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2013.09.09 PC Meeting Minutes Approved Minutes of the September 9, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting Page 1 of 3 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2013\09.09\approved minutes.doc CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, September 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall A. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: X Commissioner (Ward 1) Sears [Vice Chair] X Commissioner (Ward 2) Kolb X Commissioner (Ward 4) Richter X Commissioner (Ward 1) Heigel X Commissioner (Ward 3) VonRueden [Chair] X Commissioner (Ward 4) Johnson X Commissioner (Ward 2) Erickson X Commissioner (Ward 3) Buck [Secretary] X Commissioner (At- Large) Strand Also attending were staff members John Sutter, Patrick Peters, Gail Van Krevelen and Council Liaison Casey Peak. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Commissioner Kolb and seconded by Commissioner Buck to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2013 regular meeting. Motion carried. C. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Consider Application 2013-11 for The Cavanagh, 5401 51st Avenue North - Rezoning to R-3 Planned Development including revised site and building plans for a four story building. Staff member, John Sutter, presented the staff report. Commissioner Kolb questioned the necessity of having to discuss this if the overall height of the building was not exceeding what was previously approved. Mr. Sutter stated that even though the height of the building was not increasing above the previously approved 50 feet, the building would now exceed three stories and so the rezoning to Planned Development designation would be required. Commissioner Heigel asked whether the number of handicapped parking spaces is sufficient. Mr. Sutter said that it is governed by the state accessibility code which would be confirmed during the building permit plan review. Gary Vogel, architect for Dominium, said that the number of spaces on the plan exceeds the minimum required by the code. Approved Minutes of the September 9, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting Page 2 of 3 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2013\09.09\approved minutes.doc Commissioner Sears asked whether West Metro Fire Rescue District had any concerns with the new design. Mr. Sutter said that they had reviewed the plan and provided comments related to hydrant locations and the fire department connection for the sprinkler system, but they had no major concerns as the building would be fully sprinklered and there are existing buildings in New Hope that are taller than four stories. Chair Richard VonRueden opened the public hearing. The following were heard: Carol Bolin, 5009 Quail Ave N, spoke to the Planning Commission of her concerns regarding the increase in stories, architectural style, exterior building materials, and the flat roof being proposed. Cathy Morgan, 5046 Quail Ave N, spoke to the Planning Commission of her concerns regarding the increase in stories, architectural style of the building, exterior building materials, and the flat roof being proposed. Ron Mehl, a developer at Dominium, said that when they held the neighborhood meeting they received a lot of support from the residents. Based on commentary at that meeting, they softened the look of the proposed building to address resident concerns. He also explained that because of increased costs, they cannot build it as a three-story building. Gary Vogel, an architect for Dominium, explained that the color illustrations in the packet did not fully illustrate the different colors of the building and there is a lot more variety than the images show. He added that they also added detail on top of the building to break up the roof line. Planning Commission discussion: Commissioner Johnson asked whether any commission members had attended the open house. Chair VonRueden and Commissioner Strand had and they said that the neighbors were positive about the development. Commissioner Sears stated that he appreciated the architect’s use of a lighter color for the fourth floor, this compared favorably to the dark pitched roof of the original plan, and he was impressed by the overall appearance of the building. Commissioner Richter asked Mr. Sutter for background information on how the EDA came to purchase the property from the school district for high density development. Mr. Sutter summarized the sequence of events leading up to the plan currently being considered. Commissioner Kolb stated that, in the interest of continuing a project already underway, he would be voting in favor, but that his opinion might be different if the project were at an earlier stage of consideration. Approved Minutes of the September 9, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting Page 3 of 3 J:\PLANNING\Planning Commission\2013\09.09\approved minutes.doc Moved by Commissioner Kolb and seconded by Commissioner Sears to recommend approval of Application 2013-11 for Rezoning 5401 51st Avenue North (The Cavanagh) to R-3 Planned Development including revised site and building plans for a four story building. By roll call and voting aye, Sears, Heigel, Erickson, Kolb, VonRueden, Buck, Johnson and Strand. Voting nay, Richter. Motion carried 8 - 1. D. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: − Approved partial vacation of utility easement at 2708 Zane Avenue North and adjacent properties − Approved the Preliminary & Final Plat of Crystal Economic Development Authority Sixth Addition (3556 & 3564 Welcome Avenue North) − Adopted the revised Section 520 (Site & Building Plan Review) 2. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, October 14 meeting Mr. Sutter said that the city may receive a site plan to de-mall Crystal Gallery Mall over a 2-3 year period and put a small freestanding building in the northwest corner of the parking lot near the intersection of Bass Lake Road and West Broadway. F. OPEN FORUM None were heard. G. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Sears and seconded by Commissioner Buck to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.