2019.04.15 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for April 15, 2019 Page 7 of 10 Council noted that the roundabout was a separate issue from this application. They asked the City Engineer to address Rosemary Way. City Engineer Mark Erichson stated it was a state aid route and an alternative to the County road. He stated it was designed to carry the anticipated volume of traffic, and staff could look into “no parking” on that road. The Mayor invited Property Development Manager Chris Stokka, 7645 Lindale Avenue South, Richfield, up to the podium to speak. In response to Council questions, he stated that they have 10-20% senior population in their buildings, but most are younger. The maximum capacity per unit is generally two residents per bedroom. The tot lot is the same as the ones they have used in 60-unit developments. There would also be an indoor community room and fitness center. He stated that parking, based on other developments, has shown that two stalls per unit is more than enough, and they have more than that. Underground units would be assigned, and surface stall are unassigned. There is no designated guest parking. Stokka talked about onsite management saying there is an onsite manager, maintenance worker, and caretaker. Their policy is to have one of them live onsite and someone always available by phone. Weidt stated they needed to add amenities to the playground and invest more into it. He asked how many they have built and operated. Stokka replied there will be 30 by the end of the year, and they have all been Section 42. They built in Forest Lake in 2012 and 2016, and there are few vacancies. Stokka stated they do credit and criminal background checks and require landlord references. They also look for income limits to see if they qualify and have the ability to pay rent. Stokka talked about building height saying they did submit a variance request. He said he thought the sight limitations warranted a variance and they plan to leave it at 38 ½ feet. City Administrator Bryan Bear stated that the variance was not under review for this evening, and there was no guarantee it would be approved. City Attorney Dave Snyder reviewed with Council the analytical framework to use when considering a CUP. The application needed to be judged by the strict requirements of the zoning code. If it’s concluded that the applicant has met the criteria in the ordinance, the courts have indicated they are entitled to a permit. Snyder talked about Section 8 as opposed to Section 42 and income levels stating those are areas beyond the scope of a zoning request and have no bearing on the outcome of the decision. Questions about property values and traffic are natural inquires, but what the courts have insisted on is that there needed to be objectionable evidence. In staff’s view, the request met the limited criteria, and there have been enhancements to the project that the City could not force. He reminded Council of the limited discretion they work with, and he requested they focus on the evaluation criteria. He added that there has been enough discussion to have afforded amenities to the project that would not otherwise have been there. Weidt talked about the City’s mix of housing types and the City’s goal to provide an opportunity for people to afford to live in Hugo. He indicated this location was a good place for this housing type in Hugo, and for those reasons, he supported the development. He acknowledged the need for a park. Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2019- 19 APPROVING A FINAL PLAT FOR FRENCHMAN PLACE 4TH ADDITION ON PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF FRENCHMAN ROAD (COUNTY ROAD 8) AND WEST OF EVERTON AVENUE.