HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10-25-2005Adopted Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
October 25, 2005
Mayor Johnson called a Regular Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. in
the Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Avenue North, on October 25, 2005.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Hewitt, Stein, Slavik, Bildsoe, Willis,
and Black.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Fire Chief Kline, Finance Director Hahn, Sergeant
Lindman, City Attorney Knutson, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Community
Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Cote, and City Clerk Paulson.
Plymouth Forum
There was no one present to address the Council.
Presentations and Public Information Announcements
4.01) Presentation on Wayzata School District's Referendum
Steve Brantner, Communications Director, and John Moroz, School Board Member, discussed
the Wayzata School District referendum on November 8.
4.02) Announcement of 112005 National Student Leader Difference Maker Award"
Sue Iverson, Wayzata High School's Student Council Advisor, along with members of the
Student Council, announced that they recently received the 2005 National Student Leader
Difference Maker Award for their monthly project at the Plymouth Colony Apartments.
4.03) Presentation on Hopkins' School District Referendum
Dale Feste, School Board Chair, and Yvonne Selcer, Board Director, discussed the Hopkins
School District referendum on November 8.
4.04) Update on Interfaith Outreach and Community Partner's Sleepout Campaign and
the "Sleepless Sleepout"
Jill Kohler reported on the 2005 Sleep Out event and the Youth Advisory Council's Sleepless
Sleepout on November 12 at 6:30 p.m.
4.05) Announcement of Pumpkin Drop -Off on November 5
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Councilmember Slavik announced that residents can drop off their pumpkins at the Public Works
Maintenance Facility on November 5 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Mayor Johnson removed item No. 6.06 from the agenda as per request of staff.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to
approve the amended a egnda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Hewitt removed item No's. 6.03 and 6.07, and they were placed under General
Business as item No's. 8.2 and 8.3 respectively.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to adopt
the amended Consent Agenda that included the following items:
6.01) Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 11.
6.02) Resolution Approving Disbursements for the Period Ending October 14, 2005 (Res2005-
395).
6.03) (This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed under General Business as
item No. 8.2).
6.04) Resolution Approving a Site Plan Amendment for AMB Property Corporation, to allow a
Parking Lot Expansion at 13100 12th Avenue North (2005117—.Res2005-396).
6.05) Resolution Approving a Site Plan Amendment to install Two Air -Handling Units and
Additional Utilities at the Site located at 5905 Trenton Lane North (2005126 — Res2005-397).
6.06) (This item was removed from the agenda).
6.07) (This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed under General Business as
item No. 8.3).
6.08) Resolution Declaring Adequacy of Petition and Ordering Preparation of Preliminary
Engineering Report for Street Lighting for 4385 and 4465 Trenton Lane (Res2005-398), and a
Resolution Receiving Preliminary Engineering Report and Ordering Project for Street Lighting
for 4385 and 4465 Trenton Lane (Res2005-399).
6.09) Resolution Authorizing the Conveyance of Tax -Forfeited Parcel, Lot 2, Block 1, Wood
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Creek to the City of Plymouth for Public Use (Parcel No. 24-118-22-23-0027 — Res2005-400).
6.10) Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Execute Agreement No. PW 39-
17-05 for Partial Funding for Union Pacific Trail Crossing along CSAH 61 (Xenium Lane) at
13th Avenue (5116 — Res2005-401).
6.11) Resolution Approving Purchase of Road Salt Off the State of Minnesota Contract for the
2005-2006 Snow Season (Res2005-402).
6.12) Acceptance of Third Quarter 2005 Financial Report.
6.13) Resolution Approving Final Payment to Fabcon Incorporated (Res2005-403).
6.14) Resolution Approving Revisions to the Plymouth Goose Management Program
Res2005-404).
6.15) Resolution Appointing Election Judges for November 22, 2005 Special Election
Res2005-405).
Mayor Johnson stated she would be abstaining from voting on item No. 6.15.
Motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda.
Public Hearings
There were no public hearings scheduled).
General Business
8.1) Rezoning, Preliminary Plat, Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit, Interim Use Permit,
and Variance for Lifestyle Properties (southwest corner of the intersection of Nathan Lane
and Bass Lake Road — 2005115)
Community Development Director Hurlburt reported on the application for Rezoning,
Preliminary Plat, Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit, Interim Use Permit, and Variance for the
construction of 13 multiple -family buildings to be called the "Villas of Bass Lake Creek"
property at the southwest corner of the intersection of Nathan Lane and Bass Lake Road). She
stated that this project was the subject of a land use study completed in 2001. She stated one of.
the key planning issues identified was that the development of this site should be sensitive to
ensuring appropriate transitions between different land use types and intensities. The study.and
Comprehensive Plan list many different types of transitions that developers could use including
natural features like wetlands, man-made features like roads, building orientation, buffering and
screening, increased distance between uses, and graduating land use intensities. The proposed
buildings in this development and the adjacent homes would be separated by wetlands, ponds, a
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private road, and mature trees. The buildings are oriented so they back up to the rear yards of the
adjacent homes and are designed with a similar roof pitch as the homes in the area. The
applicant has proposed to plant trees and shrubs to reduce the visibility of the buildings over
time. These are all techniques suggested as transitions in Chapter 4 of the Comprehensive Plan.
