HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 05.28.20Minutes for the Plannine Commission Meetine of Thursday. Mav 28. 2020
Meeting held remotely pursuant Minn. Stat. Sec. 13D.021
Chair Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
PRESENT: Arcand, Derr, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill, Tjernlund.
ABSENT: Fry, Luchsinger.
STAFF: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director
Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant
Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of May 14, 2020
Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tjernlund to approve minutes for
the meeting of May 14, 2020.
Ayes: Arcand, Derr, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill, Tjernlund.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Public Hearing: Pratt Ordway Properties — Request for a PUD Amendment and Site Plan for "Victor
Place."
Kendra Lindahl, Landform Professional Services, LLC, provided background on the PUD Amendment
and Site Plan applications submitted by Pratt Ordway Properties. The applicant is requesting approval
to allow construction of a single story 13,879 square foot office/retail building. The site is located south
of Frenchman Road and west of Paws Pet Hospital and is within the Victor Gardens Commons
development.
The proposed site plan was reviewed in regards to the Victor Gardens PUD Plan and the general City
ordinances. Lindahl provided analysis on the submitted materials. The Victor Gardens PUD states that
building architecture should be of French Country Eclectic design and staff believes revisions are
needed to meet the intent of the PUD. Staff recommends that the south roofline be duplicated on the
north elevation. The applicant has not provided details on the trash enclosure and staff recommends
that be designed to match the principal building. Staff has been working with the developer to
eliminate conflicts with the access points into the site. Staff generally supports the two access points
shown on the site plan. The applicant has also provided good sidewalk connections throughout the
site.
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Staff found that the proposed project generally conforms to the standards outlined in the PUD general
plan and City Code. Staff recommends approval of the draft resolution approving the PUD amendment
and site plan for Victor Place, subject to the findings and conditions listed in the resolution. Staff also
recommends the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and take all public comment.
Commissioner Tjernlund asked staff to clarify the parking recommendation. Lindahl explained that if all
parking spaces are full, the driver would not be able to turn around and would have to back out of the
drive aisle. Staff recommends striping one of the northernmost stalls in the dead-end area as "no
parking" to allow for the ability to turn around.
Leonard Pratt, Pratt Ordway Properties, introduced himself as well as John Ordway and Jeff Nordness
who have been working on the project together. Pratt stated that Kidsability, which is currently located
in a different building in Victor Gardens, will be the tenant. The other tenant is unknown at this time.
Pratt shared a movie with the Planning Commissioners that shows the elevations of the proposed
building.
Chair Kleissler asked about the location and visibility of signage from Frenchman Road. Pratt stated
that the signage bands are underneath the gable of the roof.
Chair Kleissler opened the public hearing at 7:40 pm.
Gracen Kennedy, 4665 Victor Hugo, Unit 8, is concerned with the traffic that will be added to the Victor
Gardens development. Kennedy asked if the access point could be moved to Frenchman Road instead
of Victor Path. Staff Juba responded with stating that Frenchman Road is a County road and
Washington County only allows a certain number of access points. Victor Path was originally designed
as a frontage road and to accommodate for a commercial site on that parcel. Kennedy also suggested
speed limit signs posted on Victor Path.
Daniel Garcia, 4665 Victor Hugo, Unit 10, suggested having a traffic study done for Victor Path and
would also like to see speed limit signs posted. Juba stated that for a development like this, there
typically wouldn't be a traffic study done, but the location of street signs can be further reviewed.
Michelle Beck, 4644 Victor Path, Owner of Paws Pet Hospital. Beck does not think the traffic influx
from Kidsability will be too much, but would like to see a meeting about a potential stop sign. She also
stated that the aesthetic of the building is very nice.
Marilyn Acker, 4589 Victor Path, Unit 3, stated concerns about the increased traffic. There are blind
spots on Victor Path and people tend to drive faster than 30 mph. The association requires that guest's
park on Victor Path and this continues to cause a safety concern. Acker suggested that Leopold be
changed to a left- and right-hand turn intersection. Juba stated that the County has specific four-way
access points. Acker would also like to address low visibility with parking allowed on the street.
John Johnson, 4589 Victor Path, is concerned about the additional traffic leaving the new site. Cars
parked on the street creates blind spots and a narrow driving lane. He wondered how the speed be
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controlled along the street. Juba stated that Victor Path is designed to alleviate some traffic from
Frenchman Road and the curves are meant to encourage people to slow down.
Chair Kleissler closed the public hearing closed at 8:06 pm.
Chair Kleissler brought the discussion back to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Derr asked
Kendra to show the roofline. Staff stated that they are fine with the roofline but that they recommend
symmetry on both the north and south elevations. Commissioner Tjernlund agrees with staff's
recommendation and stated that the aesthetic of Victor Gardens is planned and intentional, which
should be upheld.
Commissioner Mulvihill does not think symmetry within the roofline is necessary and believes the
architecture to be of high quality. Commissioner Arcand stated that he agrees and that feasibility of
construction costs should be taken into consideration. Commissioner Lessard also agrees with these
statements and thinks the building will look good from Frenchman Road.
Chair Kleissler stated that some variation in the roofline is necessary to avoid looking like an industrial
building and suggested that there be a break in the massing.
Lindahl clarified that the draft resolution states that the roofline will be symmetrical as recommended
by staff. The Planning Commission further discussed the site plan and draft resolution.
Commissioner Arcand made a motion to approve the PUD amendment and site plan for "Victor Place,"
subject to the conditions listed in the resolution, with further discussion on condition 5a. Seconded by
Commissioner Tjernlund. Arcand revised his motion to approve the PUD amendment and site plan for
"Victor Place," subject to the conditions listed in the resolution, with the exception of 5a.
Commissioner Tjernlund did not second the motion. The motion died.
Commissioner Arcand made a motion to approve the PUD amendment and site plan for "Victor Place,"
subject to the conditions listed in the resolution, with the exception of condition 5a, seconded by
Mulvihill.
Aye: Arcand, Derr, Lessard, Mulvihill.
Nay: Kleissler, Tjernlund.
Chair Kleissler noted that she agrees with the PUD amendment, but would like to see staff's
recommendation on the architecture.
Motion carried.
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New Business: 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Projects.
Juba provided background on the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which is a financial planning
tool for the City. The Planning Commission's role is to determine if the CIP is consistent with the 2040
Comprehensive Plan. Juba reviewed the park improvements, the public works facility, the street
reconstruction projects, the construction of water tower #4, and the stormwater reuse projects
outlined in the CIP.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review the proposed projects for consistency with the
2040 Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the CIP projects
outlined in the staff report for 2020-2024 as being consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
The Planning Commission discussed the proposed projects.
Commissioner Arcand made a motion to approve the CIP projects outlined in the staff report for 2020-
2024 as being consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, seconded by Tjernlund.
Ayes: Arcand, Derr, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill, Tjernlund.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Adjournment
Commissioner Tjernlund made a motion, Commissioner Mulvihill seconded, to adjourn at 8:47 pm.
Ayes: Derr, Fry, Kleissler, Lessard, Tjernlund
Nay: Arcand
Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant