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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 Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 2 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. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 3 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 Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 4 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. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 5 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. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 6 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. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 7 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. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 8 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.