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Home My WebLink About03-01-2022 Planning Commission MinutesMINUTES CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 1, 2022 The meeting was called to order at 6:08 pm by Acting Chair Vargas. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Commissioners present:Stan Hoium,Tom Kaiser,Eric Sahnow,Mark Vargas,Clara Wolfe Commissioners absent:Rob Fiorendino,Mike Novitsky Also present:Aaron Chirpich,Community Development Director;Minerva Hark,City Planner;Mattie Miller, Anderson Engineering (via Zoom),Jared Ackmann, Reuter Walton Development (via Zoom) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Approval of October 5, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Motion by Sahnow,seconded by Kaiser, to approve the minutes from the meeting of October 5, 2021.All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2.Final Plat Approval and Easement Vacation for Existing Lot Located at 825 41st Avenue NE Introduction:Hark reported that Reuter Walton Development has applied for a Final Plat Review with Easement Vacation for the property located at 825 41st Avenue NE. The Final Plat, once approved, would create three separate lots: Lot 1, which currently houses the City’s Public Safety Campus; Lot 2, which is proposed to be developed into a 62-unit, 4-story affordable apartment building; and Lot 3, which is proposed to be developed into a new retail, office, and warehouse space for SACA Food Shelf. In addition to the Final Plat, the applicant is requesting the vacation of an existing storm water drainage utility easement (per Document No. 1554478), which burdens the underlying property to retain storm water on the surface of the existing parking lot. With the vacation of this easement, the applicant proposes to construct a new underground storm water chamber on proposed Lot 2 and record a new easement to store storm water in the underground chamber. This effectively eliminates the need to continue to maintain existing easement 1554478. On May 4, 2021, the Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of this Planned Unit Development’s Preliminary Plat and several other Easement Vacations. The applicant is now submitting the Final Plat, which requires approval prior to project construction. Zoning Ordinance:The Zoning Ordinance requires the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing on the applications for a Final Plat and Easement Vacation, and submit its recommendation to the City Council. The site is zoned as a 6 Item 2. Page 2 Planned Unit Development District (PUD District #2021-01), with flexibilities on parking, building setbacks, and units-per-acre through the approval of Ordinance No. 1666. The newly-platted lots intend to accommodate multi-family housing, retail, office space, and warehouse space.The project site is adjacent to the One-and Two-Family Residential District (R-2A) to the north and west, as well as the Multiple Family Residential District to the east (R-4) and the south (R-3). City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 1,2022 Planning Commission Meeting Page 2 Comprehensive Plan:The Comprehensive Plan guides this area for Transit Oriented Development. Transit Oriented Development seeks to develop properties to have a mix of residential, retail, and office. Through the approval of the Final Plat, two additional developable lots will be created with the intention to developing housing, retail, office, and warehouse space. Findings of Fact:Section 9.104 (M) of the Zoning Code outlines two conditions that must be met in order for the City to grant a Final Plat. They are as follows: (a)The final plat substantially conforms to the approved preliminary plat. The final plat submitted substantially conforms to the preliminary plat that was approved by the City Council on June 14, 2021 through Resolution No. 2021-44. (b)The final plat conforms to the requirements of Section 9.116 (Subdivision Ordinance). In review of the final plat that was submitted, Staff finds that the final plat generally conforms to the City’s Subdivision Ordinance for a Planned Unit Development. The applicant is compliant in this regard. Additionally, Section 9.104 (J) of the Zoning Code outlines two conditions that must be met in order for the City to grant an Easement Vacation. They are as follows: (a)No private rights will be injured or endangered as a result of the vacation. This is correct. (b)The public will not suffer loss or inconvenience as a result of the vacation. This is correct. The applicant proposes an easement dedication to replace the vacated storm water drainage utility easement, which would help alleviate drainage issues in the area. Recommendation:Staff review finds that the proposed Final Plat and Easement Vacation applications meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. As a result, Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed Final Plat and Easement Vacation for the property located at 825 41st Avenue NE, subject to certain conditions. Questions/Comments from Members: Hoium commented that he previously had a question about SACA and asked if that has been resolved. Hark responded that SACA is making progress towards their plans, but funding is still an issue; they are waiting to submit their application until funding is secured. Vargas asked for clarification on the previous drainage easement, which allowed for water to sit on the surface,and asked if now a system will be installed underneath it. Hark replied that is correct. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 1,2022 Planning Commission Meeting Page 3 Kaiser asked for confirmation that besides the stormwater easement component,that nothing else seems to be different from what was seen previously. Hark responded that there shouldn’t be any substantial changes, but there may be more easement dedications which aren’t required to be part of this process. Hark said that the apartments will be addressed as 800 42nd Avenue NE and the potential SACA site will be addressed as 850 42nd Avenue NE. Sahnow asked what the preliminary construction timeline is. Hark replied that they are hoping to break ground in June 2022. Vargas stated that Reuter Walton is a union shop, and asked if they are providing opportunities for non-union subcontractors.Ackmann replied that they are restricted with financing and they have a contract with Frana and Companies;they would have to defer to them for specific subcontractor list. Hoium asked about the park dedication funds that would be received for this project. Chirpich replied that the City would receive $45,000, 10% of the land value in an undeveloped state. Public Hearing Opened. Public Hearing Closed. Motion by Hoium, seconded by Wolfe, to waive the reading of the draft resolutions attached, there being ample copies available to the public.All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Sahnow,seconded by Hoium,to recommend that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council approval of the Final Plat as presented, subject to the following conditions of approval: 1.An approved Final Plat shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of the City Council approval and must be recorded within that timeframe. In the event that a Final Plat is not recorded within this time period, the Plat will become void. 2.The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of filing and recording the Final Plat and related written easements with the Anoka County Recorder’s Office. 3.The Storm Water Drainage Utility Easement per Doc. No. 1554478 must be vacated prior to the recording of the Final Plat with the Anoka County Recorder’s Office. 4.Developer shall pay park dedication fees as outlined in the Development Contract. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion Sahnow,seconded by Kaiser, to recommend that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council approval of the Easement Vacation as presented, subject to the following conditions of approval: City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 1,2022 Planning Commission Meeting Page 4 1.The applicant shall be responsible for providing legal descriptions of all easements that are subject to be created or amended as a result of the easement vacation. Said descriptions are subject to review by the City Attorney. Once approved, the applicant shall be responsible for recording the newly created or amended easements with the Anoka County Recorder’s Office. 2.The applicant shall be responsible for recording the easement vacations with the Anoka County Recorder’s Office. 3.The vacation of easement is contingent upon the recording of the associated Final Plat with the Anoka County Recorder’s Office. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. OTHER BUSINESS 3.Recognition of Rob Fiorendino Hark stated that Chair Fiorendino couldn’t be there that evening,but she wanted to recognize his 18 years of service on the Planning Commission.She thanked him for his time, hoped to see him back soon, and that his engagement in the community would continue. 4.Upcoming Officer Elections Hark said that there are three vacancies, but two opportunities for renewal; Sahnow and Kaiser are going to renew their terms, which leaves one vacancy. The deadline to submit applications is March 4, 2022. She stated that one new application has been received. Hark stated that the next meeting will be tentatively be scheduled for May 3, 2022. ADJOURNMENT Vargas adjourned the meeting at 6:23 pm. Respectfully submitted, _________________________________ Alicia Howe, Administrative Assistant