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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-24 PC MIN(499ateir THE lINTNELACE OF MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 24, 2024 WORKSHOP MEETING Chairman Dybvig called the workshop to order at 5:30 p.m. Present: Chairman Dybvig, Commissioners Cox, North, Steinwall, Swanson, Councilmember Odebrecht Absent: Commissioner Hoffman Staff: Community Development Director Gladhill, Planning Manager Gutknecht, Assistant City Planner Molasky OTHER BUSINESS Planning Commission Work Plan Development Community Development Director Gladhill explained that the workshop will cover: Planning Commission Purpose Statement; Planning Commission Vision; and Priority Strategies. He reviewed the structure and responsibilities of the Community Development Department and its Planning Division. Ed Nelsen, a member of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), said he is here because he believes it is important to find out what's going on in the various areas. The HRC may be of some help when doing strategic planning - for instance the water contamination problem includes some equity issues. If the recommendation ends up being for everybody to put a water filtration system on their home, that's not doable for every person in the community. He also is the Director of Development for Valley Outreach. Councilmember Odebrecht remarked that he would love to see the HRC get more involved with City business. Another equity issue is ADA accessibility, for example short term home rentals. Something needs to be done in that space without pricing everybody out of the market. Mr. Nelsen added that one of the concerns expressed to him by the community is not enough ADA handicap -accessible parking areas. Mr. Gladhill led an exercise asking participants to write their top five priorities in these areas. Purpose statement: why does the Commission exist? Commissioner Cox: voice of the community, consistency in decisions, safety for the community, to ask questions. Commissioner North: amplify existing assets, represent the whole community, actions should be clear and reasonable, set out a process which is repeatable, have a structure in place where a question is brought and you won't end up with 5 different answers for 5 different projects. Commissioner Swanson: communicate the vision to the public, guide the established vision, guidance on gray areas - not everything can be defined, question the status quo, maintain a high level focus, leave details to staff. Planning Commission April 24, 2024 Commissioner Steinwall: we're here because we're authorized by state statute to implement statutory requirements, among them is keep an eye on our Comp Plan and make sure it is implemented, day to day work acting on land use applications, and provide high level vision on the development of our community. Planning Manager Gutknecht: planned use review, recommending Comp Plan guidance to the Council and recommending policy decisions, public comment via the public hearing process. Councilmember Odebrecht: advise Council and staff, assist in historic preservation, land use regulation and execution "so the citizens don't sue us." Assistant City Planner Molasky: here to be a voice for the community, a group of many people creates diverse views and approaches, here to direct development, to review and recommend. Chairman Dybvig: listen to the community, create and preserve community standards, Comp Plan, we're the folks who deal with the square pegs in the round holes when it comes to development, and safety. Councilmember Odebrecht suggested the Chairman of the Commission participate in upcoming Comp Plan consultant interviews. Mr. Gladhill summarized that navigating the Comp Plan, being the voice of the community, and navigating the process seemed to be common themes. Councilmember Odebrecht stated that one thing the Commission does very well is nobody is dismissed here, all proposals are respected. Commissioner Steinwall suggested adding diversity to the list. She is concerned that talking about being the voice of the community may mean being the voice of the status quo. Councilmember Odebrecht commented it would be great to have somebody who's renting serve on the Commission. Vision for the future: 1) for the Planning Commission in terms of its makeup and what it's accomplishing: and 2) a vision for the community. Commissioner Swanson: preservation + growth = what? It's hard to blend both things. Utilize all perspectives - vision is a living breathing document. Future vision - housing for all. Commissioner Steinwall: when talking about growth - keep environment in mind and make sure growth is sustainable and preserves the great natural resources of Stillwater. Also the theme of historic preservation is an important element of the community. Housing mix - economic development needs to be done in a sustainable way. Apply rules that are consistent and treat all applicants fairly. Commissioner Cox: need a healthy balance between old and new. Diversity - about who is actually sitting on commission - preservation of natural spaces - quality of life in Stillwater is largely due to the river and parks - transparency. This should continue to be a community that people want to live in. Commissioner North: Stillwater has a brand. Repeating is to revisit what achieved that brand - maintain a vibrant economy, and having varied housing options and making it livable for the whole community - achieving preservation with modern style, varied architecture. Councilmember Odebrecht: preservation options that make sense. i.e. RE/MAX office in Sauntry Mansion. Watershed still works - existing affordable housing options are preserved. Page 2 of 6 Planning Commission April 24, 2024 Ms. Molasky: understandable process - diverse residents/community - positive experiences - engagement, getting feedback from community is important. Mr. Gutknecht: increasing diverse public engagement, housing diversity, consistency of administration of ordinances, proactive action and creative solutions over status -quo solutions. Chairman Dybvig: preserve the essence of Stillwater, evolve, sustainable, a diverse and available community. Mr. Gladhill: housing comes up quite a bit, balancing economic growth and historic preservation - sustainability and natural resources, process and experience, brand. He noted strategy could be discussed at the May workshop. Staff will put this into a couple statements for the Commission to review and will present the full package in June. The workshop was recessed at 6:46 p.m. RECESS REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Dybvig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Dybvig, Commissioners Cox, North, Steinwall, Swanson, Councilmember Odebrecht Absent: Commissioner Hoffman Staff: Community Development Director Gladhill, Planning Manager Gutknecht, Assistant City Planner Molasky APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of March 27, 2024 regular meeting Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner North, to approve the minutes of the March 27, 2024 meeting. Motion passed 3-0-3 with Commissioners Cox and North and Councilmember Odebrecht abstaining. