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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 02-02-2005 MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION . WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2005 7:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chair Sand called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were Commissioners Clayton Larson, Elizabeth Modesette, Fran Holmes, Clayton Zimmerman, Roberta Thompson, and Chair David Sand. Absent: Commissioner Ken Bezdicek. Also present were Mayor Beverly Aplikowski, Community Development Director, Scott Clark, City Planner Peter Hellegers, and Recording Secretary Kathleen Altman. SWEARING IN OF ROBERT A THOMPSON AS PLANNING COMMISSIONER Mayor Aplikowski swore Roberta Thompson as a Planning Commissioner. . A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 5. 2005. Commissioner Zimmerman requested the following changes: Page 6, fifth paragraph, first sentence should read: He noted if the Planning Commission determined...'" Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Larson to approve the January 5, 2005 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS A. PLANNING CASE #05-03: ST. PAUL LODGE #2 - I.O.O.F..1174 EDGEWATER A VENUE; SPECIAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT Chair Sand opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. Mr. Hellegers stated applicants were requesting a Special Use Permit Amendment (SUP) to allow for site plan modifications which would reduce the size of the originally approved parking lot in Special Use Permit #70-36. The reduced parking area would free the eastem lots (Lots 1, 2, and 2; Block 3; Lake Josephine Villas) to be sold by the . applicant as one residential lot. Staff recommended approval based on the following conditions: ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 2 1. The applicant shall continue to abide by the conditions of approval listed in Special . Use Permit #70-36 except for the site plan amendment discussed. 2. No construction shall occur on all or part of Lots I, 2, or 3, Block 3, Lake Josephine Villas prior to those properties being platted into one residential lot which meets the minimum requirements for the R-2: Single and Two Family Residential Zoning District. 3. If membership or guest attendance increases to a point where 12 parking spaces are utilized on a recurring basis, then the Oddfellow's Lodge would be required to construct the matching parking area shown as "additional space for parking if ever needed" on the site plan and included in City Planning File #05-04. 4. The proposed new parking area and any future parking, as discussed in Condition #3, shall be graded to drain toward the northeast comer of the new parking area. The grading and drainage shall take special care to avoid any adverse drainage effects on Lots 1,2, or 3, Block 3, Lake Josephine Villas. 5. Screening of at least 60% opacity shall be provided along the north, east, and south sides of the new parking lot as proposed on the site plans on file in City,planning file #05-04. Screening may be accomplished by a 3-foot high privacy style fence or coniferous shrubs to a minimum height of3 feet. Screening shall require the approval of the City Planner prior to the issuance of any Building or Zoning Permits. Commissioner Zimmerman inquired about the park dedication requirement. Mr. Hellegers replied the City Attorney had indicated park dedication would not be something that would be collected because the properties would be consolidated and this . was not a matter of a subdivision. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if the intent was to subdivide the lot and sell the lots off to development. Mr. Hellegers replied what applicant proposed was to put this into onclot. Commissioner Zimmerman believed if the end result was to sell of the property for development, then they should coUect park dedication fees. Mr. Clark replied they would have the City Attorney review this again and put his opinion in writing. Commissioner Modesette noted the two lots across the street appeared independent and other lots had been consolidated to make nice size lots. Mr. HeUegers replied the two lots across the street were built without platting. He noted applicant was proposing to cut the three lots off and sell them as one parcel. Commissioner Larson asked if the City held an easement along the street. Mr. Hellegers replied they did. Chair Sand noted in connection with any motion they would need to make the special finding. . Chair Sand asked if the application included platting of the three lots into one lot. Mr. Hellegers replied this particular application did not. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 3 Chair Sand invited anyone for or against the variance to come forward and make . comment. Ray Polk, Lodge Treasurer, stated the reason they were doing this was because it was costing more to stay there than they were taking in so they needed to sell the lot. He stated they were not using that area as a parking lot because they did not need it. He noted they only met twice a month. He stated they had a couple of special events also during the year. He noted service organizations were dwindling and they were no different. He stated by selling this, it would enable them to hold on for a while longer. Commissioner Thompson asked if they had any special eveuts where the parking lot would be filled up. Mr. Polk replied no, the most cars they usually had was 8 to 10 cars. Dave Monson, 175 Edgewater, stated they have lived there siuce late 1997 and the Lodge was a great neighbor. He noted the Lodge had provided parking for all of /he displaced neighbors when the City was doing the street reconstmction. He asked !what the lot dimensions were being proposed to be. I Mr. Monson stated he believed the setback on the sides ofthe lot fronting a street was 40 feet, which would get down to 60 x 110 feet. He stated when they bought their property, they had applied for a variance for a deck and they were denied that variance. He stated he supported this planning case and enabling the Lodge to continue to function, but requested the Commission might give him the same kind of indulgence with respect to a . variance at some point in the future. Chair Sand closed the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. Commissioner Larson inquired about the ponding easement with a house built in the easement. Mr. Hellegers replied where the structures were indicated was accurate. Commissioner Larson stated the section map should be updated. Mr. Hellegers replied it was 2001 section map, so it might not be accurate. Commissioner Larson moved, seconded by Commissioner Thompson that the Planning Commission found that the proposed amendment to the Special Use Permit does not adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood and larger community as per.staff's report and to recommend approval of Planning Case No. 05-03: St. Paul Lodge #2 - T.O.O.F., 1174 Edgewater Avenue; Special Use Pennit Amendment five conditions as outlined in staffs February 2,2005 report. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). B. PLANNING CASE 04-19: RAMSEY COUNTY, 1425 PAUL KIRKWOLD DRIVE: SPECIAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A YEAR-ROUND USED OIL AND SEASONAL . HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION SITE AT THE NORTHWESTERN PORTION OF THEIR PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY GROUNDS Chair Sand opened the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 4 . Mr. Hellegers stated applicant was requesting a Special Use Permit (2nd) Amendment to allow for installation of a year-round used oil collection site and a seasonal Household Hazardous Waste collection site at the northwest comer of the applicant's property. The applicant is also seeking a materials variance for the used oil collection building. Staff recommended approval of the request subject to the following conditions: 1. The seasonal Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection operation should not exceed two months total per calendar year, nor shall the seasonal H~W collection operate for more than one month in a row. I I 2. In order to prevent vandalism or improper use, and to insure the security of the used oil collection and seasonal HHW site which would be in operation 24-hours a day, the applicant shall install an exterior security video camera to monitor the area. 3. If it were detennined that the security of the used oil collection building posed a risk to Arden Hills residents and the general public attempting to utilize the facility, the Arden Hills City Council may require that the applicant install a security camera to monitor the interior of the used oil collection building. The applicant may choose to install a security camera to monitor the interior of the used oil collection building at any time and is not required to seek permission from the City of Arden Hills prior to the installation except for the building permits which may be required. 4. Landscaping removed for the installation of the seasonal HHW and used oil collection site shall be relocated to the north andlor northwest of the proposed used oil collection site. . 5. The coloring of the exterior building materials shall be of a coloring compatible with the main Public Works building and shop area, and the Sheriffs Water Patrol building, or shall be painted to be compatible. 6. If the applicant determined that the clean-up day activities should be moved from their current site in Shoreview to the Ramsey County Public Works Facility property, the applicant shall be required to first obtain approval of the Arden Hills City Council for an Amendment to this Special Use Pennit. Chair Sand asked if condition six should be reworded. Mr. Hellegers suggested condition 6 read: That any special events to be held at the facility for household and hazardous waste beyond the normal scope of things that would happen at that facility would then require coming back to the Planning Commission and Council for an amended SUP. Chair Sand invited anyone for or against the variance to come forward and make comment. There were no comments made. Chair Sand closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Thompson that the Planning Commission finds the proposed amendment to the Special Use Permit would . not adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood and larger community and to approve Planning Case No. 04-19: Ramsey County, 1425 Paul Kirkwold Drive; Special Use Pennit Amendment to allow for the installation of a year-round used oil and seasonal Household Hazardous Waste Collection site at the northwestern portion of their Public ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 5 Works Facility grounds, subject to the six conditions as noted in staffs February 2,2005 . report and the amended condition six as outlined by staff at tonight's meeting. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). C. PLANNING CASE 05-02: DEBRA AND WILLIAM THORNTON. 