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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-2023 APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting October 4, 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 6:32 p.m. for October 4, 2023. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, Munson, Nelson, and Rundle. Absent and Excused: Commissioners Curtis, Stevenson and Urlacher. Also Present: Assistant City Administrator Brian Beeman and Council Member Gary Meehlhause. 3. Approval of Agenda MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Farmer/Commissioner Monson. To approve the agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes: June 21, 2023 July 19, 2023 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Farmer/Commissioner Monson. To approve the Minutes of the June 21, 2023 and July 19, 2023 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission October 4, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Special Order of Business None. 6. Public Comment None. 7. Planning Cases A. Resolution 1163-23, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 1010, Amending Title XV, Land Usage, Chapter 150 Building Regulations; Construction of the Mounds View City Code Assistant City Administrator Beeman stated currently, the State of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) conducts plumbing plan reviews for permits in Mounds View, as stipulated in Minnesota Rules 1300.0215, Subpart 6. This has caused a delay in construction timelines for commercial and public buildings. Minnesota Statutes 326B.43, Subdivision 2, permits the delegation of authority for plumbing plan review for public and commercial projects to municipalities. This statute enables the DOLI Commissioner to establish an agreement with a municipality, in which the municipality agrees to carry out plan reviews typically performed by the commissioner or their designee. Assistant City Administrator Beeman explained to obtain this special delegation, the City of Mounds View must undertake several key steps to formalize the delegation, including: 1. The approval of an ordinance to offer local plumbing plan review services 2. The endorsement of an application and submission of an agreement with the State of Minnesota 3. The establishment of local fees, and; 4. Ensuring the designated representative of the municipality is eligible to perform the local plumbing plan reviews. Assistant City Administrator Beeman reported the City of Mounds View currently has a supplemental contract with Rum River Consultants (RRC) which was originally adopted in 2020 and recently renewed. This delegation agreement will benefit the City of Mounds View by generating additional revenue that the State of Minnesota usually retains by conducting these reviews. More importantly, the customer service benefits for permit applicants and residents are significant. The state is typically eight to twelve weeks behind on plan review, causing considerable delays in construction. RRC has indicated its capacity to review plumbing plans in half the time. If Mounds View receives this delegation, it will enable projects to begin and conclude more swiftly in Minnesota's demanding climate. Mounds View Building Official, Nick Mounds View Planning Commission October 4, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Henly, supports RRC performing plumbing plan reviews. Staff recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and direct the City Council to approve the Ordinance as presented. Andy Schrader, Rum River Consultants, explained he worked in 30 different municipalities throughout the State in varying capacities doing plan review and building inspection services. He noted he was a designated building official in 16 jurisdictions. He commented further on how there was a growing need for commercial plumbing plan review. He discussed how his staff has gone through the necessary testing to be provide supplemental services. Commissioner Farmer asked if this would have any impact on the fees being charged to developers. Mr. Schrader stated there would be no change in the fees, as the fees charged by RRC would mimic the State. Commissioner Nelson questioned if the City had to put this service out for an RFP. Assistant City Administrator Beeman explained an RFP was not necessary for professional services. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Monson. To approve Resolution 1163-23, a Resolution Recommending Approval of Ordinance 1010, Amending Title XV, Land Usage, Chapter 150 Building Regulations; Construction of the Mounds View City Code. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 1164-23, Approving an Administrative Variance for 8421 Spring Lake Road Assistant City Administrator Beeman stated Bruce and Joy Eklund want to modify their driveway on the northern side of their site at 8421 Spring Lake Road. They are applying for a side setback variance to accomplish this modification. The Eklund’s own the single-family home at 8421 Spring Lake Road. The house has an asphalt driveway installed at least 50 years ago, and the Eklund’s want to replace the driveway with a new one. The existing driveway does not have enough room for the Eklund’s to turn around their vehicle. This becomes more important since two family members use a wheelchair and a cane to get from the car to the house. Part of the proposed new driveway extends beyond the existing pavement to within 1 foot of the property line, less than the required setback, so a variance is being requested. Bruce Eklund, 8421 Spring Lake Road, explained he has lived in his home since 1975. He noted his home was constructed in 1972 and he would like to replace the tar on his driveway. He indicated the existing driveway runs right up to the property line. He commented he would like to install a new driveway that has a turn around on his property for safety purposes. He described how the proposed driveway would be six inches from the property line. He further reviewed the proposed design for the driveway and stated he was hoping to gain City approval so the driveway could be installed before it snows. Mounds View Planning Commission October 4, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Tom Layton, Stantec representative, explained Stantec helped the City with evaluating this request. He reviewed the zoning code requirements as it applies to considering a variance. He discussed how properties had to be brought up to new setback codes when improved. He indicated the Eklund’s have requested a variance which would allow them to build the driveway one foot from the property line. He commented further on the findings for this Planning Case and reported staff recommends approval of the administrative variance. Chair Rundle stated this was a pretty straight forward request. He indicated all of the neighbors had been notified of this request and there were no concerns brought to the City. