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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-23-18-R-fiRZEN HILLS Approved: May 29, 2018 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 23, 2018 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, Dave McClung and Steve Scott Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka; City Planner Matthew Bachler; City Attorney Joel Jamnik; and City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Karen Cotier, 1890 Gerald Avenue, stated she would like to speak to the Council regarding Planning Case 18-001. Mayor Grant stated the Council would not be holding a Public Hearing on this item and noted the Council had received all correspondence from the public. 4. STAFF COMMENTS ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL —APRIL 23, 2018 2 A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) and Joint Development Authority (JDA) Update City Administrator Perrault provided an update on TCAAP stating staff has been attending negotiations between the County and Alatus. B. Transportation Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported Ramsey County opened bids for the County Road F project last Thursday. She indicated the work would begin on the water tower rehabilitation in the near future. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 19, 2018 City Council Work Session B. March 19, 2018 Special Regular City Council C. March 26, 2018 Regular City Council MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the March 19, 2018, City Council Work Session meeting minutes, March 19, 2018, Special Regular City Council meeting minutes; and March 26, 2018, Regular City Council meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve 2019 Budget Calendar C. Motion to Adopt the League of Minnesota Cities Firearm Policy D. Motion to Adopt a Proclamation in Recognition of National Police Week 2018 E. Motion to Approve Lake Johanna Fire Department Capital Expense F. Motion to Adopt a Proclamation in Recognition of Public Works Week G. Motion to Approve Utility Occupy License No. 5017301 — Soo Line Railroad dba Canadian Pacific — Old Snelling Trail and Watermain Improvement Project H. Motion to Approve Booster Station Transfer Switch — Kodiak Power Systems I. Motion to Approve a Cooperative Agreement with Ramsey County for a Traffic Study and Approve the WSB and Associates Proposal for ICE Report and Concept Layout for Intersection Improvements — County Road E and Old Snelling Avenue J. Motion to Approve Communications Coordinator Temporary Hours Increase K. Motion to Approve Proposal — Compensation Study — George Gmach L. Motion to Appoint Accounting Clerk MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. Mayor Grant read a proclamation in full for the record proclaiming May 13-19, 2018 to be National Police Week in the City of Arden Hills. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 3 Mayor Grant read a proclamation in full for the record proclaiming May 20-26, 2018 to be National Public Works Week in the City of Arden Hills. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Case 18-001 — 3246 New Brighton Road — Preliminary and Final Plat, Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Variance City Planner Bachler stated Journey Home Minnesota is a non-profit organization with a mission to create affordable housing for disabled military veterans in safe cities served by high quality school systems. The organization has developed housing projects in surrounding communities, including Shoreview, New Brighton, and Mounds View. Journey Home purchased the Lake Johnna Fire Station No. 1 property in September 2017 and is requesting approval to redevelop the property for four single-family residential homes. The existing fire station building, garage, and parking areas on the property would all be removed as part of the redevelopment. The applicant has provided a project narrative describing their goals for the development, including housing affordability and energy conservation. City Planner Bachler explained the existing property at 3246 New Brighton Road is approximately 2.8 acres in size and is comprised of the decommissioned Lake Johanna Fire Station No. 1 building, a detached garage, and parking areas. The two existing structures are located along New Brighton Road and there are multiple curb cuts currently providing access to the property. The topography of the lot is relatively flat along New Brighton Road, but then slopes down significantly to a pond located on the easterly half of the property. The elevation change from New Brighton Road to the pond edge is roughly 15 feet. The pond occupies approximately 1.3 acres of the site leaving 1.5 acres of developable land. City Planner Bachler reported the applicant has proposed a subdivision of the existing property that would create four single-family residential lots. Each of the lots would have frontage on New Brighton Road and the property lines would extend to the eastern boundary of the site. The size of the lots would be 21,827 square feet, 28,140 square feet, 31,793 square feet, and 43,357 square feet. The applicant has provided building elevation drawings for the four dwellings and preliminary floor plans for one of the homes. The four dwellings are expected to have a similar design in terms of gross square footage, floor plans, and exterior design. City Planner Bachler indicated two driveways are proposed on New Brighton Road to provide access to the dwellings. A cross access easement would be required for the shared access ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 4 driveways. The entire development is proposed to be put under an association that would address property maintenance and the shared use of energy generated by solar panels proposed to be installed on the dwellings. City Planner Bachler reported a Variance is requested in this case to allow the four proposed lots to have a width less than the minimum requirement for the R-2 District. Lots in the R-2 District are required to have a minimum width of 85 feet. Each of the four lots is proposed to have a width of 81.75 feet, or 3.25 feet less than the minimum requirement. City Planner Bachler explained a Comprehensive Plan Amendment is required to change the designation of the property to Very Low Density Residential from its current designation as Public and Institutional. The Very Low Density Residential classification allows for single-family residential development at a density of 1.5 to 3 units per acre. To summarize, Planning Case 18- 001 includes the following requests: • Preliminary and Final Plat to subdivide property into four single-family residential lots. • Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change future land use classification from Public and Institutional to Very Low Density Residential. • Variance to allow the four proposed lots to each have a width of 81.75 feet. The minimum lot width requirement for the R-2 District is 85 feet. City Planner Bachler reviewed the Plan Evaluation and Variance Criteria with the Council and noted the Planning Commission offers the following findings of fact for consideration: General Findings: 1. The property at 3246 New Brighton Road is located in the R-2 — Single and Two -Family Residential Zoning District. 2. The subject property is 125,118 square feet, or approximately 2.8 acres, in size. 3. The subject property is currently comprised of the former Lake Johanna Fire Station 1 building, a detached garage, and parking areas. 4. The Johanna Station 1 subdivision is proposed as R-2 — Single and Two -Family Residential District. 5. The R-2 — Single and Two Family Residential District permits up to five (5) residential units per acre. 6. The applicant has requested a Preliminary and Final Plat in order to subdivide the property into four (4) single-family residential lots. 7. The proposed Lake Johanna Station 1 development is proposed at approximately 2.68 units per net acre. 8. The Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan designates the future land use of the subject property as Public and Institutional. 9. The applicant has requested a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the future land use designation of the property to Very Low Density Residential. 10. The Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan defines Very Low Density Residential as, "traditional single-family residential land use category. A density range of 1.5 to 3 units per acre." 11. The adjacent properties to the north, east, west and south are zoned R-2 District and are guided for Low Density Residential uses in the Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 5 12. The proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment would be consistent with adjacent land uses and the goals included in the Land Use chapter of the Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan. 13. The applicant has requested a variance from Section 1130.07, Subd. 2 of the City Code, which requires the lot dimensions in the subdivision not be less than the minimum dimensions required to secure the minimum lot area specified in the zoning ordinance of the City. 14. The proposed Johanna Station 1 subdivision meets the other Minimum Subdivision Design requirements included in Section 1130 of the City Code. 15. The proposed Johanna Station l subdivision meets or will be required to meet the Required Improvements for subdivisions included in Section 1140 of the City Code. 16. The proposed development requires public use dedication, as required in Section 1130.08 of the City Code. 17. The park dedication requirement for this application is ten (10) percent of the buildable land area in the subdivision or a park development fee of $6,500 per unit. Ten percent of the development would be 0.28 acres which would not allow for a feasible park area. The park development fee of $6,500 per unit will be applied in this case. Variance Findings.- 18. indings:18. The applicant has requested a variance for the four proposed lots to have a width of 81.75 feet, or 3.25 feet less than the minimum 8546ot requirement for the R-2 District. 19. The variance complies with the purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations as single- family residential dwellings at a maximum density of 5 units per net acre are a permitted use in the R-2 District. 20. A Comprehensive Plan Amendment is required to re -guide the property for Very Low Density Residential use from its current classification as Public and Institutional. Should the Comprehensive Plan Amendment be approved, then the variance would comply with the purpose and intent of the Comprehensive Plan. 21. A single-family residential dwelling with allowed accessory structures is a reasonable use of the property and can be constructed on an 81.75 -foot -wide lot while still meeting the required structure setback requirements. 22. Presumably, when the neighborhood was first developed, the lot lines were placed so that the landlocked pond was located nearly entirely on the subject property, which has resulted in the property having a depth and area significantly greater than the minimum requirement for the R-2 District. This, along with the topography and previous use of the property as a fire station are unique circumstances that require the creation of lots that far exceed the minimum lot area and depth requirement for the R-2 District, but require a minor variance for each lot from the minimum lot width requirement. 