pm_070307 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, March 07, 2007 Page 2 Staff recommended APPROVAL of the request by Northwestern College for an AMENDED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, subject to conditions and four (4) mitigation issues indicated in Section 7 of the project report dated March 7, 2007; attached hereto and made a part thereof. City Engineer Debra Bloom clarified the right-of-way mitigation proposed by the applicant for both sides of Lydia between Lincoln and Snelling Avenues to facilitate the improvement when it occurs, specifically addressed in the staff report as bullet point #4 under traffic mitigation. Ms. Bloom noted that, regarding storm water management, there were no specific conditions other than those under current and normal regulations, as conditions applicable as part of any approval. The applicant, represented by Jay Lindgren, Land Use Attorney for Northwestern College with the firm of Dorsey Whitney was present to speak on behalf of the applicant. A Bench Handout was provided from Jay R. Lindgren of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, dated March 7, 2007, responding to previous communication dated March 5, 2007 from the City’s Community Development Director John Stark, and related to an Environmental Assessment Worksheet, and was further addressed as part of the applicant’s presentation; and attached hereto and made a part thereof. Mr. Lindgren advised that he, along with other members of the college’s consulting team, were present and would respond to questions and comments of the Commission and public; however, noted that he would need to leave the meeting to attend the City of Arden Hills meeting, scheduled for 8:00 p.m., for their portion of the project. Mr. Lindgren advised that the applicant had reviewed the staff conditions and were supportive of the conditions and comments; including those in response to previous public comments from the Public Hearing at the February Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Lindgren highlighted his written comments regarding the appropriate level of environmental review; including the projected student attendance (daytime and evening, and off-campus) as referenced in the March 1, 2007 letter to staff from TKDA Engineers – Architects – Planners, included as part of the staff report. Mr. Lindgren displayed a proposed berm for Commission consideration to further minimize impact to adjacent properties from the proposed parking structure and traffic flow on the campus; noting that the City of Arden Hills had made such mitigation part of their approval. Mr. Lindgren advised that the applicant was aware of that this screening was a significant issue on the eastern boarder of the campus for those adjacent neighbors, and noted that the college had implemented, and planned to implement further ways to minimize the visual and sound impacts along the eastern edge of the campus. Commissioners and the applicant reviewed the typical elevations or residential backyards, the proposed new berm, existing and proposed trees, and existing grade and location of the new ring road. Mr. Lindgren advised that the applicant took their role as a good neighbor seriously and would continue to work on additional buffering and mitigation as much as possible. Discussion included current design plans for the grade of the parking garage and existing topography considerations (two levels, with the first level essentially below grade); off-campus relocation for administrative staff; areas within the PUD area and those outside that purview; peak traffic impacts and staggering of class hours;