HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 08-07-2002
MINUTES
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
PLANI\I~G CO.\fMISSION
. WED~ESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2002
7:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Zimmennan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present were Commissioners Ken Bezdicek, Terri Duchenes, Brad Lemberg, Cathy
Smithknecht, and Vice Chair Clayton Zimmel11Jan.
Absent: Chair David Sand and Commissioner Megan Ricke.
Also present wcrc Council Member Beverly Aplikowski, Council Member Lois Rem,
Director of Community Services Aaron PaITish, City Engineer, Nick Landwer, and
Recording Secretary Kathleen Altman.
APPROV AL OF MINUTES FROM PLAN~ING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON
JULY 17,2002.
. Commissioner Lcmbcrg moved, seconded hy Commissioner Bezdicek to approve the
July 17, 2002 minutes as amcnded. The motion caITicd unanimously (5-0).
PLANNING CASE #02-18 - OPPIDAN/CUB FOODS, LEXINGTON AND GREY FOX
ROAD, MASTER AND FINAL PLANNED WoiIT DEVELOPME~T - PUBLIC
HEARING
Staff rcvicwcd their rep0l1 dated July 30, 2002. St8ff recommended approval hascd on
the conditions as outlined in their report.
The City Engineer updated the Commission on Ramsey County's suggestions regarding
traffic flow.
I
Vice Chair Zimmemlan asked if Grey Fox Road would need to be widened for right
turns. Thc City Engineer replied Grey Fox Road would prohably need to be widened.
Commissioner Lemberg inquired about covcred trash containers. .Mr. PalTish replied that
was a standard condition.
Vice Chair Zimmcrman asked if Shannon Square's landscaping pcrcentage was cUITently
in compliance with Code, and would it still he in compliance with this development. Mr.
PaITish replied the 21 pcrccnt landscaping encompassed both properties.
. Vice Chair Zimmennan askcd if there were one or two property owners for the property.
Mr. PalTish replied hc believed the developer was working with the Shannon Square
owners and there would be one property owner.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING CO.\lMISSION - AUGUST 7, 2002 2
. Chair Duchenes asked if this property would need to replatted. Mr. Parrish replied that
would not be necessary, and it would remain as two distinct parcels.
Vicc Chair Zimmernlan opcned the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.
Paul Tucci, Oppidan, Inc., stat cd with respect to landscaping, thc idea was that there
would be a single owner. They were proposing to buy both parcels of land. He stated they
were proposing to resurface the Shannon Squarc lot and to replace landscaping as needed.
lie indicated their goal was to have uniformity betwccn the existing Shannon Square and
the new development. He stated with respect to lighting, thcy would be repainted so they
would also look new. He pointcd out that islands were added to the parking area, and the
boulevard along Lexington was made 5 feet wider to allow for more grecn area. With
respect to parking, he stated they did meet thc requirements. He stated they did move the
truck docks the other way, so they would be exiting out on Grey Fox Road. He notcd they
did change their signage as requested. He stated the signage was brought down. With
respect to traffic, hc indicated the traffic report was done on a store 6,000 feet bigger than
they wcrc proposing, so he believed this was a reasonable report. He indicated they
would work with Ramsey County regarding any concerns they had.
Vice Chair Zimmell11an stated thcy would need to get the vacation of the unused rail line
in order to meet their landscaping requirements. Ylr. Tucci replied thcy were working
with the railroad on this.
. Vice Chair Zimmerman expressed concern about thc traffic study being based on a 6,000
squarc fcct storc larger than what was being proposed. He stated the study was not bascd
on what was actually occurring on Lexington and Grey Fox Road at this time and the
storc they compared this with were not in the metropolitan arca. Mr. Tucci replied the
traffic engineer had taken actual traffic counts at that location and they used figures that
were comparable. He stated they used the industry standard for stores similar to Cub.
Vcrn Haun, 1076 Island Lake Avenue, stated he was within 350 - 400 feet of the
proposed Cub location. He asked who selected the Cub sitcs and indicated he believcd
this was not a good location for this store. He stated this area was an industrial area. He
asked if the City was going to have enough money to update Lexington Avenue for the
increase in traffic. Mr. Tucci replied the site selection was done by a consultant of Cub
Foods. He stated they looked al potential market deficiencies. He indicated all of the
infornlation to date indicated this was a viable site.
The City Engineer stated Lexington Avenue was a County road and it was thc County's
responsibility to do any upgrades, this would not be funded at the City's cost.
A resident of Island Lake Avenue, stated they already had a Super Target, which
increascd traffic and now with this proposed Cub hc was concerned about tra11ic, noise,
and privacy issues. He asked how the City worked with the County to get Lexington
. Avenue upgraded. The City Engineer replied any needed upgrades would be addressed
by Ramsey County after the City requests they rcvicw the road.
Mr. Parrish pointcd out that they were improving Grcy Fox Road at the developer's
expense.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNl)!G COMMISSION - AL'GL'ST 7, 2002 3
. Vice Chair Zimmennan closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m.
Commissioncr Smithknccht asked how much they were widening Grey Fox Road. The
City Engineer replied they would be adding a turn lane; the whole road would not be
widened.
Commissioner Bezdicek asked about vacating the rail line. He asked if there was a
regular train schedule on Lexington Avenue. He asked if this was an issuc. Mr. Haun
indicated this was an issuc with backing up traffic and this is a large problem.
Commissioner Bezdicek asked if the railroad track concem had been addressed by the
developer. Mr. Panish replied they had in the past asked for a schedule from the railroad,
but the railroad had failed to give the City this type oCinfornwtion.
Commissioner Bezdicek statcd hc belicvcd this was a factor for this area and cxprcssed
surprise that this had not been addressed. Mr. Parrish replied while this may be a Cactor, if
adhered to, the traffic controls in place should address this situation.
Vice Chair Zimmemlan asked if the traffic study had looked at the train crossing. Mr.
Tucci replied Lexington was a County Road and it was dcsigncd as a major arterial, so it
was designed for this type of traffic. He stated the County had not expressed a concem
regarding the train crossing and the trains were demand driven and therefore were
difficult to determine when the trains would be using the track. He stated the track might
. actually he helpCul to allow people on Grcy Fox Road easier access to Lexington Avenue.
Commissioner Bezdicek stated it appeared to him that there was a significant growth
factor in this area in the past two years and expressed concern regarding the increase in
traffic.
Commissioner Duchenes expressed concem about backing up oCtraffic at County Road E
during nlsh hour. She stated surprise that the report did not address this. She asked if
there was a rcviscd landscaping and signage drawing, particularly with respect to the
houlevard landscaping. Mr. TLlcci replied they did not have a drawing for this plan. He
indicated with respect to benning, Lexington would sit higher than the parking lot, so
there would be no lights shining across Lexington A venue.
Commission Bczdicck asked how large the parking spaces would be. Mr. Parrish replied
the rcquircmcnt was 9 fcct by 18 feet and the parking spaces met that requirement.
Mr. Tucci stated the parking spots on front of the supennarket were larger, 9.5 feet by 18
or 20 fcct. The parking spaces along Shannon Square were 9 feet by 18 fcct.
Commissioner Smithknecht replied shc was not comf0l1able with the traffic and
expressed concem about the increase 0 f traffic on Lexington A venue. She stated it was
impossible to get onto Lexington A venue right now. She questioned if the Lexington
. A venue would be able to handle the increased traffic.
Mr. Tucci stated they had contacted Ramsey County as well as the City Engineer and
everyone agreed that Lexington A venue was dcsigncd to handle this type of traffic. He
stated the traffic study was based on the traffic volumcs and they would be working with
ARDEN HILLS PLAl\l\TNG COMMISSION - AUGUST 7, 2002 4
. Ramsey County on their suggestions. He stated they would be making improvements as
recommended to help handle the traffic,
Commissioncr Bezdicck moved, seconded by Commissioner Smithknecht, to table
Planning Case #02-18, Oppidan/Cub Foods, Lexington and Grey Fox Road, Master and
Final Planned Unit Development pending written review of Ramsey COlmty regarding
the traffic.
