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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 11-14 Planning Commission Minutes/ Minutes City Of Edina, Minnesota Planning Commission Edina City Hall Council Chambers November 14, 2018 Call To Order Chair Olsen called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM Roll Call Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Lee, Strauss, Melton, Hamilton, Bennett, Berube, Chair Nemerov. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Kris Aaker, Assistant City Planner, Emily Bodeker, Assistant City Planner, Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator, Liz Olson, Support Staff Absent from the roll call: Commissioners Thorsen, Mangalick, and Olsen Approval Of Meeting Agenda Commissioner Hamilton moved to approve the November 14, 2018, agenda. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Approval Of Meeting Minutes Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the October 24, 2018, meeting minutes as amended by Commissioner Lee. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Special Recognitions And Presentations A. Advisory Board & Commission Minutes, Scott Neal City Manager, Scott Neal, presented they City’s policy and procedures on meeting minutes. The City is legally required to keep a written record and city staff are directed to follow the policy. All Planning Commission meetings are televised and the City retains the videos as records. Meeting minutes are used as a reference to the video of the meeting. B. 4100 W. 76th St., are the Proposed Plans Consistent with the Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Manager, Bill Neuendorf, presented a proposed project at 4100 West 76th Street This project would be included as part of a TIF plan to create a housing district by using legislation secured in 2014. This project is proposing affordable housing and is in compliance with the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to approve the resolution as modified by Commissioner Lee. Commissioner Miranda seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Public Hearings Staff Presentation, 5913 Hansen Road, Variance Planner Bodeker presented a variance application for two variances at 5913 Hansen Road, Edina, MN. Staff recommended approval of yard setback variance. Staff recommended to deny first floor height elevation Eric Zehnder appeared on behalf of the applicant. Public Hearing None. Commissioner Bennett moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Discussion/Comments/Questions Commissioners discussed the character of the neighborhood and discussed relying on the City Engineer and relying on their memo. A lengthy discussion was had regarding drainage and runoff with storm water. Motion Commissioner Strauss moved approval of the front yard setback and deny the first floor height elevation variance as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Lee seconded the motion. Aye: Miranda, Lee, Strauss, Hamilton, Nemerov Nay: Bennett, Berube The motion carried 5-2. B. Staff Presentation, Solar Energy Systems Ordinance Amendments Planner Aaker presented the staff report for the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance Amendments which included the statement that utilizing solar is an important piece to achieve the community’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2025. City of Edina staff is proposing updating the City Code on zoning to eliminate barriers to solar PV development. Public Hearing Jim Korslund, 4606 Casco Ave, stated that he lives in the Country Club district and supports the ordinance changes. Korslund explained that he installed his own solar installation in 2017 and has had substantial energy savings. Motion Commissioner Hamilton moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Bennett moved approval of the proposed ordinance changes as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Hamilton seconded the motion. The motion carries unanimously. C. Staff Presentation, Preliminary Rezoning & Preliminary Development Plan with Variances at 4532 France Avenue Director Teague presented the preliminary rezoning and preliminary development plan with variances at 4532 France Avenue, Edina, MN. Teague explained that Jamie and Casey Carl are requesting a redevelopment of an 8,971 square foot parcel at 4532 France Avenue. The applicants would tear down the existing 3,093 square foot single-family home that is currently occupied as office/retail and build a new two-story, 2,375 square foot retail/office building. Staff is recommending approval of the rezoning and the site plan with the variances as listed, subject to the findings and conditions in the staff report. Max Mooreland, Spack Consulting, introduced himself and gave a presentation on the traffic and parking study. Discussion/Comments/Questions There was a discussion about reducing the parking drive from two lanes to one lane in order to add another parking spot in the back and reducing the amount of hard surface. The process of rezoning was explained to the Planning Commission and that it is a two-step process. The 30 foot height of the building was discussed being in compliance with the zoning, but the elevator shaft goes above the 30 feet and does not trigger the give to get. Teague also explained that the Techny Arborvitae trees were considered comparable to the 3 additional required trees because of the abundance. There was a discussion around the proposed parking being more in compliance with city code than the existing conditions on the site. The footprint is smaller than the sketch plan so the building is only short parked 4 stalls instead of 8 stalls. District parking was discussed and that it is on the work plan for next year. Appearing for the Applicant Matt Byers, with PLAAD, introduced himself and explained that the proposed plans included ADA access in the back because of the elevator access being in the back of the building and commented on the request to narrowing the driveway. Public Hearing None. Commissioner Hamilton moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Discussion/Comments/Questions Byers and Commissioners discussed the employee rooftop and the fact that it will not cause any noise issues due to the amount of employees. Casey Carl, owner of property, explained that the first floor retail portion plans to be a lifestyle boutique with men and women’s apparel, home goods, accessories, and gifts. Commissioners discussed the idea of setting the building closer to the front with more building square footage and less parking. The storm water was talked about and that it is being collected and discharged to the outlet towards the North West corner. The discussion continued and addressed the parking issue and that it may be dictating the project negatively. The idea of connecting with the neighbor’s parking lot on the north property line was brought up and explained that it was not a feasible solution. The 44th & France Small Area Plan was discussed, specifically contradicting the layout of the parking lot on the proposed building. The neighboring properties were also discussed and that they have front parking and that this project could be more cohesive with neighboring properties with the 3 parking stalls in front. Under parking and wider sidewalks were discussed to have a better pedestrian experience with the front of the building. District parking Motion Commissioner Hamilton moved approval of the Preliminary Rezoning & Preliminary Development Plan with Variances as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Bennett made a formal proposal to amend the motion to reduce the parking by 4 parking stalls, move the building back, and add more public realm. The motion failed. Commissioner Berube made a two part friendly amendment to approve the proposal and strongly encourage haste on community parking and that City Council to consider allowing the applicant to remove the front parking and replace it with a warmer pedestrian public realm. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. Aye: Strauss, Hamilton, Berube, Nemerov Nay: Miranda, Lee, Bennett The motion carried 4-3. VII. Community Comment None. VIII. Reports/Recommendations None. IX. Correspondence And Petitions None. X. Chair and Member Comments Commissioners discussed the 4th Annual Edina Urban Symposium on Thursday, November 8, 2018. Commissioners also commented on electric vehicles and Edina’s land use connection with the wild fires in California. XI. Staff Comments Director Teague stated that the Southdale Open House for the Southdale Plan is on Monday, November 19, 2018 at the Public Work Building from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Commissioners asked Teague about the Einstein and Caribou coffee time frame of the intersection improvement completion. Teague replied that he would need to discuss with Engineering and their coordination with the county. XII. Adjournment Commissioner Hamilton moved to adjourn the November 14 2018, Meeting of the Edina Planning Commission at 9:49 PM. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.