HomeMy WebLinkAbout2B, Review Community Development Dept Year-End Rpt
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Request for Council Action
Prepared By:
James Lehnhoff, Community
Development Director
Council Meeting Date: February 9, 2009
Review the 2008 Community Development year in review report
Budgeted Amount:
Actual Amount:
Funding Source:
Recommendation:
1. Review the 2008 Community Development year in review report. No action required.
SUDDortin!! Documents:
1. February 9, 2009, Memo to the City Council
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 9, 2009
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Community Development Department
SUBJECT: 2008 Community Development Department Year-in-Review
2008 Year in Review Summary
· Processed 33 planning cases with 41 land use requests, the same number as in 2007.
· The City had 10 ordinance amendments or additions, including the B2District design
standards, tree preservation, landscaping, sign, and recycling/garbage collection
ordinances.
· Completed the 2030 Comprehensive Plan update and submitted it to the Metropolitan
Council by the deadline date of December 31, 2008.
· Completed the community planning process and adopted the "Guiding Plan for the B2
District. "
· Continued the community planning process for the future redevelopment for the former
City Hall/Public Works property;
· Processed 1,224 permits with a total value of$11,185,277.80.
· Logged 401,441 unique hits on the City's website in 2008, up from 279,743 in 2007.
· Successfully transferred residential curbside recycling services to a new provider, Eureka
Recycling.
· Developed strategic goals and projects for 2009 for the Community Development
Department, Planning Commission, and City Council
City of Arden Hills
City Council Meetingfor February 9,2009
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Department Overview
The Community Development Department is responsible for planning and zoning, economic
development, protective inspections, code enforcement, and recycling services. The protective
inspections division of the department is responsible for all inspections and code enforcement
services provided by the City. Inspections are conducted for all building, plumbing, water,
sewer, heating, mechanical, electrical construction within the City; as well as Code compliance
complaints.
The department includes four full-time staff members, James Lehnhoff, Community
Development Director; Dave Scherbel, Building Official; John Mennenga, Inspections/Code
Enforcement, and Meagan Beekman, City Planner. In November 2008, an intern, Charles
Roberts, joined the community development team to provide assistance through March.
Plannin!!: and Zonin!!:
In 2008, the City processed 33 planning cases incorporating 41 different land use requests, with
six still pending. In 2007, the City also handled 33 planning cases with 41 different land use
requests, and in 2006 handled 40 planning cases. The following chart displays the number of
planning requests by type and their outcome:
Type Approved Denied Pending Withdrawn Total
Conditional Use Permit 2 2
CUP Amendments 2 2
Preliminary Plat "" 1 3
L 1
Final Plat 2 1 3
Ordinance Amendment 10 10
Interim Use Permit I 1
PUD Amendment I 1
Site Plan Review 4 5
Vacation 3 1 4
Variance 3 1 5
Minor Subdivision 1 1
Rezoning 1 1
Other 3 3
Total 32 1 6 2 41
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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Conditional Use Permits and Amendments
In 2008, the City approved two conditional use permits (CUPs) and two CUP
amendments. One CUP was granted for T -Mobile to install nine cell phone antennas on a
City watertower (with an adjacent equipment shed) while the other CUP was for the
construction of a baseball field, dugouts and related fencing on the southwest comer of
the Mounds View High School property. One of the two CUP amendments was to allow
for minor exterior modifications through the building permit and administrative review
process to make such property improvements easier to do. The other CUP amendment
was for the vacant Burger King restaurant to be modified into an Arby's restaurant.
Preliminary/Final Plats
There were two sets of preliminary and final plats approved by the City in 2008, with an
additional set still pending. A preliminary and final plat was approved to subdivide the
Christensen Estates property of 3.08 acres into four conforming R -1 lots, adding three net
residential lots to the City. A second planning case requesting a six-month extension to
the Christensen Estates is currently pending. Preliminary and final plats were approved to
consolidate five parcels in the Gateway Business (GB) district into a single 26.22 acre
property for the future Traverse Business Center that was approved in 2007.
