Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-15 PC Work Session Minutes Approved: November 4, 2015 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Roberta Thompson called to order the work session meeting at 6:59 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Chair Roberta Thompson, Commissioners Andrew Holewa, Steven Jones, Phillip Neururer, and Clayton Zimmerman. Absent: Commissioner Brent Bartel and Angela Hames. Also present were: Associate Planner Matthew Bachler and Councilmember Fran Holmes APPROVAL OF AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 The Agenda was approved as presented. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Planning Case 15-019 – Zoning Code Amendment – B2 & B3 Design Standards – Window Transparency Associate Planner Bachler stated that at their joint work session on March 16, 2015, the City Council and Planning Commission discussed the need to clarify the façade transparency requirements included in the B-2 and B-3 District Design Standards. Currently, the Design Standards require commercial and multi-family residential buildings to provide a certain percentage of transparent window coverage on façades that front a public street or that are reasonably visible from the right-of-way. There have been recent development projects in the City where questions have arisen about the intent of the transparency requirements and how visible a building’s interior needs to be to satisfy the standards. Associate Planner Bachler commented that staff has reviewed the existing language on façade transparency requirements in the B-2 and B-3 District Design Standards. Recommended ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 2 revisions have been made to state that transparent windows or doors must allow views of interior uses or activities. The purpose of this revision is to prohibit the use of walls, display areas, or other obstructions that block views of the building’s interior from the exterior. The language being recommended by staff is similar to the standard used by the City of Eden Prairie for their Town Center Zoning District. Staff is requesting that the Planning Commission review the proposed amendments and discuss whether they adequately communicate the City’s intent behind the façade transparency requirements. Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commission questions. Discussion ensued regarding the use of translucent glass at the Lexington Station development and at the Walgreens pharmacy on County Road E. Associate Planner Bachler discussed how new development and redevelopment projects in the B-2 and B-3 Districts are required to use the PUD process, which gives developers an opportunity to request flexibility from the transparency requirements. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if the proposed code change would apply to Rice Creek Commons. Associate Planner Bachler stated that at this time staff was recommending that the revisions only be made to the B-2 and B-3 Design Standards. However, staff would like to make a similar change to the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) in the future concurrent with other revisions to the TRC that will likely need to be made. He provided comment on the façade requirements already included in the TRC. Councilmember Holmes believed there was a bigger problem with the design standards within the B-2 and B-3 zoning districts. She discussed how buildings were being oriented away from the street and believed that the use of translucent glass would be prevalent. It was her opinion the B-2 and B-3 design plans were backwards. Chair Thompson agreed with this assessment. She appreciated the design of Lexington Station, but wanted to see more businesses fronting the City roads and not internal parking lots. Commissioner Zimmerman also agreed but questioned how this would be achieved with the minimal setbacks to the street. He commented that the setback requirements may need to be adjusted. Commissioner Jones wanted to see the City be cautious with how it develops Rice Creek Commons over the next 20 years. He did not want to see this area restricted by zoning code or be developed too dense. Chair Thompson questioned what would be involved in changing the code to address the Planning Commissions concerns. Associate Planner Bachler reported that staff would first need to discuss these concerns with the City Council and request further direction. The Design Standards could be revised in order to address the building orientation issues. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 3 The Commission directed staff to discuss the proposed amendments with the City Council and to begin making these necessary code adjustments. B. Planning Case 15-020 – Zoning Code Amendment – Retail & Resale Business Associate Planner Bachler requested the Planning Commission consider revising the retail sales and services definition in the Zoning Code and adding a new definition for resale business. Staff reviewed the proposed zoning code amendment in detail with the Planning Commission and requested comment. Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commission questions. Commissioner Zimmerman questioned how neighboring communities addressed resale businesses. Associate Planner Bachler reported that some of the language used for the new resale business definition was from the Vadnais Heights City Code. Commissioner Jones discussed the number of thrift stores in the area, along with the number of pawn shops. He believed that the products for sale and the footprint should be evaluated rather than the simply disallowing a resale store. Chair Thompson stated that another way to address this issue would be to allow resale businesses in only certain zoning districts given the small size of the City. She did not want to see an imbalance in the communities’ retail and commercial shops. Associate Planner Bachler discussed the land use chart with the Planning Commission and noted where retail sales and services were currently allowed in Arden Hills. Commissioner Zimmerman suggested that the existing retail sales and services definition be expanded to include used or consignment goods. He discussed how the numerous college students and those living at E Street Flats would benefit by resale/consignment shops. Chair Thompson discussed how times were changing and she believed there was a greater desire to reuse and recycle items. Commissioner Jones was surprised that pawn shops were not allowed in Arden Hills. He was in favor of the City reconsidering pawn shops in the City of Arden Hills. Associate Planner Bachler thanked the Commission for their input regarding retail and resale businesses. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that no changes should be made to the Zoning Code at this time to distinguish between retail sales and services and resale businesses. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 4 ADJOURN Commissioner Holewa moved, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to adjourn the February 5, 2015, Planning Commission Work Session Meeting at 7:55 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).