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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-12 PC WS Approved: CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012 7:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof Acting Chair Thompson called to order the work session meeting at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Commissioners Andy Holewa, Janet Stodola, Roberta Thompson, and Clayton Zimmerman Absent: Chair Clayton Larson, Commissioners Angela Hames and Samuel Scott. Also present were: Council Liaison, Fran Holmes; City Planner Meagan Beekman and Planning Intern Matt Horton. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – AUGUST 8, 2012 The Agenda was approved as presented. Commissioner Thompson moved, seconded by Commissioner Stodola, to approve the August 8, 2012, agenda as submitted. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Planning Case 12-014 – Multi-Family Dwelling Design Standards Discussion City Planner Beekman provided a brief history on the multi-family dwelling design standards noting the Planning Commission discussed this topic last month after the City Council had passed a moratorium on multi-family dwelling units. The City was now looking to review the design standards city-wide. City Planner Beekman indicated she gathered information from neighboring communities over the past month regarding these design standards and prepared a draft ordinance that addresses multi-family design standards. The draft ordinance was sent to the City Attorney and the League of Minnesota Cities for feedback. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – AUGUST 8, 2012 2 Commissioner Zimmerman asked if multi-family code differentiated between hotel/motel uses and apartments. City Planner Beekman indicated the code does not clearly differentiate between a hotel/motel use and apartment complex, except that a hotel/motel use would have transient clients. She explained that multi-family housing was defined as four or more dwelling units. Councilmember Stodola questioned senior housing was included in the multi-family code. City Planner Beekman stated the City included independent senior housing in the definition for multi-family dwellings, but that assisted or nursing care housing was defined separately from multi-family housing. City Planner Beekman commented that since drafting the staff report, she spoke with the head attorney at the League of Minnesota Cities and received some great feedback and comments on the draft ordinance. The attorney stated that the State Building Code preempts the zoning code. However, parking requirements and unit size were concerns that could be addressed by the City. She explained she was unable to find any City that regulates window coverings. City Planner Beekman indicated the crime free multi-family housing participation was possible but should be regulated through the City’s rental license process and not written into City Code. This would then become a requirement of the rental registration. One last recommendation was to make future multi-family dwellings be approved as a conditional use permit instead of a PUD. This would allow the City to add conditions for approval. Acting Chair Thompson questioned how the Commission would like to proceed. Commissioner Zimmerman did not feel it was necessary to have separate zoning requirements for senior housing within the multi-family housing code. Commissioner Stodola agreed. Acting Chair Thompson agreed with having the crime free multi-family housing participation a part of the rental license process. City Planner Beekman described the process in further detail. She noted inspections were not required at this time. Commissioner Holewa commented if inspections were to begin in the future, a great deal of it would be handled by the police and fire departments. Acting Chair Thompson recommended the Council discuss this issue further as she wanted to see the City’s rental stock maintain its value and integrity going into the future. Commissioner Zimmerman stated this was a very good point and the City wanted to protect these properties. Commissioner Holewa asked how many multi-family rental units the City had. City Planner Beekman reported Park Shore Apartments had 36 units, Cottage Villas had 60 units, and Hunter’s Park had more units. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – AUGUST 8, 2012 3 Commissioner Holewa questioned if these units were currently inspected by the City. City Planner Beekman stated these units were not inspected by City staff but the common areas are currently inspected by the fire department. Discussion ensued regarding rental registration and inspections. City Planner Beekman questioned how the Commission wanted to proceed with the minimum unit size. She indicated the language included in the draft ordinance was written after reviewing several other communities’ code. Commissioner Stodola was in favor with the language as written. Commissioner Zimmerman suggested each multi-family unit have controlled access with a door. He then discussed bike storage and recommended the requirement be 0.5. City Planner Beekman explained that Arden Village had bicycle storage within its underground parking. Each underground stall had a mounted bicycle rack with a locking mechanism. Commissioner Zimmerman agreed with the comments made by the League of Minnesota Cities attorney that the crime free multi-family housing participation be made a part of the rental registration. Acting Chair Thompson agreed and then questioned how to proceed with the window coverings. City Planner Beekman explained a lease addendum could be an option to address this issue with the property owner. This would keep the item out of City Code. Council Liaison Holmes asked if the courtyard area had to have access to natural light. City Planner Beekman commented the State Building Code states multi-family dwelling units do not have to have access to natural light. This item was discussed further by the Commission. Commissioner Zimmerman questioned if the City’s kitchen definition would be removed from the draft ordinance. City Planner Beekman stated this was the case as the State Building Code would address this issue. Commissioner Holewa inquired if the ordinance should be date specific. City Planner Beekman stated this could be added to assure that all new multi-family dwelling units meet the City’s new standards. Commissioner Stodola requested further information on the parking restrictions for rental homes. City Planner Beekman stated four cars are allowed in a driveway. COMMENTS AND REPORTS A. Planning Commission Comments None. B. Staff Comments ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – AUGUST 8, 2012 4 None. ADJOURN Commissioner Holewa moved, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to adjourn the August 8, 2012, Planning Commission Work Session Meeting at 8:16 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (4-0).