CCP 05-22-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Approved PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS Regular Meeting—April 17,2012 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Bruce Howard, Commissioners Steve Danger,Erin Nichols-Matkaiti,Mike Shardlow and Greg Meyers Absent: Commissioner Verne McPherson Also Present: Janice Gundlach-City Planner,Paul Jacobsen-Councilmember and Katie Bruno-Office Assistant. Agenda Review: There were no changes to the agenda. Minutes: Minutes from January 17,2012 were presented and approved. Council Action: Councilmember Jacobsen introduced himself to the commission, and expressed his gratitude to them for their service to the City. Councilmember Jacobsen reported that the council recently adopted an ordinance amending the City Code related to commission term limits and attendance. Term limits are now consistent among all commissions; four terms,with an optional additional term. The attendance policy was relaxed slightly as well. The council has interviewed all but one commission applicant, and a resolution making appointments will be forthcoming. Public Hearing: (A) Jack Buxell on behalf of Crossroads of New Brighton requests an amendment to the Planned Residential Development located at 2287 Palmer Drive, requesting the expansion of the surface parking area by an additional 26 parking stalls. City Planner Janice Gundlach reported that the applicant is requesting an amendment to the Planned Residential Development approved in 1978. The property consists of a 108 unit age restricted apartment complex. The amendment would be to permit construction of a 26 stall surface parking lot expansion to the south. The request attempts to address on-site parking shortages, namely visitor parking. The issue became much more important when"no parking"areas were designated on Palmer Drive and Robin Lane. The site is still under-parked according to minimum standards. The proposed hedge to shield headlights to the south and towards Thorndale Ave. is an appropriate design and meets the landscaping standards. Public Safety provided comments on the fire department access to the site and suggests opening up an access onto Thorndale Ave. At a minimum the current access should be repaired and kept clear of snow. Engineering will require submission of the Rice Creek Watershed District permit to ensure minimum storm water requirements are met. In addition to the design requirements, the stated principals of the Planned Development requirements of Zoning Code Section 7-070 must be met. Staff finds conformance with those principals based on the following: • The site is currently in need of additional parking. • The expanded parking lot design will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, on-street parking. • The effect of the decreased parking setbacks to the side and side street will be offset by the proposed landscaping. • Any negative effects of decreased parking setbacks will be outweighed by elimination of unsafe on-street parking& an enhanced southerly entrance. Planner Gundlach reported there are two issues addressed in the planning report; opening up a Thorndale Ave access, and enhancing the southerly entrance. There is a concern that the expanded parking will not be utilized due to it's proximity to the front door. The new access and enhanced entrance aim to make the parking area more inviting and accessible to visitors, so they therefore use it. Opening up the Thorndale Ave access also addresses some fire access issues. Staff has discussed these two issues with the architect. Generally, the ownership is opposed to opening up an access onto Thorndale Ave for fear it will create a "cut-thru" in the neighborhood to 1