08-28-06 PC Agenda
AGENDA
Golden Valley Planning Commission
Joint Meeting with the Environmental Commission
Lighting Ordinance Discussion
Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Conference Room
Monday, August 28, 2006
6pm
I. Lighting Ordinance Discussion
Golden Valley Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
Council Chambers
7pm
I. Approval of minutes
July 24, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting
II. Informal Public Hearing - General Land Use Plan Map Amendment
Applicant: City of Golden Valley
Address: 700 and 800 Xenia Avenue South
Purpose: To change the General Land Use Plan Map designation for the
properties at 700 and 800 Xenia Avenue South from Light Industrial
to Mixed Use.
III. Informal Public Hearing - Preliminary Design Plan - Union X, LLC, Miner Site -
PUD No.1 03
Applicant: Union Land X, LLC
Address: 700 and 800 Xenia Avenue South
Purpose: To allow for a mixed use development that includes approximately
200,000 sq. ft. of office space, a 74 unit condominium building and
about 15,000 sq. ft. of retail space
IV. Reports on meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other meetings
V. Other business
Subdivision Ordinance and Infill Housing Development - Lot Splits
VI. Adjournment
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Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
July 24, 2006
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday,
July 24,2006. Chair Keysser called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners Cera, Eck, Keysser, Kluchka, McCarty,
Schmidgall and Waldhauser. Also present was Planning Intern Aaron er and
Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman. Director of Planning and De ark
Grimes was absent
1. Approval of Minutes
July 10, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting
n Meeting
MOVED by Schmidgall, seconded by McCarty an
approve the July 10, 2006 minutes as submitte
July 17, 2006 Joint City Council/PI
MOVED by Schmidgall, seconded by
approve the July 17, 2006 minute
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2.
Discussion on July 17
Meeting Regardin
Ordinance - Lo
nt Council/Planning Commission
n Ordinance and Infill Housing Subdivision
Keysser explained'
Council directed th
and infill hous'
17 Joint Council/Planning Commission meeting the
mission to start looking at the Subdivision Ordinance
a's zoning ordinance appealed to him at first but then he
adopted this approach, there could be an issue of fairness. If this
a person with a 20,000 square foot lot (currently permissible to
subdivide their lot if the median lot size in the neighborhood was
eet, but a person with a 26,000 square foot lot in this same neighborhood
Keysser agreed and stated that Golden Valley doesn't have clearly defined
neighborhoods and that it would be very difficult to figure the median lot size.
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McCarty asked if the Planning Commission has seen a lot of subdivision requests and if
they have been for existing double lots or for single lots. Keysser stated that the
Commission has seen several. He stated that he would like to receive a map from staff
that shows how many lots in the City could be candidates for a subdivision.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
July 24, 2006
Page 2
Keysser referred to an outline he drafted after the joint City CouncillPlanning Commission
meeting and stated that he thinks the two biggest issues they hear from residents about is
the change of character in their neighborhood and drainage issues.
Schmidgall stated that he thinks that the "change in the character of the neighborhood" is
really just a smokescreen people use when they don't want change in their neighborhood.
Cera stated that big houses also concern residents and changes the character of
neighborhoods. He added that the size of homes is one issue the Planning Commission
could look at.
Schmidgall said that since a lot of the home additions are in compli
Code, it leads him to believe that most of the houses are a lot s I
Waldhauser said that is why it is good to be looking at these'
Zoning
ould be.
Cera stated that St. Louis Park used to have a finished sq
and asked staff to look in to their ordinances. Keysse said
about how many lots in the City are susceptible to s
t they used
to get the facts
Waldhauser said she thinks they should look a
right now are dealing with the Zoning Code no
ISlon rdinance, but the issues
ision Ordinance.
Eck referred to the study that Keysse
susceptible to subdivision and stat
area, but could not be subdivide .
Kluchka added that it would b
as-is and which lots could
stated it is likely staff co
g which lots in the City could be
e lots that are 20,000 square feet in
e way the house is positioned on the lot.
h map of which lots could be subdivided
if the house were to be torn down. Hanauer
McCarty said he a
Ordinance if it is th
could also 100
Ordinance. K
Idhauser that it makes sense to look at the Zoning
tes they are considering changing. Hanauer said he
tes and what could be done under the current Zoning
at information from other first ring suburbs would also help.
City of Bloomington and stated they have neighborhoods that
rYe. He suggested staff look at their ordinances. Keysser said he
t things that are more objective such as storm water management and
he City has to enforce agreements and get compliance. Schmidgall stated
that he think it is fair that a new house should have to solve the whole
neighborh d's drainage problem. Keysser agreed but added that a new house could
adversely affect the neighborhood.
Cera suggested they look at permeable versus impermeable surfaces as well.
Keysser suggested that the City Engineer come to a Planning Commission meeting to
help educate them about storm water management because he would like to understand
it better. Waldhauser stated that they have to separate the storm water issue from the
subdivision issue because the storm water issue is city-wide.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
July 24, 2006
Page 3
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She said she doesn't think subdivisions are the cause of drainage problems or a solution
to them. Eck added that sometimes new buildings can help other property's drainage
problems.
Keysser suggested that staff look at other cities, Maplewood in particular, to get more
information about rain gardens. Hanauer said he would. Waldhauser said to make sure
he knows what types of soils these other cities have.
Cera suggested that they make a list of all of the various tools they've discussed and list
the pros and cons of each.
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Hanauer mentioned that APA has a report on infill guidelines a
a copy of it to the Planning Commissioners. He explained so
report to address infill development are: setbacks, height,
ratio. He stressed that if a City tries to change the rules mi
problems. He suggested they really look at the heigh 'ssue
one of the biggest issues. Cera added that where th
issue.
ould get
eAPA
ing volume
lead to
eed that height is
red from is also an
Waldhauser said she thinks that before the
should establish some goals or parame
to accomplish.
to do all sorts of research they
ut what things they are trying
Kluchka referred to his list of no
suggested the Planning Com
to the "character of the nei
vious joint meeting with the Council and
mmon elements and see how they relate
sue and the drainage issues.
Keysser suggested that
Kluchka prepared em
documents togethe
i rs look at the notes he prepared and the notes
with any comments and he will combine the two
ce members if they would like to add anything to this
.
analyn Circle, stated that she appreciates the work the Planning
g. She referred to the comment said about "McMansions" being a
or people who don't like change and said she hopes the Planning
Comm esn't believe that. She said she added a second story on her house but
people wo an't know it because it was done respectfully to the neighborhood. She said
"tear downs" are the issue and that there are six just in her neighborhood. She said they
are not worried about people making their houses bigger or more modern, they are
worried about the sun being taken away because it is height that adds weight to a
neighborhood and some of these new homes are just big and vulgar. She stated that
Golden Valley is a city of defined neighborhoods and that she doesn't know of any area in
Golden Valley that can't be defined. Keysser clarified that he didn't mean that
neighborhoods aren't defined geographically, he meant that neighborhoods aren't defined
by a single house style or specific lot size.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
July 24, 2006
Page 4
Kluchka referred to the issue of height and stated that they need to look at the "tricks" with
the grading of lots. Waldhauser stated that the City could require steeper setbacks for
higher homes.
Hanauer said that he would look into the issues that have been discussed and get some
information to the Planning Commission in the future.
3. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
No reports were given.
