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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 11-15-2000Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting November 15, 2000 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Bob Stein, Karl Neset, Kapila Bobra, John Stoebner and Roger Berkowitz MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Sarah Reinhardt STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Senior Planners Shawn Drill and Marie Darling, Planning Assistant Josh Doty, City Engineer Dan Faulkner, and Office Services Supervisor Denise Hutt 1 CALL TO ORDER 2 PUBLIC FORUM 3 APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to approve the November 1, 2000 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 5 CONSENT AGENDA Chairman Stulberg stated that Item 5 B for John and Wendy Young (20164) has been withdrawn from the agenda. A DELMER AND JEAN MATASOVKSY (20162) MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz recommending approval of a variance request for Delmer and Jean Matasovsky for property located at 2670 East Medicine Lake Boulevard. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B JOHN AND WENDY YOUNG (20164) Item was withdrawn at the applicant's request. Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 2000 Page #2 C SCOTT SCHOOLMEESTERS (20166) MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz recommending approval of a setback variance for Scott Schoolmeesters for property located at 310 Magnolia Lane North. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 6 PUBLIC HEARINGS A DAVERN H (20136) Chairman Stulberg stated that staff is requesting that the Commission cancel the public hearing to allow the applicant adequate time to revise their plans. MOTION by Commissioner Berkowitz, seconded by Commissioner Bobra to cancel the public hearing and reschedule it to a date uncertain. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B GRAMERCY CORPORATION (20137) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Gramercy Corporation for rezoning, site plan and conditional use permit for Gramercy Park Cooperative Northwest, an 80 -unit senior cooperative on property located north of Bass Lake Road and west of Northwest Boulevard extended. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the November 15, 2000 staff report. Commissioner Berkowitz stated that the access design to and from Northwest Boulevard seems overly cautious and wondered why the County would not allow left turns from the driveway. City Engineer Faulkner said that what is on the plan is what the County will allow. Commissioner Berkowitz questioned the reason for this. City Engineer Faulkner said that the goal is to move the traffic and not allow access on Northwest Boulevard. Commissioner Berkowitz asked what the options are for traffic traveling northbound. City Engineer Faulkner suggested a U-turn or go to Quinwood Lane. Chairman Stulberg introduced Lou Stocco, the applicant. Mr. Stocco stated that he concurs with the staff report and conditions. Mr. Stocco presented photographs of the existing Gramercy Cooperative located at 45th Avenue and Nathan Lane. Mr. Stocco said that he would like to keep first floor balconies at least three feet off the ground because of safety reasons for the seniors. Mr. Stocco stated that the existing project in Plymouth has been very successful. Chairman Stulberg asked the applicant how they see people getting in and out of the site. Mr. Stocco replied that they have had several meetings with Hennepin County to talk about the road and access issues. He stated that Hennepin County informed them that they would only be Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 2000 Page #3 allowed a left in and right out only, which is acceptable. Mr. Stocco said that once the County selects a contractor to construct Northwest Boulevard, they will contact them to talk about a temporary roadway so that they can begin construction. Mr. Stocco commented that they have received 88 reservations for the proposed 80 -unit building. Commissioner Berkowitz commented that he would like to see full access in and out, especially for the northbound traffic. Commissioner Bobra asked when the project would be completed. Mr. Stocco replied if everything stays on schedule, it would be completed in March, 2002. Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the issue. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz recommending approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 21 (zoning ordinance) of the City Code to classify certain land located north of Bass Lake Road and west of future Northwest Boulevard and findings of fact for rezoning of property located north of Bass Lake Road and west of future Northwest Boulevard. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Bobra recommending approval of a site plan and conditional use permit for Gramercy Corporation for an 80 -unit senior cooperative located north of Bass Lake Road and west of Northwest Boulevard. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. C PARK LAND COMPANY (20149) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Park Land Company for a preliminary plat, site plan, conditional use permits, interim use permit and variance for four apartment buildings to be known as Shadow Hills Apartments located in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Nathan Lane and 45th Avenue North. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the November 15, 2000 staff report. Chairman Stulberg introduced Steven Young, of Young and Wilz, architect for the project. Mr. Young stated that the developer has no objection to affordable housing, but is concerned with how high the market rate unit rents would have to be to offset the affordable units. He said that the applicant will continue to work with City staff in pursuing options to provide affordable housing units. Mr. Young presented a colored rendering of the site plan. He said that most of the existing trees are considered undesirable species, and would be replaced with a variety of quality tree stock. There will be an eight foot buffer along Nathan Lane to screen the three story building. He stated that the units were reduced from 352 to 318. The end units on the four story Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 2000 Page #4 buildings will step down to three stories. The berm on the east side of the project will be 10 feet high. The buildings will have warm color tones, with redwood colored siding and include terra cotta stucco components. Chairman Stulberg asked what would have to be done in order to achieve a goal of 35 percent affordable units (112). Joshua Aarons, applicant replied that they are working with staff to see what can be done to accomplish affordable housing units. Director Hurlburt stated that the City will try to identify a variety of options, including tax increment financing. She said that staff appreciates the applicant's good faith effort to work on affordable housing. Commissioner Bobra stated that it is important to be able to provide 20 to 25 percent of the units to be affordable. Chairman Stulberg opened the public hearing. Chairman Stulberg introduced Anne Dorweiler of 17035 9th Avenue North. Ms. Dorweiler stated that she is a member of the Community Housing Coalition and hopes that the City can provide some affordable housing units in this project because the site is a good location and close to many service businesses and bus routes. Ms. Dorweiler stated that the City has the discretion to require affordable housing units when an applicant is asking for variances and conditional use permits. Ms. Dorweiler asked if there would be any three bedroom units in the project. Chairman Stulberg closed the public hearing. Mr. Young stated that the largest unit would be a two bedroom plus den. He said that if the market demands three bedroom units, they would be able to add onto the end terrace units to accommodate three bedroom units. Commissioner Bobra stated that there should be three bedroom units as an option and to have some affordable units. Commissioner Stein questioned whether two parking stalls per unit is adequate compared to other complexes. Senior Planner Darling at one time the ordinance required two stalls per unit, but was later changed because of a problem with recreational vehicles being stored in parking stalls, thus causing inadequate parking. She said that staff has included a stipulation in the resolution prohibiting underground and surface parking to be used for storage of recreational vehicles or recreational equipment. Chairman Stulberg asked what happens if the condition isn't adhered to or if the two stalls per unit ends up to be inadequate. Senior Planner Darling replied that the City can revoke the interim use permit; require compact parking spaces; and, convert landscape areas into parking spaces. MOTION by Chairman Stulberg seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending approval of a preliminary plat for Park Land Company for a 318 unit apartment complex located at the Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 15, 2000 Page #5 northeast quadrant of the intersection of Nathan Lane and 45th Avenue North. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner for a site plan, conditional use permits, interim use permit, and a variance for Park Land Company for a 318 unit apartment complex located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Nathan Lane and 45th Avenue North. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Chairman Stulberg congratulated Commissioner Stein on his election to the City Council. MOTION by Commissioner Bobra, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to adjourn. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.