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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/19/20021. Call to Order MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, August 19, 2002, 7:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers 1830 County Road B East 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. August 5, 2002 5. Public Headng None 6. New Business a. House Moving Request- Bart Crockett (Sylvan Street) b. Building Requests - Shelley Schlomka (1501 Henry Lane) 1. House Moving 2. Conditional Use Permit (Accessory Structure) c. Anderson Hillwood Oaks Preliminary Plat (Dorland Road South) d. Hillcrest Village Redevelopment Plan 7. Unfinished Business None 8. Visitor Presentations 9. Commission Presentations a. August 12 Council Meeting: Mr. Mueller b. August 26 Council Meeting: Mr. Ledvina c. September 9 Council Meeting: Ms. Dierich 10. Staff Presentations a. Reschedule September 2 meeting (Labor Day) - Tuesday, Sept. 3 or Wednesday, Sept. 4? b. Meeting with other first-ring suburbs at Richfield City Hall - September 9, 7:00 p.m. 11. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2002 I. CALLTO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. I1. ROLL CALL Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Mary Dierich Lorraine Fischer Matt Ledvina Jackie Monahan-Junek Paul Mueller Gary Pearson William Rossbach Dale Trippler Tushar Desai Present Present Present Present Present Present Absent Present Present Staff Present: Ken Roberts, Associate Planner Chuck Ahl, Public Works Director Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary II1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Ledvina moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Pearson seconded. Ayes - All The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the planning commission minutes for August 5, 2002. Commissioner Trippler had a change on page 3 under Unfinished Business in the first paragraph. Replace (He said staff does not taking a stance) with (He said staff has not taken a stance on this). Commissioner Ledvina moved to approve the planning commission minutes for August 5, 2002 with the amended changes. Commissioner Trippler seconded. Ayes - All The motion passed. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -2- V. PUBLIC HEARING None. VI. NEW BUSINESS a. House Moving Request - Bart Crockett (Sylvan Street) Mr. Roberts reported Mr. Bart Crockett is asking the city council to allow him to move a house from Edina to a vacant lot on Sylvan Street. This house is a one-story rambler with an exterior of blue lap siding. The photos in the staff report show the house with a tuck under garage. Mr. Crockett told Mr. Roberts that he would not have a tuck under garage at the proposed location in Maplewood. Mr. Roberts said several of the neighbors originally thought that the lot is too small for a house. The zoning code requires lots for houses in the R-1 zoning district to have 10,000 square feet. This lot according to the Ramsey County property records is 11,941 square feet. As such, the lot and the proposed site plan for the house and garage can meet all city requirements. Mr. Roberts said Nick Carver, the assistant building official, inspected the exterior of the house. This report outlines most, if not all the work Mr. Crockett will have to do to the house. This includes bringing all systems of the house up to current code standards and replacing the siding to meet current code standards. Mr. Roberts said when the city vacated the Kingston right-of-way in 1980, the city failed to keep a utility easement over the south part of the site. This area has an existing sewer line and overhead power lines. To remedy this situation, the city should require the property owner to dedicate to the city a drainage and utility easement over the south 30 feet of the site. Commissioner Trippler asked staff if there were any setbacks required for over-head power lines. Mr. Roberts said there is nothing in the city code; it is just between the power company and the owner. Commissioner Trippler asked staff if the city knows if Mr. Crockett has permission from the power company. Mr. Roberts said from the last house moving request Mr. Crocket did get approval from Xcel Energy but that was not included in this report. Commissioner Desai asked staff if the neighbors at 1738 Kingston Avenue were renters and what was the reason there was no response to the survey that was sent. Mr. Roberts said he did not believe they were renters. He included all the responses from the neighbors that he received in the report. There were more responses sent in from the last house- moving request then from the request. Commissioner Dierich said with the 30-foot easement, what does that do to the lot size, does it bring it under the 10,000 square feet minimum lot size required. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -3- Mr. Roberts said yes it would. Commissioner Trippler said when he visited the site he spoke to the resident at 1738 Kingston Avenue and he said he has been there for over 30 years, so it is highly unlikely he is a renter. Mr. Trippler said he spoke to that resident and another neighbor and they were both unhappy with this proposal. Commissioner Ledvina said he does not believe the grading on that lot supports a walkout rambler style home. He is unsure how this house would fit on this lot. Mr. Roberts said the house will have a full basement. The existing garage will no longer be used in this location. It will no longer have a walkout but it will have an egress window. It will be a one- story rambler with a full basement. Commissioner Dierich said when she built her house the easement did not count as part of the lot size. When you took out the easement the lot was that much smaller. This lot seems too small to put a house on if the city takes out the easement. Mr. Roberts said the strict reading of the code would state that. He would contend in this case the city is asking for the easement after the fact as part of the request. It is large enough without an easement. If Mr. Crockett came in for a building permit for example, the city would issue it assuming it met all the codes. Because it is a house moving, it requires city council approval. As part of the approval process the city is also asking for the easement to make up for something the city did not get before. Commissioner Mueller asked if Mr. Crockett purchased this lot. Mr. Roberts said he believes Mr. Crockett owns the lot. Commissioner Mueller asked about the ten-foot setback and why the house can't go farther south. Is it because of the sewer and power lines. Mr. Roberts said the house may be able to slide two or three feet south, but until the city gets an updated survey, the city is suggesting in the conditions it be moved as far south as possible. Commissioner Mueller asked if that is based on where the sewer goes or where the power lines are. Mr. Roberts said it is based on both the sewer and power lines. Commissioner Pearson asked where the applicant would put the driveway. Mr. Roberts said the driveway will come out onto Kingston Avenue. Commissioner Trippler asked if there will be a garage. Mr. Robert said a garage is not now proposed. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -4- The applicant, Bart Crockett from 5887 Red Pine Boulevard, White Bear Lake, addressed the commission. Mr. Crockett said he would be building a garage on the lot after the house is moved, if it is approved. He would be putting new siding on the home and feels it will be a real nice home for someone. Commissioner Mueller asked if the applicant purchased the lot. Mr. Crockett said he purchased the lot in March 2002. Commissioner Ledvina asked how this house compares in size to the other house that was going to be moved. Mr. Crockett said they compare in size exactly other than a slightly different shape. Commissioner Ledvina asked Mr. Crockett how does he see shifting the house to the south towards the power easement. Mr. Crockett said he would have to work with Nick Carver, the assistant building official. Xcel Energy told him he had to be 17.6 feet horizontally and 13.8 feet diagonally from the power lines. He said he would assume that Mr. Carver would be checking that for code. Commissioner Ledvina asked if the house could be shifted five-to-eight feet south in his estimation. Mr. Crockett said he could not estimate that. He would move the house as far south as Xcel Energy would let him. Commissioner Mueller asked if Mr. Crockett showed Xcel Energy the measurements of the proposed house and if so what did they say to him. Mr. Crockett said he gave the measurements to Xcel Energy and showed them the photos of the home. He asked for a ballpark estimate from them. Xcel Energy said that he should be fine. Chairperson Fischer asked if he had any other questions or concerns. Mr. Crockett said his only concern is that he hoped the building department would be relied upon. He has consulted with the building department numerous times and has tried to take care of all the issues to his ability. If it comes down to the power lines causing this proposal not to go through then the house cannot be moved onto the property per the assistant building official. Commissioner Mueller asked if this would be rental property or would he be moving into the home. Mr. Crockett said no he would not be renting out the home and that he would be selling the home. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -5- Commissioner Mueller moved to approve the moving of a one-story rambler-style house for Bart Crockett to the lot south of 1754 Sylvan Street. The city approves the proposed site plan and dwelling orientation as shown on the site plans on pages 8 and 9 of the staff report. This approval shall be subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. Submitting the following to the city for approval before the city issues a building permit. An irrevocable letter of credit or cash escrow for 1~ times the estimated cost of completing the construction, including all yard work and exterior remodeling. The applicant shall complete the work within 90 days of the city issuing the permit. The director of community development may extend this deadline for sixty (60) days if there has been a reasonable cause for the delay. The construction shall meet all building code requirements. (Code requirement) bo A new certificate of survey for the site and verify the lot lines with survey pins. (Code requirement) Co A grading, drainage and erosion