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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 11-28 Planning Commission Minutes/ Minutes City Of Edina, Minnesota Planning Commission Edina City Hall Council Chambers November 28, 2018   Call To Order Chair Olsen called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Roll Call Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Lee, Strauss, Thorsen, Mangalick, Melton, Nemerov, Hamilton, Bennett, Berube, Chair Olsen Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Kris Aaker, Assistant City Planner, Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator, Liz Olson, Support Staff Absent from the roll call: None. Approval Of Meeting Agenda Commissioner Thorsen moved to approve the November 28, 2018, agenda. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Approval Of Meeting Minutes Commissioner Thorsen moved to approve the November 14, 2018, meeting minutes. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Public Hearings A. 70th & Cahill Small Area Plan Commissioner Lee presented the 70th & Cahill Small Area Plan and explained that the work group started working in October of 2017. Lee’s presentation discussed the 5 major recommendations of the update including Land Use and Urban Design, Heritage Preservation, Economic Vitality, Parks and Open Space, and Transportation. Lee noted that the major changes made since July of 2018 included the Building Height Limits Plan and the recommended approach to public financing for development/redevelopment at 70th & Cahill. Lee explained that the Building Height Limits Plan includes the following: Up to 3 stories, not to exceed 39 feet for buildings on the north side of 70th Street. Up to 3 stories, not to exceed 39 feet for buildings on the southeast corner of 70th/Cahill. The roof line of building son the southeast corner of 70th/Cahill will establish a not-to-exceed height for buildings fronting on Cahill (so long as they do not exceed 5 stories) All other buildings will have a 5 story, 63 foot high maximum. Lee explained that the Work Group is recommending the following regarding Public Financing: The City will provide guidelines for property owners and developers delineating conditions and applications for public financing subsidies. The City will make it clear to property owners, developers, and the community that public financing may only be used for public realm infrastructure improvements. Should public financing be proposed for the study area, the City will provide information justifying and explaining the financial benefits to the community. Public Hearing Louise Wright, 5422 Creekview Lane, stated that she is concerned about increased traffic and the north side of 70th not being included the original plan and now it may turn into multifamily dwellings. Jonathan Stechman, 7460 Shannon Drive, stated that he was concerned about the increased density at Creek Valley and concerned about affordable housing not being spread out throughout other parts of Edina. Stechman asked Commissioners about the community’s feedback that was gathered from the meetings and the tax base increase. Michelle Swanson, Xcel Energy 5309 W. 70th St, expressed concerns regarding the proposed east and west parkway and relocating facilities for the proposed road. Swanson also stated concern regarding the passenger rail platform and the conflicts with the transmission structure. Roger Bildsten, 6813 Brook Drive, stated the trail is a wonderful asset to Edina, but access is dangerous on the west and north side. Philip Peterson, 5519 W. 70th Street, stated he was a member of the study group and voted against the study and followed by discussing affordable housing. John Uecker, 7105 Fleetwood Drive, expressed concern about the increased density and wanting an adequate traffic study showing traffic patterns. Timothy Duffy, 6001 Dublin Circle, discussed that he was curious where the transition from a suburb to an “urban city” comes from, the traffic issue concerns, and adding to school populations. Kradisha Glyl, 7213 Fleetwood Drive, expressed concern about traffic congestion. Hope Melton, 4825 Valley View Road, introduced herself as a member of Edina Neighbors for Affordable Housing. Melton discussed the density and height that makes affordable housing feasible. Melton stated that Edina kept affordable housing out of the city for 20 years and the City Council is committed to changing that. Melton stated that teachers, City Staff, and the aging Edina residents that want to downsize are some of those who would need affordable housing. Connie Careino, 4509 Garrison Lane, encouraged the Planning Commission to adopt the Small Area Plan recommendations and consider editing Director Teague’s proposed language and create a new section of the land use chapter of the Comprehensive Plan that provides an over view of how you would use amendments for various parts of the land use. Patrick Bennett, 5708 Kemrich Drive, thanked the Small Area Plan group and the Planning Commission. Bennett stated that he thinks the plan is a compromise but that it is too dense. Bennett stated school density was a concern and allowing businesses to focus on the bike trail appeared unfounded. Ann Swenson, 6021 Concord Avenue, introduced herself and stated her past experience on the Planning Commission and City Council and current seat on the foundation. Swenson explained that the dry cleaners is a great site for affordable housing because it backs up to a bike path and is on a bus line. Swenson notes that four coffee shops have closed because they were struggling and she would like to see the node revived and lively. Catherine Bass, 6917 Gleason Road, thanked residents and supports the small area plan. Bass also stated that she longs for improvement in the area and the large amount of cars seems dangerous at times. Paul Bordonaro, 5800 70th Street West, stated that he does not agree with Commissioner Lee that the plan is clear. Bordonaro also stated that he believes we need stress tests for the traffic Commissioner Thorsen moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Discussion/Comments/Questions Commissioners discussed the traffic study that was provided to the work group by the consultants and stated that it didn’t show any serious issues at the current time and showed room for capacity for greater development. Director Teague noted that normally housing generates less traffic than commercial and stated that a traffic study is required for any development proposal. Commissioners discussed the capacity of the schools. Commissioners discussed branding and implementation as well as a further study on the commercial and industrial area be included on the overall plan as opposed to a one-off. Commissioners discussed removing the archeological survey and the increased traffic concerns. Commissioners discussed that the “urban” wording means walkable and pedestrian friendly for the neighborhood node. Director Teague stated that as the plan is written, the height overlay district would need to be amended to allow for 3-5 stories. Teague stated that his suggestion with the language with height would include the overlay district standing today, if a developer wanted to go taller, they would have to do a site plan, variance, or rezoning. The objectives in the small area plan would be evaluated in the land use section and the Planning Commission would make recommendations to City Council if the height increase is justified. Director Teague stated that the Affordable Housing project density includes 50 units per acre being the max, but if a project had a minimum of 20 percent for affordable housing, it could be increased up to 90 units per acre. Final recommendations by the Planning Commission are as follows: Remove the access/path/connection across the railroad tracks heading east onto private property from Figure: 4.7 on page 47. Modify text accordingly where it is currently referenced. Remove/edit a specified location/representation of a future rail platform from Figure 4.7 on page 47. Modify text accordingly where it is currently referenced. Identify preferred option of the future CP Regional Trail extension on Figure 7.2 on page 58 and 64. Commissioner Bennett mentioned another option along Amundson to Cahill. The plan should advocate strongly for the Work Group’s preferred option). Better define the 70th Street safe crossing on Figure 4.7 on page 47, on graphic and/or in text. Modify text accordingly on page 55, 5.4, Goal number 3 regarding archaeological Phase I and Phase II investigations. Motion Commissioner Hamilton moved delaying the approval of 70th & Cahill Small Area Plan to be modified as discussed to the Planning Commission on December 12, 2018. Commissioner Thorsen seconded the motion. Aye: Miranda, Thorsen, Hamilton, Nemerov, Bennett, Berube, Olsen Nay: Strauss and Lee The motion carried 7-2. VII. Community Comment None. VIII. Reports/Recommendations None. IX. Correspondence And Petitions None. X. Chair and Member Comments None. XI. Staff Comments Director Teague stated that the City Council meeting on December 4, 2018 will include 7200 and 7250 France Avenue, Solar Ordinance, and the 4532 France Avenue project. XII. Adjournment Commissioner Thorsen moved to adjourn the November 28, 2018, Meeting of the Edina Planning Commission at 10:04 PM. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.