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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-25 PC Minutes Approved: February 5, 2025 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025 6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Vice Chair Collins called to order the regular Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Commissioners Brad Bjorklund, Joshua Collins, Stephen Erler, Ben Lindau, and Katie Stromberg. Absent: None. Also present were: Interim City Administrator Jessica Jagoe, Consultant Planner TJ Hofer and Councilmember Emily Rousseau. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – JANUARY 8, 2025 Commissioner Erler moved, seconded by Commissioner Bjorklund, to approve the January 8, 2025, agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 4, 2024 – Planning Commission Regular Meeting Commissioner Bjorklund requested changes to the minutes. He stated that his comment on Page 12 should read: The project does not conform to the policies and goals of Section 6 and 7 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. He reported in the middle of Page 12, his comment should read: he spoke with the developer about the need for moderate income housing, as well. He stated a second sentence be added to read: and further stated that he would swear on an affidavit affirming the developer knew of the City’s desire for low income housing prior to the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Bjorklund discussed an untruth in the minutes on Page 8 noting Mr. Fink commented that this was the first time this has come up, and reiterated that he had spoken to the developer prior to the meeting. He addressed a comment within the minutes on Page 13, noting Mr. Fink explained he did not receive any push back from the neighbors or the City Council on the concept. He reported Mr. Fink left out the fact that the Planning Commission and himself talked to him personally prior to the meeting that low income housing was important to the City. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – January 8, 2025 2 Interim City Administrator Jagoe stated she understood Commissioner Bjorklund’s concerns regarding Mr. Fink’s comments, but noted the minutes were to reflect what happened at the meeting. Commissioner Bjorklund moved, seconded by Commissioner Erler, to approve the December 4, 2024, Planning Commission Regular Meeting as amended. The motion carried unanimously 3-0-2 (Commissioners Lindau and Stromberg abstained). PLANNING CASES A. Planning Case 24-020; 4200 Round Lake Road – Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan Review – Public Hearing Consultant Planner Hofer stated Scannell Properties previously submitted a land use application for a Master Planned Unit Development, Conditional Use Permit, Site Plan Review, and Preliminary/Final Plat to develop the existing approximately 250,000 square foot office and warehouse building on the property at 4200 Round Lake Road. This application was approved, with conditions, with Resolution 2020- 045 on October 12, 2020. It was stated in the approvals that a separate sign permit would be required for all proposed signage and that all proposed signage shall meet the requirements of Sign District 6. Delkor Systems, Inc. previously submitted a land use application for a Planned Unit Development Amendment to allow flexibility from the City Code on wall signage. This application was approved, with conditions, with Planning Case 22-014 on August 3, 2022, by the City Council. Consultant Planner Hofer reported the Subject Property is currently owned by Altus Properties, LLC., and the building is currently occupied by Delkor Systems, Inc. and Colder Products Company (CPC). The PUD Development Agreement for Gateway Interstate (“PUD Development Agreement”) was approved on April 16, 2021. The Applicant is now asking to amend the PUD agreement to allow for an increase in the amount of sign area permitted and allow for flexibility of commercial text on the sign faces. Consultant Planner Hofer reviewed the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: Planned Unit Development Amendment Findings: 1. The Applicant submitted an application for a Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan Review. 2. The Subject Property is located within the GB – Gateway Business and is designated for Limited Industrial & Office uses on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 3. The Subject Property is approximately 22 acres and is owned by Altus Properties, LLC. 4. Adjustments to the requirements and standards for the height, number, type, lighting, area, and/or location of a sign or signs established by Chapter 12 – Sign Code may be approved with a Site Plan Review or a Planned Unit Development process as described for in Section 1320 and 1355 of the Zoning Code. 5. New building construction or site modification identified requires the submittal of a Site Plan Review application prior to construction. 6. The Planned Unit Development generally conforms to the requirements of the City Zoning Code and design standards. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – January 8, 2025 3 7. Resolution 2020-045 approved a Planned Unit Development for the Subject Property with flexibility for the following areas: district provisions, lot area, lot dimensions, parking setbacks, building height, minimum caliper inches, aesthetics, perennials and shrubberies. 8. A Planned Unit Development Agreement was approved by the City Council on February 8, 2021. 9. A Planned Unit Development Amendment related to signage was approved by the Planning Commission on August 3, 2022. 10. Where the plan is not in conformance with the City Code, the Applicant has requested flexibility. 11. Flexibility through the PUD process has been requested in the following areas: auxiliary signage. 12. The proposed signage plan will not result in a sign that is inconsistent with the purpose of the zoning district in which the property is located or the current land use. 13. A public hearing for a Planned Unit Development Amendment is required before the request can be brought before the City Council. Consultant Planner Hofer stated staff recommends approval of Planning Case 24-020 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan Review for auxiliary signage at 4200 Round Lake Road, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the conditions in the January 8, 2025, Report to the Planning Commission: 1. All conditions of the original Preliminary/Final Plat, Planned Unit Development, Conditional Use Permit, and Site Plan Review and their corresponding resolutions shall remain in full force and effect. 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. A separate sign permit shall be required for all proposed signs. 5. The final location of auxiliary signs shall be subject to the approval of the PW Director/City Engineer and shall comply with comments as provided within the application review. 6. The proposed signs shall conform to all other regulations in the City Code. Consultant Planner Hofer 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 Vice Chair Collins opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Vice Chair Collins stated Appendix A allows for two signs per side. He asked if the appendix considered sign square footage. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – January 8, 2025 4 Consultant Planner Hofer reported Chapter 12Sign Code looks at total square footage but Appendix A does not evaluate the size of the sign. Commissioner Erler requested comment from the applicant as to why they were requesting additional signage. Rick Feraro, Spectrum Sign Systems, introduced himself to the Commission. He stated due to the massive site he was seeking a sign change. He explained he had a PUD approved that would allow him to have three signs. He reported since CPC and Delkor have occupied the building with multiple entrances, there are now various commercial deliveries, customers and employees coming to the site. He stated the sign request would assist visitors and deliveries going to the correct destination in the most efficient and safe manner possible. Vice Chair Collins opened the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. Vice Chair Collins invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no additional comment Vice Chair Collins closed the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. Commissioner Stromberg stated she supported the proposed request. Commissioner Lindau indicated he supported the request as well. Commissioner Erler moved and Commissioner Bjorklund seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 24-020 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan Review for auxiliary signage at 4200 Round Lake Road based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the conditions in the January 8, 2025, report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (5- 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 noted this would be her last meeting as the Council liaison, noting newly elected Councilmember Weber would be serving as the liaison for 2025. B. Planning Commission Comments and Requests Commissioner Bjorklund requested an update from staff regarding the North Heights housing development. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – January 8, 2025 5 Interim City Administrator Jagoe reported the developer would be coming before the City Council at the January 13 meeting and a supplemental narrative was included in their packet of materials. ADJOURN Vice Chair Collins moved, seconded by Commissioner Bjorklund, to adjourn the January 8, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting at 7:07 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).