Commissioner Duchenes stated she would like this matter resolved this evening and let
the City Council make the final decision.
Motion failed (2-3) (Commissioners Duchenes, Lcmberg, and Vice Chair Zimmernlan).
Commissioner Lemberg, moved, seconded by Commissioner Duchenes, to approvc
Planning Case #02-18, Oppidan/Cub Foods, Lexington and Grey Fox Road, Master and
Final Planned unit Development based on the following conditions:
I. Constmction of an exclusive eastbound right turn lane at the Grey Fox Road
intersection with Lexington Avenue,
2. Placement of fire hydrants every 500 feet around building ineluding the rear
side of the bLlilding. Hydrants need to be within 100 feet of Fire Department
cOlmection.
3. A final utility plan be submitted to the City Engineer for his approval.
. 4. A final grading and drainage plan be submitted to the City Engineer lar his
approval.
5. A masonry trash cnelosurc be provided using materials that match the primary
building.
6. The applicant submit a landscape perfornlance bond or other surety for 125%
of the cost of materials and installation valid one full year from the date of
installation.
7. A PUD Pennit and Development Agreement be approved by the City Council
prior to the issuance of a building pernlit.
8. City may disallow seasonal t1O\ver sales if parking is inadequate to serve the
proposed retail space.
9. The applicant has the existing rail line vacated prior to the issuance of a
Certificate of OCCLlpancy.
10. The applicant obtains all necessary pennits ii-OlD the Rice Creek Watershed
District and Ramsey County;
11. Compliance with the applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
12. Compliance with Ramsey County concerns regarding the turn lane and the
curb cut.
13. Updating the traffic study to ret1ect the traffic concerns on Lexington Avenue
as they exist relative to current traffic and taking into consideration the back
up on Lexington A venue and consideration for traffic flow stoppage due to the
railroad tracks.
. The motion carried unanimously (5-0),
ARDEN HILLS PLA1\l\lNG COMMISSION - AUGUST 7, 2002 5
. Vice Chair Zimmerman recessed the meeting at 8:00 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at
8:10p.m.
UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSIl'iESS
PLANNING CASE #02-12 - CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
ORDINANCE
StalTreviewed their report dated July 30,2002 and asked if the Commission wanted to
adopt the IPMC by reference, or if they wanted statI!o develop a custom ordinance.
Commissioner Lemberg stated he believed it was important to have this type of an
ordinance. He stated he believed there should be some type of a control of woodpiles. Mr.
Palrish replied this was an Ordinance designed to look at physical structures and property
and there would be other Ordinances that would addresses woodpiles as well as othcr
issues. He stated this would provide the mechanism for the City to do something if they
received a complaint.
Vice Chair Zimmerman asked if it was necessary to enact an enforcement mechanism
also.
Commissioner Lemberg suggested cross-referencing this Ordinance with the Ordinances
that wcre already in the Code.
. Mr. PalTish agreed there should be some enforcement mechanism in place and therc
should be a standard way to dcal with these issues.
Commissioner Lemberg reqLlestcd additional time to revicw this. Vice Chair Zimmerman
rcqucstcd the Commissioners review this in detail prior to next month's meeting. He
rcqucsted Mr. Parrish get the other Ordinances out to the Commissioners in the ncar
future for review. He suggested one more meeting in September to review this Ordinance
and then hold the public hearing at the October meeting.
REPORTS
A. Planning Commissioners
There were no Commissioners reports.
B. Staff
M1'. PalTish updatcd the Commission on the City Planner position. He stated a new City
Planner would hopefully be at the next Commission meeting.
M1'. PalTish updated the Commission on the TCAAP issue.
. C. Council Member
Council Member Aplikowski updated the Commission on the recent decisions made by
Council.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNll\G COMMISSION - AUGUST 7, 2002 6
. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Bezdicek moved, seconded by Commissioner Duchenes, to adjourn the meeting
at 8:39 p.m. Thc motion carried unanimously (5-0).
.
.
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