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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-11 CPC MINCity of Stillwater . Planning Commission June 11, 2001 Present: Russ Hultman, chairperson, Glenna Bealka, Robert Gag, Dave Middleton, Paul Teske, Darwin Wald and Terry Zoller Others: Community Development Director Steve Russell Absent: Karl Ranum Mr. Hultman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Wald, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval of the minutes of May 14, 2001, as presented; motion passed 6-0, with Mr. Middleton abstaining. Case No. V/DR/O 1-21 This case was withdrawn. Case No. V/DR/01-22 A variance to the sign ordinance for the number of signs permitted and a variance to the front yard setback (15 feet required, 0 requested) at 220 E. Mulberry in the CBD, Central Business District. Tony Lodge and Emmett Carolan, St. Croix Lighting, applicants. Mr. Lodge was present for the discussion. He explained his request for two signs, noting that the HPC had no problem with the requested free-standing sign, if the building signage did not include the business name. He noted there are two tenants in the building, only one of whom use signage. Mr. Russell noted that the applicants have two street frontages which allows two signs; however, it is not practical to put the second sign on the Second Street frontage. He asked Mr. Lodge whether a sign centered on the front of the building would work for both tenants. Mr. Lodge said he would like St. Croix Lighting on both the free-standing sign and the building sign. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved to approve the requested free-standing sign and one sign on the front of the building; motion passed unanimously. Case No. SUP/DR/01-23 A special use for the addition of six rental units in the Joseph Wolff complex at 402 S. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Steve Bremer, applicant. Mr. Bremer was present and briefly reviewed his plans for the complex. The main floor will include a restaurant and three retail spaces. Parking for the proposed six new apartment units will be provided in the back of the complex; all apartments will be accessible from the parking lot/deck area. Mr. Zoller asked if there would be any HVAC units on the roof. Mr. Bremer said there might be some, noting there are already some existing units. However, he stated he prefers to have the City of Stillwater • Planning Commission June 11, 2001 equipment inside of the apartment units and if there are any roof units, they won't be very large and won't be visible. Mr. Wald asked if there was sufficient parking for the new living spaces. Mr. Russell noted that while city ordinance requires two parking spaces per condominium unit, only one space is required for one bedroom rental units. Mr. Gag, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved approval as conditioned; motion passed unanimously Case No. V/01-24 A variance to the side yard setback (10 feet required, 9 feet requested) for construction of a second story to an existing residence at 113 Brick St. S. in the RA, Single Family Residential District. John and Jessica Pack, applicants. Mr. Pack was present. He explained the request is to expand the existing one and one-half story house to two full floors. Mr. Zoller asked is the garage would remain at its existing location; Mr. Pack responded in the affirmative. The applicant also stated he would like to use lap siding and shakes rather than stucco, which is on the existing structure. Mr. Zoller moved approval as conditioned, eliminating the condition regarding color and materials matching the existing residence to allow for the use of lap siding and shakes. Mrs. Bealka seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. V/01-25 A variance to the front yard setback (30 feet required, 13 feet requested) for construction of a deck at 424 S. Seeley St. in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Justin and Traci O'Brien, applicants. Traci O'Brien was present. She explained the requested deck would be located at the southwest corner of the house and would be no closer to the property line than the existing structure. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Teske, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed 6-0, with Mr. Middleton abstaining. Case No. SUP/DR/01-26 A special use permit for construction of a building housing 29-32 condominiums at 501 N. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District and the Flood Plain. Jeff Wallis, applicant. Mr. Wallis was present, along with a representative of the applicant's engineering firm who explained plans for meeting the Flood Plain requirements. The intent is to make the back wall of the structure thicker and essentially use that wall as part of the levy; Mr. Zoller noted the Dock Cafe does that. A survey is being completed, and there may be a need for stairs/patio for access to the commercial spaces on the Main Street elevation. The applicant has agreed to provide . native plant material in the open space at the rear of the building and accommodate a trail 2 City of Stillwater • Planning Commission June 11, 2001 concept. There also has been discussion of roof-top storage to control runoff rates. The hope is to have more definitive specs and plans by July. Mr. Wallis stated plans have been presented to the Heritage Preservation Commission, and he has no problems with the 21 conditions of approval. Mr. Hultman asked about the proposed shoebox style lighting and asked if the applicant might consider some more historically appropriate style; Mr. Wallis noted they will be returning to the HPC regarding light fixture styles, and he stated they are trying to use a lot of historically appropriate materials. Mr. Wallis briefly reviewed the retail space use, and noted that the HPC has recommended that the Main Street elevation be made more pedestrian friendly; the applicant will be working with the HPC on that concept. Mr. Middleton asked how the proposal fits into the Riverway regulations. Mr. Russell noted Riverway regulations do not apply to the plan, only the Flood Plain and Central Business District regulations are applicable. Ron Anderson, 216 W. Orleans St., commented on the proposed underground parking and suggested that the applicant might need some infrastructure to keep hydrostatic pressure at a minimum. Bobbi Brohard, 919 S. Fourth St., asked about the length of the building. The building will be 240' across the front elevation. Linda Amrein, 307 E. Laurel, asked about the cost of the units and spoke about affordable housing needs. Mr. Wallis noted that is an issue and the applicant is looking at granting sources. Ms. Amrein also asked about the height; Mr. Wallis explained the building needs to be at the maximum allowable height, 50', to make the project work. Mr. Wald moved to give concept approval as conditioned, with the applicant to work with