She stated originally, the applicant proposed the RMF -4 zoning over the portion of the property
south of the Bass Creek) guided for residential uses. The proposal included 13, 12 -unit
buildings (156 units) and 169 surfacing parking spaces. The density was 10.92 per acres. The
applicant requested a continuance of the public hearing and redesigned their proposal to apply
the RMF -3 district over two buildings and reduce the height accordingly. The other 11 buildings
were proposed to be zoned RMF -4. This change reduced the overall density to 10 units per acre
144 units) and allowed the applicant to reduce the surface parking to 139 parking spaces.
On August 17, 2005, the Planning Commission had a split vote. Those voting to recommend
denial of the project cited the following: 1) the five buildings closest to the adjacent properties
should be zoned RMF -3, rather than only two buildings; 2) concern regarding the size and
location of the.parking lots; and 3) concern that the infrastructure (shopping and services) was
not adequate in the area. After the meeting, the applicant withdrew their application.
The current request is to rezone a larger portion of the property to the RMF -3 district (five
buildings) which results in fewer units (a total of 136 units) and reduces the need for surface
parking lots (a total of 86 surface parking spaces are provided). The applicant removed 12 units
from the buildings on the south and west sides of the development and 53 parking spaces from
the parking lots closest to those buildings. The proposed density is 9.5 units per acre.
She stated the major issue for the Council this evening is the rezoning policy issue. She noted
that there are a number of zoning classifications that could be consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan for this area. The real key is the transitions/land use compatibility (architecture/scale and
appearance of development), distance from adjacent uses (backyards serving as transitions
between uses), separation using natural features, and buffers/screening (parking lots). Other
issues that were discussed at the Planning Commission meeting included proposed density,
traffic, accessibility to services, transit, wetlands, storm drainage, design for senior market, rental
vs. ownership, crime, variance for sidewalk, and pedestrian circulation. She stated the Planning
Commission recommends approval of the proposed project. She stated if the Council were to
deny the plan, she requested that they direct staff to prepare findings of fact consistent for denial
at a future Council meeting.
Bill Gleason, applicant, illustrated that the four buildings on the west side and the one building
on the southeast part of the property have been changed to two-story buildings. He stated the
idea of the RMF -4 zoning is for aesthetic reasons, as they elected to go with a roof that
compliments the housing in the area. If they were to construct a flat roof on those buildings, it
would fall under the requirement of RMF -3 zoning. He stated they considered many types of
housing for this area, and the senior use seemed to be the best fit. He stated based on their
experience, approximately 90% of the units would be occupied by seniors and the remainder by
single individuals. He illustrated the floor plans and the elevation of the buildings in comparison
to the surrounding homes.
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Mayor Johnson asked Mr. Gleason why they haven't age restricted the project. Mr. Gleason
replied they did that with another project, and they found it to be problematic, as sometimes one
spouse could comply with the requirement, but the other couldn't.
Mayor Johnson suggested that perhaps they make the requirement that one of the occupants
needs to be 55 years old. Mr. Gleason stated the development is designed for senior citizens, but
they could certainly consider that. He added that the price range isn't conducive for young
families. He indicated that this type of housing is on the upward scale for demand.
Community Development Director Hurlburt discussed the different zoning classifications (RMF -
1, RMF -2, and RMF -3), densities, and the height requirements for structures within each of those
zoning districts.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik and seconded by Councilmember Hewitt, to direct
staff to prepare findings of fact consistent with denial for the November 8 Council meeting.
Councilmember Slavik stated that the proposed development is too dense, and she doesn't feel
that this development is in the best interest of anyone in the area, even into the next 25 years. In
addition, she stated that there isn't an adequate transition between this development and the
adjacent housing developments.
Councilmember Black stated that the City has reviewed this property in terms of the southern
and western exposures to the adjacent homeowners, and she noted that two other adjacent sides
to this property are zoned commercial. She stated the difficulty is to provide proper transitions
between all the uses. She noted that to some extent, this proposal did start that. The height of
the inner core buildings would protect those homes on the west and to the south from the lights
and noise from commercial area.
Sharon Slye, 5590 Trenton Lane, noted that there are affordable housing units in Cardinal Ridge.
James Sweat, 5545 Nathan Lane, No. 5, stated regarding the density calculations, there would be
13.8 units per acre with the larger buildings and 5.6 units per acre with the smaller buildings.
