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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-09 CPC MINCity of Stillwater Planning Commission February 9, 2004 Present: Robert Gag, Chairperson, Mike Dahlquist, David Junker, David Middleton, David Peroceschi, Paul Teske and Jerry Turnquist Others: Steve Russell, Community Development Director Absent: Karl Ranum and Darwin Wald Mr. Gag called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr. Middleton, moved approval of the minutes of January 12, 2004. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. SUP/04-03 A special use permit for a gymnastics facility at 1900 Tower Dr. in the BP- O, Business Park Office District. Bart Roskoski, applicant. The applicant and Mike Kennedy, property owner, were present. Mr. Junker asked whether the facility would be open on Sundays. Mr. Roskoski said the business will be open Sundays, except during the summer months. The applicant said he was aware of the • conditions of approval. Regarding the condition for a long-term contract for off-site parking, Mr. Kennedy said they are working with Heritage Printing to meet that condition. Mr. Teske, seconded by Mr. Turnquist, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. SUP/04-05 A special use permit for Liberty Village retail/office condos located at County Road 15 in the VC, Village Commercial District. Contractor Properties Developers, applicant. Case No. SUP-F/04-08 Final PUD approval for Liberty Village 2nd Addition combining Lots 2 and 3, Block 1, into one lot, Lot 1, Block 1, 2nd Addition located at CR15 in the VC, Village Commercial District. Contractor Properties Developers, applicant. Present were Matt Alexander, representing the developer, and Nathaniel Shea, architect. Robert Kroening, 12480 72nd St., noted that Case No. SUP-F/04-08 combines lots 2 and 3, rather than lots 1 and 2 as indicated on the meeting agenda. Mr. Kroening expressed concerns regarding the building fagade, building materials, signage and landscaping. Another member of the audience, who did not provide his name or address, asked wether there had been any study of the possible increase of traffic on 72nd Street/Interlachen. 1 City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 9, 2004 Mr. Shea then reviewed the design schematics in detail. He reviewed the design elements intended to give the look of a New England mixed use village center. He reviewed possible locations for signage, as well as the proposed font style. The previously proposed monument sign has been eliminated. Lighting will be the same as used at the adjacent bank. The landscaping is the same as previously approved other than the use of lower level evergreens on the west side of the site. He noted that the architectural review committee for the Liberty development has reviewed and approved the final documents. Much of the Commission's discussion centered on parking. Mr. Alexander noted that there is a covenant which provides for shared parking. With the spaces at the adjacent bank and gas station, as well as the park, along with the on-site spaces (57), the developer meets the required 74 spaces. Mr. Russell expressed a concern about the correspondence from Mondo Management indicating the possibility of a caf6 restaurant with beer/wine. Mr. Russell said that type of usage increases parking needs. A representative of the management company was present and indicated that if beer/wine is not an allowed use that would not present a problem. The management company representative indicated that the possible anchor tenant is a bakery/coffee shop with a very limited menu. During discussion, it was noted that the original PUD has retail as an allowable use. Mr. • Dahlquist and Mr. Teske suggested restricting to the applicant to the original allowable use and then letting staff and the applicant work out the definition of "retail." Mr. Middleton moved approval of Case No.SUP/04-05 with the 18 recommended conditions of approval, with the additional condition that the developer comply with the original PUD. Mr. Dahlquist seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Middleton, seconded by Mr. Turnquist, moved approval of SUB-F/04-08. Motion passed unimously. Case No. PUD-F/04-06 Final PUD approval for Terra Springs, Building 4, a four-level, 36-unit condominium at 640 N. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District. J. Buxell Architects, applicant. Mr. Buxell and Matt Brinza were present. Mr. Buxell reviewed design plans. He said initially Building 4 was three stories, now it is partially four-stories high. The proposal is to preserve the eastern wall of the original warehouse structure; the other walls were compromised in the fire, he said. There was a question about the height of the building. Mr. Buxell said the average height is 49' 11", just under the 50' allowable. The tallest part of the building is the tower portion which is 68' to the tip of the tower. • 2 City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 9, 2004 Fred Bassett, 1002 N. First St., said the development is destroying his view of the river. No other comments were received from the public. Mr. Buxell asked about condition of approval No. 2 regarding the requirement to set aside four on-site parking spaces for owner parking. He noted that 68 spaces are provided within the building. He said if owner parking is a problem, commercial parking would be limited. Mr. Buxell said