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Farmer/Commissioner Monson. To approve Resolution 1164-23, A Resolution Recommending Approval of an Administrative Variance for driveway modifications 8421 Spring Lake Road. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 1165-23, Recommending a PUD Amendment for Apple Tree Dental for expansion of a parking lot Assistant City Administrator Beeman stated Apple Tree Dental wants to expand the parking lot in the southwest part of their site at 2442 Mounds View Blvd, along the Long Lake Road frontage. They are applying for an amendment to the PUD to accomplish this addition. Background: The Apple Tree Dental building is part of a planned unit development (PUD) approved in 1998 which has been amended several times since. The PUD includes a mix of uses on several lots, including the AMC theaters, the Subway sandwich shop, and the Bridges school program (but not Moe’s American Grill). The lot at 2442 Mounds View Blvd. was originally approved for a restaurant but the PUD was amended in 2003 to allow office use, and in 2012 to allow a reduced setback to Mounds View Blvd (20 ft vs. 30 ft). Assistant City Administrator Beeman reported the building is noted in the 2003 approval as 15,000 sq ft, two stories. Required parking per Mounds View ordinance for a dental office is 1 space per 100 sq ft of net floor area, which translates to 150 parking spaces required. The general office standard is 1 space per 175 sq ft, or 86 spaces required. There are currently 54 parking spaces in the lot in front of the building. The proposed parking lot addition would remove 3 spaces at the south end for the drive aisle connection to the new 20-space parking lot, for a total of 71 spaces on site after the addition. The building is clearly short of parking according to city standards, so the addition is needed. Staff recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and approve the PUD Amendment for expansion of the parking lot with conditions. Dr. Michael Helgeson, CEO of Apple Tree Dental, thanked the Commission for considering his request. He explained he has been a part of the Mounds View community since 2014. He commented on the collaborative work and special needs dental care that occurs in Mounds View, noting this location was the largest and most advanced in the State. He reported the great success at this location was requiring him to seek more parking. Mounds View Planning Commission October 4, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Damien Meyer, Primus, introduced himself to the Planning Commission and explained he was the general contractor working with Apple Tree Dental on the additional parking. He noted the parking lot would go from 54 spaces to 74 spaces. Commissioner Nelson stated he supported Apple Tree Dental having additional parking. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Monson/Commissioner Nelson. To approve Resolution 1165-23, a Resolution Recommending a PUD Amendment for Apple Tree Dental for a 20-car parking lot at 2442 Mounds View Boulevard. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. Reports A. Reports of Staff Assistant City Administrator Beeman explained he would be attending Planning Commission meetings and would seeking assistance from Stantec on planning case reviews until a new Community Development Director was hired. B. Reports of Council Acting Mayor Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. He stated the EDA requested the Council approve their 2024 property tax levy, which was for $100,000. He noted the Council held a closed session several weeks ago regarding the potential purchase of two properties. He explained the City Council approved the hire of Gayle Bauman as the City’s new Finance Director. He provided updates on the Silver View stormwater pond restoration noting the pond only needed minor spot dredging. He indicated the Ardan Park stormwater pond project was also approved by the Council and would require dredging work. He stated the Council approved a ballot question for the November ballot regarding a local sales tax that would assist in funding the expansion of the Mounds View Community Center. He indicated if this local sales tax were approved, the City would pursue additional funding from the State for this project. He provided further comment on the Long Lake Woods subdivision. He noted the Council approved an Ordinance that prohibits the use of cannabis in public places. He explained the Council approved the preliminary tax levy in September and noted the final levy would be approved in December. He commented on how the Council currently passed an Ordinance that would assist the Council with designating a Vice Acting Mayor. Further discussion ensued regarding the makeup of the Council and special elections. C. Reports of Planning Commissioner None. Mounds View Planning Commission October 4, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. B. Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Rundle adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Brian Beeman Assistant City Administrator Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial