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Home My WebLink About10-06-2021APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting October 6, 2021 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Rundle at 7:00 p.m. for October 6, 2021. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, French, Monn, Munson, Nelson, Rundle, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: None. Also Present: Community Development Director Jon Sevald and Council Member Gary Meehlhause. ______________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Resolution 1138-21, Recommending an Amendment to the 2040 2 Comprehensive Plan Approval of Minutes X 3. Special Order of Business None. 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission October 6, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. Resolution 1138-21, Recommending an Amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Community Development Director Sevald stated staff is requesting an amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, increasing allowable residential density within Mixed Use areas, from 15- 30 units per acre, to 15-50 units per acre. It was noted MWF Properties has submitted applications for the Skyline redevelopment project, 4889 Old Highway 8 (now; Villas of Mounds View). The project will include a 120-unit apartment building on land designated in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for “Mixed-Use”, with a density of 15-30 dwelling units per acre. Skyline will be proposed at 35 units per acre. Mixed Use is intended (not required) to include a 60%/40% mix of residential/commercial uses. The City Council discussed this change at its August 2nd Work Session and directed Staff to move forward. The Planning Commission discussed at its September 15th meeting, and tabled action, to allow timing to publish a Public Hearing notice (notice was published by the Pioneer Press on September 20, 2021). Community Development Director Sevald explained the City has not always followed the Comprehensive Plan regarding density. Gray Stone Flats was likely an oversight based on unknown acreage size at the time the PUD was approved (acreage changed after the vacation of Greenfield Avenue). Skyline will have a similar experience related to land to be dedicated for right-of-way, and right-of-way to be vacated by Ramsey County after the plat is approved. Bel Rae Senior Living, when approved, was designated Mixed Use in the 2010-2030 Comprehensive Plan, at a density of 6 - 17.4 units per acre. Compliance with the Comprehensive Plan is interpreted by the City Council. Community Development Director Sevald reported this topic was brought to Staff’s attention by MWF Properties. On one of their projects in a different city, the City approved the project with a higher density than allowed in the Comprehensive Plan. When MWF applied to the Metropolitan Council for Sewer Availability Charges (SAC) determination, Met Council Staff caught the inconsistency, and denied permits for the project, thereby delaying construction until the city’s Comprehensive Plan was amended. Mounds View Staff discussed with Metropolitan Council Staff, who observed that a number of cities underestimated densities proposed by developers. New Brighton recently amended their Comprehensive Plan, increasing density from 50 units to 60 units. Staff is proposing a maximum density of 50 units per acre (similar to Bel Rae), to avoid having to amend the Comprehensive Plan for any foreseeable project. By allowing higher densities, buildings will go up or out. As a PUD, there is flexibility from the City Code on density (max 30 units per acre), height (max 3-stories), and usable open space (min 625 square feet per unit). Staff commented further on the request and recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and recommend approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Chair Rundle opened the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. Mounds View Planning Commission October 6, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Nelson questioned if parking would become a concern with densities that are 50+. Community Development Director Sevald explained the Commission was not being asked to consider parking requirements at this time. He then reviewed the City’s parking requirements for multi-family units. He explained he was uncertain that Mounds View would ever have a development come before the City that was 50+ units per acre. He stated staff would have to look at other communities regarding their parking requirements along with the market demand. Commissioner Nelson commented it was very rare that homes were built with only one stall. He anticipated that there would be a demand for parking in multi-family housing going forward and that the number of spaces required should not go down. Commissioner Munson agreed. Commissioner Monn inquired if the City had language in place to not have apartment buildings clustered but rather spread out throughout the community. Community Development Director Sevald explained he recalled this being in the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. He reported apartments were more appropriate along major thoroughfares. He indicated apartments were more clustered along Mounds View Boulevard and along major county roads. Commissioner Stevenson stated he supported the proposed density change. Chair Rundle closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Stevenson. To approve Resolution 1138-21, a Resolution Recommending Approval of an Amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Community Development Director Sevald discussed upcoming planning cases with the Commission. He reported staff had two upcoming cases, one for a driveway variance and the other for the redevelopment of the Skyline property. B. Staff Updates Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. He explained construction on the Caribou Cabin should begin very soon. He noted Taco Bell was being remodeled. He indicated there was nothing new on the Belden River View property. Mounds View Planning Commission October 6, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ C. Council Updates Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He commented on two new officers that were sworn in at the previous Council meeting. He explained the Council discussed the redevelopment of the Skyline property at their last worksession meeting, along with the 2022 budget special funds. He indicated the Council was trying to get a Sustainability Commission and Tribute Park Commission started but was having difficulty finding applicants at this time. D. Planning Commissioner Reports None. 7. Approval of Minutes September 15, 2021. Commissioner Farmer requested his comment regarding density be amended to read land could be conserved elsewhere and not that there would be less density in another area. He indicated his next comment could be removed. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Stevenson/Commissioner Nelson. To approve the Minutes of the September 15, 2021 regular Planning Commission meetings as amended. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, October 20, 2021 B. Wednesday, November 3, 2021 ______________________________________________________________________________ 9. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Rundle adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Mounds View Planning Commission October 6, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Jon Sevald Community Development Director Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial