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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-4-20 MinutesCITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES November 4, 2020 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Melander at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Chair Tom Melander, Tim Burke*, Keith Diekmann *, Jodi Kurtz, Paul Scanlan, and David Schindler Member(s) Absent: None City staff members attending: City Attorney Sharon Hills, Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist, City Planner Tom Lovelace, Planner Kathy Bodmer*, Planner/Meeting Organizer Alex Sharpe*. * Present via remote technology 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Melander asked if there were any changes to the agenda. CD Director Nordquist said yes to changes. The October 21, 2020, meeting minutes, usually under Consent Items, will be approved at the December 2, 2020 meeting. Chair Melander asked for approval of amended agenda. MOTION: Commissioner Burke moved, seconded by Commissioner Scanlan, approving the revised agenda. Rollcall vote: Ayes - 6 — Nays - 0. 3. CONSENT ITEMS - None 4. PUBLIC HEARING A. Low Density Zoning Ordinance Amendments — Consider Amendments to Chapter 155 to Add the "LDF" (Low Density Flex) Residential Zoning District City Planner Tom Lovelace presented the staff report. Chair Melander asks if there are any questions from the commissioners. Commissioner Schindler -- Any photos of what it might look like? Planner Lovelace -- It is different types of housing products within a development. We are being more specific as it relates to location. Regatta could be a good CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2020 Page 2 of 7 example even though that is a much larger development with a mix of uses. Cobblestone Lake has different types of dwelling units. However, both of those developments were planned developments and have different components within those planned developments. Commissioner Schindler — So this isn't designed for a piece of property in the middle of a development? City Planner Lovelace Yes, this is trying to address that type of vacant property. It will accommodate that development while adding to the best possible options for reuse of that property. Commissioner Schindler — So if a person's house burns down they could possibly turn that into townhomes? City Planner Lovelace Not necessarily. If it was a large amount of land (10 acres), it could be a possibility but that would involve rezoning. The LDF would be the designation of an area and would enable the developer to do many options within that zoning of low density flex. Chair Melander asks if any other commissioners and virtual commissioners have any questions. Commissioner Diekmann — The table that you have for the minimum standards are only for the properties directly abutting the single-family units? The other ones would not follow these standards. City Planner Lovelace If it was adjacent to a single- or two-family then the first 3 columns would be considered being adjacent to a single- or two-family development. The attached townhome column could go in other areas as long as the aggregate of all the dwelling units do not exceed the 8 per acre. Chair Melander — We already have 3 to 6 and we are adding two more. Would that change the meaning of low density? CD Director Bruce Nordquist This has to do with adjacency and not just how many units. This provides more flexibility from 3 to 8 but not adjacent to single - or two-family homes. Chair Melander asks if anyone from the public would like to address this item. Kathy Lundin — I live right next to the golf course. So Wi-Fi towers could go into this development? And, apartments cannot go in there? Attorney Sharon Hills -- All existing R districts today in the city, could have a cell business ask to place a cell tower, under conditional use? That is a Federal law. CD Director Nordquist Apartments are not allowed. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2020 Page 3 of 7 Kim Ragan --Resident adjacent to the golf course. Do we have an example of what an acre would look like with 8 dwellings? Planner Tom Lovelace We can put that together and present at the next meeting. Jim Shipman — 135th St W. Mr. Shipman echoes the concerns of Ms. Lundeen and Mr. Ragan., plus Chair Melander about low density being confusing. The ground work being laid now is important for future development and that is why we are all here. Elliott Ashway, 13599 Hollands Court. When was LDF born? It seems like it was created for one purpose. Will LDF be re -used? This can get away from us quickly. City Planner Lovelace This designation will be used throughout the City and for other properties that have the same kind of characteristics that are identified in the comp plan designation as well as the zoning. CD Director Nordquist High and medium density proposals were researched. The concept ofLDF recognized that this neighborhood sought a lower density that would create a flexible zone that neighborhoods would have options and offers more for busier intersections. This can be a complimentary tool in numerous locations. A church may vacate and a residential developer may want to develop that property. Commissioner Scanlan Apple Valley is being built out. The next thing to come is redevelopment of various properties where LDF will give some flexibility and still respect existing residential zones. Ryan Tower, 13576 Hollands Court— Curious about low density flex? Is this being used in any other municipality in the state? Elmer Anderson was a progressive mind and governor in our state who created Voyagers National Park. Are green spaces being considered? CD Director Nordquist No, we have no knowledge of any guiding examples to follow. In the staff report, providing single- and two-family homes flexibility to natural features with designs to the environment are in mind. It's not just another subdivision with blended open spaces throughout. It is a guiding principal for developers and the City. Chair Melander Apple Valley does a good job with parks and open spaces. No place is farther than six blocks from a park. An open parcel sitting there is an individual or company paying taxes that is money down the drain. To leave that an open space would compel the City to buy it and that adds to the tax base. There would need to be a compelling reason to purchase such as a park not being close by. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2020 Page 4 of 7 Kimberly Wagon, 135th St. All around my area is low density. It seems unusual or odd to say that this pin point is LDF. Is there is an example when new sizing of units have been done for another business or anyone here or in the state this has been done for? Why wasn't the LDF looked at for those developers? The golf course has e wetlands and when talking about 3 to 8 dwellings per acre, are those wetlands included? I don't believe it is well advised to create this for one developer. City Planner Lovelace Ragatta has single-family, twin homes, and townhomes as well as apartment buildings within the confines of that planned development. It's much larger than what LDF would be used for because LDF is a different opportunity within the City. The Cobblestone Lake took the foundation of an old gravel pit and made it into a lake then used that as the environmental piece and built a variety of different styles of dwellings from single-family to multi family to twin homes, apartments and senior buildings including commercial but that is much larger than a LDF designed development. LDF wasn't looked at because the developer used a Planned Development for both Cobblestone and Ragatta. A likelihood that the water features that are there and the designated wetlands within that property will need to be taken into consideration on what type ofdwellings and how many on the golf course. Kathy Lundin I don't understand the need for LDF because I cannot see getting more than six townhomes in one acre. So I'm trying to understand that we are not calling apartments townhomes. And, if there is a development plan for the golf course area, will there be another public meeting? CD Director Nordquist apartments are not allowed. Chair Melander Yes, there will be another public meeting. Commissioner Kurtz Everyone is asking for visuals. Is there a way to get a mockup so people can see it and get a feel for what could be possible? City Planner Lovelace We can provide examples. There is a development of 12 units per acre that is right across the street of some single-family homes. We can provide some visuals at the next meeting. Commissioner Scanlan -- Why can't a developer do a planned development? CD Director Nordquist What we are finding developers are going in two directions. Some like the flexibility of LDF to drive more units because it is not permitted to do apartments at a certain location. Some developers want to use a designated zone and not use a master plan or planned development. They want to know what they are buying and want to be sure because they need to move onto a straight zone. We believe this LDF zone provides that flexibility to respond to the character of the site, to retain lower density uses next to lower density neighborhoods. Visuals will be provided to the public. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2020 Page 5 of 7 Chair Melander closed the public hearing. 5. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS -- None 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Apple Valley Ford Lincoln Sketch Plan Planner Kathy Bodmer presented the staff report. Chair Melander asks if there are any questions from the commissioners Commissioner Kurtz — How much traffic is going through Gardenia Avenue? If they close that off, how much busier will Garrett Ave be? Engineer Brandon Anderson The City is currently working with Dakota County on a study of County 42. There are additional reviews of Cedar and Galaxie being done. The Dakota study needs to be reviewed along with the use of Gardenia, or vacating it, and how that would affect access, businesses, and intersections. There are moving parts that we do not have answers to at this moment. Planner Bodmer Public services would have to be evaluated require with the retainment of easements. Commissioner Burke — In Plan C even if they are vacated is there a way that I can still weave through there. It's not a direct cut through but there is a way to get through. Will that still be available? The proposal is for the new property and is the plan not to change anything on the other properties on the design of what is there from a traffic perspective. CD Director Nordquist This is an important discussion. It was visualized that 151st street might be the frontage road. But it begs the question should 152nd be the correct frontage east and west. Because 151s' is impaired already. Planner Bodmer I would defer to Ford. I do not see any changes on the plans. Commissioner Scanlan — Wondering what the Fire Department would say with the removal of Garrett piggy backing onto Gardenia? CD Director Nordquist Staff has had one conversation with fire/safety personnel and did not object to not having access through Gardenia. They have not relied on 151s' to go east and west. Fire does not see it as an issue but it will be kept on the list to get an official declaration in the future. Commissioner Kurtz Blocking off the middle part and going over to 152" d to the frontage road. I believe that is where all the employees park on 152nd. Where would the employees park? I believe they share a parking lot with Grand Stay in back of Culvers. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2020 Page 6 of 7 CD Director Nordquist There is an overflow parking lot designed to accommodate Grand Stay and leased by Apple Valley Ford for their employees. We were trying to help them manage employee parking. Those leases assists with plowing and mowing. Commissioner Schindler — Have you considered running 151st through and separating Lincoln from Ford offering easier access to everyone involved along that road. Chris Gulbranson, AppleFord — With regards to that specific question. There are some traffic that runs through I51 st that made a wrong turn and creates drivers going too fast. We have customers and sales people frequently crossing there and to make it a through street would make it quite dangerous. Chris Gulbranson presented possible plans for Apple Valley Lincoln Ford with photos and sketches — Plans A, B, and C. Chair Melander asks if there are any questions from the commissioners. Commissioner Kurtz — If I was a consumer the one that looks more customer friendly would be the private entrance to the business. The style of the building is more pleasing also. Commissioner Diekmann -- Plan B and C don't have a lot of difference. Why didn't you just pick one and be done with it. Is this a long-term agreement for employee parking or is there a potential for that going away for you? Do you store inventory off -site? Chris Gulbranson -- Vacating I51 st or not vacating I51 st is exercising all options. Making sure to get all comments on both and what works best for the dealership, City of Apple Valley, and Lincoln. We would like to keep the employee parking for we sure appreciate it. We do store some inventory off -site when needed but haven't had that issue very often. We just need to make sure that the vehicle is insured to where it is being housed. CD Director Nordquist Need to though�fiilly consider storm water management. Not to mention large storm water lines going through the property already. Commissioner Scanlan Combination of increased footage for body shop and inventory? Chris Gulbranson -- Our biggest constraint is on the body shop. Lakeville, Farmington and Apple Valley are growing and the more footage for the body shop keeps up with the demand. Looking at alternatives in the body shop with one being multiple shifts. Just acquired a mobile service van to do service for fleets and commercial at their business instead of them driving their trucks to the store. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2020 Page 7 of 7 Chair Melander -- Combining the parcel would make better use of the parcel for efficiency of the site -- Option C. B. Review of Upcoming Schedule and Other Updates CD Director Nordquist — Mayor Mary has been elected as a County Commissioner. Her current term will end January 2. There were seven candidates for council. The two highest votes prevail — Council member Goodwin and Council member Grendahl. All seven candidates received 2,000 to 3,000 votes. A diverse interest in message. No meeting on November 18. Next regular meeting is Wednesday, December 2, at 7 pm. 7. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further comments from the Planning Staff or Planning Commission, Chair Melander asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Commissioner Schindler moved, seconded by Commissioner Scanlan to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Rollcall vote: Ayes - 7 - Nays - 0. Respectfully submitted, Tammy Bernatz, Planning Department Assistant Approved by the Apple Valley Planning Commission on 12/2/2020 Tom Melander, Chair