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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-2019 PCAPPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting June 19, 2019 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Rundle at 7:00 p.m. for June 19, 2019. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, French, Klander, Nelson, and Rundle. Absent and Excused: Commissioners Monn and Stevenson. Also Present: Community Development Director Jon Sevald. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Resolution 1101-19, Approval of a Variance to Reduce Side Yard Setbacks 2 Resolution 1097-19, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 958 3 Resolution 1098-19, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 959 4 Resolution 1099-19, Recommending Approval of a Residential PUD and 4 Development Review for a Multi-Family Dwelling Resolution 1100-19, Recommending Approval of the Preliminary Plat 6 Approval of Minutes 7 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business None. Mounds View Planning Commission June 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. Resolution 1101-19, Approval of a Variance to Reduce the Side Yard Setback for a Driveway for the property located at 2296 Terrace Drive (Planning Case VR2019-002) Community Development Director Sevald stated Ron O’Connell is proposing to replace his driveway, widening it to an existing retaining wall. The backside of the wall is located on or near the property line. The driveway would be set back about one foot, where as a minimum 5’ is required. He noted the neighbor was supportive of the requested variance. Staff provided further comment on the request, recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and deny the variance as requested, or approve the requested one-foot setback. Commissioner Nelson asked if there were any buildings adjacent to the property line. Ron O’Connell, 2296 Terrace Drive, explained this property line had trees, bushes and shrubs. Commissioner Nelson questioned if the retaining wall was located on the property line. Mr. O’Connell reported the retaining wall was three or four feet off the property line. Commissioner Klander asked if the City had setback requirements for retaining walls. Community Development Director Sevald reported the City did not have any setback requirements in place for retaining walls, and are reviewed on a case by case basis. Vice Chair Rundle inquired if the applicant would be changing the driveway apron. Mr. O’Connell explained he would not be altering the driveway apron. Commissioner Farmer requested further information regarding the unique circumstances surrounding this request. Community Development Director Sevald stated it was reasonable for homeowners to have a two-car wide driveway that was 16 feet wide. He noted the applicant has a paved 15-foot-wide driveway. He explained it was reasonable for the City to want to preserve mature trees. He reported the City did not have the benefit of a survey for this property. He commented on the right-of-way measurements that were completed when the road was reconstructed. He anticipated the property line was along the back of the retaining wall. Commissioner Farmer questioned why the City had setback requirements in place. Community Development Director Sevald explained with driveways it was to provide a green strip between driveways and the property line. He explained this portion of land was also to be used for snow storage during the winter months. He stated he would like to see this driveway have a three-foot Mounds View Planning Commission June 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ setback to have it line up with the driveway apron. However, he noted the applicant would have to agree with this recommendation. Vice Chair Rundle requested the applicant speak to the history of the driveway. Mr. O’Connell discussed the history of his driveway and its location/placement. Commissioner Nelson stated he did not object to the applicant running asphalt or concrete over a space he was already using as a driveway. He supported the Planning Commission reviewing driveway setbacks at a future meeting. Community Development Director Sevald reported this could be done. Vice Chair Rundle indicated Mr. O’Connell has had Class 5 beside his driveway for years and he saw no reason why the City could not approve a variance to reduce the side yard setback. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Klander/Commissioner Nelson. To approve Resolution 1101-19, a Resolution Recommending Approval of a Variance to Reduce the Side Yard Setback for a Driveway for the property located at 2296 Terrace Drive; Planning Case VR2019-002. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ B. Resolution 1097-19, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 958, an Amendment to the Zoning Map Rezoning 2390, 2394 Mounds View Boulevard and 2400 County Road H2 from B-3 Highway Business, to PUD Planned Unit Development (Planning Case MU19-001) Community Development Director Sevald explained INH Properties is proposing to develop a 128-unit apartment building at the south corner of Mounds View Boulevard and County Road H2. The project involves multiple planning applications including a request to rezone the applicable properties from B-3 Highway Business to PUD Planned Unit Development. Staff provided further comment on the 128-unit apartment complex and recommended the Planning Commission approve the rezoning as requested. Commissioner Farmer asked when staff would have the narrative completed for this Planning Case. Community Development Director Sevald reported he would have this completed prior to the City Council reviewing this item. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Farmer/Commissioner Klander. To approve Resolution 1097-19, a Resolution Recommending Approval of the Zoning Map Amendment; Planning Case MU19-001. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission June 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ C. Resolution 1098-19, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 959, an Amendment to City Code Section 1104.02 relating to Minimum Floor Area per Dwelling Unit (Planning Case MU19-001) Community Development Director Sevald stated INH Properties is proposing to develop a 128- unit apartment building at the south corner of Mounds View Boulevard and County Road H2. The project involves multiple planning applications including a request to amend the City Code to allow Studio Apartments. He discussed the allowed square footage and the proposed change. Staff provided further comment on the proposed City Code amendment with respect to minimum floor area per dwelling unit and recommended the Planning Commission approve the Ordinance amendment as requested. Commissioner Nelson questioned how many of the units would be studio apartments. Jim Illies, INH, explained there would be a mix of one bedroom and studio apartments and noted he was proposing to have eight studio apartments. He commented some neighboring communities were allowing studio apartments to be 450 square feet in size. He noted his studio apartments would be 562 square feet in size. Commissioner Farmer stated City Code does not recognize studio apartments at this time. Community Development Director Sevald reported this was the case. Commissioner Nelson asked if the City had any information from neighboring communities regarding their studio apartment requirements. Community Development Director Sevald stated he did not have this information. Mr. Ill ies discussed a similar apartment in Blaine and noted its studio units were 450 square feet in size. He discussed how modern apartment complexes were developing with smaller apartment sizes due to the increased amenities being offered within the building. