HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 02-20-2013Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
February 20, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Bryan Oakley, Marc Anderson,
Dick Kobussen, Gordon Petrash, Scott Nelson and Nathan Robinson
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Senior
Planner Marie Darling and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC FORUM
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Kobussen, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the
February 20, 2013 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2013 PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to approve the
February 6, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. ASSOCIATION FREE LUTHERAN BIBLE COLLEGE (98163)
Chair Davis introduced the request by the Association Free Lutheran Bible College for a PUD
amendment to allow revisions to the approved PUD general plan.
Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the staff report.
Commissioner Nelson said the impervious surface was modified to 34% with the 1998 PUD
approval, and asked what the impervious surface would be with this request.
Senior Planner Drill reviewed the shoreland boundary and said the changes with this request are
not in the shoreland district and are not subject to the same regulation. He added that the
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footprints are not being enlarged so there would be no impact on impervious coverage. The only
area increasing coverage would be the roughly 5,000 square feet of new pavement for the
additional parking stalls.
Commissioner Nelson noted excess parking would be to the east where the ballfield is.
Senior Planner Drill confirmed overflow parking would on the ballfield area and they have no
plans to pave that area.
Commissioner Anderson asked if there is sufficient ponding to accommodate the additional
impervious surface being created with 32 additional parking stalls.
Senior Planner Drill answered affirmatively and said there are ponds on the west and southeast
side of the site that were sized for ultimate build out. He added the minor nature of the increase
does not affect the ponding.
Commissioner Anderson asked if there are any requirements for the approved buildings to be
built in a certain time frame, or would a PUD expire.
Senior Planner Drill stated a PUD does not expire because it is a zoning district, and the owner
can implement any portion of the plan anytime.
Commissioner Anderson noticed storage trailers parked on the site and asked if they are
temporary.
Senior Planner Drill deferred the question to the applicant.
Commissioner Anderson said the notation on the drawings indicated "Boys and Girls" and asked
if the dormitories are for men and women and not a dormitory for kids during the summer.
Senior Planner Drill said there are no classes held during the summer and the dorms are for men
and women.
Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Grady Kinghorn, 14198 Northdale Boulevard, Rogers MN
55374. Mr. Kinghorn said the trailers are temporary and speak to the issue of why planning for
storage was important. Mr. Kinghorn said they had approval to build a two-story, on -grade
gymnasium/recreation center which would have had a boring look as far as big walls and it's a
box. He said by pushing the gym down a floor and putting the playing floor at the basement
level, the gym would stick out less than if on grade and provide a more interesting view. Mr.
Kinghorn said this college never has enough storage and the added basement under the regular
floor provides storage but would not affect the footprint, number of students, nor number of
classes.
Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the
item.
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Commissioner Anderson said it is nice to see they are planning for their future by expanding and
the gymnasium will be a great asset to the campus. Commissioner Anderson said he can
understand the need for additional storage, and said he thinks this is a great idea and will support
this.
Chair Davis said he likes the fact that a plan with stages approved in 1998 is still good, and here
we are 15 years later just making tweaks to the plan while still setting itself up for the future.
Chair Davis said he likes that approach and will be supporting this.
MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to the approve the
request by the Association Free Lutheran Bible College for a PUD amendment to allow revisions
to the approved PUD general plan. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
B. GWS LAND DEVELOPMENT OF Plymouth, LLC (2012097)
Chair Davis introduced the request by GWS Land Development of Plymouth, LLC for a
rezoning, preliminary plat and variance for "Terra Vista 3rd Addition" located at 5825, 5875 and
5925 Vicksburg Lane and Outlot A Terra Vista.
Senior Planner Darling said due to an outstanding code issue, staff has requested additional time
to allow the applicant to review this issue. Senior Planner Darling recommended opening the
public hearing and continuing the item to the March 6, 2013 meeting.
Commissioner Anderson asked if the detailed staff report will be presented at the March 6th
meeting.
Senior Planner Darling Public explained the notice had been published so the public hearing had
to be opened this evening. Planning Manager Thomson added staff noted an issue that the
applicant had to address which may require tweaking of the layout. She said this was discovered
at a point that we could not send out another notice.
Chair Davis opened the public hearing.
Chair Davis introduced Raj Swami, 15620 59th Place N. Mr. Swami said as a resident close to
this area, driving to Vicksburg Lane is horrendous. Mr. Swami said he has been knocked off by
a school bus coming from new residential complexes. He said new complexes are built up, but
Vicksburg Lane does not expand and is not paved properly for cars to have access to and from
Vicksburg Lane. Mr. Swami said he doesn't know the number of accidents last year, but is sure
they have gone up. He said when taking a sick kid to the hospital there was a car stuck on the
railroad tracks in a couple inches of snow. Mr. Swami asked that strong consideration be given
to building out the infrastructure as part of the planning process.
