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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-15-R lt ,-ARQEN HILLS Approved: June 29, 2015 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 26, 2015 7:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:05 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung, and Robert Woodburn Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; City Attorney Joel Jamnik; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Assistant City Engineer John Anderson; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City Planner Ryan Streff; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; and City Clerk Amy Dietl PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Grant requested that Item 5E be removed from the Agenda. He noted this request was made by the applicant. Councilmember Holmes requested that Item 8B be moved to the Consent Agenda. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Katie Bach, 1861 West Highway 96, opposed the amendment to the PUD for the Holiday Stationstore. She reported that she sent a letter to the Planning Commission voicing this same opposition. She indicated that her letter was signed by 25 other residents living in her neighborhood. She commented that she sent an email to the Council and had attached pictures of the Holiday Stationstore for the Council to review. She encouraged the Council to understand that ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 2 the blue light at the Holiday Stationstore was extremely intense at this time. It was noted that Holiday was proposing to add 750 linear feet of additional blue lighting. For this reason, Ms. Bach recommended that the Council follow staff's recommendation and deny the PUD amendment request as she did not believe that the additional blue lights should be allowed for further branding of the Holiday Stationstore. Mike Loosbrock, 4535 Lake Shore Place, did not support the additional blue lighting at Holiday Stationstore. He reported that residents across the lake are able to see the blue lighting during the day and at night. He expressed concern with how the additional lighting would impact his neighborhood and recommended that the Council deny Holiday Stationstores' request. Glenn Beggin, 4519 Lake Shore Place, indicated that he could see the Holiday Stationstore from his house as well. He believed that the additional branding and blue lighting should not be allowed given the City's current sign ordinance. He recommended that the Council deny Holiday's PUD amendment. Tom Coffey, 1693 Wedgewood Circle, noted that he can see the Holiday Station lights all through the winter and spring months. He objected to additional blue lighting at the Holiday Stationstore. Dave Cmiel, 1861 West Highway 96, explained that he sent an email to Council. He discussed the original PUD for the Holiday Station noting that residents located more than 500 feet from the Holiday property were notified of the proposed changes. He questioned why residents located more than 500 feet from the Holiday property were not informed of the current PUD Amendment request. He recommended that the Council not allow additional blue lighting as it was clearly being used for advertising and branding by the Holiday Stationstore. 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP)Update Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that a presentation on the draft TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) and preliminary City Council approval of the TRC are scheduled for later in tonight's regular City Council meeting. B. Transportation Update Assistant City Engineer Anderson reported that beams for the bridge were set on the Highway 51/County Road E project. Work was progressing on the west ramp and should be open near the end of this week. He indicated that the bridge decking should begin being poured in several weeks. Assistant City Engineer Anderson stated that traffic control signs were being posted at the I- 35W/County Road 96 interchange. Ramps would be closed on June 1St to assist with channeling traffic onto the north side of the existing bridge. He indicated that the interchange would be closed for three weeks in June for soil corrections. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 3 Assistant City Engineer Anderson explained that Phase I of the County Road E project from Lexington Avenue to Highway 51 was complete. He commented that Phase II work would begin shortly. C. Spring Cleanup Day Update City Planner Streff stated that the Spring Cleanup Day event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It will be held at the Ramsey County Public Works Facility at 1425 Paul Kirkwood Drive. The event is co-sponsored by the cities of Arden Hills and Shoreview and open to residents of both cities. City Planner Streff indicated that residents who participate in the event will pay a nominal fee based on the vehicle type and load they bring to the event. Car loads will be charged $10, trucks, sports utility vehicles and vans will be charged $25, and trailers 8'x10' or smaller will be charged $35. Oversized loads and trailers over 8'x10' will be subject to additional charges. City Planner Streff reported that residents must remember to bring their ID and payment in the form of cash or check only. No credit cards will be accepted during this event. He explained that notice of the Spring Cleanup Day was included in both the April and May issues of the Arden Hills Notes, advertised on the City's website, placed on the TV Bulletin Board, and a flyer was mailed to every resident in the City. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 13, 2015, Special City Council Work Session B. April 20, 2015, City Council Work Session C. May 2, 2015, Special City Council Work Session MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to approve the April 13, 2015, special City Council work session minutes, the April 20, 2015, City Council work session minutes; and the May 2, 2015, special City Council work session minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve 2014 4th Quarter Financial Reports C. Motion to Approve 2015 1St Quarter Actuals D. Motion to Approve Planning Case 15-009 — CUP Amendment—Bethel University —3900 Bethel Drive E. Motion to Approve e Plann ng Case 15 010-- minor- Subdivision 3517 c;o,,,� Gouft F. Motion to Consider Quotes for Oak Avenue Storm Sewer Repair G. Motion to Approve Planning Case 15-012 — PUD Amendment— Caribou Coffee — 3673 Lexington Avenue N ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 4 MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended removing Item 5E and adding Item 5G, and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Case 15-008 — PUD Amendment — Holiday Station — 1920 Highway 96 West Associate Planner Bachler stated that in 2005, the City approved a Master PUD and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in Planning Case 05-013 for the development of a Holiday service station and convenience store at 1920 West Highway 96. A CUP was required for the proposed use of the property as a service station with convenience retail and car wash in the G-B - Gateway Business District. The site was developed through the PUD process and allowed the developer flexibility on parking lot setback requirements and the use of certain building materials in exchange for additional landscaping on the property and an overall superior building design. Associate Planner Bachler commented that Holiday Stationstores, Inc. has proposed to install accent lighting on the canopy and building of the existing service station and convenience store. The accent lighting would be comprised of individual LED lights contained within a 0.75 inch diameter translucent blue tube designed to diffuse and dim the lighting. The light fixtures would be placed along the entire length of the building roofline and along the top edge of the canopy. Associate Planner Bachler reviewed the Plan Review and explained that the Planning Commission has recommended two conditions that would require automatic dimmers to be installed to reduce the nighttime brightness of the proposed architectural accent lighting and the existing LED lights on the Holiday monument sign. Each dimmer would reduce the light output of the fixtures to 350 nits at night. As a point of comparison, Holiday recently recorded a reading of 1,113 nits for the blue LED lights on the monument sign. The applicant has agreed to these conditions and would work with staff on completing a test of the light fixtures after installation to ensure compliance. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that a nit measures luminance, or how bright a light fixture is at its source. The technical definition for this unit of measurement is one nit is equal to one candela per square meter. A common candle has a luminous intensity of approximately one candela. Currently, the City does not have standards in place for the permitted luminance of decorative accent lighting. The Zoning Code only regulates the illuminance of a light fixture, which is the amount of light falling onto a surface. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 5 Associate Planner Bachler stated that the nighttime requirement of 350 nits or less recommended by the Planning Commission was based on standards adopted by the City of Bloomington, Minnesota. Bloomington requires that unshielded decorative lighting on sites which are visible and within 500 feet of residential properties maintain a reading of no more than 350 nits during nighttime hours. This also corresponds with the recommendation of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA), which has determined 300-350 nits to be acceptable for nighttime brightness. Associate Planner Bachler reported that the Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 15- 008 at their regular meeting on May 6, 2015. The Planning Commission offers the following Findings of Fact for consideration: 1. The applicant has requested approval of a PUD Amendment for the property at 1920 West Highway 96. 2. A Master PUD was approved for 1920 West Highway 96 in Planning Case#05-013. 3. The applicant has requested an amendment to the PUD to install a single tube of LED illuminated architectural accents at the roofline of the canopy and building on the property. 4. The amendment would update the building and canopy elevations for the approved PUD. 5. Section 1240.02, Subd. 3 of the Sign Code does not permit service station canopies to be illuminated other than by lighting associated with approved signage. 6. The LED light fixtures would be contained within a plastic tube designed to dim and diffuse the lighting and would not further illuminate the canopy. 7. Section 1325.05, Subd. 3 of the Zoning Code states that direct glare shall not be directed at adjoining lots or public streets. 8. The plastic tube containing the LED light fixtures would dim and diffuse the light and reduce the overall intensity of the illumination. 9. The accent lighting would not result in visual discomfort or reduced visibility. 10. The proposed accent lighting would be in conformance with the requirements regarding exterior lighting within Section 1320.13 and Section 1325.05, Subd. 3 of the Zoning Code. 11. The proposal will not impact existing and anticipated traffic and parking conditions. 12. The proposal will not affect noise, odors, vibration, smoke, dust, air pollution, heat, liquid and solid waste on the property. 13. The proposal is not expected to create glare visible from adjoining public streets and residential areas to the east and north of the property. 14. The proposal will not affect drainage on the property. 15. The proposal will not affect the population density on the property. 16. The proposal is unlikely to significantly affect land values on the subject property or on neighboring properties. 17. The park dedication requirement does not apply in this case. 18. The proposal is in conformance with the City's 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Associate Planner Bachler stated that the Planning Commission unanimously recommends approval (5-0) of Planning Case 15-008 for a PUD Amendment at 1920 West Highway 96, based on the Findings of Fact and the submitted plans in the May 26, 2015, Report to the City Council, as amended by the following four conditions: ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 6 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. A PUD Amendment Agreement shall be drafted by the City Attorney and shall be executed prior to the issuance of an Electrical Permit for the installation of the LED accent lights. 3. An automatic dimmer module shall be installed to reduce the nighttime light output of the LED accent lights on the canopy and building to no more than 350 nits. 4. An automatic dimmer module shall be installed on the existing monument sign on the property to reduce the nighttime light output of the LED lights on the sign to no more than 350 nits. Mayor Grant thanked Associate Planner Bachler for his report. Mayor Grant questioned if the lighting request from Holiday was similar to the blue lighting seen on other Holiday Stationstores in the metro area. Associate Planner Bachler stated that this was the case and that the lighting was comparable. Councilmember Holden asked why staff referred to the recommendations made by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America as a point of reference. Associate Planner Bachler reported that the report completed by staff with the City of Bloomington referenced research completed by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) and that this study found that the 300 to 350 nits range was an acceptable level of brightness. Councilmember Holden requested further information on the amount of light that can fall onto adjacent streets. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that the City's Zoning Code requires that no more than 1 foot candle fall onto adjoining streets. Councilmember Holden inquired how the dimmer module would work. Associate Planner Bachler reported that the dimmer module would be on a timer. The lighting would be reduced at a set time each evening. It was noted that Holiday Stationstore had the equipment to test the nit levels and Holiday was willing to work with staff to ensure that the nighttime nit level was not above 350. Councilmember Woodburn asked what the wattage was on the proposed lighting units. Associate Planner Bachler reviewed the product details for the proposed blue lighting. Councilmember Holden requested further information from the applicant regarding the proposed LED timer/dimmer. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 7 Michael Cronin, representative of Holiday Stationstore, reported that the timer was a clock that calculated the sunrise and sunset on a daily basis. The timer would then automatically throw the switch on a daily basis to a prescribed nighttime level. He provided the Council with a visual of the switch. He noted that Holiday currently uses these timers on each of its pricing signs. Councilmember Holmes questioned why Mr. Cronin referred to the City of Bloomington's Sign Code. Mr. Cronin noted that he was a resident of Bloomington and believed that Bloomington had a forward-thinking Sign Code. It was his opinion that the proposed nit levels within the code were reasonable and he commented that the dimmer would assist in addressing the concerns from adjacent residents. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Woodburn seconded a motion to deny Planning Case 15-008 for a PUD Amendment at 1920 West Highway 96, based on the submitted plans and the 18 Findings of Fact from the May 6, 2015 Staff Report to the Planning Commission. Mayor Grant believed that the Planning Commission's recommendation did not ring true, that the proposed tubing around the blue lighting would assist in diffusing the light. He was in favor of the motion to deny on the grounds that the nuisance and visual effect from the blue LED lighting was beyond what the City should entertain. Councilmember Woodburn stated that the Holiday Stationstore lighting was concealed from the adjacent neighborhoods during the summer months. However, the lighting would be very visible when the leaves were off all deciduous trees. He believed that glare was an issue and was subjective. He discussed how the eye views lighting logarithmically. He was disturbed by the similar lighting being used by Burger King and Menards. Mayor Grant commented that Holiday was using the blue lighting as a visual marker for passing traffic. He questioned if this long-distance visual impact should become a burden on Arden Hills' residents. He expressed concern with the sharp contrast the blue lighting had in the evening hours. Councilmember Holmes wanted to see the Council support its local businesses. She understood that LED lighting was a new technology and would be properly controlled through the proposed dimmer and timer. She believed that the Council would be doing a disservice to a local business by not allowing the additional lighting. Councilmember Holden indicated that the Planning