Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-27-17-R "It -ARDEN HILLS Approved: January 8, 2018 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 27,2017 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 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Steve Scott Absent: Councilmember Dave McClung (excused) Also present: City Administrator Bill Joynes; Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka; Senior Planner Matthew Bachler; Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services, Dave Perrault; City Attorney Joel Jamnik; and City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Grant requested Item 5C be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion as Item 6A. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meetiniz agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons(TCAAP)and Joint Development Authority(JDA) Update City Administrator Joynes stated he had nothing new to report and explained the JDA would be meeting next on Monday, December 4, 2017. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 2 B. County Road I/Old Highway 8 Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported the roundabout was open as of last Wednesday. She indicated the contractor was finishing up lighting and landscaping items, but the roadway was open. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2017-44 Authorizing and Directing Staff to enter into an Insurance Agreement with HealthPartners for the 2018 Benefit Year D. Motion to Approve City Administrator and Public Works Director/City Engineer Employee Contracts E. Motion to Approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Ramsey County and the Rice Creek Watershed District for the Rice Creek Commons Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Reuse Feasibility Study MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS A. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2017-045 Ordering a Public Hearing — County Road F Improvement Project I Mayor Grant asked if staff had an understanding of the costs for this project. He explained that after reviewing the feasibility study, it appears the City will have $184,000 in costs. He requested staff place this information on all staff memos going forward. MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to Adopt Resolution 2017-045 Ordering a Public Hearing — County Road F Improvement Proiect. The motion carried (4-0). 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 8. NEW BUSINESS ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 3 A. Planning Case 17-024 —Arden Square— 1160 County Road E — Planned Unit Development Amendment Senior Planner Bachler stated in 2016, the City approved a Master and Final PUD for 1160 County Road E for modifications to the drive lanes and parking lot, a new monument sign and trash enclosure, and enhanced landscaping (Planning Case 16-003). At this time, the property owner also completed renovations to the front building fagade, including the removal the mansard and gable roof on the west side of the building, increasing window and brick masonry coverage, and adding awnings and decorative lighting. Senior Planner Bachler explained as part of the approval for Planning Case 16-003, Arden Square was required to submit a PUD Amendment application with proposed site modifications for a fast food restaurant to use the existing drive-thru lane. This requirement was put in place to ensure that traffic circulation and design concerns could be addressed before a business occupied the tenant space. Senior Planner Bachler reported Arden Square is currently in negotiations with Dunn Brothers Coffee to occupy the vacant 4,500 square foot tenant space in the building. Several site modifications are needed to add a drive-thru lane on the west side of the building for the tenant. A parking lot island on the north side of the site would be shifted east and new curb would be installed to create a drive-thru stacking area for up to seven vehicles. The existing drive lane on the west side of the parking lot would be converted to one-way only and the parking stalls in this area would be restriped as diagonal stalls. Drive-thru traffic could exit at the southwest corner to the adjacent Arden Plaza retail center, or circulate around the south and east side of the building. Additional improvements would include a patio seating area outside of the Dunn Brothers tenant space. Senior Planner Bachler indicated new wall signage is proposed for the north and south building walls. The wall sign on the north fagade would be 43.5 square feet in area and the sign on the south fagade would be 90.4 square feet. Dunn Brothers would use the existing multi-tenant sign on County Road E for freestanding signage. Senior Planner Bachler reviewed the Plan Evaluation and offered the following Findings of Fact: 1. The property at 1160 County Road E West is located in the B-2 - General Business Zoning District and in Sign District 4. 2. The City approved a Master and Final Planned Unit Development in Planning Case 16- 003 permitting the property owner to complete modifications to the existing parking lot and other site improvements. 3. The Master and Final PUD Agreement between the City and Arden Square, LLC approved in Planning Case 16-003 requires a PUD Amendment if the vacant tenant space is proposed to be occupied by a fast food restaurant to review proposed site modifications. 4. The proposed PUD Amendment includes modifications to the property's drive lanes and parking spaces in order to accommodate the drive-thru lane for the fast food restaurant and for new wall signage. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 4 5. The City has adopted the Guiding Plan for the B-2 District that outlines future development principals for the area. 6. The City has adopted Design Standards for the B-2 District within the Zoning Code. 7. The proposed PUD Amendment is in substantial conformance with the requirements of the City Code. The applicant has requested flexibility for the minimum number of stacking spaces required for a fast food restaurant and for the wall signage copy area. 8. The proposed PUD Amendment is in conformance with the Guiding Plan for the B-2 District. 