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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-31-11-WS --AVEN HILLS Approved: February 28, 2011 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING JANUARY 31,2011. 5:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDERIROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the City Council Work Session meeting at 5:30 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Fran Holmes and Ed Werner, Absent: Councilmember Brenda Holden(excused). Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; City Planner Meagan Beekman; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson; City Attorney Jerry Filla; and Arden Hills citizen Nick Tamble. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a motion to-approve the meeting aLFenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (3-0). 1. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS There were no comments or requests at this time. 2. AGENDA ITEMS A. Planning Case 11-004 — Pulte Group Development Concept Planned Unit Development Review City Planner Beekman presented the City Council with information on the Pulte Group Development Concept Planned Unit Development for the property at 4500 Snelling Avenue North, which is 23 acres in size. Staff indicated the Pulte Group has submitted two development options and is requesting feedback on the proposed options and direction on which option is preferred by the Council. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 31, 2011 2 2,,4 Planning Case 11-004 — Pulte Group Development Concept Planned Unit Development Review (continued) City Planner Beekman explained the site is currently zoned R-1, Single Family Residential. The 2030 future land use designation for the property in the City's Comprehensive Plan is Low Density Residential (LDR). She further reviewed the Zoning Code requirements for R-1 property in the City, and that the minimum lot size was 14,000 square feet with a maximum allowed density of three units per net acre. She explained that this conflicted with the Comprehensive Plan requirements that defined LDR as three to five units per net acre, and that it would not be possible for a development to meet both the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan requirements. If the applicant were to develop the property according to the City's subdivision and zoning ordinances, they would need a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) to allow less than three units per acre. Similarly, if the applicant developed the property in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan at greater than three units per acre, a Planned Unit Development (PUD) would be required to waive the Zoning Code requirements of lot size, setbacks, and density. Discussion ensued regarding the Zoning and Comprehensive Plan requirements. Mayor Grant commented that a developer could build less than three units per acre which would comply with the zoning code, but would not comply with the Comprehensive Plan. This development would require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. City Planner Beekman stated this was the case and the CPA would have to be approved by the Met Council. Another option would be to create an Overlay District or Planned Unit Development {PUD). She then reviewed each concept in detail explaining both would require park dedication and a four-fifths vote for Council approval. Staff then questioned how the Council would like to proceed. The developer was present for questions. Councilmember Holmes questioned what points the City could negotiate with the developer regarding trees. City Planner Beekman understood there would be significant tree loss through this development, but the City could establish buffer zones where trees would have to be protected. With a PUD, the City has the opportunity to provide additional conditions for approval. This opportunity would not exist with a development that meets all of the City's zoning requirements. Easements could also be placed on the parcel that would limit development and further protect trees, but only through a PUD process. Councilmember Holmes asked for further information on the side yard setbacks. City Planner Beekman indicated the side yard setbacks would be similar to the R-1 zoning district. She noted the plan set provided was not at a scale to allow measurement of setbacks for the proposed development. The front and rear setbacks were proposed at 30 feet for the concept that required a PUD. Mayor Grant questioned if the proposed development would be similar to the Chatham neighborhood in terms of setbacks. City Planner Beekman noted the density, setbacks and lot size would be similar. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 31, 2011 3 2.A Planning Case 11-004 — Pulte Group Development Concept Planned Unit Development Review (continued) City Administrator Klaers commented a PUD for this development would allow the City more flexibility through the development process. City Planner Beekman added that a PUD would also allow for easements and buffers. Mayor Grant questioned if there was a financial difference in the number of lots sold between Options I and 2. Ian Peterson, Pulte Homes, explained there would be a price difference between Option I and Option 2 as one would also for increased density, while the other would provide for larger lots. He indicated he would continue to be in conversation with local realtors on this issue. Further discussion ensued regarding the lot size differences between the two options. Councilmember Holmes asked how the Rice Creek Watershed District responded to the plan with no wetland setbacks. Mr. Peterson stated this has not been discussed with the Rice Creek Watershed District to date. Mayor Grant requested further feedback from the Council and questioned how the developer should proceed with this development. He understood that the PUD would provide for a give and take relationship between the City and the developer. Councilmember Holmes expressed concern that the roadway within the development was too close to some existing homes. City PIanner Beekman stated the roadways shown on the development were the entire right-of- way. The roadway would sit in the middle of this right-of-way, with a 24 to 30 foot road. The Public Works Department and Fire Department would review the plans before a road width was determined. - Mayor Grant stated he was in favor of the plan in terms of the roadway layout and three suggested connections. From a design perspective, he favored the PUD style development as this would offer the City greater flexibility. Councilmember Werner stated his preference was the lower density option. Nick Tamble indicated he would be in favor of lower density as well. He liked the idea of future homeowners being able to retain trees. Councilmember Holmes noted she would prefer the lower density with wetland setbacks and tree preservation areas. Councilmember Werner expressed concern about the existing home and its proximity to the new roadway. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 31, 2011 4 Mayor Grant summarized that the Council was more in favor of the 39 home plan option. City Planner Beckman reviewed the development timeline noting the plans would be reviewed by the Planning Commission next week, and that the developer had a community meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 8. B. Hazelnut Park Acquisition Jill Hutmacher presented the City Council with information on the proposed purchase of property adjacent to Hazelnut Park from Trinity Church. She indicated the Council did recommend approval of the 70,000 square feet of land at $3.00 per square foot. A draft purchase agreement was created but has not been reviewed by Trinity Church. In the past, the City has been using the property at no cost but has been contributing $1,000 per year to the church to assist with snow plowing of the parking lot. The purchase of the property would give the City the right to the property and the joint agreement would give the City the right to the parking should the Church change ownership. Ms. Hutmacher stated the original request for 70,000 square feet was increased to 71,474 square feet to accommodate the soccer field. This would increase in the purchase price by approximately $4,400. She questioned how the Council would like to proceed with the land acquisition. Mayor Grant requested the City proceed with the purchase of the parcel as it was in the City's best interest. Councilmember Holmes asked if the City will own a portion of the parking lot. Mayor Grant indicated the City would not take ownership of the parking lot, but only the park land. Nick Tamble questioned if the City would continue to pay for parking lot maintenance and snow plowing. - Ms. Hutmacher explained this would have to be negotiated with Trinity Church at a later date. There was no opposition to the purchase of the parcel. Councilmember Holmes expressed no objection to the purchase agreement. Mayor Grant directed staff to proceed with the land acquisition. UPDATES City Administrator Klaers indicated the Public Works Director received an update on Hamline Avenue. This roadway has been reclassified to Class A which would assist the County with receiving additional funding in the future. Staff was in favor of the reclassification. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 31, 2011 5 City Administrator Klaers stated State Senator Barb Goodwin's office called the City today and requested a meeting with the City on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol. City Staff and Council were invited to attend to discuss I-694 and Snelling Avenue in further detail. He noted MnDOT and County representatives would be at the meeting as well. Councilmember Holmes noted she would be available that afternoon to attend the meeting. Mayor Grant stated he was unavailable. He suggested that Councilmember Holden be contacted to see if she can attend as she was up to speed on this issue. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session meeting at 6.50 p.m. 4-a C�2 Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor