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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 03-22 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Draft Minutest Approved Minutes® Approved Date:4/5/2017 March 22,2017 /,\s, ii, Minutes �.�` � '/ City Of Edina, Minnesota `; Planning Commission Edina City Hall Council Chambers March 22, 2017 I. Call To Order Chair Olsen called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. II. Roll Call Answering the roll were: Commissioners Thorsen, Strauss, Nemerov, Hamilton, Bennett, Berube, Bennett, Chair Olsen. Student Members, Kivimaki and Jones. Staff, City Planner, Teague, Assistant Planner, Aaker Sr. Communications Coord., Eidsness, Support Staff, Hoogenakker III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Thorsen to approve the March 8, 2017, meeting agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Strauss. All voted aye. The motion carried. IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Thorsen to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2017, meeting, The motion was seconded by Commissioner Strauss. All voted aye. The motion carried. V. Special Recognitions and Presentations Staff Presentation Planner Teague reported at this time new officers need to be elected and the Commission Bylaws need to be adopted. Teague noted no changes were made to the bylaws. Motion A motion was made by Commissioner Thorsen to adopt the Planning Commission Bylaws as written. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Strauss. All voted aye. The motion carried. Commissioner Nemerov suggested that sometime in the future the Commission should review Robert's Rules. Page I 1 Draft Minutes❑ Approved Minutes® Approved Date:4/5/2017 March 22, 2017 Election Motions Commissioner Berube nominated Commissioner Thorsen as Planning Commission Secretary. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nemerov. No further nominations were offered. Chair Olsen called for a vote to elect Commissioner Thorsen as Secretary for the Planning Commission. All voted aye. The motion carried. Todd Thorsen elected as Secretary, Commissioner Strauss nominated Commissioner Nemerov as Vice-Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Berube. No further nominations were offered. Chair Olsen called for the vote to elect Commissioner Nemerov as Vice-Chair. All voted aye. The motion carried. Ian Nemerov was elected as Vice-Chair. Commissioner Strauss nominated to re-elect Commissioner Olsen as chair. The motion was seconded by Bennett. No further nominations were offered. Chair Olsen called for a vote. All voted aye. The motion carried. Chair Olsen was re-elected as Chair. VI. Community Comment None. A motion was made by Commissioner Nemerov to close community comment. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Thorsen. All voted aye. The motion carried. VII. Reports/Recommendations A. Sketch Plan Review— RH at Southdale Planner Presentation Planner Teague reported the Planning Commission is asked to consider a sketch plan proposal to develop the north east corner of France Avenue & 69th Street, underneath the water tower at Southdale. The site is currently paved overflow parking for the mall and theaters. Teague explained that Restoration Hardware (RH) is proposing to construct a 3-4 story 58,000 square foot store that would include: furniture sales, a rooftop showroom, a cafe/restaurant, outdoor courtyards and garden terraces. The store would have two main entrances; one that opens to France/69th intersection and the other that faces Southdale. Valet parking services would be available on the Southdale side that would allow for reduced site parking. Teague added that the site is zoned PCD-3, Planned Commercial District. The proposed uses are all permitted on the site. The applicant would only be requesting a site plan review with a parking stall variance. Teague further noted that parking stall variances have been standard Page 12 Draft Minutes0 Approved Minutes® Approved Date:4/5/2017 March 22, 2017 practice for development on the Southdale site over the past 15 years. The City does not have a lot of discretion when reviewing this project as it is a permitted use. Continuing, Teague said the Greater Southdale Area Vision Plan has been shared with the property owner, Simon Properties, and RH. RH has responded to the Greater Southdale Area Principles, adding the applicant has done a nice job in creating a site plan with some of the guiding principles in mind. Some of those items include having a main entrance facing the street, increasing green space and landscaping, providing high quality of building materials and design, mixed uses, extensive pedestrian connections, movement through the site, meeting the 50-foot setback from the curb on France to the building and the 30-foot setback from the curb on 69th. That said, staff has concern about the wall that would face the street and the large parking fields along the street. Appearing for the Applicant Stuart Wagner, RH (Restoration Hardware) Applicant Presentation Mr. Wagner