4. Other Business
No other business was discussed.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
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Hey
Planning
763-593-8095 I 763-593-8109 (fax)
Date:
August 22, 2006
To:
Golden Valley Planning Commission
From:
Mark W. Grimes, Director of Planning and Development
Subject:
Amendment to General land Use Plan Map from Light Industrial to
Mixed Use for the 5.9 acres at the Northwest Corner of Xenia Ave. and
Golden Hills Dr. (Olympic Printing site at 700 and 800 Xenia Ave.)-Request
Made by Union land X, llC
At the July 5,2006 City Council meeting, the Council held a public hearing to amend the City's
General land Use Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. After the public hearing, the Council
approved the amendment that created a Mixed Use land use category. The Mixed Use (MU)
category is defined as follows:
Mixed Use (MU): This category includes tracts of land, buildings, or structures that
support two or more land uses which are complementary to one another, support the
ability to live, work, shop and/or play within a defined land use area, and are in a
compact urban form. This category includes the following principal uses: residential,
office, retail, public and entertainment.
The Mixed Use land use category was recommended to the City Council by the Planning
Commission. The Planning Commission discussed the new category at their meetings on
March 27, 2006, May 22,2006, and June 12, 2006. At the June 12 meeting, the Commission
also held an informal public hearing. After the hearing, the Commission unanimously
recommended approval of the Mixed Use (MU) category.
A request to amend the General land Use Plan to include a Mixed Use category was made by
Frank Dunbar, the representative of Union land X, llC. He was told by staff that without a
mixed land use category in the General land Use chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the
development of the 5.9 acre Olympic Printing site would not be possible due to the current
designation as Light Industrial on the General land Use Plan map. The proposed use of the
site for a combination of offices, housing and retail does not fit the current Light Industrial land
use designation. The adoption of a new Mixed Use category would allow this property to be re-
guided as Mixed Use and allow the rezoning of the property from Light Industrial to a mixed
use Planned Unit Development.
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Process to Amend the Comprehensive Plan
Any change to the Comprehensive Plan is made at the sole discretion of the City Council. In
other words, a property owner or citizen cannot make an application to change the
Comprehensive Plan like a conditional use permit, rezoning or variance. Changes to the
Comprehensive Plan can only go forward if the City Council so orders. In this case, the City
Council received a request by Union Land X, LLC to create a new mixed land use category
and change the 5.9 acre site to Mixed Use in order to allow Union Land X, LLC to go forward
with a PUD application. This PUD application would allow for a mixed use development that
includes about 200,000 sq. ft. of office space, a 74 unit condominium building and about
15,000 sq. ft. of retail space. After considering the request by Union Land X, LLC, the Council
allowed consideration of the change to go forward.
Section 11.90, Subdivision 7 of the Zoning Code outlines the process for amending the
Comprehensive Plan. It states that the Council may amend the Comprehensive Plan only after
the Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the change. In this case, the Commission
is holding a public hearing on the change of the land use category from Light Industrial to
Mixed Use (MU) for the former Olympic Printing site. After a recommendation from the
Planning Commission is received, the City Council will then vote on the change. A vote to
change the Compressive Plan requires a 2/3 majority vote of all members of the City Council.
(In other words, four of the five members have to vote in favor of the change to the
Comprehensive Plan.)
As indicated in Section 11.90, Subdivision 7, there are no specific findings that are required to
be made by the Planning Commission in the consideration of a change to the Comprehensive
Plan.
(In this case, the amendment to the General Land Use Plan map and the preliminary PUD plan
are being considered by the Planning Commission at the same meeting. This allows the
Commission the opportunity to see the type of mixed use that is being proposed and vote on
them at the same meeting. The City Council will also consider the General Land Use Plan map
change and Preliminary PUD at the same meeting.)
Current Planning for 1-394 Corridor
The City is nearing the end of a planning process for the 1-394 Corridor that includes the part of
Golden Valley south of Laurel Ave. between Rhode Island Ave. and TH 100. The planning
process has been ongoing for the past year and has involved URS, Inc. (the City's planning
consultant on this project), staff, and an advisory committee made up of representatives from
the City Council, Planning Commission, staff and consultant. The advisory committee has met
a number of times to give direction to the study.
As the study is coming to a close, the findings of the study are being finalized. The findings
include:
1. The study will be used to guide the City in changing the Comprehensive Plan for the
corridor and adopting a new Mixed Use zoning category for the corridor.
2. City Council direction is that the City will not use its powers to redevelop the corridor like
it has in the past in redevelopment areas such as Golden Hills or Valley Square.
Instead, the hope is that the plans and zoning ordinances that come out of this planning
process will shape the way that the market redevelops the corridor.
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3. The City is aware of the impacts from new development on surrounding residential
areas. The mixed use development concept will allow new development taking into
consideration the limitations of the area related to criteria such as traffic, storm water
runoff, and visual impacts.
4. Any new development in the 1-394 corridor should have an overall benefit to the entire
City and enhance it as a place to live and work.
5. The City realizes that there will be new residential growth in Golden Valley over the next
20 years. Well planned, mixed use developments along transportation corridors is a
logical place for more intense development that will help the City of Golden Valley meet
its portion of expected residential growth in the metro area over the next 20 years.
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The proposed Union Land X, LLC development at the northwest comer of Xenia Ave. and
Golden Hills Dr. is a mixed use development as described in the accompanying report on the
proposed PUD. When redevelopment began in the Golden Hills area in the late 1980's and
into the 1990's, the idea of mixed use was not considered. The Golden Hills Redevelopment
Plan adopted by the Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and City
Council called for the Olympic Printing site to be used for medium to high density offices. With
the continued concern in the past several years related to traffic generation, the creation of a
mixed use development on this site would allow for dense development that would have less of
a peak hour traffic impact than if the block was used entirely for office development. The
conversion of this block to the Mixed Use (MU) category is consistent with the goals of the City
to allow development in the 1-394 corridor that will not overload the existing and planned street
system, increase housing opportunities consistent with the City's housing plan, provide a wide
variety of employment opportunities and increase the retail choices for people living and
working south of TH 55. If the City Council does decide to change the General Land Use Plan
map to MU for the Olympic site, it may be appropriate for the Golden Valley Housing and
Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to recommend a change in the Golden Hills Redevelopment
Plan to indicate that a mixed use development is appropriate in this and other parts of the
Golden Hills Redevelopment area.
Recommended Action
Property in the 1-394 corridor is valuable and developers will want to develop it as intensely as
possible in order to maximize their return on investment. The development of this area for
mixed uses will provide the development community with the opportunity to make a good
return on investment in a way that will help minimize the effects of single-use development
such as high-rise office.
Staff recommends that the General Land Use Plan map for the Olympic Printing site (the 5.9
acres at the northwest corner of Xenia Ave. and Golden Hills Dr.) be guided Mixed Use (MU).
This is a change from the current guiding of the area for Light Industrial uses.
Attachments
Letter from Union Land X, LLC, dated February 28, 2006 (3 pages)
General Land Use Plan Map ( 1 page)
. Photo of site (1 page)
.
