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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-2021APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 15, 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 September 15, 2021. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, French, Monn, Nelson, Rundle, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioner Munson. 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 Discussion: Residential Fence Height 3 Approval of Minutes 4 _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business None. 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. Mounds View Planning Commission September 15, 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 in the near future, MWF Properties will submit applications for the Skyline redevelopment project which includes the property at 4889 Old Highway 8. The project will include a 120-unit apartment building on land designated in the DRAFT 2040 Comprehensive Plan for “Mixed-Use”, with a density of 15 to 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. Staff explained to continue, the DRAFT 2040 Comprehensive Plan needs to be adopted by the City Council (September 13, 2021), and amended to allow a higher density (October 11, 2021). Staff is proposing to change the Mixed Use density range from 15-30 units per acre, to 15 to 50 units per acre. The City Council discussed this change at its August 2nd Work Session and directed Staff to move forward. Community Development Director Sevald reported 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 fluctuated based on the vacation of Greenfield Avenue, and design of the cul-de-sac). Skyline will have a similar experience related to land to be dedicated for Old Highway 8 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 to 17.4 units per acre. Compliance with the Comprehensive Plan is interpreted by the City Council. In any case, the Comprehensive Plan establishes a vision. Developers propose projects that fit market demand. What gets built is often a compromise. Community Development Director Sevald commented although the proposed density change is being triggered by the Skyline project, the change affects every property designated for Mixed Use (84 acres). But, how, is a guess. For example, the planned Simons project (18 unit density) is nowhere close to the 50 unit density proposed by the amendment. Every project will be unique to its site characteristics. Staff is proposing a maximum density of 50 units per acre (similar to Bel Rae), in order to avoid having to amend the Comprehensive Plan for any foreseeable project. The amendment process takes several months, and must be reviewed and approved by the Metropolitan Council. Amending the Comprehensive Plan will require an amendment to the Municipal Code regarding allowable density. Staff is considering an overhaul of the PUD section of the Code. Staff commented on the request further and requested the Commission continue the public hearing to October 6, 2021 due to the fact this matter had to have 10 days of proper publication prior to being considered by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Nelson asked if the PUD with 31 units per acre had to be amended. Community Development Director Sevald reported this would not be reconsidered. Commissioner Farmer questioned how the 60/40 split was measured for commercial and residential properties. Community Development Director Sevald explained this was conducted a Mounds View Planning Commission September 15, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ number of different ways. He indicated the City had a developer interested in developing the Simon’s property with a Mixed Use project. He commented further on how the proposed density change would impact future projects. Commissioner Nelson understood the City wanted to make the Comprehensive Plan as accurate as possible, but feared how the proposed change would impact the density of future projects. Community Development Director Sevald explained the City of New Brighton recently amended their Comprehensive Plan to allow for up to 60 units per acre and noted Mounds View was proposing to allow up to 50 units per acre. Commissioner Nelson stated he wanted the City to be fair, but he also wanted to be a good steward of the land. He explained 50 units per acre would work better in some areas of the community than others. Community Development Director Sevald reported 50 units per acre would only be allowed on Mixed Use designated properties, which were generally located along Mounds View Boulevard. Commissioner Farmer discussed how allowing higher density on one property would allow to conserve elsewhere. He thanked staff for the detailed information on this matter. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Stevenson/Commissioner Nelson. To continue action on this item to the October 6, 2021 Planning Commission meeting. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Discussion: Residential Fence Height Community Development Director Sevald stated at the August 18, 2021 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission denied a Variance request to allow a 6’ fence within a front yard. After the action, the Commission requested Staff to research fence heights, if 4’ was too limited. Staff reviewed a comparison of residential fence heights. Four-feet is the standard height in a front yard, although allowable heights vary for corner lot side (front) yards. Staff commented further on the City’s standards and reported staff does not recommend a change be made to City Code. Commissioner Farmer stated after reviewing the information provided by staff, it appears the City of Mounds View was generous. The Commission was in agreement and recommended no changes be made to City Code. 6. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Mounds View Planning Commission September 15, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Community Development Director Sevald stated the Skyline application should be coming to staff the first week in October and would then come to the Commission in early November. He anticipated the Simon’s property would be coming before the Commission in early 2022. B. Staff Updates Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. He reported Caribou Cabin was hoping to begin construction next week. He indicated staff met with the owners of Mounds View Square and discussed vacancy concerns and future plans for this property. C. Council Updates Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He explained the Council discussed the potential Long Lake Woods development at their worksession meeting last week. He indicated the EDA created a new forgivable loan program for new businesses and approved the 2022 tax levy in the amount of $100,000. He reported the City Council approved the continuation of the franchise fees with Connexus and Xcel. He stated these funds assisted with maintaining the City’s streets. He commented an Ordinance was approved that regulated mobile food trucks, noting a one year license was now available. He indicated the Council approved the establishment of a Sustainability Committee. An amended PUD for Crossroads Pointe was approved by the Council, along with the 2022 preliminary budget and tax levy. He reported the Council approved the 2040 Comprehensive Plan at Monday’s meeting. Lastly, he noted the Council voted on a 3-2 vote to override the variance denial at 5045 Rainbow Drive. He stated the Annual Town Hall Meeting would be held on Monday, September 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center. D. Planning Commissioner Reports None. 7. Approval of Minutes August 18, 2021. Commissioner Farmer requested a change to the minutes on Page 2 changing blocks’ to block. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Monn/Commissioner French. To approve the Minutes of the August 18, 2021 regular Planning Commission meetings as amended. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission September 15, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ 8. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, October 6, 2021 B. Wednesday, October 20, 2021 9. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Rundle adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald Community Development Director Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial