Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-15 PC MIN(499ateir THE lINTNELACE OF MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 15, 2023 REGULAR MEETING Chairman Dybvig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 7:00 P.M. Present: Chairman Dybvig, Commissioners Cox, Hoffman, North, Steinwall, Swanson, Councilmember Odebrecht Absent: None Staff: Planning Manager Gutknecht, Assistant City Planner Molasky APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of October 25, 2023 regular meeting Motion by Commissioner Hoffman, seconded by Commissioner Cox, to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2023 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM Pat Kelly, 604 Myrtle Street, reminded the Commission of a requirement involved in a subdivision of 516 Myrtle St: the applicant was supposed to reduce the size of the parking lot at 516 Myrtle St before the construction at 109 Martha started. There has been no reduction in the parking lot so the parking area is over the limit for what the subdivided lot would be. Chairman Dybvig asked staff to look into the issue. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. CD 2023-54: Adopting Findings of Denial for the Variance Request to Impervious Surface requirements at 617 Wilkins St W. - Resolution Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Hoffman, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. CD 2023-48: Zoning Map Amendment and Preliminary and Final Plat, 12811 62nd Street North. Planning Manager Gutknecht reviewed the case. Kurt Zaspel has applied for a Zoning Map Amendment, Preliminary Plat, and Final Plat to facilitate the reconfiguration of two existing lots into two new lots that comply with local zoning controls. The subdivision would create one new lot and one outlot, Outlot A, which would be sold to an adjacent property owner who wishes to leave it undeveloped at this time. As a Zoning Amendment, the City has a high degree of discretion and is not obligated to approve the Zoning Amendment. Based on guidance of the Planning Commission November 15, 2023 Comprehensive Plan, staff finds it appropriate to approve the request as presented, with four conditions of approval. Chairman Dybvig opened the public hearing. There were no public comments and he closed the public hearing. Councilmember Odebrecht said the City has been discussing turning this property into Lakeshore Residential for 20 years. He is unsure why it was not rezoned earlier, and he supports the request. Commissioner Steinwall commented that Commissioners were provided a revised proposed resolution for this item late today. It included a comment about one of the new proposed findings of fact which states that while Outlot A is not considered a developable lot by definition, it would comply with minimum lot size. She feels the proposed resolution should say Outlot A would comply under current law. She also remarked if Commissioners have suggestions for revisions in packet materials, they should be brought up at the Commission meeting rather than phoning staff. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Cox, to adopt Resolution PC 2023-27, Resolution Approving a Preliminary and Final Plat for Zaspel Ridge Addition, adding the words "under current law" to the noted finding of fact per Commissioner Steinwall's comment. Commissioner Swanson agreed with Councilmember Odebrecht that a Zoning Amendment seems like a natural progression of rectifying an oversized lot in an urban area. All in favor of the motion. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, to recommend that the City Council approve the Zoning Map Amendment for 12811 62nd Street North, Case No. CD 2023-48. All in favor. Case No. CD 2023-60: Interim Use Permit (IUP) to allow a seasonal outdoor sauna located at 425 Nelson Street (The Dock Cafe) Planning Manager Gutknecht stated that Nomad Sauna has applied for an Interim Use Permit to operate a stationary seasonal outdoor sauna located at 425 Nelson Street (Dock Cafe). The property is located in the Central Business District (CBD), the Downtown Design Review District, and the Central Business District Riverside Height Overlay District. In the CBD, seasonal food vending permits are permitted to remain on premise for greater than 20 hours provided a design review is approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC). While a sauna is not a seasonal food vending operation, it operates similarly and requires an IUP approved by the Planning Commission. The applicant is proposing placing a 12 'by 8 'portable sauna and yurt (larger tent structure constructed of fabric) on the patio of The Dock Cafe. Both units will be wood fire heated. The applicant initially planned on having rinse barrels onsite but has retracted that option due to water disposal concerns. As currently proposed, no licensing is required from the Washington County Department of Public Health. They anticipate operating between the months of November