Commission dismissed staff s recommendation and supported the additional lighting. She was in favor of the Council reviewing the City's Sign Code further to find out what lighting levels would be acceptable. Councilmember McClung commented that he was in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday night. He believed that the dimmed Holiday lights still stood out rather prominently. He feared how adjacent Arden Hills residents would be impacted if additional blue LED lighting were ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 8 approved. He understood that the City would be receiving additional LED lighting requests and agreed that the City's Sign Code should be reviewed. Councilmember Holmes explained that the Findings of Fact presented at the Planning Commission meeting were drafted prior to the 350 nit recommendation. Associate Planner Bachler stated that this was the case, noting that staff had originally proposed reducing the lighting level to 60% during nighttime hours. The Planning Commission recommended that the required light output be revised to 350 nits or less. City Attorney Jamnik requested that the motion be modified to supplement the Findings of Fact referenced by the comments made by the Council in support of the motion. He recommended that the motion to deny be amended so that modified Findings of Fact can be prepared by staff and be brought back to the Council at its next meeting. Councilmember McClung and Councilmember Woodburn accepted staffs recommendation as a friendly amendment. The motion carried 4-1 (Holmes opposed). B. Planning Case 15-012 — PUD Amendment— Caribou Coffee — 3673 Lexington Avenue N This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Preliminary Approval of TCAAP Redevelopment Code Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that in November 2012, the City Council approved a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Ramsey County. As part of the JPA, the City agreed to complete a TCAAP Master Plan and an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). The AUAR was approved by the City Council in July 2014. The City Council approved the Master Plan land use map in June 2014, and has been working on the regulations and policies component of the Master Plan (the "TRC") since August 2014. Staff provided a brief overview of the TRC with the Council. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that the City has completed its work on the TRC and would like the community to have ample time to review the document prior to the public hearings tentatively scheduled for July 8, 2015. Preliminary approval tonight will allow staff to prepare for the public hearings and to draft the Comprehensive Plan Amendment(CPA) as required by Minnesota Statutes. Staff provided a presentation on the planning process, key elements of the TRC, and the tentative approval and construction schedule. It was noted that the draft TRC was posted on the City's website with a link from the home page to allow convenient public review of the document. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 9 Community Development Director Hutmacher requested that the Council grant preliminary approval of the TCAAP Redevelopment Code pending public hearings and Met Council approval; authorize staff to prepare a draft Comprehensive Plan Amendment; and authorize staff to prepare for public hearings. Mayor Grant thanked Community Development Director Hutmacher for her presentation and asked the Council if they had any questions. Councilmember Holden stated that she did not believe that every intersection within the Gateway Overlay District should be required to have a turret, copula, or rotunda. She requested further information on how staff would define cornice edging. Associate Planner Bachler reviewed several photos and discussed how staff would define cornice edging along a building fagade. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that the TRC included architectural features at each intersection within the Gateway Overlay District. These features did not necessarily have to add to overall building height. She reported that decorative cornices could be added to the list of approved architectural items. Councilmember Holden asked what amount of land acreage would be used for residential development. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that approximately 151 acres are available for residential development, and that this number has continued to evolve after the Spine Road shifted and park space has moved. She stated that once TCAAP was platted, the City would have precise numbers for each of the areas. Councilmember Holden indicated that she attended the Ramsey County Board meeting today. She questioned what the benefit would be to increase the density as high as possible. Councilmember Woodburn stated that he had the same question. Mayor Grant stated that he did not have an understanding as to why the County was pushing for a higher density development than what the City was considering. He understood that high- quality jobs, development amenities, and various other factors were also concerns to the County. Councilmember Holmes expressed confusion and wondered why the County needed 1,600 residential units on TCAAP with a density of 10 to 15 units per acre. She believed that based on the handout provided by the County, the proposed numbers would assist the County in reaching their metrics. Councilmember Holden reported that the metrics were a new development from the County. Mayor Grant understood the metrics were new to the County Commissioners. He commented that the return on investment metric was a higher priority to some Commissioners than others. It appeared to him that the County had not discussed the metrics. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 10 City Administrator Klaers stated that he believed that the Mayor's presentation to the County Board on the City's proposal for TCAAP was very well-received. Councilmember Holden commented that she would like to decrease the maximum density within the NB-3 Zoning District from 8 units per acre to 6.75. She was in favor of approving a 95% efficiency for future TCAAP developments. Councilmember Holden stated that she was concerned with how the City would meet the County's 20% affordable housing requirement. She questioned how this goal would be met unless the City was to offer TIF. Mayor Grant understood that the County believed "there was lots of money out there" to assist with subsidizing affordable housing projects. Mayor Grant questioned how the density within the TCAAP neighborhoods was calculated. Community Development Director Hutmacher reviewed how staff had calculated the density, noting that it was a gross acres net of parks, regional stormwater infrastructure, and arterial roads. She reported that the neighborhood streets were included in the calculation. Councilmember Holmes inquired if the Council had to approve the 95% efficiency requirement when the density levels had already been set. Community Development Director Hutmacher clarified that staff was responding to a request made by Councilmember Holden with regard to the 95% efficiency requirement. This led to the proposed density decrease in the NB-3 Zoning District. Councilmember Holmes believed that this was a waste of time and that the slight reduction of 40 units was not worth additional Council discussion. Councilmember Holden commented that it was important to her because without the adjustment, the Council would be locked into 1,476 units on TCAAP instead of 1,431. Mayor Grant added that it may be to the advantage of future developers to have slightly larger lots, but noted that there were still a large number of 50-foot lots. He supported Councilmember Holden's proposed change. Councilmember Holden asked what kind of deviations within the land use plan would be reviewed by the City. City Attorney Jamnik advised that the Council reserve the authority to review significant deviations from the adopted plan. He discussed Section 3.3 within the TRC and commented that the Regulating Plan Map and TRC were to be approved by the Council. He explained that because this framework exists, any significant deviations from the original plans should be reviewed by the City Council. He reviewed language that he had drafted last week that speaks to this matter noting that it would be written into the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. This would ensure that the Council would be able to review any large-scale deviations. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 11 Councilmember Holden feared that everything would be coming back to the City for review. City Attorney Jamnik reported that if a developer devised plans that fell within the guidelines designed by the City, the Council would not be required to review the plans. Only if the developer goes outside of the lines would the Council be required to review the proposed plans. Councilmember Holden questioned when the final size of each sub-district within TCAAP would be set. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that this would be completed when the site was platted by the County. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to grant preliminary approval of the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) pending public hearings and Metropolitan Council approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Woodburn second a motion amending the density within the NB-3 Zoning District be reduced to a maximum density of 6.75 units per acre. Councilmember Holden believed that this was a valuable amendment as it would require the 95% efficiency. She reviewed the location of the proposed change within the TRC. The amendment carried 3-2 (Holmes and McClung opposed). Councilmember Holden thanked staff for all of their work on the TRC over the past nine months. Mayor Grant agreed stating that he appreciated the efforts of the entire Planning staff. Councilmember Holmes asked if approval of the preliminary TRC required a 4/5's vote. Community Development Director Hutmacher commented that the preliminary approval required only a 3/5's vote. The amended motion carried 3-2 (McClung and Woodburn opposed). MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to authorize staff to prepare the draft Comprehensive Plan Amendment. The motion carried unanimously 4-1 (McClung opposed). MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to authorize staff to prepare for public hearings. The motion carried unanimously 4-1 (McClung opposed). 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 12 Councilmember Holden asked if staff had an update on Round Lake. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that she did not have new information on Round Lake and would request an update from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Councilmember McClung indicated that he supported the development of TCAAP,just not as it has been drafted within the TRC. Mayor Grant reported that he drove down Round Lake Road this weekend and the quality of the pavement surface was noticeably improved. Mayor Grant explained that he provided the County Board with a short presentation on TCAAP and the TRC today. He thanked the County Board for their time. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayo Grant adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 9:33 p.m. Amy Dietl David Grant City Clerk Mayor