staff in refining design plans. Mrs. Bealka seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. CPA/01-01 A Comprehensive Plan amendment changing land use designation of 15 acres of land south of Boutwell Road and west of Boutwell Cemetery from Single Family to Public Facility. City of Stillwater, applicant. Mr. Russell stated the site has been purchased fora public works facility. The zoning district sets the performance standards, such as noise levels, landscaping and other requirements. Ron Anderson, 216 W. Orleans St., asked who would pay for the road improvements. Mr. Russell noted the street has been annexed to the city and is a potential State Aid Street; also he said improvements are slated in conjunction with the Settler's Glen development. Mr. Russell said he • was not sure of the exact formula regarding the cost sharing of the street improvements, noting 3 City of Stillwater Planning Commission June 11, 2001 that a public works facility would generate less traffic than a 75-unit townhouse development that could be located at the site if not rezoned. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved approval by resolution. Roll call vote was taken; motion passed unanimously. Case ZAT/01-01 Zoning Test Amendment establishing a new Public Facility Zoning District. City of Stillwater, applicant. Case ZAM/01-02 A Zoning Map Amendment designating 15 acres of land south of Boutwell Road and west of Boutwell Cemetery Public Facility. City of Stillwater, applicant. Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mrs. Bealka, moved to recommend City Council approval of ZAT/01- 0 1 and ZAM/O 1-02. Motion passed unanimously. Case PUD/01-22 A Planned Unit Development approval for development of portions of a 15- acre site into a 40,000 square foot public works facility with outdoor storage. City of Stillwater, applicant. City Engineer Klayton Eckles introduced the presentation by noting that the City has been looking for a site for a public works facility since 1994. The architectural firm working on the plans and specifications for the facility has received input from neighbors. The site will also include some park space, and the building design includes space for neighborhood meetings. Wayne Branum of SALA Architects reviewed the site/building plans which reflect the rural character of the neighborhood. Mr. Gag, seconded by Mr. Wald, moved approval as conditioned; motion passed unanimously. Public Hearing on Minnesota Department of Transportation TH 36 Corridor Manaizement Plan Present for the discussion were Doug Fisher, deputy director of the Washington County Transportation Department, Scott McBride, consultant with SEH, and Linda Heath of MnDOT. Mr. McBride reviewed the plan vision and implementation process. The vision includes a goal of an average speed of 55 mph through the corridor. He stated there are two preliminary plans for the Stillwater area: Plan A, eliminating the Oakgreen/Greeley access; Plan B, leaving the 3 existing traffic signals should a new bridge not be constructed. Ms. Heath reviewed the shared strategies, asking Stillwater to participate in the corridor management team, asking that the management plan be incorporated into the City's Comprehensive Plan and asking that the City adopt a resolution recognizing the significance of . the interregional highway corridor. 4 City of Stillwater • Planning Commission June 11, 2001 Mr. Zoller noted the biggest concern of the residents in the audience was eliminating the Greeley Street access. Mr. Fisher noted the plan is not cast in stone; additional studies will help determine the best alignment. Richard Kilty, 311 S. Fourth St., askedwhy the City was being asked to approve such a nebulous plan. Mr. Fisher responded that when the plan gets down to individual projects, that will open up a whole new approval process. Bill Bengsten, 719 S. Fourth St., provided a petition of some 76 signatures opposed to closing of the Greeley Street access and supporting the original MnDOT plan of closing the Osgood access, leaving Greeley open. Jeanne Anderson, 1104 S. Fourth Street, raised concerns, as she did in the letter that was part of the record, regarding safety issues, the historic character of the Third/Fourth streets neighborhood, the fact the MnDOT plan isn't in compliance with the transportation goals of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Ron Anderson, 216 W. Orleans St., said Greeley Street should never be closed because it provides needed access to Lakeview Hospital. • Mike Anderson, 1312 S. Fourth St., said he was a member of the committee that worked on the City's Comprehensive Plan. He said it would not be appropriate to endorse the corridor management plan until it addresses the key issue of what streets will get more traffic as a result of implementation. Jim Hainlen, 1206 S. Third St., suggested that perhaps the vision of the plan, the 55 mph goal, is flawed. And he said the City should not approve the management plan concept until solutions are more visible. David Reimer, 1202 S. Third St., suggested it would still be important for the City to be part of the management team. Also speaking against approval of the plan were Don Nolde, Third Street, and Dawn Rogness. Commission members were in consensus that more details need to be available, and that the City ought to be in the ongoing planning process. Members were in consensus that the Greeley Street access should not be closed. Mr. Zoller suggested that another issue for the City is that of plans for Manning Avenue. Mr. Russell suggested that there are some points the City could address in a resolution requested by MnDOT, points such as that a corridor management plan is needed and that the City needs to • be part of the plan study. It was agreed that Mr. Russell should bring a draft resolution back to City of Stillwater Planning Commission June 11, 2001 the Commission at the July meeting. Mr. Middleton, seconded by Mr. Teske, moved to table the issue until a draft resolution is available; motion passed unanimously. Other business: Church use of 1151 Parkwood Lane - Mr. Russell said Young Life is proposing purchase of a single-family residence at 1151 Parkwood Lane for use as meeting and office space, a use that is similar to the residence's current use by Bethany Covenant Church. Vern Hill, Young Life director, was present. Mr. Russell noted the church property and the 1151 Parkwood Lane residence currently are zoned Town House Residential where church use is not a permitted use. Mr. Russell recommended that the two parcels be rezoned to Single Family, where such use is permitted. Mr. Middleton, seconded by Mr. Gag, moved to recommend that the property be rezoned RA; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wald, seconded by Mr. Teske, moved to adjourn at 10:20 p.m. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, 40 Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 0 6