Therefore, the density levels would exceed what is allowed. Mayor Johnson stated he is correct,
but the density is figured on the average of the development. He stated that there is a traffic
problem at the Nathan Lane intersection even though the Planning Commission didn't state that.
He requested that if this is to be a senior housing development, the developer dedicates it entirely
for that use.
Jerry Unger, 10607 57th Place North, stated he is concerned about the drainage from this
development into the Bass Creek and wetlands, as it would go into a water quality pond at the
banks of Bass Creek. He noted that Bass Creek was recently declared an impaired waterway by
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He stated that the water quality pond could be located
elsewhere on this site so the drainage could be filtered correctly.
Francis Hanson, 5660 Trenton Lane, stated her property borders the south side of the proposed
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development, and the proposed buildings would only be approximately 150 feet from her
property. She stated children from this development would need to walk through her yard to get
to the nearest neighborhood park.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated that he is concerned with the stacking of traffic on Nathan Lane,
and that needs to be addressed. He stated he would prefer to see RMF -2 zoning for this property.
Councilmember Hewitt agreed with Councilmember Slavik that there isn't a good transition
between this development and the adjacent housing developments. She requested that staff try to
incorporate transit opportunities with future developments that come before the City.
Councilmember Stein stated that he would be supporting the motion, but he acknowledged that
this is difficult property to develop with the commercial areas to the north and east.
Councilmember Willis stated he is also concerned with the transition between this development
and adjacent developments. He also noted that the transition should occur on the developer's
property, not the neighbors'.
Councilmember Black recommended that the City review a RMF -2 zoning for this property,
which would be to change the guiding to LA -2.
Mayor Johnson agreed that there is a lack of a good transition between the developments, and
compatibility between the uses. She stated she is also concerned about the elevations of the
buildings.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
8.1.1) Wetland Replacement Plan for Lifestyle Properties
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe and seconded by Councilmember Hewitt, to
postpone the Wetland Replacement Plan for Lifestyle Properties until November 8. With all
members voting in favor, the motion carried.
8.2) Planned Unit Development Amendment for Seven Greens and Seven Greens
2nd
Addition (2005107 — northeast corner of Schmidt Lake Road and Vicksburg Lane)
Councilmember Hewitt stated the applicant has requested to amend the Planned Unit
Development to allow construction of garages with more than 1,000 square feet for single-family
homes. She stated correspondence was received from Nelson Muller, regarding this
development containing large homes on small lots. Mr. Muller requested that driveway access to
the rear garage/storage area and overhead door not be permitted.
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated that staff discussed the issue of not allowing
driveways to the storage area with the developer, and that was acceptable him. Regarding
eliminating the overhead door, that would eliminate storage possibilities. She stated that staff .
has provided a revised Ordinance and Resolution to the Council this evening that would
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eliminate the driveway, but still allow overhead garage doors.
Curt Swanson, President of Swanson Homes, stated that when this Planned Unit Development
was approved a few years ago, he wasn't aware that they weren't allowed the "garage under
garage" situation. It was mentioned when a customer desired to construct that type of
arrangement. He suggested that rather than an 18 -foot wide garage door, that it be reduced to a
nine -foot wide door, which would make it aesthetically a better situation. He stated regarding
the driveway access, he doesn't support an asphalt or concrete driveway to the rear of a garage.
Motion was made by Councilmember Hewitt, and seconded by Councilmember Willis, to adopt
the revised Ordinance Amending Chapter 21 of the City Code to Amend Section 21655.28 for
the Seven Greens PUD (2005107 - Ord2005-28), revised Resolution Revising Condition No. 4 of
Resolution No. 2001-256 and Approving a PUD Amendment for Swan Development, LLC to
allow the Construction of Garages in Excess of 1,000 square feet for Single -Family Homes in the
Seven Greens PUD located at the Northeast Corner of Schmidt Lake Road and Vicksburg Lane
2005107 — Res2005-406) with an amendment to allow nine -foot wide garage door, and a
Resolution Approving Findings of Fact for Amending the Zoning Ordinance Text for the Seven
Greens PUD (2005107 — Res2005-407). With all members voting in favor but Johnson, the
motion carried.
8.3) Resolution Approving Plans. and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids
for City Center Street Lighting Project (4143) and the Vicksburg/25th Avenue/Shenandoah
Signal Project (5105)
Councilmember Hewitt voiced her concern that the signal for Project 5105 should be further
down to the next development. She stated that this stoplight would be the catalyst to get the
speed lowered in the area, and she requested that a traffic study be done after the Lowe's
development is up and running after a year.
Motion was made by Councilmember Hewitt, and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to adopt
a Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City
Center Street Lighting Project (4143 — Res2005-408).
Public Works Director Cote that staff would be updating residents in this area what would be
occurring.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Reports and Staff Recommendations
There were no Reports and Staff Recommendations.
Adiournment
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Mayor Johnson declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 9:20 p.m.
4*'Ikle
andra R. Paulson, City Clerk