Union Land X, LlC
5000 Glenwood Avenue
Golden ValleYrMN 55422
763-377-7090
M Hand Delivered "~
February 28, 2006
Mr, MarkW. Grimes, AICP
. Director of Planning and Development
City of Golden Valley
City l1all- 7800 G()lden Valley Road
Golden Valley, l'vfN 55427
Re: Request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Miner Site
Dear Mr. Grimes:
At a December 15, 2005 neighborhood meeting to discuss potential redevelopment oftlle Miner
Site, the residents who participated were generally supportive of a mixed use development on that
site. with housing, office, and limited retail.
.
On January 2, 2006 we wrote to you to formally request a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to
allow for a mixed use development on the Miner Site, located at the southeast corner of Golden
Llills Drive and Xenia Avenue South. You responded by letter dated January 24 that the City
Council would discuss this matter at their February 14 Council/Manager meeting, That discussion
took place, and the marteI' was referred to the March 6 City Councilmceting.
The purpose of this letter is to provide our perspective and supportive commentary for our request
lor a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to enable our mixed-use project to moVe forward to the
next step in tbe process, i.e. our application for a Planned Unit Development CPUD).
We have reviewed the fcHlowing planning policy documents and studies, from which we have
drawn the thrust of our comments:
· Goldt~n Valley Comprehensive Plan (General Land Use Plan and the Housing Golden
Valley)
· Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan (last amended in ! 999)
· Envision Golden Valley: A Shared Vision for Golden Valley's Future
· Principles for the 1-394 Corridor Study
Land Use Uivcrsity I Mixing of Uses vs. Separation of Uscs
The General Land Use Plan map uses map categories for single-purpose uses. However, the
Land Use Goals call for a balanced distribution ofland llses and point to the desire to
accommodate land use diversity. The Land Use Policies acknowledge the Metro Council's
regional growth strategy and state that the City of Golden Valley shall seek reasonable ways to
foster efficient land use pattems, accommodate mixed use developments, and increase land use
.
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density where appropriate, in dealing with the 1-394 corridor, the Lund Use ()bjectives call for
studying the corridor to determine if the area would be beller served by amending the plan to
indicate commercial or office uses rather than industrial.
Housing Golden Valley states thatthe City of Golden Valley, as part of its Livable Communities
commitment, has pledged its best efforts toward increasing the percentage of modest~cost homes,
increasing the percentage of non-detached housing styles, and incrcasing the average density of
non-detached housing developments. Among the Housing Policies are two that encourage the
consideration ofmixed-use I site-specific urban design approach to certain types of
redevelopment opportunities:
· The City shall continue to offer the flexibility of the Planned Unit Development
option to housing developers who demonstrate an ability to successfully apply
contemporaryJand planning priudplesand coordinated community design
philosophies.
· To protect the integrity and desirabi lity of established residential ncighborhoods,the
City shall evaluate the discontinuatiQIl of isolated and aging non-residential uses
through buyout. and/or amendments to the comprehcllsiveplan map as opportunities
arise.
.
'file Miner Site is located within the Golden Hills Central Area in the Golden Hills
Uedcvelol)ment Piau. For the Central Area, this Plan callsfbr a mix of medium to high density
office, service, and light industrial uses, with structured parking to cncourage maximnm site
density without compromising green spa,,',:. The Plan noted the potential expansion/upgrading of
the printing Cacility at the northwest quadran! of Xenia/Golden H ills Drive, or redevelopment of
the site by others.
T'he citizens who developed the Shared Vision for Golden Valley's Futun~ talked about
"Connecting," noting that this notion isn't just about getting from place to place, bm it's also
about bringing people together ..", by fostering inviting public places, vir,al businesses, and
community institutions where people work and play, encounter their fellow citizens, and discover
COmmon interests, The Development category of the Envision Guide expMds (In the desire for a
more integrated community by encouraging commercial development that reinforces community
identity and engagement. It defines cornrntwcial development to include pl<,<<-'es where business,
entertninmcnt., housing, and govcmmcnt services gracefully coexist Further, it encourages such
cOlnmercial development t.o take advantage of existing infrastructure along 1-:394 (and IIwy 55).
Lastly, the Principles f(x the 1~3()4 Corridor Study foclls on enabling the corridor to evolve
t.oward a diverse mix of land uses. including residential as well as commercial and industrial,
noting thata mix of activities, uses and densities will help to sustain the corridor through
changing economic cycles, consumer preferences, and housing trends. The Principles call fot'
maximizing integration rather than separation of land uses, and improving the visual coherence
and attractiveness of the corridor, and improving the connectivity for all modes oftransportation.
Summary Conclusions
The City of Golden Valley policy directives noted above. as well as COllllTH;mts made by the
public aUnc Dec.ernber 15,2005 community meeting, point clearly to the desire of the
community's leadership and residents to faci!itnte the evolution of Golden Valley into a more
closely kll it. more connected community.
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We believe that mixed-use development, created through a high quality environment
characterized by wel I-designed bui ldings, landscaped open. space. amenities that include a well-
integrated trllnsport?lion plan (vehicular, parking, and enhanced access to transit) and attractive
pedcstrinll acc(:~ssal1d circulation, if; the most exciting amleffective 111ethod of achieving this
ties ired connectivity. Bold and distinctive, yet contextual, mixed-use development, such as we
are proposing for the Miner Site, would alsoenhancc the character and identity of Golden Valley.
Therefore, we request that the COllllcil go f(}rward with formal consideration of the amendment to
Golden Valley's Comprehensive Plan to facilitate the consideration ofa mixed-use Planned Unit
Development proposal forredeve]opment of the Miner Site.
Thank you for your consideratioll. As you know, \ve will work with the City to develop the site
into an t~nd use that the community can be proud of. Please c~JlI with any questions.
SinCt~rdy,
Union Land X, L.LC
"''''';'-'-2'' '7
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r. .<:{:!~;:if
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Frank C. Dunbar
Chief Manager
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GENERAL LAND USE PLAN
RESIDENTIAL
o Low Density (Less than 5 units per acre)
_ Medium Density (5 to 11.9 units per acre)
.. High Density (12 or more units per acre)
COMMERCIAL
~_ Office
.. Commercial
(also includes Office)
INDUSTRIAL
o Light Industrial (also includes Office)
11II Industrial (also includes Office)
b~~~ Open Space - Public and Private ownershiP.
c:J Schools and Religious Facilities
L .' ,J Public Facilities - Miscellaneous
_ Semi-Public Facilities - Miscellaneous
_ Open Water
~ Wetlands National Wetland Inventory - not field verified
~ (Minor adjustments made to some wetlands)
~ Railroad
Existing Local Trail
Proposed Local Trail
Regional Trail
Proposed Regional Trail
Pedestrian Bridge
Road Rights-of-Way
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Municipal Line
1 inch = 1.833 feet
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Golden Valley
May 1999
Comprehensive Plan 1999 - 2020
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Union Land X LLC
Golden Valley, MN 01.02.2006
Miner Site
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.
.