Senior Planner Darling said the city has plans to widen Vicksburg Lane and install a bridge over
the railroad tracks to separate train and vehicle traffic. Construction is scheduled for 2015 and
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2016. Senior Planner Darling said the Peony Lane reconstruction is scheduled for 2014 and the
completed road will take some of the north/south traffic away from Vicksburg Lane.
Planning Manager Thomson added that the upcoming completion of Dunkirk Lane would also
lessen traffic on Vicksburg Lane. She said unfortunately road projects often come after
development.
Commissioner Anderson asked if there would be acceleration and deceleration lanes on
Vicksburg Lane when the new road connects to Vicksburg Lane.
Senior Planner Darling reviewed the area on Vicksburg Lane with left- and right -turn lanes into
the development which include the acceleration and deceleration lanes.
Commissioner Petrash asked if the road project has been approved, funded and is ready to go or
is it subject to delay.
Senior Planner Darling said until a project is ordered, the council always has the option to move
that project back. She said the road projects are intended to proceed in a 1-2-3 fashion with
Peony Lane reconstruction first, then the Dunkirk Lane reconstruction proposed with
development and likely occurring at the same time as Peony Lane. Senior Planner Darling said
when those projects are completed, the Vicksburg Lane project will begin. She said at this time
the Vicksburg Lane reconstruction is in the capital improvement program.
Planning Manager Thomson added that the council recently had discussion about transportation
improvements and are zeroing in on the best options for financing. She said serious
consideration has been given for these projects.
Chair Davis suggested the speaker review the meeting minutes from the council study session a
couple weeks ago for more information regarding the financing and time line for these projects
and continued the public hearing to the March 6, 2013 planning commission meeting.
C. INSITE ARCHITECTS, INC. (2013001)
Chair Davis introduced the request by InSite Architects, Inc. for a PUD amendment for a
transitional care facility addition to the WestHealth medical campus.
Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report.
Commissioner Anderson said the existing picnic area will be paved over for more parking. He
asked if that amenity would be replaced on the site.
Senior Planner Darling said that community garden was put in for employees on site and it does
not appear there would be room for that. She said there will be some gardens as part of the
transitional care facility which are intended for patient use at the facility.
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Commissioner Anderson asked what will happen with the undeveloped lot at this property.
Senior Planner Darling said there are no specific plans at this time but there are still a number of
the original uses that have not been constructed on the site.
Chair Davis asked if the garage entrance is on the Highway 55 side.
Senior Planner Darling clarified the garage entrance is on the Highway 55 side. She said the
lighting plan used an old layout of the building and there is a condition in the resolution for it to
be updated. The A-2 plan also shows the garage entrance on the north side of the building.
Commissioner Nelson said there have been infrastructure changes on Highway 55 and Northwest
Boulevard, and asked if the one way in and one way out are deemed sufficient with the addition
of the growing campus, the hotel, and the retail.
Senior Planner Darling said the Northwest Boulevard/Campus Drive intersection is the primary
entrance into the campus. She said Campus Drive is not a cul-de-sac and there are secondary
routes back to Northwest Boulevard.
Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Sally Layde, 1101 W. River Parkway. Ms. Layde stated
the garage entry is off the Highway 55 side. Ms. Layde said they will be replacing all parking
for the existing clinic before starting building construction. She said one outside feature will be
the "healing garden" as part of the physical therapy space outdoors. Ms. Layde said there would
be stairs, ramps, different surface materials, and a car to practice opening and shutting car doors.
Ms. Layde said the majority of the inside would be units for the residents and a large physical
therapy space, which would be used by all residents who are there for transitional care. Ms.
Layde said there would be a bistro space open to the residents and guests and people from the
clinic. Ms. Layde reviewed the proposed materials which will match the existing building.
Commissioner Kobussen questioned the drawings on the lower level and said the basement door
is on the wrong side. He said the stairwell between the basement and the first floor do not match
up to access the floor above it.
Ms. Layde said the plans are not complete and the interior details are being worked out. She
explained the stair is generally in that area, and as they finish plans obviously those changes will
get ironed out.
Commissioner Kobussen noted the first floor plan has a pool and locker area door leading to the
outside, but that door doesn't show up on sketch of outside drawings.
Ms. Layde reiterated the plans were not entirely complete and there are places where the
elevations do not match. She stated when they turn in the final plans, all will be relating. Ms.
Layde said they are working with Senior Planner Darling on details for the final submission.
Commissioner Petrash said the concept proposed is adequate to make a decision.
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Commissioner Anderson asked if these plans would be updated before going to council and said
it would be nice if council is looking at the real thing.
Ms. Layde said the obvious changes can be updated for city council, but there may still be some
changes in the final plans for construction.
Commissioner Anderson said the elevations do not show the entrance into the garage.
