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10-17-22 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER OCTOBER 17, 2022 7:00 PM Call to Order. Chair Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Roll Call: Chair Alan Offerman; Commissioners: Charles Foster, Laurie Jones, Aaron Stritesky, Richard Nichols*, and Vern Heidner*; Absent: Jim Kolles, Pam Black; City Council: CM Tom Darkenwald, Mayor Jessica Stockamp, CM Brittany Moores*, CM Jeff Dahl*. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Deputy Clerk Bethany Benting. Those indicated with a (*) attended via video conference. 1. Announcements: City Planner Licht noted those members of the City Council and Planning Commission who were online. The special meeting is rescheduled for November 7 due to Commissioners missing. 2. Consider the following minutes: 2.1 Planning Commission September 6, 2022. 2.2 Special Planning Commission September 6, 2022. Commissioner Foster motioned to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner ]ones. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0. Commissioner Foster motioned to approve special meeting minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner ]ones. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0. 3. Public Hearin-- Imo: There were no public hearing items. 4. Planning Items: 4.1 ALDI Site and Building Plan Review City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. Ryan Anderson, ISG, was online to represent the applicant and agreed with the staff report. Chair Offerman allowed public comments at 7:10 pm. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission October 17, 2022 Page 2 Corey Tanner, 7952 Palmgren Avenue, asked about how many jobs this building will create. Mr. Anderson said 15-20 full and part time jobs. Mark Nystrom, 9565 Park Ave, asked if businesses will bring in tax revenue. City Planner Licht explained yes, the businesses developed in the City pay property taxes. Chair Offerman closed public comments 7:13 pm. Commissioner Foster asked if this store would be similar to Maple Grove, Minnetonka and Monticello. Mr. Anderson said those were older stores and this building is a newer model that'is larger. Commissioner Jones asked what the hours of operation would be and how the loading operation works. Mr. Anderson said store hours are from 9am to 8pm. Mr. Anderson said one truck delivers daily from a distribution center, with an exception of specific vendors. Mr. Anderson said trucks or trailers are not parked at the stores. Mr. Anderson said deliveries are typically unload before the stores open. Commissioner Jones said she was concerned about truck maneuvering when cars are in the parking lot but that the operation plan addresses that issue. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to approve site and building plans upon Lot 1, Block 28, Parrish Meadows for ALDI Inc., subject to the following conditions as stated in the staff report. Seconded by Commissioner Foster. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0. This will go to the City Council meeting next Monday November 14, 2022 at 7 PM. 4.2 Norhart PUD Concept Plan City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. Marybeth Wise and Mike Salt of Norhart were present as the applicant and updated the Commissioners with a presentation. Chair Offerman allowed public comments at 7:49 pm. Dan Sly, 9501 Parrish Avenue, asked how the number of dwelling units would change if this is approved with the density allowed by the Comprehensive Plan and asked if the new alternative includes the undeveloped land. James Mulcare, 9560 Parkington Avenue, questioned the building location in Alternative noting the noise level from traffic on TH101. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission October 17, 2022 Page 3 Mark Nystrom, 9565 Park Avenue, is concerned about the amount of traffic that already goes through this area and the increased traffic that will come with building an apartment. Ryan Dunlap, 7787 Marlow Avenue, asked commissioners to listen to the citizens. Michael Yoakam, 15703 93rd Circle, concerns about traffic and not for the idea of forcing a building which stated would make traffic worse. He also mentioned if the commissioners make exceptions for this builder would be a disservice to the former builders that followed the comprehensive plan. Mr. Sly asked commissioners to not allow a PUD. Jake Denman, 14760 92nd Circle, concerned with the idea of building when "we know it's going to fail". He is not in favor in making a bad problem worse. He wants to know the update on the parking usage stating that parking on the street does not sound like an ideal situation. Corey Tanner, 7952 Palmgren Avenue, said the City doesn't have a housing supply issue and would like to see a plan for future transportation improvements before building more. Tom Brooke, 10520 97th Street, asked where snow would be stored so as to not decrease the amount of parking spaces. Dan Fietek 15117 87th Street, asked what is the City's motivation for approving development. Larry Fries, 8467 Parell Avenue, commented about existing traffic congestion on Parrish with people turning around in private driveways or making U-turns that would be made worse with the proposed development. James Mulcare, 9560 Parkington Avenue, suggested the City buy the land for a park. Julie Frys, 8467 Parell Avenue, asked Commissioners if they have considered law enforcement, fire stations and schools. Max Farrard, 15364 96th Street, asked if the City has regulations for subsidized housing or criminal activity by apartment residents. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission October 17, 2022 Page 4 Chance Nelson, 9193 Parrish Avenue is concerned for the safety of pedestrians and timeframe for the construction of a trail along Parrish Avenue. Chair Offerman closed public comments at 8:07 pm. City Planner Licht addressed the concerns about traffic related to the traffic study and noted that streets within the development would have sidewalks on both sides. Chair Offerman clarified that the traffic study is for the current growth no matter what is built on this lot. He commented about the multiple traffic points and making it safer for all. Commissioner Stritesky asked about the trips/day volumes after TH101 road construction is over. City Planner Licht explained that traffic is likely to decrease to 2016 to 2021 volumes. City Planner Licht said that traffic generated by the proposed development would be dispersed to both Parrish Avenue and Quaday Avenue, Commissioner Offerman commented that the County has a 5 -year Capital Improvement plan to schedule future improvements. City Planner Licht explained the purpose for the 2018 Multiple Family Housing Study to guide development that is appropriate for Otsego. City Planner Licht commented about the density of the project being greater than recommended by the Multiple Family Housing Study. Chair Offerman said he would like to see the density comply with the Multiple Family Housing Study and other apartment developments. Commissioner Stritesky agreed. City Planner Licht said a snow removal plan would be reviewed if this moved to a PUD Development Stage Plan application. City Planner Licht said that with the concept plan, the developer is looking for a high- level response as to where Commissioners are willing to consider flexibility. City Planner Licht commented that Otsego has three school districts with ISD 728 being the largest and that the City coordinates closely with the district about the growth occurring in the City, which is one of four growing cities in the School District. City Planner Licht explained the City's contract for police services with the Wright County Sheriff Office. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission October 17, 2022 Page 5 City Planner Licht said this property is withing the Elk River Fire district and the Elk River Fire Department has said they can protect this type of building. City Planner Licht added that the City Council is completing a study to deploy an Otsego fire station. City Planner Licht said that the City has adopted an ordinance regarding rental housing that includes apartment requiring maintenance of these properties and regular inspections. City Planner explained that development occurs as a result of the private market where developers and land owners make agreements and the City is responding to that activity through its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations. Chair Offerman commented that the City has a Parks System Master Plan that does not direct the City to acquire the property for a park. City Planner Licht said that the City can require dedication of a portion of the property for park purposes and would use this authority to acquire the portion of the property along the Mississippi River. Commissioner Stritesky asked about the parking and if the amenities are open to the public. The reply was it is just for the residents who live there, not for the public. Chair Offerman said he does not support the increase in density proposed but is willing to consider flexibility on issues like building height, parking, or minimum floor areas. Commissioner Stritesky said he prefers the location of the building in Alternative 2, but would like to see apartments built in another part of the city if possible. Commissioner Stritesky said he favors adhering to the standards the City has adopted. Commissioner Foster stated he does not support the proposed development unless established City standards are met. Commissioner Foster commented that amenities available within the building may change over time. Commissioner Jones said she want the project to comply with the density allowances established by the City. Commissioner Jones also said there should be one garage stall for each unit. Commissioner Jones asked if they comply with what the Commissioners are asking would they still need a PUD. City Planner said that a PUD District may still be a preferred approach to address other development issues, including allowed commercial uses. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission October 17, 2022 Page 6 Commissioner Heider asked if 30 percent efficiency units is a maximum or a minimum. City Planner Licht said a maximum number of units allowed. City Planner Licht said any action by the Planning Commission is not an approval. The developer can decide to move forward with an application or not proceed with the development. Councilmember Darkenwald restated that this is a concept plan and the developer is looking for guidance. CM Darkenwald said that if the developer moves forward, additional applications would need to be submitted and public hearing would be required. CM Darkenwald said that City Council has the ability to approve or deny that request. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend support for Alternative 2 of the PUD Concept Plan for Norhart (Richard Lefebvre property) subject to the conditions stated in the Planning Report, amended as follows: 3. The density of development for the multiple family land use shall not exceed one dwelling unit per 2,000 square feet -unless appFeved by the City Geunell as a PUD Develepffient Stage Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Jones. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0. 5. Updates: 5.1 Updates on City Council actions. CM Darkenwald updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions. 5.2 Updates on future Planning Commission items. City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items. 6. Adjourn. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Jones. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0. Adjourned at 9:04 PM. Respectfully Submitted, By: ?2'*� /) - ?�; Bethany ing, bepW Clerk