Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-17-WS,.It ,-ARZEN HILLS Approved: April 10, 2017 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 20, 2017 5:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council Work Session at 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung and Steve Scott Absent: None Also present: City Administrator William Joynes, Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson, Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka, Senior Planner Matthew Bachler, Interim City Planner Eric Zweber, Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba, Public Works Superintendent Jeff Frid, Grand Real Estate Advisors Developer Judd Fenlon, Lyngblomsten Representative Patricia Montgomery, Wold Architects and Engineers Tuann Johnson and Rick Moore, North Heights Church President John Oldfield and Planning Commissioner Steve Jones 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. NORTH HEIGHTS LUTHERAN AND LYNGBLOMSTEN CONCEPT 14,11 OLIVA 1 D►�.�/ Interim City Planner Eric Zweber discussed the site plan and a number of slides depicting the proposed project. The project would consist of independent living, assisted living and memory/enhanced/skilled nursing care. He noted the trail where fire equipment could be driven as well as other trails and parking. Lyngblomsten would most likely request a rezoning to R-4. Interim City Planner Zweber reviewed the table of R-4 standards versus the proposed project. The Lyngblomsten plans would require six different requests: Comprehensive Plan Amendment from P/I — Public & Institutional to HDR - High Density Residential, Rezoning from R-1- Single Family Residential District to R-4 — Multiple Dwelling District, Conditional Use Permit for a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Use, Planned Unit Development for Performance Standards Increases (at least height and density), Preliminary Plat and Final Plat. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 20, 2017 2 Grand Real Estate Advisors Developer Judd Fenlon noted Lyngblomsten is proposing using an approximate 6.5 acre parcel with 200 total units. They are looking toward a Spring 2018 opening. Lyngblomsten Representative Patricia Montgomery gave a verbal presentation on Lyngblomsten's history, services offered and anticipation of needs in the Arden Hills area. North Heights Church President John Oldfield stated that a goal of the church has been to provide long term housing and assisted living for their members. They feel the Lyngblomsten proposal will meet those needs. Mr. Fenlon discussed a market analysis that was done of Arden Hills and surrounding area, supporting the need for senior housing. Wold Architects and Engineers' Rick Moore spoke about maintaining the natural aspects of the site and being in a location adjacent to the church for potential shared activities. The west side of the property is the flattest and has the least trees so that is where they propose to build the project. Tuann Johnson noted the color scheme of the structure. She mentioned they would like to build a trail connecting to Royal Hills Park. Mr. Fenlon stated that he feels they can be competive in price points and packages they offer compared to the rest of the market. Mayor Grant asked if the property was ever zoned multi -family. Councilmember McClung stated that nothing other than a hostel has ever been proposed as residential for the property. Councilmember McClung questioned the demand analysis, wondering if the analysis took any of the properties currently being developed into account and if it took any of the TCAAP development into consideration. Mr. Fenlon replied that any properties currently built or being built were a part of the demand analysis, but possible TCAAP units were not. Councilmember Holmes stated that her biggest concern is the traffic pattern going out to Snelling Avenue and Highway 96. Councilmember McClung concurred. Councilmember Holden wondered what the active membership at North Heights is currently. Mr. Oldfield stated that membership is down about 50 per -cent from the previous high. Councilmember Holden then asked how much traffic would be produced by this development. Mr. Fenlon stated that they are estimating 480 trips per day. Councilmember Holden said she thinks 65 feet for the building height is way too high. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 20, 2017 3 Mayor Grant reiterated the number of senior living units coming into the area and stated that Lyngblomsten's risk is not the Council's concern. Councilmember McClung also expressed concern about the height of the current proposed structure. Councilmember Scott is also concerned about the traffic patterns, and pedestrian traffic going to and from the park. Mayor Grant agreed that traffic, changing zoning, and building height are all concerns. Councilmember Holmes said she didn't have a problem with the zoning, but felt it may be too isolated from the rest of the community. Councilmember McClung inquired if they had considered placing the building on the northwestern section of the property. Mr. Moore responded that they had considered it, but that placing it there would fill up most of the area and would require alteration to the existing parking lot. Councilmember McClung stated that he cannot support the current proposal. He has traffic concerns, zoning concerns and massing/height concerns. Councilmember Holden felt the use of land that is currently idle is good and as well as the connection to the TCAAP area and parks. She said she would support