Hey
Planning
763-593-8095 I 763-593-8109 (fax)
Date:
August23,2006
To:
Golden Valley Planning Commission
From:
Mark W. Grimes, Director of Planning and Development
Subject:
Informal Public Hearing-:-Preliminary PUD Plan for Redevelopment of the Miner
Site at 700-800 Xenia Ave. into a Mixed Use Development-Union Land X, LLC,
Applicant
BACKGROUND
Union Land X, LLC, represented by Frank Dunbar, Chief Manager, has entered into an
agreement to purchase the 5.9 acres at the northwest corner of Xenia Ave. and Golden Hills
Dr. The property currently consists of two lots. This property is located north of the Allianz
headquarters. The property currently has two office/warehouse buildings located on it. Both
buildings total around 37,000 sq. ft. in area. The south building along Golden Hills Dr. is vacant
and the north building is partially occupied. Union Land X proposes to tear down the two
buildings and use the property for the construction of a mixed use development including a 10
level office building (218,000 sq. ft.), a parking deck attached to the office building (5.5 levels),
restaurant and retail space on the first level of the office building (10,000 sq. ft.) and a 74 unit
condominium building (12 levels).
The property is currently designated Light Industrial on the City's General Land Use Plan map
and Light Industrial on the City's zoning map. In order for this proposal to go forward, the
General Land Use Plan designation for the property must be changed from Light Industrial to
Mixed Use (MU). This change to the General Land Use Plan map is also being considered by
the Planning Commission at the August 28, 2006 Planning Commission meeting. If the
Commission recommends approval of the change to the General Land Use Plan map, the
proposal can then move forward to the zoning phase. In this case, the zoning phase is the
request to create a mixed use Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the site. The mixed use
development proposed by Union Land X is not consistent with the existing Light Industrial
zoning.
This property is located within the Golden Hills Redevelopment District. Within this
redevelopment district that reaches from Colorado Ave. on the west, Turners Crossroad on the
east, 1-394 on south and Laurel Ave. on the north, much new development has occurred over
the past 20 years. The City created this redevelopment area in the 1980's in order to
encourage and foster good development at the then future interchange with 1-394 at Xenia
Ave.
1
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The redevelopment in the area has included both public and private invesfment including new
streets, storm water ponds, new office buildings, and a motel. The Miner site is the last major
site left to be redeveloped in the Redevelopment Area. The original Redevelopment Plan
indicated that the best use of Miner site would be for office space or for the upgrading of the
existing buildings for continued office/warehouse and light industrial uses.
The proposed redevelopment by Union Land X does not include any financial participation by
the City of Golden Valley or the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Any costs related to
public improvements necessary for the development to go forward will be paid for by Union
Land X. This may include improvements to the streets to enhance traffic flow and circulation.
As a result of the redevelopment that has occurred in the Golden Hills area, many public
improvements have been done that make the redevelopment of the Miner site possible. This
includes all the work that has been done to improve traffic flow into and out of the area. Since
the late 1980's, the City has carefully reviewed all development that has been built to make sure
that the street systems in and around the Golden Hills area will continue to operate at an
acceptable level after each development. With each new development in the area, the City has
required updated traffic information to determine how traffic will work with the new development.
In certain instances, improvements to the local street systems had to be made.
The Cities of Golden Valley and St. Louis Park have also worked together to consider the
effects of development on the shared freeway interchanges along 1-394. Both cities have
adopted an ordinance that requires traffic management plans for developments within the 1-
394 corridor and laid out a plan for street improvements in the area.
. The City is in the process of finalizing the 1-394 Corridor Study. The purpose of this study is to
re-evaluate the existing land use regulations for the corridor and to recommend changes to the
City's General Land Use Plan and zoning ordinance. The Miner site is within the Corridor
Study area. It is appropriate to consider the guiding principles for the Corridor Study when
reviewing this development. These eight principles are:
1. Enable the corridor to evolve toward a diverse mix of land uses, including residential as
well as commercial and industrial.
2. Maximize integration rather than separation of land uses, where appropriate.
3. Maintain the corridor as an employment center.
4. Improve the visual coherence and attractiveness of the corridor.
5. Improve connectivity for all modes of transportation.
6. Foster neighborhood-serving retail and services.
7. Maintain and improve the functioning of intersections and highway interchanges.
8. Foster sustainable development and work to establish a balance between urban and
natural systems.
It is the staffs opinion that this development is consistent with these eight principles for the
corridor after carefully examining the plan and written materials submitted by Union Land X.
.
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QUALIFICATION AS A PUD
'Section 11.55 of the Zoning Code outlines the requirements for planned unit developments. It
indicates that the purpose of a PUD is to permit flexibility from other provisions of the zoning
code including flexibility in uses allowed, setbacks, height, parking requirements, number of
buildings on a lot and similar requirements. Subdivision 1 of Section 11.55 outlines the
purpose of the PUD section and indicates 11 items that a PUD is to encourage or achieve.
In the case of the Miner redevelopment, it is the staff opinion that the proposal is consistent
with this purpose section. The PUD chapter also indicates standards and guidelines for all
planned unit developments. Staff finds that these standards and guidelines are met. Therefore,
the Miner proposal may be considered as a PUD.
Staff has reviewed the application submitted by Union Land X and finds it to be complete and
acceptable for consideration as a PUD. Along with the application, Union Land has submitted
all necessary information for the staff to evaluate the proposal. Union Land X has held two
neighborhood meetings as required by the PUD ordinance.
The PUD process consists of two stages. If the preliminary plan is approved by the City
Council after a recommendation is received by the Planning Commission, the applicant must
then apply for the final PUD plan approval. This final plan stage is also reviewed by the
Planning Commission and the final plan approved by the City Council
.
After discussion with the City Attorney, it was decided that the only zoning that would permit a
mixed use development is the PUD. No other zoning district would permit all three of the uses
proposed by Union Land X within the same development. When the Purpose and Intent
language of the PUD section of the Zoning Code is read, it is clear that a mixed use
development that includes office, retail and residential uses is consistent within a PUD zoning
district.
PROJECT DETAILS
The proposed redevelopment plans are illustrated on the plans submitted with the PUD
application. This package of plans includes 27 pages prepared by UrbanWorks, the project
architect. Other information submitted with the application includes an addendum to the
application dated July 6,2006. The addendum gives additional explanation regarding the
proposal. A copy of the traffic management plan prepared for the Miner site by SRF Consulting
Group is also attached.
The entire site is 5.9 acres in size and is bounded by Laurel Ave. on the north, Xenia Ave. on
the east, Golden Hills Dr. on the south and the CP railroad tracks on the west. The proposal is
to create two lots. The north lot would be 1.2 acres and provide the space for the 12 story
condo building and two level parking deck. The south lot would be 4.7 acres in size and
provide for the 10 level office building with retail on the first level along with the 5.5 level
parking deck.
.
The condo building is to be a 12 story building with 74 units. (When Union Land X first spoke to
staff about this size of the condo, it was in the 90-100 unit range. It has now been reduced to
74 units to meet the market's demand for larger units. The size of the building has remained
the same but some of the units have been made larger.) The height of the condo building is
136 ft. This height is about 25 ft. less than the 10 level office building that is 160 ft. in height.
3
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The units will be sold at market rate. The developer will be able to discuss price ranges at the
Planning Commission meeting. The office building is 10 levels with 218,000 sq. ft. of office
space and 10,000 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space on the first level. There is also a 5.5 level
parking deck attached to the west end of the office building. The office building is 160 ft. in
height which is less than the taller of the Allianz buildings to the south.