Commissioner Anderson said typically there would be exposed materials when going to the
basement level, which is usually a concrete wall in home construction. He asked if the same
material theme would be continued on down to that part of the basement that you will see,
especially on the Highway 55 side.
Ms. Layde reviewed the elevation where the grades come down and said the brick would be
applied on the lower level.
Commissioner Oakley complimented the architects and said a facility like this needs a human
scale which is well -achieved while tying it into the institutional scale next door. Commissioner
Oakley asked if the 32 -foot setback is for a functional reason or to come close to the right-of-
way.
Ms. Layde said it is a tradeoff to get as much parking as possible. She said if that setback is a
problem, it can be pushed back.
Chair Davis introduced Allen Black, 19540 Olinda Trail N. representing Presbyterian Homes.
Mr. Black noted there will be a review and comments on these drawings by the State Health
Department. He said he will keep staff informed of any requirements or unknown changes that
may surface.
Commissioner Nelson asked where patients would come from to the transitional care facility.
Mr. Black said this facility carries the same license as a skilled nursing home. He said the
majority of clients are older adults, predominantly coming from a health care delivery system
working with ortho or cardio patients who have had an event and are working their way back to a
home environment. He said procedures done at WestHealth generate a number of admissions to
this facility. Mr. Black said office space would be for Allina staff who would continue to see
patients from WestHealth and other Allina facilities who discharge patients that prefer to be in
the western area or have a preference for this level and this type of care. Mr. Black said he
believed this is the first transitional care of this type in the metro area, or possibly in the state,
which is hooked directly to a hospital system. Mr. Black said they will take patients from other
facilities that may have people in transitional care, depending on space available. He said the
requirement to get into a transitional care facility is an advanced hospital stay of three days or
more and coming from an acute care setting.
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Commissioner Nelson asked if this facility could assist with patients from the new emergency
room.
Mr. Black said they are not licensed as a hospital, but those patients who are stable may be able
to go into our environment. He said admission criteria must be met for the 50 units of skilled
licensed nursing care. Mr. Black said there are also six units that would not be part of that
licensed skilled nursing care and would provide some freedom to offer services to people not
requiring the skilled nursing care.
Commissioner Anderson said this is short term care for people who need therapy, achieve a
certain ability level and then are discharged.
Mr. Black said that is correct, and said payment is predominantly through Medicare with an
average length of stay of 14 days. He said the stay is under 30 days as Medicare expires in 30
days as long term care is not the intent.
Commissioner Kobussen asked about the purpose of the proposed pool.
Mr. Black said it is a warm water immersion pool for physical therapy using new technology
including a treadmill that works under water, a floor that rises up to accept the patient, and
cameras that watch the patient's gait and limb movement. Mr. Black said this is a new
technology and shows great promise.
Chair Davis introduced Ben Bache-Wiig, President of Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Mr.
Bache-Wiig said the idea of a transitional care facility partnered with a hospital facility currently
having people come from an emergency room to a transitional care facility isn't supported by
current Medicare rules and regulations. Mr. Bache-Wiig said he believes there is an increasing
movement for observation -type patients to have the three-day stay rule waived, so we do see a
day when emergency room patients might be able to use the transitional care facility. Mr.
Bache-Wiig said the primary use is currently in -patients at other facilities who come out of the
hospital recovering from surgery, stroke or an illness and it is unsafe for them to return home.
Mr. Bache-Wiig said those patients would be able to come this facility and receive high tech
rehab services which would enhance their ability to return home. Mr. Bache-Wiig said if, after
14 days, that patient is not ready to go home, they would move either to assisted living or long
term care, but their goal is to get a patient ready to return home. Mr. Bache-Wiig said they
anticipate some of the space in the unit may be amenable to post-operative surgery patients from
the out-patient surgery center at WestHealth, and he said they may be able to extend the type of
surgeries done because we now have capability of 24-7 nursing to check on patients post-
operatively. Mr. Bache-Wiig said by doing out-patient rather than in-patient we can extend the
capabilities of WestHealth.
Commissioner Petrash asked if this is the limit of future expansion.
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Mr. Bache-Wiig said we have no future plans for buildings on this site. He said he does see an
evolution of tenants of the buildings to provide more Allina and Abbott Northwestern specialty
services.
Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the
item.
Commissioner Anderson said the only issue is the variance and how close it is to the cul-de-sac.
Commissioner Anderson said this is the most underutilized area road that he is aware of, even
with the current facility in full operation. Commissioner Anderson said he has no problem with
the variance because the area seems so underutilized.
MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to approve the
request by InSite Architects, Inc. for a PUD amendment for a transitional care facility addition to
the WestHealth medical campus.
Chair Davis said he can't wait to get older in Plymouth with so many facilities available. Chair
Davis said he will be supporting this and concurred with Commissioner Anderson's comments
about the variance.
Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved.
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Chair Davis, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.