Zoning Code and Code Amendments
The City experienced a busy year with the Zoning Code, introducing 10 new zoning
ordinance amendments:
1. Amending the Sign Code to more clearly prohibit dynamic display signs and
provide more guidance in the sign regulations. This was in response to the
expiration of a one-year moratorium that was imposed by the City in January
2007 to ban further dynamic display signs.
2. Adding an Interim Use Permit process to include "Institutional Housing" as an
interim use within the B-2 district.
3. Amending the landscaping requirements (Sections 1320 and 1325 of the
Zoning Code) to improve their clarity.
4. Establishing a tree preservation ordinance to preserve and replenish tree
populations within the City.
5. Amending an ordinance to allow antenna operators to construct and maintain
their own structures. This amendment was response to the approved CUP in
which T-Mobile offered to construct the equipment shed that the City was
required to build under the original ordinance.
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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6. Incorporating the design guidelines developed in the approved Guiding Plan
for the B2 District into the existing Zoning Code for the B2 district.
7. Extending the B2 District design regulations to the B3 District.
8. Amending the review process for the B-4 and I-Flex Districts.
9. Adopting an additional definition and revising the review process for drive-up
windows, drive-in business, and fast food restaurants.
10. Amending the ordinance regarding acceptable storage areas for garbage,
refuse, and recycling containers.
Interim Use Permit
With the addition of an interim use permit process to the Zoning Code in 2008 permitting
"Institutional Housing" within the B-2 zoning district, the City approved one Interim Use
Permit to convert the former Holiday Inn into a temporary (three years) residence hall for
Northwestern College.
pun Amendments
In 2008, the City approved one PUD amendment, allowing for the construction of a
nitrogen tank on the Boston Scientific campus.
Site Plan Reviews
There were a total of five site plan reviews during 2008, the City approving four of them.
Two of the approved site plan reviews pertained to the addition of detached garages on
existing residential lots. The other two were institutional, one being Northwestern
College's request to construct a new parking lot and roadway on their campus while the
other addressed construction of a nitrogen tank on the Boston Scientific campus.
One site plan review was withdrawn and also involved construction of a detached garage
on a residential property. The original application was deemed incomplete with the
applicant never responding to Staff requests for more information.
Variances
Of the five variances brought before the City in 2008, three were approved, one was
denied and one withdrawn. All five variances were residential in nature. The first
approved variance was to relocate and rebuild a detached garage and silo (also approved
through a site plan review). The second approved variance was for a single-family home
addition that encroached eight feet into the front yard setback. The final approved
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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variance was granted for the construction of a garage addition that would encroach 11
feet into the combined side yard setback and two feet into the front yard setback.
One variance to construct a garage addition encroaching five feet into the side yard
setback was denied as it was determined that alternative solutions existed without the
need for a variance. Another variance to relocate and reconstruct an accessory garage on
a residential lot without a principal structure was withdrawn before reaching the Planning
Commission for consideration.
Vacations
There were a total of four vacations approved by the City in 2008, one of them being the
renewal of a previously approved vacation. For the Christensen Estates, a vacation of
three easements was approved to be combined into a single easement for utilities and
drainage. A new planning case was recently opened for the Christensen Estates for a six
month extension, pending approval. A vacation of five general and right-of-way
easements were approved for the future Traverse Business Center in exchange for
permanent drainage and utility easements to the City. A vacation of three easements was
approved to permit a previously approved site plan for a new parking lot and roadway on
the Northwestern College campus.
Minor Subdivisions
The City approved one minor subdivision in 2008, joining a vacant City-owned 1-1 zoned
lot with an adjacent R-l zoned lot to create a single R-l10t.
Rezoning
One rezoning occurred during 2008, when a City-owned lot zoned for industrial (1-1) use
was rezoned R-l residential. This was in response to a minor subdivision action where an
R-l lot had a previously approved pool and portions of a fence directly encroaching into
the City-owned 1-1 lot.