As permitted in other developments within the Golden Hills area that required a PUD, the
setback for some of the buildings and landscape areas are proposed to be less than would be
required in an office or residential zoning district. The condo building and the office building do
meet or exceed the 35 ft. setback along all streets. The parking deck for the condo is 35 ft.
from Laurel Ave. The parking deck for the office building is as close as 22 ft. from Golden Hills
Dr. Outside of a PUD, all setback areas along a public street must be landscaped. In this case,
the surface parking areas for the condo is totally within the front setback areas along Laurel
Ave. For the office building, the surface parking lot is partially within the setback area along
Golden Hills Dr. Also, they have provided a plaza area along the Golden Hills Dr. and Xenia
Ave. intersection that is "hardscape". Within this plaza area, they have provided seating and
landscaped areas. The office building is setback farther than the required 35 ft. from the
intersection of Golden Hills Dr. and Xenia Ave. in order to provide more plaza and public
space. The provision of this plaza is consistent with City goals to create neighborhood
servicing retail areas and gathering places.
The PUD will provide a total of 1207 parking spaces. Of those, 149 are located in the two level
parking deck for the condo building or in the small parking area for guests along Laurel Ave.
This amount of parking exceeds the City's parking requirement of two spaces for each unit in a
multiple family building.
.
The office building will have 1058 parking spaces with 1036 of those spaces in the 5.5 level
parking deck attached to the west side of the office building. There is a small, 22 space surface
parking lot along Golden Hills Dr. that will primarily serve the retail uses on the first level.
Overall, the parking for the office and retail space exceeds the City's parking requirement by
about 25 spaces. (The consultant for Union Land X used the City's parking requirements from
the old parking section of the zoning code. The new parking requirements require slightly less
parking for retail and residential uses. Therefore, Union Land X is providing more than the
1180 spaces required by the zoning code.)
As part of the Travel Demand Management Plan, the developer has committed to providing
bicycle storage facilities to meet the demands of residents and employees. This includes
shower facilities near the bike locker area for employees that bike or walk to work. The
developer has also committed to providing at least one bike space for each residential unit.
This bike storage shall be shown on the final PUD plan.
The developer will be working with the City and the Metropolitan Council to determine the best
location for a bus stop(s) for the site. This may include the requirement for the construction of a
bus shelter.
.
The PUD does show that there will be a sidewalk around the entire block including a trail along
the railroad tracks on the west side of the parking deck. This will encourage walking and a
connection to the surrounding neighborhoods.
4
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Also, the site plan shows a significant plaza area near the Xenia Ave. and Golden Hills Dr.
intersection. This will encourage pedestrian movement and a gathering space for workers and
residents of the area. It is hoped that the small retail area on the first level will be used by both
the employees and residents in and near the Golden Hills area.
The developer has submitted a landscape plan that indicates a great deal of plant material for
the site. As indicated on the site plan, about 24% of the site is considered "green" where no
building or paving is located. The plaza area that is "hardscape" is not included in this 24%.
Landscaping is strategically located in the "hardscape" areas to make them more welcoming to
pedestrians. The landscape plan does appear to be well designed. However, this landscape
plan will have to be reviewed by the City's Environmental Coordinator and the Building Board
of Review to determine if minimum landscape standards are met and to make suggestions
regarding the type of plant material used and location of plant material.
The site does indicate the location of a pond. The pond will be used as both an amenity for the
site and for storm water retention and management. (The storm water ponding issues are
addressed in the memo from City Engineer Jeff Oliver, PE.) As indicated on the site plan, the
restaurant area will overlook a portion of the pond. The pond will also help provide a
separation between the condo building and the office building.
.
The building materials are indicated on the plans. It appears that the office building will be
have aluminum and glass curtain wall system with insulated glass. The parking decks will have
articulated pre-cast panels with simulated stone banding. The condominium building will made
from pre-cast concrete panels. As indicated on the elevation plans, there will be large windows
and balconies on all sides on the building. All buildings on the site are designed by
UrbanWorks Architecture.
One of the most significant issues related to this PUD is the ability of the existing street system
to handle the additional traffic that will be generated from the office, retail and condominium
buildings. After much discussion, the staff believes that the traffic generated from this site can
be handled by the existing street system with some modifications suggested by City Engineer
Jeff Oliver, PE, and the City's consulting traffic engineer, Mike Kotila, PE. The information
about traffic generation is addressed in Mr. Oliver's memo that is attached. The developer is
aware of the requirements made by the City and has agreed to go forward with the Travel
Demand Management Plan that has been submitted and reviewed by the City. This Travel
Demand Management Plan will be made a part of the PUD permit.
Deputy Fire Marshal Ed Anderson has written a memo to me dated August 2,2006 regarding
the Miner site. This memo clearly states the requirements of the Fire Department. This memo
has been received by the developer and he has stated that the requirements will be met.
.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Staff recommends approval of the preliminary PUD plan for the Miner site. This plan includes
the construction of a 218,000 sq. ft. office building with an additional 1 0,000 sq. ft. of
retail/restaurant space on the first level, a 74 unit condominium building, and approximately
1200 parking spaces in two parking decks. The plan has been developed in a coordinated
manner by Union Land X.
5
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They have worked with City staff to develop a site plan that will provide for good pedestrian
and vehicle circulation. It appears that the traffic generated from this development will be able
to function on the existing street system with some improvements that will be paid for by the
developer. (If this development is completed, staff believes that there is remaining traffic
capacity for additional development on the vacant parcel next to the Colonnade if certain other
improvements are made to the local street system.) As stated in this memo, the City is
concerned about maintaining an acceptable level of service throughout the Golden Hills area
and the surrounding neighborhoods.
This property is a valuable piece of land within the 1-394 Corridor and the Golden Hills area.
Any redevelopment of the area will be dense as compared to the existing use or even the
maximum use that would be permitted in the Light Industrial zoning district. Because of the
location near the 1-394 interchange with Xenia Ave. and the surrounding land uses, this more
intense development is inevitable. The City's job is to make sure that the development that
does go into the area benefits the City and surrounding neighborhood and that the impacts
such as traffic and storm water runoff are mitigated.
The recommended approval has the following conditions:
1. The 27 sheet Miner Site Plan Submittal prepared by UrbanWorks and dated 8/22/06 shall
become a part of this approval.
2. The Union Land X, LLC Application for Preliminary PUD Plan and attachments shall
become a part of this approval.
. 3. The Miner Site Redevelopment Travel Demand Management Plan (Draft) prepared by SRF
Consulting Group, dated June 2006 shall become a part of this approval.
.
4. The Memo from Deputy Fire Marshal Ed Anderson to Mark Grimes, Director of Planning
and Development dated August 2, 2006 shall become a part of this approval.
5. The Memo from City Engineer Jeff Oliver, PE, to Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and
Development dated August 24, 2006 (with attachment) shall become a part of this
approval.
Attachments
Location Map (1 page)
Memo from City Engineer, Jeff Oliver, dated August 24, 2006 (8 pages)
Memo from Deputy Fire Marshal, Ed Anderson, dated August 2,2006 (2 pages)
Application Cover Letter from Union Land X, LLC, dated August 21,2006 (1 page
Preliminary Design Plan PUD Application, dated July 6, 2006 (4 pages)
Code Analysis prepared by UrbanWorks Architecture, dated August 22,2006 (4 pages)
Project Narrative, dated July 6, 2006 (5 pages)
Draft Travel Demand Management Plan prepared by SRF, dated June 2006(43 pages)
Plans prepared by UrbanWorks Architecture, dated August 22,2006 (27 oversized pages)
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emorandum
Public Works
763.593.8030 I 763.593.3988 (fax)
alley
Date:
August 24, 2006
To:
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development
Jeff Oliver, PE, City Engineer NJ
Preliminary Design Plan Revi:Wanned Unit Development NO.1 03
From:
Subject:
Public Works staff has reviewed the proposed plans for the Preliminary Design Plan for
Planned Unit Development (PUD) NO.1 03, Miner Site. The site being considered for
development has also been known as the Olympic Printing site, and is located north of
Golden Hills Drive, west of Xenia Avenue South and south of Laurel Avenue. The
proposed PUD consists of a mixed use development with a high rise residential building
on the northern portion of the site and a commercial/office building on the southern
portion of the site.
