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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-13 PC Minutes Approved: September 4, 2013 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013 6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Clayton Larson called to order the regular Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Chair Clayton Larson, Commissioners, Andrew Holewa, Janet Stodola (Alternate), and Roberta Thompson. Absent: Commissioners Angela Hames, Samuel Scott, and Clayton Zimmerman. Also present were: Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler; Councilmember Dave McClung; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; and City Planner Ryan Streff. APPROVAL OF AGENDA JULY 10, 2013 Chair Larson stated the agenda will stand as published. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 19, 2013 Planning Commission Special Meeting Commissioner Thompson moved, seconded by Commissioner Holewa, to approve the June 19, 2013, Planning Commission Special Meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). PLANNING CASES A.Planning Case 13-010; PUD Amendment, Walgreens; 3585 Lexington Avenue North Public Hearing Community Development Intern Bachler stated the applicant has requested a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment to include an additional 97.6 square feet of wall signage on the exterior of the building located at 3585 Lexington Avenue North. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 10, 20132 Background Community Development Intern Bachler explained that on July 13, 2009, the City Council approved Planning Case 09-011 for a Master PUD and Final PUD for Phase One of the Arden Plaza Redevelopment Proposal. Phase One of the development included the property at 3585 Lexington Avenue North where the Walgreens store is located. A sign plan for the site was included in the PUD agreement. At the time of approval, the Walgreens store was permitted up to 99 square feet of wall signage. on the east also been installed on these facades above the entry doorways located at the southeast corner of the building. Community Development Intern Bachler indicated the applicant has expressed concerns about the visibility of the Walgreens store from County Road E. Because the primary store entrance and and the Arden Plaza shopping center, the use of the building is not readily apparent to drivers travelling on County Road E. By adding wall signage to the back side of the building, the applicant is hoping to increase commercial activity at the store. Community Development Intern Bachler stated the applicant is requesting an additional 97.6 square feet of wall signage for the exterior of the building. This total would be divided between installed on the building to mirror the existing wall signs, with the two larger signs placed on the middle portion of the north and west building walls and the smaller signs located at the corner where the north and west walls meet. Site Data Future Land Use Plan: Community Mixed Use Existing Land Use: Commercial Zoning: B-2 Current Lot Sizes: 1.76 Acres Topography: Level Community Development Intern Bachler reviewed the surrounding area and the Plan Evaluation. 1. Chapter 12 - Sign Code: Section 1240.02 Permitted Sign Type, Area, Height, and Illumination by Sign District Wall Signage Sign District 5 Lexington 3585 Lexington 3585 Lexington South of 694 Avenue Avenue (Permitted) (Existing) (Proposed) Total sign copy area 80 SF 97.6 SF 195.2 SF The property at 3585 Lexington Avenue North is located in Sign District 5. For developments not in a PUD, a typical property would be permitted up to 80 square feet of wall signage. As ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 10, 20133 mentioned previously, the PUD agreement for the site allowed the property up to 99 square feet of wall signage. Currently 97.6 square feet of wall signage is installed on the building. The applicant has requested an additional 97.6 square feet of wall signage, which would bring the total wall sign copy area on the building to 195.2 square feet. This number represents an additional 115.2 square feet than what is permitted by the Sign Code. 2. Chapter 12 - Sign Code: Section 1260.01 Sign Standard Adjustment Section 1260.01 of the Sign Code permits adjustments to sign height, number, type, lighting, area, and/or location through the site plan review process if criteria number 1 or 2 is met and the required criteria number 3 is met. The criteria are as follows: 1.There are site conditions which require a sign adjustment to allow the sign to be reasonably visible from a street immediately adjacent to the site; or, 2.The sign adjustment will allow a sign of exceptional design or a style that will enhance the area or that is more consistent with the architecture and design of the site; and, 3.The sign adjustment will not result in a sign that is inconsistent with the purpose of the zoning district in which the property is located or the current land use. While the above criteria are not directly referenced for a PUD Amendment request to add signage to a property, they do provide guidance for evaluating these types of applications. The PUD process itself permits the City to be flexible with signage standards depending on the needs of a particular use. In this case, criteria one and three are most applicable. 3. Chapter 13 Zoning Code: 1325.05, Subd. 8 Additional Design Standards for New Development Redevelopment, and Modifications to Existing Sites in the B2 and B3 Districts Section 1325.05, Subd. 8 of the Zoning Code establishes design standards for the business districts of Arden Hills. The standards in this section are only applicable to the building or site components being developed or altered. In this case, the specific guidelines on signs are pertinent: 1. Business signs shall be architecturally compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors and details of the building and should be an integral part of the building. Signs shall be incorporated into the facades of the building rather than extending past the roof line and should not project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the plane of the facades. Retail business wall signs shall be located in a position above the front window that is located consistently among stores. 2. All other provisions in Chapter 12, Sign Code, shall apply. The proposed signage in the plan meets the requirements contained in Section 1325.05, Subd. 8 of the Zoning Code. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 10, 20134 Community Development Intern Bachler provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1.The Walgreens building was approved by the City on July 13, 2009 as part of Phase One of the Arden Plaza Redevelopment Proposal in Planning Case 09-011. 2.The original Planned Unit Development was approved for 99 square feet of wall signage on the property. 3.An amendment to the PUD permit is required for additional wall signage. 4.The applicant is proposing 97.6 square feet of additional wall signage for the property. 5.The proposed PUD Amendment is in considerable conformance with the requirements of 6. Zoning Code. 7.Where the requested by the applicant due to site conditions unique to the property at 3585 Lexington Avenue North. 8.s regulation through a negotiated process with a developer. 9.The proposed signage would not have a negative impact on adjacent properties or the City as a whole. Community Development Intern Bachler stated based on the submitted plans and findings of fact, Staff recommends approval of Planning Case 13-010 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment at 3585 Lexington Avenue North. Staff recommends the following five conditions be included with the approval: 1.The project shall be completed in accordance with the plans submitted as amended by the conditions of approval. Any significant changes to these plans, as determined by the City Planner, shall require review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. 