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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-02 P & Z Minutes - Approved Approved CITY OF CENTERVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was held in Council Chambers on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 1. Roll Call Present: Chair Dawn Kalina (Via Zoom) Commissioner DJ Olson Commissioner Richard Nelson Commissioner Jim Carciofini Commissioner Jon Krueger Commissioner Bruce Thompson Commissioner Jeannie Seppala Absent: None Staff: City Administrator Athanasia Lewis City Planner Nathan Fuerst Council Liaison Russ Koski II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. Motion by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Carciofini to Approve the Agenda as presented. Roll Call: Commissioners Carciofini, Krueger, Nelson, Olson, Seppala, Thompson and Chair Kalina. All in favor. Motion carried. IV. PUBLIC HEARING (6:30 PM or shortly thereafter) st 1. Rezoning Request and Comprehensive Land Use Amendment at 7181 - 21 Ave – (B-2) Main Street Commercial to (R-3), High Density, Multi-Family Residential Chair Kalina opened the public hearing at 6:31 p.m. City Planner Nathan Fuerst introduced himself to the commission and provided an overview of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment; Zoning Map Amendment; Concept Plan and a recommendation on processes moving forward. Planner Fuerst stated that the proposed project was for approximately 50 attached (rental) townhomes on the 5.3-acre site. Planner Fuerst stated that the commission’s options for this evening would be to: 1. approve, as proposed; 2. approve with modifications; 3. deny or 4. table the request. He stated that if the commission desired to deny the request, they should be very specific as to their reasoning for denial. Page 1 of 6 City of Centerville Planning and Zoning Commission September 2, 2025 Ms. Katelyn Murray, Equinox Development & Construction, introduced herself to the commission and stated that they have constructed townhomes and apartments throughout the metro area. She stated that they were glad to be at the meeting to share their vision for the site and the city. Ms. Murray stated that the site’s proximity to major employers, freeway access, etc. make this a very viable project. She stated that their project would provide the needed or lacking housing supply in the rental market and that the site would be highly attractive. She stated that the outside and inside of the units take into consideration a sense of community with diversity for price point, living style, etc. (e.g. one level, two story and three story) versions. Ms. Murray thanked staff and then introduced their management firm representative and the current property owner’s realtor (Ben Drew, Cushman/Wakefield) for their respective services involved in the project. These representatives were available for questions. Public Comments Ms. Lori Tessier, 7223 Bay Drive, Lino Lakes, asked if Equinox Development & Construction’s management group tend to sell the properties or do they hold them. The management firm’s representative stated that they want to become members of the community, join the local chamber and operate as a family. Ms. Tessier also asked why the proposal is for rental versus privately owned residential units. City Planner, Nathan Fuerst stated that the developer, management firm and realtor could answer these types of questions outside of this meeting. Ms. Murray stated that they are proposing a product that they feel would be highly attractive to individuals and that they felt there was a need for this type of housing in Centerville. Mr. Ben Drew, Cushman/Wakefield, stated that they understand the desire to keep commercial space in Centerville, noting however, that the market feedback they are receiving from commercial developers are that the site is too off of Main Street, and there is not enough density during the day. Mr. Drew added that poor visibility from the highway is a deterrent along with being surrounded by residential development in this area. He stated that the property owner agrees with the rezoning. Ms. Teresa Robinson, 2106 Ada Drive, Lino Lakes, introduced herself and thanked the commission for the ability to provide comments. She asked about studies being completed regarding traffic, and use of existing infrastructure potentially taxing them (sewer/water). Ms. Linda Broussard Vickers, 6756 Centerville Road, stated that approximately five years ago the city received a proposal for a larger apartment building on the site and recently lost an additional proposal within a zoning district, which was slated for High Density. She explained that with losing the more recent proposal, Metropolitan Council’s density requirements apply pressure for density in other areas of the city that remain undeveloped. She stated that she felt that an apartment building would assist in meeting those density requirements and relieve those pressures from smaller sites. She stated that the proposed project does not assist with achieving the highest density that could be obtained with the rezoning to R-3, High Density Multi-Family Residential. Ms. Broussard Vickers stated that there was limited land and that Met. Council’s requirements are only going to continue to increase. She concurred that residential zoning as commercial with a retail component would not be a fit for the site. Ms. Broussard Vickers stated that she would hope that the highest density would be what the city would choose even though that was not the choice of several Lino Lakes residents that abut the site felt. Page 2 of 6 City of Centerville Planning and Zoning Commission September 2, 2025 Ms. Robinson stated that the previously proposed