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120418 Planning CommissionCITY OF NEW HOPE 4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 4, 2018 City Hall, 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The New Hope Planning Commission met in regular session pursuant to due call and notice thereof; Chair Schmidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Scott Clark, Jim Brinkman, Matt Mannix, Chris Hanson, Tom Schmidt, Roger Landy, Michael Redden, Matt Korkowski Absent: Bill Smith Also Present: Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development; Jeff Alger, Community Development Coordinator/Management Analyst; Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney; Bob Kirmis, Planning Consultant; Jessi Weber, Recording Secretary NEW BUSINESS Planning Commission member Matt Korkowski was officially sworn in by Recording Secretary, Jessi Weber. PUBLIC HEARING Planning Case 18-28 Item 4.1 Chair Schmidt introduced Item 4.1, site plan review for construction of new pool, bathhouse, mechanical building, and theater and reconfiguration of Civic Center park at 4401 Xylon Avenue North, city of New Hope, petitioner. Mr. Jeff Alger, Community Development Coordinator/Management Analyst, gave background on the case. In 2016, Wold Architects recommended the Police Station and City Hall be located at the current construction site. In 2017, the majority of City Council voted to proceed with the construction plan, and shortly after, park and pool committees made up of New Hope residents were formed to discuss different options available. In 2018, a bonding bill was signed that included a $2 million request to help fund an eight-lane, 50-meter outdoor pool. The preliminary pool concept was approved in 2018, and since then Stantec Engineering has been finalizing the plans. Next, Alger showed pictures of the proposed park and pool features and explained that the plans submitted represent general concepts depicting anticipated location, materials, and appearance of the proposed building and facilities. Any changes to the proposed aspects of the plan would be finalized by the City Council. Alger reviewed the locations and proposed appearance of the theater, proposed picnic shelter, pool schematic, bathhouse, mechanical building/water slide, proposed skate park, and proposed hockey rink. There will be 213 parking stalls and 7 disability stalls. The parking lots will include a rock trench and the storm water will be treated with a drain tile system before entering the pond northeast of the site. As part of the landscaping plan, 59 trees will be 2 Planning Commission Meeting December 4, 2018 removed with 150 new trees being installed. Alger concluded that proper legal notice and mailing notice were given. Staff did hear from residents with questions related to the outdoor skating rink and new theater. Staff recommends approval of the site plan review with the condition outlined in the report. When Chair Schmidt questioned whether any of the Commissioners had any questions for staff, Commissioner Brinkman asked how many lanes the 50-meter pool consisted of. Mr. Alger replied it is an eight-lane pool. Commissioner Landy added a clarification to the report. The citizen task force presented their recommended location of the new Police Station/City Hall to Wold, who then submitted the recommendation to staff. Landy also stated disappointment in the steps of the planning process. Many changes in feature locations were made from the original plan the park and pool committees had submitted. Landy felt it would have been beneficial to have the committee review the updated plans so they could continue to be aware of the decisions being made. Commissioner Landy suggested city staff work with groups utilizing the new theater to ensure ending time for rehearsals and events is at 10:00 pm. Landy also asked for an update of the current budget and if the proposed park and pool are currently on budget. Mr. Sargent stated staff did take the input from the committees as a good starting point and looked at feasibility of locations of features in regards to soil conditions, budget, and the overall functionality of the park features for all residents within New Hope. Sargent explained that $10 million was bonded for 2018, as that was the maximum allowed per year. There is an understanding more would need to be bonded in 2019 to cover the entire expense. Sargent asked the City Engineer to address the budget question. Chris Long, City Engineer, Stantec gave an overview of the budget for each category. There is an $18 million budget for the entire project including landscaping and parking lots. Currently, the budget is a couple hundred thousand dollars higher than the original budget. Park improvements are right around budget; pool improvements were estimated at $11 million and the budget is currently at $12.2 million; theater budget estimate was at $500,000 and the budget is currently at $800,000. There are about half million in alternates to provide options for Council. Commissioner Landy also mentioned there was contingency built into the budget that could cover some of the extra costs, to which Chris Long agreed. Motion by Commissioner Landy, seconded by Commissioner Mannix, to open the Public Hearing. