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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-24 PC Minutes Approved: November 6, 2024 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 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 Stephen Erler, Ben Lindau, Arlene Mitchell, Katie Stromberg, and Jonathan Wicklund. Absent: Commissioners Brad Bjorklund and Shelley Blilie. Also present were: Interim City Administrator Jessica Jagoe, Planning Consultant T.J. Hofer and Councilmember Emily Rousseau. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – OCTOBER 9, 2024 Commissioner Mitchell moved, seconded by Commissioner Erler, to approve the October 9, 2024, agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 7, 2024 – Planning Commission Regular Meeting Commissioner Erler moved, seconded by Commissioner Wicklund, to approve the August 7, 2024, Planning Commission Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). PLANNING CASES A. Planning Case 24-016; 3776 Connolly Avenue – Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan Review – Public Hearing Consultant Planner Hofer stated the Applicant previously submitted a land use application for a Zoning Code Amendment, Master Planned Unit Development, Final Planned Unit Development, Conditional Use Permit, and Site Plan Review to redevelop the existing ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 9, 2024 2 approximately 11,000 square foot commercial building on the property at 3776 Connelly Avenue. This application was approved, with conditions, with Resolution 2024-038 on July 22, 2024. The Subject Property is currently owned by Standout Properties, LLC and the building was most recently occupied by the Northern Lights Bingo Hall and Bright Side Café. The Applicant’s previous proposal was to renovate the existing building and resurface the parking lot. The Applicant proposed a phased development with the event center established in Phase I and restaurant and adult day care uses to be established in Phase II and Phase III, respectively. With the previous proposal, the Applicant sought review and approval for Phases I and II. Consultant Planner Hofer stated the PUD Development Agreement was approved on September 23, 2024. The Applicant is now asking to amend the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Agreement to allow for the west elevation and part of the north elevation of the building to have an exterior material that is not defined as a desirable material. The Applicant is proposing to not replace the exterior materials on the specified elevations and to instead paint the existing concrete block exterior material to match the approved exterior materials of the other elevations. The Applicant has provided a description in the submitted narrative: We are requesting a flexibility to allow painting of the west exterior walls in lieu of the brick shown in the original submittal to the Planning Commission and City Council. The west side of the building, which is the back, is not visible from the public streets to the south and east or from the public parking lot. It is heavily screened by dense vegetation along the west property line. The paint colors would match the previously approved brick colors and be applied in the same locations as the original brick colors. Consultant Planner Hofer reviewed the history of the subject property, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. The property located at 3776 Connelly Avenue is designated for Community Mixed uses on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 2. New building construction or site modification identified requires the submittal of a Site Plan Review application prior to construction. 3. For proposals for new construction, redevelopment of a site, and significant modifications to existing sites in the B-3 Zoning District, a Planned Unit Development is required. 4. The Master and Final Planned Unit Development generally conforms to the requirements of the City Zoning Code and design standards. 5. Resolution 2024-038 approved a Planned Unit Development for the Subject Property with flexibility for the following areas: parking requirements, landscaping, building materials, transparency, signage, lighting, and site furnishings. 6. A Master and Final PUD Development Agreement was approved by the City Council on September 23, 2024. 7. Where the plan is not in conformance with the City Code, the Applicant has requested flexibility. 8. Flexibility through the PUD process has been requested in the following areas: exterior materials. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 9, 2024 3 9. A public hearing for a Planned Unit Development Amendment request is required before the request can be brought before the City Council. Consultant Planner Hofer reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 24-016 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan Review for an Event Center and Restaurant at 3776 Connelly Avenue, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the conditions in the October 9, 2024 Report to the Planning Commission. Consultant Planner Hofer reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on this matter: 1. Recommend Approval with Conditions 1) The project shall be subject to any and all conditions of approval of Resolution 2024- 038. 2) 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 Community Development Director, shall require review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. 3) A violation of any condition set forth in the permit shall be a violation of this Code, and shall be cause for revocation of the permit. 4) The Master and Final PUD Development Agreement shall be amended to reflect the approval for additional flexibility from exterior building materials and the plans reviewed with this request. The Master and Final PUD Development Agreement shall be fully executed prior to the issuance of building permits. 2. Recommend Approval as Submitted 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Weber opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Erler stated his only concern with this request was that the acceptability depends on the screening from Snelling Avenue. He did not believe it was good to count on screening from highway department land. The only way he finds it acceptable to change this property was to ensure the screening was completed. Commissioner Mitchell asked how much of the north face would be changed from a painted surface to brick. Consultant Planner Hofer reviewed the building elevations in further detail with the Commission noting the areas that would change. Commissioner Mitchell indicated she visited the property and noted it appears the property has wooden siding and not cement block. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 9, 2024 4 Chair Weber stated it was his understanding this was a cinder block building that was being painted. He explained he supported this request in order to move the event center forward. He indicated he would like to see evergreen screening put in place versus deciduous trees. Commissioner Lindau supported the reuse of this property noting the event center would be an asset to the community. Chair Weber opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m. Chair Weber invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comment, Chair Weber closed the public hearing at 6:47 p.m. Commissioner Erler moved and Commissioner Wicklund seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 24-016 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan Review for an Event Center and Restaurant at 3776 Connelly Avenue, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the conditions in the October 9, 2024 Report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS A. Report from the City Council Councilmember Rousseau provided the Commission with an update from the City Council. She reported the Council reviewed the Trident North development and tabled action for the time being. She explained the Council approved the preliminary tax levy at 15.5% for 2025. She noted there was a strong interest in several of the Councilmembers to pursue a franchise fee to assist with covering costs for the new fire station. She welcomed Commissioner Lindau to the Planning Commission. She noted the City Council will be holding a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on Monday, October 28. B. Planning Commission Comments and Requests Commissioner Lindau introduced himself to the Commission and discussed his work experience in further detail. Commissioner Erler commented on the Commissioner Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion event he attended in the City of New Brighton. ADJOURN Commissioner Mitchell moved, seconded by Commissioner Wicklund, to adjourn the October 9, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting at 6:58 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).