apartment building for the site was not just Lino Lakes residents that were opposed, but also Centerville residents of the 800 individuals that signed the petition. Ms. Kara Johnson, 1862 Partridge Place, stated that she wondered if this proposal and Comprehensive Plan Amendment would benefit the city as it would be developed and not considered available for development. She asked how this proposal would change what Met. Council could request densities to be. She stated that her perspective was that density was not the City’s goal along with many other residents. She stated that population is an outcome and not a goal. She felt that residents should be able to determine their decisions for the city. She asked what happens if the developer decides to move on without developing and the city has rezoned the parcel to residential and the implications of that. She also asked questions about the 20% open space and ensuring that it is being achieved. Ms. Johnson also questioned the parking requirements, the management firm, and commented that density is a concern of all Centerville residents and legal requirements were met but not all residents received notice of the public hearing. She stated that the city of Centerville was roughly two miles, but the school district was much larger than that and when the city is contemplating development, particularly high-density development, and that we consider the impact on our schools. Ms. Johnson thanked the commission for the opportunity to speak on the item. Motion by Commissioner Member Carciofini, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to close the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Roll Call: Commissioners Carciofini, Krueger, Nelson, Olson, Seppala, Thompson and Chair Kalina. All in favor. Motion carried. V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS & APPEARANCES 1. None VI. OLD BUSINESS 1. None VII. NEW BUSINESS st 1. Rezoning Request and Comprehensive Land Use Amendment at 7181 21 Ave – B-2 Main Steet Commercial to (R-3), High Density, Multi-Family, Residential City Planner, Nathan Fuerst, addressed several of the questions from residents; traffic – more traffic with commercial zoning than residential zoning and that no studies have been completed at this phase; how the project conforms with regional policies – developments that exceed three units/acre minimum help the city to meet its standards, and the city is a suburban edge community so that new residential development is three units/acre, at minimum of 12 units/acre and, in theory, would help the city be above that requirement of Met. Council: the next Comprehensive Plan requirements increase to 3.5 units/acre and if this development were approved it would consider existing development; what happens if developer moves on and re-guidance is approved – city can revise back to previous zoning; open space – this is a high-level concept with that being achieved in the final development plans. He stated that staff are looking for a recommendation to be brought forward to City Council for the rezone and Comprehensive Plan Amendment. He also stated that Page 3 of 6 City of Centerville Planning and Zoning Commission September 2, 2025 the Development may wish to address any questions that were brought up by the public. Commissioner Thompson asked the developer to discuss exterior building products. Ms. Katlyn Murray stated that at the concept plan level, specific products had not been discussed. She stated that if the process continues those items would be discussed in their formal application. Commissioner Thompson stated that he would like to see more masonry (block/brick) on the exteriors. Chair Kalina asked of the management firm, how many complexes that they manage and how many have they sold – 12,000 to 12,500 throughout the Twin Cities and the representative could not tell how many had been sold throughout the years. There were slight audio and video difficulties. Commissioner Kruger asked if the developer looked at the construction of an apartment for the site and why they were proposing townhomes. Ms. Murray stated that they formally did not look at an apartment building for the site, but if that were the formal direction of the commission, they could consider it for the site. She stated that they feel very passionate about the fit of townhomes for the site and meeting the guidelines. She also stated that they were sensitive to previous proposals that did not go forward. Commissioner Nelson asked about what happens if something falls through after the rezoning. City Planner, Nathan Fuerst, stated that if the zoning and Comprehensive plan went through and the development did not, the city would have several options – let the rezoning stand, or the city could re-guide it back. Commissioner Nelson had concern for the density and it being on the lower end of what it could be, and he felt that the density should be increased. Chair Kalina stated that the parcel is difficult to market as commercial as the traffic counts are not high enough to attract businesses. Commissioner Seppala stated that she had a concern for changing the zoning for the request rather than a thoughtful analysis of what the town wants to be and what it wants in it. She stated that the commission is currently reviewing the City’s Downtown Master Plan as well as preparing for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update. Administrator Lewis stated that we are in the process of civic engagement and that it is a timely process. She reiterated that this specific developer is coming up with this specific proposal and that is why we are looking at these changes. Commissioner Seppala asked about a building south of the project in Lino Lakes which