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner French. To approve Resolution 1098-19, a Resolution Recommending Approval of the City Code Amendment; Planning Case No. MU19-001. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ D. Resolution 1099-19, Recommending Approval of a Residential Planned Unit Development and Development Review for a Multi-Family Dwelling to be located at 2390, 2394 Mounds View Boulevard and 2400 County Road H2 (Planning Case MU19-001) Community Development Director Sevald stated INH Properties is proposing to develop a 128- unit apartment building at the south corner of Mounds View Boulevard and County Road H2. The project involves multiple planning applications including a request for a CUP for a PUD, and a Development Review. It was noted the Comprehensive Plan guides this property for Mounds View Planning Commission June 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Mixed Use PUD. He discussed how the development would impact the School District and noted the street closures that were being considered. Staff commented further on the proposed PUD and recommended the Planning Commission approve the CUP and Development Review as requested. Corey Gerads, Alliance Building, discussed the shoebox lighting that would be installed within the development. He explained the lighting could be adjusted to ensure there was not light spilling form the property onto adjacent properties. Community Development Director Sevald discussed a letter received from Planning Commissioner Monn. He explained Commissioner Monn had concerns with the fact the apartments were meeting the bare minimums. In addition, she was concerned with the fact this project was not being developed as a mixed use development. Commissioner Farmer explained a mixed use developments required population and occurs over time. Community Development Director Sevald reported this was the case. He commented on a few mixed use projects within first-ring suburbs, but that there are none along County Road 10, from Mounds View until downtown Anoka. Jim Illies commented on the modern amenities that would be provided within the apartment complex, compared to those noted in Commissioner Monn’s letter. He explained most of his renters prefer to have an outlet in their kitchen islands which means they could not be moveable. He indicated a garden space was not being planned, nor was a pool. He reported a guest suite was not being designated at this time, but could be considered in the future. He provided further comment on the energy efficiency within the units. He discussed the keyless security system that would be in place for the building. Commissioner Nelson commented on the proposed parking spaces. He noted the applicant was proposing to have 261 spaces when the City required 320. He asked if the property would have adequate parking for tenants and guests. Community Development Director Sevald reviewed the proposed parking within the development and noted there was also on-street parking available adjacent to the apartment building. Jim Illies reported he manages thousands of apartment units and noted the 2:1 parking ratio was very common. He stated he did not anticipate this property would have any problems with parking. Commissioner Nelson asked if the property would have management available onsite. Jim Illies reported this was the case, noting full time staff would be located in the building, along with a full-time maintenance person. Commissioner Nelson questioned how long the applicant would have to maintain the trees and landscaping. Community Development Director Sevald reported the City would require the applicant to maintain the trees and landscaping for the first year. Jim Illies explained he wanted the site heavily landscaped. Mounds View Planning Commission June 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Nelson asked what the Fire Department had to say about the proposed hammerhead. Community Development Director Sevald commented the Fire Department supported the proposal. Commissioner Nelson requested the applicant install a decorative dog fence and not a cyclone fence. Mr. Illies stated he would agree to this. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Farmer. To approve Resolution 1099-19, a Resolution Recommending Approval of the CUP and Development Review; Planning Case No. MU19-001. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ E. Resolution 1100-19, Recommending Approval of the Preliminary Plat of Crossroad Pointe, a Major Subdivision, located at 2390, 2394 Mounds View Boulevard, and 2400 County Road H2 (Planning Case MU19-001) Community Development Director Sevald stated that INH Properties is proposing to develop a 128-unit apartment building at the south corner of Mounds View Boulevard and County Road H2. The project involves multiple planning applications including a request for Preliminary Plat approval. He noted this project consisted of three lots that would be combined into one lot. Staff commented further on the Crossroad Pointe project and recommended that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Klander. To approve Resolution 1100-19, a Resolution Recommending Approval of the Preliminary Plat; Planning Case No. MU19-001. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Community Development Director Sevald discussed upcoming planning cases that would be reviewed by the Commission on July 10th. Mounds View Planning Commission June 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 7 ________________________________________________________________________ B. Staff Updates Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff noting the Boulevard apartment complex was fully under construction. He commented the Skyline Motel was purchased by the City for redevelopment. He anticipated this property would be burned down in mid-July and would be redeveloped into a hotel. C. Council Updates None. D. Planning Commissioner Reports None. 8. Approval of Minutes April 17, 2019. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner French/Commissioner Nelson. To approve the Minutes of the April 17, 2019 regular Planning Commission meetings as slightly amended. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 B. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Vice Chair Rundle adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald Community Development Director Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.