2.The 97.6 square feet of wall signage shall be divided between two wall signs measuring 40.2 square feet and 8.6 square feet to be located on the north building wall, and two wall signs measuring 40.2 square feet and 8.6 square feet to be located on the west building wall. 3.Wall signs shall be comprised of individual cut letters and shall not extend more than twelve (12) inches from the wall they are attached to. 4.The applicant shall apply for a sign permit prior to installation of the signs. 5.plicant shall provide fully executed revised development agreements pertaining to the property at 3585 Lexington Avenue. Community Development Intern Bachler reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on this matter: 1.Recommend Approval with Conditions 2.Recommend Approval as Submitted 3.Recommend Denial 4.Table Chair Larson opened the floor to Commissioner comments. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 10, 20135 Chair Larson commented the applicant was requesting double the amount of allowable signage, however, the elevations of the building do show a need for the proposed signage. He indicated the orientation of the building away from the street was also causing the need for additional signage. Commissioner Holewa questioned why the monument sign was being used to advertise the use of the property instead of a wall signage on the north building wall. Dustin Cressen, Walgreens Manager, stated the original intention was to provide branding signs, but after receiving several customer complaints a day, he was now requesting additional signage to assist with advertising the use of the property. Commissioner Stodola asked if the proposed signs could be more diverse. Mr. Cressen commented it would be his preference to have all four signs uniform in design. Chair Larson opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Chair Larson invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comment Chair Larson closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. Commissioner Thompson supported the uniformity of the proposed signage. She commented the additional signage would invite people in to Walgreens in a more pleasing manner. She sign size. Commissioner Holewa moved and Commissioner Thompson seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 13-010 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment at 3585 Lexington Avenue based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the five conditions in the July 10, 2013, report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). REPORTS A.TCAAP Update Community Development Director Hutmacher reported several buildings on the TCAAP site have already been demolished. All buildings, with the exception of Building 502, will be demolished prior to the end of this year. Carl Bolander & Sons will recycle the majority of the construction debris. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated City and County staff have been meeting regularly with interested brokers and developers to provide information on the project timeline and master planning process. Initial developer feedback has been very positive regarding the and the collaboration between the City and County. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 10, 20136 Community Development Director Hutmacher noted in July, the master planning project management team will be holding one-on-one interviews with several developers to gather insight on the challenges and opportunities of working with a public agency; how the master plan can influence private development decisions; and specific features that may make the TCAAP site more appealing for private investment. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that on June 10, 2013, the City Council approved the Public I planning two public involvement events. Development Panel and Engagement Workshop Community Development Director Hutmacher reported the first TCAAP public involvement event will be held on Tuesday, July 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Marsden Conference Room, Ramsey County Public Works Facility. The event will begin with a panel discussion followed by a question and answer period. Following the panel discussion, small break-out groups will hold facilitated discussion on the following topics: Transportation and Access Commercial and Residential Development Active and Passive Open Space Energy and Sustainability This is a public event, but RSVPs are required so that the City can adequately plan for the number of tables, facilitators, and note takers that will be needed for the break-out groups. A and announcements are being made at City Council meetings. two-hour time period. Public Open House Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated the first open house event has been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Marsden Conference Room. may arrive at any time that is convenient for them. Additional details on this event will be available in August. TCAAP Public Hearings Community Development Director Hutmacher stated in addition to the July 30 and September 17 public events, the City Council will hold a public hearing on TCAAP at the first Council meeting of every month. Residents are invited to attend the public hearings to offer their thoughts and opinions on the TCAAP development. Commissioner Holewa questioned how the Planning Commission would be involved in the TCAAP planning process. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated at this time the consultants were gathering facts and public comments. Later this fall, further direction will be needed from the Planning Commission. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 10, 20137 B.Report from the City Council Councilmember McClung updated the Planning Commission on City Council activities including approval of the Public Involvement Plan for the TCAAP Master Planning Process at the June 10, 2013 City Council Meeting. The Plan outlines the roles and responsibilities of City staff, the JDA, County, and City Council; the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes of the public involvement process; public involvement techniques; and project schedules. June 24, 2013, City Council Meeting The City Council voted to approve Planning Case 13-008 for a Zoning Code Amendment and Conditional Use Permit to allow a higher education use as a tenant in the office building at 2 Pine Tree Drive. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this case at their June 5, 2013 meeting. The City Council also voted to approve Planning Case 13-009 for a PUD Amendment at 1201 County Road to permit a site-wide sign plan for the property. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this case at their June 5, 2013 meeting. Councilmember McClung thanked Community Development Intern Bachler for his dedicated service and assistance to the City of Arden Hills. Community Development Director Hutmacher introduced Ryan Streff to the Planning Commission explaining he was hired as the new City Planner. Ryan Streff introduced himself to the Commission stating he was looking forward to the exciting planning activities that would be taking place in Arden Hills. The Commission welcomed him to the City. C.Planning Commission Comments and Requests None. ADJOURN Commissioner Holewa moved, seconded by Commissioner Stodola, to adjourn the July 10, 2013, Planning Commission Meeting at 7:06 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (4-0).