HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-06-18 PC
Approved: August 8, 2018
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018
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 Paul Vijums, Steven Jones, and James
Lambeth.
Absent: Commissioners Matt Dixon, Nick Gehrig, Brent Bartel (Alternate), and Angela Hames
(Alternate)
Also present were: City Planner Matthew Bachler and Councilmember Steve Scott.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – JUNE 6, 2018
Chair Thompson stated the agenda will stand as published.
APPOINTMENTS
A. Planning Commission Appointment
City Planner Bachler stated Paul Vijums submitted an application to be considered for
appointment to the Planning Commission. Consistent with the City’s policy on commission and
committee appointments, Mr. Vijums was interviewed by the Planning Commission Chair, the
City Council Liaison, and staff. The City Council approved the appointment of Paul Vijums to
the Planning Commission at their regular meeting on May 14, 2018. Mr. Vijums’ term expires
December 31, 2020.
Chair Thompson administered the Oath of Office to Paul Vijums and welcomed him to the
Planning Commission.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 6, 2018 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 9, 2018 – Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Commissioner Jones moved, seconded by Commissioner Lambeth, to approve the May 9,
2018, Planning Commission Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried
unanimously (4-0).
PLANNING CASES
A. Planning Case 18-011; 1377 Arden Oaks Drive and 1415 County Road E – Minor
Subdivision – Public Hearing
City Planner Bachler stated a Minor Subdivision is being requested for a lot line adjustment
between 1377 Arden Oaks Drive and 1415 County Road E. The lot line adjustment would result
in a parcel of land measuring 30 feet in width by 100 feet in depth being transferred from the
northern side of the property at 1415 County Road E to the southern side of the property at 1377
Arden Oaks Drive.
City Planner Bachler commented the property owner of 1377 Arden Oaks Drive currently has
permission from the adjacent property owner to use the subject area of land to access the walkout
basement and rear yard on their property. The proposed lot line adjustment would allow the
applicant to formally purchase the parcel from the owner of 1415 County Road E. The lot line
adjustment would not result in any new nonconforming issues on either of the two properties.
Site Data
Land Use Plan: 1415 County Road E: LDR – Low Density Residential
1377 Arden Oaks Drive: LDR – Low Density Residential
Existing Land Use: 1415 County Road E: Single Family Dwelling
1377 Arden Oaks Drive: Single Family Dwelling
Zoning: 1415 County Road E: R-1 Single Family Residential
1377 Arden Oaks Drive: R-1 Single Family Residential
Current Lot Sizes: 1415 County Road E: 25,461 square feet
1377 Arden Oaks Drive: 16,213 square feet
Topography: Site is relatively flat.
City Planner Bachler reviewed the surrounding area, the Plan Evaluation and provided the
Findings of Fact for review:
1. The properties at 1377 Arden Oaks Drive and 1415 County Road E are located in the R-1
– Single-Family Residential Zoning District.
2. The Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan designates the properties at 1377 Arden Oaks
Drive and 1415 County Road E as LDR – Low Density Residential.
3. The applicant has submitted an application for a Minor Subdivision for a lot line
adjustment that would transfer a 3,000 square foot parcel of land from 1415 County Road
E to 1377 Arden Oaks Drive.
4. The proposed lot line adjustment would not result in any new lots for development
purposes.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 6, 2018 3
5. The proposal does not include any additions to the existing dwellings or modifications to
the access driveways on the subject properties.
6. The owners of the platted lot have filed with the zoning administrator a registered land
survey of the properties where the lot line adjustment is proposed.
7. The parcel at 1377 Arden Oaks Drive resulting from the lot line adjustment would meet
all of the minimum requirements for the R-1 District.
8. The parcel at 1415 County Road E currently does not meet the minimum lot width or side
yard corner setback requirements for the R-1 District.
9. The proposed lot line adjustment would not increase the nonconforming lot width or side
yard corner setback for the parcel at 1415 County Road E. The parcel at 1415 County
Road E resulting from the lot line adjustment would meet all other minimum
requirements for the R-1 District.
10. The proposed division will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to
adjacent tracts in the area in which the subdivision tract is located.
City Planner Bachler reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on this
matter:
1. Recommend Approval with Conditions
2. Recommend Approval as Submitted.
3. Recommend Denial
4. Table
Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commissioner comments.
There were no comments.
Chair Thompson opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m.
Chair Thompson invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make
comment.
Dave Beamish, 1377 Arden Oaks Drive, discussed his request and noted he was working with
his neighbor to move the lot line formally given the fact his neighbor would be selling his home.
Commissioner Lambeth asked if the portion of land would be sold via a purchase agreement.
