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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-15 PC Minutes Approved: January 6, 2016 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015 6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Roberta Thompson called to order the regular Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Chair Roberta Thompson, Commissioners Angela Hames, Andrew Holewa, Steven Jones, Phillip Neururer (arrived at 6:35 p.m.), and Clayton Zimmerman. Absent: Commissioner Brent Bartel. Also present were: Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City Planner Ryan Streff; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; and Councilmember Fran Holmes. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – DECEMBER 9, 2015 Chair Thompson stated the agenda will stand as published. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 4, 2015 – Planning Commission Regular Meeting Commissioner Holewa moved, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to approve the November 4, 2015, Planning Commission Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). PLANNING CASES A. Planning Case 15-023; Subdivision Code Amendment – Public Use Dedications – Public Hearing Required Associate Planner Bachler stated that development results in new residents and employees that have an impact on a community’s existing public infrastructure, such as streets, utilities, and parks. Minnesota State law authorizes cities to require as part of a subdivision approval that a reasonable portion of buildable land be dedicated to the public or preserved for public use ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 9, 2015 2 specifically for parks, recreational facilities, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, or open space. The City’s current public use dedication requirements are found in Chapter 11 – Subdivisions, Section 1130.08 of the Arden Hills City Code. Associate Planner Bachler explained that with the pending redevelopment of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) site, City staff has been working with the City Attorney to update the public use dedication requirements to ensure that sufficient resources will be available for park development on TCAAP. Additionally, the update to the ordinance is meant to clarify park dedication requirements throughout the City and to affirm that these requirements may apply to redevelopment or reuse projects as well. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that the City Council reviewed the proposed amendment to Section 1130.08 at their Work Session on November 16, 2015. City staff presented a summary of the revisions to the park dedication ordinance, which would be updated to include two requirements for subdivision approval: a land dedication requirement and a park development fee. The land dedication requirement would allow the city to acquire land for park, trail, and open space purposes. The park development fee would enable to the City to collect fees to be used for park development and improvements. Associate Planner Bachler explained that the City’s financial advisor, Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers and Associates, also provided an analysis of the estimated costs for park acquisition and development on TCAAP at the Work Session. The City Council and Ms. Kvilvang discussed the appropriate park development fee amount to ensure sufficient funds would be available to develop the parks and open spaces shown on the TCAAP Regulating Plan. Associate Planner Bachler provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. The proposed amendment advances the land use goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan by ensuring a balanced mix of residential, park, open space, and commercial land uses are provided in the City. 2. The proposed amendment advances the parks and recreation goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan by supporting the development of a system of neighborhood parks and pathways that are safe and engaging. 3. The proposed amendment advances the parks and recreation goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan by supporting the protection of access to lakes, marshes, and wooded areas for active and passive recreation. 4. The proposed amendment advances the parks and recreation goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan by establishing financing and funding options to improve and expand the City’s parks and recreation system. Associate Planner Bachler stated that staff recommends approval of Planning Case 15-023 to amend Section 1130.08 of the City Subdivision Code pertaining to public use dedications, as presented in the December 9, 2015, report to the Planning Commission Associate Planner Bachler reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on this matter: ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 9, 2015 3 1. Recommend Approval as Submitted. 2. Recommend Approval with Changes. 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Holewa asked if the term “commercial” referred to all non-residential subdivisions. Associate Planner Bachler stated that this was the case. Commissioner Holewa suggested that the term “commercial” be changed to “non-residential” as this was a more broad term and would cover government uses such as a post office or library. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that staff could discuss this further with the City Attorney. Commissioner Holewa questioned if park dedication requirements would be reduced for projects that included affordable housing. Associate Planner Bachler reported that a reduction in the park dedication requirements for affordable housing was not included in the proposed Ordinance. Commissioner Holewa inquired about the park dedication requirements for redevelopment projects. Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed the language within the proposed Ordinance that applied to redevelopment projects and their associated park dedication requirements. Commissioner Holewa suggested that staff review the references to the “City” and the “City Council” within the Ordinance and whether these references should be consistent. Commissioner Holewa questioned whether the City could require private developers to provide public trail connections to regional trails not owned by the City. Commissioner Holewa inquired where a developer would be able to find information on the residential park development fee amount. Associate Planner Bachler noted that the park development fee would be included in the City’s Fee Schedule. The Fee Schedule is available on the City’s website. Commissioner Holewa suggested that the proposed Ordinance state where the park development fee has been adopted. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if there would be sufficient funding available to develop the neighborhood parks that will be dedicated on the TCAAP site. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 9, 2015 4 Associate Planner Bachler explained that developers would be charged a park development fee that could be used for capital improvements for the neighborhood park facilities on TCAAP. Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed how the City and its financial advisor completed an analysis to ensure that sufficient land would be set aside for parks, whether it was dedicated to the City by developers or had to be purchased using the fees charged in lieu of the park dedication requirement. She reported that the proposed Ordinance allows the City to require a developer to satisfy the park dedication requirements or pay the park development fee, or both of these, based on the City’s discretion. She added that staff has worked closely with the City Attorney on the language included in the Ordinance. Councilmember Holmes believed that the current language was slightly unclear and that staff should perhaps clarify if land or cash would be sought for residential developments. Community Development Director Hutmacher reiterated that the requirements for park dedication and park development fees would be at the City’s discretion. She described several different development scenarios and explained which request the City could make in each scenario. Commissioner Hames anticipated that developers would work through these issues with staff and would understand the proposed Ordinance clearly. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that staff reviewed park dedication ordinances adopted by several other cities and that the proposed regulations were consistent with other cities. She did not believe the language would be new to developers. Chair Thompson agreed that developers would work with staff in order to find clarity and understanding on the City’s required park dedication and park development fees. Commissioner Jones asked if a multi-use building would be charged separate rates for its residential and commercial space. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated this was the case and that the fees would be prorated based on the percentage of each use. Commissioner Holewa asked if the proposed Ordinance had been brought to the JDA. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that the proposed Ordinance was discussed in general, but noted this was a City-wide policy that did not require JDA approval. Chair Thompson opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Chair Thompson invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comment Chair Thompson closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 9, 2015 5 Commissioner Holewa moved and Commissioner Neururer seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 15-023 to amend Section 1130.08 of the City Subdivision Code pertaining to public use dedications, as presented in the Decemb er 9, 2015, report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried 5-1 (Zimmerman opposed). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS None. COMMENTS AND REPORTS A. Report from the City Council Councilmember Holmes updated the Planning Commission on City Council activities from the November 30, 2015, Regular Meeting, stating the City Council approved Ordinance Number 2015-010 (Planning Case 15-019) amending Section 1325.05, Subd. 8(F) of the City Code. The Ordinance clarifies the commercial and multi-family residential façade transparency requirements included in the B-2 and B-3 District Design Standards. The Planning Commission reviewed this item at their meeting on November 4, 2015, and recommended approval (5-0). Councilmember Holmes indicated that the City Council also approved Ordinance Number 2015-011 (Planning Case 15-022) amending Section 1325.09, Subd. 4(A) of the City Code. The Ordinance clarifies that wireless antennas do not necessarily need to complement or support the principal use they are associated with and may be treated as a secondary use as well as an accessory use. The Planning Commission reviewed this item at their meeting on November 4, 2015, and recommended approval (5-0). Councilmember Holmes reported the Council recently approved a franchise agreement with CenturyLink, which would bring competition to Comcast in the cable market. She indicated the Council would be holding a Truth in Taxation hearing on December 14th at 7:00 p.m. She then discussed the proposed tax levy. She encouraged those interested in serving as a City Council member to apply at City Hall before December 15th. Councilmember Holmes congratulated the entire Community Development Department for receiving the Leaders in Local Government award for the City’s business expansion and retention program. This award was presented to the City on November 17th by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Community Development Director Hutmacher thanked the members of the Economic Development Commission and Economic Development Authority, and other community volunteers as well, for assisting the City with its business expansion and retention efforts. Councilmember Holmes congratulated Associate Planner Bachler for recently passing the American Institute of Certified Planners Exam. The Planning Commission congratulated Associate Planner Bachler on his achievement. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 9, 2015 6 B. TCAAP Update Community Development Director Hutmacher reported Ramsey County announced on November 13, 2015, that the TCAAP demolition and remediation project is complete, and the site has been cleaned to a residential standard. C. Planning Commission Comments and Requests Commissioner Holewa explained he would be continuing on the Planning Commission as an alternate member. He thanked staff for all of their assistance over the years. Chair Thompson thanked Commissioner Holewa for his years of dedicated service to the City on the Planning Commission. D. Staff Comments City Planner Streff commented that the Planning Commission would meet in a Work Session directly following this meeting. ADJOURN Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Hames, to adjourn the December 9, 2015, Planning Commission Meeting at 7:25 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).