control plan to the city engineer. This plan shall show that the proposed house location and grades will not cause any adverse effects or cause any drainage problems for nearby properties. The city shall not issue a moving permit until the city engineer approves these plans and the construction shall follow these plans. (Code requirement) A drainage and utility easement from the owner to the city over the south 30 feet of the site. = Sign an agreement to convey the title. This agreement shall allow the city to take possession of the house and property if the required work is not completed within 90 days after the city issues the moving permit. This agreement would allow the city the right to complete the construction required by code or demolish and remove the structure. The city attorney shall prepare this agreement. (Code requirement) o The applicant shall replace the siding and reshingle or repair the roof as needed. The applicant also shall meet all the requirements of the city's building inspection department. Move the house between the hours of 3 and 6 a.m. The applicant shall leave the house in the street until at least 7 a.m., but no later than 10 a.m. There shall be no excessive noise or work on the house or site between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. (Code requirement) o Place the house on the property following the proposed site plan. This approval shall be subject to the following changes: Set the house at least ten feet from the north property line and as far south as reasonably possible while meeting the setback requirements from the existing power line. Any garage shall be set no closer to the alley to the east of the property than the setback established by the existing garage to the north. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -6- Commissioner Monahan-Junek seconded. Ayes -Fischer, Monahan-Junek, Mueller, Pearson, Trippler, Desai Nays - Dierich, Ledvina The motion passed. Commissioner Dierich said she voted nay because it seemed unfair if the rest of the neighborhood has to have a 10,000 square foot lot minimum and the city may be allowing Mr. Crockett to move this house on a lot smaller than 10,000 square feet without the easement. She said even if the city made an oversight with the 30-foot easement or not. Commissioner Ledvina said he voted nay because he was uncomfortable with the fact that the building inspector could not gain access to the home to inspect it because the doors were locked. The inspector really did not know the condition of the house without inspecting the entire house checking the code requirements. It really has nothing to do with having the house moved onto the lot but just the fact that it was not thoroughly inspected. Mr. Roberts said this will go to the city council on September 9, 2002. b. Building Requests - Shelley Schlomka (1501 Henry Lane) 1) 2) House Moving Conditional Use Permit (Accessory Structure) Mr. Roberts said Ms. Shelley Schlomka is asking the city council to allow her to move a house and a detached garage from Point Douglas Road in Newport to her property at 1501 Henry Lane. This house is a rambler with an exterior of horizontal lap siding and would replace the existing house on her property. Mr. Roberts said the house now has a tuck-under garage that Ms. Schlomka will convert to a full basement after moving the house to her property. Nick Carver, the assistant building official, inspected the house. This report outlines most, if not all of the work Ms. Schlomka will have to do to the house. This includes bringing all systems of the house up to current code standards and possibly replacing the roof to meet current code standards. Commissioner Mueller asked if this property is farm zoned. Mr. Roberts said yes. Chairperson Fischer asked why the house is being moved from its current location. Mr. Roberts said it is being moved because of the Wacouta bridge project. There are four or five homes being moved because of the road project. The applicant, Shelley Schlomka from 1501 Henry Lane, Maplewood, addressed the commission. She said she didn't have any questions but her only comment is that it would be a 110% improvement. Her great grandparents built the current house in the early 1900's. They have a new baby and would like to have a newer home to live in. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -7- There were no questions or comments from the planning commission members or by anybody in the audience. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the moving of a one-story house and a detached garage for Shelley Schlomka to the property at 1501 Henry Lane. The city approves the proposed site plan and dwelling orientation as shown on the site plan on page 13 of the staff report. This approval shall be subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. Submitting the following to the city for approval before the city issues a building permit. An irrevocable letter of credit or cash escrow for 1Y2 times the estimated cost of completing the construction, including all yard work and exterior remodeling. The applicant shall complete the work within 90 days of the city issuing the permit. The director of community development may extend this deadline for sixty (60) days if there has been a reasonable cause for the delay. The construction shall meet all building code requirements. (Code requirement) bo A drainage and erosion control plan to the city engineer. This plans shall show that the proposed house location and grades will not cause any adverse effects or cause any drainage problems for nearby properties or water bodies. The city shall not issue a moving permit until the city engineer approves these plans and the construction shall follow these plans. (Code requirement) c. All plans and information required by the city building official. 2. Get a demolition permit from the city for the existing house. Sign an agreement to convey the title. This agreement shall allow the city to take possession of the house and property if the required work is not completed within 90 days after the city issues the moving permit. This agreement would allow the city the right to complete the construction required by code or demolish and remove the structure. The city attorney shall prepare this agreement. (Code requirement) 4. The applicant shall replace or repair the roof as needed. The applicant also shall meet all the requirements of the city's building inspection department. Move the house between the hours of 3 and 6 a.m. The applicant shall leave the house in the street until at least 7 a.m., but no later than 10 a.m. There shall be no excessive noise or work on the house or site between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. (Code requirement) 6. Place the house and garage on the property following the proposed site plan. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -8- Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the resolution on pages 23 and 24 of the staff report. This resolution approves a conditional use permit for Shelley Schlomka to move a detached garage that would measure 29 feet by 50 feet (1,450 square feet) onto the property at 1501 Henry Lane. This permit shall be subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction shall follow the site plan approved by the city. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 2. The applicant shall obtain all necessary building permits before moving the garage onto the property. The owner shall not use the garage for commercial or business activities, other than agricultural related uses as specified in the farm residence zoning district, unless the city council approves such a request. 4. The city council shall review this permit in one year. Commissioner Pearson seconded. Ayes- Dierich, Fischer, Ledvina, Monahan-Junek Mueller, Pearson, Trippler Desai The motion passed. Mr. Roberts said this will go to the city council on September 9, 2002. c. Anderson Hillwood Oaks Preliminary Plat (Dorland Road South) Mr. Roberts reported that Broadway Builders of Lake Elmo, Inc. is proposing to subdivide 2310 Mailand Road East, a 1.34-acre parcel, into three separate lots and combine one of the lots with an existing outlot. The single-family house located on Mailand Road will remain and Broadway Builders will construct two new single-family houses, both with access onto the Dorland Road cul-de-sac. The developer of the Hillwood Oaks Estates plat (Royal Oaks Realty, Inc.) originally tried to negotiate with the property owner of 2310 Mailand road for the subdivision of two lots from the rear of the property with access onto the new Dorland Road cul-de-sac. The property owner of 2310 Mailand Road was not willing to negotiate for the subdivision of their land or pay for a share of the cost of construction Dorland Road. For this reason, in 1989 the city council approved a reserve strip (Outlot B) on the condition that the outlot not be used for access to the cul-de-sac or transferred to another owner until fair reimbursement of costs for street, water, and sewer was made. Last year a new owner purchased the property at 2310 Mailand Road. The new property owner attempted to negotiate the purchase of Outlot B in order to obtain roadway access onto the Dorland Road cul-de-sac for two new lots to be subdivided from the rear of the property. Royal Oaks Realty did not feel that the offer was fair reimbursement of costs associated with the development of the street, water, and sewer. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -9- In an attempt to facilitate the access onto Dorland Road, the city council approved the city acquisition of Outlot B in 2001 on the condition that the city purchase from a willing seller. Again, Royal Oaks Realty did not feel that the offer was fair reimbursement. In July of this year, Broadway Builders was able to resolve the conflict by offering to purchase both 2310 Mailand Road and Outlot B. Broadway Builders is now prepared to plat the property and build two new single-family houses. The property is zoned F (Farm Residence) and is planned as R-1 (Single Dwelling Residential) in the city's comprehensive plan. To be consistent with the comprehensive plan, however, staff recommends that the city rezone the entire property from Farm Residence to R-1. Commissioner Ledvina said the existing house on lot 1 and the setback from the new lot line for lot 2 is 50.5 feet and then there is a deck. He asked what the code requirement was for that. Mr. Roberts said for the structure itself, it is 20% of the lot depth, not including the deck. The proposed plat on page 15 of the staff report shows that lot is 241 feet deep and that the rear setback will be 48 feet. He said decks can encroach into that setback as long as the deck is not covered. Chuck Ahl, Public Works Director, said there is a three-part agreement between the property owners and the City of Maplewood. The agreement has been drafted and the city is waiting for it to be approved. Commissioner Ledvina asked if he understood that before the developers can get a building permit for the project and before a plat can be finalized, the garage must be removed. Mr. Ahl said the agreement requires all of those things to be done and be signed off by the city and secured in some manner before the builders can proceed with their project. This has twelve years of history. He said the city believes they are the owner of Outlot B so the builders really don't have access to the property until the city signs off on it. Broadway Builders is trying to solve this and by coming forward with this plat with this very complicated legal issue they have helped the city negotiate between the property owner, developer and the city. Broadway Builders brought the three parties together, and therefore, willing to secure the removal of the garage, the grading permit and the platting process. Lisa Anderson, an officer for Broadway Builders in Lake Elmo, addressed the commission. Chairperson Fischer asked Ms. Anderson if she had any questions or comments with the staff report. Ms. Anderson said she has no questions regarding the staff report. Broadway Builders has been working with staff to iron out the details before this proposal got to this point. Planning Commission -10- Minutes of 08-19-02 Commissioner Pearson moved to adopt the rezoning resolution on page 16 of the staff report. This resolution changes the zoning map from Farm Residence to Single Dwelling Residential (R- 1) for the proposed Anderson Hillwood Oaks Plat. The city is making this change because it will: a. Not detract form the use of neighboring property. b. Serve the best interests and conveniences of the community. c. Cause no negative impacts on the city's public services or facilities. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the Anderson Hillwood Oaks preliminary plat date- stamped August 15, 2002. The developer of the plat must complete the following conditions before the city council approves the final plat. a. Submit final construction and engineering plans for approval by the city engineer. The plans must include grading, drainage, and erosion control. b. Revise the plat to show that Lot 2 has a 40-foot wide front lot line at the cul-de-sac. c. Broadway Builders of Lake Elmo, Inc. and Royal Oaks Realty, Inc. must sign a mutual agreement and covenant with the city which covers all financial considerations for fair compensation of Outlot B, Hillwood Oaks Estates No. 1, as drafted by the city engineer. d. Submit a tree plan that shows all large trees located on the two new lots and indicates which trees the developer will preserve with the construction of the two new single-family houses. All large trees removed from the two new lots must be replaced one-for-one, not to exceed 10 trees per acre, as required by the city's tree preservation ordinance. e. Prior to issuance of a grading permit, the developer must place temporary orange safety fencing at the grading limits, including around all trees to be preserved. f. Record the final plat with Ramsey County. Commissioner Trippler seconded. Ayes- Dierich, Fischer, Ledvina, Monahan-Junek, Mueller, Pearson, Trippler, Desai The motion passed. Commissioner Dierich asked Mr. Roberts to clear up the zoning on the lot north of block 1 that is zoned farm. Attachment 5 on page 13 of the staff report looks like everything is single-family dwelling. She asked if attachment 5 is inaccurate. Mr. Roberts said attachment 5 on page 13 of the staff report is the land use map not the zoning map. Staff will make sure to get that clarified. Mr. Robert said this will go to the city council September 9, 2002. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -11- Hillcrest Village Redevelopment Plan Mr. Roberts said staff is requesting that the planning commission, community design review board (CDRB) and housing and redevelopment authority (HRA) forward a recommendation on the Hillcrest Village plan to the city council. The council needs to decide whether the city should adopt the redevelopment plan for Hillcrest Village, some variation of it, or not adopt it at all. Mr. Roberts said on August 13, 2002, the CDRB discussed the Hillcrest Village plan and recommended approval of this redevelopment plan in concept. The CDRB expressed strong concern that they be actively involved in drafting future design guidelines for Hillcrest Village. On August 13, 2002, the HRA discussed the Hillcrest Village plan but did not move to support or deny. The HRA expressed several concerns and questions, however. Mr. Robert Martin of 1717 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood addressed the commission. He said his home and three other homes on his side of the street are proposed to be removed for the Hillcrest Redevelopment Plan proposal. He called the city and someone told him all they were going to do was to install sidewalks in his area. There seems to be a break down in communication he said. Mr. Roberts told Mr. Martin there are many steps to getting to the point of removing any properties. This plan is something that could develop in 15-to-20 years. The goal is if redevelopment occurs the commercial side east of White Bear Avenue could happen in 5 or 10 years. If this were to happen how can the City of Maplewood and the City of Saint Paul complete this plan. The city council may look at the plan and reject parts or all of this plan. The city will notify residents and businesses when this goes to the city council. The city is by no means ready to say this is written in stone and is ready to happen. The city is looking very long term at this proposal. Commissioner Pearson said it would be handy to have a clear overlay to show the existing buildings and structures to put over the map to see the differences. Mr. Roberts said he is not sure the city has the technology to do that. Each planninq commission member .qave testimony and comments about the proposed plan. Commissioner Trippler Commissioner Trippler said he likes the overall look of the plan. He likes the mix of commercial and residential. He likes that it seems to direct the parking away from White Bear Avenue and gets it off the street. His concern about moving ahead with this is to make sure that the City of Maplewood and the City of Saint Paul work together on this. He would hate to have one of the city's move in another direction. An example would be the proposal for the Walgreen's development on White Bear Avenue in the old Burger King location that Maplewood denied because of the parking layout. Instead Walgreen's got what they wanted by going across the street to the City of Saint Paul. His recommendation would be to have both city's have to agree to work on it together. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -12- Commissioner Ledvina Commissioner Ledvina said he has not changed his opinions as this project has moved forward. He believes that the realignment of North St. Paul Road is a very good idea and part of this plan. Mixing the land use is appropriate for this area. He would echo Mr. Trippler's comments in regard to having the City of Saint Paul and City of Maplewood have consistency in design standards that would be implemented for this area whether it be a zoning overlay or a rezoning of these parcels to meet the goals or requirements of the plan. Commissioner Dierich Commissioner Dierich said she would agree with Mr. Trippler and Mr. Ledvina's comments. She would recommend that there be a committee oversight for the city's working jointly on that. White Bear Avenue is dangerous enough. If you add more traffic to this area, you need to address this with Ramsey County and get their input and agreement to what the city's are going to do for traffic control as well as pedestrian control moving back and forth between the areas. Commissioner Desai Commissioner Desai said he wanted to know what the significant pluses are to doing this plan. Mr. Roberts said one of the main goals is to have a mixed use and variety of land uses in this area. The theory being that people could walk to and from activities and for shopping. It would still be a nice place to live, but you would be able to walk or bike to. Commissioner Desai said he understands but he wonders how the traffic is going to be handled as Ms. Dierich said. Commissioner Mueller Commissioner Mueller said the traffic is a big issue for him as well. He is not convinced that just because there are small retail stores close by people won't get in their cars and drive to large retail stores like Target or to the Maplewood Mall. He also hopes that the apartment buildings will build under ground parking so there would be fewer cars out on the street over flowing from the parking lots. St. Paul does allow overnight parking but Maplewood has a city ordinance against overnight parking on the streets. Chairperson Fischer asked if staff ran the figures to see if the proposed number of apartment units met the city's density requirements on the acreages that these units are proposed to be placed. Mr. Roberts said no. He would envision that would be looked at if the numbers were higher as part of a plan amendment. There are not accurate lot sizes, they could give some guesses, but nobody is running numbers like that yet. Commissioner Monahan-Junek Commissioner Monahan-Junek said some of the areas and roads are in need of a major redevelopment and they are an eye sore. She echoes some of the other comments, for instance the traffic. She is hoping that a part of this plan is having a traffic study done, pedestrian ways being overhead, or lanes turning from two lanes into four lanes. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -13- Chairperson Fischer Chairperson Fischer said she strongly feels there is enough cars taking up the parking lots and the streets along Van Dyke Street and Larpenteur Avenue. She disagrees with putting in an additional commercial building on the corner by the Plaza Theatre as is indicated on the plan. The Plaza Theatre has a cliental and if any of the planning commission members read the letters that were sent in it would make many Maplewood and St. Paul residents angry if it were removed. She said she thinks the commission is in agreement that it is good to have the realignment of North St. Paul Road. She is uncomfortable that the city does not know what the density would be for the housing that would be on Van Dyke Street and Larpenteur Avenue. If the city was going to go to a higher density in the area, is that the area that can handle additional higher density. That is something that should be looked at. She does not know if being surrounded by commercial or mixed uses on three sides is the most desirable to put residential in. It should be discussed. Although it is a big picture and Maplewood is the smaller part of it, those are some of the concerns she sees that are necessary to discuss when it goes to the city council. She also contends that Mr. Mueller's comments about will the people walk to the stores or will they get in their cars and drive there. She is from the old urbanism where people walked everywhere and times have changed. With today's marketing she does not think the city will see that kind of mix in this area. With the traffic in the area, she does not know how much foot traffic the city would actually see. Commissioner Pearson Commissioner Pearson said he has more questions than answers in terms of making any recommendation for this plan. The density is part of what he brought up earlier about zoning for commercial or residential. One of the things about higher density is higher traffic. The walkway areas pose problems for snow removal in the winter. The parking for planned residential is behind the buildings that may not suit handicapped access. The housing that would be displaced with this is probably more affordable than what can be replaced with new construction. From reading the history on this the business men north of Larpenteur Avenue are not as accepting of this plan to this point than those south of Larpenteur Avenue. There is no explanation of how this overlay plan is going to effect the homes or the businesses. Are they planning on implementing this by eminent domain, as properties come on the market, or enticing people to sell out including businesses. He has seen some of the plans for the new townhouses and they are very nice. He said with today's construction costs considerably higher, he does not think they can retail those units for less then housing would go for on the market currently. Mr. Roberts said this goes to the city council on either September 9, 2002, or September 25, 2002. He said notices will be sent out to neighbors before the city council holds the public hearing. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VIII. None. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. Planning Commission Minutes of 08-19-02 -14- IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS There was no representation needed by the planning commission at the August 12, 2002, city council meeting. Mr. Roberts said there were no planning commission items on the agenda. One of the discussion items was the Beaver Lake apartment buildings. The CDRB recommended the developer continue the brick wainscoting all around the building up about four feet. The developer appealed that recommendation to the city council and on a 3-2 vote, the developer does not have to continue the brick wainscoting. Mr. Roberts said the other item was the sidewalk for the Care Free Villas. Mr. Mogren appealed the condition that a sidewalk be installed. He felt because the sidewalk does not connect to anything at this time he should not have to install it. The city council disagreed and that will remain as a condition for the Care Free Villas project. Mr. Ledvina will be the planning commission representative at the August 26, 2002, city council meeting. The Keller Lake Golf Course Maintenance Building will be discussed. Ms. Dierich will be the planning commission representative at the September 9, 2002, city council meeting. Mr. Roberts said items to be discussed will be the Bart Crockett house moving, the Shelley Schlomka house moving, the Anderson Hillwood Oaks Preliminary Plat, and possibly the first reading of the Manufactured Home Park Closing Ordinance. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Reschedule September 2, 2002, planning commission meeting to either Tuesday, September 3, or Wednesday, September 4, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Roberts polled the planning commission to see how many members would be available for the two dates that were offered. Five members were available for Tuesday, September 3 and six members were available for Wednesday, September 4. The meeting will be held Tuesday, September 3, 2002. Mr. Roberts gave a reminder that September 5, 2002, at 5:30 p.m. is the board appreciation dinner at the Battle Creek Regional Park. Please R.S.V.P. if you have not done so. Planning Commission -15- Minutes of 08-19-02 b. Meeting with other first-ring suburbs at Richfield City Hall on September 9, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Roberts said no information was available yet but when it becomes available it will be mailed out to planning commission members homes. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.