HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-13 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes RegularMINUTES
City of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
Edina City Hall Council Chambers
January 27, 2016, at 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Platteter called the Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
II. ROLL CALL
Answering the roll call were: Hobbs, Lee, Strauss, Thorsen, Kivamaki, Ma, Nemerov, Olsen,
Forrest, Platteter
Absent from roll: Carr
Ill. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Motion by Commissioner Thorsen to approve the January 27, 2016 meeting agenda. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Strauss. Ayes; All. Motion carried.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Conditional Use Permit — Edina Public Schools, 6754 Valley View Road,
Edina, MN — Continued to February 10, 2016
B. Variance. Tony Burger. 6629 West Shore Drive, Edina, MN
Planner Presentation
Planner Aaker gave a brief history of the site and how the City and applicant negotiated the
Encroachment Agreement which was not part of the variance request.
Aaker presented her staff report on the requested variances to add a second floor and
additional living/outdoor space to their home. Variances required as follows:
• Side yard setback/lower level. 3.5 -foot side yard setback variance
• Rear yard setback/lower level. 9.6 -foot rear yard setback variance
• Side yard setback main floor. 4.5 -foot side yard setback variance
• Side yard setback variance. 4.9 -foot side yard setback variance
• Rear yard setback 2
"d floor. 2.5 -foot variance rear yard setback variance; and
Grading encroachment. Remove an unnatural hillside on the property adjoin park/north
side.
Aaker stated staff recommends approval of the variances to allow the construction of a new
second story, expansion of an existing main floor deck with new lower level patio and porch
underneath the deck expansion and a lower level storage room addition on an existing legally,
non -conforming house. Concluding, Aaker stated approval is conditioned on the following:
• Architectural site plans date stamped: 12/30/2015.
• Building plans/elevations date stamped: 12/30/2015.
• Engineering memo dated: 1/20/2016.
• Signed encroachment agreement between the City of Edina and the property owners.
Appearing for the Applicant
Tony Burger, Applicant and Property Owner
Applicant Presentation
Mr. Burger addressed the Commission. He reported he spoke with a majority of his neighbors
with regard to the proposed project and variances. Burger reported with regard to the
Encroachment Agreement that it is his intent to remove all private encroachments from City
property. Burger asked the Commission for their support for the variances to allow
construction of a new second story, main floor deck and lower level patio and porch/storage.
Discussion
Discussion ensued on the variances. Commissioners expressed their support for the variances
with conditions.
Commissioners indicated their understanding of the variance request and that the request was
separate from the encroachment agreement; however, they want assurances that all private
encroachments on City property are removed and that the encroachment area is brought back
to its natural habitat. It was also mentioned when the final survey is complete if there is a
driveway encroachment that would also be remedied.
Public Hearing
Chair Platteter opened the public hearing.
Ed Hayward, 6625 West Shore Drive, addressed the Commission in support of the variance.
Commission Thorsen moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commission
Nemerov. Motion carried.
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Motion
Motion by Commissioner Nemerov to approve the requested variances based on
staff findings and subject to staff conditions with the following additional conditions:
I. Removal of all private encroachments on City property.
2. Natural grasses per seeding specifications from the Watershed District are
to be planted on the private encroachment areas.
3. Revisions to the Encroachment Agreement with the City of Edina.
4. Confirmation from Engineering Department at the time a building permit is
issued that that there continues to be no concerns with grading, storm
water, erosion and sediment control.
Commissioner Hobbs seconded the motion. Ayes; Hobbs, Lee, Thorsen, Strauss,
Nemerov, Forrest, Platteter. Nay; Olsen. Motion carried.
C. City Code Amendment — Signs in the PID District.
Planner Presentation
Planner Teague reported that Children's Minnesota is planning to move their corporate campus
to 5901 Lincoln Drive. The property is zoned PID, Planned Industrial District. Teague
explained that offices are an allowed use in the PID zoning district; however, the sign ordinance
in the PID zoning district allows one sign per building and Children's would like to have a
second sign on the property to assist in way finding due to the size of their site.
Teague noted the allowable signage difference between the industrial and office zones is
something the City has fielded complaints on. Currently Teague explained that while offices are
an allowed use in the PID zoning district the PID zoning district has different sign requirements.
Industrially zoned property (PID) is allowed one sign per building. Property that is zoned POD
is allowed one sign per building and one free standing sign per street frontage.