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. Andrea Lundahl, 8501 44th Avenue North, stated was disappointed about the location of the proposed hockey rink and had concern with noise that could potentially be heard from the theater due to the direction it was facing. Ms. Lundahl asked if testing has been done with noise levels to determine if they would conform to the city ordinance. Sargent replied 3 Planning Commission Meeting December 4, 2018 testing has not been done; testing would yield more accurate results when done in real life situations. He also stated that programming events at the theater will take into consideration the neighboring residences and ensure events end at a reasonable time. Ms. Lundahl commented rehearsals often last until 11:00 pm and the performances sometimes go later than the stated end time. Commissioner Landy stated that staff will need to work with theater to adjust start times to ensure the end time is appropriate. Mr. Sargent stated that would apply for any group utilizing the theater. Molly Sanborn, 4301 Zealand Avenue North, thanked Mr. Landy for comments made and thanked city staff for addressing her concerns and explaining the park layout. Ms. Sanborn said there is disappointment in the skate park location and wanted to know how alternates are prioritized and how it is decided which ones the budget will be used for. Mr. Sargent stated the City Council would determine which features are built based on what funding is available at that time. Certain alternate features would need to be constructed with the initial construction of the pool, so that factors in the decision making process as well. Sanborn asked how likely it is that the rink will be developed and if residents can do anything to help ensure it will be constructed. Sargent explained that based on resident feedback the rink will not be forgotten about. In a couple years when the rink comes up for review, the City Council will look at the budgeting situation to aid in their decision. Sanborn’s last question regarded the placement and angle of the theater. There is concern sound will be more audible on Zealand Avenue since the theater is much closer, and also concern that the performances will be family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Sargent responded that many factors were considered with the orientation of the theater including minimizing sun glare for the performers and audience members, soil conditions, and natural slope of the land around the theater for seating. Programming has always had a family-focus when scheduling events in the parks and will continue to do so with the new theater. Chair Schmidt gave an example of a prior planning case that had noise concerns associated with it. When New Hope Bowl wanted to add a volleyball court in the summer months many Crystal residents were worried about the potential for noise disruptions in the evenings. City Council approved the planning case, and several years later, there have not been any complaints made regarding noise. Schmidt thinks this will be a very similar case. If there ever is an issue or concern with noise at the theater or park, residents should make a report. If residents make staff aware of an issue, it will be addressed. Ed Schneider, 4217 Zealand Avenue North, questioned if adult trees or a wall are in the plans for along Zealand Avenue North to create a noise buffer. Chris Long stated the theater is set 8 feet lower than the Zealand Avenue curb. This will act as a natural noise buffer for residents along Zealand Avenue North. Part of the landscaping plan is to leave as many mature trees as able. Certain species of trees are on the prohibited tree list and those would be replaced with an approved species. The new trees that will be installed are similar to the ones along Xylon Avenue North, with 4 Planning Commission Meeting December 4, 2018 the budget allowing for $800 per tree. Sarah Bickler, 4221 Zealand Avenue North, stated the hockey rink is very important to neighbors and their families. Ms. Bickler questioned if the rink would be flooded again this winter and it was verified it is going to be. Commissioner Landy asked if grants were available for the hockey rink. Chris Long said they have been and are currently looking at grants for any aspect of the park and pool project. Any avenue that can help with the budget is being considered. He also stated that the rink will be utilized in the upcoming season. Commissioner Brinkman asked about the amenities at the hockey rink; if a warming house and lights would be part of the construction plan. Chris Long verified lights and dasher board are currently included with the proposed ice rink. At this time, a warming house has not been identified. There has been some discussion of utilizing other park facilities as a warming house. Motion by Commissioner Landy, seconded by Commissioner Mannix, to close the public hearing. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. Roger Landy asked the commission for thoughts on adding a condition to specify program end times. Sargent stated if a condition is added the Council would be aware that was an important item of discussion during the meeting. Motion Item 4.1 Motion by Commissioner Landy, seconded by Commissioner Clark, to approve Planning Case 18-28, site plan review for construction of new pool, bathhouse, mechanical building, and theater and reconfiguration of Civic Center Park at 4401 Xylon Avenue North, City of New Hope, petitioner, with the following conditions: 1. Provide photometric plan meeting minimum lighting standards for buildings, parking lots, and pedestrian areas. 2. All park programming and events shall conclude by 10:00 p.m. unless otherwise approved by the City Council. Voting in favor: Clark, Brinkman, Mannix, Hanson, Schmidt, Landy, Redden, Korkowski Voting against: None Absent: Smith Motion approved 8-0 Chair Schmidt stated the case will move forward to the December 10, 2018 City Council meeting. PUBLIC HEARING Planning Case 18-29 Item 4.2 Chair Schmidt introduced Item 4.2, text amendment to Sections 1-2, 2-60, 4-3, and 9-11 of the New Hope City Code related to the abatement of public nuisances and other code violations including impounding of 5 Planning Commission Meeting December 4, 2018 vehicles or recreational vehicles as alternative enforcement option. Mr. Jeff Sargent gave background on the case. This ordinance would permit the city to take steps to deal with public nuisances in an expedient manner. The current process involves mailing an Administrative Notice, and if the violation is present after 10 days, Administrative Citations are mailed. This process can continue indefinitely if the violation remains. Mr. Sargent commented that most property owners take corrective action after receiving an administrative citation but there are a few property owners within the city that have failed to comply with city code even after receiving several citations/fines. Sargent explained the new process would involve mailing an Administrative Notice followed by two Administrative Citations. After this proper notice, if the violation remains the city would hire a contractor to go onto the property and correct the violation. He stated any fees incurred by the city to remove materials or vehicles would be assessed to the property owner. The City Council approved the ordinance at the November 13, 2018 City Council meeting. After that meeting, the city attorney decided the amended sections of the zoning code would require a public hearing. This Planning Commission meeting is serving as the public hearing for the approved ordinance. The ordinance will go back to the City Council at the December 10, 2018 meeting for final approval. When Chair Schmidt questioned whether any of the Commissioners had any questions for staff, Scott Clark asked for clarification if construction equipment/vehicles would also be part of the ordinance. Mr. Sargent confirmed that is correct. Motion by Commissioner Redden, seconded by Commissioner Landy, to open the Public Hearing. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. No one from the audience wanted to address the commission. Motion by Commissioner Landy, seconded by Commissioner Redden, to close the public hearing. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. Motion Item 4.2 Motion by Commissioner Redden, seconded by Commissioner Landy, to approve Planning Case 18-29, text amendment to Sections 1-2, 2-60, 4-3, and 9-11 of the New Hope City Code related to the abatement of public nuisances and other code violations including impounding of vehicles or recreational vehicles as alternative enforcement option Voting in favor: Clark, Brinkman, Mannix, Hanson, Schmidt, Landy, Redden, Korkowski Voting against: None Absent: Smith Motion approved 8-0 Chair Schmidt stated the case will move forward to the December 10, 2018 6 Planning Commission Meeting December 4, 2018 City Council meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS Design and Review Committee Item 5.1 If there should be a meeting, it will be scheduled for December 13, 2018. Staff will update committee. Codes and Standards Committee Item 5.2 There currently is no meeting scheduled. NEW BUSINESS None OLD BUSINESS Approval of Minutes Item 7.1 Motion by Commissioner Landy, seconded by Commissioner Mannix, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of October 2, 2018, Motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Sargent explained the city council meeting on December 10th will not be a public hearing for the site plan review for Planning Case 18-28 as the December 4th Planning Commission meeting served as the public hearing. The Mayor will determine if the City Council meeting should serve as a public hearing if need be. Sargent also extended his congratulations to Commissioner Korkowski. Commissioners discussed the sub-committees, and Commissioner Korkowski will join the Codes & Standards sub-committee and Commissioner Landy will hold the float position. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jessi Weber, Recording Secretary