and February and leaving the sauna and yurt on site for the entirety of the operating months. Nomad will provide the staff to operate the sauna and will require one parking location from the Dock Cafe for staff parking. The Stillwater Fire Department requires the sauna and yurt be located a minimum of 15 feet from the primary structure and the applicant will need to submit specification for the yurt material to ensure the appropriate level of fire retardant. Fire Department staff also noted that should the wood smoke become a nuisance to neighboring properties, they will need to cease Page 2 of 4 Planning Commission November 15, 2023 operations or make necessary changes. The HPC reviewed the proposal on November 9 and determined that the design was consistent with HPC guidelines and there was general support for the use via an IUP. Staff recommends approval of the IUP, should the Planning Commission find that the proposal meets the standards set forth in City Code. Councilmember Odebrecht asked for details on the Fire Department's review and Mr. Gutknecht replied that Deputy Fire Chief Ballis's major concern that the sauna and yurt are placed on the brick patio not the wood deck, and are set back 15' from the structure. Councilmember Odebrecht said he believes the City was trying to ensure that this property put a water filtration system in as part of the original plat back in the 1980s, but it appears that was never done and was instead paved over. He would like staff to research this issue. CT Douglas, applicant, 4354 Browndale Ave (business in Northeast Minneapolis), stated his company was one of first sauna rentals in the country. They implement several safety measures, stoves are on platforms, there has never been an issue with any kind of fire or embers escaping. Burning clean dry wood reduces the amount of nuisance of the stoves, which are very efficient with no smoke after the fire is started. He feels very comfortable meeting with the Fire Department to discuss any concerns. Chairman Dybvig opened the public hearing. Erika Wallace, Dock Cafe Director, clarified the Dock Cafe has no wood on the patio, only pavers. Chairman Dybvig closed the public hearing. Commissioner North commended staff for answering questions about fire risk and disposal of wastewater. He recommended that it be emphasized that the Fire Chief will have ultimate say in the ability to operate. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Hoffman, to adopt Resolution PC 2023-28, Resolution Granting Approval of an Interim Use Permit in the Central Business District for a Temporary Sauna Located at 425 Nelson St, Stillwater, Minnesota. Commissioner Cox noted she struggles with this use being attached to a restaurant and using a shared restroom with the restaurant. She understands the need to bring business to downtown year round but questions clients having no place to get cleaned up to go into a restaurant for dinner, and feels the Dock Cafe is stretching its business model. Motion passed 4-2 with Commissioner Cox and Councilmember Odebrecht voting nay. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. DISCUSSION Commissioner North echoed Commissioner Steinwall's comment about amendments to packet materials. FYI STAFF UPDATES Assistant City planner Katriona Molasky introduced herself; and Mr. Gutknecht stated that Angela Ross is the new Administrative Assistant. Page 3 of 4 Planning Commission November 15, 2023 Affordable Housing Policy Work Plan Update Councilmember Odebrecht gave a presentation on the need for an Affordable Housing Policy. He would like the City to form a specialized team on affordability to provide recommendations to Washington County, and to provide recommendations for ordinances involved with community development and planning, to leverage existing and future resources. He said the State Capitol is about to provide a lot of funding to cities and Stillwater should develop a policy so that when the funding becomes available, it is ready to apply for it. Commissioner Cox praised the attention to transportation needs in conjunction with affordable housing. Commissioner Steinwall suggested including and consulting the Heritage Preservation Commission as the initiative progresses. Councilmember Odebrecht said he will keep the Commission informed. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Dybvig adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. '4-4- e Jo n Dybvig, Chai ATTEST: Tim badhill, Community Development Director Resolution PC2023-24, Resolution Adopting Written Findings for Denial of a Variance to Exceed the Maximum Allowable Structural Impervious Surface of 25% at 617 Wilkins Street West, Stillwater, Minnesota Resolution PC 2023-27, Resolution Approving a Preliminary and Final Plat for Zaspel Ridge Addition Resolution PC2023-28, Resolution Granting Approval of an Interim Use Permit in the Central Business District for a Temporary Sauna Located at 425 Nelson St, Stillwater, Minnesota Page 4 of 4