Chairperson Joseph Stumph Commission Members Dave Anderson Linda Bigelbach Ed Callier Brian Carnes Evan Cordes Gary Nelson Martin Jokinen Curt Cooper City Administrator Kevin P. Watson The City of Vadnais Heights 800 East County Road E Vadnais Heights, MN 55127 Phone: 651-204-6000 Fax: 651-204-6100 Regular Meeting of the Vadnais Heights Planning Commission Tuesday, May 23, 2017-7 pm City Council Chambers A G E N D A 1. 2. 3. 4. Open Meeting And Welcome Roll Call Approval Of Agenda Approval Of The April 25, 2017 Minutes Documents: MINUTES04-25-17.PDF 5. 6. Open To The Public Public Hearings A. Case 17-011: Pope Architects. Site Plan At 3391 Labore Road Documents: 6A.PDF 7. 8. 9. New Business Old Business Comprehensive Plan Update Process A. Background Information Presentation Documents: 9A.PDF
B. Community Engagement Update Documents: 9B.PDF 10. Reports A. B. C. City Council Liaison Planning Commissioners Staff Documents: 10C.PDF 11. 12. Next Regular Meeting: June 27, 2017 Adjourn Meeting
OPEN MEETING REGULAR MEETING OF THE VADNAIS HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 25, 2017 Chairperson Stumph called the Regular Meeting of the Vadnais Heights Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. on April 25, 2017. ROLL CALL Joseph Stumph, Chairperson Dave Anderson Linda Bigelbach Edward Caillier Brian Carnes Evan Cordes Gary Nelson Martin Jokinen, First Alternate Curt Cooper, Second Alternate Present Present (arrived at 7:02 pm) Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Also present: Nolan Wall, Planning/Community Development Director; Greg Urban, City Council Liaison; Jeff Melcoch, Cable Producer; and Michaela Kujawa-Daniels, Recorder. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Upon motion by Commissioner Carnes, seconded by Commissioner Bigelbach, it was RESOLVED, to approve the April 25, 2017, Regular Meeting Agenda. The resolution was adopted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ayes 7 Nays 0 Upon motion by Commissioner Cordes, seconded by Commissioner Caillier, it was RESOLVED, to approve the minutes of the March 28, 2016, Regular Meeting. The resolution was adopted. Ayes 7 Nays 0
PLANNING COMMISSION April 25, 2017 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Chairperson Stumph opened the floor to the public at 7:01 p.m. for questions and comments on items not on the agenda. No one wished to address the Commission, Chairperson Stumph closed the meeting to the public at 7:02 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case 17-007: Paul Houck Code Amendment/Variances at 963 Berwood Avenue East. Planning/Community Development Director Wall described this item and provided a presentation with background on this item. He provided a summary of the two options being proposed by staff for consideration by the Commission, based on the applicant s original request and the discussion at the March meeting. Nelson asked if the 10 feet is measured from the edge of the sign and what the size of the the existing billboard and right-of-way width was. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated the setback measurement is taken from the edge of the sign to the right-of-way, he isn t sure on the exact right-of-way width, and the size of the sign would not change. Mr. Houck addressed the Commission, stated with the 1,500 feet spacing is still a very strict Code even if they agreed to change it, he stated if they decided not to measure the distance from across the freeway and just measure it from the one side of the freeway where the sign is currently that would be good. City Council Liaison Urban stated there is no current development plan from the City, so would it make more sense for Mr. Houck to wait until he has a plan to move the billboard, so he isn t moving it twice. He asked if the reason Mr. Houck is moving it now is just to get better visibility and rental rates, Mr. Houck stated that is correct. Carnes stated they have several legal non-conforming signs currently so he thinks they should allow for variances and allow the City Council to approve those variances. He stated he thinks 10 feet is reasonable and has no issue with that. Nelson stated there are 12 billboards and this would lessen the number of nonconforming billboards and leave it to the City Council to approve that variance. Commissioner Caillier stated he agrees with the proposed code amendment and variance findings of fact. Bigelbach asked about the white house with the garage in the picture; Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated that is a non-conforming rental property that belongs to Mr. Houck. Upon motion by Commissioner Cordes, seconded by Commissioner Carnes, it was 2