Public Improvements:
The proposed development of this site will require modifications to the existing street
system surrounding the PUD, including turn lane and median work, public utility work,
public sidewalk construction, as well as other modifications to existing city systems.
Therefore, the developer will be required to enter into a Public Improvement Agreement
for the anticipated work, which will be designed and constructed as a City Public
Improvement Project. The agreement will include the developer paying for the
improvements and all indirect costs incurred for project development, management and
construction, as special assessments. Further details of the anticipated public
improvement project will be discussed later in this review.
Preliminary Plat and Site Plan:
The final plat for this development, which will be required at the time of final PUD
approval, must include easements consistent with the Subdivision Ordinance. These
easements will include drainage and utility easements centered over all watermain
facilities on site. In addition, the final plat must incorporate all rights-of-way and
easement dedications discussed within this review.
There are several railroad spur easements across the property being developed. The
developer must provide evidence that these easements have been vacated prior to
forwarding the development for final plan review.
There is an existing drainage and utility easement along the western edge of the
property being developed. This easement was originally granted to the Minnesota
G:\Developments-Private\Olympic Printing\PUD PreReview 082406.doc
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Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for drainage and highway purposes. However, it
appears that the MnDOT rights for highway purposes have expired, and the easement
may have been turned over to the City. The developer is pursuing the status of this
easement and must provide documentation of its status prior to review of the final PUD
plans. If the easement has been conveyed to the City it can be vacated as part of the
final plat for the PUD.
The final plat must include dedication of additional street right-of-way at the intersection
of Laurel Avenue and Xenia Avenue South South, and along Xenia Avenue South
South. The right-of-way must be located a minimum of five feet behind the curb lines for
each street.
The proposed sidewalk construction shown on the Golden Hills Drive, Xenia Avenue
South and Laurel Avenue frontage of the PUD will be constructed as part of the public
improvement project. These sidewalks will be a minimum of six-feet wide with a
minimum boulevard of four-feet where ever possible. When the sidewalks must be
constructed adjacent to the back of curb it must be a minimum of eight-feet wide. The
sidewalks adjacent to the streets will be owned and maintained by the City of Golden
Valley.
.
All sidewalks within the development boundary will be owned and maintained by the
developer. This includes the proposed trail along the western PUD boundary that is
parallel to the railroad tracks.
The public sidewalks discussed above must be within walkway easements to be
dedicated by the developer to the City. These easements must extend from the right-of-
way line to one foot behind the sidewalk on the property side. These easements must
be dedicated under separate document, with the developer providing the legal
descriptions for the easements as part of final plan submittal. The City will prepare the
easement documents for signature and recording as part of the final PUD approval.
The proposed curb lines, median alignments, turn lanes and sidewalk locations shown
on the plans are consistent with the City's currently anticipated public improvements.
However, the layout is subject to change based upon final PUD review and construction
plan preparation. The developer must agree to provide additional rights-of-way and
easements deemed necessary during final design of the PUD and public improvements.
Full access into this PUD will be provided in the northwest and southwest corners of the
site. The access in the southwest corner will lead into the parking ramp for the
commercial and office building, and must align with the driveway into Allianz on the
south side of Golden Hills Drive. The proposed surface parking lot along Golden Hills
Drive will also be accessible from this access point.
The proposed parking ramp for the commercial and office building will also be
constructed to allow fire department access through the ramp to the rest of the site.
.
G:\Developments-Private\Olympic Printing\PUD PreReview 082406.doc
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As discussed above, the site access in the northwest corner of the PUD will also
provide full access. This will be the primary access point to the parking ramp for the
residential building as well as for service vehicles to both buildings.
The proposed mid-block site access from Golden Hills Drive will be limited to a right
in/right out access. The access point onto Laurel Avenue in the northeast corner of the
site, which serves a portion of the visitor parking for the residential building, will be a
right-out access only.
The proposed mid-block access point onto Xenia Avenue South will also be a right-
in/right-out access only. The proposed layout of this access point includes a center
median and appears to be satisfactory to accommodate emergency vehicles and semi-
trucks that will be providing service to the proposed PUD.
.
In order to maximize safety along Xenia Avenue South by minimizing unprotected
turning movements, both openings in the center median will be closed as part of the
public improvement project. The closure of these medians will result in the driveway
from 701 Xenia Avenue South, located on the east side of Xenia Avenue South,
becoming a right-in/right-out access point. In order to provide adequate public safety
access to the 701 building, the developer has prepared concept plans for modifying the
existing access onto Laurel Avenue to a full access point. These modifications will
require coordination with the owners of the 701 Xenia Avenue South building. Due to
the circuitous nature of the adjacent local streets, the creation of a full access point onto
Laurel Avenue from 701 Xenia Avenue South will not create significant amounts of
additional traffic through the residential neighborhood east of Turners Crossroad.
The pubic improvement project will also include the installation of signal interconnect
system along Xenia Avenue South to provide connection between the traffic signal
systems at Laurel Avenue and Golden Hills Drive. This conduit will allow for
coordination of the signal timings north of 1-394, and the future optimization of all the
signals along Xenia Avenue South and Park Place to the south of 1-394. Further
modifications to the traffic signals adjacent to the site that are deemed necessary during
design of the public improvement project, will also be incorporated into the project.
The public improvement project may also include modifications to other legs of
intersections not immediately adjacent to the proposed PUD. The City is currently in the
process of preparing a concept plan for the entire intersection based upon the projected
development. The costs of these improvements will be determined during final plan
preparation and will be appropriately paid for by other property owners in the area.
Other potential improvements that may be incorporated into the public improvement
project include expansion of the railroad crossing at Golden Hills Drive to accommodate
street modifications, sidewalk construction and a railroad signal system.
.
The proposed PUD plans are being forwarded to Metro Transit for review and comment.
The installation of bus shelters on site will be based the comments of Metro Transit and
the City. Any bus shelters determined necessary will be constructed by the developer,
or as part of the public improvement project. Determination of construction responsibility
will be made at the time of final PUD review.
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Travel Demand Management Plan and Traffic Impacts:
The developer has submitted a Travel Demand Management Plan (TDMP) as part of
the PUD. This TDMP outlines actions to be taken by the developer to minimize traffic
impacts on the adjacent roadways, and at other intersections in the vicinity of the PUD.
City staff and the City's consulting traffic engineer have been working with the developer
over a significant period of time on the information included in the TDMP, and in the
traffic generation report included in the TDMP.
The efforts to minimize vehicle trips to and from the proposed PUD that are outlined
within the TDMP seem reasonable and if achieved, will help minimize traffic impacts in
the area. A review memo from Mike Kotila, Traffic Engineer from SEH Inc. (SEH), dated
August 24,2006 (attached for reference) makes additional recommendations to further
strengthen the TDMP.