rezoning in this situation. B. HIGHER EDUCATION MORATORIUM STUDY Interim City Planner Zweber stated that they would be discussing the conversations that took place with the two Universities (Bethel and Northwestern) concerning existing campus master plans and how they come into play with acquiring sites off campus. They would also start the process of looking at commercial and industrial zones to see if they are meeting the needs of the community. Both colleges are hoping to increase enrollment and continue to look for off-site facilites. Both schools can save approximately 50% of costs by renovating an existing building versus building new. Interim City Planner Zweber also explained that the University of Minnesota has abandoned the 3-2 program. Those students would spend the first 3 years at Bethel or Northwestern, then transfer to the U of M for 2 years and once completed they would have both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree. Because that program no longer exists and in an effort to keep those existing students, both colleges are looking for lab and classroom space necessary for S.T.E M. students. Mayor Grant asked if staff had looked at the parameters within the Conditional Use Permit under which Bethel operates and if the student levels they are trying to reach are within those limits. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 20, 2017 4 Senior Planner Matthew Bachler responded that Bethel is limited to a residential population living on campus of 2,300, not including graduate level students enrolled at the Anderson Center or online. He also noted that Northwestern operates under a PUD and they currently have an enrollment limit of 2,400 full time students on campus. Interim City Planner Zweber said Bethel can probably meet their goals by fully utilizing the Anderson Center, but their CUP may need to be revised. Northwestern does not have the space on campus to meet their goals. City Administrator William Joynes interjected that he had met with Bethel and their intent is to move administrative functions to the Anderson Center, with no change to students that are served at the site. Issues with transportation and shuttle service are problematic and they want to continue to look for a site on campus to serve the S.T.E.M. students. Interim City Planner Zweber moved on to discussing the Commercial and Industrial Zones in the City. He explained this is not specifically looking at universities buy rather looking at the purpose statements of the zoning districts to understand what the difference is between the zoning districts and try to determine if the uses that are being offered supporting the purpose statements. He presented two tables representing the Commercial and Industrial Zones' Purpose Statements and the Commercial and Industrial NAISC classifications. He explained what businesses are currently in the zoning districts as broken into four groups; Group l: Neighborhood Business (NB) & Limited Business (B-1), Group 2: General Business (B-2), Service Business (B-3) and Retail Center District (B-4), Group 3: Gateway Business (GB) and I -FLEX, Group 4: Limited Industrial (I-1) and General Industrial (I-2). Councilmember Holden suggested that we may need to redefine what we call Neighborhood Business because there were so many businesses grandfathered in to that classification. Interim City Planner Zweber explained the different zones and the types of businesses in each. He commented that, there seems to be many of the same uses in the zones so the zones are not unique. Council members may want to ask if nine commercial and industrial zones are needed in the City. Planning Commissioner Steve Jones mentioned that the Planning Commission has been looking at the zones. Councilmember McClung asked for clarification of what direction the Council should provide to the Planning Department. Interim City Planner Zweber reminded the Council that there are five pieces, the first two were presented. What do the colleges want to do? What are the existing zoning and what businesses make sense to be in those zones? Next, what is the economic impact of the different industries in the zones? What are other community's strategies for what zones have education uses, and finally there will be an evaluation of existing properties and buildings in each category... acreage and square feet. All five pieces are being looked at before recommendations will be made to the Council. Feedback isn't necessary, this is mostly informational until all 5 pieces are presented. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 20, 2017 5 Councilmember McClung asked if we are going in the direction of looking at the nine commercial and industrial zones and deciding if we really want or need them. Interim City Planner Zweber stated the Planning Commission has looked at what the difference is between I-1 and I-2, and they feel the uses should be listed. Also Zones B-3 and B-4 are close enough in the description that possibly they could be one zone Mayor Grant stated that everyone needs to remember that we are a City and decisions need to be made according to what is best for the City. Councilmember McClung agreed, stating a well-rounded city has a little bit of everything and not too much of any one thing. It doesn't rely on any one employer and diversity of employers is a good thing. Councilmember McClung said Smith Medical started small and grew into other sections of the buildings until they were so successful that they had to move to another facility. So that is a good reason to keep that area as I -Flex. If we allow Northwestern or Bethel to come in they will stay and that will box out the business community, so we have to be careful where we allow education. Councilmember Holmes commented that maybe all the Council wants to do is see if we would want higher education to be in any particular zone and whether it should it be expanded or contracted without questioning all the different zones. Senior Planner Bachler stated the report will show specific recommendations for the higher education land use related to the different existing business and industrial districts in the city. C. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Senior Planner Bachler stated that the City Council is expected to approve the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update in January 2018. He reviewed the schedule as stated in the memorandum. There will be a project website that will be linked to from the City website and facebook page. He is requesting the City Council provide direction to the Planning Commission and review the City Vision and Goals in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Holden had two comments: as people age, how can we make sure people can stay in their home, and what will we do about transportation issues on Hamline Avenue and getting out onto Hamline Avenue from the neighborhoods. Mayor Grant stated that the scope of the update is limited to what is required by the Metropolitan Council. Senior Planner Bachler noted that staff plans to hold the public hearing with the Planning Commission in December and then bring it back to City Council for approval in January, 2018. There is a six month review period for adjacent and affected jurisdictions. Councilmember Holden wondered what the repercussions were if the Comprehensive Plan was submitted late. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 20, 2017 6 Interim City Planner Zweber said they are expected to have similar penalties as ten years ago, which would mean no grant funding from the Met Council until the Plan is submitted and there are no changes allowed to the current Plan until the new Plan is submitted. Councilmember Holmes suggested making a revision to the Vision and Chapter Goals on Housing. She suggested saying current and future members of the community. D. HIGHWAY 10 AND COUNTY ROAD 96 INTERSECTION Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka stated the investigation on the accident that occurred at the intersection in December has been completed, but the report is still pending. The County is planning to update all the signals along Hwy 96 with the flashing yellow arrows in 2018. After some discussion, Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka said she would request copies of studies that should be done with any revisions to the traffic signals. Mayor Grant asked if we could request a No Freeway Access sign. Councilmember McClung asked if Hamline Ave traffic issues could be added to a future work session. It was decided to invite the County Commissioner and the County Traffic Engineer to the meeting as well. E. DUMP TRUCK PURCHASE Mayor Grant felt we got a very good deal in purchasing the current truck and wondered if we should trade it in or not, but there is an issue with where we would park it. Public Works Superintendent Jeff Frid said he spoke with the lead mechanic for the County and there are maintenance issues with the current truck. The mechanic gave an educated guess that the transmission would be needing repair and the motor mounts are currently 3/4 gone and will need to be replaced. Also, Sterling is out of business, so they are having to get parts from a junk yard. City Administrator Joynes noted that this is a replacement for an existing truck because of the ongoing maintenance issues. Although we need to plan for TCAAP, this truck is needed now to maintain what we are currently doing. Mayor Grant said the purchase should be added to the next Council agenda. 2. COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS Councilmember Holden asked if Sue Polka could ask the County if a roundabout is being planned for County Rd D, New Brighton Rd and Fairview. Councilmember Scott said he is looking forward to the ribbon cutting and grand opening for Nutmeg Brewing Company on March 29. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 20, 2017 7 Councilmember McClung said he saw there is a decommissioning ceremony for Station 1 at 6:00 on the first Monday of May, and wondered if it could possibly be changed or the JDA meeting time be changed. Mayor Grant mentioned that he participated in a round table discussion with the Chamber of Commerce, along with other mayors. There is a program that he thought was called Home First that we may want to look in to for home maintenance. Senior Planner Bachler stated that Bremer Bank has officially withdrawn their application. Lexington Station has submitted plans for the amendment to the master plan and for phase two of the development. He anticipated this application would be on the Planning Commission agenda April 5, and should be before the City Council on April 24. Mayor Grant reminded everyone that the Council retreat will be Saturday, March 25, 8:00 a.m. Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka said the paperwork was submitted for the bridge grant for Snelling Avenue last year, we are on a list and waiting to hear if the legislature is going to fund the bridges. Mayor Grant noted that a sale is pending for Station 1. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session at 7:50 p.m. David Grant Mayor