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3. DRAFT PC MINUTES 12-22-2020 VA City of Elk Meeting of the River Elk River Planning Commission Held at Elk River City Hall Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Members Present: Chair Jill Larson-Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise,Alexander Feinstein, Eric Johnson,John Jordan, Robert Rydberg, and Brad Thiel (all via Zoom) Members Absent: None Also Present: Engineering Project Manager Brandon Wisner,Elk River Municipal Utilities Engineering Manager Chris Kerzman, and Councilmember/Liaison Nate Ovall Staff Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, and Sr. Admin. Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green I. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 6:39 p.m. by Chair Larson-Vito. 2. Consider November 24, 2020, Planning Commission Agenda Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jordan to approve the November 24, 2020, Planning Commission agenda. Motion carried 7-0. 3. Consider October 27, 2020, Planning Commission Minutes Moved by Commissioner Thiel and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to approve the October 27, 2020, Planning Commission minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 4.1 City of Elk River— Elk River Fire Station #3 — 9921 1915`Ave. NW ■ Conditional Use Permit allowing construction of a fire station and well house, Case No. CU 20-18 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Commissioner Rydberg asked about service of public utilities to this area. Mr. Carlton stated everything west of Cleveland and south of Twin Lakes is served Planning Commission Page 2 November 24,2020 ----------------------------- by city utilities. He indicated the current Comprehensive Plan does call for the area east of Cleveland to be added to the Urban Service District. Councilmember Ovall asked about the use of firetruck lights and sirens so near to the school and if the district officials had concerns about disruption. Mr. Wisner stated when he met with school district staff, they discussed the driveway locations going near the school district property along with the use of firetruck lights and sirens when responding to calls. He indicated to aid in exiting trucks, rapid flashing beacons will be installed on Cleveland Street. He stated lights and siren use by fire personnel are regulated under the fire code and overall, the fire chief will be cognizant of the station's location near residents and the school, especially outside of normal work hours. He stated he anticipates similar protocol used for fire station 1. He stated there were no concerns regarding this from the nei borhood south of this location. Councilmember Ovall stated the few p e has spoken to are d to have the fire station in that location and they' d questions about that wo+ *+ � addressed. �f Chair Larson-Vito asked ab tion of the flrefi hter vehicles when responding to fire calls. Mr. Wisner explained the propose' driveway`location and parking spaces for firefighters responding to fire calls will be identified and marked for the firefighters responding to this location. Chair Larson- o aske e cit<r had received any comments from the neighboring residents. Mr. Carlton indicated staff had received no comments. Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson-Vito closed the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jordan to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit allowing construction of a fire station and well house at 9921191"Ave. NW on the condition that the variance (Case No. V 20-17) addressing driveway deviations is approved. Motion carried 7-0. 111`41AWRE . . .. . . . . . . Planning Commission Page 3 November 24,2020 ----------------------------- 4.2 Elk River Municipal Utilities — 1643 Main St. NW ■ Conditional Use Permit to allow a duplex in the R-I a zoning district, Case No. IU 20-02 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. Councilmember Ovall noted this proposal is a significant change to the initial site layout proposed and asked ERMU for the reason regarding this change. Mr. Kerzman explained the big change came after completing final cost analysis associated with civil work, soil removal, and the cost of the retaining wall. He stated the updated plan will not require a retaining wall and keep most of the soils on site. Councilmember Ovall stated he likes this concept even bette Chair Larson-Vito asked about outdoor storage location and what type of screening would be required. She asked if thetype of screening should be detailed in the conditions. Mr. Leeseberg explained storage would occur on the west side of the parcel and some type of screening would be required, stating the screening type is outlined in city ordinance but specific language of the type of screening could be included in the condition. He stated for instance,the condition could be 100% opaque screened fence and wall, using the same materials as the building itself. Commissioner Rydberg asked about Applicable Regulation #5 and what type of activities may generate complaints during normal business operations. Mr. Leeseberg explained staff anticipates traffic and vehicle noise in