Mr. Beamish reported this was the case and noted both parties have agreed to the terms of the
sale. He described the portion of land that he would be purchasing from his neighbor in further
detail with the Commission.
There being no additional comment Chair Thompson closed the public hearing at 6:49 p.m.
Chair Thompson recommended staff receive formal documentation regarding the land sale prior
to this item being reviewed by the City Council.
Commissioner Lambeth asked if a quit claim deed process could be followed by the City
instead of a minor subdivision.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 6, 2018 4
City Planner Bachler commented the minor subdivision was the process that had to be followed
for this request.
Further discussion ensued regarding the sale of the neighbor’s property and when this home
would be put on the market for sale.
Commissioner Jones asked when this item would be reviewed by the City Council.
City Planner Bachler reported the City Council would meet next on Monday, June 11th but
noted this item would not be reviewed by the City Council until Monday, June 25th.
Chair Thompson requested staff work with the applicant to see if this matter could be reviewed
on Monday, June 11th.
Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner Lambeth seconded a motion to recommend
approval of Planning Case 18-011 for a Minor Subdivision at 1377 Arden Oaks Drive and
1415 County Road E, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by
the two (2) conditions in the June 6, 2018 Report to the Planning Commission:
1. The applicant shall record the Minor Subdivision with Ramsey County and a
copy shall be provided to the City within sixty (60) days of the City’s approval.
2. Monument stakes shall be installed to demarcate the new property line between
1377 Arden Oaks Drive and 1415 County Road E.
The motion carried unanimously (4-0).
UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
None.
REPORTS
A. Report from the City Council
Councilmember Scott welcomed Commissioner Vijums to the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Scott updated the Planning Commission on City Council activities from the
May 21, 2018 City Council Work Session stating the City Council reviewed a concept plan for a
proposed senior housing development by Lyngblomsten on the south end of the North Heights
Lutheran Church at 1700 Highway 96. The development would include approximately 200 units
with a mix of independent living, assisted living, and memory care units. The concept plan
review process is an opportunity for the City Council to provide comments and questions
regarding proposed developments. A concept review is considered advisory and is nonbinding to
the City and applicant.
Councilmember Scott explained the City Council reviewed the current land use and subdivision
regulations for the R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts. The Council directed staff to investigate
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 6, 2018 5
regulations for subdivisions and new development within existing residential neighborhoods that
would require more context-sensitive design. This item will be further discussed by the Planning
Commission at a future meeting.
Councilmember Scott updated the Planning Commission on City Council activities from the
May 29, 2018 City Council Regular Meeting noting the City Council reviewed and approved the
following planning cases that were considered by the Planning Commission at their regular
meeting on May 9, 2018. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the
three cases:
• Planning Case 18-007: Variance request to construct a new single-family dwelling at
4535 Lakeshore Place that would encroach 5 feet – 4 inches into the required 40-foot
front yard setback.
• Planning Case 18-008: Variance request to construct an addition to the attached garage at
1275 Nursery Hill Court that would encroach 3 feet – 1 inch into the required 40-foot
front yard setback.
• Planning Case 18-009: Site Plan Review request for a Sign Standard Adjustment to allow
for the display of two temporary leasing signs at 1290 County Road F.
Councilmember Scott reported the City Council also considered and approved Planning Case
18-013 for a Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, and Comprehensive Plan Amendment at 3246 New
Brighton Road. The approval will allow Journey Home Minnesota to redevelop the former Lake
Johanna Fire Station No. 1 property for three single-family residential dwellings. The Planning
Commission considered a similar redevelopment proposal for the property in Planning Case 18-
001 on April 4, 2018, which would have created four lots from the existing property.
Councilmember Scott encouraged the Commission members to attend the Appreciation
Luncheon at Cummings Park which will be held on Tuesday, July 10th at 6:00 p.m.
B. Staff Comments
City Planner Bachler explained the current Chair of the Planning Commission, Roberta
Thompson, will be stepping down as Chair following the June 6 meeting. At their meeting on
May 14, the City Council approved the appointment of Nick Gehrig as the Chair and Steven
Jones as the Vice Chair of the Planning Commission. Their appointment will be effective for the
next Planning Commission meeting on July 11. Staff reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule
with the Commission.
C. Planning Commission Comments and Requests
Chair Thompson welcomed Commissioner Vijums to the Commission and stated she
appreciated his service to the community. She noted any other individuals interested in serving
on the Planning Commission were encouraged to contact City Hall for further information.
Chair Thompson thanked staff and the City Council for all of their help and support over the
years.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 6, 2018 6
ADJOURN
Commissioner Lambeth moved, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to adjourn the June 6,
2018, Planning Commission Meeting at 7:14 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (4-0).