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. CD 2024-014: Conditional Use Permit Amendment to Add Outdoor Saunas at 232 Main St N (Hotel Crosby/ Excelsior Sauna) Planning Manager Gutknecht explained that Hotel Crosby requests an Amendment to a Conditional Use Permit (Case No. 2016-40) for the installation and operation of three semi- permanent buildings, two sauna structures and one check-in/changing building with cold plunge located between the hotel and parking ramp, along the existing patio space. The saunas will be accessible to both the public and guests of the hotel. The communal sauna will be wood fired and the private saunas will be electric. All structures are primarily permanent in nature; Page 3 of 6 Planning Commission April 24, 2024 not easily moved or on wheels, but also are not constructed on a permanent foundation. The applicant is investigating possible options to make them removable in the event they need to be moved to access existing underlying stormwater infrastructure. It would not be a simple removal. The applicant had commenced construction on the project without City review or approval, but has since ceased work and has been highly cooperative in providing necessary materials for review. There are three possible options: 1) existing location at northeast corner [applicant preferred alternative]; 2) northern property line between private sidewalk and adjacent parking lot/property line; 3) southeast corner in patio area [applicant's least preferred]. Staff is generally supportive of the concept from a use and design perspective and is generally comfortable with the overall building design and exterior materials, but has concern with the current location due to proximity to the parking garage and conflicts with storm sewer infrastructure. The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) granted design approval last week for Alternative #1. The project will require the CUP Amendment (Planning Commission); Building Permit; Encroachment Agreement (City Council); and Washington County Department of Health (cold plunge pool). Staff prefers either Alternative #2 or #3 that avoids conflicts with stormwater infrastructure and building code regarding fire separation. He showed the location of the storm sewer easement. Staff does not have complete plans for Alternative #2 or #3. If it is the Commission's desire to approve Alternative #2 or #3, it should postpone action and direct the applicant to submit complete plans for that alternative. Commissioner Cox asked what conditions would be problematic not having easy access to the stormwater? Mr. Gladhill replied there are pipes underground that serve stormwater needs for this and other parcels. City Engineers have information how it could be moved without damaging the pipes and they feel there are solutions if necessary. Councilmember Odebrecht said he understands when access to those stormwater pipes is needed, it is needed fast. Mr. Gladhill said that would be true if this were a domestic water service or sanitary wastewater sewer. However with stormwater pipes, there is rarely such an emergency. If there was an emergency to be dealt with immediately, the City would do so at the property owner's cost. Commissioner Swanson asked what is the capacity of the stormwater line and is it a major trunk line that would impact neighbors? Mr. Gladhill said the City's engineering team has looked at it. It serves multiple properties but not all of downtown. The saunas will not break the pipe or create an obstruction. John Daly, Hotel Crosby said that City Engineer Sanders asked them to address those issues so they got a report from Larson Engineering which did the install back in 2016/17 prior to hotel opening in 2018. The Civil Engineer has the opinion there is no issue in the amount of water the system can handle, it was actually overbuilt to be adequate in the event of a 100 year flood. The proposed structures are liftable. Two companies said they could be lifted from their positions at any time. The HPC preferred Alternative #1 because it was tucked in and not visible by the public. Commissioner Swanson asked the applicant to explain the negatives of Alternatives 2 and 3. Leif Kjorness of Excelsior Saunas explained the two buildings are already framed and the present configuration gives the most space and keeps the courtyard as it is right now. Page 4 of 6 Planning Commission April 24, 2024 Chairman Dybvig opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Cox, to recommend that the City Council approve Resolution 2024- , Resolution Amending a Conditional Use Permit to Approve a Sauna Experience in the Central Business District for 232 Main Street North (Case No. CD2024-014) with all recommended conditions. Motion passed 5-1 with Councilmember Odebrecht voting nay. Case No. CD2024-012: 1904 5th Street North Plat Review Planning Manager Gutknecht explained that Frankie Peterson has applied for a Preliminary Plat and Final Plat (Frankie Valley) to facilitate the splitting of one existing lot into two new lots at 1904 5th Street North. The property is approximately 39,963 square feet and contains a single-family dwelling with an attached garage and detached shed. The shed will be relocated to remain on the same lot as the existing dwelling. The existing property is accessed from Willow Street which is deficient in right-of-way size. As part of this Plat the applicant will dedicate approximately 1,450 square feet of right-of-way to Willow Street. Any new future proposed dwelling on lot 2 would require HPC design review. Due to the required right-of-way dedication the applicant must move forward with the subdivision via Plat process. Staff recommends approval with five conditions. Frankie Peterson, applicant, and Nick Thompson, builder, offered to answer questions. Chairman Dybvig opened the public hearing. There were no public comments and the public hearing was closed. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to recommend that the City Council approve Resolution 2024- , Resolution Approving a Preliminary and Final Plat for Frankie Valley (Case No. CD2024-012. Chair Dybvig said he will probably support the request but recalled issues in the past with approving a lot subdivision without knowing what the plans will be for the new lot. He noticed the landowner and developer that it will not be looked on favorably if they come back in six months requesting a lot of variances. Mr. Gutknecht reiterated that any new proposed dwelling will require design review and conformance with land use standards. All in favor. NEW BUSINESS Zoning Code and Subdivision Code Amendment Work Plan. Framework. and Zoning MaJ2/District Direction Mr. Gladhill stated that throughout 2024 and into 2025 the Planning Division will be conducting a comprehensive zoning code amendment. He reviewed the goals and scope of work, and the project timeline. DISCUSSION There were no discussion items FYI STAFF UPDATES Boards and Commissions Training Page 5 of 6 Planning Commission April 24, 2024 Mr. Gutknecht reminded the Commission of the Boards and Commissions Training May 8 for those who did not attend last year. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Dybvig adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Joh ybvig, Cha' A T: Tim Gladhilf, Community Development Director Page6of6