and out of the site, headlights, backup signals, all occurring during times when people are home. chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. Go on Bynum, 420 Rush Avenue,was curious about the traffic being anticipated and if it were on Main Street where the current traffic entered and exited. He asked if there was the thought of a further setback and screening to mitigate the traffic, noise, and lights from the neighboring homes. Chris Kerzman stated they are expecting employee traffic during normal work hours coming in on the two northern entrances, and truck traffic along the west side from Main Street, stating they are not anticipating more traffic or workload than what is already taking place. He stated there may be additional deliveries as they will have more storage space. Mr. Bynum asked if staff has heard from the residents living across the street on Main or off Tipton. 111`41AWRE . . .. . . . . . . Planning Commission Page 4 November 24,2020 ----------------------------- Mr. Kerzman stated he has had discussions with someone who lives on the north side of Tipton,Al Nadeau, and he has been involved in the design of this as he serves on the Utility Commission. He stated he does not anticipate any change in size of the work trucks,perhaps an increase in delivery truck traffic during normal business hours. Mr. Bynum asked about the property zoning. He would appreciate it if the building could be set back further and ensure proper screening. Mr. Leeseberg stated the property was recently rezoned to R-Ic and will not affect any zoning outside of this property,noting R-1c does allow public institutions such as this. There being no one else to speak, Chair Larson Vito closed t public hearing. t Chair Larson-Vito felt the City Council can recommend additional screening requirements if they see fit. , Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Beise to recommend approval of the request by Elk River Municipal Utilities for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a government facility in the R-1c zoning district with the following conditions to satisfy the standards set forth in Section 30-654: 1. The hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. —3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for emergencies. 2. Dumpsters, recycling, and/or scrap metal shall be screened from view. Motion carried7-0. S. Council Liaison Update Councilmember'VOvall presented an update to the Planning Commission about recent city council activities,including approval of the Troy Street and Mulvaney Point Twin Home plats, and continuation of the DeMars IUP, to allow the applicants to gather more information about taxes. He stated the council was not going to require a down payment or escrow as a condition of the IUP. 6. General Business Mr. Carlton asked for a commissioner to attend the December 21 city council meeting. Commissioner Rydberg indicated he would. The Planning Commission meeting recessed the meeting and reconvened into work session at 7:09 p.m. 111`41AWRE . . .. . . . . . . Planning Commission Page 5 November 24,2020 ----------------------------- 7.1 Bob and Tammy Jorgenson-Owens — 418 Jackson St. ■ Concept Review to construct a 3-level 4-plex, Case No. CR 20-06 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report for a concept review. He presented an updated 4-plex site layout for the Jackson Street parcel. He also presented a site layout for a six-plex on a parcel located at 1857 Main Street. It was noted the commission felt the Jackson Street parcel had desired walkability to shopping but the property was situated close to a mix of commercial properties. They discussed possible spot zoning to meet the needs of multi-family housing in the city. The parking layout and stormwater runoff was a concern, and the site would require setback variances. The commission then reviewed a six-plex on Main Street. Discussion took place regarding the structure looking out of place in a dominantly single-family neighborhood. The applicant indicated the way the building was positioned was to allow the decks to view the lake. The commission felt there was issues with multi- housing in a single-family neighborhood, stormwater runoff,zoning with a zone change approval, and questioned if the future of this area was supportive of multi- family housing. There was also concern the site was too small and odd shaped to support the building and parking requirements as presented but perhaps a different design concept would solve some of those concerns. As presented,both property proposals would require variances for setbacks and possible zone changes. The Planning Commission was in support of the Jackson Street proposal but had concerns with an apartment complex on the Main Street parcel. The plans and locations presented would be challenging to support as the projects may not meet the necessary criteria. 7.2 Review Sign Ordinance Mr. Carlton presen ed a review of the sign ordinance with a PowerPoint presentation;; 8. Adjournment The meeting was a Journed at 8:11 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green. Tina Allard City Clerk Jill Larson-Vito Planning Commission Chair 111`41AWRE . . .. . . . . . .