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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10-2020-R'It ,-AR�EN HILLS Approved: September 14, 2020 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 10, 2020 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. Note: On March 20rh, the Mayor signed a determination allowing Councilmembers to participate in City Council meetings via telephone pursuant to State Statute 13D. 021 Present via Telephone: 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 Todd Blomstrom; Finance Director Gayle Bauman; Community Development Manager/City Planner Mike Mrosla; Associate Planner Joe Hartmann; and City Clerk Julie Hanson via telephone: City Attorney Joel Jamnik PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 10, 2020 2 4. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) and Joint Development Authority (JDA) Update City Administrator Perrault provided an update on TCAAP stating litigation with Ramsey County was ongoing. B. COVID-19 Update City Administrator Perrault provided the Council with an update on how the City was responding to COVID-19. He encouraged residents to visit the City's website for the most current and up to date information regarding COVID-19. He reported the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC also had websites with current guidelines and recommendations. He explained the City of Arden Hills remains in a peacetime state of emergency and City Hall will remain closed until further notice. He indicated City staff remains operational and can be reached via phone or email. He encouraged residents to monitor the governor's executive orders which were available on the State of Minnesota's website. He reported the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office has a COVID Help Team that will assist those in the community that are at most risk. Services provided by this team included pickup and delivery of essential items, donation of essential items, etc. He explained information regarding CARES Act funding would be available to the public at an upcoming meeting. C. Transportation Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported within the 2020 Street Maintenance project 40,000 square yards of sealcoating was completed last week along Pine Tree Drive, Harriet Avenue, Shorewood Drive, Sandeen Road, Beckman Avenue, Katie Lane, Thom Drive and Hamline Avenue north of County Road E. He explained street sweeping would be completed on Tuesday, August 11 cn Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom provided the Council with an update on the I- 35W MNPASS project. He explained the County Road D ramp to Southbound 35W would remain closed through September. Councilmember Holden stated she was really impressed by the crack sealing and sealcoating work that was completed last week. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Authorize Order to Outfit Plowtruck Unit 85120 C. Motion to Authorize Professional Services Agreement for Environmental Services with WSB — Snelling Avenue North ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 10, 2020 3 D. Motion to Authorize Professional Services Agreement with Bolton & Menk — 2021 PMP Street and Utility Improvement Project E. Motion to Approve Contract with Klein Underground — 2020 Concrete Improvements Project F. Motion to Approve Cooperative and Maintenance Agreement with Ramsey County for Pedestrian Modifications — Hamline Avenue G. Motion to Approve Multi -Function Copier Lease and Maintenance Agreement 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. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution 2020-030 — Planning Case 20-004 —1741 Venus Avenue - Variance Associate Planner Hartmann stated William Tourdot and Jennifer Granick ("The Applicants") are requesting a variance to build a deck and walkway structure in the front of a single-family detached dwelling ay 1741 Venus Avenue ("Subject Property"). The Subject Property is zoned R- 1, Single Family Residential District and is guided as a Low Density Residential use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The existing walkway and deck is original to the Subject Property and predates the adoption of the Zoning Code. The Subject Property is a legal non -conforming lot. Associate Planner Hartmann explained the Subject Property is 120 feet in length and has a lot area of 12,500 square feet. The R1 district standards require a minimum lot length of 130 feet and a minimum size of 14,000 square feet. In addition, the topography of the front yard is unique due to the courtyard designed by the original owner. The proposed variance will not impact any setback requirements besides the front and the property will conform to all other provisions for the R-1 district. Associate Planner Hartmann reported at its May 26, 2020 meeting, the City Council reviewed the Applicants request for a twelve (12) foot wide deck in the front yard along with replacing the existing walkway with a wider walkway that extended into the front yard setback as shown below. The walkway requested was a necessary replacement to bridge a sunken courtyard feature original to the house that allowed the residents access the front entrance of the house. Under City Code Section 1325.03 Subd. 2, decks in the Rl district are permitted to encroach up to six (6) feet into setbacks as long as there is at least an another six (6) feet between the edge of the deck and the ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 10, 2020 4 property line. The proposed deck requested would have encroached an additional twelve (12) feet into the front yard setback. Associate Planner Hartmann commented the Council discussed the possibility of a covered porch in lieu of the proposed deck as covered porches may encroach ten (10) feet into the front yard setback. The City Council then tabled the request to allow the Applicants time to pursue plans for a covered porch and return with an amended request. The Applicants are still proposing to replace the existing deck structure with a deck instead of building a covered porch. According to the Applicants, extending a roof over a covered porch on the south side of the house would block too much sunlight from the two windows. Associate Planner Hartmann explained based on a more accurate measurement that the applicants took of the distance from the front of the house to the front property line, the proposed seven and a half (7.5) foot wide deck would only encroach one (1) foot into the front yard setback because the house is precisely forty and a half (40.5) feet from the front property line. As stated above, decks in the R-I district are permitted to encroach up to six (6) feet into setbacks as long as there is at least an another six (6) feet between the edge of the deck and the property line. Therefore, without an approved variance, a deck must maintain a setback of at least thirty-four (34) feet from the front property line. Associate Planner Hartmann reviewed the Plan Evaluation and offered the following amended Findings of Fact: 1. City Staff received a land use application for a request to build a replacement deck for a single-family dwelling at the Subject Property 1741 Venus Avenue. 2. A deck on a single-family detached dwelling is a permitted use in the R-1 district. 