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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-2023APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 18, 2023 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 6:30 p.m. for January 18, 2023. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, Nelson, Rundle, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioner Curtis, French and Munson. Also Present: Community Development Director Jon Sevald and Council Member Gary Meehlhause. Index to Minutes Page Long Lake Cove Concept Plan 2 Review Bylaws 4 Approval of Minutes 4 3. Special Order of Business A. Oath of Office Community Development Director Sevald administered the Oath of Office to Planning Commissioner Gary Rundle. 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission January 18, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases None. 6. Other Planning Activity A. Long Lake Cove Concept Plan Community Development Director Sevald stated Schifsky Companies (Developer) is proposing to redevelop 7700 Long Lake Road into eight townhome units (three buildings). The project can be a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which allows for deviations from the City Code; OR it can be done without a PUD if Variances are approved. It had been Staff’s opinion that this needed to be rezoned PUD due to the number of units, and deviations from Code requirements the Developer is requesting. But, after further review, it could be rezoned R-4, and apply for Variances. It was noted which route to go (PUD vs. R-4), is up to the Developer, but it would be tremendously helpful to receive direction from the Planning Commission. Carson Schifsky, Schifsky Companies, thanked the Commission for their consideration of this development. He explained the engineering for this project was done. He reported he would like to remove the curb and gutter on the private roadway in order to allow for a center drain on the roadway. In addition, he asked that the hammerhead be removed and that an emergency exit utilize the curb cut along County Road I. He discussed how the removal of the hammerhead would provide more space on the site. He commented further on how he would like to break the fourplex unit into twinhomes and noted he believed this would fit better into the surrounding neighborhood. He indicated the Red Oak Estates development in Mounds View was similar to the style of development he was proposing and noted this roadway had no curb and gutter. Chair Rundle asked why the developer was asking to have the curb and gutter removed. Mr. Schifsky stated he was making this request for cost purposes. Commissioner Nelson reported Mounds View has been improving its streets over the past 10 years to ensure all roadways have curb and gutter. He expressed concern with the fact the proposed twinhome units would have no back yard. He inquired if there was another way to configure the buildings. Mr. Schifsky explained the entrance has to be 200 feet from the adjacent intersection and commented on how this impacted the development layout. Commissioner Stevenson questioned if the Fire Marshal has reviewed this project to see if they approve of the emergency access off of County Road I. Mr. Schifsky commented on a development he had completed in another community that had a cul-de-sac and a 10 foot wide bituminous trail that could be used for emergency access purposes. He noted the trail would be cleared of snow during the winter months to ensure it could be accessed year round. Mounds View Planning Commission January 18, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Nelson stated he was very conflicted with the development layout. He thanked the developer for all of their efforts, but encouraged the developer to consider a different layout for this site. Chair Rundle asked if the watershed district had reviewed the proposed project. Community Development Director Sevald reported the City acts as the LGU. Mr. Schifsky explained the ponds would serve to infiltrate water runoff and would not serve as holding ponds. Chair Rundle stated one of his main concerns with this development was that the water runoff would be managed properly because the lot was quite flat. He discussed how curb and gutter assisted with guiding water runoff to the stormwater system. Commissioner Nelson discussed how traffic traveling down Long Lake Road would see the back sides of these units versus the front side of the units. He asked if there were any other alternatives that would free up more greenspace. Mr. Schifsky commented on how removing the hammerhead would free up greenspace while also eliminating hard space. Commissioner Farmer stated he would like to see what the Fire Marshal thinks about having the emergency access point from County Road I. Community Development Director Sevald reported he would have the Fire Department review these plans. Commissioner Farmer questioned how delivery trucks would maneuver through the development. Mr. Schifsky reported if the hammerhead was removed, delivery trucks would have to use a driveway to turnaround. Commissioner Stevenson stated this was a concern to him. He indicated he would like to see the development having a turnaround area for delivery trucks. Commissioner Nelson encouraged the developer to consider how to add some yard space or patios to the units. He suggested the units along Long Lake Road face the roadway instead of having the rear elevation facing Long Lake Road. He indicated he supported the development having curb and gutter. Community Development Director Sevald reported City Code requires developments with seven or more units to have curb and gutter. Councilmember Nelson stated he supported this development moving forward as an R-4 request versus a PUD. He recommended the development have curb and gutter at the entrance to the development. He noted this was an iconic corner in Mounds View and he would like the landscaping to be further considered. Community Development Director Sevald encouraged the developer to consider the comments that have been made by the Commission when revising or finalizing their plans. Mr. Schifsky thanked the Commission for their feedback. Mounds View Planning Commission January 18, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ B. Review Bylaws Community Development Director Sevald stated the Commission was to review the bylaws each year in February. He reported the bylaws were last amended on February 5, 2020. He explained staff was proposing to amend the Bylaws with updated reference numbers to the City Code. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Stevenson/Commissioner Nelson. To adopt Resolution 1157-23, Amending the Planning and Zoning Commission Bylaws. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 7. Approval of Minutes November 2, 2022. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Farmer. To approve the Minutes of the November 2, 2022 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. December 7, 2022. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Farmer. To approve the Minutes of the December 7, 2022 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. Reports A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity Community Development Director Sevald stated he had no upcoming planning cases at this time. B. Staff Updates Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. He explained the Commission would not be meeting on February 1, but would be holding a joint meeting with the City Council on February 15. He commented further on the Woodale Apartments, noting the Council denied the project. He reported staff was working with developers on several other landlocked parcels. He anticipated these projects would be townhomes. Mounds View Planning Commission January 18, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ C. Council Updates Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He commented the Council was working on plans to expand the Community Center and estimated the improvements would cost $30 million. He reported the City had approved the hiring of several consultants and lobbyists to assist with moving this project forward. He noted the City Council was considering the formation of a Human Rights Task Force. He provided the Commission with an update from the EDA, noting the City had four developers interested in developing the area south of the compost site with townhomes and tiny homes. He explained the Council approved the renaming of Random Park to Hodges Park in honor of Don and Amy Hodges. He noted the Council approved the 2023 budget and tax levy in December. He commented further on the 2023 Street Improvement Project. D. Planning Commissioner Reports Commissioner Nelson thanked the Public Works Department for all of their efforts to keep the City free and clear of snow after the numerous snow events. 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, February 1, 2023 B. Wednesday, February 15, 2023 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Rundle adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jon Sevald Community Development Director Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial