2017.06.27 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 27- 2017 Motion by Councilmember Strub, seconded by Councihnember Jacobsen to Adopt a Resolution approving a Rezoning, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Site Plan for the northern acre of 256 Cleveland Avenue SW allowing for development of an 11,200 SF office building and associated improvements and subject to 11 conditions. City Manager Lotter indicated Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development/Planning Director Gundlach would be presenting this item to the Council. Assistant Director ofCommunity Assets and Development/Planning Director Gundlach explained the applicant is requesting the following land use applications in support of a redevelopment of 256 Cleveland Avenue SW with an 11,200 SF office building and associated improvements, including 50 surface parking stalls, landscaping, fencing, lighting, grading, and utilities: Rezoning: The property is currently zoned R-1, Single Family Residential, requesting to rezone the northern one acre of 256 Cleveland Avenue SW to B-1, Limited Business, Comprehensive Plan Amendment: The property is currently guided in New Brighton's Comprehensive Plan for LDR, Low Density Residential, requesting to re -guide the northern one acre of 256 Cleveland Avenue SW to LB, Limited Business. Site Plan: Required in order to develop the northern one acre of 256 Cleveland Avenue SW with a two-story, 11,200 SF office building with associated surface parking, landscaping, fencing, lighting, grading, and utility improvements. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development/Planning Director Gundlach stated a Minor Subdivision has been separately requested, creating the northern one acre parcel that would facilitate this development. These requests, and the Minor Subdivision, are conditioned on both being approved. This means the property won't be subdivided unless the development is approved and the development isn't approved without the subdivision. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development/Planning Director Gundlach reported during the Planning Commission meeting, a resident distributed comments in opposition to the request. This resident also created a petition in opposition of the request. This information was reviewed with the Council, so as to become part of the official record. In referencing the petition, staff mapped the properties that signed and included that map with the materials. These materials suggest only 53 parking stalls are being provided for 300 employees. The applicant has indicated only 20 employees will office out of this building. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development/Planning Director Gundlach indicated the Planning Commission noted most of the neighbor's comments related to traffic as an existing concern. It was suggested at the meeting traffic safety concerns on Cleveland be reviewed by the City Engineer and Public Safety Commission. In light of these concerns, Public Safety has committed additional resources to speeding enforcement on Cleveland Avenue. However, the Commission agreed with staff's analysis that, at most, 120 additional vehicle trips per day on Cleveland as a result of this development would not constitute a reasonable basis for denial. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development/Planning Director Gundlach stated further, the applicant has indicated they only employ 20 persons who would office at this property, likely resulting in actual daily vehicle trips being substantially less than 120 at 40-50. The Commission also discussed at length the prior use of the property and the viability of the property being maximized for residential development. The Commission agreed with staff's analysis that a Rezoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment are warranted based on history of a commercial presence on the property, the property has sat vacant for 8+ years without subdivision and development for single family homes (as currently zoned and guided), and there are already business uses on Cleveland Avenue that are compatible with the surrounding residential uses. Page 5 of 9 Plan for the northern ace of 256 Cleveland Avenue SW allowing for development ofan 11200 SF office building and associated improvements.