Community Plans
After more than 18 months of preparation, the City Council granted preliminary approval
for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan update on December 15, which allowed the City to
submit the Plan before the December 31, 2008, deadline. The Comprehensive Plan is
required to be updated every ten years. The City also approved the Guiding Plan for the
B2 District, establishing design guidelines for new development and redevelopment as
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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Other
well as a long-term infrastructure improvement plan for the business area along County
Road E.
The City approved an extension for Boston Scientific to allow a covered walkway on
their campus after expansion plans, including a covered skyway connection, were
indefinitely placed on hold.
Permits and Inspections
A total of 473 building permits along with 751 plumbing, water, sewer, mechanical, electrical,
fire, zoning, and sign permits were issued in 2008. Two new homes were constructed with a
total value of $875,486.00. The total value of all building permits was $11,185,278. The total of
all fees collected was $216,930.23. In 2007, there were 1,361 permits with a total value of
$40,964,131.
Although the number of permits and total value were down from 2007, a complete comparison
across years is difficult because many permits and projects carryover from year to year. For
example, the University Commons project at Bethel University was approved in early 2007 with
a total value of more than $25,000,000. However, that project required staff involvement
through 2007, all of 2008, and will continue through the first half of 2009.
Notable Commercial Construction
Following are some of the larger construction projects that occurred last year.
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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4100 Hamline Avenue
4001 Lexington
5420 Highway 8
1900 Lake Valentine Road
3900 Northwoods Drive
4255 Cummings Park Dr
4300 Round Lake Rd
1201 County Rd E
4480 Round Lake Road
3751 Lexington Ave.
Permit Status
$102,475
$1,495,128
$84,400
$627,600
$1,034,043
$613,000
50,000
$108,000
$95,000
167,155
375,000
$400,000
United Properties
CSM
MSI
NW College,Ard
Nott Company
Arby's
Currently there are 741 open construction permits, with 401 of those building permits.
The remaining include: 56 fire, 56 electrical, 99 mechanical, 80 plumbing, five sewer, 33
sign, six water, and five zoning permits. Of the remaining permits, 583 are less than two
years old and none are older than four years. Since the number of permits and the
amount of work related to a particular permit can fluctuate greatly on an annual basis, it
can be difficult to make direct comparisons from year to year. However, the number of
open permits declined from 1,320 at the end of2007. Staff will continue to follow up on
open permits and send out reminders to ensure that permits are resolved in a timely
manner.
Code Enforcement
There were a total of 491 code enforcement cases involving 509 issues in 2008. Of that total,
314 cases were completed and closed, leaving 101 pending cases. The majority of those pending
cases are unresolved parking of vehicles, recreational vehicle (RV) storage issues, and situations
that require continued monitoring.
The majority of complaints in 2008 came from a single complaint that included 127 separate
instances of where a garbage container was not properly screened in accordance with the City
Code. The City Code has since been revised to make container storage clearer for residents and
easier for Staff to enforce
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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City staff received 36 complaints of vehicles parked in prohibited areas and/or more than four
vehicles parked on a driveway, and eight complaints of inoperable or unlicensed vehicles. Thirty
complaints were received involving the location of exterior storage of RV's, two of over 34 feet
in length, and one for more than three RV's on a single property. There were five complaints of
vehicles over 12,000 Gross Vehicle Weight (large trucks) being stored or parked illegally in the
City, which were all on the same property.
General property maintenance complaints included the following:
. 36 concerns covered by the adopted International Property Maintenance Code,
. 28 for plant growth in excess of 8 inches (mowing of grass),
. 10 complaints regarding the exterior storage of materials and equipment,
. 10 regarding the accumulation of branches,
. 10 complaints of drainage and/or erosion problems,
. 10 involving the construction of driveways;
. Six on membrane or accessory structures,
· Four issues related to parking between 2 and 6 am on City streets,
. Five concerns about open burning and burning of garbage,
· Two complaints regarding dilapidated structures,
· Three complaints already this season dealing with the removal and/or placement of
snow.