23. Approximately one-third of the properties within this block that have lot widths less than the required 85 feet for the R-2 District. While, the majority of the lots on this block are 85 feet wide or greater, few have the depth or area of the four lots proposed in the redevelopment. 24. There is an economic consideration in this case because the applicant is seeking to keep the homes at a more affordable price. This economic consideration on its own does not constitute a practical difficulty, but may be considered as a factor. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 R City Planner Bachler stated the Planning Commission recommends approval (5-0) of Planning Case 18-001 for a Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Variance for the property located at 3246 New Brighton Road, based on the findings of fact and submitted plans in the April 23, 2018 Report to the City Council, as amended by the following nineteen (19) 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 City Council. 2. The execution of the Final Plat shall be contingent upon the Metropolitan Council's approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. 3. A Development Agreement shall be prepared by the City Attorney and subject to City Council approval. The Development Agreement shall be executed prior to the execution of the Final Plat. 4. The applicant shall submit a park dedication fee in the amount of $26,000, subject to the approval of the City Council. The park dedication fee shall be submitted prior to the execution of the Final Plat. 5. The applicant shall file the Final Plat with the Ramsey County Recorder and provide the City with a recorded copy within sixty (60) days of approval. 6. The applicant shall address all comments included in the memo provided by the Public Works Director/City Engineer dated March 7, 2018 prior to the issuance of any development permits. 7. The applicant shall provide the City with a copy of the approved Rice Creek Watershed District Permit prior to the issuance of any development permits. 8. Copies of the cross access easements for the driveways shall be provided to the City prior to the issuance of any building permits. 9. Final grading and drainage plans shall be subject to approval by the City Engineer prior to the commencement of any construction on the site. 10. Before construction, grading, or land clearing begins, trees or tree areas that are to be preserved shall be visibly marked and city -approved tree protection fencing or other method shall be installed and maintained at the critical root zones of the trees to be protected. The location of the fencing sh.,i I l be in conformance with the approved tree preservation plan. 11. A Letter of Credit in the amount of 125 percent of the cost of materials and installation for the required replacement tree plantings shall be provided prior to the issuance of any development permits. The Letter of Cred shall be valid for two full years from the date of installation of the replacements trees. 12. The applicant shall work with the City to locate the additional 52 caliper inches of replacement trees on site. If the City determines that there is not sufficient space on site for the replacement tree plantings, the applicant shall work with the City to find an alternative off-site location or a fee in lieu of the replacement tress will be required equaling the cost of materials and installation plus ten percent, as determined by the City Council. 13. Survey monuments shall be placed and installed at all block corners, angle points, points of curves in streets, and at intermediate points as shown on the Final Plat. Pipes or streel rods shall be placed at the corners of each lot. 14. Wetland monument signs will be required to adequately define the wetland buffer area, subject to the approval of the Public Works Director. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 7 15. Sewer and water for the subdivision shall be obtained by connections to the City water and sewer systems. Extension of City services shall be subject to review and approval by the City Engineer and all associated costs shall be the responsibility of the developer. 16. A grading as -built and utility as -built plan shall be provided to the City upon completion of grading and utility work. 17. The project may require permits, including, but not limited to, MPCA-NPDES, Rice Creek Watershed District, Minnesota Department of Health, MPCA- Sanitary Sewer Extension, Ramsey County and City Right of Way, and City Grading and Erosion Control permits. Copies of al issued permits shall be provided to the City prior to the issuance of any development permits. 18. A copy of the home owners' association (I IOA) documents shall be kept on file with the City. 19. The developer shall comply with all other applicable provisions of the City Code and its related Ordinances. Mayor Grant recommended the Council take action on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment separate from the Preliminary Plat, Final Plat and Variance requests. Councilmember Holden commented the Council would be addressing the Comprehensive Plan at their May worksession meeting. She noted she would be voting against the requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment because she did not want the Council to piecemeal its Comprehensive Plan changes. Councilmember Holmes explained she understood the concerns being raised by Councilmember Holden, however she supported this property should be changed. She indicated the vision for this property was to become residential and noted