2016.02.16 Planning Packet Combined

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PLANNING REPORT DATE: February 10, 2016 CASE: SP2015-006 SUBJECT: Amendment to Previously Approved Special Use Permit for Construction and Use of a Helipad at 1150 Old Highway 8 NW APPLICANT: Kirk Chalmers on behalf of APi Group, Inc. REQUEST & BACKGROUND The applicant is requesting an amendment to a previously approved Special Use Permit, allowing for the construction and use of a helipad at 1150 Old Highway 8 NW. Zoning Code Section 6- 693 (C) of the NBE, New Brighton Exchange zoning district allows helipads as a specially permitted use. There are 11 conditions associated with this special use and the applicant must comply with all conditions in order to secure approval. The reasons for the proposed amendment is that, through APi's permitting process with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) it was determined AN needed to secure a Private Use License as opposed to a Personal Use License, which was what the original plan was based upon. The primary changes in design entail: • A reinforced turf landing pad is proposed as opposed to a concrete pad. • A raised pad is proposed as opposed to a flat, at grade pad (top of pad will be 3' higher in elevation than bottom of pad. • The dimensions of the pad have increased slightly to accommodate for the needed grade changes. The previous design contained at 50' x 50' pad, with the revised plan depicting a 72' x 60' pad. This is an increase in size of 1,820 SF. The center of the pad, or the actual helicopter landing area, has remained in approximately the same location. • A gradual stair will connect the walkway to the landing surface. The walkways from the parking lot to the south and public sidewalk to the north remain unchanged. • Previous 36" — 42" shrub screen has been revised to a 36" evergreen shrub. • 12 trees are proposed to be added to the site as opposed to the original 18. Additionally, the location of the trees have been pushed further east and west to make a clearer take- off and landing approach. Six trees were removed from the plan as they could not ft within the allowed area. • The three benches have been removed and replaced with a picnic table. • The four, 32" bollard lights lining the walkway have been reduced to three (the plan notes 6 but only depicts 3). • The in ground aviation lights surrounding the perimeter of the pad have been eliminated. • Four, 24" x 24" limestone block landing indicators have been added — one on each side of the pad. The applicant's original request was considered by the Planning Commission on June 16, 2015 and by the City Council on June 23, 2015. At the time of original request, there was no legislative process in place to allow helipads within the community. As such, the applicant applied for a Zoning Code Amendment, creating a Special Use Permit for helipads within the NBE, New Brighton Exchange zoning district. City staff and the City Attorney drafted the proposed special use language. The conditions of that special use were based upon the applicant's needs and how to mitigate negative impacts to the public. These approvals are documented via Resolution 15-046 and Ordinance 835 (both attached).