3510 SIEMS COURT: VARIANCE Chair Sand opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Mr. Hellegers stated applicant was requesting an ll-foot front yard setback for an addition to the front of applicant's property in Arden Hills. Staff recommended approval of the request subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall file all necessary building permits with the Building Official for approval prior to the issuance of a building permit. Building permits shall be submitted to the Building Official a minimum of two (2) weeks before the planned start of construction. Commissioner Zimmerman noted currently the house is 6.7 feet closer to the lot line than required. He asked if a variance was requested at the time the home was built. Mr. Hellegers replied there was no record of a variance requested. . Commissioner Modesette noted there was deck on the back ofthe house and she was not sure if unbuildable was accurate. Mr. Hellegers pointed out there was a steep grade which would make it difficult to build on. He noted the property was not very functional because of its narrowness. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if applicant was not requesting a variance and a building permit was issued would if this conforming property be grandfathered in. Mr. Hellegers replied it would be. Chair Sand asked how large the three-season porch on the back of the house was. Mr. Hellegers replied applicant was in attendance tonight and could answer that question. Chair Sand invited anyone for or against the variance to come forward and make comment. William Thornton, 3510 Siems Court, applicant, thanked City staff. He noted the staff was very helpful and cooperative with him. He summarized the history qf the lot and house. He noted the house had to be situated where it was because of the cliff in the back yard. He indicated they had no practical way of building back to the east. He stated the screened porch back edge had IS-foot posts that went down off the edge of the cliff. He indicated this was a very unusual lot. He noted to the south they had large oak trees that they did not want to disturb. He stated to the north there was a garage, which would need . to be demolished and a basement dug. He indicated one of the other problems they were facing was that the lot line was about 20 feet in from the edge of the road and that had created that on one edge their house it was 33 feet from the lot line. He noted their lot line curved in. He stated the home was built over 50 years ago. He indicated even with granting the II-foot variance at the north end of the proposed construction, they were still ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 6 48 feet from the edge of the road and on the south end, they were also still over 48 feet . from the road. He indicated this was a unique neighborhood and the houses were scattered all over their lots because of the topography. He stated there were a number of homes in the neighborhood that had setback issues and have had to request variances. He stated this was a unique neighborhood and they did not want to destroy any of that uniqueness. He pointed out that their home was getting old and needed to be updated. He indicated there were various homes in the neighborhood that had requested variances to update their homes. He stated he believed they were keeping with the character of the neighborhood and this was the best option due to the unique lot they had. I ! Commissioner Thompson stated she had looked at the lot and she agreed there was a deep embankment. She asked if they had considered expanding out to the east. Mr. Thornton replied the problem there was with the walkout, which would malf:e two floors and they did not want that large of an expansion. He stated there would also not be a good way to move the kitchen back there. Mr. Thornton stated they had spoken with their neighbors who had signed a petition indicating they had no objection to this project. He understood there was ~ne objection that had come in and they had not spoken to that person. He indicatl,'d all of the neighbors he had spoken to had seen all of the documents and were in stipport of this project. Commissioner Thompson asked how many trees they would have to cut down for this . project. Mr. Thornton replied there were no trees that would need to be removed. Chair Sand noted the back of his property was heavily wooded and asked if they expanded out the back, would they have to remove trees. Mr. Thornton responded he was not sure, but he would be concerned about the root system of the oak trees. By Email, Zata Vickers: "I live at 3470 Siems Ct., the first house on Sieins Ct across Arden Place from 2510 Siems Ct. I don't expect to be able to attend the hearing on February 2, so am e-mailing opinion and comment to you. I am opposed to this request because this construction will alter the character of the neighborhood. I enjoy the park-like quality of Siems Ct. Many trees, lawns, and other plants provided the lovely and peaccful character of this neighborhood. Houses, no matter how architecturally gorgeous, do not give the same feeling. I am constantly reminded of this from the view through my backyard windows that used to look out on an expanse of grass and trees and now look out on a very large concrete block and a baby-poop-yellow house. It is a constant reminder to many of us that the character of a neighborhood can so easily be blighted by someone else's pride and joy. That house is within its legal limits. However it has motivated me to work against . similar situations, such as the variance request for 3510 Siems, where we have setback regulations specifically to prevent such changes in character. The Thornton's house already appears to be much closer to the road than the other houses on the same side of that street. Extending it even closer to the road would further -----.---- ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 7 diminish the apparent size ,of the front yard and provide an end to the size and quality of . the front yard spaces along that side ofthe road." I Dave Carlson, 3535 Siems Ct., stated he believed this lot clearly shols there is a I hardship. He noted most of the homes in the neighborhood did not meet cUlirent codes as they existed. He indicated the neighborhood right now was going through a renaissance. I He stated the plans the Thornton's have lived up to the changes the C\ly would be pursuing and it fit with many of the homes that had been renovated andl rebuilt. He encouraged the Planning Commission approve this request. Chair Sand closed thc public hearing at 7:58 p.m. Commissioner Larson stated as opposed as he generally was to variances, he did believe this lot presented a hardship. He stated this house also stood out as different from the neighborhood and he believed this addition would make the house fit better into the character of the neighborhood. Commissioner Modesette agreed that the addition will enhance the neighborhood and the reason this worked for the addition was because of the layout of the existing house. She noted the slope was steep, but opposed using that as the defining reason when it stemmed from other things. Commissioner Thompson stated from her perspective, it was more about the hardship . than what was happening in the neighborhood. Commissioner Larson moved, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman to approve Planning Case No. 05-02: Debra and William Thornton, 3510 Siems Court; Variance, subject to the condition as noted in staffs February 2,2005 report. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). D. PLANNING CASE 05-04 : ARDEN HILLS: ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO GATEWAY BUSINESS DISTRICT, REVISIONS FOR AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATIONS WITH RETAIL AND A CAR WASH AS A SPECIAL USE Chair Sand opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. Mr. Hellegers stated the Commission was being requested to review the proposed I amendments to Section 5 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow a service stati9n with retail sales and services and a car wash to be permitted after the issuance of ai Special Use I Permit in the Gateway Business District. Staff recommended approval of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment as proposed. Mr. Clark noted the City of Arden Hills was the applicant and their intention was to come . back for a Special Use Permit. Commissioner Larson assumed the configuration of the road was something that would be changed when the intersection was done. Mr. Clark replied that would be looked at, but Highway 96 would not be part of this and no access would be on Highway 96. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 8 . Chair Sand asked how this area would would look once the realignment occurred. He asked if this had been taken into account with the City. Mr. Clark replied the City had not seen a plan that talked about Highway 96 moving to the north and the most current plan was the extension of Round Lake Road continuing north and then going to the northeast and back into the TCAAP property. He stated the County would try to minimize any impact to the mobile home park because of the cost involved in that. Chair Sand stated he remembered someone from the County showing the proposed alignment of Highway 96 and he believed it was shown as going through the southern edge of the mobile home park. Mr. Clark replied that was a possibility, but the impact would be minimal. Chair Sand stated he wanted to make sure the vision for the site was taking into account any future development. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if staff had seen any footprint as to how this service station would look like and if there would be any variances requested. Mr. park replied the City had entered into a Purchase Agreement with this property, which .was separate from this process. He believed it was too early to tell with this proposed development, but staff had made it very clear to them that they wanted the best building there was on this property because it was the gateway into the City. He stated he did not fnow if there would be any variances requested at this time. He noted staff would be going out and . surveying the trees in an attempt to save as many trees as possible on this lot. He indicated they had not discussed specifics on this project. He stated this wquld probably be coming for a public hearing to the Commission in April. i , i Commissioner Zimmerman asked if staff had done any analysis to see if it would meet the landscape requirements. Mr. Hellegers replied he had explained all qf the zoning regulations, but there had not been a concept plan presented yet. Mr. Clark stated this lot was slightly bigger than they usually wanted. He stated the other issue was the lot was unusual, but they were aware of the setbacks, but he believed they would still be looking at a PUD. Commissioner Larson asked if the potential developer had noticed that on the other side of35W there were three vacant buildings, including a service station. Mayor Aplikowski replied she believed because New Brighton was holding that property for a possible Medtronic development, that this was not even a possibility for discus~ion that this development could go over there. She believed the reason this developer wanted this lot was because of visibility. . i Commissioner Modesette expressed concern that the City would have another gas station. Mr. Hellegers noted if a gas station was put in this area, they would need to meet the gateway business district standards, which standards were higher than in other areas. . Chair Sand invited anyone for or against the variance to come forward and make comment. ., ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 9 By Email, Bob May, 1871 Todd Drive: "Unfortunately I will be unable to attend the . hearing tonight on project pc#05-04 but wish to make known my concerns. If a service station/convenience store/car wash is built at the location indicated on the map, it will be , directly across highway 96 from my home in Arden Manor Mobile Home Park. I am very concerned about the lights and noise eminating (sic) from such a business. Is there any discussion to erect a sound barrier on the north side of highway 96 from I-35W to highway 10 (or at least to the entrance into Arden Manor)? Also, would access to the facility be directly from highway 96 or from Round Lake Blvd., which would then funnel onto highway 96 at the traffic light? Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts" Dave McClung, 4370 North Snelling Avenue, stated he lived in the northern part of town and he was supportive of this proposal. He stated in this stretch of Highway 35, you went a long stretch to get to a gas station. He indicated he supported businesses within Arden Hills and they did not have anything like this in the north part of the City. He believed this proposed development would be very nice and would be an advantage to the community. Chair Sand closed the public hearing at 8:27 p.m. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if the access would be off Round Lake Boulevard versus going off of Highway 96. Mr. Hellegers replied there would probably be one right-in, right-out on Round Lake Boulevard, with a fuller access farther down on Round . Lake Boulevard, but there would be no access onto Highway 96. Commissioner Zimmerman expressed concern about the height of the signs. Mr. HeUegers noted anything that exceeded the current sign standards would need to approval by the Planning Commission as well as a Special Use Permit. He stated he would like to see a monument type of a sign and not a large pylon sign. Chair Sand agreed staff needed to make the developer aware that the Planning Commission wanted a quality development on this site and would be enforcing the buildings standards in that area. Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Larson to approve Planning Case No. 05-04: Arden Hills; Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Gateway Business District, revisions for Automobile Service Stations with Retail and a Car Wash as a Special Use including amendments I through 6. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. TCAAP Preliminarv Framework Plan . Mr. Clark stated staff was seeking action on the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) Master Framework Plan dated January 13,2005. He noted the TCAAP Master Framework Plan, which is substantially the same as the Plan reviewed by the Planning Commission on December 8, 2004, was developed ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 10 i through a special Master Advisory Panel over the past two years. If approved by the . Planning Commission, it is the desire to have the Council review the same during the month of February. Staff views that it is important to have an "official vision" as part of the working toward the goals of having an offer to purchase letter, to' the General Services Administration, finalized by May/June of this year. The key item of the Plan, as stated through the resolution, are as follows: 1) The adoption of the Framework Plan will establish the City's official land use vision for the TCAAP property. It is also stated that this blueprint may undergo changes as final decisions are made on various transportation issues, additional information is secured regarding contamination issues and the economics of the project are more detailed. 2) The Plan adopts the philosophy of the City Council's TCAAP Goals and Vision that was adopted on January 25,2004. 3) The Plan will go through changes as part of the AUAR process, Comprehensive Plan and Zoning text and district amendment process. 4) The north to south roadway that connects the "H" interchange area to County Road I "is predicated on interchange alterations on County Road 1. If this does not happen, the City will need to consider alternative north/south connections which could include the Wildlife Corridor area. 5) The "north primer tracer area," which is labeled "Sports Facility," is still under discussion as to how this area will be used. There are obvious issues associated with it, such as not having access, and the issues of economics . associated with clean-up on a potential non-tax paying property. 6) Issues associated with proper levels of density, design and amenity considerations will all be addressed through the Planning Commission as part of the Phase IV planning process. He stated based on adoption of this plan by the Planning Commission, this item will be scheduled for the City Council's February 14,2005 meeting. Commissioner Zimmerman inquired if the City had considered the impact the proposed new homes would have on the school district. Mr. Clark replied that issue would be something they would be discussing. Commissioner Zimmerman noted the schools were almost at capacity at this time and asked what they would do with any new students. Mayor Aplikowski replied this had been discussed and the City and school district was aware of this issue. Chair Sand stated he was positively surprised that they had come to this point and he believed they have made a lot of progress on this and thanked staff or their hard work. He believed this would be a positive development for the City. Commissioner Holmes asked if there had ever been a comparison done be~een density and development in the surrounding area. Mr. Clark stated they needed to focus on . where they were going to go from here. He indicated they would not bring back the master planning group, which was initially designed to put this plan togeth~r. He noted the next part got into the implementation and the next