Minutes

New Brighton Planning Commission

Special Meeting - Tuesday, May 2, 2000

7:30 p.m.

Call to Order

Mike Livingston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Mike Livingston, Jim O'Brien, David Schmitz, and Paul Zisla

Absent:	Larry Baker and Norm Schiferl, Jeff Schopf,

Also Present:	Cary Teague, City Planner

Char Samuelson, City Council Liaison

Approval of Minutes - None

Report on Council Actions

Samuelson explained that Council denied the following applications at the April 25, 2000, meeting: PL00-2 and VN00-1 - minor lot subdivision and lot width variance for 2924 - 16th St. NW, and front yard setback variance - 711 9th Ave. NW - VN00-2.

Agenda Review - No Changes

Public Hearings

City Planner Cary Teague presented an application for an amended Planned Unit Development (PUD) to develop the property located north of Co. Rd. E-2 Extension and west of 5th Ave. NW with a mixture of uses including commercial, office and residential. This development would take place in three phases. The first phase is a site plan which will include development of an office/bank component located on the southwestern portion of the site. The second phase will include commercial and office uses along 5th Ave. The third phase would be the residential element, located on the northern third of the site. No changes are proposed in the second phase from what was originally approved as part of PUD #7. The residential phase is shown as high density residential apartments, however, that density shall be determined by a market study on housing needs.

Phase I would include two buildings totaling 67,696 sq. ft of commercial/office space and 33,848 sq. ft of underground parking with access gained off Co. Rd. E-2. The perimeter setback requirement for PUD's is 30 ft., however, the City may lessen the 30 ft. setback requirement for PUD's under the condition a pedestrian walkway is provided and a streetscape plan is submitted. The landscaping, design and streetscape are being done by Damon Farber who is also doing the design work and streetscape for the 5th Ave. Corridor.

Mixed use commercial facilities are required to provide 5.5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft of floor space. Using this calculation, minus the standard 10% credit, 448 parking spaces must be provided. The applicant proposes 389 off-street spaces with 80 underground parking stalls for a total of 469 spaces. There will also be 28 parking spaces along 5th Ave. and 6th St. Phase I includes 320 spaces which meets City Code. There is adequate stacking spaces provided for the bank drive-thru. Also, the grading plan has been reviewed by the City Engineer and found to be acceptable.

Zisla asked what changes were made from the prior plan, and if this approval includes Phase II and Phase III construction components. Teague said the original proposal included areas identified for a restaurant, but those components would be contained in Phase II and will not be reviewed at this time.

John Ordway, applicant, explained that the Williams Pipeline runs through the proposed parking lot and the original plan showed the pipeline relocated to the other side of the railroad tracks. However, the City has run into problems accomplishing this move and it appears the pipeline will remain at that location. Because of this, the buildings need to be setback 60 ft. from the pipeline and required shifting the buildings to the east and eliminating the "C" shape originally envisioned. The New Brighton Post Office expressed interest in constructing a combination warehouse/retail operation, but were unable to submit a proposal at this time. Ordway noted that the Phase I clients are very anxious to begin construction.

Livingston asked when the groundbreaking will be scheduled. Ordway stated he would like to begin construction this month.

O'Brien asked when would the landscaping on the east end (Phase II) be performed. Ordway envisions the landscaping being performed with the Phase II portion, and it is their hope to be back before the Planning Commission in the near future to discuss Phase II. The Phase III residential portion will be presented to the Planning Commission this fall.

Livingston asked if issues were raised regarding the project's elevations. Teague said the elevation's specifications would be built into the developer and PUD agreements. Also, Teague noted that a traffic study has been recently completed by traffic consultant SEH. Gary Vogel, architect for Pratt/Ordway, noted he has not had opportunity to review the traffic study.

John Hagen, SEH, verified the traffic study uncovered some concern with the access drives into the parking ramp and maneuvering issues at the ramp entrance. Other notations involved relocating access points, but at this time it is difficult to determine those if the corner tenant has not been identified. The Commission as a whole noted issues regarding a number of entrances into this area.

Mike Cordis, 447 6th St., has great concern with this project and how it would intensify an already heavy traffic problem, and does not feel there are enough off-street parking spaces identified in this project. Vogel verified that on-site parking requirement is 448 parking stalls, and the project proposes 469 parking stalls. Cordis asked if there will be traffic signals at Co. Rd. E-2 and 6th St. Hagan said the original traffic study recommended the City take a closer look at the intersections of Co. Rd. E-2/5th Ave. and Old Hwy 8/5th Ave. for possible future signalization.

Tom Chies, 500 4th Ave., said his mother's basement has been flooded many times with sewer discharge, and is greatly concerned that the sewer pump station will not adequately handle the additional development. Teague said the City Engineer and Barr Engineering have reviewed and approved the plans, but will direct staff to discuss this issue further with Chies.

Dan Dahms, 675 4th Ave., noted that Co. Rd. E-2 is a very busy roadway and has great concern regarding increased traffic generated from this site, and feels traffic management analysis should be performed before the project is approved. Hagen verified that traffic signalization is determined when traffic counts are warranted, and current traffic levels do not warrant a signal.

One resident feels there should be a traffic control signal at the corner of 5th Ave. and Co. Rd. E-2.

The resident, 546 3rd Ave., said traffic levels are very heavy on Co. Rd. E-2 during the rush hour.

There were no other comments from the audience.

Motion by Zisla, seconded by O'Brien, to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

4 Ayes - 0 Nays, Motion Carried.

Hearing was Closed.

O'Brien noted that being the development will not be completed for several months, this would allow for time to complete the traffic study and identify any needs for signalization. Staff will work with SEH to provide preparations for further traffic analysis.

Zisla agreed that the Co. Rd. E-2/I-35W bridge is not well designed, and it is clear that the Phase II approval will need to address resident concerns and signalization of the intersections.

Livingston added that the developer and the City need to determine and finalize the driveway aisle locations.

Livingston asked what approach can we take as a City to require a traffic study, and has there been discussion with Ramsey County regarding traffic signalization. Teague said Ramsey County was contacted when the project was originally discussed, and he agreed that the County should be brought back into the discussion.

Zisla asked if a condition of approval for the PUD could state that a traffic study be performed to address raised concerns. Teague noted that other industrial projects are occurring in this area which will affect traffic counts, therefore, agreed that a detailed look at traffic in this area is needed.

Zisla noted the following issues raised tonight: 5th Ave. on-street parking, signalization of two intersections, capability of sewer system, lighting, and four-way stop versus traffic signalization. Staff will need to provide a definitive recommendation on traffic impact before Phase II approval.

Motion by Zisla, seconded by O'Brien, to waive the reading and adopt the resolution recommending approval of PUD00-1 and LP00-6, subject to the conditions outlined in the staff report.

4 Ayes - 0 Nayes, Motion Carried.

Announcements and Updates - None

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.

___________________________

Cary K. Teague, City Planner