Teague reminded the Commission that revisiting the sign ordinance has been on the
Commissions "bucket list" for some time, adding this request begins the process. Teague
concluded that staff recommends approval of the requested ordinance change, adding these
changes would help with way finding to all businesses in the PID zoning district.
Discussion
Commissioners expressed their support for the proposed amendment. Commissioners did
note that the nature of the PID zoning district is evolving becoming more of a mixed use
district; acknowledging that the City needs to decide where it wants to go with regard to
signage "on the whole". Commissioners said that signage goals should be spelled out for each
district with careful thought.
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Chair Platteter said as further study proceeds on amending the sign ordinance it would be good
if the Commission could review Edina's ordinance with other municipalities.
Public Hearing
Chair Platteter opened the public hearing.
No one spoke to the issue.
Commissioner Thorsen moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Olson
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Motion
Commissioner Olsen moved to recommend adoption of the amendment to the
sign ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Thorsen. Ayes; Hobbs, Lee, Thorsen,
Strauss, Lee, Nemerov, Forrest, Platteter. Motion carried.
VI. COMMUNITY COMMENT
No one spoke during the comment period.
Commissioner Thorsen moved to close the community comment. Seconded by
Commissioner Strauss. Motion carried.
VII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
A. 2018 Comprehensive Plan Update
Chair Platteter explained that it is time for the Planning Commission to formulate the City's
intent on how to approach updating the Comprehensive Plan for 2018. Platteter said the Met
Council has specific guidelines and requirements that must be met; however, there are
discretionary areas.
Planner Presentation
Planner Teague reminded Commissioners the Metropolitan Land Use Planning Act requires
local units of government to submit Comprehensive Plan updates every 10 years. Teague said
the 2018 report is to be completed and submitted to the Met Council by December 31, 2018.
Teague further explained it is the charge of the Planning Commission to oversee the updating
process and hold the public hearing. The City Council "votes" on approving the updated plan.
Teague said a 4/5's vote is required to approve and submit the plan to the Met Council.
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IX. CHAIR AND MEMBER COMMENTS
It was noted that the City is taking applications for a new Planning Commissioner.
Commissioner Forrest is leaving after serving nine years on the Commission. All interested are
encouraged to apply.
X. STAFF COMMENTS
Planner Teague reported that the final counts have been tallied on teardowns. Teague said in
2015 there were 109 teardowns, adding there were 104 teardowns in 2014 and 116 in 2013.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Thorsen to adjourn the meeting of the Planning
Commission at 8:50 PM. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Motion carried.
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Teague offered the current contents of the plan and an indication of those who may be
responsible for the review and update:
• Community Profile/Demographics — Community Development/Planning
Department/Consultant
• Land Use — Planning Commission/Community Development/Planning
Division/Consultant.
• Housing — Community Development/Planning Division/Consultant
• Heritage Preservation - Heritage Preservation Board/Planning Division
• Transportation — Engineering/Transportation Commission/Consultant
• Water Resource Management — Engineering Division/Consultant
• Parks and Recreation — Parks and Recreation Division
• Energy and Environment — Energy and Environment Commission
• Community Services — Police and Fire/ iT/ Communications/ Engineering/ Community
Development/Planning Division
Teague said at this time the Met Council has added two new plan elements as follows:
Resilience — Energy and Environment Commission/Health/Community
Development/Planning Division/Consultant
• Competitiveness — Economic Development/Community Development/Planning
Division/Consultant
Teague noted further areas of interest are the study areas that need consideration in the 2018
Comprehensive Plan for Small Area Plans are 44th and France, 50th and France, 701h and Cahill
and continuing Grandview.
Teague asked Commissioners to review the materials presented to them for discussion.
Teague reiterated the Commission oversees updating the plan and in the past the Commission
has established a task force to do so.
Discussion
Chair Platteter commented he observed that in the past it appeared the consultant hired by the
City directed the updating process. Platteter said he envisions the Commission and/or task
force to address the issue head-on and hire the consultant. Platteter said he envisions use of
the consultant(s) as needed and to draft the final document.
Commissioners also pointed out the importance of transparency and "getting the word out"
that the process has started and input from residents is important. Further discussions will
continue to formalize the process.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
Chair Platteter acknowledged back of packet materials.
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