explained that over the last several years RH has shifted their market focus, adding their goal is to create a grand residence instead of the typical retail structure. In addition to offering home furnishings RH will now offer food and beverage to create an area to live in, eat in, drink in, and shop. With graphics Wagner presented to the Commission sketched renderings of the proposed structure and photos of other newly constructed RH stores. Wagner said they believe the proposed development will enhance the intersection of France and 69th Street with a beautiful building with defined outdoor courtyards, garden terraces,Juliet balconies and lush plantings. Wagner asked the Commission to note the building was placed at a diagonal to complement the pie-shape lot and to afford building presence from not only France Avenue but West 69th Street as well. He further added parking has been kept to a minimum (variance required) and the store will offer valet parking. Wagner noted they have an agreement to work with Simon on parking. Wagner further noted that when designing the building, they believe they have aligned with the district principles. Wagner concluded that they welcome comments from the Commission and are excited to be at this location. Mr. Martin, 10 Southdale Center, addressed the Commission and stated Simon is very happy to welcome RH to the Southdale Center. Martin reported that in the near future the AMC theatre will be renovated and seating will be reduced. Martin said he believes RH will enhance Southdale Center and the new renovations to the theatre. Mr. Child informed the Commission that the architectural features and layout of the building respond to the RH Brand. Child said in his opinion as previously mentioned the orientation of the building addresses both the mall, France Avenue and West 69th Street. He added the proposed wall is part of the branding features and would create an area that is heavily landscaped, a promenade area and possibly a water feature. The proposed wall will help create a lush welcoming area. Page 13 Draft Minutes❑ Approved Minutes® Approved Date:4/5/2017 March 22, 2017 Comments/Discussion Commissioners shared the following: • It was pointed out that the orientation of the building, the wall and the presence of parking along France Avenue may not fully address the principles of the area. Mr. Child responded that in his opinion the proposal offers a strong corner presence. He also stated he believes connectivity is enhanced by activating the corner with pedestrian friendly connections to the sidewalk and to the mall. • An opinion was raised that it feels like the buildings diagonal orientation was giving a cold shoulder to the corner(s). The applicant was asked if they considered a more traditional building orientation. Mr. Child pointed out that area principles also suggest a 50-foot setback which can create conflict in design. Mr. Wagner said that they would consider the buildings orientation; however, feel that the orientation works well in providing a vision through the building. As oriented one can look through the building. • A question was raised if there was a concern that the building as proposed may appear isolated. Mr. Wagner acknowledged the building was large; however, the building was well articulated to include offsetting mass and a green rooftop area that would showcase outdoor furniture pieces. Enhanced landscaping would also soften the mass of the structure. Wagner further stated that the proposed building would be the first proposed along the ring road, adding this could be the catalyst for future ring-road redevelopment. • It was further suggested that the applicant try to follow the suggestions from the City's consultant Mic Johnson to include lowering the wall and reducing and/or eliminating parking stalls visible to the street. It was noted that as depicted parking would be seen from the street. Mr. Wagner acknowledged that point, adding they believe building orientation, landscaping, etc. would soften any negative impact from vehicles. • Ensure that the ring road can be safely crossed to gain access to the mall. • With regard to the proposed wall it was suggested that the wall could be created with transparent materials (to mitigate height). • It was stressed that more landscaping was always better, • Remember to design with the Minnesota climate in mind. Chair Olsen thanked the applicants for their presentation VIII.Correspondence And Petitions Chair Olsen acknowledged back of packet materials. Page 14 Draft Minutes❑ Approved Minutes® Approved Date:4/5/2017 March 22, 2017 IX. Chair And Member Comments None X. Staff Comments Planner Teague reported that the City Council at their last meeting agreed with the Planning Commission and approved the re-plat for Gateway Pointe Xl. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Thorsen to adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission at 8:50 P.M. The motion was seconded by Bennett. All voted aye. The meeting was adjourned. jaclzie H-oosev lzl er Respectfully submitted. Page 15