The traffic study included with the TDMP indicates that following complete development
of the area and implementation of the improvements included in the study, all
intersections will operate at a Level of Service D or better. Staff and the City's traffic
engineer agree with this conclusion. In addition, the trip generation from this PUD is
consistent with the Golden Hills Traffic Study performed for the City by SEH in 2004.
The 2004 study assigned total trips within the Xenia Avenue South and Golden Hills
Drive area with an end result of all intersections operating at an acceptable Level of
Service following build out.
The proposed public improvement project discussed within this review incorporates the
recommended street improvements that are needed as a result of the PUD. Additional
improvements based upon proposed development in the southeast quadrant of Xenia
Avenue South and Golden Hills Drive will be incorporated into the public improvement
project if that redevelopment occurs in the near future.
Utilitv Plan:
The proposed PUD will receive sanitary sewer and water service from extensions into
the site from existing City utilities within adjacent roadways. Adequate capacity is
available in the city sanitary sewer and water supply systems to meet the demands from
the development.
The Utility Plan submitted with the PUD appears to be satisfactory as proposed. The
extension of stubs to the property lines will be included in the public improvement
project discussed earlier in this review. The ownership and maintenance of the sanitary
sewer and water systems on-site will be the responsibility of the developer from the
connection point to the city systems and throughout the PUD. A maintenance
agreement.for these utilities will be required as part of the final PUD approval.
The public improvement project will also include the required disconnection and removal
of the existing sanitary sewer and water services into the site.
Grading, Drainage and Erosion Control:
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This proposed PUD is located within the Sweeney Lake sub-district of the Bassett
Creek Watershed. Therefore, the development will be subject to the Bassett Creek
Water Management Commission (BCWMC) Requirements for Improvements and
Development Proposals for water quality. This policy requires the installation of water
quality ponds and other best management practices on-site to protect downstream
water bodies.
The proposed Grading, Drainage and Erosion Control Plan submitted for review
includes the construction of a storm water pond in the east-central portion of the site.
This pond will provide water quality treatment and rate control for the site. In addition,
the developer has proposed the installation of two rain water gardens (infiltration basins)
and an environmental manhole immediately adjacent to the east side of the residential
building. These facilities will provide water quality treatment for runoff from portions of
the site that are not flowing to the pond. Specific design information for the rain gardens
must be included in the final PUD submittal.
.
The only portion of the site that will not receive runoff treatment for water quality prior to
discharge from the site is along the western and southern boundaries. The storm water
runoff from the western portion of the site, between the parking ramp and the property
line, is into the railroad right-of-way and then northward into a storm sewer system in
Laurel Avenue. The receiving storm sewer system flows into the Xenia Avenue regional
pond that was constructed by the City for rate control and water quality improvements.
Runoff from the southern portion of the site is onto Golden Hills Drive; and into the
existing storm sewer system that also flows to the Xenia Avenue pond. Therefore, runoff
from the entire site receives the required water quality treatment.
The developer must submit the grading plan and all storm water calculations to the
BCWMC for its review and comment as part of the final PUD approval process. This
submittal must include documentation that the proposed rain gardens and
environmental manhole will provide a comparable level of nutrient removal as a NURP
pond.
The developer will be required to obtain a City of Golden Valley Grading, Drainage and
Erosion Control Permit for this project. This permit must be obtained prior to the start of
any work on site.
Because the site disturbing activity on this site is in excess of one acre, the developer
will be required to obtain a NPDES General Storm Water Permit from the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency prior to the start of work on site. A copy of the permit
application, once it is obtained, must be provided to the Public Works Department for its
records.
.
The storm sewer system on-site, including all catch basins, manholes, pipes, ponds,
rain gardens and environmental manholes will be owned and maintained by the
developer from the point of connection to the existing City system into the property. The
developer will be required to enter into a maintenance agreement for these facilities as
part of the final PUD approval.
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The proposed storm water management system on site will reduce peak runoff from the
site following construction.
Tree Preservation:
This PUD will be subject to the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance. Information
regarding compliance with the tree preservation ordinance must be submitted with final
PUD plans.
Summary and Recommendations:
Public Works staff recommends approval of the Preliminary Design Plan for Planned
Unit Development No. 103 subject to the following conditions.
1. The developer must enter into a Public Improvement Agreement for modifications
to Laurel Avenue, Xenia Avenue South and Golden Hills Drive; utility service
installation, sidewalk construction and other improvements as discussed in this
review.
2. The developer must dedicate rights-of-way and easements deemed necessary
by the City throughout the PUD and public improvement process at no cost to the
City.
3. The developer must provide documentation to the City that the railroad
easements discussed in this review have been vacated.
4. The developer must provide documentation of the status of the drainage
easement across the western portion of the site as part of the final PUD
submittal.
5. Subject to the review and comment of Metro Transit.
6. Subject to the review and comment of the Bassett Creek Water Management
Commission.
7. The developer must enter into maintenance agreements for the private sanitary
sewer, watermain, storm sewer, water quality measures and sidewalks as
outlined within this review.
8. Subject to the review and comment of other City staff.
C:
Tom Burt, City Manager
Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works
AI Lundstrom, Environmental Coordinator
Mark Kuhnly, Chief of Fire and Inspections
Gary Johnson, Building Official
Ed Anderson, Deputy Fire Marshal
Mike Kotila, SEH
AI Murra, SEH
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SEH
DRAFT MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mark Grimes, Planning Director
City of Golden Valley
FROM:
Mike Kotila, Traffic Engineer
DATE:
August 24, 2006
RE:
Miner Site Plan and Traffic Study
SEH No. AGOLDV9801.00 14.00
I have reviewed the revised Miner Site Redevelopment Travel Demand Management Plan (TDMP) dated
August 2006. The TDMP proposes measures for travel demand management to reduce impacts of the site
generated trips. The TDMP also assesses traffic impacts on the local roadway network and evaluates the
proposed parking demand and parking supply for all uses on the site.
Most of the questions and comments that we made on the June 2006 draft TDMP have been adequately
addressed. ill this memo I have identified points of interest, and potential opportunities to. strengthen the
TDMP agreement.
Travel Demand Management Plan (TDMP)
The TDMP and Traffic Study Report state that 2010 build and no-build conditions report that all
signalized intersections operate at an acceptable LOS. It should be noted that many capacity
improvements are assumed to be made as mitigation for traffic impacts from other developments in the
XenialPark Place corridor. These improvements are assumed to be in place as part of the described "no-
build" improvements for the Miner site. No discreet assessment of impacts for the Miner Site without the
other developments has been performed. However the traffic study conclusions do state that the City may
require the Minor Site developer to contribute fmancially to road improvements based upon contribution
of traffic demands or other means.
Parking supply exceeds City code requirements as well as ITE (illstitute of Transportation Engineers)
guidelines.
Target goals for transportation mode splits set in the TDMP are 70-80% Auto, 15-25% Transit and 5%
Bike/Walk.
TDMP Actions proposed by the developer (beginning on page 14 of the TDMP) are identified below.
Opportunities to strengthen the agreement language are parenthesized in bold text.
1. Support and Promote Bicycling and Walking as Alternatives. (No suggestions for
strengthening)
2.