9. The proposed PUD Amendment is in conformance with the Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan. 10. The additional sign copy area requested for wall signage satisfies the Sign Standard Adjustment criteria included in Section 1260.01 of the City Code. 11. The PUD process allows for flexibility within the City's regulations through a negotiated process with a developer. Where the plan is not in conformance with the City's Zoning Code, flexibility has been requested by the applicant and/or conditions have been placed on an approval that would mitigate the nonconformity. 12. The proposed PUD Amendment is not anticipated to create a negative impact on the immediate area or the community as a whole. Senior Planner Bachler stated the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval (4-0) of Planning Case 17-024 for a PUD Amendment at 1160 County Road E West, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans in the November 27, 2017, Report to the City Council, as amended by the following seven (7) conditions: 1. The project shall be completed in accordance with the submitted plans 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 the City Council. 2. The Developer shall obtain the required development permits within one year of the approval date or the approval shall expire, unless extended by the City Council prior to the approval's expiration date. Extension requests must be submitted in writing to the City at least 45 days prior to the expiration date. 3. A PUD Amendment Agreement shall be prepared by the City Attorney and subject to City Council approval. The Agreement shall be executed prior to the issuance of any development permits. 4. Final grading, drainage, utility, and site plans shall be subject to approval by the City Engineer, Building Official, City Planner, and Fire Marshall prior to the issuance of a Grading and Erosion Control Permit or other development permits. 5. A Sign Permit shall be required for each wall sign and the menu ordering board. 6. The relocated parking lot island shall be replanted to include a minimum of one (1)tree. 7. The Developer shall provide a total of 8.5 caliper inches of new tree plantings on the site. Mayor Grant asked if the sign on the south of the building would be visible from the eStreet flats. Senior Planner Bachler reported the sign on the south building wall would not be visible from the E Street Flats apartment building. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 5 Councilmember Holden questioned the size of the southern facing sign. Senior Planner Bachler stated the south facing sign would be 90.4 square feet in size. Councilmember Holden inquired if the 8.5 caliper inches of trees were included in the landscaping plan. Senior Planner Bachler explained 4 caliper inches of new tree plantings were included in the plan. He noted that staff would work with the applicant to ensure an additional 4.5 caliper inches are provided. Councilmember Holden requested further information on the monument sign. Senior Planner Bachler indicated the monument sign was existing. He reported Dunn Brothers was proposing to occupy a tenant space on this monument sign. Mayor Grant commented on the traffic patterns in and around the site. He questioned if vehicles could get from Arden Plaza to Dunn Brothers. Councilmember Holden questioned how the City could regulate a one-way street on private property. Senior Planner Bachler deferred these questions to the property owner. Andrew Commers, 2830 Webster Avenue in St. Louis Park, introduced himself to the Council. He discussed the agreement in place that would allow traffic to flow through the site in a one or two-way manner. He stated the access off of County Road E would allow this site to be a separate parcel. He explained one of the access points to County Road E was closed for safety purposes in 2015. Joe Commers, applicant, explained he purchased this property in 1986. He discussed the property's history and commented on the adaptive reuse of the site in 1992, when the southwest access was added. He believed that this exit would greatly benefit the patrons of Dunn Brothers. Mayor Grant asked if this exit point was single or double lanes. Mr. Commers reported this was a single lane point of exit. Councilmember Holden questioned where the exact property line was. Mr. Commers reviewed the location of the property line on the site plan with the Council. Councilmember Holden suggested the curbing on the private street be widened in order to improve safety and traffic flow through the site. Mr. Commers supported this recommendation. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 6 Councilmember Holden asked where the remaining 8.5 inches of trees would be installed. Mr. Commers explained these trees would be added to the western property line Mayor Grant requested further information from staff regarding the proposed signage. Senior Planner Bachler reviewed the various signs being proposed by Dunn Brothers and noted their square footage in detail with the Council. Mayor Grant asked if the sign on the south fagade was twice the size of the sign on the north fagade. Senior Planner Bachler reported this was the case. Mayor Grant questioned if any existing trees would be removed from the property. Mr. Commers explained two trees were slated for removal in order to improve sight lines from Lexington Avenue. Councilmember Holden stated she did not support allowing Dunn Brothers to have a 90-square foot sign. She explained this was not in alignment with City Code. She indicated she could support a 50-square foot sign on the southern fagade. Mr. Commers commented his tenant has stressed the need and importance for these signs in order to make this location successful. Councilmember Holden understood the sign on the north fagade would be lit. She