step would go back to'the Planning Commission. He indicated there was a process they would be following. He noted one of the issues they would need to discuss was the issue of density. He indicated one of the ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 II . things they had to balance was to make this project economically feasible and there would be probably be some public financing of the project. He stated this plan would offer a wide variety of housing types that might or might not be available in the City. He stated this plan would be different than the rest of the community, but it would offer a high-end of architectural detail. He noted they have assumed densities below what he would call normal development standards. He stated the densities would be higher than the current comprehensive plan, but it would be lower than the surrounding communities. He noted the density discussion would come back to the Planning Commission for their thoughts and recommendations which would be given to the City Council. Commissioner Holmes stated she could not support this Resolution because it did not follow the vision goals of the TCAAP vision with respect to open space, regional parks, and traffic. She noted the amenities are all in the northern part of the area, which would not benefit any of the residents on the south side of the City. She stated she wanted more passive open space. Commissioner Zimmerman stated they were looking at a compressed picture of what things would look like. If they would actually get a concept of what this looked like, it was designed with a lot of open space and he believed met the goals of the area set forth previously. He stated he would support the Resolution, and as it was currently confignred it was an excellent rendition of what a large majority of the people in the City wanted. . Commissioner Modesette stated she liked the fact that they were speaking to things that would change and they had to keep in mind that things could change a lot. She stated she agreed this site needed to start out as a high quality concept. She stated as they looked at the details, she also had some concerns that the high quality would make it so unique that it would become exclusive. She stated it was important to her that the end result should represent the normal fabric of society and not become too out of the ordinary. Mayor Aplikowski stated the goal was to provide jobs and homes for the people in the area and that was why they were proposing the mixed use. She noted there would be higher density, but they wanted the people who lived to also wOIk there. She stated the transportation pattern had always been a challenge on this piece from the beginning. She indicated the road would need to be looked at again and again before any definite decisions were made. She stated they had not abandoned the neighborhood park concept and there were pockets of green space. Commissioner Holmes stated she did not understand why Ramsey County had obtained their land and did not need to develop it while the City was going to acquire the land and have it all developed. She believed this area needed a substantial amount of green space. Mayor Aplikowski replied the City could not afford to not develop the land. Mr. Clark noted there would be many acres to the east that would remain open space. Commissioner Holmes noted the east was not available to the City. . Mr. Clark stated the principal of the Vento plan was that they recognize that there would be development on this property, but a significant portion of this property would remain open. He stated the majority of the rest of this property would remain open space in perpetuity. ------------------------ ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 12 . Chair Sand stated he understood if they looked at the whole 2400 acres, the eastern half would remain as open space and even in that area there was discussion as to whether it would be active or passive open space and he believed the passive open space had a greater influence on the outcome. He believed there was a promise made that the eastern half would be open to the public, not just accessible to the Guard. He stated he had a concern with the density, but he believed this could be controlled through the proper design guidelines set by the City, as well as good architecture. He stated even though this was dense, they needed to take into account that this needed to be economically feasible to the City. Commissioner Holmes stated the thing that concerned her most with the density was the increase in traffic that this would generate. She believed this development would have a negative impact to the community. Mayor Aplikowski noted there were more people working in Arden Hills thM did not live in Arden Hills. Commissioner Thompson stated a lot of people wanted to live in the City, but did not want the large lot or wanted to downsize, so she believed there was an expectation that there would be other types of housing arrangements in the City. Mr. Clark stated if the City was not a part ofthis process; the Army could go out and look . for another buyer, which meant the City would have little control over the property. He noted right now the City had all of the control as to what type of a developnJent would be built. Chair Sand stated having sat through thc various meetings; he did not want to throwaway the hard work of 10 years due to the concerns of density. He believed the density issue could be addressed in the design concepts. He noted there has been a lot of input from a lot of people and he believed that should be respected. Commissioner Holmes stated what concerned her was that there were only three plans, which all looked the same. She believed thcre had not been a lot of work done on this. Chair Sand stated he would tend to defer to the experts on this because they had worked in this area for a long time. He noted there was not much they could do with respect to the road layout and the mixed use. Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Larson to approve Resolution Recommending Adoption of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Framework Plan dated January 13, 2005 with the correction to the fourth Whereas clause changing the date to January 24, 2004. The motion carried unanimously (5-1) (Commissioner Holmes opposed). . B. PLANNING COMMISSION 2005 PC WORK PLAN Mr. Hellegers presented the potential Planning Commission work plan for 2005. He indicated the plan showed two ongoing activities; TCAAP Land Use Planning, and ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 I3 Planning Commissioner Training. In addition the plan shows the Zoning Code Update . for the months of March through August, the Property Maintenance Code being reviewed for the months of June through September, and the Redevelopment District Concept being reviewed from August through December. A Development Bus Tour is also planned for the last Saturday in October or the first Saturday in November. Mr. Hellegers indicated due to the impending acquisition of the TCAAP property and the potential Planning Commission work involved (establishing design guidelines, Zoning District creation, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, etc.), some of the items on the work plan may not be addressed until 2006. The priority listing would have TCAAP and Planning Case review as the top two items with the Zoning Update following close behind. Commissioner Holmes asked what the point of a work plan was. Mr. Hellegers replied this would help establish what they hoped to accomplish over the year, but acknowledged this plan was subject to change depending upon what came up within the City. Commissioner Zimmerman also noted they were going to be working with the PTRC for the gateway signs. Mr. Clark replied he was correct, but he thought the easiest way to start the process was to sit down with the Chairperson of the Planning Commission and the PTRC and look at design and material options. He stated there was a meeting tentatively set for Friday, February 11. . C. ATHLETIC FIELD SIGNAGE UPDATE Mr. Hellegers stated as discussed at the December 2004 and the January 2005 Planning Commission meeting, Mounds View School District had inquired about using temporary banner signs that could be tied to the fences around the MVHS football/track stadium. While the temporary banner signage is all that had been requested at this time, staff thought it would be appropriate to create regulations for other signage opportunities that MVHS may request in the future. He noted at the January 2005 meeting staff presented three options for modifying the existing Arden Hills Sign Ordinance to include language regulating ball field signage. Based on the discussion from the January meeting staff determined the following: Ball field signage should be limited to institutional users and property owners and would not be applicable to City parks; MVSD is looking for more signage than was proposed in the three options provided to the Planning Commission; Examples of where signage would be located at Mounds View High School should be included in the presentation to the Planning Commission. He indicated since it appeared that there were still several details to iron out, staff determined that a public hearing should not be held until the March Planning Commission meeting. . He stated staff had met with Mr. Nick TemaIi of the Mounds View School District and the Activities Director of Mounds View High School and determined the types and sizes of signage tbat may be required in the future. The main areas where sign~ge would be desired are the sponsorship banners along the west side of the visitors bleachers, ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 14 sponsorship banners (facing the field) along the north side ofthe football/track perimeter . fence, scoreboard signage, and field naming signage on the press box or an entrance gate. Chair Sand stated he also wanted some language in subdivision 5 added to read: Signage shall not restrict the viewing area of the people sitting in the stands. Mr. Hellegers replied that language could be included. Commissioner Holmes asked if the signs would be taken down after every game. She stated she would prefer if they be taken down. Mr. Nick Temali, Mounds View School District, replied their stadium had a game or event every night of the week, so to take banners down daily would be a burden to turn around and put them up again a few hours later. He stated they liked the language where they would take them in at the end of the fall season and be brought back out again in the spring for the spring events. Chair Sand asked if they wanted this limited to only educational institutions and if so they should say educational institutions. Commissioner Larson noted he believed they should limit this to the three educational institutions (Mounds View High School, Northwestern College, and Bethel College) noting his concern that there could be advertising at Valentines Elementary if they said educational institution. Chair Sand requested staff obtain the City's attorney opinion to determine if the City was allowed to limit the type of educational institution where signage would be permitted. . REPORTS A. Planning Commissioners None. B. Staff None. C. Council Member Mayor Aplikowski updated the Commission on recent City Council actions. ADJOUnN"MENT Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Larson to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). .