3. The Subject Property is non -conforming with the R-1 districts standards for minimum lot length and area requirements. 4. The Subject Property is nonconforming due to the sunken elevation of the front yard. 5. The proposed deck would encroach one (1) foot into the front yard setback. 6. If approved for a variance, the proposed development of the subject parcel would otherwise conform to all other requirements and standards of the R-1 district. 7. A variance may be granted if enforcement of a provision in the zoning ordinance would cause the landowner practical difficulties. 8. Variances are only permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the ordinance. Staff offered for Council's consideration approval of Planning Case 20-004 for a variance at 1741 Venus Avenue, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the following conditions: 1. Prior to issuance of a Building Permit, engineering department staff shall review a revised landscaping plan to ensure no impacts to the right-of-way. 2. A Building Permit shall be issued prior to commencement of construction. 3. The proposed building shall conform to all standards and regulations in the City Code. Mayor Grant asked if the applicant was attending the meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 10, 2020 5 Associate Planner Hartmann reported the applicants were in attendance. Councilmember Holmes questioned if the applicants were requesting a deck that was one foot wider than allowed by City Code. Associate Planner Hartmann stated this was the case. Councilmember Holden inquired if decks were allowed on the front of houses. Associate Planner Hartmann explained code does permit decks to encroach in the front yard, but only six feet. He noted the applicants were asking for a seven foot wide deck. Mayor Grant requested further information regarding the six foot encroachment. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla indicated a deck could be six feet into the front yard setback. Mayor Grant inquired how far this deck would encroach into the setback. Associate Planner Hartmann stated a seven foot wide deck would be 33 feet from the front property line. He noted the home was 40.5 feet from the property line. MOTION: Councilmember Scott moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 92020-030 Approving Planning Case 20-004 for a Variance at 1741 Venus Avenue, based on the Findings of Fact and the submitted plans in the August 10, 2020 Report to the City Council. Councilmember McClung asked if this new application was 10 square feet less than the existing deck or the prior request. Associate Planner Hartmann explained this request was 10 square feet less than the deck that was currently on the property. Councilmember Holden stated she was confused and she didn't understand what the one additional foot of deck space would add to this property. She indicated she could not support this variance request. Councilmember Holmes commented she believed the Council made it very clear the City did not support front yard decks. She indicated the applicant has the ability to build what was there plus a little bit more. She did not see anything in the variance language that would allow for one additional foot to come forward. She stated she did not see any reason for granting the variance at this time. Mayor Grant questioned how wide the existing walkway was. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported the existing walkway was 4.5 feet wide. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 10, 2020 6 Councilmember McClung stated he was having a hard time justifying this request. He explained the applicant could reconstruct the deck as is, or could even enlarge it slightly. He commented he did not understand what the requested one foot was getting the applicant. Mayor Grant discussed the gurney argument and how the deck request was for seven feet in order to accommodate a gurney. A roll call vote was taken. The motion failed 2-3 (Councilmembers Holden, Holmes and McClung opposed). MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to deny Resolution #2020-030 Approving Planning Case 20-004 for a Variance at 1741 Venus Avenue. Councilmember Holden stated she believed the property owner already had reasonable use of and the one additional foot of deck space was not necessary. She commented there were no unique circumstances for this property. She explained the issue of fire department safety was not a valid reason to expand the deck. She did not believe the existing deck changed the character of the neighborhood but by altering the setback, this would impact the neighborhood. Councilmember Holmes reported the requested variance does not comply with the purpose and intent of the R-1 zoning district and the policies within the City's Comprehensive Plan. She explained a deck was not to encroach further onto the property line than was already been allowed. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried 3-2 (Councilmember Scott and Mayor Grant opposed). 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember McClung stated August 11 was Primary Election Day. He encouraged all Arden Hills residents to get out and vote. He discussed how absentee ballots could be requested for the General Election in November and noted this information was available on the City's website. Councilmember Holmes explained the Valentine Hills neighborhood has had three cars that have been stolen and seven houses that have been vandalized in the last month and a half. She indicated her neighbors were quite concerned for their safety and asked if staff should be directed to speak to :the Ramsey County Sheriff's office. Mayor Grant noted he received several calls regarding this matter and noted the Ramsey County Sheriff has been invited to the upcoming neighborhood meeting. He supported staff speaking with Ramsey County Sheriff to increase patrols in this area of the City. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 10, 2020 7 Councilmember Holden recommended that after this neighborhood meeting is held a message should be sent from the City to all residents encouraging residents to lock their cars at night, to lock garage doors, along with the doors between the garage and the house. She stated this would be a good reminder for all residents in order to reduce crime. Councilmember Holmes commented this was a good point and this information would benefit all Arden Hills residents. She supported this information being sent out in a letter form to all residents living in the Valentine Hills neighborhood. Councilmember McClung suggested this information being posted on the City's social media pages and in an upcoming newsletter. Mayor Grant recommended the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office develop a helpful hints flyer and it be distributed to the Valentine Hills neighbors when the neighborhood watch meeting details were distributed. City Administrator Perrault stated he would speak with the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department in order to secure these flyers for the neighborhood watch group. Mayor Grant noted the Arden Hills Foundation was looking into replacing/updating the neighborhood watch signs in the City. Ii III lei" n►`I MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adiourn. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:52 p.m. ?ie Hanson Clerk David Grant Mayor