questioned what hours of the day this sign would be lit. Mr. Commers stated the tenant would comply with the City's Sign Code Ordinance regarding this matter. He provided further comment on the history of the signage on this property, noting the previous bank used to have a 16-foot-high sign. Councilmember Scott indicated he supported the signage as presented. He asked if the southern sign would be illuminated. Mr. Commers reported this sign would also be lit. Councilmember Scott recommended that the illuminated signs be lit during hours of operation for Dunn Brothers. Jerry Ropers, Dunn Brothers Coffee representative, explained the wall signs would be internally lit and would only be lit during hours of operation. He reported a larger sign was being proposed for the southern fagade in order to be visible from Lexington Avenue. Therese Reiling, Commers Leasing Agent, explained she has been working with Commers to find a tenant for this space over the past six years. She described how the building was setback ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 7 from the adjacent roadways and discussed the importance of having proper signage. She noted the loss of the 16-foot pylon sign has been felt by the current tenants. She encouraged the Council to support the tenants request for signage. Further discussion ensued regarding the sight lines surrounding the building. Greta Dvorak, Dunn Brothers franchisee, stated she was eager to see a sign on the southern fagade in order to draw patrons within Arden Plaza to her establishment. She would like this coffee shop to be visible to those visiting the Tavern Grill and Anytime Fitness. She had confidence that she would draw more people to her business with this sign. Councilmember Holmes stated personally she liked big signs as they assisted in wayfinding. She questioned however, if the south fagade sign would be visible from Lexington Avenue. She feared the Tavern Grill-would be cutting off the sign lines from Lexington Avenue and if this were the case, the sign size could be reduced. Mayor Grant agreed with this assessment. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to approve Planning Case 17-024 for a PUD Amendment at 1160 County Road E West, based on the findings of fact and submitted plans, as amended by the seven (7) conditions in the November 27,2017,Report to the City Council. Councilmember Holden requested Condition 8 be added for approval requiring the applicant to work with the City to widen and modify the design of the access point at the southwest corner of the property to improve ingress to the site. AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to create Condition 8 requiring the applicant to work with the City to widen and modify the design of the access point at the southwest corner of the property to improve ingress to the site. The amendment carried (4-0). Councilmember Holden requested Condition 9 be added requiring the applicant to install signage (a stop sign or yield sign) at the southwest corner of the site with the new curbing. AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to create Condition 9 requiring the applicant to place shmne (stop sign or yield sign) at the southwest corner of the site with the new curbing. The amendment carried (4-0). Councilmember Holden requested Condition 10 be added requiring the tenant to turn off all lighting for wall signs from 30 minutes after close of business to 30 minutes prior to the business opening. Mayor Grant reported this would be the same stipulation required of other businesses in the community. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 8 AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to create Condition 10 requiring the tenant to turn off all lighting for wall signs from 30 minutes after close of business and can be turned on no more than 30 minutes prior to opening of business. The amendment carried (4-0). Mr. Commers commented on a letter he received from the Mayor back in 1992 thanking him for his upgrades to his building. He stated he really appreciated receiving this letter from the City and for recognizing his investment in the community. Councilmember Holden recommended that the southern facade signage not exceed 70 square feet. AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to create Condition 11 requiring the southern facade signage be no larger than 70 square feet. Councilmember Scott stated he wanted to see Dunn Brothers have enough signage to support their business in this area of the City. Councilmember Holmes agreed signage was important for businesses and believed the 70 square feet was a good compromise. Mayor Grant stated he would like to see the Council stay closer to the sign code. He indicated this would be a very large sign on this building. He explained he could support the southern facade signage at 70 square feet. The amendment carried (4-0). The amended motion carried (4-0). 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Scott reported he met with Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman several weeks ago to discuss a project he has been working on with the City as a private citizen. He explained Commissioner Huffman commended City staff for their professionalism and great efforts. Councilmember Holden noted she had the pleasure of meeting with SPEDCO and described the great work being conducted by this small business. Councilmember Holden asked if the new school signs were operational. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 27, 2017 9 Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported the signs were operating at this time in both the mornings and afternoon hours on school days. Mayor Grant stated the Five Mayors met recently and each mayor in attendance provided the group with an update. He noted Roberts Management was working on Lexington Station Phase II. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Scott moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:26 p.m. J e Hanson David Grant y Clerk Mayor