Support Transit as an Alternative - "The developer will . . . . develop a program that could (will)
subsidize employee's bus passes for those that choose to use transit a minimum of three days per
week. (The monthly bus pass subsidy shall be a minimum of _ %)
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., 10901 Red Circle Drive, Suite 200, Minnetonka, MN 55343-9301
SEH is an equal opportunity employer I www.sehinc.comI952.912.2600 I 800.734.6757 I 952.912.2601 fax
.
.
.
Miner Site Plan and Traffic Study
August 24, 2006
Page 2
3.
Support and Promote Car and Vanpooling - "Incentives such as preferential parking location for
carpoolers and motorcycles may (will) be offered as well." (Specify number of spaces)
4. Provisions of Information on Transportation Alternatives. - (No suggestions for strengthening)
5. Vehicular Traffic Movement & Access Restriction - "The egress flow ofthe parking ramp will be
monitored electronically by building management." (Results shall be reported to the City
annually.)
6. Participation with Regional TDM Organizations - "The developer... will designate and fund an
individual to act as the Commuter Benefits Coordinator (CBC). The CBC will. . . actively (and
continuously) promote expansion of the TDMP program."
7. Monitoring of Action Implementation and Goal Achievement - "These recommendations may
(will) require an alternative compliance program if significant progress toward achieving the
TDMP goal is not demonstrated."
Appendix A . Traffic Study Technical Memorandum
Additions, correction and clarifications to the traffic study have been made.
The study now identifies the contribution of traffic flow from other developments so that assignment of
responsibility for improvements can be identified. As previously stated, the report acknowledges that the
Miner Development may be required to contribute to street and capacity improvements based upon
contribution of added traffic - or other means.
Previous studies have identified the possible need for a WB right turn lane on Golden Hills Drive
approaching Xenia A venue. This was not specified as a required mitigation as part of this study because
the Colonnade Phase II expansion was assumed to be 200,000 square feet of office space and delay/LOS
criteria did not identify the need. The need for the right turn lane should still be considered as part of
mitigation for the Colonnade due to WB left turn queues that will block the WB through and right turn
movements.
Appendix B - Parking Study
Comments and concerns identified in the draft report have been addressed.
p:\fjlglgoldv\980100lminer sitelminer tdmp connnents.82406.doc
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Memorandum
Fire Department
763-593-8055 I 763-512-2497 (fax)
Public ~U~Y
To:
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning & Zoning
From:
Ed Anderson, Deputy Fire Marshal
Subject: PUD 103- Miner Site
Date: August 2, 2006
cc: Mark Kuhnly, Fire Chief
The Golden Valley Fire Department has reviewed the plans submitted for the Planned Unit
Development at Miner Olympic Printing Site. This review has focused on the following, fire department
access, demolition, utility plan and landscaping.
Page C 1.0 Demolition Plan
1. The demolition of the building on the current site shall be in accordance with the MN State Fire
Code.
2. The existing private fire hydrants and other private fire suppression equipment currently
located on the site shall not be salvaged or re-used.
3. Remove the Fire Department rapid entry access lock boxes from each building prior to
demolition of the buildings.
Page C3.0 Utility Plan
1. Provide post indicator valves for the fire suppression water mains for each building and
parking ramp.
2. The installation of fire hydrants located on the proposed site shall be in accordance with the
MN State Fire Code and also in conjunction with the City of Golden Valley Engineering
Department.
3. The location of the fire hydrants on the site shall not be obstructed by any matter or materials,
including but not limited to, landscaping, electrical equipment, or other means that would
hinder the fire departments operations.
Page L001 Master Plan
1. The Fire Department access road for the site shall be in accordance with the MN State Fire
Code. The Fire Department access road shall have a minimum un-obstructed width of 26' in
the immediate vicinity of any buildings or portion of the buildings more than 30' in height.
2.
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3.
4.
5.
6.
Fire Department access roads shall be provided for every facility's building or portion of the
building. The access roads shall extend to within 150' of all portions of the facilities or any
portion of the exterior walls measured to an approved route around the building. If the Fire
Department access road cannot be installed due to location on the property or other
conditions, an approved alternative means of fire protection or safeguards will be required.
The Fire Department access road shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed
load of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.
The Fire Department access road shall have an un-obstructed vertical clearance of not less
than 13'6".
All Fire Department access roads shall have a 45' inside turning radius for all fire apparatus.
The proposed high-rise building will be designed in accordance with the fire and building
codes on high-rise occupancy requirements, including but not limited to, fire department
communication systems, elevator master control boards and other items indicated in the MN
State Fire Code requirements.
Page L300 Landscaping Plan
1. The landscaping materials that are designed for this site shall not be placed or kept near fire
hydrants, fire department connections, post indicator valves, or other fire protection control
valves in a manner that would prevent such equipment or fire hydrants from being immediately
deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access.
Page A-1 01 Office Level 1
1. The fire department's rapid entry lock boxes will be required. The lock boxes will be installed
on all fire department access exterior entry doors and for each tenant space identified on the
plan.
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2. The fire suppression system and the stand-pipe system will be installed in accordance with the
MN State Fire Code and other recognized fire code standards.
Page 101-8 Residential Level 1
1. The proposed residential concept for this site shall be designed in accordance with the MN
State Fire Code.
2. The enclosed 62-stall parking garage shall be designed in accordance with the MN State Fire
Code.
3. The fire department rapid entry lock boxes will be required. The lock boxes will be installed on
all fire department access exterior entry doors and other fire department access doors within
the building.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 763-593-8065.
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Planning Commission
Housing Policy Review
1) What exactly are the issues of concern?
o Sub-dividing large lots
o In-fill development
o Large new/rebuilt houses
2) What is it about these issues that are perceived as prOblems by the community?
(A) "Character of community" - subdivision creates too much density; new or
remodeled house is too large to match other homes in neighborhood
(B) Storm water runoff; potential for increased flooding of neighboring homes and
yards
3)
What are the relevant facts which we need to research?
o Number of properties that are potential candidates for subdivision under current
ordinance and zoning code.
o Existing patterns of neighborhoods with homogenous housing styles/sizes
o Subdivision ordinances and zoning code provisions in similar cities (first ring suburbs)
o Current state-of-the-art in storm-water management techniques and technologies
o Prior experience in using water management techniques - compliance and enforcement
o Possible legal issues (taking?)
4) Possible directions to take:
(A) "character of community"
(i) Research and review data (above) including information sessions with
Public Works and City Attorney
(ii) Explore and prioritize options in tweaking zoning ordinance provisions
that are relevant (coverage ratio, height, setbacks)
(iii) Weigh trade-ofts between tightened restrictions and loss of continued
development (publiC interest vs. private rights)
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(6)
Storm water runoff and flooding
(i) review storm-water management options and their applicability here
(ii) review past experience in compliance with and enforcement of water
management techniques (ours and other communities)
(iii) consider additional forms of enforcement/compliance, including Letters of
Credit, performance bonds, personal guarantees, maintenance agreements -
understand legal enforceability
5) Action steps
(A) Meet with Public Works, Planning, and City Attorney to learn more about
underlying facts
(6) Review ordinances from other cities; possibly meet with their Commissioners
(C) Conduct public hearing to obtain feedback and ideas
(0) Write draft report to City Council
(E) Obtain feedback; submit final report to City Council; presentation