the developer was proposing low-density residential. She reported she would be supporting the proposed change. Councilmember McClung asked if the City was proposing to change the underlying zoning for this property. City Planner Bachler commented the zoning would remain the same at R-2. Councilmember McClung commented that because the underlying zoning was not being changed he could support this item moving forward. Councilmember Scott questioned when the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment would be effective. Mayor Grant stated the request would have to be reviewed and approved by the Met Council and neighboring communities before becoming effective. City Planner Bachler stated after speaking with the Met Council, it was his understanding this request could be approved administratively, which would be a 15 -day process. Mayor Grant reviewed the zoning for the properties surrounding the subject property. He asked what the difference was between low density and very low density. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 8 City Planner Bachler explained the primary difference was the allowed density range. He reported Very Low Density could have 1.5 to 3 units per acre and Low Density Residential was 3 to 5 units per acre. The density requirements for the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts were further described, along with the required setbacks. Mayor Grant stated he would personally like to see this property zoned R -I as this was more appropriate for the neighborhood. He asked what other properties were zoned R-2 in the City. City Planner Bachler reviewed the properties and the locations of R-2 parcels in Arden Hills. Mayor Grant explained he would not be supporting the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and believed this neighborhood and its future development possibilities needed to be further examined by the City Council. Councilmember Holden stated she would like to further examine this neighborhood as well prior to making a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Councilmember Holmes clarified that the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment would simply change the land use from Institutional to Residential. Mayor Grant understood this to be the case, however, he would prefer the zoning to be R-1. Councilmember McClung stated the City Council could rezone the property after the Comprehensive Plan Amendment was in place. He explained the proposed request would simply change the property from Institutional to Residential. Councilmember Holden stated she did not support this request moving forward until the Comprehensive Plan was reviewed in further detail by the Council. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve Planning Case 18-001 a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the property located at 3246 New Brighton Road. State law requiring a supermajority vote, the motion failed 3-2 (Mayor Grant and Councilmember Holden opposed). Mayor Grant requested comment from the City Attorney on how this matter should proceed. City Attorney Jamnik reported given the Council's action on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, the Council should now make a motion to deny the Preliminary Plat, Final Plat and Variance as being inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to deny Planniny- Case 18-001 for a Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, and Variance for the property located at 3246 New Brighton Road, based on the fact the request was inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Holmes stated she was disappointed that she had to move to deny this request. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 9 City Planner Baehler indicated the Council would be discussing the Comprehensive Plan in more detail at their May worksession. Councilmember Holden stated she was trying to represent her neighborhood well and believed it was in the City's best interest to review the Comprehensive Plan prior to taking action on this parcel. The motion carried 4-1 (Councilmember McClunp, opposed). B. Resolution 2018-029 — Arden Hills 2040 Comprehensive Plan City Planner Baehler stated Minnesota state law requires that all communities within the Minneapolis -St. Paul metropolitan area update their Comprehensive Plans every ten years. The City has until December 31, 2018 to complete the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to establish the policies that guide the future physical and community development of Arden Hills. It is also a reference document for the Planning Commission and City Council when evaluating private development projects, and helps with the City's budgeting process. Eric Zweber, WSB, explained in addition to identifying local community goals, the Comprehensive Plan must reflect the adopted regional policies in the Metropolitan Council's system and policy plans. Local planning efforts are linked to the larger regional infrastructure of parks and trails, road networks, and wastewater infrastructure, and the City's plan must conform to the regional vision. Mr. Zweber reported cornmunities adopt different approaches to developing and implementing their Comprehensive Plans. Some plans include a great amount of detail with specific implementation timelines, while other plans focus more on general goals and policies. The Arden Hills 2040 Comprehensive Plan establishes a vision for the community with supporting goals, and recognizes the need to develop specific implementation strategies after adoption. Staff provided further comment on the Comprehensive Plan Organization. Mr. Zweber stated the Comprehensive Plan update process included a significant