestrian safety for those traveling through the back of the property. Community Development Director Sevald explained the City could not require the school district to make improvements not on their property. He commented street improvements for this roadway would be completed in 2019 and a sidewalk could be considered as part of this street project. Community Development Director Sevald discussed the landscaping plan and recommended additional landscaping such as trees and shrubs be added to the plan in areas that were heavily accessed by pedestrians. Commissioner Monn stated she was pleased the school district was making improvements to Edgewood Middle School but encouraged the district to better consider pedestrian safety throughout the property and along Edgewood Drive, Woodale Drive and County Road H. Ms. Howard reported Edgewood Middle School had a School Resource Officer to assist with directing traffic and pedestrian safety. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner French. To approve Resolution 1089-18, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Development Review for Edgewood Middle School at 5100 Edgewood Drive with the additional changes discussed above (Planning Case MU2018-002). Ayes – 4 Nays – 1 (Monn opposed) Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Community Development Director Sevald discussed upcoming planning cases, which included Long Lake Woods and Crossroad Pointe. B. Staff Updates Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. Mounds View Planning Commission November 7, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ C. Council Updates Council Member Bergeron provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He discussed the Crossroad Pointe development, noting the Council has been in negotiations with INH. He reported the Council held two retreats recently to discuss Public Safety and the Strategic Plan. He stated the Council would be holding a Truth in Taxation meeting on Monday, December 3rd. Chair Klebsch congratulated Council Member Bergeron on his recent reelection to the City Council. Commissioner Monn encouraged the City Council to be more transparent by using social media to reach out to the community. City Administrator Zikmund discussed the staffing concerns the City has and noted staff was working to improve its communication efforts with the public. He provided further comment on the City’s new website. Chair Klebsch encouraged the City to consider posting Mounds View Matters digitally. City Administrator Zikmund reported the City was heading in this direction. D. Planning Commissioner Reports Community Development Director Sevald reported the City was now taking applications for the Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Applications were available at City Hall or on the City’s website. He stated applications would be accepted through Thursday, November 8th at 4:30 p.m. He noted three seats on the Planning Commission would be open at the end of the year. 8. Approval of Minutes August 15, 2018. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner French. To approve the Minutes of the August 15, 2018 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Mounds View Planning Commission November 7, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 7 ________________________________________________________________________ B. Wednesday, December 5, 2018 ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Klebsch adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald Community Development Director Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.