· Two regarding landscaping in the right-of-way, and
· Two concerns of obstruction in the clear vision area at intersections.
There were 92 complaints or actions regarding the placement of signs in the right-of-way, most
of which resulted in the impoundment of the offending signs. There were 23 in 2007,
representing a four-fold increase. Many of the complaints did not require any action because
they involved non-commercial signs (political signs) during the election season.
Finally, in the catch-all category, there was a single complaint for each of the following:
direction of exterior lighting, the trapping of wild animals, peddling without a license, fishing
from a bridge, illegal sign change, illegal dumping, decaying vegetation, dirt left in the road,
construction delays, settling of a manufactured home, damage to a City trail, lot coverage,
discharge of a firearm, a teepeed home, a complaint about recreational fires, and an single
incident where a lawn sprinkler was hitting a mailbox.
2009 Goals
In December 2008, the City Council met to discuss City-wide goals for 2009. As part of this
meeting, the Council reviewed goals suggested by staff, goals proposed by the Planning
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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Community Development Department Goals
Commission, and Council goals. The results of this meeting included a set of goals for the
Community Development Department, the Planning Commission, and the City Council. While
the below goals are meant to guide the work plan for 2009, the City recognizes that additional
projects are likely arise during the year.
1. Continue working toward implementing of the "Guiding Plan for the B2 District,"
specifically the pedestrian connection over Highway 51 on County Road E;
2. Construct a pathway along Lexington Avenue from the railroad tracks to Grey Fox Road
and work to involve the adjacent businesses in funding the project;
3. Develop a Community Enhancement Program to increase Code Compliance, which
includes:
a. Property maintenance education;
b. Improved abatement ordinance;
c. Review of existing codes to make them clearer and easier to enforce;
d. Uniform code enforcement policy;
e. Rental registration program; and,
f. Administrative fine program;
4. Complete the installation and implementation of a new permit/code enforcement software
program.
Planning Commission Goals
1. Major Revision and Re-codification of the City's Shoreland Management Ordinance -
This would include analysis of wetland setbacks, treatment of vegetation and landscaping
within the shoreland, equipment and structures within the shoreland, and an analysis of
the entire ordinance in order to better comply with current DNR regulations.
2. Revision of the City's Subdivision Ordinance - There are many aspects of this ordinance
that are out of date and need revision. Additionally, there are things within the ordinance,
such as filing deadlines and payment schedules for park dedication payments that are
inflexible and make small scale development more difficult then it might otherwise be.
3. Adoption of Green Building/Zoning Codes ~ The Planning Commission identified
specific areas that they would like additional research and review in terms of
incorporating green standards as well as removing impediments to green buildings within
the City's codes; windmills, "natural lawns", water run-off, permeable pavers, etc.
4. Design Standards - Along with the adoption of design standards for the B-2 District, the
Planning Commission is interested in looking at other districts within the City.
Specifically it may be appropriate to extend the B-2 Design Standards into the B-3
District as well. The Planning Commission will begin looking into this issue at their
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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December 3, 2008, meeting. Other districts were also mentioned as possible candidates
for design standards.
Economic Development Commission Goals
o Long-term Strategic Imperatives:
o Build relationships with the business community.
o Identify redevelopment and development opportunities.
o Act as an active liaison between the City Council and the business community.
Implementation Projects
1. Identify locations for gateway signs, obtain cost information, and build gateway signs.
2. Update the business contact list on a regular basis
3. Divide the City into business contact areas for each of the EDC members to actively
build relationships with businesses. Work to obtain:
a. Vacancy information and rental rates
b. Identify major landlords and real estate brokers
c. Identify business needs
4. Prepare welcome packets for new businesses and business recognition programs
5. Recognize local businesses in the newsletter
6. Identify funding sources for EDC activities (including City budget and other outside
grant or funding opportunities)
7. Assist the City Council with a discussion on the potential businesses for the TCAAP
property
8. Prepare a Red Fox/Grey Fox Guiding Plan
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meetingfor March 4,2009
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