amount of input and review from the City Council, Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission (EDC), and the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC). In all, the City Council held four work sessions on the Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Commission held three, the EDC two, and the PTRC one. During the update process, draft versions of the plan were provided on the City's website and a project website was set up to solicit public comments. Mr. Zweber commented the City Council last reviewed the Comprehensive Plan at their Work Session on March 19, 2018. Staff provided a summary of the changes made to the plan since the last City Council review. It was noted the Planning Commission held the required public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Plan at their meeting on April 4, 2018 and they unanimously recommended approval of the plan with no changes. No public comments were provided during the public hearing. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 10 Mr. Zweber reported upon City Council authorization, the Comprehensive Plan will be sent to neighboring jurisdictions and affected governing bodies for review. The Comprehensive Plan cannot be officially approved by the City until after these entities have had an opportunity to review the draft plan and provide comments. The City is required to give them up to six months to review the plan, but the reviews are typically completed sooner. Mr. Zweber indicated after all of the comments are received from the other government entities, the City Council will review the comments, make any final changes, and then forward the Comprehensive Plan to the Metropolitan Council for review. The plan must be submitted to the Metropolitan Council by December 31, 2018. It was noted the Comprehensive Plan is required to conform to the system staternents and regional policies set by the Metropolitan Council. City staff and consultants have made an effort to address the Metropolitan Council requirements to ensure that the plan is accepted by the Metropolitan Council. At this time, staff does not anticipate any problems with conforming to those requirements. A draft of the Comprehensive Plan was submitted to the Metropolitan Council for prehiiiinary review and comment on March 27, 2018. Councilmember Holden noted several grammatical changes and requested clarification on the job numbers. Mr. Zweber reviewed the numbers in further detail with the Council. Councilmember Holden stated she would support this item being tabled until May to allow the Council to discuss the Future Land Use Map further. Councilmember Holmes asked if the item discussed in Planning Case 18-001 was addressed in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. City Planner Bachler stated this property had been identified for a change to Very Low Density Residential within the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and would go into effect when approved by the Met Council. Mr. Zweber explained the Met Council would not be considering amendments to 2030 Comprehensive Plans after June 30th. He provided further comment on the Met Council review and extension process that could be pursued by the Council for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Further discussion ensued regarding how the City would be impacted by delaying action on the Comprehensive Plan. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to table action on the Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update to the May 29, 2018 City Council meeting. The motion carried 3-2 (Councilmembers Holmes and McClung opposed). 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 11 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Scott commented on National Police Week. He noted he recently attended an Open House hosted by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department with the Mayor and Councilmember McClung. He explained community policing was discussed and tours were provided on the mobile command center. Councilmember Scott noted the Scoops for Troops event would be held on Sunday, April 291h at 10:00 a.m. He encouraged all to attend this family friendly event which would be held at the Army Training Center. Councilmember Scott sent his gratitude to the Public Works Department for clearing the City after the recent snowstorm. Councilmember McClung thanked the Public Works crew for their great work in clearing the City after the recent snow event. Councilmember McClung commented Ramsey County had a new Under Sheriff and his name was Rich Clarke. Councilmember Holmes commended the Ramsey County Sheriff Department and the Public Works Department for the great work they do in the City of Arden Hills. Councilmember Holmes stated the NYFS Leadership Luncheon would be held on Wednesday, May 2"d Councilmember Holden indicated she would be attending the NYFS Leadership Luncheon. Councilmember Holden asked if the B-2 zoning district setbacks would be reviewed by the City Council. City Planner Baehler stated staff could schedufc this for an upcoming Council worksession meeting. Mayor Grant supported this item being placed on a future worksession agenda. Mayor Grant recognized and thanked the Public Works employees for their assistance during the recent storm where the City received 15.7 inches. He was proud of the fact Arden Hills was cleared out before several neighboring cities. Mayor Grant congratulated Rich Clarke for being named Under Sheriff with Ramsey County. ADJOURN ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 23, 2018 12 MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:24 m. r e Hanson David Grant City Clerk Mayor