appears to look vacant. Ms. Murray stated that it is a 55+ community and that she had no information about the development. Commissioner Seppala asked if it was a market rate development and Ms. Murray concurred. Discussion took place regarding densities, redevelopment and additional undeveloped property, what type of due diligence has staff completed on the developer, Concept Plan submittal being the first step, amount of developable property remaining in Centerville, Equinox Development & Construction has completed a project in Champlin, Champlin has stated that the product that they delivered there was a good product. Commissioner Seppala asked about the buildable acres and the wetland. City Planner, Nathan Fuerst, stated that it is 5.3 gross acres, that does include what is effectively a stormwater pond is not Page 4 of 6 City of Centerville Planning and Zoning Commission September 2, 2025 netted out but if it were a wetland, it could be netted out and there would be a reduced number of acres. Additional discussion took place regarding density, existing density of the community at the time of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan submission, vacant parcels, or potential parcels for redevelopment in the future – if they are residential their minimum development density, 3.5 units per acre or higher requirement, the available property in the southern portion of the city having the guidance of medium density is demonstrated performance for future development. Mr. Fuerst stated that he felt that the commission should be looking at the goals of this area, not necessarily Met. Council’s requirements and does this proposal generally consistent with our land use strategy in this area. Motion by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Carciofini to recommend to Council the approval of the submitted requests by Equinox Development & Construction, st LLC to rezone 7181 – 21 Avenue from B-2 (Main Street Commercial) to R-3 (High Density, Multi-Family, Residential with the findings and conditions proposed by City Planner Nathan Fuerst (Bolton & Menk). Roll Call: Commissioners Carciofini, Krueger, Nelson, Olson, Seppala, Thompson and Chair Kalina. All in favor. Motion carried. Chair Kalina asked for the proposed developers to adhere to the ten minutes that they will be given to make their presentations. City Planner Nathan Fuerst stated that he would provide an overview of the site, discuss criteria to be utilized to evaluate the different proposals, open questions of staff, ten minutes presentation by the developers, review their supplementary materials, ten minutes asking them questions and would like to keep things consistent for all and end with a recommendation to City Council on next steps. City Planner Fuerst stated that the city owns the property and can manage the processes for development. 2. Block 7 Concept Plan – Equinox Construction, LLC 3. Block 7 Concept Plan – Southwind Holdings, LLC 4. Block 7 Concept Plan – Joshua Markum Builder 5. Block 7 Concept Plan – True Blue Construction Services All developers were provided ten minutes of time to review their Concept Plans. The commissioners asked numerous questions of all the developers and discussed who should move forward with their proposals. The commission recommended owner-occupied residences. Motion by Commissioner Kruger, seconded by Commissioner Carciofini to recommend to Council for the continued consideration for development of Block 7 for Southwind Holdings, LLC and True Blue Construction Services. Roll Call: Commissioners Carciofini, Krueger, Olson, Seppala, Thompson and Chair Kalina. Commissioner Nelson Abstained. Motion carried. 6. Resignation of Commissioner Richard Nelson City Administrator Lewis stated that the city recently received the letter contained in their packet regarding Mr. Nelson’s pending relocation outside of the city. She stated that she is requesting a motion to accept his resignation and declare a vacancy on the commission. Page 5 of 6 City of Centerville Planning and Zoning Commission September 2, 2025 Commissioner Nelson stated that it had been a good four years. Motion by Commissioner Seppala, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to Accept the resignation of Commissioner Nelson and Declare a Vacancy on the Commission. Roll Call: Commissioners Carciofini, Krueger, Nelson, Olson, Seppala, Thompson and Chair Kalina. All in favor. Motion carried. VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. June 3, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Administrator Lewis stated that the minutes were in the commissioner’s packets and provided an opportunity for modification if needed. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Krueger to approve the June 3, 2025 Planning & Zoning Commission minutes as submitted. Roll Call: Commissioners Carciofini, Krueger, Nelson, Olson, Thompson and Chair Kalina. Commissioner Seppala abstained. Motion carried. IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES 1. Council Member Liaison Council Member Koski reported that Staff and Council have been working on the new fire service contract with SBM, council has been working on the 2026 budget. He stated that it has been a pleasure working with outgoing Commissioner Nelson. 2. Administrator’s Report City Administrator Lewis stated that in the interest of time she would take questions and answer them. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Seppala, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to adjourn the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting at 9:45 p.m. Roll Call: Commissioners Carciofini, Krueger, Nelson, Olson, Seppala, Thompson and Chair Kalina. All in favor. Motion carried. Page 6 of 6