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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-24 PC Minutes Approved: April 3, 2024 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024 6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Kurtis Weber called to order the regular Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Chair Kurtis Weber, Commissioners Brad Bjorklund, Shelley Blilie, Joshua Collins, Stephen Erler and Arlene Mitchell. Absent: Commissioner Jonathan Wicklund. Also present were: Community Development Director Jessica Jagoe, Senior Planner Elena Fransen and Council Liaison Emily Rousseau. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – MARCH 6, 2024 Commissioner Bjorklund moved, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to approve the March 6, 2024, agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). APPROVAL OF THE VICE-CHAIR Commissioner Bjorklund commented on how Jonathan Wicklund served as the JDA Chair, which was leading to conflicts of interest when he serves on the Planning Commission. For this reason, he recommended Commissioner Wicklund not be appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission. Chair Weber agreed, noting Commissioner Wicklund served the community well as the JDA Chair. He suggested going forward, the Vice-Chair position rotate on a yearly basis. Commissioner Bjorklund supported Josh Collins serving as the Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission for 2024. Chair Weber asked if there were any other nominations for the role of Vice-Chair. Other nominations were not made. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 6, 2024 2 Commissioner Bjorklund moved, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, to approve Josh Collins as the Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission for 2024. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). APPROVAL OF 2024 MEETING CALENDAR Chair Weber stated the only meeting of concern to him was slated for July 3. Community Development Director Jagoe explained a meeting would only be held in July if the City received applications. She noted the meeting date could be canceled or rescheduled. Commissioner Bjorklund recommended the July Planning Commission meeting be moved to July 10 for better participation from both the Commission and the public. Chair Weber agreed with this recommendation. Chair Weber moved, seconded by Commissioner Bjorklund, to adopt the 2024 Meeting Calendar as amended moving the July Planning Commission meeting to July 10. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 3, 2024 – Planning Commission Regular Meeting Commissioner Erler moved, seconded by Commissioner Bjorklund, to approve the January 3, 2024, Planning Commission Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). PLANNING CASES A. Planning Case 24-006; Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13 to TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) Attachment 3 – Public Hearing Community Development Director Jagoe stated in November 2012, the City Council approved a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Ramsey County which establishes a partnership between the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County with the goal of the remediation and redevelopment of the 427-acre Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) site. Under the JPA, the City and County created a Joint Development Authority (JDA) that is the joint governing entity of the TCAAP site as allowed by the Joint Powers Act and MN State Laws. The JDA is the authority responsible for, but not limited to, environmental remediation, elimination of blight, infrastructure construction and financing, comprehensive planning and zoning, and economic development and redevelopment. The JDA Board is comprised of two County Commissioners, two City Councilmembers, and an additional non-elected City appointee as the Chair. Key points of the JPA are as follows: • The County will purchase the site from the U.S. Government and will work with Bolander and Sons to remediate the site to a residential standard including the demolition of remaining buildings. – Completed ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 6, 2024 3 • The City will prepare an AUAR and Master Plan. The Master Plan will be approved by both the City and the County and will be implemented by the JDA. – Completed • The City and County are responsible for installing their respective public infrastructure as outlined by the JPA. TBD Community Development Director Jagoe explained between 2013 – 2016, the City facilitated the process of developing the Master Plan for the TCAAP site, which as noted above was the responsibility of the City under the JPA. Planning elements of the Master Plan included defining the public engagement process, land use, circulation and movement, utilities, environmental remediation, parks and open space, implementation plan, and a regulatory plan. In 2015, the City adopted the TRC, Section 1380 of the zoning code which includes the regulating plan, land use table, design standards, and other regulations related to land development that are specific to the TCAAP site. Community Development Director Jagoe reviewed the proposed Zoning Code Text Amendments in further detail with the Commission and provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. The City of Arden Hills is proposing amendments to the illustration of Chapter 13 – Zoning Code, Section 1380 – TCAAP Redevelopment Code, Attachment 3 – Development Flow Chart of the City Code. 2. The proposed ordinance will correct the exhibit to be consistent with the ordinance language in Section 3.3 which outlines the Joint Development Review Process. 3. The proposed amendment is not modifying procedures as currently outlined in the TRC of the Arden Hills City Code. 4. Amendments to the Zoning Code regulations require a public hearing prior to action by the City Council. 5. If the zoning amendments were approved, an Applicant would be required to submit a land use application that would be subject to the formal review process. Community Development Director Jagoe reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 24-006 for a Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13, Section 1380 – TCAAP Redevelopment Code, Attachment 3 – Development Flow Chart of the Arden Hills City Code an exhibit to illustrate the Joint Development Authority Review Process. 