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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/05/07 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA APPROVED Regular Meeting May 7, 2025 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Farmer at 6:00 p.m. for May 7, 2025. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, Larson, Munson, Nelson, and Stevenson. Absent and Excused: Commissioners Rundle and Urlacher. Also Present: Assistant City Administrator Brian Beeman and Council Member Sherry Gunn. ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approval of Agenda MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Stevenson/Commissioner Nelson. To approve the agenda as amended removing Item 7C from the agenda. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes: March 19, 2025 MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Munson. To approve the Minutes of the March 19, 2025 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. Special Order of Business None. Mounds View Planning Commission May 7, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 6. Public Comment None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Planning Cases A. Parking Zoning Code Amendments Phil Carlson, Stantec, stated the City Council has asked that the Planning Commission review the parking regulations in the Zoning Code for commercial uses. The issue is that the required ratios for parking may be too high, resulting in too much pavement being required for businesses, both an economic and an environmental problem. This is a discussion item at this point for the Planning Commission. He explained he reviewed Mounds View’s parking regulations for the number of spaces required for various commercial uses (not all uses) and compared them to a number of nearby communities, plus Burnsville, which did a major parking study recently. Mounds View’s standards are mostly within the range of other communities, but some are higher. Mr. Carlson explained the trend in recent decades is to reduce the required parking for many office and retail uses, which reflects the concern that the Council has. In the 1960’s many cities used a typical standard of 5.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area for retail uses and 5 spaces per 1,000 for office uses. These standards made their way into zoning ordinances in almost every city in the country. In the decades since, many cities have reviewed their experience and done their own studies and reduced these numbers, often also including a maximum parking standard. This is the case in Burnsville where there are minimum and maximum numbers for some uses. Mr. Carlson commented the question of parking demand is unfortunately complicated, and one number never fits every use and business exactly. If the parking standard is too high, we impose a financial burden on businesses and on stormwater management issues. Plus, a “sea of asphalt” is not attractive. If the parking standard is too low, we run the risk of parking and traffic safety problems on site or of parking spilling onto city streets or nearby properties. Getting the “right” number is not easy, but we can recommend reasonable numbers that should fit most situations. Staff commented further on the proposed parking zoning code amendments and requested feedback from the Commission. Further discussion ensued regarding the parking requirements for the Mermaid and Abiding Savior Church. Commissioner Nelson discussed how overflow parking from the Pentecostal Church and if it met the code, the old Hostess property. Mounds View Planning Commission May 7, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Larson questioned if the proposed parking requirements for churches (one spot per three seats) would be adequate. Commissioner Stevenson explained he could support the proposed retail establishment parking requirements, but questioned if the church parking requirements should be reconsidered. Mr. Carlson commented on how there was a fine line between having adequate parking for retail and workshop establishments and not too much. The Commission supported changing the church parking requirements to one spot per three seats. Commissioner Larson questioned if the parking standards should have a parking minimum and maximum. Mr. Carlson stated the City could put these types of standards in place, but he anticipated applicants would not install more asphalt for parking than was necessary. Commissioner Larson commented further on how large parking lots were contributing to urban heating and inquired if the City should be considering alternative materials for large parking lots. Mr. Carlson indicated this would require some amount of research from him, before he could make a recommendation on this matter. Commissioner Stevenson stated larger developments typically come to the City through the PUD process and the City could make special requirements for the larger parking lots. The consensus of the Commission was to direct staff to bring the parking zoning code amendment back for consideration. B. Amending the ADU Zoning Amendments Phil Carlson, Stantec, reviewed two proposed changes to the ADU zoning ordinance and requested the Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed amendments. Commissioner Nelson asked if a person could purchase a home with an ADU and convert it back to living space. Mr. Carlson stated he would need to investigate this matter further. Further discussion ensued regarding how ADU’s were not catching on as quickly as previously anticipated due to costs. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Stevenson. To adopt Resolution 1182-25, recommending the City Council approve Ordinance amendments to Section 160.087 amending the Mounds View Zoning Code on Standards relating to Accessory Dwelling Units requesting staff to investigate the abandoning of an ADU. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View Planning Commission May 7, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ C. Preliminary Zoning Request – 4800 Mustang Circle This item was removed from the agenda. 8. Reports A. Reports of Staff Assistant City Administrator Beeman reported the Big Dipper would be having a ribbon cutting ceremony in June. He explained Planet Fitness would be moving into Mounds View Square and indicated Auto Zone would be moving into the Dollar General space. He reported the Council was working through Phase 3 of the Strategic Plan. He indicated a Dunkin Donuts was being proposed for the Simons property. He commented the parking zoning amendment would be coming back to the Planning Commission for consideration at the May 21 meeting. He further discussed the road closures that would be occurring in the community this spring and summer. Assistant City Administrator Beeman reported this would be Phil Carlson’s last meeting and noted Evan Monson would be transitioning into the role as the City’s planning consultant. Evan Monson, Stantec, introduced himself to the Planning Commission and stated he was looking forward to working with the City of Mounds View. B. Reports of Council Council Member Gunn provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City Council. She reported three chicken keeping licenses were approved by the Council at their last meeting, along with an outdoor fitness court that includes art. She indicated the City’s financial audit was not complete and the Council would be receiving a presentation on the audit at their next meeting. She explained the Tribute Park was seeking an electrical contractor at this time. She was pleased to report the City has received about half of the cost of the park covered in donations. She indicated the first phase of the Tribute Park would be dedicated on Saturday, September 13 and the entire park will be dedicated on Veteran’s Day, which will be Tuesday, November 11. C. Reports of Planning Commissioners Commissioner Larson explained he attended the Minnesota Transportation Conference last month. He stated at this conference he learned how other communities were working to bring youth ambassadors in to planning and park commissions. Mounds View Planning Commission May 7, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ 9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: A. Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. B. Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Farmer adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Brian Beeman Assistant City Administrator Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial