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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082124 PC MINUTESCITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 21, 2024 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair Kurtz at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Jodi Kurtz, Paul Scanlan, Becky Sandahl, Phil Mahowald, Jeff Prewitt, and Douglas Hlas Member(s) Absent: David Schindler City staff members attending: Community Development Director Tim Benetti, Assistant City Engineer Evan Acosta, Public Works Director Matt Saam, Natural Resources Coordinator Samantha Berger, City Planner Kathy Bodmer, Planner/Economic Development Specialist Alex Sharpe, Associate Planner Sydnee Stroeing, City Attorney Sharon Hills, and Department Assistant Breanna Vincent. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kurtz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. – None. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, approving the agenda. Roll call vote: Ayes - 6 – Nays – 0. 3. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approval of Minutes of August 7, 2024 B. Cannabis Ordinance – Set Public Hearing MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, approving the minutes of August 7, 2024 and setting the public hearing for a cannabis ordinance. Roll call vote: Ayes - 6 – Nays – 0. 4. PUBLIC HEARING A. Orchard Place Apartments Comprehensive Plan Amendment Chair Kurtz opened the public hearing. Planner Bodmer gave a brief presentation. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes August 21, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Scanlan asked if the developer has plans for the remaining properties. Commissioner Scanlan shared concerns that more residential would be proposed on the other properties. He also asked how the City is doing in meeting Met Council requirements. Planner Bodmer stated that the area was zoned for Retail Business – Commercial with big box retail in mind. Over time that has changed to mid box retail and the developer has stated that the market is soft. The two parcels north of this one are set up for Mixed Business with an emphasis on jobs. The property directly to the north is still being marketed as Commercial. The City has goals set forth in the Comprehensive Plan and more residential is a goal. Commissioner Prewitt asked what level of interest the City has received for this land with regards to its intended use. Planner Bodmer stated that the City has not been involved as it is privately owned land. The broker has stated that interest has been weak since coming out of Covid. Commissioner Sandahl asked if there would be impacts to current retail users surrounding the area if this were to become a residential area. Planner Bodmer stated that staff could provide more analysis at the next meeting, but the tire center and car wash would be a buffer between the proposed residential area and the outdoor dining spaces which should help. Chair Kurtz asked if the City Engineer has done any traffic studies. Planner Bodmer stated that a preliminary study has been done and is included in the staff report. Assistant City Engineer Acosta stated that the proposed use is roughly 6,300 less trips per day than the current guided commercial use. The sanitary sewer services is adequate as well. Commissioner Mahowald stated that having less trips in the area could negatively impact the surrounding retail as the traffic counts drive business. Commissioner Mahowald asked if the purple areas to the north of the site on the Comprehensive Plan were the Mixed Business area. Planner Bodmer stated that is correct. Commissioner Mahowald asked for clarification on what the Mixed Business campus would entail. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes August 21, 2024 Page 3 of 5 Planner Bodmer stated that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan is oriented more towards jobs, offices and light industrial with less housing. Commissioner Mahowald opined that this parcel may not be the best fit for residential. Petitioners Chris Moe (HJ Development) and Roger Fink (Trident Development) were present for questions. Commissioner Sandahl asked if they had concerns about the two parcels to the north of this site being developed. Mr. Moe stated he believed that this proposed project would help the other two parcels to be developed. Commissioner Hlas asked if putting a residential area on this lot would be deterrent to commercial users who may want to move into the northern lot. Mr. Moe stated that in his experience, retailers like being near residential areas as they have a built-in customer base. Commissioner Scanlan requested that the petitioner bring some ideas and concepts for the site at the next meeting. Commissioner Hlas asked if the proposed trail on the north end of the property will be park property or the developer’s property. Mr. Fink stated that the intention is to construct the trail connecting to English Avenue at the developer’s expense and then dedicate that land to the City. Commissioner Scanlan asked if staff could provide information on commercial vacancies throughout the City. Resident Andrea Steffan (15572 Everglade Ave), shared that she is in favor of the trailhead addition. Ms. Steffan stated that there is noise and light pollution from the car wash. She said she would like there to be architectural considerations to all sides of the building if approved. Ms. Steffan asked if there would be any impacts to schools in the area with adding more residential. She shared that a 4-story building may be an eyesore to the area. Ms. Steffan expressed desire for adding a gas station to the area. Planner Bodmer stated that staff would have answers to her comments at the next meeting but that in regard to the architectural considerations, the City Code states that the building must have four-sided architecture. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes August 21, 2024 Page 4 of 5 Resident Brandon Irish (5884 156th St. W.), shared concern for more pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk and any potential crime increases that could impact the development west of the site. With no further comments, Chair Kurtz closed the public hearing. B. Ordinance Amending Stormwater Management Requirements Chair Kurtz opened the public hearing. Public Works Director Saam gave a brief presentation. With no comments, Chair Kurtz closed the public hearing. It is the policy of the Planning Commission to not act on an item on the night of its public hearing, however if there are no outstanding questions from the public or Planning Commission, a motion can be made. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Chair Kurtz, to recommend approval of an ordinance amending Section 155.350 concerning stormwater management requirements. Roll call vote: Ayes – 6 – Nays – 0. 5. LAND USE None 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Cannabis Business Ordinance CD Director Benetti stated that background information regarding the proposed Cannabis Business Ordinance is included in the staff report to prepare the Commission prior to the public hearing on September 18th. B. Review of Upcoming Schedule and Other Updates The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m. The next City Council meeting is Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m. CD Director Benetti shared that this was City Planner Kathy Bodmer’s final Planning Commission meeting before her retirement on September 6th. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kurtz asked for a motion to adjourn.