1. Recommend Approval 2. Recommend Approval with Amendments 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Weber opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Bjorklund asked who discovered this error. Community Development Director Jagoe explained staff discovered the error when reviewing the approval process for the campus commercial property within the development. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 6, 2024 4 Commissioner Bjorklund commented on the number of acronyms within Attachment 3. He requested a definition for AUAR be provided. Community Development Direct Jagoe explained that AUAR is the acronym for Alternative Urban Areawide Review process. Chair Weber opened the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Chair Weber invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comments Chair Weber closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Commissioner Erler moved and Commissioner Collins seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 24-006 for a Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13, Section 1380 – TCAAP Redevelopment Code, Attachment 3 – Development Flow Chart of the Arden Hills City Code an exhibit to illustrate the Joint Development Authority Review Process, based on the findings of fact and the submitted materials in the March 6, 2024, Report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). B. Planning Case 24-003; 1230 Red Fox Road and 1221 Cummings Park Drive – Site Plan Review – Public Hearing Not Required Senior Planner Fransen stated on August 28, 2023, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with TKDA for the South Tower improvements project. Within the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) the South Tower at 1230 Red Fox Road (“Subject Property A”) is planned for improvements in 2024. Along with recommended repairs, it is desired to include security improvements to the South Tower in the 2024 improvements. At their December 18, 2023 work session meeting, the Assistant Public Works Director presented a project scope that included an 8-foot security perimeter fencing and gates. At this meeting, City Council direction was given for staff to pursue installation of the same security fencing at the City’s North Tower at 1221 Cumming Park Drive (“Subject Property B”). The Site Plan Review request includes the two water tower sites and is triggered due to the proposed location of the fencing. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the site data, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. Subject Property A located at 1230 Red Fox Road is zoned I-Flex District and is designated for Utility use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 2. Subject Property B located at 1221 Cummings Park Drive is zoned I-1 District and is designated for Utility use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 3. The Applicant is proposing a security perimeter fence that extends beyond the front building line of the principal structure in the required front yard on Subject Property A and Subject Property B. 4. An 8 foot tall fence is allowed in Business and Industrial districts, but a Site Plan Review is required for the location. 5. The proposed changes for the installation of security perimeter fencing would be in compliance with all provisions of the Zoning Code. 6. The proposed plan does not conflict with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Code or the Comprehensive Plan for the City. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 6, 2024 5 Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 24-003 for a Site Plan Review to allow security perimeter fencing in front of the principal structure at 1230 Red Fox Road and 1221 Cummings Park Drive . 1. Recommend Approval 2. Recommend Approval with Amendments 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Weber opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Erler asked what types of discussion were held that led to the recommendation for this type of fencing. Senior Planner Fransen explained the City currently has no security in place for the water towers and the Council would like to make improvements to improve security. Chair Weber anticipated this type of fencing was a best practice now. Commissioner Erler agreed but asked if the proposed fencing was enough. Council Liaison Rousseau recognized that if someone wanted to climb over the fence, this may occur, but the Council believed the proposed fencing was a step in the right direction to enhancing the security around the City’s water towers. Commissioner Bjorklund stated he supported the proposed fencing for the City’s water towers. He thanked Public Works Director Swearingen and TKDA for their efforts on this project. Commissioner Mitchell indicated she supported the proposed fencing. She questioned if there would be anything on top of the fence to discourage people from climbing over the fence. Community Development Director Jagoe explained the City would not be installing barbed wire or spikes on top of the eight foot fence. Commissioner Erler commended City staff for properly maintaining the water tower sites. Chair Weber moved and Commissioner Bjorklund seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 24-003 for a Site Plan Review to allow security perimeter fencing in front of the principal structure at 1230 Red Fox Road and 1221 Cummings Park Drive, based on the findings of fact and submitted plans in the March 6, 2024, Report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 6, 2024 6 A. Report from the City Council Councilmember Rousseau provided the Commission with an update from the City Council. She explained the TCAAP project continues to move forward. She reported a car wash would be moving into the old Arby’s site. She commented on the State of the City event that was hosted by the City Council. She indicated the Council would be moving away from Zoom calls at City Council and other public meetings due to the events that occurred at the January Council meeting. She stated the Council was hoping to hold a strategic planning session yet this spring. She thanked Chair Weber and Vice-Chair Collins for being willing to serve in their new roles. B. Planning Commission Comments and Requests Commissioner Bjorklund requested the Council or staff provide the Commission with additional information on the soils within TCAAP. Community Development Director Jagoe stated she would provide this information to the Commission. ADJOURN Commissioner Mitchell moved, seconded by Commissioner Erler, to adjourn the March 6, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting at 7:10 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).