PLANNING COMMISSION April 25, 2017 RESOLVED, to recommend approval of the proposed code amendment, as presented by staff, to allow variances to billboard standards and decreased setbacks from highways and a setback variance from a residential zoning district, based on the following findings of fact: 1. The existing billboard variance prohibition provision in the Zoning Code has previously been amended to include exceptions, which does not allow for equitable interpretation and administration of all potential billboard variance requests. 2. The existing billboards within the city have inconsistent setbacks from the highway right of-way and many are legally non-conforming with the existing standard. 3. The existing billboard on the subject property was issued a building permit inerror, which caused it to be legally non-conforming with the residential zoning district setback standard and presents a practical difficulty based on a unique circumstance in consideration of the relocation request. 4. The proposed relocated billboard on the subject property would be further from the adjacent industrial building and wetland to the east and from the existing nonconforming single-family dwellings on the subject property to the south. 5. The residential zoning district in-question within 500 feet of the existing billboard on the subject property is separated by an eight-lane interstate highway and is entirely obscured from view within the development by a noise-wall. 6. The further reduction of the proposed setback from the residential zoning district in question is not anticipated to cause any additional negative impacts and will not alter the essential character of the surrounding area. Subject to the condition that the applicant shall obtain a building permit prior to construction. Ayes 7 Nays 0 B. Case 17-010: AFSA High School. Interim Use Permit/Site Plan at 100 Vadnais Boulevard. Planning/Community Development Director Wall described this item and provided a presentation with background on this item. Commissioner Bigelbach asked if parking is currently allowed on Vadnais Boulevard. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated he does not believe so, but that it is a County road with wide shoulders. She asked if there are signs posted stating there is no parking allowed. He stated not that he is aware of any signs and noted he has not witnessed any parking along the street. Becky Meyer, Executive Director of AFSA school addressed the Commission. She stated they have parking permits for their students and prohibit parking in other areas. She stated they want to bring the 5th and 6th grade back into the community instead of having them in St. Paul. Commissioner Carnes asked if this will be a modular building. She 3
PLANNING COMMISSION April 25, 2017 stated yes, it is a modular building. Commissioner Caillier asked why they decided to do a modular building instead of a permanent addition. She stated the process to add onto the building for a charter school is lengthy and before they start that process they want to see what kind of growth they have first. Commissioner Carnes stated this seems like a reasonable request, it is great for the community that the school is doing well and expanding enrollment and he supports this. Upon motion by Chairperson Carnes, seconded by Commissioner Cordes, it was RESOLVED, to recommend approval of the Site Plan and Interim Use Permit requests in this case, based on the following findings of fact: 1. The proposed temporary use is compliant with the applicable Zoning Code standards for granting site plan approval and interim use permits. 2. The proposed temporary classroom building is generally within the existing footprint of the school building, does not compromise any aspect of the existing use, and adequate screening/landscaping exists on the subject property to provide appropriate buffering from surrounding land uses. 3. Pedestrian ingress/egress, site drainage, open space, loading/unloading, grading, and signage are unchanged from the existing condition and use of the subject property. 4. The existing off-street parking lot has adequate space to accommodate the proposed additional employees and the new students are too young to drive. 5. The location of the temporary classroom building facilitates access to existing utility connections to the school building. 6. The proposed temporary move onto the existing campus has educational and operational advantages in an effort to build the Middle School s enrollment. Subject to the following conditions: 1. The effective date of the interim use permit shall be July 15, 2017 and the temporary classroom building shall be removed from the subject property no later than July 15, 2021, unless an extension is granted or the permit is revoked in compliance with the applicable Zoning Code regulations and procedures. 2. Work required to prepare the site for installation of the temporary classroom building may commence prior to the effective date of the interim use permit, upon issuance of any required permits and payment of applicable fees and/or escrows, and any areas disturbed during installation, operation, or removal of the building shall be restored upon expiration of the permit. 3. A building permit shall be submitted for review and approval by the Building Official, prior to any construction activities on the subject property. 4. To the greatest extent possible, the temporary classroom building s exterior shall match that of the existing school building, to be verified as part of the building permit. 5. Sewer and water connections to the temporary classroom building shall be reviewed and approved by all appropriate City departments as part of the building permit process. 4
PLANNING COMMISSION April 25, 2017 6. The applicant shall install a Fire Protection Sprinkler System to meet the requirements NFPA 13 per Minn. Stat. Sec. 1306. 7. The applicant shall install a Fire Alarm System to meet the requirements of NFPA 72, which shall be connected to the Fire Alarm System of the main school building. 8. The applicant shall enter into an amendment to the existing Development Agreement with the City, prior to release of the building permit. NEW BUSINESS None. OLD BUSINESS None. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Ayes 7 Nays 0 A. Comprehensive Planning Consultant Introduction/Update Planning/Community Development Director Wall introduced Alex Conzemius, Consultant with Bolton & Menk. Mr. Conzemius provided a presentation on the comprehensive planning process they want to implement and gave an update on the projects. He stated they have started working on Vision Vadnais Heights 2040, which he noted is the logo they are going to use for the Comprehensive Planning project. He stated there is a City website for this project and encouraged the Commissioners to take a look at that. He reviewed what a Comprehensive Plan consists of, why updating the Comprehensive Plan is important, and noted many cities are in the same process as Vadnais Heights and are all working on their new Comprehensive Plan currently. He reviewed the elements required to be used per the Metropolitan Council requirements, some of which include; Land Use, Housing, Economic Competitiveness, Parks and Trails, and Implementation. He stated they are planning a very collaborative planning process. He stated they are having an open house on May 23, 2017 from 5:00 PM 6:30 PM to get input from residents. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated they want to start the process off by getting feedback from residents. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated they will be sending out postcards to all residents so everyone is aware of it. He stated they are aiming to have completed the Comprehensive Plan and submit it by June 2018. Mr. Conzemius provided a Project Schedule, which includes two open houses and several community events/pop-up meetings to get feedback. Mr. Conzemius stated he has committed to eight City Council and Commission meetings as well as bi-monthly 5
PLANNING COMMISSION April 25, 2017 teleconferences. He noted there is a link on the City website that people can input their thoughts and feedback. He stated they can sign up for an email blast on the City website as well and encourages everyone to do that to stay up to date. He stated the project schedule, email sign-up, and information regarding the open house is posted under the Your Government tab. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated as Bolton and Menk gather information they will continue to update everyone and then they will work collaboratively on the process. He stated they will have updates at every Planning Commission meeting and gather input from them and the City Council as things progress. REPORTS B. City Council Liaison City Council Liaison Urban stated they are streamlining the approval process for minor subdivisions; he stated they would like to see these administratively approved or approved at the Planning Commissions giving them that authority. C. Planning Commissioners Commissioner Bigelbach asked if there has been any update on White Bear Lake water level. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated there are some legal cases from residents against the DNR and the City regarding the water. He stated there is a company working on the analysis to see if augmentation from one lake to another could even work. He stated even if the findings are in favor of that process working, they then would need to consider the cost. He noted he can get an update and let the Commission know what is currently going on with this topic. Commissioner Carnes asked why they have chosen Lake Vadnais to do this with. He asked if it is because of the river water running through it. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated that is probably part of the reason. Carnes stated they need to look at the impact on the residents on the creek not just the costs. Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated that many potential issues will be considered when they review the analysis. City Council Liaison Urban stated that Ramsey County Beach will reopen this year. Commissioner Nelson asked if the lake water level was high enough for that. City Council Liaison Urban replied, it is not high enough but they made the decision to open it anyhow. D. Staff Planning/Community Development Director Wall stated he would really like to see some Commissioners at the Open House in May. He thanked Chairperson Stumph and Commissioner Cooper for helping him at the Lions Waffle Breakfast a few weeks back. He stated he introduced the process to Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission last 6
PLANNING COMMISSION April 25, 2017 Monday and will work with them as part of the planning process. He stated they are going to let Ramsey County complete their process first and then proceed after that. He stated it is Volunteer Appreciation Week and thanked the Commissioners for their time. NEXT MEETING The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on, May 23, 2017. ADJOURN MEETING Upon motion by Commissioner Cordes, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michaela Kujawa-Daniels TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 7