he would prefer to see what evolves regarding parking issues, rather than sign designated spaces at this time. Regarding the condition that the central green and trails on Lot 4 be constructed before Building 4 occupancy, Mr. Buxell said a portion of the green area may be used as a staging area for Building 3 construction. He said he was unsure of the status of that possibility at this time. Mr. Middleton asked about rooftop mechanicals. Mr. Buxell said mechanicals would be inside the building. Mr. Turnquist moved approval as conditioned, changing the wording of condition No. 2 to "four on-site parking spaces shall be set aside as needed for required owner parking." Mr. Middleton seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. V/04-07 A variance to the street side yard setback (30 feet required, 8 feet requested) for construction of a 432 square-foot, 1 %2 story addition at 1521 W. Olive St. in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Kirk Roetman, applicant. Mr. Roetman was present. He stated the plans are to remove an existing addition and deck. The new structure will not extend out any farther than the existing structure. Mr. Teske, seconded by Mr. Junker, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. SUP/04-09 A special use permit for retain/take-out area, office area, kitchen production, storage and distribution space at 1931 Curve Crest Blvd. in the BP-O, Business Park Office District. Tasteful Thymes Company, Donna Tarras, applicant. Ms. Tarras said after further exploring the two options listed in her application, she found that Option A would not be feasible. She noted that most of her retail business is take-out. Mr. Turnquist stated he was pleased Ms. Tarras is able to relocate her business in Stillwater and moved for approval as conditioned. Mr. Teske seconded the motion. Mr. Middleton said it should be clarified that approval is for Option B. Motion for approval of Option B as conditioned passed unanimously. 10 Other items 3 City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 9, 2004 Boutwell Area Transportation Study - Mr. Russell referred to the memo summarizing the Commission's recommendations which will be forwarded to the City Council. Mr. Gag went through the 10 recommendations. Most of the discussion centered on recommendation 2. Mr. Middleton said he did not recall the Commission agreeing to designate Neal Avenue as a "collector" street. Mr. Gag also expressed a concern about that designation. Joe Lux, Washington County, was present for the discussion. Several Commissioners noted that by definition, every street could be called a "collector" street. After discussion, it was agreed to change the wording of No. 2 to: Connect Neal Avenue from Boutwell Road at the existing County Road 12 at Northland Avenue. Regarding recommendation No. 6, improvements to and possible "calming measures" on Deerpath, Mr. Turnquist noted the Commission felt Deerpath should definitely be widened and that improvement should not be dependent on state aid. Regarding recommendation No. 7, sidewalks on one side of Brick Street, Mr. Russell noted that is because Brick is part of the city's trail system. Mr. Peroceschi introduced a proposed resolution stating that "under no circumstances should any . of the `traffic calming' efforts involve restricting egress or ingress on any streets." After discussion, it was the consensus that while the "message is good," the doors should be left open for possible solutions. No action was taken on the resolution. Mr. Dahlquist said he would like the recommendations forwarded to the City Council to include a general discussion of the Commission's goals - providing a north/south connection, for example. Mr. Russell said he would work with Chairman Gag in developing an introductory statement for the Council. Mr. Turnquist, seconded by Mr. Teske, moved to approve the 10 recommendations, changing No. 2 by eliminating the designation of Neal Avenue as a collector street and correcting several typos pointed out in the discussion. Motion passed unanimously. Downtown Streetscape Enhancement Study - Mr. Russell noted the Streetscape Enhancement Study basically provides details for implementation of the Downtown Plan update. Robert Lane of Lane Design Group, Mahtomedi, outlined the proposed study work plan and aspects the study will cover - retail, architecture, historic character and landscape. Mr. Middleton said the current appearance of Water Street is of concern. Mr. Peroceschi questioned why parking lots "get the best view." Mr. Russell noted that if the use of the lift bridge changes and the bridge is not open to traffic, that will present opportunities for Main Street. Mr. Junker and Mr. Teske both commented that a key will be the perceived value of the 4 • C? • City of Stillwater Planning Commission February 9, 2004 study/recommendations and whether the downtown community "buys into" the study/recommendations. Bed & Breakfast yearly review - Planner Sue Fitzgerald provided the yearly B & B review. She said it has been a good year, with few complaints. She said here has only been one complaint, that of the noise issue with Rivertown Inn. She noted that, according to Washington County, none of the B & Bs have had major problems with their kitchens. She also noted that the Rivertown Inn is not considered a B & B by the county because of the number of its rooms. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 5